ETZETERA - APRIL 2023

LETTERS FROM OUR LEADERS PAGE 3

DEJA VIEW - A LOOK AT PAST EVENTS PAGE 6

UPCOMING EVENTS PAGE 15-18

THIS MONTH'S SPOTLIGHT SCHOLAR IN RESIDENCE

TABLE OF CONTENTS

3. Letters From Our Leaders

4. TEC Education

5. Construction Update

6. Deja View

9. Calendar

10. Birthdays & Anniversaries

11. TEC Tributes

12. TEC Community

13. Simchas

15. Upcoming Events

CLERGY

Rabbi Ari Averbach

Interim Cantor Kenny Ellis

Rabbi Emeritus Richard Spiegel

Rabbi Emeritus Shimon Paskow

STAFF

Executive Director Gideon Manzur

Early Childhood Education Director Debbie Blumenthal

Religious School Director Joyce Bronstein

Early Childhood Education Asst. Director Keri Loventhal

Programming & Youth Director Cindy Goldberg

Programming & Events Coordinator Shane Silverstein

ECE Administrative Assistant Linda Starr

RS Administrative Assistant Sarah Karamas

Accounts Receivable Jessica Jacoby

Clergy Assistant Jill Rosenberg

Musical Director Mariano Dugatkin

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President Eric Feigenbaum

Executive Vice President Felicia Toporoff

Immediate Past President Shari Mark

Treasurer David Yodkovik

Corresponding Secretary Elissa Lazarus

Recording Secretary Rachael Pugh

VP, Building & Grounds Dan Wachs

VP, Communications Rachel Carmona

VP, Early Childhood Education Chad Hampton

VP, Personnel & Legal Josh Hopstone

VP, Project Funding Wendy Margolis*

VP, Religion & Worship Benny Sommerfeld

VP, Religious School Education Adya Riss

VP, Social Action Pam Friedman

VP, Youth Ilana Sweet

Trustee, Bingo Marshall Scherr*

Trustee, Community Outreach Mark Goldstein

Trustee, Governance Steve Plotkin

Trustee, Programming Dan Lubetkin

Trustee, Sustainability Ely Jacobsohn

President, Mens Club Irwin Barney

President, Women of TEC Linda Hutchings

Past President, Board Member Sherri Finn-Werber

Past President, Board Member Gary Katz

Past President, Board Member Myles Simpson

*Past President

LETTERS FROM OUR LEADERS

RABBI ARI AVERBACH

rabbiaverbach@templeetzchaim.org

Rosh Hashanah makes us feel overjoyed.

Yom Kippur asks us to consider the void.

Sukkot is about how little we all need.

Hanukkah is a reminder that there are miracles indeed.

Purim recalls speaking truth to those on high.

Shavuot has Torah coming down from Mt Sinai. And Pesach is about becoming free.

Unless you’re the cook, then it’s slavery. Cleaning becomes the number one chore, Ensuring there is not a trace of hametz anymore.

We all sit around, retelling the tale, Someone spills wine without fail.

The Haggadah has songs so lyrical, To remind us of the incredible miracle.

Blood and frogs and the sea parting Everyone hungry until dinner is starting. For a whole week, we eat our theology, (Which, on occasion, affects our biology).

The seders are a great place for conversation, About how lucky we are to feel the liberation!

April ends with a bunch of Yoms

Recalling the places that have been our homes.

Yom HaShoah, the heavy devastation

Zikaron and Atzmaut – our brand-new nation. We hope April brings reasons for us to be together And hopefully some more sunshining weather!

ERIC FEIGENBAUM

Passoverismyfavoriteholiday.WhenIwasyoung,Ilikedsittingwith my cousins at Seder, finding the afikomen, and enjoying the incredible food my mom and grandmothers made. My family turns PesachintoIronChef:PesadichChallenge.

While none of those things have lost their charm - I even try to get a seat next to my cousin still - as an adult I find Pesach the most relevantandresonantholidayoftheyear.

Jews were light years ahead of their time in supporting and celebrating the value of Freedom. We cherished and extolled Freedom before liberal democracy, constitutions and civil rights movements. Jews are the original enshriners of human rights and dignity. And to ensure we didn’t lose our way, rabbis over 1100 years ago wrote the first Haggadah – creating a tradition and a system for stayingtruetoourvalues.

