Etzetera - August 2019

ETZETERA Growing Forward, Rooted in Tradition

August 2019

Tammuz And Av 5779

Back to School!

Tisha B’Av Services pg. 2 Thank you from Buzz Schoenkerman pg. 9 Rabbi Averbach’s Installation Weekend pg. 10

1080 E. JANSS ROAD ● THOUSAND OAKS, CA 91360 Phone (805) 497-6891 ● Fax (805) 497-0086 ● www.templeetzchaim.org

Rabbi’s Message

As is probably obvious by the above, the book Aicha (Lamentations), which we read on Tisha B’Av (August 1011), is a series of acrostic poems. Thought to be written

by Jeremiah as the Babylonians burned Jerusalem and took all the Jews into exile in 586 BCE, it is a great work of theodicy. Jeremiah looks into the deep “HOW?” of the moment. How could God desert the Jews, the chosen people? If God is good and just, how can we justify the destruction of God’s home, the Holy Temple in Jerusalem? Jeremiah then gives reasons: we deserted God; we worshipped idols; we turned our backs on our history and Torah; Jerusalem is crying out for us, God has been searching for us; we failed to hear the call and this is our punishment, the Babylonians are just tools for God to carry out the plan.

“Aicha!” is the exclamation that starts Tisha B’Av’s reading, Book of Lamentations recounts Judah’s last bleeding.

Concerns itself Jerusalem fell

with

Rabbi Ari Averbach rabbiaverbach@templeetzchaim.org

when

During the time of mighty Bavel.

Everyone was banished, out they poured For the sins committed against the Lord.

Gone were the days of the Temple so holy Heathens had influenced them surely but slowly In came Nebuchadnezzar, army and all Jeremiah would weep and scream and bawl: “King Zedekiah, you were our last hope

On Tisha B’Av, we mourn Jerusalem’s fall by the Babylonians, as well as the second destruction by the Romans in 70 CE, which also happened on the ninth day of the month of Av. This day has been noted as some of the saddest throughout the years – the destruction of the city of Betar and killings of 100,000 Jews in 132 CE, the first Crusade declared by Pope Urban II in 1095, the beginning of the Spanish Inquisition in 1492, the first day of World War I in 1914, the mass deportation of Jews from the Warsaw Ghetto to Treblinka in 1942. This month, as we read this lament, we remember the atrocities of our history, and the fact that despite all of them, we are still here. Just as we would never celebrate alone, we as a community never mourn alone.

Leading us away from this downward slope.

Manasseh was wicked, worshipping idol Now our great enemy has become genocidal.

Our fate is locked, and out we scoot Passed the known territory, into galut.”

Quiet now, our city on the hill Reticent to speak that voice small and still.

Silence for our history in each of its components Tisha B’Av honors those moments.

Usually we eat, but that day we fast Venerating the horrific times of our past Wailing and mourning and sitting on the floor

On the evening of August 10 and the morning of August 11, we read Aicha and wrestle with all the ancient, painful questions.

Xeric land we are still longing for Year after year, we read Jeremiah’s lament Zion awaiting our imminent ascent.

Rabbi Ari Averbach

TISHA B’AV SERVICES Saturday, August 10th, 7:30 p.m. in the Winer Chapel 2

President’s Message As I move into my second year as President of Temple Etz Chaim, there are many successes to reflect upon and a lot of exciting things to come.

Jeff Solomon, President president@templeetzchaim.org

a preschool father and former member of our Board of Directors. In just a short period of time, he has already demonstrated his value to us.

As the year progresses, all of you should have the opportunity to meet Rabbi Averbach at one of the plethora of in-home mixers that we have planned.

Coming in September is a 3-Sunday adult education series taught by the Rabbi to prepare you for the High Holy Days. Speaking of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, I am again looking forward to meeting as many of you as possible during these days at the Temple.

The highlight of my first year is clearly the hiring of a new, young Rabbi that we hope will provide enrichment and engagement to our existing congregants as well as provide a spark for those unaffiliated with Temple Etz Chaim to join us. It has been a pleasure to welcome Rabbi Ari Averbach back to the Conejo Valley where he grew up and into the Temple Etz Chaim community. We will formally install the Rabbi this month on Saturday morning, August 24, 2019 during Shabbat morning services, but we have an entire weekend of celebration geared to all ages starting with a Kabbalat Shabbat service and Shabbat dinner on Friday night, August 23rd and concluding with a Family Fun Day on Sunday, August 25th.

We have some new faces on our 2019-2020 Board of Directors and I am excited to work with some new leaders of our community as well as those who are continuing in their leadership roles. I believe that the Board, as currently constructed, is a great group of dedicated volunteers and I look forward to seeing what we can accomplish as we approach 2020.

I hope that everyone is having a terrific summer and I hope to see you at one of the many events that we have planned for the coming months!

