By Maria Esteves – October 10, 2018
RESTORING TOMORROW is an awe-inspiring documentary that captures the history and the restoration of the WILSHIRE BOULEVARD TEMPLE, the first Jewish temple in Los Angeles, CA, founded in 1860s. Known for celebrities who frequented attended temple from Warner Bros. Jack, Henry, and Albert to Ricardo Montalbán to Diana Ross, it’s breathtaking 100 feet high dome ceiling with Hebrew inscription leads me to imagine what will the reconstruction of the Temple in Jerusalem be like!
The film includes amazing archival materials with Rabbi Alfred Wolf, director Wolf's family history and spiritual journey, and interviews with Rabbi Steve Leder, Bishop Kenneth Ulmer, Sybil Fields, musician Burt Bacharach, George Alvarez, Marian Brown, Louise Taubman of Pico Union Project, and historian Karen Wilson.
Today, WILSHIRE BOULEVARD TEMPLE campus community provides K-6 school, and free social services (dental, mental health, legal aide, and food security services) for members and their neighboring community. RESTORING TOMORROW is a treasured home!
"This campus was given to us by good ancestors. This renovated campus will be given to generations yet to come who I hope and pray will say of us they were good ancestors." -Rabbi Steve Leder
RESTORING TOMORROW, directed by Aaron Wolf | Howling Wolf Productions | U.S.A. | 2017 | 82 min | Premiere, American Jewish Heritage Society, New York, October 16, 2018.