Despite many advances – especially in the United States and Western world – Freedom remains elusive to so many. Authoritarianism is gaining strength in many parts of the world. Billions of people are governed at the whims of dictators – most of whom are not benevolent. Even in our own liberal democracy – and Israel’s–Freedomisdelicate.Wehavetonurtureandprotectit.Each of us is responsible for this precious gift we received and want to pass on for generations to come. Jews must continue to hold and shinethelightofFreedom.

Pesach is a time of cleansing, renewal of life, thanksgiving for the freedomswesooftentakeforgranted,teachingourchildren,inviting peopleintoourhomes,beingtogetherandbeingthenextinthechain to uphold universal and sacred values. What more is there, aside fromRussiancookiestodiefor?

April is here and Pesach is near, so our preschoolers and infants will begin their preparations for this favorite holiday. This spring holiday the preschool classes will be cooking and tasting Passover foods like matzah-brei, charoset, matzah ball soup and matzahdesserts. The children will be acting outthestoryofMoses,andlearningaboutthe ten plagues, the four questions, and the PassoverSeder.

The Infant classes are reading Passover stories, doing art activities, playing with their toySederplates,andsingingholidaysongs.

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION DIRECTOR

The infant classes are enjoying the holiday fun!

Ourpreschoolclassesforthe2023-24school yeararealljustaboutfilled.Ifyouareplanning on attending and have not registered, please contact Debbie Blumenthal or Keri Loventhal formoreinformation.

Towards the end of the month, our lessons willbeallaboutIsrael.ThecelebrationofYom Ha’Atzmautisalwaysoneofourfavoritedays at Temple Etz Chaim. We love to take a pretendtriptoIsraelandexperienceIsraeliart

JOYCE BRONSTEIN RELIGIOUS SCHOOL DIRECTOR

Recently while talking with a seven-year-old child, he said, “It’s better to be the younger one.” Surprisedbythecomment,Isaid,“Whydoyouthink that?”Hesaid,“Becauseyouknow.”Iresponded,“I know what?” “You know – the slaying of the firstborn!”Isaid,“thatwasalongtimeago.”Hesaid, “Well,whydidn’tG-djustgetridofPharoah?”Itold himthatG-dwasshowingPharoahthroughtheten plaguesthatG-dwasG-dandPharoahwasaman, not G-d. We talked longer as I tried to ease his concerns. In reflecting on this conversation, I thoughtaboutthebiggerpictureofaddressingour children’sthoughtswhilealwaysrememberingthat ourchildrenarelisteningandinternalizingwhatthey hear.DuringyourPassoverseder,sometimesit’sa time to have conversations to address their questions and provide reassurance. As we celebrate Passover, I feel especially awed when I think about the fact that the same ceremony has remainedunchangedforcenturies.

The Torah teaches us that the first Seder occurred on the eve of the Israelites’ quick departure from Egypt. The Seder represents another link in shared past, present and future traditions. Each year at the Passover Seder, the youngest participant asks the same Four Questions. The Four Questions are important because by asking these traditional questions, we are really asking, “What is the reason forthisPassoverholiday?”Andtheansweristhatif G-dhadnotbroughtusoutofEgypt,wewouldstillbe slaves.Inotherwords,itisnotjustourancestorswho were set free... we too, were set free! And so, the leadersaysinanswertotheFourQuestionsthatno matterhowwisewebecomeorhowmuchwestudy Torah, we still need to tell the story of the Exodus. TheTorahteachesusthatG-dhadcompassionand delivered us from slavery. Unfortunately, there are people today who are still oppressed. Our tradition teaches us that G-d wants all people to be free worldwide.

activities,workinginthegardensonakibbutz, an archaeological dig, Maccabee games and more.

The entire ECE staff wishes everyone a wonderfulPassoverholiday!

ChagSameach!

joyce@templeetzchaim.org

At Religious School, students participate in a classroom Seder. Depending on their grade level, various age-appropriate Haggadot will be used. It is inspiring to see teachers and students enjoy this specialholidaytogether.Asyourchildmatures,they will understand more. Try to include them in the preparationasmuchaspossible:cleaningthehouse, making haroset, searching for chametz, setting out thesederplate,andamultitudeofotherchores.Let’s create and give children their own memories to recount and share because, one day, they too will become parents and continue the traditions. From their Seder experience now, both at home and at school, our children will have special moments to sharewiththenextgeneration.Thecyclecontinues…. the memories grow… Jewish traditions are strengthened…Howwonderful!

HappyPassover.