A second highlight was the hiring of Gideon Manzur at the beginning of June as our Executive Director. Gideon brings lots of knowledge and energy to the position as well as an intimate understanding of how we operate as

Jeff Solomon

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Early Childhood Education Looking out my window today, I can see that we are definitely in the midst of a California summer. It is 95 degrees outside and the children are coming in through the gate with their bathing suits, towels and sunscreen. Even our Infant Center has been enjoying a little water play on hot days! The children are ready for another exciting day at Temple Etz Chaim ECE Center and Summer Camp. Our theme for Week 8 is Bugs, Bugs, Bugs! Our preschool and school-age classrooms, outdoor play yards will include water play, sensory and art activities based on

Debbie Blumenthal, Director of ECE debbieb@templeetzchaim.org

year planned and we look forward to welcoming our returning and all of our new students next month. An informative Parent Orientation will be held on Thursday, August 29th from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. We are so looking forward to a great year together.

The staff and I cannot wait to see all of our friends and families again. If you have any questions about our early childhood program, Parent and Me classes, or summer camp, please call me at 805-497-6852.

Enjoy the rest of the summer; I’m looking forward to seeing all of you again in September.

Debbie Blumenthal

this popular theme. We also will have Reptacular Bug Show on Wednesday as part of Reptile Week in our summer camp. Our summer will finish with circus and community helper activities! And just like that – summer will come to an end!

Skipping ahead to September and the start of our new school year, the 2019-20 preschool year will begin on Tuesday, September 3rd. We are excited to start our new year with so many new families from our Infant Center and Parent & Me and those brand new to our Temple. We are also starting the school year with a new Rabbi- Rabbi Ari Averbach and his wife Vanessa. You will all get to know them quickly as they have two sons in our early childhood program and their daughter will be attending Sunday School. Rabbi Averbach has been joining us every Friday during the summer and we are having a fun time! The teaching staff and I have a great 4

We Proudly Congratulate our Bat Mitzvah Mandy Borys

August 31, 2019

My name is Mandy Borys and I’m an 8th grader at Medea Creek Middle School. I love photography and music as well as playing trumpet. I love being involved in TEC’s usy Jr. board. I would like to thank all my teachers who have taught me everything I know, Rivka Moskovitch who has taught me all I need to know for my bat mitzvah, my parents for letting me have this amazing education that I have had for so many years, and my friends who have supported me through everything I do. I really look forward to becoming an adult in the Jewish community.

Joyce Bronstein, Director of Religious School joyce@templeetzchaim.org

Religious School Rabbi

Averbach,

the

Religious

Religious School education is pouring the cement for a

School Staff and I wish to welcome

strong Jewish foundation that will sustain your children

you, Vanessa and your children,

for the rest of their lives. A Jewish education is truly a

Paige, Shai and Isaiah, to Temple

gift that you are giving your children. If you know of a

Etz Chaim.

family, who may be interested in joining Temple Etz

I know that all the

members of our congregation are very excited to get to

Chaim, please let me know.

know you and your family as you begin your tenure as

extra encouragement to take this step, and I would love

Senior Rabbi. I believe that you and your family will find

to give them a personal tour so that they can learn

our synagogue to be a warm and friendly place, in which

about our Religious School, meet our fabulous Clergy

your family will be surrounded with friendship and ruach!

and staff and tour our beautiful campus.

As we move toward the end of the summer, our annual

If you have not done so already, please return your

“Tailgate Shabbat” will be on August 16th at 5:30 p.m. on

prefilled registration cards. I am currently planning for

the Warren Lawn. Bring your chairs and blankets and

the

enjoy a delicious dinner provided by Pizza Nosh,

registration

followed by dessert and our final “Shabbat Under the

appropriately.

Stars” service. There is no charge and everyone is

upcoming

school

cards

will

Some families need a little

year

and

enable

your me

completed to

prepare

Should you have any questions or would just like to

welcome to attend. Please bring your friends so that they

“schmooze,” my door is always open.

can experience a wonderful Shabbat evening with us. I

I love when

families stop by to say hello…

would love to meet them! Please RSVP so we will know

Wishing you and your family a continued happy and safe

how much food to order. I look forward to seeing all of

summer!

you on August 16th.

Joyce Bronstein

Being a member of TEC and giving your children a

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USY & Youth

Shannon Tepfer, Youth Director youth@templeetzchaim.org

The new school year is starting and we are really excited for all of the wonderful experiences planned for the USYer’s and the TEC kids! We can’t wait to start the new year with Rabbi Averbach and look forward to his leadership, teaching, and USY ruach. The USY Board members are planning an awesome year for TEC, including some exciting lounges, Chapter Activities, and events for all of you! We have something for everyone and look forward to seeing you at every event.

