Open Temple Calendar

How Do We Bear Grief During this Time?
Featuring Hope Edelman, Bereavement Expert
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There is a concept in Hasidut that considers the mystery of why a butterfly must first live the life of a caterpillar, and then spend some time in the dark prison-cell of the pupa, instead of coming out as a butterfly straight from its mother’s egg.

The rabbis question: Perhaps The Creator meant to tell the butterfly, fluttering by and seemingly so proud of its sparking colors: “Don’t be so proud, butterfly! Remember where you came from…”

One of the core beliefs in Judaism is Techiyat Hameitim – a concept adopted by a belief system that envisions a Messiah, or Moshiach, to come (think Elijah the prophet on his white donkey announcing the coming of the Messiah). At that time, tradition imagines, the dead will miraculously be brought back to life. The cycle of a butterfly’s life, and the emergence of this motley and striking insect from a seemingly lifeless liquid, is, the rabbis teach us “an inspiring illustration of the belief in “Micheyi HaMaytim” – bringing this dead back to life. Although death seems to be the end of our cycle of life, in truth it is the beginning of a pupa-like stage, which will be followed by better form of life which is unimaginable today. All of us, collectively, emerge through this time, from our pupa-like stage, readying ourselves for flight.

The Butterfly series creates a space for all of us to consider this evolution:

CATERPILLAR: Health/COVID Response: Is it Safe to Walk About the Cabin?
CHRYSALIS: Isolation and Darkness: How Do We Bear Grief During this Time?
BUTTERFLY: Spreading our Wings in the Wave of Disruption.

Roman Army vs. Rabbis

There. Will. Be. Nerf. Crossbows.

A night to celebrate the wonder of learning, identity and s’more.

Bring your dinner, your family and your friends to learn about Open Temple.

Music. Games. Enchantment.

Registration deposit required (see below) and will be refunded when you check in. This program will be run in accordance with guidelines from the LA County Department of Public Health. 

Learn more and register here.

Dive Into the Power Pool of the Divine Feminine.
Connect body, soul, and community.
Open Temple Rosh Hodesh Circles.
Deep Conversations.
Bring yourself and your friends.

In Person, Outdoors with Social Distancing
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Open Temple’s Creative Torah Academy for kids ages 6 - 13 is a unique Jewish Journey for students to engage in Torah, Jewish Civilization, Thought and Traditions through art, music, dance, theater, nature and spirituality.

Our students are the children of intermarried couples, assimilated Jews, Jews without Jewish education, or Jews with too much Jewish education, Jews who feel disenfranchised or alienated from Jewish life as the prayers and rituals seem remote or Jews on the periphery and their children. Open Temple provides a place for all of the “Jew-ishly curious” to reclaim our spiritual center. What we all have in common is that we are curious and willing to create something through our curiosity. Together.

Learn more here.

Open Temple’s Creative Torah Academy for kids ages 6 - 13 integrates holiday celebrations and family projects into the curriculum.  CTA is a unique Jewish Journey for students to engage in Torah, Jewish Civilization, Thought and Traditions through art, music, dance, theater, nature and spirituality.   

Our students are the children of intermarried couples, assimilated Jews, Jews without Jewish education, or Jews with too much Jewish education, Jews who feel disenfranchised or alienated from Jewish life as the prayers and rituals seem remote or Jews on the periphery and their children. Open Temple provides a place for all of the “Jew-ishly curious” to reclaim our spiritual center. What we all have in common is that we are curious and willing to create something through our curiosity. Together.  

Learn more and enroll here.