(EXPERIENCE MAGAZINE) — Beverly Hills, CA — RABBI DAVID BARON ANNOUNCES YOM KIPPUR GUESTS
RESCUED HOSTAGE “ANDREI KOZLOV” HELD FOR
247 DAYS IN HAMAS CAPTIVITY IN GAZA
U.S. GOVERNMENT ANTISEMITISM TASK FORCE
CHIEF CIVIL RIGHTS LAWYER “LEO TERRELL”
AMERICAN-ISRAELI PHILANTHROPIST “MOTI KAHANA”
TO GIVE A FIRST HAND ACCOUNT OF WAR-TORN GAZA
AND BRINGING AID TO THOSE IN NEED
HOUTHI YEMENI SWEDISH JOURNALIST, COLUMNIST
AND INFLUENCER “LUAI AHMED” SPEAKS OUT
ABOUT ANTISEMITISM IN ISLAM
PRODUCER, WRITER AND EDITOR OF THE FILM, OCTOBER 8
“NIMROD EREZ” SPEAKS ABOUT THE EMERGENCE OF ANTISEMITISM ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES, IN SOCIAL MEDIA AND ON THE STREETS SINCE OCTOBER 7, 2024 WHEN HAMAS ATTACKED ISRAEL
Daphna Edwards Ziman Performs HUMANITY, A New Single in
No. 1 Position on iTunes Worldwide Music Chart
Mary Hart, Dr. Judea Pearl, Stephen Macht,
Bernard Hiller, Howard Fine and Golda Zahra
Beverly Hills, CA (September 12, 2025) – Rabbi David Baron of the Temple of the Arts at the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills announced today his guests for Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish New Year, will include: rescued hostage Andrei Kozlov held for 247 days in Hamas captivity in Gaza; U.S. Government Antisemitism Task Force Chief Civil Rights Lawyer Leo Terrell; American-Israeli Philanthropist Moti Kahanawho will give a first hand account of war-torn Gaza and bringing aid to those in need; Houthi Yemeni Swedish Journalist, Columnist and Influencer Luai Ahmed who will speak out about Antisemitism in Islam and Producer, Writer and Editor of the film, October 8, Nimrod Erez who will speak about the emergence of antisemitism on college campuses, in social media and on the streets since October 7, 2024 when Hamas attached Israel.
Yom Kippur Service Participants will include temple members: Mary Hart, Dr. Judea Pearl, Stephen Macht, Daphna Edwards Ziman, Bernard Hiller, Howard Fine and singer Golda Zahra.
Services will commence on Wednesday, October 1, 2025 (5786), the Eve of Yom Kippur (Kol Nidre) at the Temple of the Arts at the Saban Theatre, 8440 Wilshire Boulevard, Beverly Hills, CA 90211 at 8:00 p.m., and continue on Thursday, October 2, 2025 (5786) at 10:00 a.m., the holiest day of the Jewish New Year.
Rabbi David Baron said: “My Yom Kippur High Holy Day Guests for this year will address the horrific global rise in antisemitism and what is being done to remedy the situation. My message in my Living Sermon this year will be one of unity and peace for all mankind.”
To make reservations for the High Holy Day Services, please call the temple at 323-658-9100 and E-mail Edward Tarango at the temple office at edgar@templeofthearts.org This year’s Yom Kippur services will be live streamed via the temple’s website, www.bhtota.org by clicking in the upper right-hand corner on Livestream in the drop down menu for temple members in good standing who can’t attend the live services. Members of the general public will be welcome to attend the Rabbi Baron’s afternoon discussions with his guests on Yom Kippur, Thursday, October 2, 2025 from 2:00 – 5:30 p.m. free of charge, but reservations are required. Please call the temple office to make reservations.
Tickets for Non-Temple Members for both live Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services are available. Discounted Tickets for Young Adults 18 – 35 years of age are also available. And streaming yearlong virtual memberships are also available. Please call the temple office for details. Members of the unions SAG-AFTRA and the WGA West who have experienced financial hardships due the recent pandemic and reduction in production will be admitted to the High Holy Day Services free-of-charge. Please call the temple office for details and to make reservations.
