Temple Beth Am

REVIEW:
I went to Temple Beth Am occassionally for about a year. On Saturday mornings in the main sanctuary, I liked to catch the drash by the Senior Rabbi at the time, Rabbi Joel Rembaum. I liked that Rabbi Rembaum could be technically specific, but at the same time be able to break complicated concepts down in a way that was accessible to a lay audience. The congregation at Temple Beth Am is incredibly warm and inviting and there is a very low barrier to the newcomer.

There is another sanctuary on Saturday mornings that I really recommend and this gathering is called the Library Minyan. On any given Saturday, it is normally packed inside. The Library Minyan is lay led and according to a friend of mine contains the creme of the Conservative movement, whatever that means. The drash is usually interesting and the service uplifting. The people there are nice and friendly and a few times the person sitting next to me has offered to help me with the Hebrew in the prayerbook which I am still learning to read. The reception/mixer they have afterwards is quite nice.

There is sometimes a learner’s minyan on Saturday mornings by a group called Judaism by Choice led by Rabbi Neal Weinberg which is very useful for someone new or someone looking to brush up on understanding the service. All of these minyans have optional handouts with the transliteration of the service. They also cue the congregation on what page they’re at in the prayer book, which sounds like a simple and practical thing, but it’s missing from other places I’ve been.

I also attended the Friday night Neshama Minyan which features uplifting singing throughout the service. I liked the intimacy of the small space, about classroom sized and again the friendliness of the congregation is noticeable.

If you are used to the Art Scroll Orthodox version, the prayer book is different. There is no prayer for the restoration of sacrifices. References to resurrection are retained in the Hebrew text, but they are reinterpreted in English: “[He] who revives the dead” becomes in English “Master of life and death.” Two parallel openings of the Amidah prayer appear, one with the traditional reference to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and another featuring the matriarchs as well.

Rabbi Adam Kligfeld, Senior Rabbi

Rabbi Susan Leider, Assistant Rabbi

1039 South La Cienega Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90035

PHONE: [310] 652-7353
FAX: [310] 652-2384
WEB: http://www.tbala.org
EMAIL: betham@tbala.org

President: Diane Shapiro
Executive Director: Sheryl Goldman

KABBALAT SHABBAT – FRIDAY EVENING SERVICES

NESHAMA MINYAN
This Friday night minyan meets every week for a lively Kabbalat Shabbat/Ma’ariv service using the melodies of the late Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach. Led by Rabbi Susan Leider and Rabbi Daniel Greyber, congregants sing, dance and welcome Shabbat with much joy and spirit. For more information contact Rabbi Leider at ext. 230 or atsleider@tbala.org.

5:30    Mincha

5:45    Kabbalat Shabbat, Ma’ariv

Services will be led by Rabbi Susan Leider, Rabbi Daniel Greyber, or Rabbinic Intern Elana Zelony.

SHABBAT MORNING SERVICES

SHIR HADASH
Come together in song and daven the Shabbat morning Service in the TBA Sanctuary with inspiring melodies. A complete transliteration booklet encourages everyone’s full participation. Shacharit begins at 9:45 a.m. in the Sanctuary; we daven P’sukei D’zimrah at 9:15 a.m. in Pilch Hall. For more information contact Rabbi Rembaum at ext. 210 or jrembaum@tbala.org.

LIBRARY MINYAN
Temple Beth Am’s Library Minyan, which meets in the Dorff-Nelson Chapel on Shabbat and Holiday mornings, is a participatory, lay-led, davening and learning community that blends traditional observance with a fully modern and egalitarian approach to Jewish living. The Library Minyan is recognized nationally for its unique constellation of members. The Minyan is governed by a series of committees that organize participation in all aspects of the Service, from leading the congregation in prayer to reading the weekly Torah and Haftarah portions to delivering divrei torah. Decisions on Library Minyan policy are made through the democratic process. The Library Minyan, as part of Temple Beth Am, enjoys spiritual guidance from Rabbis Rembaum and Leider, who are actively involved in this highly respected model for synagogues around the country. Services begin at 9:45 a.m, or at 9:30 a.m. on days when Hallel is recited. For more information contact Marizon Nimoy at marizon25@gmail.com or visit the website at www.libraryminyan.org.

