Spring Break - No Classes
2026-04-05
Sholem will not meet on this Sunday (April 5).
Classes resume April 12th.

Milo, Clara, & Olivia Bar/Bas Mitsve Ceremony
2026-05-09 14:00 - 19:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
The families of Milo Groseclose and Clara Perez Howe and Olivia Perez Howe invite the Sholem Community to join in celebrating their children becoming Bar/Bas Mitsves.

Milo’s topic will be:
Jews, Comics, and Superheroes

Clara’s topic will be:
Secular Jewish Influence on Rock Music

Olivia’s topic will be:
A Comparison of Yiddish Dance and Flamenco

Saturday, May 9, 2026 at 2:00pm in Van Nuys
(address to be provided upon RSVP)

There will be a light Kiddush reception at about 5:00pm following the ceremony.

Kindly RSVP by Friday, May 1
by emailing rachel.braude@gmail.com

About Sholem’s secular Bar/Bas Mitsve program…The bar/bas mitsve candidate chooses a topic for in-depth research and/or significant thought. Then, working with their advisor, the student prepares an approximately 20-minute presentation on this topic and how it reflects the aspects of Jewish heritage and identity that are most meaningful to them at this point in their life.To learn more, click here.

Year End Assembly
2026-05-17
This will be our final meeting at Short Avenue for the current school year. Classes will meet as usual, beginning at 10:00 AM. Please come early for coffee, bagels and schmoozing.
Following classes, we will be having a year end assembly to wrap up the academic year.

Virtual Open House
2026-08-16 16:00 - 17:00
Register here!
Can’t attend? We will send out a recording of the Virtual Open House to all registrants.
Agenda
4pm: Opening song
4:10-4:30pm: Overview of Sholem Sunday School
4:30pm: Q&A
Read more information about the Sunday school.
Read more about the teachers and staff.

Rosh Hashanah In the Park
2026-09-12 11:00 - 13:30 | TBA
Saturday, Sept 12th – 11:00 AM to 1:30 PM
This event will be in West LA, location TBD. Please check back here closer to the event for updates.
All are welcome to attend!

Join Sholem Community’s secular Rosh Hashanah celebration in Los Angeles
A meaningful Jewish New Year observance that welcomes families of all backgrounds.

What Makes Our Rosh Hashanah Celebration Special:
Sholem’s secular Jewish holiday observances draw from Jewish history, folk traditions, contemporary readings, and social justice themes. Our secular humanistic adaptations of Jewish holidays are creative and imbued with relevance to modern family life.
Experience the Jewish New Year with readings, literature, and poetry rooted in Jewish heritage and progressive values – perfect for interfaith families and those seeking cultural Jewish celebration without religious requirements.

Event Details:

Free Rosh Hashanah celebration for Los Angeles families
Family-friendly Jewish holiday observance in beautiful outdoor setting
Bring your own picnic lunch and a dessert to share
Traditional apples and honey provided
No cost to attend – donations welcomed

Perfect for families seeking:

Secular Jewish education and community
Alternative to traditional synagogue services
Jewish holiday celebration for kids and adults
Progressive Jewish community exploring ethics and social justice

Join our inclusive school and community where Jewish culture, ethics, and traditions come alive for modern families: LINK!
Questions: info@sholem.org

First Day of Class: 2026/27 School Year
2026-09-13 10:00 - 12:30
If you are interested in enrollment or learning more about Sholem, please contact our principal, Ross Helford – Email Link.

Jewish Sunday School | Secular Jewish Education for Kids Ages 4-17
Join Sholem’s secular Jewish Sunday school serving families throughout Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Brentwood, Westwood, Venice, Culver City, Beverly Hills, and the greater West Side.
Next Session: Sunday, September 20th at 10:00am Location: Sholem Community
Why Choose Sholem’s Jewish Sunday School Alternative?
Sholem’s secular Jewish education program offers an engaging curriculum for children ages 4-17, focusing on Jewish identity, history, culture, and social justice traditions – perfect for families seeking non-religious Jewish education in Los Angeles.
Our inclusive approach welcomes:

Interfaith families from Santa Monica to Beverly Hills
Parents seeking cultural Jewish learning without religious doctrine
Families looking for progressive Jewish education in West LA
Children interested in Jewish history and traditions

