MEET SPECIAL GUESTS IN-PERSON – INTERVIEW & PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES
AT KOL NIDRE SERVICE ON THE EVE OF YOM KIPPUR (SEPTEMBER 18TH)
AND ON THE DAY OF YOM KIPPUR (SEPTEMBER 19TH)
WITH RABBI DAVID BARON AND HIS HIGH HOLY DAY GUESTS
BEVERLY HILLS TEMPLE OF THE ARTS AT THE SABAN THEATRE
8440 Wilshire Boulevard; Beverly Hills, CA 90211
Tuesday, September 18, 2018 from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Wednesday, September 19, 2018 from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m.
WHO:
Officiating at the Kol Nidre and Yom Kippur Services:
- RABBI DAVID BARON, Founder of the Beverly Hills Temple of the Arts, the largest arts and entertainment synagogue in the United States which owns the Saban Theatre.
Rabbi’s Guests for Kol Nidre, Tuesday Evening, September 18, 2018:
- RYAN DEITSCH, A survivor of the Parkland, FL massacre at Marjory Stoneman High School on February 14, 2018, who is a Student Activist Against Gun Violence, a leader of the March For Our Lives Demonstration in Washington, D.C. and an organizer of the #NeverAgain MSD Movement. Another student and activist from the school, CHRIS GRADY, will also be attending the services.
- LAPD OFFICER JUSTIN REINER AND HIS WIFE, LAURA REINER, survivors and concertgoers of the October 1, 2017 mass shooting at the Route 91 Harvest Music Festival on the Las Vegas Strip in Nevada.
- DR. JUDEA PEARL, Father of the slain Wall Street Journal reporter DANIEL PEARL, will speak about the death of his son at the hands of terrorists and a global music day in his son’s memory.
- American actor of Japanese descent, GEORGE TAKEI, of Star Trek fame, will share his experience of being sent to a relocation center during the war.
- Songwriter DIANE WARREN will introduce her Grammy Award-winning song, “Because You Loved Me” to be sung by acclaimed blind mezzo-soprano, LAURIE RUBIN. The song will be dedicated to the memory of two exceptional women: ARETHA FRANKLIN, The Queen of Soul, and RONNI CHASEN, renowned entertainment publicist.
Rabbi’s Guests for Yom Kippur, Wednesday, September 19, 2018:
- In observance of the approaching 75th Anniversary of the Invasion of Normandy, Rabbi’s Guests will include: World War II Heroes and Veterans from the Invasion of Normandy, PETER DU PRE, JOHN FOY, STEVE MELNIKOFF and JOSEPH REILLY, some of whom were stationed on the northern coast of France on June 6, 1944, known as “D-Day,” the first day of the invasion. All of the veterans are currently part of The Greatest Generations Foundation, run by TIMOTHY DAVIS, which ensures their legacies are recorded and retold in perpetuity to future generations.
- PETER DU PRE, 97, from Rochester, NY, who served in the United States Army, 114th Hospital. Area of Battle: England (General Hospital). Decorations include the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign, World War II Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medal and Foreign Legion of Honor. Technical Fifth Grade Peter B. Du Pre served as a medic in the 114th General Hospital Unit in Kidderminster, England during WWII. At age 17, both his parents had died, making him acting patriarch of a five-person family. Within a year, his sister joined as a nurse, one brother joined the Army Air Forces, one joined the Marines and Peter enlisted in the Army. He went to basic training at age 18, took a three-day pass to get married and was immediately deployed. He served for three years overseas, during which time he treated wounded servicemen from all areas of Europe, including those who had been wounded during the Battle of the Bulge. He returned home quietly, went straight to work and raised five children with his beloved wife to whom he has been married for 70 years.
