University Synagogue

Torah Yoga 5/22/2021

Shabbat @ Home 5/21/2021

Shabbat @ Home (05/14/2021)

Shabbat @ Home (05/07/2021)

Torah Yoga (05/08/2021)

https://www.watertreestudios.com/morleyfeinstein

Whether you're a Bagel or Blintz, join us for a humorous & inspirational multimedia history of the delicatessen across four generations of Jews in America, led by comedian Seth Front, creator of the Jewish Zodiac, a deli food parody of the Chinese zodiac. Discover the real stories behind your favorite deli foods and how they intertwine with the American journey of our people. Find out what Jewish Zodiac sign you are and join us for this huge, fun platter of Jewish cultural hi...story with a side order of nostalgia. Rabbi Paul Kipnes: Seth uses humor to teach very profound lessons about how our cultural journey is inextricably connected to the foods we so often take for granted. Joe Blachman: Seth presents the timeline in such an inviting way that listeners are compelled to place themselves and their family history into his story. RSVP and Order at www.unisyn.org/form/deli Registration is required to recieve the Zoom link. You do not need to purchase a Fromin's Nosh Box to receive the link. The Fromin's Nosh Boxes will be available for pick-up for those who order from Feb. 3rd - 5th at University Synagogue's Lobby (parallel to Sunset Blvd.). All RSVPs and orders will be finalized on January 27th at 5pm. RSVP and Order: www.unisyn.org/form/deli

Zecher Tzadik Livracha May the memory of the righteous be a blessing. We share the sad news of the passing of Rabbi Allen I. Freehling, Emeritus, who served University Synagogue with distinction as our beloved Senior Rabbi from 1972-2002.... Allen was husband to Lori, father to Shira, David zl (Reisa), and Jonathan (Teresa). He had six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. A community celebration of his life will be scheduled later this year.

Shabbat shalom from US to you.

Dear friends, We, like you have watched with a mixture of shock, anger and deep sadness as events have unfolded this afternoon in our nation’s capital. Our national temple has been defiled, its sacred space, dedicated to liberty and justice for all, desecrated. Given the hateful words, angry accusations, and unrelenting lies of recent days, weeks and months, we are mournful but not surprised. It has never been more vital for those who believe in the fundamental values upo...n which this country was founded to come together in common cause, united in defense of all we hold dear. Our nation is not perfect. Far from it. But, the beacon of light that has always led us forward is the desire to do better and to be better as one nation, under God. This we must stand for, this we must pray for, this we must insist upon. As of this writing, it remains unclear what the coming days will hold. But, we continue to believe that there are better days to come. Let us, like the celebrated Maccabees of our recent Festival of Lights, with faith in each other and in God, rededicate ourselves to the light of Truth, the pursuit of Justice and the goal of equality for each and every member of this nation. Tonight, we join you in prayer for our nation: For Courage and Comfort by Rabbi Karen Kedar Be strong and let your heart have courage. (Psalm 31:25) God, hear our prayer. With horror we bear witness to the evil within our midst. We pray that our broken hearts do not become embittered. Let us not give in to cynicism and despair. May we find comfort in our faith and in our community, and may we strengthen our resolve to be messengers of peace and healing, bringing comfort to the brokenhearted. We pray for the soul of our country. May violence be no more. May the way of our land be for good and not for evil. May the words we speak, inspire. May our outstretched arms, embrace. May our minds learn tolerance and understanding. Strike the inclination to do evil from the hearts of the wicked. Empower us for good, for life, for love. - Rabbi Lutz and Cantor Shapiro

Shabbat shalom! Our Shabbat is full of opportunities to connect and we can’t wait to see you online. #jewish #jewishlosangeles #shabbatshalom

Deepening our Spirituality in 5781 My teacher, Rabbi Jordan Bendat Appel, likened the development of a meditation practice to the building of an ark. Noah didn't wait until the floodwaters were upon him to start building. The ark was there and ready to float when the waters began to rise. A meditation and mindfulness practice is something we can develop so that when the floodwaters of life assail us, we have something to keep us afloat. During these long days of COVID that ha...ve stretched farther than any of us could have imagined, I am grateful for my own practice because I have found that it has, indeed, functioned as a lifeboat for me. I am also thankful for having had the chance to become educated and certified as a teacher of Jewish meditation prior to the current floodwaters' approach. Our US team has created meaningful opportunities to deepen your Jewish spiritual journey. You can join us for Torah and Yoga on Saturdays, sit with Cantor Shapiro, and others through the Institute for Jewish Spirituality daily meditations from 9-9:30 AM. IJS also has free resources for us to use as individuals and a community during this election season. The US Sisterhood is just about to finish up a 3-part Intro to Jewish Meditation series. The truth is that floodwaters are always gathering. While none of us could have anticipated what life under COVID would be like, we know that life will continue to throw us into uncomfortable situations. How will you begin to build your ark this year? I would love to hear from you and learn about your journey and how we might join together to create a grand ark for our community. Bivracha, Cantor Shapiro #jewish #jewishlosangeles #jewishlife

