Mazal Tov:

to Eliana Waghalter for receiving the Lantern Award for Student Leadership from the Organization for the Resolution of Agunot (ORA) at their virtual dinner, to be held on June 4 at 5 PM. For more info, visit getora.org/dinner

to our 2023-2024 BDJ Board: Sandy Blumofe, Zev Hurwitz, Margy Horowitz, Tobi Inlender, Mark Katrikh, Rich Kellner, Derek Krantz, Robert Lowe, David Mayman, Melissa Nathan, Elly Kramer Posner, Vicki Rothman, Catherine Schneider, Gail Katz, Meyer Schwartzstein, Benny Smith, Elise Tencher, and Barbara Wettstein

Welcome New Members:

Ari Feingold and her daughter Raven (Chaya).

Oded Stein.

Rechov Yeladim is Hiring!

BDJ's Rechov Yeladim Shabbat Children's Program is hiring teen counselors! Now hiring 10-12th graders for the 2023-2024 school year. See more info here. Contact Jenna Rubin at [email protected] for more info.

Shavuot

May 26-27

Click here to view the Shavuot schedule and learn more about our Scholar-in-Residence, Dr. Rivka Press Schwartz

Intergenerational Lunch

May 27

12:15 PM

BDJ members of all ages are invited to an Intergenerational lunch on the second day of Shavuot where we will be honoring three generations of the Drazin Family. Register Here.  

Graduation Shabbat

June 3

Honor Your Graduate: There will be a special Graduation Kiddush on June 3rd. Please send your grad's name and photo to be included in the Graduation Shabbat Bulletin by May 24th Here

Sponsor a Kiddush or Seudah Shlishit! Visit here for more information.

Weekly Torah Classes

Monday : Gemara Shiur with Rav Yosef | 7:30 - 9:00 PM | Beit Midrash

Tuesday: Midrash Group | Bamidbar Rabbah | 7:45 – 8:45 AM | Beit Midrash

Wednesday: Shmuel Zoom Class with Rav Yosef | Shmuel Aleph | 12:00 – 12:30 PM | Meeting ID: 848 006 895 Passcode: 867811

Seder Nashim

May 20

4:30 PM

Miriam Katz's home

(1467 S. Canfield Ave.)

Bringing (Jewish) Abortion Out of the Dark

Like many subjects pertaining to our reproductive journeys, abortion is something rarely spoken about in our community. But abortion is a very real decision for many women, whether it's due to ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, or the result of a fetal diagnosis. Judaism provides us a framework and guidance for making these decisions, but now in many places the law of the land conflicts with our halachic realities. How do we wrestle with these decisions with compassion, empathy, and safety both in our country, our Jewish community, and our individual family units? How can we support one another through these gut-wrenching decisions, and be more compassionate as we navigate the reproductive journeys of the women in our community and beyond? Please join us in exploring this topic through the unique lens of personal experiences. 

Seder Nashim is BDJ’s women-only discussion series.

Rechov Yeladim Pre-Shavuot Chesed Project

May 21

9:30 AM

Join us to make beautiful flower decorations that will be used to enhance the beauty of our Sanctuary for the Shavuot holiday. All ages are welcome!

Jewish Los Angeles Historical Tour

May 21

10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. (exact timing TBA)

Join our adventure to Explore Jewish East LA!

Following up on the BDJ Boomer event with David Kipen learning about Libros Schmibros in Boyle Heights, we have arranged for a tour of Boyle Heights, the Breed Street Shul, and Libros Schmibros. Tour will be led by Stephen Sass of the Jewish Historical Society (JHS) of LA. We plan to use public transportation for this adventure. Tour begins at Union Station. It would be great to take the Expo Line together to get there. Stay tuned for more details. Contact Susan Fink or Abby Yasgur for questions.

Cost: $25 (includes a Bibi’s box lunch and a donation to the JHS) Register Here. Deadline to Register is this Sunday May 14.

Intergenerational Lunch

May 27

12:15 PM

An intergenerational lunch on the second day of Shavuot for BDJ members of all ages! This year we are honoring three generations of the Drazin Family: Rae & Shep Drazin, Cindy & Noam Drazin, and Jennie, Lily & Marlee Drazin. Pricing: Adults are $25/pp; Children 4-11 are $15/pp; Children 0-3 are free. We also invite you to honor the Drazins with a sponsorship. Register Here. 

