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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. 

Barbara's Book Club
Tuesday, July 8  6 p.m. on Zoom
July Book: "Goyhood" by Reuven Fenton
Shabbat on the Beach
Friday, July 11 and August 1 5:30 - 7 p.m. 
Bring a friend or the whole family! Warm your toes in the sand, and join your community in singing and celebrating the joys of a magical Shabbat experience. Challah and grape juice will be provided for services, and FUN will be provided with beach games, kites, paddle ball, corn hole, and more after services! Feel free to bring your own instruments to join Rabbi Katzan during Shabbat on the Beach. Make sure to bring beach chairs, blankets, jackets, and your own dinner if you plan to picnic on the beach afterward.
 
Games Day
1:30 - 3:30 p.m.Monday, June 14  
Mahjong players, bring your cards. Chess players, bring your chess game. We will also have Rummykub, Scrabble, Big Boggle, and Dominos.
Learn more here.
 
Volunteer at St. Joseph's Bread and Roses Café
Tuesday, August 12 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Mishkon's Social Action Committee is volunteering at the St. Joseph's Center Bread and Roses Café to serve freshly made, hot meals in a restaurant-style setting to men and women who are homeless. 
 
Happie Hoffman at Mishkon
Kabbalat Shabbat Services and Dinner
Friday, August 22  6 p.m.
Kabbalat Shabbat services with Happie Hoffman have quickly become a cherished Mishkon event. A gifted singer-songwriter with operatic training, Happie has earned both national and international recognition for her joyful, soul-stirring Jewish music. 
We’re thrilled that Happie will pause her world travels to return to Mishkon and join Rabbi Joshua Katzan for a Kabbalat Shabbat services and dinner.
 

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 summer hiatus)
Join us on our exploration of classic Rabbinic midrash Monday with Rabbi Dan. Zoom One-Click 
 
Torah Tuesday
Tuesdays  7 p.m.
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 summer hiatus)
Join us for Hebrew with Beatrice Zelenko. We welcome anyone comfortable speaking Hebrew at an intermediate level. Zoom One-Click
 
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 from 7 - 8 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
Summer of 2025  5:30 - 7 p.m. 
Warm your toes in the sand, and join your community in singing and celebrating the joys of a magical Shabbat experience. Challah and grape juice will be provided for services, and FUN will be provided with beach games, kites, paddle ball, corn hole, and more after services! Feel free to bring your own instruments to join Rabbi Katzan during Shabbat on the Beach. Make sure to bring beach chairs, blankets, jackets, and your own dinner if you plan to picnic on the beach afterward.
 
Happie Hoffman at Mishkon
Kabbalat Shabbat Services and Dinner
Friday, August 22  6 p.m.
Kabbalat Shabbat services with Happie Hoffman have quickly become a cherished Mishkon event. A gifted singer-songwriter with operatic training, Happie has earned both national and international recognition for her joyful, soul-stirring Jewish music. We’re thrilled that Happie will pause her world travels to return to Mishkon and join Rabbi Joshua Katzan for a Kabbalat Shabbat services and dinner.

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.

Main Street Farmers Market
Sundays  8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. 
This market is a collaboration with the Main Street Business Improvement Association, Ocean Park resident group, the Victorian, and the Heritage Museum. Approximately 40 certified California farms, live entertainment, activities, and Main Street- based retail vendors present a vibrant atmosphere where locals and visitors shop and spent the morning with friends and family.  
 
Hanukkah In Santa Monica - Comedy Show
Thursday, June 26  Doors open at 7:30 p.m.
Mark your calendars and grab your tickets to an all-Jewish lineup of STAND-UP COMEDY! 
Tickets are $25 each. Learn more and get your tickets here.
 
L’Dough V’Dough
Sunday, July 13  10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
Honor Holocaust survivors on the 80th anniversary of liberation from many concentration camps by baking challah
Tue, July 1 2025 5 Tammuz 5785