It’s hard to believe that it’s almost Pesach (or that it’s over, depending on when you’re reading this). We are still feeling the excitement that is/was Purim at TEC. We were fortunate to have had an amazing carnival in between storm systems and a fantastic Pop-Up Purim Pizza Party, Shpiel, and Megillah reading. Thank you to the legions of volunteers who made the holiday so special for hundreds of TEC and community members. A particular shout-out goestoIlanaSweet,DaveAbramovicz,Paula Kaplan-Lefko, Kim Jacobsohn, Laura Bailin, Rachael Pugh, Karen Garelik, the entire Kinish-vurah, Men’s Club, Gideon Manzur, Shane Silverstein, Jessica Jacoby, Jill Rosenberg, Joyce Bronstein, Leo Bronstein, Kenny Ellis, Jeffery Prince, Paige Averbach, RicardoDelgado,AntonioNavesandtherest of the amazing maintenance team, and of course, our amazing Rabbi Averbach. The weekendwasalot,butnoneofitwouldhave happened without their help and positive dispositions.

MarchalsoprovidedanopportunityforTECto step out and join the cultural scene in the Conejo Valley with a trip to see Fiddler on the Roof at the Civic Arts Plaza! Thank you to Cheryl Wolf for sharing her expertise and her heartandmakingthiseventsospecial.

We also hosted our quarterly Town Hall, focused on Education, as well as a wonderful information and discussion session with Yizhar Hess, who spoke to us about Israel's Democracy and its evolving landscape, and continued our movie nights with "O Brother WhereArtThou?".

WehadwonderfulMacharandKadimalounges that helped get us in the ready for S’more Matzah fun coming up with Pesach, as well as BimBamShabbatwithMr.Steve.

Pesach offers us a number of opportunities to get together as a community, including our CommunitySederonApril6.Reserveyourspot now,ifyouhaven’talready.

After Pesach, we will be gathering as a community to visit the Reagan Library for their powerful Auschwitz Exhibit. This important event was offered to the community and is alreadyfilledtocapacity.

StaytunedforaplannedYomHaAtzmautBBQ on the Warren Lawn, Sunday, April 23 immediatelyfollowingReligiousSchool.

Also, those of you with teens, mark your calendars for Sunday, April 30 at 4:30pm for the Kulanu event we are co-sponsoring and holding at Adat Elohim. The afternoon’s program will focus on empowering youth and giving them tools to be able to face antisemitismoncampus.

It's great to see that the construction is on schedule and that the restrooms and office space will soon be completed. We are still projectingamid-Mayopening.

DEJA VIEW ' '

A LOOK BACK AT TEMPLE EVENTS & PROGRAMMING

ADL WALK AGAINST HATE ADL WALK AGAINST HATE

FEBRUARY 26, 2023

ADL WALK AGAINST HATE ADL WALK AGAINST HATE

800,000 Collective Steps Against Hate

The Anti-Defamation League hosted a Diversity Festival and Walk Against Hate for Ventura County on Sunday February 26, 2023. Many ask, why was a walk needed? What’s the point of walking against hate? For me, the walk was a way to respond to years of hateful acts that occurred in Thousand Oaks and Newbury Park. I’m lucky that none were directed against me personally, but they led me to wonder if members of my Jewish community or other groups targeted by these incidents question their sense of belonging in our community.

Sadly, I have an entire folder on my computer dedicated to photos of horrible antisemitic and anti-religious graffiti from my neighborhood. There were white supremacist banner hangs at the Borchard overpass on the 101 freeway. My friends’ Lutheran church had their sign welcoming LGBTQ+ persons and all people to worship vandalized. I have heard of a sharp rise in national hate targeting Asian and Muslim communities. There have been virulently antisemitic fliers distributed in Thousand Oaks and Moorpark neighborhoods. And when I go to synagogue in Thousand Oaks, an armed security guard greets me, a sadly necessary precaution after the violence inflicted on Jewish worshipers in Poway, Pittsburgh, and most recently in Los Angeles.

I walked to confront all of this. I walked to be surrounded in solidarity by welcoming, kind members of the greater community. I walked in togetherness to confirm my neighbors are with me and I am with them. I am overjoyed to share that we achieved this.

The event was not just a symbolic walk on a beautiful day at Conejo Creek North Park, it was also a community event where a diverse group of Conejo Valley and Ventura County residents sampled a diversity fair. Despite rain-soaked grass and chilly temperatures, over 400 participants from Santa Barbara to Simi Valley experienced 22 booths from groups and organizations representing the diversity of Ventura County. The breadth of community, civil rights, educational, public service, social service, religious groups, and even political diversity represented was remarkable.