- JOHN FOY, 94, from Rochester, NY, who served in the United States Army, 87th Infantry Division as an MOS Machine Gunner. Military Service from 1942 – 1946. Areas of Battle: Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland and the Central European Pocket. Decorations include: Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign, Word War II Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medal and French Legion of Honor. At night, John Foy can still hear the agonizing screams of men, as artillery barrages shower the trembling ground around him. The hellish memories are from battles Foy fought during World War II. “The trees are splintering and crashing down around you, and there’s not a damn thing you can do about it but hug the ground and pray,” recalled Foy, an infantry Machine Gunner in General George Patton’s Third Army. “It can become awfully vicious to have your friends blow up right alongside of you.” Born on October 12, 1925, he grew up in Charlotte and graduated from Charlotte High School in 1943. John joined the Army’s Specialized Training Program (ASTP) for high IQ Soldiers and was sent to Cornell University, completing his first year in just four months. The Army decided they needed infantrymen more than engineers so after infantry training he was assigned to the 87th Infantry Division joining General George Patton’s Third Army in liberating Europe. John served as a front-line Machine Gunner in the Battle of Northern France and later the Battle of the Bulge. His division helped relieve the 101st Airborne Division surrounded in Bastogne, fighting through the Siegfried Line and across the Mosel and Rhine Rivers. They fought across Germany to Czechoslovakia, meeting the Russian army by war’s end.
- STEVE MELNIKOFF, 98, from Baltimore, MD served as a Tech Sergeant in the United States Army, 29th Division, 175th Infantry Regiment. Battles included: Normandy (D-Day), Northern France, Hurtgen, Ruhr Pocket and Central Germany. Steve Melnikoff, a Rhode Island native, joined the 29th Infantry Division in January 1944 as a member of Company C, 175th Infantry. The 175th landed on the still unsecured Omaha Beach on the morning of June 7th and proceeded to its objective to seize the village of Isigny. It pushed through Isigny and crossed the Vire River and on to St Lo. The 175th fought stiff German resistance hedge row by hedge row and pushed the American lines to within three miles of St Lo, creating a salient into the German lines. The unit defended the high ground, known as Hill 108 but nicknamed “Purple Heart Hill” as they were surrounded on three sides. The regiment was rotated into the division reserve for the final thrust into St Lo. Following the Battle of Brest, the division was moved to the Netherlands to participate in the 9th Army’s drive to the Rhine River. On May 2, 1945, a patrol from 3-175 Infantry contacted elements of the 28th Company, 6th Guards Cavalry of the Russian Army. Following the surrender of the German army, the regiment remained in Europe until January 1, 1946. The 29th Infantry Division was one of the most illustrious U.S. Army outfits of World War II. It was in combat almost continuously from D-Day to V-E Day and suffered 20,111 battle casualties in 11 months of combat 204.2% of its normal manpower complements of approximately 14,000 men. It gained four campaign ribbons for service in the European Theater and was awarded the prestigious Croix de Guerre Avec Palme by the French government for its exemplary service on Omaha Beach on D-Day.
- JOSEPH REILLY, 97, of San Diego, CA served in the United States Army, 101st Airborne Division, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment. Battles included: Normandy (D-Day), Market Garden, Bastogne (Battle of the Bulge), Alsace and Ruhr Pocket. Born in Janesville, WI on June 7, 1921, Private Joseph Reilly enlisted into the United States Army on March 13, 1943 in Milwaukee as a paratrooper with the famous 101st Airborne Division. In the late hours of June 5, 1944, Reilly and the 501st took off from Merryfield Airport at 22:45. All units flew across the English Channel and were set to drop into Normandy, five hours prior to the seaborne landing. Reilly and the 501st drop zones were north and east of Carentan near Utah Beach. Two battalions were to seize key canal locks at La Barquette and destroy bridges over the Douve River while the Third Battalion was in division reserve. In the predawn hours of D-Day a combination of low clouds, and enemy anti-aircraft fire caused the break-up of the troop carrier formations. Consequently, the sporadic jump patterns caused highly scattered drops. Most of the troopers landed far afield of their designated drop zones. The actions that night bore little resemblance to those so carefully planned and briefed. Amazingly, this unanticipated misstep confused the Germans and allowed the airborne units time to regroup and complete their objectives. After 20 days of fierce fighting in Normandy by no means ended with D-Day, but continued with important results, including assisting the amphibious landings and joining the beach at Utah with that at Omaha the efforts of the 501st came at high cost: the regiment lost 898 men who were killed, wounded, missing, or captured.
