(HOLLYWOOD PRESS CORPS) — Beverly Hills, CA — The Hollywood Press Corps visited the Temple of the Arts at the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills on September 20th and 21st, 2026, for the sacred observance of Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish year.
Held at the historic Saban Theatre on Wilshire Boulevard, the services were led by Rabbi David Baron, founder of the Temple of the Arts. Combining prayer, music, film and reflection, the program explored themes of faith, remembrance, resilience and the continuing fight against antisemitism.
The Kol Nidre service on September 20th featured Nova Music Festival massacre survivor Natalie Sanandaji and Jewish humanitarian Jonny Daniels, founder of the From the Depths Foundation. Daniels discussed his documentary film The Righteous Road Trip, which follows his journey across Eastern Europe to meet some of the last remaining Righteous Among the Nations—non-Jewish individuals who risked their lives to save Jews during the Holocaust.
Yom Kippur programming the following day included conversations with singer and activist Montana Tucker, counterterrorism expert Steven Emerson, Daniels and Academy Award-winning filmmaker Vanessa Roth. Roth’s film was screened during the afternoon, followed by a discussion with the filmmakers.
Music was central to the services. Performers included cantors Ilysia J. Pierce and Nathan Lam, composer Sharon Farber, singer Adrienne Baron, Israeli musician Barak Levy and 15-year-old vocalist Eden Kontesz. Kontesz performed Dianne Warren’s “I Was Here,” while Dr. Judea Pearl, father of the late Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl, sang in memory of his son and spoke about Daniel Pearl Music Month.
The services also featured a choir of singers from the Los Angeles Opera and Los Angeles Master Chorale, accompanied by violinists Dimitry Olevsky and Philip Vaiman, cellist Garik Terzian and harpist Tal Vaknini.
Rabbi Baron’s Living Sermon emphasized unity, peace and the importance of standing together during uncertain times. The day concluded with the closing Mincha, Neilah and Havdalah services, followed by the final shofar blast and a break-the-fast reception.
Through its distinctive blend of spirituality and the performing arts, the Temple of the Arts continues to create a meaningful Yom Kippur experience for its congregation, guests and the wider Beverly Hills community.