Experiential groups available:

Do you have a K-2nd grader who would enjoy some extra play and fun times at TEC? Machar (K,1,2) program is just what you’ve been looking for. Machar is a special program for kids in grades K-2 that will meet once a month on Sundays after Religious School from 11:301:30pm. Some of the things we will do is work together on community and Tikkun Olam projects, gain friendships and create bonds, and of course play games and have fun!

8/18: Kadima Kick Off Lounge! 11:30 am -1:30 pm

Machar: K-2nd grade, Kadima: 3rd- 6th grade , Jr USY: 7th-8th, and Sr USY (9th-12th grade) We are here to be a part of your child’s journey in building lifelong friendships, Jewish identity, and community here at TEC. Let us know if you have any questions. Email or call the Youth Office at: youth@templeetzchaim.org - (805)494-3648 August/September Events: 8/25: Jr/Sr “Let’s Go Out” activity Place and time TBD 9/1: Disney Day! 7 am at TEC for the bus, returning at midnight 9/08: 1st Machar (K,1,2) lounge! 11:30am-1:30pm 9/13-9/15: LTI at AJU, Bel Air – Sr. USY leaders and 8th grade Presidents

Are you looking for friends, fun activities, leadership opportunities, a place to chill and be yourself? Become a member of our TEC USY Chapter and lets get this party started!

9/17: Jr Lounge 6:15 pm-7:45 pm 9/22: Kadima Lounge 11:30 am-1:30 pm 9/29: Machar “Rosh Hashana” activity 11:30 am- 1:30 pm

Shannon Tepfer

9/30: High Holidays Tashlich Walk 8-12th graders Only

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Men’s Club, Men’s Club President MENSCLUB@templeetzchaim.org

Men’s Club I hope that everyone is having a great summer. I want to wish the best of luck to all our friends and community members embarking on new journeys. Some are going to college, some are taking on new jobs, and some will retire.

We also extend congratulations to Maya Silberstein, Temple Etz Chaim Men’s Club/USY Youth of the Year.

This year we are pleased to honor as our Youth of the Year. We look forward to celebrating with Maya and her family at the FJMC Western Region Man/Youth of the Year Awards on August 18. This year the TEC Men’s Club has the honor of hosting the awards.

With the school year set to begin, many of you are busy shopping for those last-minute back-to-school items. Some of you are busy packing for the somewhat longer drive to college. This is the time to commit yourself to your education. Skill and experience are valuable too, but it is your education that will get you started on your career. Throughout the coming year, the TEC Men’s Club is proud to continue presenting our Sunday Bruch Speaker Series. It’s a great way to learn something new with a large group of your friends and community, and have a Sunday nosh all at the same time.

I am also pleased to tell you that the Men’s Club board has filled out. We bid goodbye to David Harris and thank him for his great service as our Publicity VP. Alik Shulman is stepping into his position and joins the Men’s Club board for the first time. Other board members include Executive Vice President Brian Tepfer, VP of Religion David Abramovicz, Membership VP Colin Pullan, Treasurer Irwin Barney, Corresponding Secretary Marc Cohn, and Program VP Mark Goldstein.

We currently have one open seat on the board, if you or someone you know is interested, send an email to mensclub@templeetzchaim.org.

Did someone mention retiring? It has been my great honor to have served as Men’s Club President during Rabbi Richard Spiegel’s final year as our Senior Rabbi.

We wish him well in his retirement. Thank you Rabbi Spiegel for all the help you’ve provided to the Men’s Club over the last nineteen years. Football with the Rabbi was a fan favorite. But the stand-out event you’ve given to us is our Jeff Finn Memorial Steak, Scotch, Cigars and Talmud with the Rabbi. This event has had over thirty members and friends in attendance for many years now and people look forward to it all year.

Our coming year’s calendar is filled with a line-up of fun events. Some are old favorites like our Sunday Brunches, our Scholar-In-Residence, and of course, Poker Night. This year we will add a visit to a local Brewery, a trip to Dave & Busters, a cooperative program with USY to have Men’s Club and Youth at Dojo-Boom, and a barbeque for the Bar and Bat Mitzvah kids and their family for the 2019-2020 year.

We will also be running the Arnold Stern Memorial Poker Championship in May of 2020 so mark your calendars.

Our Scholar-in-Residence for 2020 with be our 20th annual celebration of this event spearheaded by Marc Firestone twenty-one years ago. We’ve had some spectacular speakers through the years, like Professor Laurie Levenson, Dr. Stephen Berk, Rabbi Charles Simon, Rabbi Brad Artson, and Rabbi Elliot Dorf. We are working hard to find a comparable personality to continue providing enlightening and entertaining programs.

And speaking about starting new adventures. The entire Temple Etz Chaim Men’s Club extends a warm welcome to our newest member, Rabbi Ari Averbach.

Rabbi Averbach joins us from five years in the cold of Northbrook, Ill., coming to Thousand Oaks for a new job. We pledge our assistance and welcome him as our new Senior Rabbi.

