SYNAGOGUE 102

The Los Angeles School of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion has an exciting new educational and affiliate group -- Synagogue 102. The group is named for the one hundred seats in the Walter Hilborn Synagogue, plus two, symbolic of hope for growth from one year to the next. The chairs of the program are Jean and Jay Abarbanel and Victoria and Arnold Kupetz.

Synagogue 102 provides an opportunity for participants to learn from outstanding liturgists, musicians and theorists of the synagogue experience. Members of Synagogue 102 make an annual commitment of $1,000 to "name a chair" in the Walter Hilborn Synagogue. The proceeds will cover some of the cost for the training HUC-JIR rabbinic students receive in liturgical arts, the creation and conducting of services and an understanding of new directions in the spiritual development of our congregations and communities.

The inaugural program of Synagogue 102 featured distinguished biblical scholar, poet and gifted liturgist Rabbi Jonathan Magonet, Principal of the Leo Baeck College in London, England. Rabbi Magonet spoke about "Liturgy or Prayer: The Pardoxes of Community Worship." The series of programs for this year will cover a variety of topics related to the synagogue, including the use of art and religious objects, sacred music, synagogue space, and prayer.

If you are interested in learning more about Synagogue 102, please contact Corey Slavin, Assistant Director of Development and Public Affairs at HUC-JIR Los Angeles.