What to Expect at Our Jewish Sunday School
10:00am: Classes begin with bagels and community time
12:15pm: Weekly assembly brings all ages together
12:30pm: Dismissal
Try Before You Commit: Families are welcome to visit any Sunday to experience our secular Jewish community firsthand.
Serving Jewish Families Throughout Los Angeles:

Los Angeles
Santa Monica families
Brentwood and Westwood communities
Venice and Culver City residents
Beverly Hills area families
Mid-City and Hollywood families welcome

Registration Information
Online registration opening soon – or attend any Sunday and register in person. No family turned away.
Questions? Contact our principal, Ross Helford, to learn more about our Jewish cultural education program.
Perfect for families seeking:

Alternative to traditional Hebrew school
Jewish education for interfaith families
Secular Jewish community in Los Angeles
Progressive Jewish values and social justice education
Jewish Sunday school that welcomes all backgrounds

Learn more about our amazing community by following us on Facebook or Instagram.

Sholem’s Kol Nidre 2026 – Los Angeles, Jewish High Holy Days
2026-09-20 18:30 - 21:00 | Morgan-Wixson Theater, 2627 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica, CA, 90405, United States
Kol Nidre (Erev Yom Kippur)
Sunday, Sept 20 at 7:00PM
Doors open 6:30 p.m.
Morgan-Wixson Theatre – 2627 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90405

Kol Nidre, the evening that initiates Yom Kippur, is a highlight of the Sholem calendar. Informed by Jewish traditions in music and in spoken word, we reflect on our lives and the state of the world through a humanistic and progressive prism. A moving opportunity to renew ourselves for the upcoming year; to grieve our losses and enable our hopes.

For a taste of Sholem’s Kol Nidre, and why Sholem’s Kol Nidre is a highlight of the year for many people, click here.
The In Memoriam deadline is Sunday, 9/13 end of day. We are unable to accept In Memoriam requests after that date.

Yizker is free and names may be submitted electronically until Tuesday, 9/30. You will also be able to submit Yizker names in person at the event from approximately 6:30pm – 7:00pm.

Ticket purchase link coming soon!
Please check back here closer to the event.

No one turned away for lack of funds.

Parking Information:
Convenient free parking is available at the Venice Family Clinic located at 2509 Pico Boulevard – just one block west of the theatre.

Street parking is also available. Meters are free after 6pm Monday – Saturday and free on Sundays and strictly enforced.

Do not park at the SGI Buddhist Center, The HAUS Santa Monica, Car Nerds or neighboring strip malls.

For assistance, please email rachel.braude@verizon.net.

Join our inclusive school and community where Jewish culture, ethics, and traditions come alive for modern families: LINK!
Questions: info@sholem.org

Yom Kippur In the Park
2026-09-21 11:00 - 13:30 | TBA
Monday, Sept 21st – 11:00 AM to 1:30 PM
This event will be in West LA, location TBD. Please check back here closer to the event for updates.
All are welcome to attend!

Secular Jewish Observance for All Families
Join Sholem’s outdoor Yom Kippur celebration in Culver City, a secular Jewish observance that welcomes families throughout Los Angeles for meaningful reflection without traditional religious requirements.

What to Expect at Our Secular Yom Kippur
Lively discussion of ethics in our daily lives led by community speakers – a humanistic approach to Yom Kippur focused on reflection, social justice, and Jewish values.
Perfect for: Anyone seeking alternative Yom Kippur observance in LA!

Event Details:

Free Yom Kippur celebration for Los Angeles families
Family-friendly Jewish holiday observance in beautiful outdoor setting
11:15 AM start (arrive by 11:00 for seating)
No cost to attend – donations welcomed

Perfect for families seeking:

Secular Yom Kippur celebration – no fasting or traditional religious elements
Secular Jewish education and community
Alternative to traditional synagogue services
Jewish holiday celebration for kids and adults
Progressive Jewish community exploring ethics and social justice

Join our inclusive school and community where Jewish culture, ethics, and traditions come alive for modern families: LINK!
Questions: info@sholem.org

