MEMBERSHIP NOW OPEN

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PASSOVER SEDER 2024 | CLICK HERE TO RSVP

A wonderful time was had by all as Temple members gathered for a Shabbat Dinner & Service on February 16, 2024.

Rabbi Baron officiates at the wedding of Dani Rubin and Jake Sachse in Mexico City

Left to Right: former Temple President Jim Blatt, Rabbi David Baron, Cantor Ilysia Pierce, Music Director Sharon Farber, Cantor Nathan Lam, Steven Geiger

OVER 70 MEMBERS AND FRIENDS ATTENDED OUR VERY FIRST SHABBAT of 2024

Left to Right: former Temple President Jim Blatt, Rabbi David Baron, Cantor Ilysia Pierce, Music Director Sharon Farber, Cantor Nathan Lam, Steven Geiger
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Left to Right: former Temple President Jim Blatt, Rabbi David Baron, Cantor Ilysia Pierce, Music Director Sharon Farber, Cantor Nathan Lam, Steven Geiger

Dear FIDF Community,

It is with profound sadness and grief that we mourn the devastating loss of 24 brave IDF soldiers in Gaza yesterday, the largest loss of life in a single day since the onset of the War with Hamas, bringing the total number of fallen soldiers and reservists to a staggering 552.

Many of the brave souls killed yesterday were reservists who left behind families, children, and dreams, to answer the call of duty with courage. They made the ultimate sacrifice fighting for their country, for the safety of their loved ones, and for humanity. In their selflessness, they gave their lives so that we may continue to live in a civilized world with peace and freedom.

As this war takes a painful and heavy toll, FIDF honors the memories of these most noble individuals. We extend our deepest support to the grieving families, knowing that no words can adequately express the pain they endure. May they take comfort in the heroic legacies of their brave loved ones, and may their memories forever be a blessing.

These tragic moments unite us and further propel us in our work to care for the young men and women of the IDF and their families who sacrifice everything on our behalf. On the front lines of humanity, we will prevail.

Am Yisrael Chai. Forever.

Left to Right: former Temple President Jim Blatt, Rabbi David Baron, Cantor Ilysia Pierce, Music Director Sharon Farber, Cantor Nathan Lam, Steven Geiger
Left to Right: former Temple President Jim Blatt, Rabbi David Baron, Cantor Ilysia Pierce, Music Director Sharon Farber, Cantor Nathan Lam, Steven Geiger
Left to Right: former Temple President Jim Blatt, Rabbi David Baron, Cantor Ilysia Pierce, Music Director Sharon Farber, Cantor Nathan Lam, Steven Geiger
Left to Right: former Temple President Jim Blatt, Rabbi David Baron, Cantor Ilysia Pierce, Music Director Sharon Farber, Cantor Nathan Lam, Steven Geiger

SHABBAT DINNER AND SERVICE held last November 17, 2023 Honoring the IDF along with our Mensch Awardees

The 2023 Mensch Awards/Shabbat Celebration were held on Nov 17; under the Joyce and Stanley Black Rotunda; housed in the beautifully renovated Barry and Rina Plost Lobby.

Cantors Ilysia Pierce and Nathan Lam, Music Director Sharon Farber, and former Temple President Jim Blatt were all honorees.

Left to Right: Steven Geiger, Cantor Ilysia Pierce, Rabbi David Baron

Left to Right: Steven Geiger, Musical Director Sharon Farber, Rabbi David Baron
Left to Right: Steven Geiger, Cantor Nathan Lam, Rabbi David Baron

Left to Right: Steven Geiger, former Temple President Jim Blatt, current Temple President Brian Weinstock, Rabbi David Baron
Left to Right: former Temple President Jim Blatt, Rabbi David Baron, Cantor Ilysia Pierce, Music Director Sharon Farber, Cantor Nathan Lam, Steven Geiger

Rabbi David Baron and Elizabeth Frawley visited our Temple of the Arts campus of the Le Petit Gan preschool and its Director, Sophie.