A big congratulations to Temple Etz Chaim Men’s Club Man of the Year David Goldstein. David has been our Program VP for the last few years and has brought some great speakers and programs to our club and our temple. We look forward to his continued service to the Men’s Club and the quality of his programs.

From the TEC Men’s Club, and me personally, an early L’shanah Tovah!

Ken Leon 7

Social Action

Judy Gindi, VP of Social Action socialaction@templeetzchaim.org

“Give of yourself…you can always give something, even if it is only kindness… No one has ever become poor from giving” Anne Frank

these items to a detention center in San Diego. Drop off items at the church by August 21st or call Dori (805) 402 -2100 for further information.

I am very excited to become TEC’s new Social Action V.P. My husband, Jack, and I have been members of the temple for over thirty years. Our daughters, Rebecca and Jeanna, attended preschool, religious school, and had their bat mitzvahs here.

My passion is planning community programs. I look forward to working with Rabbi Averbach, President Jeff Solomon, the board, the staff, and temple members to continue to offer programs at TEC to help those in need in our community and within the world.

Mentoring the Homeless in Our Community: Apply this month to volunteer and establish a mentoring relationship with at-risk families and individuals.

Mentors will be trained in early September and then will be matched with a mentee. The role of the mentor is to be a listener, help the mentee develop life skills, be a role model, be a friend, and to educate them on what resources are available to There will be a training program led by Harbor House in September. Please contact me at (805)701-6861 or socialaction@templeetzchaim.org if interested.

There is much to do to repair the world (Tikkun Olam). If you are interested in helping others, please join this exciting, not to miss, committee. Contact Judy Gindi at socialaction@templeetzchaim.org or call or text me at (805)701-6861. Our first meeting will be on Wednesday, August 28 at 7:30 pm after minyan in the Library.

Everyone is welcome.

Feeding the Homeless: Temple Etz Chaim feeds the homeless every month at the Calvary Community Church in Westlake. The most recent dates are August 27th and September 24th. We need volunteers to help provide dinner. Please contact Lynne Katz at lynneradman@yahoo.com for further information.

Invite your friends or family to do a mitzvah!

In the meantime, here are some great Tikkun Olam projects to get involved in for the month of August.

Save the Date for the Blood Drive: Sign up to donate blood on November 3rd from 9am -1pm during Mitzvah Day. Contact Debra Levine by text or phone (818)2711307 or email dlevine@templeetzchaim.org for further information!

Helping those in need near the border: The United Methodist Church, next door to us, is requesting donations of diapers, gently used or new bath towels and feminine hygiene products. Congregants are taking

Judy Gindi

Community Outreach Hope everyone had an enjoyable summer! I’m writing as the new Community Outreach Trustee. My goal with Community Outreach is to engage you to become active both at TEC and with other TEC members to enhance our membership and build bonds among those in the TEC family. Two new programs are in the works. Your participation is needed to plan these. Please attend the Social Action meeting 7:30 pm on Wednesday, August 28 and stay after to discuss the following Community Outreach activities.

Pride Weekend - In conjunction with other houses of worship in the Conejo Valley, the week before Conejo Valley Pride (which is September 28), we are considering programming about being Jewish and LGBTQ+ in support of our LGBTQ+ friends, family, and neighbors. Sermons and programming across the Conejo on this topic will be offered on the weekend of September 20. At TEC, it may be a Sunday brunch, it may be a speaker during services… please contribute your ideas and make this a meaningful weekend.

Teens in Transition – too many teens at TEC are struggling with emotional and psychological challenges. We’re working on educating and supporting one another during

Mark Goldstein, Trustee-Community Outreach outreach@templeetzchaim.org

this time of need. Please provide your thoughts on how we at TEC can do this.

We have moved some activities from Social Action to Community Outreach. Participating in each of the below builds camaraderie among temple members while improving the temple environment for all members.

Bimah Benefits Team provides alternatives to flowers for those sponsoring bimah decorations while supporting charities.

Visitor Welcome Team guides those visiting Shabbat services or TEC for the first time. This team guides new members, prospective members, those of other faiths, and local students through Shabbat services.

Garden and Bird Sanctuary Team - Maintain and enhance the garden and bird area behind the temple. Garden work days to be announced.

In addition, we learn more about ourselves by learning more about our neighbors. In this area we encourage Interfaith Opportunities. Join TEC members in conjunction with Social Action in participating on the Conejo Valley Refugee Welcome Team and the Conejo Valley Women’s Interfaith Network

Mark Goldstein 8

Women of Temple Etz Chaim Hello! I hope you all have had a wonderful summer so far, spending your time doing fun and exciting things. While we’ve been away, Women of TEC has been busy planning for a fun and fabulous upcoming year.