This week's Torah portion is B'reishit. "When God was about to create heaven and earth, the earth was a chaos, unformed, and on the chaotic waters' face there was darkness." Genesis 1:1-:2 We love new beginnings and each week that is exactly what Shabbat provides. Join US for Chevrah Torah, Torah Yoga, and or UniSyn Film Society's discussion this weekend.... Oh - and don't forget to let us know if you, and those in your household who are eligible, are registered to vote. Our Tikkun Olam Committee is working to help US be noted as a 100% voting congregation with the RAC @theracgram . #jewishlosangeles #jewish #shabbatshalom #vote #vote2020

Schools During a Pandemic - April Schafer Whether or not to re-open our preschool for Summer Camp in July of 2020 was never meant to be a question. Kids go to camp! Of course, we will have camp! The answer was not that simple this year. I wanted to take a moment to acknowledge the hard work of all staff and lay leaders who participated in the re-opening and the parents who whole-heartedly support us. We have an exceptional education team, maintenance and security crew, admin...istrative and executive staff as well as our lay leaders who spent countless hours on Health and Safety protocols put in place to open with confidence. We are now successfully operating our Early Childhood Learning Center AND School Aged Childcare programming for children in grades. K-6! Parent and Me (Butterflies) IN-PERSON classes coming soon! #jewishlosangeles #Jewish #Preschool #Childcare #school

Friday is here and that means Simchat Torah begins tonight! Our Simchat Torah Shabbat will have Tales of seven different torah scrolls (sifrei torah) from around the US, INCLUDING the University Synagogue’s tale of the OpenClose Torah. Let's celebrate together with US clergy and music from Josh Warshawky, Joe Buchanan, Abbie Strauss, Chava Mirel, Ami Yares, Eliana Light, Doni Zasloff, and Naomi Less. #simchattorah #jewish #jewishlosangeles #simchattorah2020

Happy Sukkot! We have come to the end of a long journey ten weeks plus from beginning to end (Tisha b’Av to Simchat Torah). We’ve journeyed from intense inward introspection to looking outward in joyful gratitude towards those who bring meaning and purpose to our lives: our friends, family, and community. And now, as we come to the end, having scaled to the heights and met the challenge we celebrate our source of wisdom and inspiration: Torah. More than just the scroll which ...sits in the ark, Torah is two millennia of collective wisdom, learning, and experience. Sages, scholars, and teachers have left us a well-spring of teachings on how to achieve a life filled with the blessings of compassion and grace, how to build a Promised Land founded on justice for all. This Friday evening we will celebrate Simchat Torah beginning once again the cycle of reading Torah, we celebrate the learning that truly gives our lives meaning and purpose. Typically we celebrate by coming together in order to dance joyfully around our sanctuary with our Torah scrolls. Sadly, we will miss that opportunity this year. Instead we will join together online with the unique opportunity to celebrate not only our Torah scrolls, but also several other scrolls as well, each with a fascinating story to tell. I hope you can join us at 6:30pm this Friday evening as we welcome Shabbat and celebrate the gift of Torah. For the final time this year allow me to wish you a Shanah Tovah and gut yuntif! - Rabbi Barry Lutz #sukkot #sukkot2020 #jewish #jewishlosangeles

Love receiving photos from our synagogue families pledging to vote. Our congregation’s Tikkun Olam Committee is working hard to ensure we are counted as a 100% voting congregation. If you have not submitted your households survey please look to your inbox this morning for an easy link and helpful information for the voting process. #vote #jewishlosangeles

Chag sameach! We had a fantastic time with you last night at our Sukkot Drive-Thru Shabbat, and look forward to finding more times to create moments like these in 5781. #jewishlosangeles #jewish #jewishla #sukkot #sukkot2020

Is it Sukkot already? We're ready and can't wait for you to join US tonight on campus for the Sukkot Drive-Thru Shabbat! If you are not able to make it for the on-site activity please join on Zoom for our 7:15-7:30pm Kaddish. Plus on Saturday morning Rabbi Stanley Davids will lead Chevrah Torah and Yizkor. Oh and don't forget - Religious School is on Sunday. #jewish #sukkot2020 #jewishlosangeles #sukkah

Are you ready for Sukkot? We definitely are! Join US Friday for the Sukkot Drive-Thru Shabbat any time between 6:30-7:15pm on our campus. Our clergy can’t wait to see you. #jewishlosangeles #sukkot2020

We love seeing all the smiling faces from the families completing our High Holy Day Bingo and Tashlich Scavenger Hunt! Have you finished yours?