We
decided to take advantage of Leo Baeck’s final outdoor summer Shabbat
service before LA’s frigid winter begins (an icy 67 degrees...brrr!).
This homey outdoor service takes place in a sukkah-like outdoor chapel,
and you’d never guess that the country’s busiest freeway (we hate you,
405) is right across the street. The outdoor space is surrounded by
palm trees, flowers, and urban wildlife; locals report sighting mountain
lions, snakes, and one lone deer... sounds Biblical to us. Based
on our past experience as the only two young-and-happening people in LA
who go to Shabbat services, we’ve come to expect red carpet treatment
upon our arrival. Leo Baeck delivered. We didn’t even have time to
make it to the bathroom before being snatched up by the warm-spirited
temple President, Lori, who was kind enough to share her blanket with
these ill-prepared visitors who were caught off-guard by that Bel Air
breeze.The
service itself was led by a tag team of two rabbis and one guitar
(previously owned by Jewish music legend Debbie Friedman! Only in LA.).
The rabbis led us in pretty, modern versions of standard Friday night
jams, followed by a brief Torah study sesh. Lauren was into it.
Jessica had flashbacks to AP English and wondered aloud when we would
get back to the singing and clapping. The
rest of the evening was an emotional roller coaster. After we finished
hitting “the Book,” a classy older couple joined the rabbis on stage
for a heartfelt blessing before their wedding. Lauren had an unsavory
display of emotion, completely inappropriate given that she didn’t know
the couple from Adam and Eve. No one should cry like that for complete
strangers, even if they are classy. After sopping up Lauren’s tears
with Lori’s fleece blanket, we hit up the stacked pre-matrimonial oneg
for some decaf and pastries. In this town, you just never know who
you’re gonna meet over rugelach. Our Shabbat prayers were answered when
we got a free (and technically unsolicited) session with a
self-proclaimed “life coach to the stars.” At Leo Baeck, we truly felt
like the fresh Jewish-American princesses of Bel Air.Chai-lights:1. Beautiful outdoor oasis2. Insta-family3. Impromptu life coaching.Kvetches:1. Too far for us to schlep on a regular basis.2. Decaf coffee. What’s the point?3. All the crying, and it wasn’t even Yom Kippur. WTF?
Total Bagels: 4.5
We
visited this charming synagogue on a sunny Saturday morning. This
‘gogue, around since 1929, is nestled in the residential area of
Highland Park. If you’re not averse to commerce on Shabbat, you can drop
off your whites at the lavandería, eat a homemade taco, and pick up a
dress for your quinceañera on the way. This sweet little shul is
surrounded by palm trees and native Californian plants, and the door is
left open during services so you can enjoy the view of the rolling
hills, along with the chirping birds and occasionally, a barking dog or
two.
This
synagogue’s dark wood interior and beautiful stained glass windows
create a warm and intimate environment. Speaking of intimate, we’ve
never visited a friendlier Sabbath crowd. As a visitor, expect a
personal tour, an enthusiastic handshake after every aliyah, and an
invitation to join the rabbi on the bimah the following week. As much as
we would have loved to grace the stage, we politely declined given our
rigorous Shabbat schedule.
Like
the good Type A-ers that we are, we arrived at ten on the dot only to
quickly realize that these congregants are a laidback bunch. Folks
rolled in throughout the morning and had no problem carrying on lively
conversations during the service (especially with us...we felt like
Shabbat celebs!). There was an impromptu question and answer sesh during
the Torah service, spurred by the oldest and cutest little mensch we’ve
ever seen. If you’re not spending your Saturdays with senior citizens,
then you’re not living.
A
few logistical notes: If the last time that you brushed up on your
Hebrew skills was 7th grade, you might get a little tripped up during
the service. We sure did. Also, BYOT: don’t forget your tallis, y’all.
The latest in prayer shawl fashion was the topic of many a mid-service
conversation. Plan on davening until around 12:30, and if you can’t stay
for the Kiddush lunch afterwards, be prepared for a serious dose of
Jewish guilt. We had to hit it to get to our respective book club
meeting and Bollywood aerobics class, but we wish we could have stayed.
If
you’re a lonely Jew in LA, this shul is the fast track to community.
You’ll be instantly loved. Oh, and don’t forget to become their Facebook
friend... something tells us they’ll be checking!
Chai-lights
1. Serious ‘gogue pride
2. Historic value, a rarity in LA
3. Proximity to tacos
Kvetches
1. A little intense if you prefer anonymity on the Sabbath
2. Yet again, a geriatric crowd. Surprise, surprise.
3. Two words: Tallis. Envy.
Total Bagels: Four out of five