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Our Rabbi with WITH IAC CEO Elan Carr at Israel solidarity rally for the hostages at our Temple's Saban Theatre attended by a full house of 2,000.

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Thank you for joining us for an evening of music, inspiration and world-class musical performance under the stars with iPalpiti Artists International and Liberate Art, in association with Jewish National Fund-USA.

ALL proceeds benefitted 3500 Israeli residents in the Halutza region who live on the Southern Gaza border and who have suffered many casualties and have had many people from their community relocated.

Thank you so much for helping them rebuild their lives.

IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM RABBI

KTLA 5 NEWS - Hammas Victim shares survival story at Los Angeles event!

We, the members of the clergy team of our Temple of the Arts, stand united with Israel during this time of the horrific attacks which have taken place throughout our beloved state of Israel.

We offer our prayers and commit ourselves to do everything necessary to support the citizens and the military of Israel. We ask that everyone of whatever political opinion reach out to our elected representatives to demand a strong and swift response to these murderous actions by Hamas. Furthermore, we demand support for any defensive response Israel must undertake in the coming days.

In conclusion, as we recite the reading of a volume of the Torah on this muted celebration of Simchat Torah, we say, “Chazak Chazak Venitchazek.” Let us be strong and strengthen one another.

Rabbi David Baron, Hazzan Nathan Lam, Cantor Ilysia Pierce and Music Director, Sharon Farber

SHABBAT TORAH TALK

STANDING WITH ISRAEL

READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE

PRAYER FOR THE STATE OF ISRAEL

Rock and Redeemer of the people Israel: Bless the State of Israel, with its promise of redemption. Shield it with Your love; Spread over it the shelter of Your peace. Guide its leaders and advisors with Your light and Your truth. Help them with Your good counsel. Strengthen the hands of those who defend our Holy Land. Deliver them: crown their efforts with triumph.

HIGH HOLY DAY SERVICES REPLAY

templelivestream.com
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HIGH HOLY DAYS 2024

Rosh Hashanah - October 2nd and 3rd

Yom Kippur - October 10th and 11th

THANK YOU for all the kind emails and texts about our inspirational High Holy Day services. We appreciate hearing from you! Sharing a lovely message from Alice and Leonard Maltin.

"Hi David… Alice and I have never taken our High Holy Day services for granted. We know how fortunate we are to have a rabbi like you, who conducts such a warm, inclusive service, filled with music, and even humor. When you arranged for us to attend Kol Nidre services during our trip to Austin, Texas last week you inadvertently set us up to make a comparison.

There was nothing wrong with rabbis or the cantor in Austin… but the service was routine and not involving, performed by rote. You and your services have spoiled us. We feel so lucky to have you in our lives.

All good wishes for a happy and healthy new year! P.S. As a longtime SAG-AFTRA member, I was proud that our congregation opened its doors to the guild."

LA JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL

Rabbi David Baron with Hilary Helstein of the Los Angeles Jewish Film Festival with Hershey Felder

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INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION

Israeli American Council (IAC), Israel Consulate in LA pay tribute to leading Israeli Americans in celebration of Israel's 75th Independence held at our Temple's Saban Theatre, including Dr. Miriam Adelson and actress Gal Gadot for outstanding achievement.

"Israel is where—ha’lev sha’li nem’sa — Israel is my heart and my home. We all here are deeply proud of our Jewish homeland. This celebration is a testament to our unity, our strength."

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Rabbi recited PRAYERS AT THE WESTERN WALL in Jerusalem for fellow members of our Temple and led a tour of Israel.

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Our Rabbi performing a Bat and Bar Mitzvah for Jonah and Sophia Saken at the Western Wall in Jerusalem.

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OVER 80 MEMBERS AND FRIENDS ATTENDED OUR SHABBAT DINNER & SERVICE AT HILLCREST COUNTRY CLUB, HOSTED BY BOARD MEMBER RAY ROSENTHAL AND WIFE, PEGGY.