On the Afternoon of Yom Kippur, Wednesday, October 2, 2025 from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Rabbi David Baron will lead discussions with his High Holy Day Special Guests. Around 3:15 p.m. there will be an Exclusive Screening of the film, OCTOBER 8, which explores the explosion of anti-Semitism on college campuses, on social media and on the streets of America after October 7, 2024 when Hamas attacked Israel. After the screening of the film Rabbi Baron will be joined by Nimrod Erez, a Writer, Producer and Editor of OCTOBER 8. Here is a link to the trailer of the film, OCTOBER 8: https://youtu.be/9yMX4ikLXSA
The film is executive produced Debra Messing and Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Wendy Sachs, with music by the temple’s Music Director, Grammy Award-wining composer, Sharon Farber. From Hollywood to the #MeToo moverment to the United Nations, the film exposes the hypocrisy and double standards and the sense that “Israel had it coming.” Ultimately the film answers the question of what’s at stake. It’s not about the Jews or Israel; it’s about democracy and freedom itself.
The film features interviews with Debra Messing, Michael Rappaport, Mosab Yousef (son of Hamas’s co-founder), Sheryl Sandberg, Scott Galloway, U.S. Representative Ritchie Torrres, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, U.S. Ambassador Deborth Lipstadt, Dan Senor, Nor Tishby, Bari Weiss and a survivor frm Nir Oz.
Rabbi Baron continued, “My Yom Kippur guests this year have incredible stories of courage and perseverance. Their stories exemplify the strength of the human spirit, which can serve as examples to enlighten and encourage all of us. At this season of repentance and introspection, it is of vital importance to bring awareness globally of these stories. We can learn important life lessons from these inspirational and motivational messages.”
The Yom Kippur creative services on October 1st and 2nd will feature Broadway performer, Cantor Ilysia J. Pierce and renowned cantor and voice teacher, Hazzan Nathan Lam. Service Readers/Performers will include Mary Hart (Former Host of Entertainment Tonight), Dr. Judea Pearl(Father of slain Wall Street Journal reporter, Daniel Pearl), Stephen Macht(Suits). Daphna Edwards Ziman (President of Cinémoi Television Network) performs HUMANITY, a new singe in No. 1 Position on iTunes Worldwide Music Chart, Bernard Hiller (Renowned Acting Teacher and Author), Howard Fine (Renowned Acting Teacher) and Golda Zahra(Opera Singer who recently made her debut as Liu at Disney Concert Hall in a performance of Puccini’s opera, Turandot). Additional services participants will soon be announced.
At the musical helm will be the temple’s Music Director, Grammy Award-winning Composer, Four-Time Emmy Award-nominated Composer, ASCAP Board Member, Member of the Executive Committee of the Music Branches of The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Science and the Television Academy and Former Vice President of the Alliance of Women Film Composers, Sharon Farber. Kol Nidre and Yom Kippur services this year will feature a 12-member choir composed of singers from Los Angeles Opera and the Los Angeles Master Chorale, and four instrumentalists.
High Holy Day services will be held on the Eve of Yom Kippur (Kol Nidre) on Wednesday, October 1, 2025 starting at 8:00 p.m. and on Thursday, October 2, 2025 starting at 10:00 a.m., followed by Rabbi Baron’s Living Sermon at 12 Noon and the visually opulent Yizkor Memorial Service (memorial service for the departed) starting at approximately 12:30 p.m., underscored by inspirational music.
Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) is the holiest day of the year on the Jewish calendar; it is a day of forgiveness, prayer and fasting for Jewish people around the world. Rosh Hashanah, which begins on Tuesday evening, September 23, 2024 (5786), the Jewish New Year, is marked by the blowing of the shofar, beginning 10 days of penitence culminating with Yom Kippur, Thursday, October 2, 2025 (5786).
The Temple of the Arts at the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills is the largest arts and entertainment synagogue in the United States and owns the historic Saban Theatre located at 8440 Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills, CA 90211.
The City of Beverly Hills will waive 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 disabled 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 on the Stephen J. Cloobeck Family Stage with a backdrop tapestry recreation of legendary artist, Marc Chagall’s painting, “The Journey of the People.” The Beverly Hills Temple of the Arts at the Saban Theatre is now celebrating the closing of its 33rd Anniversary. October 30, 2025 will mark the historic 95th Anniversary of the historic Saban Theatre, for which a celebration will be held later in 2026 to be announced at a later date. 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, please visit the website, www.bhtota.org
Network with us at www.facebook.com/templeofthearts and on Twitter @templeofthearts
About Rabbi David Baron’s Guests:
Andrei Kozlov was taken hostage by Hamas during the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. Kozlov had picked up a job working security at the Tribe of Nova Music Festival in southern Israel close to the Gaza border. On his third morning, amid sounds of gunfire, he was led to a vehicle beginning 247 days of imprisonment. On the 247th day, Israeli Defense Forces burst into the camp where Kozlov was held, rescuing him and three other hostages, and killing at least 274 Palestinians caught in the cross-fire and an Israeli commando. Today, in his studio near the Hudson River in New York, he creates paintings about his days in captivity.
