Los Angeles’ oldest synagogue, Wilshire Boulevard Temple,...

Los Angeles’ oldest synagogue, Wilshire Boulevard Temple, celebrates its 130th anniversary this week with special Sabbath services and a dinner honoring Rabbi Harvey J. Fields.

Since dedicating its first building in 1873 in downtown Los Angeles, the synagogue--then called Congregation B’nai B’rith--has played a role in the civic life of Los Angeles as well as in the growing Jewish community. It now has 7,000 members.

Its current building at Wilshire and Hobart boulevards, built in 1929, is a registered national historical landmark, its dramatic design owed in part to some Hollywood giants who were members. The Warner brothers--Jack, Harry and Abe--donated murals by artist Hugo Ballin depicting 3,000 years of Jewish history. The Irving Thalbergs contributed decorations for the 125-foot arched dome.

Those moguls and other congregants were attracted to the Reform synagogue in part by the charismatic Rabbi Edgar F. Magnin, who served 69 years until his death in 1984. Magnin once jokingly called himself a “Jew-manist, a Jew with humanistic roots.”

According to Fields, that jocular characterization holds more than a grain of truth not only about Magnin but also about the Rabbinic and lay leadership of the synagogue.

“From the 19th Century, the synagogue was the early voice of the Jewish community in an interfaith and intercultural city,” he said. “Its philosophy has always been to serve the survival of Jews and Judaism in a creative way and to act on the best principles of Jewish prophetic values in the life of the community at large.”

Magnin was widely recognized for creating an interfaith network of civic leaders. Rabbi emeritus Alfred Wolf was also active in interfaith affairs and continues community relations work as director of the Skirball Institute of American Values of the American Jewish Committee.

Fields, who came to Wilshire Boulevard 10 years ago, has continued the legacy of social action and community involvement while devoting himself to programmatic and liturgical innovation.

He has continued the temple’s nearly 20-year dialogue with the Second Baptist Church in South-Central Los Angeles. One recent joint effort was a voter registration drive that enlisted 3,000 new voters.

Fields has served as president of the Mid-Wilshire Parish--made up of 11 Mid-Wilshire churches and his synagogue--which feeds the homeless and hungry through Hope-Net.

In the aftermath of last year’s riots, he became the founding chairman of the Interfaith Coalition to Heal L.A. Among other affiliations, he serves as president of the Board of Rabbis of Southern California, president of the Interreligious Council of Southern California, co-chairman of the Black-Jewish Clergy Alliance of Los Angeles and as a vice president of the board of trustees of the Jewish Federation Council of Greater Los Angeles.

Fields has published widely and has expanded the synagogue’s educational programs.

Rabbi Alexander M. Schindler, president of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, will be the speaker at celebratory Sabbath services at 8:15 p.m. Friday. A reception for Fields will follow.

On Sunday, Jan. 24, a gala tribute dinner will honor Fields for his decade of service to the synagogue and community. Wilshire Boulevard Temple is at 3663 Wilshire Blvd. For information, phone (213) 388-2401.

HONORED

Joe K. Westmoreland, minister of music at First African Methodist Episcopal Church for the past eight years, will be honored at an “appreciation service” at 4 p.m. Sunday at the church. Among those paying tribute to Westmoreland will be some fellow musicians, including Grammy winner Daryl Coley, Betty Griffin, B. J. Crosby, D. J. Rogers, Ricky Grundy, Charles May and Andre Crouch. Also speaking will be First A.M.E.’s Rev. Cecil Murray, the Rev. Wanda Davis, Ernest Fleischmann of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and state Sen. Diane Watson.

Westmoreland’s musical compositions have been performed by his own F.A.M.E. Choir, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Israel Philharmonic, Zubin Mehta and John Denver. Last year he was inducted into the Schomburg Library Center for Black Cultural Studies in New York. He won a Grammy for best composer for his gospel song “The Lord Is in This Place.”

The service, at 2270 S. Harvard Blvd, is free and open to the public. For information, phone (213) 637-9182.

DATES

Marking the beginning of International Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, church leaders from several Christian denominations will pray for unity at a special ecumenical vespers service, 3 p.m. Sunday at St. Vibiana Cathedral. Paul Salamunovich, director of the Los Angeles Master Chorale, will direct the Choir of St. Charles Borromeo in liturgical works of different Christian traditions. St. Vibiana is at 2nd and Main streets in downtown Los Angeles. Free secured parking is available. For information, phone (213) 617-3433.

The Self-Realization Fellowship will host an open house from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at its Mt. Washington headquarters as part of a yearlong celebration commemorating the centennial of founder Paramahansa Yogananda’s birth. There will be a continuous showing of a 30-minute video featuring reminiscences by disciples and friends of Yogananda, an influential figure in Los Angeles until his death in 1952. The location is 3880 San Rafael Ave. (213) 225-2471.

UCLA Extension has launched a certification program in fund raising for churches and other nonprofit organizations. It includes classes on “The Art of Fund Raising,” “Putting Public Relations to Work” and “Newsletter Writing.” A free open house, featuring fund-raising executives as guest speakers, will take place 10 a.m. to noon Jan. 23 in Room 2160-E of the Dickson Art Center Auditorium. Call (310) 825-0641.

Please address notices to: Southern California File, c/o Religion Editor, Los Angeles Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles 90053.