Kol Hashamayim Music Series begins Sunday, February 26, 2006

The highly successful Kol Hashamayim series continues in its fourth year with a new season of provocative and entertaining musical explorations in the intimate sanctuary of Congregation Kol Ami.

The series begins on Sunday, February 26, 2006 with a concert of sublime vocal chamber music performed by musicians affiliated with Chamber Music Los Angeles. The afternoon features the Grammy Award winning cellist and violinist Stephen Erdody and Kathy Lenski. Pianist and musical assistant for the Los Angeles Master Chorale, Lisa Edwards accompanies with mezzo-soprano Gretchen Johnson, and tenor Cantor Mark Saltzman providing the vocal artistry. The eclectic program explores the relationship of song (with and without words) to instruments presented in English with works by Beethoven, Brahms, Schumann, Faure, Rachmaninoff, Rorem, Thomas, and the Holocaust suite especially commissioned for Cantor Saltzman from Emmy and Grammy award winning composer, Lee Holdridge. The concert will take place at Congregation Kol Ami, 1200 North La Brea Avenue, West Hollywood at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are $15 for Kol Ami members and $20 for non members and guests. Reservations can be made by calling the Temple office at 323-606-0996.

The second concert is on Sunday, April 2, 2006 featuring the award winning North American Israeli Jazz ensemble Seeds of Sun. A New York based band which brings new perspectives on World Jazz through Israeli and South American influences, this critically acclaimed ensemble has transformed old school Israeli music into an exciting eclectic mix of Jazz-fusion and Brazilian grooves. Seeds of Sun is featured on the Global Rhythm magazine CD, and has received the prestigious John Lennon Songwriting award for its original music tracks. Don’t miss the chance to experience the cool vibe of this hot new group.

On Sunday, June 4, 2006, the final concert of the season features a tribute to the music and life the late Leonard Bernstein. More details to follow.

All three concerts are not to be missed! Please join us in the beautiful sanctuary of Congregation Kol Ami for another year of stimulating afternoons and inspiring music.

Scholar In Residence Brunch: Dr. Dvora Weisberg - Sunday, Feburary 5, 2006

Congregation Kol Ami will host a special brunch with noted rabbinics scholar, Dr. Dvora Weisberg on Sunday, February 5, 2006 at 10:00 a.m. at Congregation Kol Ami, 1200 North La Brea Avenue, West Hollywood.

Dr. Weisberg is Associate Professor of Rabbinics and Director of the Beit Midrash at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Los Angeles (HUC). She is a noted scholar of Talmud. Before coming to HUC, Dr. Weisberg taught at the College of William and Mary and the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Weisberg is especially interested in gender issues in rabbinic texts.

Dr. Weisberg’s publications include “Levirate Marriage and Halitzah in the Mishnah” and “Men Imagining Women Imagining God: Gender Issues in Classical Midrash.” She is currently working on a book on the 3evolution of levirate marriage in classical Judaism.
The event is $25 and reservations are required. For reservations or further information regarding Dr. Dvora Weisberg or Congregation Kol Ami, please telephone 323.606.0996.

12 Steps and Judaism: 4th Annual Harvey Weiner Lecture in Recovery Issues

12 Steps and Judaism, a lecture in recovery issues, will be presented at Congregation Kol Ami, 1200 North La Brea Avenue, West Hollywood on Thursday, March 30, 2006 at 7:30 p.m.

The fourth annual Harvey Weiner Memorial Lecture in Recovery Issues will feature Rabbi Eric Weiss who is the Executive Director of the Bay Area Jewish Healing Center. He will speak on the topics of the 12 steps to recovery and Judaism.

Rabbi Eric Weiss was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. He attended the University of California at Santa Cruz where he graduated with honors with a B.A. in Biology and Judaic Studies. He lived in San Francisco and worked in law offices before he entered rabbinic school at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. He holds a Masters degree in Hebrew Letters and was ordained in 1989.

In addition to his rabbinic seminary work, he is formally trained in Jewish education, clinical pastoral care and spiritual direction. He is a co-founder of "Grief & Growing: A Healing Weekend for Individuals and Families." His article, "Passage to Wholeness" was recently published in Reform Judaism Spring 1998. He has served on several boards among them the national board of the Central Conference of American rabbis (CCAR), the Reform movement's national rabbinic body. Rabbi Weiss has taught extensively throughout the Bay Area, and has been featured in local and national media. He lives with his partner Dan in San Francisco.

This lecture is given in memory of Kol Ami temple founder Harvey Weiner, who was greatly influence by the 12 Step Program and felt that is was an important aspect of his spirituality.

Rabbi Weiss will also be the guest speaker for Shabbat service on Friday, March 31 at 8:00 p.m.

Admission is free; reservations required. Please telephone the Temple at 323-606-0996 for information or to make a reservation.