Performers and Service Readers for High Holy Day Services Include:
- MARY HART, Iconic Former American Television Personality for Entertainment Tonight (September 19th)
- LEONARD MALTIN, Renowned American Film Critic and Historian (September 19th)
- GEORGE TAKEI, “Star Trek” (September 18th)
- STEPHEN MACHT, Actor, “Suits,” “The Monster Squad” (September 18th)
- ASHLEY BELL, Director, “Love & Bananas: An Elephant Story,” Actress, “Novitiate,” “The Last Exorcism,” (September 18th)
- CORKY HALE, World Renowned Pianist (September 19th)
- LOREN LESTER, Actor, “American Wedding,” “Batman: The Animated Series” (September 19th)
- CHLOE TUCKER, Actress, “Junk,” “Mamma Mia!” Tour (September 19th)
- MICHAEL FITZPATRICK, World Renowned Cellist (September 19th)
- DR. JUDEA PEARL, Father of slain Wall Street Journal reporter DANIEL PEARL (September 18th)
- BERNARD HILLER, Renowned Acting Teacher (September 18th)
- AMANDA AND AARON KOGAN, Noted Singers (September 18th)
- SHARON FARBER, Four-Time Emmy Award-Nominated Film, Television and Concert Music Composer and Music Director for the Beverly Hills Temple of the Arts at the Saban Theatre (September 18th and 19th)
- ILYSIA J. PIERCE, Cantor, Beverly Hills Temple of the Arts at the Saban Theatre (Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast,” First National Tour) (September 18th and 19th)
- JORDAN BENNETT, Cantor, Beverly Hills Temple of the Arts at the Saban Theatre (Lead in “Les Misérables” on Broadway) (September 18th and 19th)
- ADRIENNE BARON, Noted Vocalist (September 18th and 19th)
- The creative services will also feature the temple’s choir comprised of singers from the LOS ANGELES OPERA and the LOS ANGELES MASTERS CHORALE (September 18th and 19th)
- Instrumentalists for Kol Nidre will include: ALEXANDER KALMAN, Violin, DIMITRY OLEVSKY, Violin, LIESEL ERMAN, Harp, and GARIK TERZIAN, Cello (Septemer 18th)
- Instrumentalists for Yom Kippur will include: DIMITRI OLEVSKY, Violin, & GARIK TERZIAN, Cello (September 19th)
WHAT & WHEN:
The Beverly Hills Temple of the Arts at the Saban Theatre; 8440 Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills, CA 90211. High Holy Day services will be held on the Eve of Yom Kippur (Kol Nidre) on Tuesday, September 18, 2018 (5779) starting at 8:00 p.m., and on Saturday, September 19, 2017 (5779) starting at 10:00 a.m., including a Yizkor Memorial Service (memorial service for the departed) starting a 12:30 p.m.
The High Holy Day Services will include:
- The sounding of the Shofar was heard on the first of the High Holy Days, the Eve of Rosh Hashanah, that began the Jewish New Year 5779 on Sunday, September 9th, believed to be the creation of Adam and Eve, the first man and woman.
- Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) is the holiest day of the year on the Jewish calendar; it is a day of prayer and fasting for Jewish people around the world. The Eve of Yom Kippur (Kol Nidre) on Tuesday, September 18th, and Yom Kippur on Wednesday, September 19th represent the end of a 10-day period of repentance, which begins with the Jewish New Year 5779, Rosh Hashanah, on Sunday evening, September 9th continuing through Wednesday, September 19th. Historically, it is on the 10th day between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur on which Moses completed and brought down the second set of commandments from Mount Sinai, signifying that God had granted atonement for the people’s sin of the Golden calf.
