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Events and Calendar

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Mishkon is the historic heart of Jewish life in Venice, located a few blocks from the ocean. Over the past few years, we have successfully maintained our thriving preschool and enhanced learning opportu­nities, launched new initiatives targeting engage­ment of different demographics, piloted unique programs internally, and branched out into the local Venice and Main Street communities!
 
 
Mishkon Committee Members: if you have an event you would like submitted to the calendar, please fill out our event form here. 

Simchat Torah
The finale of the High Holy Days is celebrated by concluding the reading of the Torah, then immediately starting the cycle over with the first words of Genesis, "In the beginning, God created ..." We will dance and sing to celebrate the Torah, our Book of Teachings, and then gather for a celebratory luncheon. It's a great way to bring the season to a joyous conclusion.
Shmini Atzeret Services  Tuesday, October 14 9:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. 
Erev Simchat Torah Services  Tuesday, October 14 7:10 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Simchat Torah Services  Wednesday, October 15 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Learn more about Simchat Torah and High Holy Days at Mishkon here. 
 
Simchat Torah BBQ
Wednesday, October 15  1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
BBQ lunch under Mishkon's Sukkah will follow the service from 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. Registration is required.
 
Baby and Me Fridays
Friday, October 17  9 - 10 a.m.
Each week, one of our wonderful local community partners will join us for a fun activity, like music, sensory art, and more. This week will be led by MIMO. Mimo is a mobile kids’ gym, offering joyful, age-based movement classes, built for developmental milestones, whether your little one is cruising, climbing, or sprinting. Learn more and RSVP here.
 
Games Day
Monday, October 20  1:30 - 3:30 p.m.
Mishkon hosts Games Day once a month and everyone is welcome! Mahjong players, bring your cards. Chess players, bring your chess game. You can bring your own favorite game or a game you want to try out. We will also have Rummykub, Scrabble, Big Boggle, and Dominos. Please enter through the Main Street entrance, then meet us in the sanctuary lobby to join in the fun!
 
Volunteer at St. Joseph's Bread and Roses Café
Tuesday, October 21  8:30 - 12 p.m.
Mishkon's Social Action Committee is volunteering at the St. Joseph's Center Bread and Roses Café. The Café serves freshly made, hot meals in a restaurant-style setting to men and women who are homeless. Learn more here.
 
Baby and Me Fridays
Friday, October 24  9 - 10 a.m.
Each week, one of our wonderful local community partners will join us for a fun activity, like music, sensory art, and more. This week will be led by Parker Bent, an LA-based artist who has perfected the art of kids' music! His easy-going sense of humor gets adults and children laughing, and his charm woos even the shyest little ones up on stage. Learn more and RSVP here.
 
Community Shabbat Dinner
Friday, October 24  6 - 8 p.m.
Come support Mishkon's new Rabbinic Intern, Lily Gross, who will be leading in-person Kabbalat Shabbat services at Mishkon on Friday, October 24, followed by a community dinner.
 
Guest Speaker: William Gross
Judaica: A Love Affair with Non-Jewish Culture
Sunday, October 26  11 a.m. - 12 p.m. on Zoom
William Gross will cover "Judaica: A Love Affair with Non-Jewish Culture." His presentation is part of the Community Scholars Program of Orange County, of which Mishkon is a partner. This exclusive presentation offers a compelling look at the intersection of Jewish and non-Jewish artistic traditions, featuring rare pieces from his private collection.
 
Baby and Me Fridays
Friday, October 31  9 - 10 a.m.
Each week, one of our wonderful local community partners will join us for a fun activity, like music, sensory art, and more. This Friday will be a Halloween Party with costumes!
 
Community Tot Shabbat
Friday, November 1  10:45 a.m.
Join us for Tot Shabbat for a joyful and interactive service with music and storytelling, followed by a kiddush lunch. Tot Shabbats are free, and members and non-members are welcome.
Please let us know if you will be attending here.
 
Westside Food Bank’s Annual 2025 5k Hunger Walk
Sunday, November 2  12 - 3 p.m.
The Westside Food Bank's 35th annual Hunger Walk is a free, fun, and family-friendly event for all ages and a great way to raise money and awareness for food insecurity in our community. All registered participants receive a complimentary T-shirt and are invited to a pre-event program at Ocean View Park, right across from the beach! After the walk, participants can pick up their swag bags at the finish line. Register or donate here.
Baby and Me Fridays
Friday, November 7  9 - 10 a.m.
Each week, one of our wonderful local community partners will join us for a fun activity, like music, sensory art, and more. This week will be led by SageMama. Learn more and RSVP here.

It's never too late to continue learning and growing, and Mishkon Tephilo offers various adult education opportunities for individuals to explore and deepen their understanding of Jewish traditions, texts, and practices. With classes offered both in-person and online, participants can choose what best fits their schedule and learning preferences.