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MOROCCAN SHABBAT DINNER & SERVICE AT THE PRIVATE RESIDENCE OF DAFNA ZIMAN

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High Holy Days 2021 at the Saban Theatre

We look forward to celebrating with you in our live services at our temple’s home, the SABAN THEATRE.

Encourage your family and friends to join us as we celebrate Judaism through music, art, and dance, and prepare our hearts for this important time of repentance and renewal.

We will still be following safety protocols to ensure the health and safety of everyone. We kindly ask anyone experiencing illness or allergy symptoms such as a cough, runny nose, fever, sore throat, loss of taste and/or smell, etc. to not attend. Due to the increasing Delta variant cases in the Los Angeles area, we will remain hyper-vigilant for any symptomatic risks, regardless of test results and/or vaccination status.
Purchase Tickets

If you wish to Livestream the temple High Holy Day services, members may call or email the temple for a code for free access.   Non-members are required to make a donation on the livestream page.

Temple LiveStream
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About the Temple

Temple of the Arts owns and operates the historic art-deco Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills.  As the largest arts and entertainment-industry synagogue in the US, Temple of the Arts offers a unique, contemporary approach to Judaism through music, dance, drama, and film. For 30 years, Temple of the Arts has welcomed people of all backgrounds to our services which transcend religious and cultural boundaries.  Our congregation believes in the power of art to connect us - a belief we have spread across the city of Los Angeles and beyond.  At Temple of The Arts, we harness creativity to explore the past, present, and future of Jewish life. Through performances and presentations orchestrated by the visionary Rabbi David Baron, leaders of every faith and culture share their insights with the world.  We create original music, artistic meditation prayer books, and host independent films, concerts, and engaging speakers, helping our community interpret life and spirituality through the lens of art.  Temple of the Arts invites you to experience with us an incredible blend of religion through the arts.

  • Shabbat and Holiday services and dinners throughout the year
  • Our Founding Rabbi David Baron pioneered the fusion of religion with the arts
  • World-renowned Cantors Nathan Lam and Ilysia Pierce
  • Emmy and Grammy Award-Winning Music Director Sharon Farber
  • Internationally recognized musicians and speakers
  • Exclusive access to theater shows, community events, and temple activities
  • A diverse, educated, and enthusiastic congregation
  • Breathtaking architecture and original design

UPCOMING EVENTS


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EVENT HIGHLIGHTS


opening night gala for the la jewish film festival, featuring the world premiere of the documentary, "remembering gene wilder"

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HOLOCAUST EVE OBSERVANCE AT OUR TEMPLE

We are grateful to all 300 people who attended the reception and screening of the film Resistance, for Yom Hashoah, at our Temple's Steve Tisch Cinema Center. The film, starring Jesse Eisenberg, tells the story of legendary mime Marcel Marceau's rescue of Jewish children fleeing the Nazis. Stand With Us, led by Roz Rothstein, co-sponsored the event with our Temple.

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SAVE THE DATE

SHARED HERITAGE OF FREEDOM

March 15, 2024 | SHABBAT SERVICE

REPLAY | SHABBAT SERVICE IN THE ROTUNDA

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A MESSAGE FROM THE RABBI

ON THE WOMEN OF IRAN

The protests in Iran have reached a fever pitch and the government is brutally cracking down on these innocent protesters. I urge you to read the link below and stand together in one voice to condemn the barbarous regime of the mullahs. Let’s make our voices heard loudly to our elected representatives many of whom sadly seek US reentry into the failed agreement that emboldened this vicious regime and funded terrorism around the world. Last year at Yom Kippur, the brave protest leader Masih Alinejad spoke passionately at our service on the plight of those who protest against the regime. Her words were haunting and if you have been following the news you know that the mullahs sent out kidnap/hit squads against her just as we learned of the horrific attack against author Salman Rushdie. These events took place in our own country which gives you an idea of the lengths to which this murderous regime will go. I urge you to support the organization listed on the link or the World Jewish Congress, an organization that is making significant efforts to help those protesting in Iran.