Cindy Scherr, WOTEC President womenoftec@templeetzchaim.org

Please consider becoming an active member of Women of TEC this year. There are many opportunities to volunteer – on one of our committees, working in our Judaica shop, helping in the Temple office. We are also looking for ladies who are computer literate, to help put together our Membership books and our High Holidays greetings and yizkor books. Of course, you are always welcome to attend our monthly WOTEC meetings, which are held the first Tuesday evening of every month at TEC, or to attend any of our activities that strike your fancy.

Our Membership committee, led by VP Elissa Lazarus, is well into planning our annual Paid-Up Membership luncheon, to be held on Sunday, October 13. This event is free to all paid-up members, as always. Our Programs committee, led by VP Sarah Karamas, has planned out a schedule of events for the year — a great mix of fun, educational, and Judaic activities. We will be approving the schedule at our first meeting, and then getting it out to you all as soon as possible.

We welcome women of all ages and at all stages. I can always be reached at womenoftec@templeetchaim.org, or through the TEC office. I look forward to a wonderful year ahead, and to seeing all of you – both old friends and new – at TEC this year!

Cindy Scherr

The Torah Fund committee, led by co-VPs Linda Hutchings and Esther Pullan, is planning events to help raise funds to aid Rabbinic students reach their goal of becoming the next generation of Rabbis to lead Conservative Judaism. Our Budget committee, led by treasurer Jen Sonnenberg-Rihm, is busy making sure we have enough money to pay for everything!

Upcoming Dates August 6 First WOTEC meeting, 7:30 pm at TEC October 13 Paid-up Membership luncheon October 18 Shabbat dinner in the sukkah November 24 Chanukah Boutique

Thank You from Buzz Schoenkerman I’m taking this opportunity to acknowledge the love and support you have shown to Marcey and me over the years, and, of course, since the time of my dear Marcey’s passing. It has meant the world to us, and now to me.

Many of you were able to attend the funeral, the minyanim, and other events at our home. Many brought food, sweets, gifts, and other goodies. In all honesty, I do not know who brought what, so I can merely issue a blanket but heartfelt Thank You. There was somebody very thoughtful, who clearly was paying attention, who brought several flavors of cough drops, just as I was running out of my supply. I don’t know who you are, but a special smile and Thank You for that unique gift. My cough is subsiding now, thanks.

Many thanks also to the many people who made donations to Temple Etz Chaim and other organizations to honor my dear Marcey’s memory. As a matter of practicality, we actually have a lost-and-found department. It contains a pair of sunglasses, a pocket knife, and a small silver object that perhaps is part of a piece of jewelry. If any of those objects sound familiar, please let me know.

Thanks and love to all,

Buzz Schoenkerman 9

Coming Attractions

Friday, August 23 5:45 pm Services on the Warren Lawn followed by Kiddush on the Plaza and Dinner in Spiegel Hall.

Dinner is $36 per family (2-5 people per family) $18 individual and seating is limited RSVP required

Saturday, August 24 10:00 am Services with Installation Ceremony followed by Kiddush Luncheon including benching, zemirot and optional Learning Session No cost. RSVP please

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Sunday, August 25 10:00 am—1:00 pm Family Field Day and Men’s Club Barbeque Games, Food & Fun for the Whole Family!

No cost. RSVP please

Coming Attractions

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Coming Attractions

12

Calendar

August 2019 Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday 1

Friday

29 Tammuz 2

Saturday 1 Av 3

2 Av

10:00 AM Shabbat Services 5:00 PM Bingo

4

3 Av 5

4 Av 6

5 Av 7

6 Av 8

7:00 PM Shabbat Under the Stars

7 Av 9

8 Av 10

9 Av

Tisha B’Av 8:30 AM Minyan

9:30 AM Mah Jongg Class

7:15 PM Minyan

11

10 Av 12

7:30 PM Women of TEC Board Meeting

10:00 AM Shabbat Services 5:00 PM Bingo

7:00 PM Al Anon

7:30 PM Tisha B’Av Services

7:00 PM Shabbat Under the Stars

7:15 PM Minyan

11 Av 13

12 Av 14

13 Av 15

14 Av 16

15 Av 17

16 Av

Tu B’Av 8:30 AM Minyan 3:00 PM Men’s Club Board Meeting (off campus - home of Ken Leon)