Before we stepped forward together, a series of leaders, activists, politicians, and students answered the question “Why are you walking against hate?” in under two minutes each. This unique format gave us the chance to learn what creating a welcoming place free of hate really means for our community. The presence of so many local leaders – Sheriff, Fire, State, County, and City representatives was impressive. They didn’t just come to make an appearance to bolster their image. They came early, spoke with attendees, met with representatives from the other organizations present, participated in the walk, engaging with their and our neighbors. My only wish was that there be more of everything and everyone.

So, I thank you for coming out and supporting your neighbors, helping to nurture the diverse community we have here, and bolstering my understanding of the power of togetherness. In Ventura County, I witnessed that there truly is no place for hate in our community.

WRITTEN BY MARK GOLDSTEIN, REGIONAL BOARD CHAIR OF ADL SANTA BARBARA/TRI-COUNTIES

DEJA VIEW ' '

A LOOK BACK AT TEMPLE EVENTS & PROGRAMMING

PURIM CARVIVAL & STREET FAIR

MARCH 5, 2023

Appreciation of Rabbi Spiegel and his wonderful Tuesday class

Joan Grossman

Social Action

In Honor of the Birth of Aiyla Kenzie Friedman

Myles & Gail Simpson

In Honor of the Birth of Aiyla Kenzie Friedman

Perry & Susan Pierce

In Honor of the Birth of Aiyla Kenzie Friedman

Jay & Debra Levine

In Honor of the Birth of Aiyla Kenzie Friedman

WIlliam & Cynthia Koepcke

In Honor of the Birth of Aiyla Kenzie Friedman

Patricia Kaye

Temple General Fund

In Memory of Theodore Fleser

Holly Seery

In Memory of Kenneth Solovy

Karen M. Riss

In Memory of Phil Marko

Reuben Finkelstein

In Memory of Betty Marko

Reuben Finkelstein

In Memory of Hy Feig

Herb Wexler

In Memory of Oscar Honigsberg

Max Honigsberg

In Memory of Max Portnoy

Ed Portnoy

USY Youth & Scholarship Fund

In Memory of Sylvia Elbling

Ronald Elbling

In Memory of Joel E. SPitzer

Leonard Spitzer

Women of TEC Torah Fund

In Memory of Lillian Reuben

Sandra Reuben

In Memory of Theodore Fleser

Holly Seery

In Memory of Elaine Gershbein-Schermerhorn

Steve Schermerhorn

In Memory of Edna Gray

William & Sandy Tenenbaum

In Memory of Louis Gray

William & Sandy Tenenbaum

PAM FRIEDMAN

VP, SOCIAL ACTION socialaction@templeetzchaim.org

On April 26th, our Feed the Hungry program will be making 50 hot lasagna dinners for those in need. We are asking for donations of $18.00 to cover the cost of the dinner. We also need 6 volunteers to helppreparethedinners.

We have been working closely with Harbor House for years to help provide food for those in need with our Feed the Hungry program. Prior to the onset of Covid-19, Calvary Community Church graciously shared their building with us. It was great to have both houses of faith working together. Many of you may remember donating food and helping serve meals in person. What a wonderful feeling it was seeing the faces of the people we were helping. Some of you have been asking when will we be feeding meals in person again? Due to Covid19, the Feed the Hungry program needed to adapt. The people we were feeding still needed to eat, and in fact their numbers were growing.However,in-personservicehadtobediscontinued.

What to do? Harbor House came up with a plan: have the houses of faith drop off their meals daily, and the clients could pick up them up. Thissystemhasworkedoutwell.HarborHouseisnowabletoprovide bothlunchesandhotmealstoallwhoareinneed.

I am the first to admit that I miss seeing the faces of the clients we serve each month. But I do feel joy knowing that the meals we make stillbringcomforttothoseinneed.

IRWIN BARNEY PRESIDENT, MEN'S CLUB mensclub@templeetzchaim.org

During March the Men’s Club participated in and sponsored several activities. The Men’s Club hosted a Beer Garden at the TEC Purim Carnival and barbequed hotdogs for hungry celebrants. Thanks to Gary Katz and Mark Goldstein for running the Beer Garden and to Mark Zucherman and Myles Simpsonwhojoinedmeatthegrill.

TheMen’sClubpackagedmemorialcandlesandameditationfordistributionto the TEC community for use in commemoration of Yom HaShoah which begins onMondayeveningApril17. YoushouldhavereceivedthepackageviaUSmail or one brought home by your child after class on Sunday March 19. Thanks to MarcCohnandMylesSimpsonforcoordinatingthisaction.