For those interested in joining the Adult Education Committee, contact committee chair Phil Bell at shalvah@aol.com.

Midrash Monday 
Mondays  7:30 p.m. on Zoom (on summer hiatus)
Join us on our exploration of classic Rabbinic midrash Monday with Rabbi Dan. Zoom One-Click 
 
Torah Tuesday
Tuesdays  7 p.m. on Zoom 
Join us for an open reading of the Parsha of the Week, the weekly Torah portion, with Rabbi Katzan. Zoom One-Click
 
Intermediate Hebrew
Wednesdays  5:30 p.m. on Zoom (on summer hiatus)
Join us for Hebrew with Beatrice Zelenko. We welcome anyone comfortable speaking Hebrew at an intermediate level. 
 
The Art of Cantillation
Rabbi Dan is training members in rendering the Torah text in a musically pleasing and grammatically faithful performance. Interested Mishkonians should contact Rabbi Dan at dan@shevitz.net.
 
Chug Rashi
First Shabbat of the Month (on hiatus)
Chug Rashi meets at Mishkon Tephilo after kiddush to explore the weekly Torah portion through Rashi's commentaries. Longtime member Jeff Fleck, who has a doctorate in Comparative Literature, leads the engaging discussions.
 
Barbara's Book Club
Tuesdays  Once a month at 6 p.m.
 
Zemirot for Shabbat
Third Shabbat of the Month
Find Ginni Rosenfeld after Kiddush and raise the roof singing everyone's favorite Hebrew songs.
 
Community Scholar Program
Mishkon has become a partner organization with the Orange County Jewish Community Scholar Program. Programs are recorded and available for viewing on the occsp.net website. Everything is free to Mishkon members. Click here to learn more. 
 
Guest Speaker Program 
Mishkon's Adult Education Committee has a thriving guest speaker program with scholars, artists, historians, poets, community members, and more. View our calendar for upcoming guest speakers here, and watch past conversations on our YouTube page.
Join Mishkon Tephilo for heimisch, warm, and engaging Shabbat services led by Rabbi Katzan and the Mishkon community. Whether new to Hebrew or well-versed in liturgy, the music and practice of our service will quickly feel like the warm embrace of a trusted friend, enhanced by helpful tips from members and the rabbi. All are welcome to attend Kabbalat Shabbat and candle lighting on Friday or Shabbat morning services on Saturday.
 
Kabbalat Shabbat on Zoom
Fridays  6 p.m. - 7 p.m. on Zoom
We'll receive Shabbat together with song and sharing. Join us as we sing some of the beautiful melodies of the Kabbalat Shabbat service. Zoom One-Click 
 
Shabbat Morning Services
Saturdays  9:30 a.m. at Mishkon
Join the Mishkon community on Saturday morning for a heimisch, warm, and engaging Shabbat service. After the Shabbat service, all are welcome to join our Kiddush. 
 
Shabbat on the Beach
Returning in the summer of 2026
 

Mishkon Tephilo has been a cornerstone of the Westside of Los Angeles since its founding in 1918, and our historic synagogue has witnessed the transformation of Main Street over the past 75+ years. We invite everyone to explore this vibrant city with us and get involved as our home continues to grow. Below, you’ll find events and programs happening throughout our greater L.A. community.
 

Share your upcoming events with us by emailing marketing@mishkon.org or by filling out this form.

Community Service Day
Sunday, October 19 
To connect the Jewish community with hands-on volunteer opportunities across our city, JFEDLA is offering community service opportunities that provide volunteers with meaningful projects addressing issues such as poverty, homelessness, affordable housing, hunger, education, and environmental sustainability. Learn more here
 
Hang Out and Do Good
Sunday, October 19  9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Together, let’s help combat food insecurity. This program is sponsored by our Rautenberg New Leaders Project. Join us in making sack lunches for 300+ unhoused and food-insecure community members. The lunches will be distributed through Hollywood Food Coalition. Learn more and RSVP here.
 
The Village Family Services
Sunday, October 19  10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Together, let’s help young people in need! Join us to assemble hygiene kits, beautify the drop-in center, and serve lunch to support trauma-informed programs for homeless and LGBTQIA+ youth.
 
Second Annual Pico-Robertson Neighborhood Cleanup
Sunday, October 19  1 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Start the Jewish New Year off right! Beautify our community at this family-friendly neighborhood cleanup created by Boaz Hepner and organized in partnership with JFEDLA and Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky. Cleaning supplies will be provided. Pizza and snacks will be available to volunteers after the cleanup. Learn more and RSVP here.
 
Skirball Cultural Center Exhibitions
      Open until March 1, 2026
      Opens October 7
      Opens October 16
Mon, October 13 2025 21 Tishrei 5786