BAIT TEFILLAH (HOUSE OF PRAYER)
An informal Shabbat morning service, which meets in the intimate setting of Pilch Hall, is designed to be participatory, interactive, and educational. Bait Tefillah encourages and supports members as they take parts in the service in a safe and non-threatening environment. Bait Tefillah will meet you wherever you are on your spiritual journey. Services begin at 9:45 a.m. Contact Cori Drasin at ext. 210 or cdrasin@tbala.org, or Judy Cowan, gabbai, at (310) 645-8462.

Sinai Temple

REVIEW:
The first time I attended Sinai Temple was during one of their Friday Night Live events. I was in Orange County that day, but I drove up especially to hear author Elie Weisel in conversation with Sinai Temple’s dynamic head rabbi, Rabbi David Wolpe. Rabbi Wolpe is the author of a terrific book called Why Be Jewish?  I was immediately impressed by the size of the congregation. There were easily 1000 people in the main sanctuary for the Friday service and many were in their 20s and 30s. Craig Taubman and band performed live spiritual folk music which elevated the energy of the prayer and throughout I could not help but notice the beaming faces and the high level of engagement and friendliness. The energy during their services is tangible. 

At the end of service we were invited to another hall for snacks and the discussion with Elie Weisel. On the walk there, I was surprised to discover myself being hit on and by someone much younger. Later when I describe this to friends, I am told that Friday Night Live is also a way for young professionals to meet each other in a healthy context.  My initial discomfort came from being a stranger there and less from any boundary crossed.

The discussion with Elie Weisel was excellent and I’ve been back several times for other ATID (their young professionals group) lectures and Q & A. Rabbi Wolpe is an excellent moderator.

Friday Night Live takes place on the second Friday of each month.

*Click here for YELP reviews

David Wolpe, Head Rabbi
Brian Schuldenfrei, Assistant Rabbi
Ahud Sela, Assistant Rabbi
Rabbi Emeritus Dershowitz

10400 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90024

PHONE: [310] 474-1518
FAX: [310] 474-6801
WEB: http://www.kehilla.org
EMAIL: info@sinaitemple.org

Friday Night Live
The Ted and Hedy Orden & Family “Friday Night Live” Service was initially created in 1998 to bring young Jewish professionals together to celebrate Shabbat. Blending traditional prayers with inspiring speakers and joyful music, this monthly service now attracts over 1000 people of all ages to Sinai Temple. FNL’s success has been emulated at numerous congregations across the country and continues to attract dynamic speakers such as Elie Weisel, Rev. Rick Warren and David Kohan (Exec. Prod./Co-Creator of Will & Grace). Our musical guests range from Theodore Bikel to Hip Hop Shabbat to Gospel Choirs. But what makes the FNL experience truly special is the congregation that comes together to share Shabbat as a community.

With the spiritual leadership of Rabbi David Wolpe and the music of Craig Taubman, Friday Night Live is the place to be on Shabbat. Following services the entire congregation is welcome to join us for a Kiddush of cookies and coffee, participate in Israeli Dancing lessons or listen to a provocative dialogue in our salon.

Also following services, young Jewish professionals, ages 21-39 are invited to the “ATID Lounge” to share cocktails and conversation with their peers. (ID’s are required) FNL is held the second Friday of each month at 7:30 pm. For more information, call 310.481.3244.

Shabbat Morning Sanctuary Service
Our Saturday morning service is a blend of music, learning, worship and celebration. With our usual attendance of 1,000 worshippers, Sinai’s Saturday morning service is renown for its musicality and depth. Beginning at 8:45 am, the pesukei dzimarah (verses of song) extends to 9:05 am. Shacharit, the morning service, often led by our shacharit children’s choir, continues until 9:30 am. Then we continue with the Torah service, this includes the reading and studying of Torah, which along with the celebration of our bar and bat mitzvah, ends at about 10:45 am. The remainder of the service is the musaf led by Cantor Gole supported by our choir, and the sermon. We conclude by noon.