Kol Nidre Service Highlights (The Eve of Yom Kippur) on Tuesday evening, September 18th, starting at 8:00 p.m. will include:
- The Rabbi’s Special Guests who will speak include: Ryan Deitsch, Justin and Laura Reiner, Dr. Judea Pearl and George Takei, who will also read “We Are Here For The Sake of Other Men” a notable quote written by Albert Einstein, which will be dedicated to Japanese Diplomat, Chiune Sugihara, who helped six thousand Jews flee Europe to safety during the Holocaust.
- Dr. Judea Peal, Father of slain Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl will talk about Daniel Pearl Music Month and sing an Israeli song based on the Biblical words, “Mi Haish” (“Who Is The Man Who Desires Life?”) based on Psalm 34 from The Book of Psalms, composed by Baruch Chayat, arranged by Sharon Farber. The text of the Psalm is as follows: Who is the man, Who desires life, Who loves all his days, To see good, Guard your tongue from evil, And your lips from speaking deceit, Turn away from bad, And do good, Seek peace, And pursue it.
- During a Silent Meditation Laurie Rubin, acclaimed blind mezzo-soprano, will sing Diane Warren’s Grammy Award-winning song, “Because You Loved Me” which will be introduced by the songwriter and dedicated to the memory of two exceptional women: Aretha Franklin, The Queen of Soul, and Ronni Chasen, renowned entertainment publicist.
- Seven-Year-Old Singer, Eden Kontesz, will perform “Avinu Shebashamayim” (“Our Father in Heaven”), Prayer for the State of Israel, written by composer Sol Zim and arranged by Sharon Farber.
- Service Readers will include: George Takei, Stephen Macht, Ashley Bell and Bernard Hiller.
- Jordan Bennett will sing “Shema Koleinu” written by Carlibach.
- Composer Lucas Richman’s “Kol Nidrei” will be performed.
- Composer Debbie Friedman’s “Mi Sheberach” (Prayer For Healing) will be performed.
- Final Benediction: Rabbi David Baron and Ilysia J. Pierce with Choir and Congregation.
Yom Kippur Service Highlights on Wednesday, September 19th, starting at 10:00 a.m. will include:
- Rabbi Baron’s Guests who will speak include: WWII and Invasion of Normandy Veterans: Peter Du Pre, John Foy, Steve Melnikoff and Joseph Reilly.
- Rabbi David Baron’s Sermon, “Fragility and Resiliance” at 12-Noon.
- A Yizkor Memorial Service (memorial service for the departed) will begin at 12:30 p.m. Cantor Jordan Bennett will sing the Yiddish Folk Song, “Mameleh” written by Mitchell Parish, Alex Alstone and Al Goodhart, with Yiddish by Miriam Kresyn. Jordan Bennett will also sing the song “Bring Him Home” from “Les Misérables” with music by Claude-Michel Schönberg and French lyrics by Alain Boublil and Jean-Marc Natel and English lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer and James Fenton. Cantor Ilysia J. Pierce will sing the song “Dance With My Father” written by Luther Vandross and Richard Marx. There will be Memorial Candle Placements, and Rabbi David Baron will read a list of names of those of have passed over the last year and are now forever sealed in the Book of Life.
- Cellist Michael Fitzpatrick, the nephew of renowned Violinist and Founder of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, Bronislaw Huberman, will play “Invocation” written by composer CJ Vanston who will accompany Fitzpatrick on the piano.
- Singer Adrienne Baron will perform the song, “Band of Brothers” written by the late Academy Award and Golden Globe Award-nominated film composer, Michael Kamen.
- During a Silent Meditation Harpist Corky Hale will play “Look For The Silver Lining” with music written by Jerome Kern and lyrics by B.G. DeSylva.
- Service Readers will include: Mary Hart, Leonard Maltin and Loren Lester.
- Chloe Tucker will sing the song, “Show Me The Way” written by Dennis DeYoung.
- Singers Amanda and Aaron Kogan will perform “Yaale” written by Michael Isaacson.