Leo Terrell has been on the front lines in the fight for social justice and everyday Americans for over 30 years. Terrell is a nationally renowned civil rights lawyer and popular television personality. Terrell joined the U.S. Department of Justice at the beginning of the Trump-Vance Administration to lead the federal government’s Joint Task Force on combating antisemitism.
As a grassroots community leader, Terrell has worked tirelessly to build better relations between police officers, business owners, and his fellow Americans. A respected negotiator, Terrell has served as an attorney for the NAACP, the former Chairman of the Black-Korean Alliance, an Advisory Board Member for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), and a former member of California’s Statewide Commission Against Hate Crimes. As a result of both his law practice and civil rights contributions, Terrell has appeared on such national programs as Nightline, Today Show, Good Morning America, The O’Reilly Factor, Hannity and The Larry King Show.
Prior to his legal career, Terrell taught high school history, geography, and economics. He is also the author of “Your Rights in the Workplace – What Your Boss Won’t Tell You.” He received his Masters Degree in Education from Pepperdine University and his law degree from UCLA.
Moti Kahana returned from Gaza with a first hand account of what is actually occurring in that war-torn zone. He and his colleagues set up the first food and an aid distribution center in Gaza. Kahana was instrumental in bringing aid to and rescuing Syrian Jews during its civil war.
Born in Jerusalem in 1968, Kahana is an American-Israeli businessman and philanthropist who during Syria’s Civil War donated considerable money and time providing support relief for Syrian civilians. He became well known for rescuing the last Jewish family from Aleppo, and recovering ancient Jewish artifacts, including Torah scrolls, in danger of destruction from synagogues in Syria. Other humanitarian work includes supplying aid to hospitals following Hurricane Sandy and founding the “Amaliah” organization, dedicated to aiding civil society and empowering women in the Middle East.
Kahana is the CEO and Founder of the organization, GDC Company (Global Development Company), which has for the last year been working in tandem with Not-For-Profit organizations (501c3) to bring humanitarian supplies and services into Afghanistan and rescued the last Jew of Afghanistan. He is also an avid investor in innovative technologies fighting global warming and supporting Green Technologies.
Currently his company is taking humanitarian Supplies into the Ukraine and helping to take sunflower oil out of Ukraine. After 13 years, five wars and many hurricanes his company donated gas here in the USA. He is the author of the book, “Looking For God Amdist The Conflict.” You can learn more about Moti Kahana at www.gdc.company
Luai Ahmed is a Yemeni and Swedish journalist, columnist, and influencer. Ahmed is active on social media and is considered a critic of radical Islam and antisemitism in Islam. Luai is openly gay and considers himself a Zionist.
Nimrod Erez, a filmmaker with more than 20 years of experience in documentary films, served as Writer, Producer and Editor on OCTOBER 8, joining Director and Executive Producer, Wendy Sachs early on in the production. Previously, Erez worked with the Academy Award-winning team at Moriah Films, the documentary film production arm of the Simon Wiesenthal Center in Los Angeles, where he edited and co-produced eight feature films and many smaller in-house projects including, Never Stop Dreaming: The Life and Legacy of Shimon Peres, narrated by George Clooney, which was acquired by Netflix as an original. Erez has worked closely with Wendy Sachs in the lobal distribution of the film screening around the world in Australia, Mexico, Canada, Israel, and the United Kingdom. Together with Wendy Sachs, Erez formed The October 8 Foundation to support the film’s education and impact campaigns and produce their follow-up documentary film Poison Ivy and other film and television projects.
Rosh Hashanah services will be held on Monday, September 22nd at 8:00 p.m., and Tuesday, September 23rd at 10:00 a.m. Children’s Services (ages 6 – 11), led by Karen Abrams, will be held on Rosh Hashanah, Tuesday, September 23rd at 10:30 a.m. and on Yom Kippur, Thursday, October 2nd at10:30 a.m. in the Conference Room on the second floor. Simultaneously there will be Toddler’s Care (ages 2 – 5) led by the Temple of the Arts Pre-School instructors on Rosh Hashanah, Tuesday, September 23rd at 10:30 a.m. and on Yom Kippur, Thursday, October 2nd at 10:30 a.m. in the Founder’s Room on the first floor of the temple. For details please call the temple’s office at
323-658-9100.