On Sunday evening, March 19, the Men’s Club sponsored a kosher wine tasting event. Eighteen people attended. We learned what makes a wine kosher, both mevushal and non-mevushal. We experienced both white and red wines and a portdessertwine. Inadditiontothewine,wehadavarietyofcheeses,hummus, babaganoush,anddeliciousstrudel. Severalfolkswenthomewithwinefortheir Seder table. Thanks to David Marx for leading this event and to his wife Claudineforarrangingthefood.

In April the Men’s Club has two significant events planned. The first is a Men’s Club/WOTEC Pesach Shabbat weekend. It is scheduled for Friday evening April7andShabbatmorning,April8. All Men’s Club and WOTEC members are welcometoparticipate.

Last, our Scholar in Residence weekend is scheduled for April 28 – April 30. Thisyear’sscholarisRabbiDanielCohen.Hespeaksnationally,inspiringpeople to maximize every moment while leading a life of impact and legacy. One of his book titles is “What Will They Say About You When You Are Gone? Creating a Life of Legacy.” Please reserve time on your calendar to attend and consider participating as a Program Sponsor. If you would like more information, please reachouttousviatheMen’sClubmailbox:mensclub@templeetzchaim.org

LINDA HUTCHINGS

PRESIDENT, WOMEN OF TEC (WOTEC) womenoftec@templeetzchaim.org

WOTECNeedsYou!Therearegreatopportunitiestogetinvolved,socialize and feel a wonderful sense of accomplishment in giving back to our local TEC community. We encourage you to get involved and have fun! We still need volunteers to participate in our joint WOTEC and Men's Club Shabbat services on April 7th and 8th. English and Hebrew speaking parts are available. Please contact Cynthia Koepcke ckopecke@templeetzchaim.org for more details and to sign up for a part. We also are looking for volunteers to help with the annual High Holiday Booklets that WOTEC puts together each year. It is a very time-consuming project, and we truly need new volunteers to get involved and help out so we can keep this wonderful tradition going. Also, we are looking for a Membership Chairperson for WOTEC.Pleasecontactmeformoredetails.

A big congratulations to Elissa Lazarus who was this year's Honoree from WOTEC at the Pacific Southwest Region for Women's League for Conservative Judaism Conference and Torah Fund Study Day. This year's theme was Chazak v 'Ematz (Be Strong and Courageous). In addition, WOTEC member, Cheryl Wolf, MPA, was a featured panelist at the conference. The panel discussed Strengthening Our Communities Through Engagement, Volunteerism and Support. Cheryl is the Regional Public Development Director for Chai Lifeline. Chai Lifeline is an international support network, providing social, emotional, and practical assistance to children, families, and communities impacted by medical crises and trauma through a variety of year-round programs and services. For more informationaboutChaiLifeline,gotowww.Chailifeline.org

ANDREA ARONS CHAIR, CLERGY SEARCH COMMITTEE andrea@templeetzchaim.org

Greetings,TEC!

As we jump into spring, the CSC continues to plunge into our search with vigorandhope.

Our first candidate of 2023 will be arriving along with the delivery of this publication. We whole heartedly welcome Cantor Noah Rachels and his family:hiswifeAmyandtheirdaughterMaya.CantorRachelsbringsarich musical background with him, along with a passion for connecting with others through Judaism. TEC is so delighted to spend the weekend with theRachelsfamily,andhopestheConejoValleyfeelslikehometothem!

As a committee we have continued to do our due diligence on each and every candidate. While we had big aspirations going into March, not every avenue panned out as we had hoped it might. The CSC has streamlined our interview proceedings. We are committed to vetting and checking references on each and every candidate, ensuring that the process continues forward as smoothly as possible. With each step we can keep in mind that the ultimate goal is to build our temple into the best possible place to be. Finding the right clergy to share the bema together, both on stage and behind the scenes, is what will make Etz Chaim all the more special.

ShavuaTov

Rafael Moses Hay

Born February 25, 2023

Parents: Paige and Raymond Hay

Grandparents: Diane Weiss

Jennifer and Michael Tavera

Sam Hay

Debbie and Yousef Younesi

Whether you are anticipating a Bar or Bat Mitzvah or a little bundle of joy, please let us know so our entire community can share in the celebration. Send all simcha information to communications@templeetzchaim.org

PASSOVER SCHEDULE OF SERVICES

APRIL 5TH - APRIL 13TH WEDNESDAY

(ONLINE ONLY)

(ONLINE ONLY) INCLUDING YIZKOR