Steve Lowenstein Book Publication

May 31

7:30 PM

AJU Presents: The Population History of German Jewry 1815-1939. Join David Myers and Micheal Berenbaum for the publication of our late colleague Steven Lowenstein’s magnum opus. This event will be on May 31 at 7:30 PM at The Shapiro Synagogue, AJU Familian Campus, 15600 Mulholland Drive Register Here. 

Graduation Shabbat

June 3

Honor Your Graduate: There will be a special Graduation Kiddush on June 3rd. Please send your grad's name and photo to be included in the Graduation Shabbat Bulletin by May 24th Here

Seder Nashim

June 3

4:30 PM

The Doctor Will Not See You Now: The Misdiagnosis of Women

It is a documented reality that women are misdiagnosed more frequently than men, due to cultural norms, lack of research, and implicit bias. Some women spend years shuttling between doctors searching for answers only to find that the disorders other doctors missed or misdiagnosed were potentially life threatening. Why are women so much more vulnerable to misdiagnosis? How can we take control of our healthcare and ensure that our medical needs are being met, especially as we age and our hormones change? How can we ask the right questions, demand thorough responses, and be our own best advocates? Let us share our collective wisdom and insight in offering one another advice and support. 

Seder Nashim is BDJ’s women-only discussion series.

Nosh N' Drosh

June 10

4:30 PM

Save the date for the first Nosh N' Drosh of the 2023 Summer Season! This session will be hosted at the Schwarzberg and Katrikh homes on the topic of: High Anxiety? Cultivating Mental Wellness for Ourselves and Within our Community

• Yesh Tikva: Special Pre-Mother's Day event: The Power of Dynamic Duos: Supporting Loved Ones in Struggle. Moderated by Dr. Leora Orenbuch, featuring Beth Rabinovitch and Ariela Gindi. Shabbat Afternoon, May 13 at 4:30-5:30 PM, at the home of Cindy and Dr. Noam Drazin. View Info Here. Address upon RSVP. Register Here.

• Moshava Alevy: Next week we celebrate Yom Yerushalayim! At Moshava Alevy this summer, among other famous cities in Israel, we are very much looking forward to learning all about Yerushalayim; from ancient times till today! We will meet famous characters from throughout the ages, create crafts used back in the day, and experience new innovations that were born in our very own Israel. We can't wait! Some spots still open for Summer 2023 - apply at Moshavaalevy.org

• JWRCLA: All women are invited to the JWRC's upcoming Rodgers & Hammerstein Concert Celebration on June 1 and June 4 at 7:30 PM at The Museum of Tolerance - Peltz Theater. The following women from the BDJ community will be performing: Dahlia Carr, Mina Hoffman, Margy Horowitz, Nili Isenberg, Jessica Kurzban, Michaly Lahat, Joy Resmovits, Amy Ritz, Michelle Stone, Nili Zack, and Reyna Zack. The concert will feature some of their greatest songs from Oklahoma, South Pacific, The King & I, Carousel, and The Sound of Music. Tickets are $36, with reserved seats for $100. See the flyer for all the info or visit www.jwrcla.org/tickets

• A Message from our LAPD Senior Lead Officer Chris Baker: With the summer around the corner, I also wanted to inform you about my Vacation Check Program. This program has been designed to provide you with peace of mind while you are away from your home on vacation or business travel. The Vacation Check Program is a free service that I offer to all residents within my basic car area. During the period that you are away from your home, our officers will periodically check your property to ensure that everything is secure and there are no signs of criminal activity. I will also check to make sure that your doors and windows are properly secured and that there are no signs of forced entry. To participate in the Vacation Check Program, all you need to do is send me an email with information about the dates that you will be away from your home, as well as any contact information that we may need to reach you in case of an emergency. Once I have received your information, I will add your property to the watch list and will begin conducting periodic checks.

• The LA Jewish Community Children’s Choir and The Michelle Green Willner Singers join together for a Multi-Generational Event, “Come Together.” Accompanied by a terrific jazz trio, we’ll jive and swoon, showcase a premiere, shmooze and delight in refreshments all under the beautiful blue skies! Join us on Sunday May 21st 7pm at the Westside JCC. View more info here. Pre-registration here.

