One of our country’s most highly respected Reform congregations, Wilshire Boulevard Temple has been responding to the needs of the Los Angeles Jewish community since our founding in 1862 as Congregation B’nai B'rith, the first synagogue in Los Angeles.
Today, Wilshire Boulevard Temple is many things: a center for Jewish spirituality and celebration, a place for lifelong learning and friendship, and an engaged congregation where every person makes a difference. We have two locations to serve our families: our historic Erika J. Glazer Family Campus in Wilshire Center/Koreatown, and our modern Audrey and Sydney Irmas Campus in West Los Angeles. Wilshire Boulevard Temple offers services and worship, adult programs, life cycle events, volunteer and social action opportunities, cultural events, and learning to its members. Many of our cultural activities are open to the wider public.
Our schools are the some of the best around. The Erika J. Glazer and Mann Family Early Childhood Centers, Brawerman Elementary School East and West, and Gloria & Peter S. Gold and Edgar F. Magnin Religious Schools serve our congregants and community at both campuses. We also have two beautiful summer camps in Malibu, Camp Hess Kramer and Gindling Hilltop Camp, which provide children and teens with an exceptional Jewish youth experience. Also in Malibu is our Steve Breuer Conference Center, available for use by other non-profit organizations and schools for conferences and events.
The Early Childhood Centers of Wilshire Boulevard Temple are nurturing environments offering Jewish values and education to young children and their families. The primary goals are to develop each child’s self-esteem, promote positive feelings towards learning, and to encourage social interaction within a Jewish setting. The Early Childhood Centers—both NAEYC accredited—build strong bodies, minds, and spirits. Baby & Me classes are offered for babies and toddlers (with parents or grandparents) from birth to 2 1/2 years old. Nursery School is available starting at 18 months to 5 years.
Judaism is joyous, the Religious School is both a place of learning and a place of fun and friendship. Through engaging programs, children discover the meaning of Judaism: that there is a purpose to our lives and that each of us has a responsibility to leave the world a better place. Our teaching relies on parents as our partners in living meaningful Jewish lives every day. Religious School is available for Grades K-12. Additionally, youth group programs are available for Grades 3-12.
For more than 60 years, Wilshire Boulevard Temple Camps—Camp Hess Kramer and Gindling Hilltop Camp—have been providing a dynamic and fun environment where campers and staff become part of a community. WBT Camps strive to build a place where everyone is equal and included, supported and cared for, connected and challenged. Wilshire Boulevard Temple Camps provide children a better understanding of their Jewish background while giving them a summer in Malibu they will never forget.