Are you looking for opportunities to connect with other folks 55 and over? Are you seeking companionship and fun? Wise Ones is designed to meet the needs and interests of people 55+. WISE stands for Wise and Inspiring Social Engagement. We have two types of programs. The WISE Ones Speaker series meets on the third Wednesday of the month for lunch and an engaging presentation at Temple Isaiah, while WISE Ones Out and About are active programs that include fun in the outdoors, cultural experiences such as movie discussions, plays, the symphony, and gallery showings, and more.

Welcome to our FIRST ever WISE Ones newsletter!

I'm excited to deliver a virtual newsletter to your inbox, to let you know all the reasons we have to celebrate! First, I'd like to thank Julie Bell and Jan Trzesniewski for bringing another fabulous year of programming to our WISE Ones Wednesday lunch and speaker series. WISEOnes just completed its 8th year, beginning year 9 in July. There has been an outstanding topic and speaker each month, and it's been great gathering regularly for lunch and a schmooze!

Last September, we launched a new initiative, WISE Ones Out and About, to bring a variety of exciting activities to WISE Ones. I'd like to thank our wonderful committee for planning some truly fabulous outings for this vibrant slice of Isaiah's neighborhood. It’s been a year of culture and movement with so many wonderful events!

With 141+ participants in our programs, our Out and About group and Speaker Series group made new friends, spent time talking about meaningful things, and had a lot of fun!

Below, you’ll find information about the upcoming sessions of WISE Ones 3^rd Wednesday Lunch and Speaker Series and also about our next few outings for WISE Ones Out and About, including a registration link for our July experience.

Please contact me with questions, comments, or program ideas! I’m here for you! I feel so privileged to spend time with WISE Ones and look forward to many more adventures!

L’shalom,

Joy Plummer

Assistant Director, Community Engagement

(925) 283-8575

No need to RSVP, open to all adult members!

Meet Rabbi Torop

Wednesday, July 17; BYO Lunch 11:15am in the Oneg Room followed by 12pm Program in the Sanctuary Come meet Rabbi Aaron Torop, Temple Isaiah’s new assistant rabbi, who will share one of his favorite rabbinic stories. We’ll have the opportunity to get to know each other and reflect on the topic of continuity and change in Judaism, both in text and in our own lives. The program will be recorded and available on the WISE Ones page on the temple website.

Tai Chi with Cindy Coleman

Wednesday, August 21; BYO Lunch 11:15 am, Oneg Room; Program 12pm, Sanctuary

Temple member Cindy Coleman is a practicing member of the Taoist Tai Chi Society. At our meeting, Cindy and fellow members will discuss and demonstrate Taoist Tai Chi and invite members to participate in some moves. Taoist Tai Chi arts grew from the Taoist tradition, which teaches that health comes when body, mind, and spirit are one. This moving meditation reduces stress and helps us find energy, balance, and joy.

Enjoying Music with Professor Martin Rokeach 

Wednesday, September 18; BYO Lunch 11:15am, Oneg Room; Program 12pm, Sanctuary

Martin Rokeach was a Professor of Music at St. Mary's college in Moraga and in 1999 was named St. Mary's Professor of the Year. He is a celebrated composer, having written music for orchestra, voice, chamber ensembles, solo instruments, and film. At our meeting we will have the pleasure of hearing Martin talk about the joyful way to listen to music. 

An RSVP will be needed for these events!

Mission District Tour

Wednesday, July 24, 2024

Meet at Lafayette Bart at 9:55am for 11am tour

On Wednesday, July 24, we have a tour of the historic Mission District of San Francisco where we’ll travel through time as we deepen our appreciation of the area’s original residents, understand the enduring impact of the Gold Rush and 1906 earthquake, and become aware of the waves of immigration and activism that have shaped the neighborhood and make it a microcosm of San Francisco.

After our tour, we’ll enjoy lunch in the Valencia Corridor where we have MANY types of cuisine to choose from! We will return by Bart train, and likely be back in Lafayette by 3pm. The price of the tour is $40, not including the cost of Bart or lunch!

Oakland Zoo Extravaganza

Wednesday, August 28

Our August adventure takes us to the Oakland Zoo for a tour of the veterinary hospital. Fifteen lucky Wise Ones will take an in-depth tour with our very own Jill Riter, where we’ll see the state-of-the-art hospital facilities that will accommodate all creatures great and small, from small birds to large camels and grizzly bears. The zoo visit will take place on Wednesday, August 28 from 10-11am. Details and registration to come!

Oakmont Cemetery Clean-up

Tuesday, September 24

In September, we’ll be heading to Oakmont Cemetery to clean up our community’s headstones before the High Holy Days. This will include picking up trash, litter, and connecting as a group while beautifying the grounds.

Questions?

Questions? Contact Joy Plummer, Assistant Director of Engagement at 925-283-8575.

Need a Ride?

Do you need a ride to Shabbat services or to a program? Can you give someone a ride? Please contact Assistant Director of Engagement Joy Plummer for more information at 925-283-8575 or joyp@temple-isaiah.org.