- From 2:00 – 5:30 p.m. Rabbi Baron will lead a Question and Answer Session with his High Holy Day Special Guests, Ryan Deitsch and Chris Grady, two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning Miami Journalist, Nery Ynclan, Justin and Laura Reiner, and WWII and Invasion of Normandy Veterans, Peter Du Pre, John Foy, Steve Melnikoff and Joseph Reilly, followed by the screening of a short documentary film entitled, “The Life and Art of David Labkovski” written and produced by Carole Eglash-Kosoff in conjunction with Mrs. Leora Raiking for an exhibit at the Los Angeles Holocaust Museum. Hollywood filmmaker, Dan Gordon, a member of the Israeli Defense Forces, will discuss the latest happenings on the Gaza border.
- The Closing Mincha/Neilah/Havdalah Service/Final Shofar Blast will begin at 5:45 p.m. at which time the “Haleluya” written by Kobi Oshrat, Sharon Farber’s uncle, will be performed.
HOW:
High Holy Day Tickets start at $400. Young Adult memberships for ages 18 to 40 are available for a donation of $150. Children’s services, led by Karen Abrams, will be held on the morning of Yom Kippur on Wednesday, September 19th at 10:30 a.m. This year the temple has partnered with Lyft to provide free transportation to and from the Saban Theatre for the temple’s Sustaining Members. For more information about tickets and Lyft services, please call the temple at 323-658-9100 or log on to www.bhtota.org <http://www.bhtota.org>
MORE INFO:
Rabbi Baronsaid, “All of my guests have incredible personal stories that exemplify the fragility of life and the strength of the human spirit which has been carried out in their respective lives through their acts of courageous deeds and humane kindness, all while bringing awareness and shedding light on subjects which need to be discussed globally. These are all inspirational and motivational messages we need to hear.”
The City of Beverly Hills has waived parking restrictions on both sides of Hamilton Drive, Gale and Tower, between Wilshire Boulevard and Gregory Way, and between Hamilton and La Cienega on the north side of the street. This will also apply to Hamilton, north of Wilshire. High Holy Day guests may not park in red or yellow zones or disable spaces without the proper placard. Parking Enforcement will waive permit parking restrictions and timed parking restrictions. Metered spaces are not exempt. Additional parking is available at numerous lots and garages in close proximity to the Saban Theatre. Fees vary.
High Holy Day Services will be conducted in the Winnick Family Auditorium on the ornate Harold Kapelovitz bimah, which includes a tapestry recreation of legendary artist, Marc Chagall, entitled “The Journey of the People.” The Beverly Hills Temple of the Arts at the Saban Theatre is now celebrating the close of its 25th Anniversary. The temple was founded and incorporated on November 5, 1992. The mission of the Beverly Hills Temple of the Arts at the Saban Theatre is to promote religion through music, drama, arts, film and dance. To learn more, and to secure tickets, please visit the website, www.bhtota.org <http://www.bhtota.org> . Network with us at www.facebook.com/templeofthearts <http://www.facebook.com/templeofthearts> and on Twitter @templeofthearts
The Beverly Hills Temple of the Arts at the Saban Theatre also broadcasts its Kol Nidre and Yom Kippur services on Jewish Life Television (JLTV) which is aired on DIRECTV, Comcast, Spectrum and other video providers. Services will be broadcast on JLTV on Tuesday, September 18, 2018 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. ET and 9:00 – 11:00 p.m. ET, and on Yom Kippur, Wednesday, September 19, 2018 from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. ET and 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Services will also be streamed live at www.jltv.tv <http://www.jltv.tv> and at www.bhtota.org <http://www.bhtota.org>
MEDIA:
Members of the media will be invited to interview and photograph Rabbi David Baron and his special guests from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m., prior to the beginning of the service on the Eve of Yom Kippur (Kol Nidre) on Tuesday, September 18, 2018 and on Yom Kippur on Wednesday, September 19, 2018 from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m., and during the day. Media are also welcome to cover the entire services both days. Please contact STEVE MOYER PUBLIC RELATIONS at 818.337.9987 or e-mail moyerpr@earthlink.net to arrange press credentials.