Let our voices be heard as one as we offer a special prayer for those who bravely protest. Let’s also reach out to women's rights and human rights organizations we have supported to become engaged in this effort.

Thank you,

Rabbi David Baron

FOUNDING RABBI DAVID BARON


OUR RABBI

Rabbi David Baron


Our Founding Rabbi, David Baron, comes from a long line of rabbis. He was born in New York, ordained in Jerusalem, and served congregations in New Jersey and Florida before coming to California where, in 1992, he founded our Temple of the Arts.

He authored our Temple prayer books Sacred Space and Sacred Moments as well as the best-selling Moses on Management: Leadership Lessons in Life published by Simon and Schuster. He has made numerous television appearances and consulted on many major motion pictures and television series.

Rabbi Baron pioneered the fusion of religion in the arts and was the lead participant in the TED “Charter on Compassion” as well as a Founding Advisory Board Member of the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C.


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RABBI BARON HAS REPRESENTED TOTA ON GLOBAL MEDIA OUTLETS

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Membership

TOTA has a variety of memberships designed to match your individual interests and lifestyle. By holding any type of membership here, you are invited to experience the High Holy Days in our beautiful Art Deco temple for no additional cost. Our magnificent High Holy Day observances feature the soul-warming voices of Cantors Ilysia Pierce and Jordan Bennett, our phenomenal choir, special guest artists, and performers, all guided by Music Director Sharon Farber.
Learn More

OUR MUSIC


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Cantor Ilysia Pierce

Ilysia has served as our Cantor and has led Shabbat and High Holy Day services for Temple of the Arts since 1999. Prior to her tenure at the temple, Ilysia enjoyed a successful career entertaining audiences on stage, television (she originated the role of Miss Oops-A-Daisy in PBS, The Huggabug Club), and concert halls. Some of her theatrical highlights include: Janina (Irena’s Mother) in a reading of a new musical, Irena Sendler, Disney’s King David, an oratorio concert sparking the reopening of the New Amsterdam Theatre in New York (the original home of the Ziegfeld Follies), Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, playing the Narrator in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Hodel in Fiddler on the Roof, Frumah-Sara in Fiddler on the Roof with Theodore Bikel and Lainie Kazan, Eva Peron in Evita, for which she received a Dramalogue Critics’ Choice Award for outstanding performance, Johanna in Sweeney Todd, to name only a few.

In 2003 Rabbi Baron and the Temple produced a CD, Enlighten, which has elicited outstanding audience and critical review. Ilysia’s stirring rendition of “We Came To Sing In Jerusalem” was chosen to be on the Keeping the Faith, Voices for Israel 2 CD benefiting survivors of terrorism in Israel (www.voicesforisrael.org/faith/). Her vocal talents are also featured in the title song, “Keeping the Faith.” Ilysia’s emotional and powerful version of “Lift My Eyes” by Sam Glaser was chosen for his 25th Anniversary Tribute CD, Stages.

Ilysia continues to share her vocal talents outside the temple. In February 2019, Ilysia was hired for a Voice Over project. She is honored to be one of only 12 readers for the first all-female audio Bible for at-risk and incarcerated women, produced by Amick Byram and Courage For Life. Soon after, she was hired to record the voice of Mrs. Bennett in a dramatic audio book reading of Pride and Prejudice.

Her reputation as a consummate performer has prompted invitations to sing in concerts as the featured guest artist at local venues such as the Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Ford Amphitheater, the Saban Theatre, various fundraising events, including StandWithUs, the Jewish Federation, and at Pan Pacific Park’s Holocaust Memorial Yom HaShoah to name only a few.

Ilysia feels honored to have been asked to sing our National Anthem over 100 times for various events and fundraisers.

Of all her successes and accomplishments, Ilysia says she is most thankful for her supportive family and friends. She feels blessed to have the most loyal and loving husband, David, and two beautiful children, Braxton and Madison.