Sukkot Assembly
2026-09-27 12:00 - 13:00
September 27, 2025 @ 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM PDT
As we connect with our ancestors in celebration of the autumnal harvest, and look up at the magnificent harvest moon, we can take this time to reflect upon where our food comes from and to appreciate the laborers that pick our foods and deserve fair wages and human dignity.
Our Sukkot assembly will begin at noon, outside in the school’s central courtyard. Every class will present about their ushpizin i.e. “guests” — a person, group of people, or movement — the students would like to invite to join them in the suke. Rebekka Helford, our vice principal and Alef/Beys teacher, will lead an opening and closing song.
Interested parents/adults are invited to come earlier, after 10am, to help assemble and decorate the sukkah, socialize, and partake of coffee and bagels.
10am – 12pm
Assemble & Decorate Sukkah
Plus socializing, coffee & bagels!
12:00 – 1:00 pm
Sukkot Assembly
Following the school assembly, volunteers are needed to take down the suke.
Join our inclusive school and community where Jewish culture, ethics, and traditions come alive for modern families: LINK!
Questions: info@sholem.org

In Person Open House
2026-10-04 10:00 - 12:30
Open House! Join us on October 4 from 10am–12:30pm
Come see what our secular JewishSunday School is all about!
Our message, our spirit, and our unique understanding of Jewish culture, history, and identity are refreshing in this troubled world.
Meet teachers. Sit in class. Eat bagels. Learn about Sholem!
RSVP and the location will be emailed to you shortly before the event.

In Person Open House RSVP

Name
*

First

Last Name

Last

Email
*

How did you learn about Sholem?
*

Yes, I will attend

If you are human, leave this field blank.

CA Ballot Measures Forum with Mona Field
2026-10-11 10:30 - 12:00 | Short Avenue Elementary School, 12814 Maxella Ave, Los Angeles, CA, 90066, United States
Sunday, October 11
10:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
We are delighted to have longtime Sholem member Mona Field back to lead one of her always popular and informative pre-election forums. Mona will help explain the measures and share who is supporting and opposing each. Participants are welcome to bring their sample ballots, political junk mail, thoughts and questions so we may analyze our choices together.

Mona Field is past President of the Board of the League of Women Voters of Greater Los Angeles and Professor Emerita of Political Science. She literally wrote the textbook on California politics, California Government and Politics Today, now in its 15th edition.

This will be a nonpartisan conversation – NOT about candidates.
Come at 10:00 a.m. for bagels & coffee
Program 10:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.

Short Avenue Elementary School
12814 Maxella Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90066
(Plenty of free street parking)
FREE to Attend – All are welcome!
Donations appreciated.
Join our inclusive school and community where Jewish culture, ethics, and traditions come alive for modern families: LINK!
Questions: info@sholem.org

No Class - Thanksgiving Break
2026-11-29
Sholem does not meet over the holiday break.
We look forward to seeing everyone when class resumes Sunday, Dec 6th!

No Class - Winter Break (Dec 20 - Jan 3)
2026-12-20 - 2027-01-03
Sholem does not meet over the winter break – Dec 2o through Jan 3.
We look forward to seeing everyone when class resumes Sunday, January 10th. 🙂

Fiddler On the Roof (Ahmanson Theatre)
2027-02-21 19:00 - 21:00 | Ahmanson Theatre, 135 North Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, 90012, United States
Fiddler On the Roof (In Yiddish!)
Sholem Fundraiser
Sunday, Feb 21st
7:oo PM, Ahmanson Theatre (Downtown LA)
Don’t miss the Drama Desk Award-winning production of one of the greatest musicals ever written, presented in Yiddish with English and Russian supertitles. Laugh, cry, and feel the love at this powerful and universal testament to the strength and resilience of Jewish community. More details here: https://www.centertheatregroup.org/shows-tickets/ahmanson/2026-27/fiddler-on-the-roof/
Sholem has reserved a block of 60 tickets for Sholem families and friends
Part of the proceeds from the ticket sales will benefit Sholem. Please check this page in the future for how to purchase tickets! We’ll likely have tix available for purchase starting in November.
Come early!
The Sholem community will meet at the venue ahead of the performance for drinks and socializing. Details to be announced closer to the event date.
