On Shabbat, we celebrate one of Judaism's most special treasures: a day to recall and appreciate the creation of the world, a day to escape from the cares of the week and the burdens of our labor, a day to rest and reflect. On Friday night, Rabbi Dan leads us in song and prayer as we welcome the Sabbath Queen.

Saturday morning services are also filled with a unique energy and spirit as members of our community and guests mark special occasions in their lives, such as birthdays, anniversaries, a loved one’s yahrzeit, a child’s birth, a wedding aufruf, a bar or bat mitzvah. Our shammes, Sam Widawski, reads from the Torah in Hebrew. Our rabbi often chants part of the portion in English, a custom that mirrors the ancient practice of reading the Torah in the vernacular Aramaic. Once a month, we hear Rabbi Dan recite the moving prayer for the new moon. The Shacharit and Musaf services are typically led by the most talented voices in our community. Following services, we usually have a light kiddush meal, in honor of a special event or in memory of a loved one.

Each time I celebrate Shabbat at Mishkon someone new to our community points out to me how wonderful an experience it has been. And those who come once almost always return.

Mishkon also celebrates the Jewish holidays in its own inimitable style. From the High Holidays to Sukkot, Simchat Torah, Hanukkah and Purim, the experience is truly memorable. And our Tu B’Shevat and Pesach seders and Shavuot Tikkun are not to be missed.

Hundreds of people attended our adult education events throughout the year. Our film series included "The Long Way Home" with director Mark Harris, who received this year’s Academy Award for best documentary. Klezmer music, Hebrew, Jewish cooking, the art of ragtime, the Jews of Persia, the Talmud, a Venice artist, Jewish prayer and spirituality, and a master storyteller were some of our other offerings.

Our preschool children are learning and growing together in a warmly intimate and caring environment, unique in the Los Angeles area. One of the highlights for me at Mishkon is to share their Friday morning Shabbat songs and prayers. Similarly our religious school program teaches some of the most enthusiastic and wonderful children I have met. Recently they visited a retirement community and a matzoh factory.

One of the most sacred duties in our community is to honor the memory of our departed loved ones. Each week the yahrzeits of our former members and our members’ relatives are remembered as the Rabbi recites the Kaddish. This year we dedicated the Holocaust Memorial Scroll in memory of those
who died. And as I have done too many times since I became president, I recently attended the funeral of a member’s relative. The member turned to his synagogue for a proper Jewish burial, and he thanked us for the sensitive support he received from our Rabbi.

These are just some of the things that are available at Mishkon, made possible by the generosity of our members and donors.

So how have you used Mishkon Tephilo lately?
Bring a friend, and see what we have to offer.