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Hazzan-Cantor Nathan Lam

JOIN US IN WELCOMING CANTOR LAM TO OUR CLERGY TEAM!

Nathan Lam was born in Los Angeles California from a family of immigrants from Poland and Bessarabia. The Yiddish language, Zionism, Synagogue life and chazzanut (Cantorial music) were animportant part of his upbringing.

He was cantor of the Stephen Wise Temple in Los Angeles, for 45 years and is acclaimed for his vocal artistry, mastery of the cantorial art form and scholarship in many areas of Jewish studies. He was the Dean of the Cantorial School of the Academy for Jewish Religion, California, and has proudly inspired many to follow in his footsteps.

He is well known in Hollywood, as "Voice teacher to the stars," record producer, Documentary film Producer ("100 Voices-a Journey Home), recording artist (11 record Albums) and actor. He has appeared, and featured in, the Lifetime reality show, "Kosher Soul", Amazon's "Transparent", ABC's "Castle" and many other movies and television shows. His wife of 52 years, Donna Lam, is Vice President of Weiss Family Investments and Property Management Company, and both are actively involved in Jewish philanthropies in the USA, Israel and Europe. They are proud parents of their two children, Michael and Jenna, and their spouses, Alexis White and Joseph Pitson, and grandparents of 5 grandchildren, Lyla, Olivia and Emma Pitson and Max and Emmet Lam.

He is proud to be joining the clergy team and becoming the Chief Curator of the music and cultural center of The Beverly Hills Temple of the Arts. “I am excited about making the Temple of the Arts a world class center for Jewish music, films and programming crossing generational interests. We will be working on a vibrant new approach to personalized concierge B’nai mitzvah training to prepare Jews for the challenges of The 21st century.”

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Temple Music Director Sharon Farber

Emmy and Grammy Award-Winning music director Sharon Farber is a member of The Academy of Motion Pictures, Four - time Emmy Award Nominated, Winner of the 2013 Society of Composers and Lyricists Award for “Outstanding work in the Art of Film Music”, the 2012 Visionary Award In Music by The Women’s International Film & TV Showcase, winner of the Telly Award and the co- vise president of the Alliance for Women Film Composers (The AWFC). Sharon is a celebrated Film, TV and concert music composer and she is a mentor to young composers at the request of Berklee College of Music, where she graduated summa cum laude from the Film scoring and Concert composition programs (dual major).

Sharon has been working with networks and cable broadcasters like NBC, CBS, Showtime and the WB as well as writing music for feature films. Her music for the film “When Nietzsche Wept” (Millennium Films) was commercially released and performed live in a film music concerts. Her upcoming projects include a slate of films for “Aegis Film Group” as well as other projects.

The International Film Music Critics Association wrote about her piece: "Composer Sharon Farber wowed the crowd with a suite of music from three of her scores: "Children of the Fall", When Nietzsche Wept" and "The Dove Flyer"...

In the concert music world, Sharon has many credits to her name, including The Los Angeles Master Chorale, NY virtuoso Singers, Pacific Serenade Ensemble, The Israeli Chamber Orchestra, The Northwest Sinfonietta, The Bellingham Symphony, Orange County Women’s Chorale, Culver City Symphony Orchestra, The Jewish Symphony Orchestra, iPalpiti Artists International, The National Children Chorus and more. Her music has been performed at venues such as Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center (NY), Disney Hall and Dorothy Chandler Pavilion (Los Angeles) and in many more, including Internationally in Germany, the UK, Mexico, Sweden and Israel.

Sharon’s acclaimed concerto for cello, orchestra and narrator, “Bestemming” ("Destination"), based on the life story of Holocaust survivor and hero Curt Lowens (whom she met at our Temple), has received many performance since its creation, recently on a 4 - city tour of the Pacific Northwest, with renowned cellist Amit Peled and conducted by Maestro Yaniv Attar, who said: ”Sharon Farber is definitely one of the most exciting and versatile voices on the contemporary music scene today. Cellist Amit Peled, added: “The “Bestemming” Concerto is truly a jewel in our repertoire! A deep musical journey!”
Sharon is planning on recording “Bestemming” for an album release this in near future.