18

9:30 AM Mah Jongg Class 7:15 PM Minyan

5:30 PM Tailgate Shabbat

5:00 PM Bingo

7:00 PM Al Anon

7:45 PM Rabbinic Transition Committee Meeting

17 Av 19

10:00 AM Shabbat Services

7:00 PM Shabbat Under the Stars

7:15 PM Minyan

18 Av 20

19 Av 21

20 Av 22

22 Av 24

21 Av 23

23 Av

Rabbi Averbach’s Installation Weekend 8:30 AM Minyan

9:30 AM Mah Jongg Class

10:00 AM FJMC Man of the Year Event

7:00 PM Book Club

11:30 AM USY Kadima 7:15 PM Minyan Lounge

25

24 Av 26

7:30 PM TEC Board Meeting

25 Av 27

7:00 PM Al Anon

5:00 PM Bingo

7:15 PM Minyan

26 Av 28

Rabbi Averbach’s Preschool Closed Installation Weekend Infant Center Open 9:30 AM Mah Jongg Monday-Thursday Class 8:30 AM Minyan 7:15 PM Minyan 11:00 AM Installation Family Fun Day and 7:45 PM Rabbinic Transition BBQ Committee Meeting

Last Day of Preschool Summer Camp 10:00 AM Shabbat Services with Kiddush 5:45 PM Shabbat and Learning Lunch Under the Stars 7:00 PM Oneg and Dinner in Spiegel Hall

27 Av 29

28 Av 30

29 Av 31

30 Av

Infant Center Closed 7:00 PM Al Anon

5:00 PM Bingo

7:15 PM Minyan

7:00 PM Preschool Parent Orientation

7:30 PM Social Action Committee Meeting

10:00 AM Shabbat Services 7:00 PM Shabbat Under the Stars

Mandy Borys Bat Mitzvah

SAVE THE DATE September 3 First Day of Preschool

September 7 Hike And Havdalah

September 18 Men’s Club Poker Night 13

September 21 Selichot

September 29 Erev Rosh Hashana

Contributions to our Synagogue Fund for the Digital Display Board

From Ed Jotkowitz

In memory of:

Thank you to:

Marcey Schoenkerman

Rabbi Spiegel

Buzz Schoenkerman

From Herb Wexler

Our condolences to:

From Sybil and Ron Goldstein

Buzz Schoenkerman In memory of: Luzer Finkelstein Reuben Finkelstein Tillie Zabel Sandra Lutzker Sandra Landis Sara Sturman Mazel tov to: Rabbi Averbach and Family From Barbara Render From Judith and Michael Balter Thank you to:

From Harvey Moskowitz Hazzan Pablo Duek Discretionary Fund In memory of:

Rose Morris

In memory of: Marie Rubens

Rita Kovar

Geri Schneider

Sherri Bergman From Sydelle Goodman

David Presser

From Carolyn and Neil Bordofsky

From Liz and Ron Groden

Ezra Levy

Michael Safani Fanny Kessler

Rabbi and Linda Spiegel

Dora Weiss

Harry Kramer

Ralph Weiss

Laura Geier Lorusso, Roberta Rofferman Leibowitz, and Family Sol Anbinder

Annie Rubens

Stuart Hockman Holly Seery

William Groden

Evelyn Gerrick

Evelyn Weisberg

Beth Meyer Pauline Kaplan

Cynthia Urbach

John Lutzker Herbert Katz

Judy Sneed Dolores Helene Greenberg Heywood Friedman Max Minarsky Robert Peisner Our condolences to: Lisa and Richard Eidman From Liz and Ron Groden The Schoenkerman Family

Ada Bloom Doris Weinberg Anna Cogan Judith Ross Our condolences to: The Schoenkerman Family From Rebeccah and David Schwartz

Jeff Katz Charles Sneed

From Lynn and Arne Rosencrantz

Irving Matzner

Charles Sneed Irving Matzner

Anne Weiss

Anne Lutzker

Lewis Silverman Abraham Berman

Florence Lavine

Benjamin Zamkoff

Rivka Moscovitch Cecyl Silverman

Debbie Alpert

Howard Grossman

Herb Weisberg Rachel and Yitzchak Saranga

George Gerrick

Abraham Freilich

Ronald Groden

Ann Hayman Our condolences to: Buzz Schoenkerman From Ed Jotkowitz Amy and Mark Scop From Cyndi and Harvey Mahler

Susan Malchicoff

Stanley Scherr

Marshall Scherr

Barbara Nemet Hanna Hayman

Fanny Goldfarb Freedman Dolores Freides

Marie Rubens

Bruce Rudman Henia Rutberg

Steven Seery

Frieda Freilich Marshall Scherr

Myrna Stelman Nancy Rudman

Leon Woods Nathan Hockman

Linda Natlin

Robert Peisner

Geraldine Altenburg

Benjamin Woods

Sandra Levy

Eva Minarsky

In memory of:

Doris Weisberg

Rivka Moscovitch

Solomon Fleishman

From Marilyn Jorrie Jotkowitz Camp Ramah Scholarship Fund

William Bloom

Gil Kessler

Lorraine Dennis

From Carol Abrahams

Elaine Scully

Daniel Levy

Rachel and Yitzchak Saranga

Errol Berk

Rabbi Ari Averbach

Maurice Benchimol

Florence Nanas

Ronald Rudman

Joyce Edelson

From Debra Levine Mazel tov to:

In appreciation of:

Rouhollah Safani

Ira Jay Berk

Gina Landau

In memory of:

Joyce Goldberg

Andrew Edelson

From Debbie Blumenthal and ECE Staff

Sybil and Ron Goldstein

Francine Finkelstein Lenore and Morton Adler

Belle Kunin

From Debra and Jay Levine The Hoffmann Family

Lisa and Richard Eidman

Donna Lichtmann

Harry Rudman

From Debra and Jay Levine Sybil and Ron Goldstein

Temple General Fund Kevin Axelrad

Nathaniel Rubens

From Beth and Scott Meyer

From Liz and Ron Groden

Liz Groden

Rabbi Richard Spiegel Discretionary Fund

From Shari Miller The Eidman Family

Noreen Guler

Amy and Mark Scop

Joe Axelrad

Rabbi Ari Averbach From Elissa and Steve Lazarus

Our condolences to:

Emanuel Friedman Marvin Friedman

Michelle Fliman and Aaron Schoenkerman

Howard Skurka

From Sandra and John Lutzker

David Schwartz Rabbi Ari Averbach Discretionary Fund

Morris Plotnick

From Jeanne and Irving Weiss

Judy Sneed Louis Miller

From Lorne and Alan Stepakoff

Susan Kanner

From Amy, Josh, Olivia, and Brady Remick

Harry Treisman Robin Oberman

From Dr. Ty and Lindsay Gluckman

Charles Stein

From Eileen and Howard Dubner

Ron Stein Terrill Oberman

From Susan West

Robin Oberman

From Lorne and Caryl Label

Simon Nevitt

From Sarah Orlin

Freda Cohen

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From Janice and Manny Perlman Inbar Israel Travel and Education Scholarship Fund In memory of: Charles Sneed Irving Matzner Judy Sneed Penny Meth Bonnie Goldenberg Our condolences to: The Eidman Family Nomi Freed A speedy recovery: Rabbi Paskow From Judith Sneed Religious School Fund In memory of: Seymour Kane Joan Darsa Susan and Dan Kane Alenne Mayer Iris Antell Marilyn Grosser Diane Goer Charlotte and Jack Lipschitz Claire Maultasch

Contributions to our Synagogue Stuart Bass

Lipnick Religious School Scholarship Fund Tami Wank

Sophie Friedlander

From Etta Weinstein

In memory of:

Our condolences to:

Ben Gurien

Scott and Debbie Blumenthal

Carl Friedlander

Harvey Gurien

Robert Smith

Magda Chesnick

Linda Friedlander

Myrna Stelman

Rachel and Yitzchak Saranga

Barbara Ann Fefferman

Rivka Moscovitch

From Etta Weinstein

Dorann Bradley Bunkin

David Wank

From “The Bat Mitzvah Sisters”

Ruth Wachs

Bonnie Rothman

Maurice Budish

Our condolences to:

Gary Budish

Buzz Schoenkerman

Jack Friedman, Alfred Warm, and Frieda Bass Sarah Ratzan

From Sybil and Ron Goldstein Gideon Manzur

Jerome Ratzan

In memory of: Sue Shrater

Hymen Tenenbaum William Tenenbaum Happy Birthday: Ann Moore-Ross From Wendy and Lester Halpert Our condolences to: The Schoenkerman Family From Wendy and Lester Halpert Lisa Eidman

From Buzz Schoenkerman

Judith Feldman Our condolences to: Heidi Birnbaum From Ninfa and Ronald Lowe The Schoenkerman Family Gideon Manzur From Susan and Dane Kane Amy and Mark Scop From Wendy and Peter Margolis Mazel tov: Colin Pullan From Richard and Lisa Eidman Elisa Feldman Memorial Religious School Scholarship Fund In memory of: Sadie Borgen Eileen Sachs Elisa Feldman Zona and Barry Pidgeon Gertrude Barney

Ritual Fund

Sandee Tischler Religious School Scholarship In appreciation of: Fund The Congregation of Temple Etz Chaim Our condolences to: From Melissa Stott Lisa Eidman Tzedakah Fund From Benny Sommerfeld In memory of: Early Childhood Education Fund Marcus Kluber In memory of: Lou Kluber David Abdolrazagh Mary and Michael Wexler Zoe Abdolrazagh Herb Wexler Frieda Bompey Sarah Solomon Edythe Rabinowitz Marie Reubens David Isaac Cohen Ben Zion Kulik Bruce Cohen Morry Kulik Mollie Pearl Fidler Charlotte Levine Hammer Rhonda Bader Barbara Kluber Our condolences to: Our condolences to: Scott and Debbie Blumenthal Gideon Manzur From Wendy and Peter Margolis From Robin and Brian Kahn From Libby and Jon Hoffmann The Schoenkerman Family Dunaier Music Fund