• Sharsheret: The Sharsheret West Coast Dash is Back! Join the BDJ Dashers team for the 2nd Annual 5K/10K/Family Fun Race and Event Festival. It will take place on Sunday, September 10, 2023 at Dockweiler Beach. All ages, abilities and strollers are welcome. Sari Abrams is being honored as one of the Grand Marshals this year. To sign up to participate and/or donate please go to:  https://runsignup.com/bdjdashers

Bella Rivka bat Rosa (Aharon Shimoni's sister) * Shulamit bat Ruchel Sheina (Selma Framson) * Michael ben Malka (Max Wozniak) * Tziporah bat Tova (Mrs. Sassover) * Chava bat Helen (Eva Magid) * Masha Hinda bat Malke Roisa * Tova Chaya bat Leah Malkah * Saureet bat Yehudit (Saureet Hayill) * Nechama Bracha Bat Yechiela * Moshe ben Shoshana (Martine Porter Zasada's uncle) * Yehezkel ben Kaila (Fred Toczek's father) * Sarah Golda bat Fradyl (Rav Yosef's mother) * Shlomo haCohen ben Rachel * Shalom David Ben Feigel (father of Boaz Hepner's friend) * Yair ben Bella Rivka (Sheryl Shimoni's nephew) * Esther bat Liba (Jill Lefferman's mother) * Miriam Yosefet bat Leah Malka (Tobi Inlender's sister) * Laurie Higashi * Shoshana Raizel bat Chaya (friend of Miriam Katz) * Bracha Merel bat Rivka (Bernice Epstein) * Lev Binyamin ben Masha Libba * Sarah Freida bat Raizel (Rachel Olshin's mom) * Illana bat Elke (Heather Thau's mother) * Baila Malka bat Ada Etti (Ze'ev Korn's mother) * Farah bat Mozelle Tobe (Brenda Robin's mother) * HaRavYitzchak ben Tobeh (Audrey Kraus' father) * Avraham Chaim ben Rivka * Chaya Rachel Bat Carmi Adina (Hallie Schiff) * Sarah Yaffa bat Elka Tzivia * Aaron Ben Mai * Nechemya Ben Gittel (father of Carly Mann) * Eran Yakov ben Sara (Sara Naor's father) * Aliza Sara bat Miriam Chaya* Rachel Chana bat Rivka (Rochelle Frimmer, Debi Pomerantz's Aunt) * Ariella Rivka bat Tzippora * Tova bat Pesche (Tiffany Miller's mother) * Boaz Hepner’s friends - Chava leah bat Shprintze Bluma, Chaya Esther bat Shprintze Bluma, Avrahom Elijah ben Sara Miriam*Aharon Ben Rosa (Aharon Shimoni) * Marnina Danielle bat Yehudit Rifka * Yitzchak Dov Ben Devorah * Shoshanna bat Shulamit (Susan Handman) * Chana bat Avigayil * Michal Aviva Bat Yehudit (Na'amit Nagel's sister) * Ada bat Tzila (Batsheva Kasden's mother) * Nechama bat Miriam v’Asher Zelig * Shmuel Nachum ben Elianna Sarah (JJ Helperin's friend) * Dovid Ben Rena Sheva (Margy Horowitz's brother) * Sharona Tova bat Chanah (Lisa and Jeremy Kolieb’s sister in law) * Devorah bat Raizel v'Eliezer (Deb Brandt-Sarif) * Yehudit Devorah bat Esther (Suzy Wozniack) * Adina Yael Bat Dalia * Alexandra Rachel Bat Shoshana * Sorah Mindel bat Shulamit * Gavriel Yuval ben Miriam (Scott Sobel) * Channa Rachael Bat Esther Malka (Rachael Wernick) * Yekusiel Chaim ben Dobrish and Pesha bas Buntza Freyda (Joanne Helperin’s parents) * Tzivia Friedel bat Zlata Sima * Bracha Chana bat Miriam (Arielle Gereboff's mother) * Chana bat Shifra (Yechiel Goldberg's mother) * Esther Bat Chana (Dan Schechter's mother) * Brina bat Vered (Cindy Steinschriber's friend) * Shimon ben Fredka (Steve Steinschriber) * Avraham Yosef ben Channa Ita (Townsley family friend) * Chana Rivka bat Shera * Yehuda Aharon Ben Miriam * Yisrael ben Gittel and Chayah Gittel bat Zlata Sima (Cindy Abrookin's grandparents) * Rina Rivka bat Sara (Abe Mezrich’s relative)