On September 20th, Sharon will be one of 8 female composers who were invited to be a part of a historical concert entitled “Women Warriors” at Lincoln Center in NY, where her music will be performed by “Orchestra Modern” – a 70 piece orchestra conducted by Maestra Amy Andersson. For details please visit https://orchestramoderne-nyc.com/ 

 

Visit: www.sharonfarber.com

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Here is our toddler class in session. Ongoing enrollment is open.

      temple of the arts campus        Le Petit Gan International Preschool


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Help Our Temple Grow

Our Membership is now open

Join our TOTA family through a variety of memberships designed to match your individual interests and lifestyle.

Members enjoy LIVESTREAM at no additional fee plus special events & celebrations all throughout the year.

Renew Your Membership Today

Celebrate Life Cycle Events At TOTA


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Birth
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B’nei Mitzvah
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BIRTH
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Marriage
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End of Life
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Special Events

NEWS & PRESS

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MAN/KIND Project Distributes 1,000th #CovidKindness Bag to Local Homeless and Other Vulnerable Populations

Temple of the Arts supports www.mankindinitiative.org in delivering food and meals to those in need. On behalf of TOTA and the Man/Kind project, we would like to extend our deepest gratitude for all your donations to the Man/Kind COVID-19 #CovidKindness campaign that supplies crucial items to elderly, infirm, homeless and First Responders.

The temple has been crucial to the success of other outreach -- whether it is fighting anti-Semitism, or the new fight that has united us -- the fight against this killer virus.

View Full Article

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Notes From Our Members: Expressing Gratitude for Our High Holy Days Services

From Barbra Night: "Our family, Errol, Chloe, Leon, and I really enjoyed the services. We figured out how to screen on our huge television so it was even more spectacular to watch. But more importantly even is always that supreme effort you make to ensure that our Temple of the Arts Is the most inspirational and enjoyable experience for each of us. We are truly lucky for your inventive leadership year after year, and on a last note, the music was divine." From Jim and Darolyn Ross: "We must congratulate you for the extraordinary efforts that went into making this service such a meaningful event despite the challenges of the COVID virus. While we would have loved to be present as usual, we found the streaming service to be every bit as moving and inspirational as a live event. This, of course, was due to your amazing gifts as well as those of our world class musicians. Please accept our most enthusiastic thanks for making this a Rosh Hashanah to be remembered and cherished." From Cynthia Berchan: "As usual, your knowledge and warmth provided us with sustenance for the New Year!" From One of the Temple's Biggest Fans: "I wanted to thank you for all your joint efforts and congratulate you on your virtual services. It was, obviously, not the warm, communal feeling, but it was such a comfort! I read my prayer book and tapped my foot to the music. Mrs. Baron and the young lady singing were just perfect -- different generations passing the songs forward. Our cantors and music director sounded in great voice. Do thank your colleagues. They all made a difference and I so appreciate it."
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Join Us Online for a Prerecorded Shabbat Service

You can join Rabbi David Baron online to observe the Shabbat anywhere that you can access the internet. “We're not here together with one another physically filling our beautiful Temple home, the Saban Theatre, but we're still together emotionally and spiritually,” Rabbi Baron says. “Someone said that somebody you love can be thousands of miles away, but you feel that powerful connection and bond as if they were sitting right next to you.” Watch Rabbi David Baron’s inspiring message from a timeless Shabbat service with Cantor Ilysia Pierce and Music Director Sharon Farber.

View Video

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      temple of the arts campus

Le Petit Gan International Preschool

Congratulations to all our graduates!

Visit www.lepetitgan.com to learn more about an educational career fueled by curiosity and passion.

In Sympathy


JERRY MOSS

Our condolences to the family and friends of Jerry Moss.

DAVID ALBERT PIERCE

Our condolences to the family of David Albert Pierce.

“May God comfort you among the other mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.”