Irwin Barney

In memory of:

Abraham Klapper

From Robin and Brian Kahn Rebeccah and David Schwartz

Fanny Buchbinder

Bonnie Goldenberg

Frances Deutsch

Sam Freed

Abe Weinberg

Nomi Freed

Susan Solovy

Sophie Schein

From Herb Wexler USY Youth & Scholarship Fund In memory:

Sandra Lutzker Lillian Wexler Alan Lipkin Marilyn Zimmerman Shirley Lipkin Men’s Club Silverstein Humanitarian Fund In memory of: Myrna Stelman Sarah Simpson Myles Simpson Ner Tamid Education & Community Center Fund In memory of: Tomas Kovar The Kovar Family Florence Greenberg Janis Leshnov Rudolf Mozes Shmuel Mozes Our condolences to: The Schwartz Family Nomi Freed Women of TEC Scholarships Fund In memory of: Josef Herskovits Evey Liebman Fienberg-Lerner Chapel Minyan Fund In memory of: Kay Fienberg Stephen Fienberg Marcey Schoenkerman Tomas Kovar David Isaac Cohen Susan Cohen

Courtney Maltz

Women of TEC Tributes

Bonnie Goldenberg

Joel Shrater Edward Zabel

Paul Chesnick From Wendy and Lester Halpert

From Myrna Stelman

Andrew “Bandi” Sabolch

Cyndi Mahler Men’s Club Scholar-in-Residence

In memory of:

Louis Rothman Lesley Schneider

Dena Yaskiel

Torah Fund

From “The Breakfast Club”

Melvin Wank

In memory of:

Eric Maltz

David Pfefferman Art Pfefferman

Mazel Tov to:

Get well soon:

Golda Savloff

Mazel Tov on your Retirement:

Isaiah Bowens

Cindy Scherr

Leo Reiser

Rabbi Spiegel

From Debbie and Les Feldman Happy Birthday and Mazel Tov on your retirement: Rabbi Spiegel From Zona and Barry Pidgeon Our condolences to:

Ann Ross

Betty Reiser From Elissa and Steve Lazarus

Ann Ross

Jane Spitzer

Cindy Scherr

From Wendy and Peter Margolis Noreen Guler From Barbara and Rick Rosenberg

David Savloff

Cindy Scherr

Patty Kaye

Rabbi Shimon Paskow

Our condolences to:

Sheila Milstein

The Schoenkerman Family

Cindy Scherr Feldman

David and Rebeccah Schwartz From Debbie and Les

Leonard Spitzer

From Shirley and Alan Lipkin

Lisa Eidman From Debbie and Les

Rebecca Baker

From Pam Friedman Ann Ross

The Schoenkerman Family

Evelyn Goldberg Barnett

From Phyllis Dankberg Ann Ross

Feldman

Cindy Scherr

From Barbara and Rick Rosenberg Andrea Norick From Patty and Jerry Kaye Barry Cantor Memorial Fund for Cohen Family Library

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From Lois Girsky Wishing you Good Health: Rabbi Paskow From Lois Girsky Our condolences to: Mark Siegel and Family From Elinor and Stephen Fienberg The Schoenkerman Family From Elinor and Stephen Fienberg Sybil Goldstein From Buzz Scheonkerman

Non-Profit U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 131 Thousand Oaks, CA 91360

Temple Etz Chaim 1080 E. Janss Road Thousand Oaks, CA 91360

Temple Leadership Clergy

Board of Directors

Elissa Lazarus, Corresponding Secretary

Rabbi Ari Averbach

Jeff Solomon, President

Larry Slomowitz, VP Building and Grounds

Hazzan Pablo Duek

Shari Mark, Executive Vice President

Felicia Toporoff, VP Religious School

Rabbi Emeritus Shimon Paskow

Sherri Finn, Immediate Past President

Mark Goldstein, Trustee Community

Rabbi Emeritus Richard Spiegel

Eric Feigenbaum, VP Youth

Outreach

Judy Gindi, VP Social Action

David Yodkovik, Treasurer

Administration

Robin Kahn, Trustee Business Services

Joe Zwicker, VP Early Childhood

Gideon Manzur, Executive Director

Benny Sommerfeld, VP Religion and

Education

Debbie Blumenthal, ECE Director

Worship

Terri Zwicker, Trustee Strategic Planning

Kathy Sharp, ECE Assistant Director

Jennifer Elson, VP Membership

Ken Leon, Men’s Club President

Joyce Bronstein, Religious School Director

Wendy Margolis, Financial Secretary

Cindy Scherr, WOTEC President

Shannon Tepfer, Youth Director

Beth Meyer, Recording Secretary

Gary Katz, Past President

Tom Milhaupt, VP Personnel/Legal

Marshall Scherr, Past President

Michael Roberts, Trustee Bingo

Myles Simpson, Past President

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