ETZETEREA - February 2023

TEMPLE ETZ CHAIM

THIS MONTH'S SPOTLIGHT SPEAKER SERIES SEE

PAGE 10

TABLE OF CONTENTS

3. Letters From Our Leaders

4. TEC Education

5. Construction Update

6. Events Calendar

7. Birthdays & Anniversaries

8. TEC Tributes

9. TEC Community

10. 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

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

There is a Jewish saying: when we begin the month of Adar, our joy increases. While some people believe that it happens automatically, that God provides us with more joy towards the start of spring, I believe we have to work for it.

We recently lost my wife’s grandfather, Arnold M. Patent. Aside from being a wonderful part of our family, he was an author and lecturer. In one of his books, he writes, “As you express joy, you draw it out of those you meet, creating joyful people and joyful events. The greater the joy you express, the more joy you experience.”

From his purview, it is our task to bring this sense of gratitude and delight into the world. If we create it, if we join others with it, it increases exponentially. We have this overwhelming power to be the ones who add simcha, happiness, into the world.

And I know it’s not easy. We want it to just happen, as if by magic, by Divine force. Inertia is devastating, as we all prefer to just keep doing what we have always done.

So we will work with you. We develop programs where you can just show up and increase your joy. There are speakers and physical activities and musical events and moments of learning to spark joy. We have opportunities to check in with those who are home-bound, hoping to bring joy to those who most need it in our community.

I look forward to working with you, adding joy into the world.

ERIC FEIGENBAUM

Most months those of us who write monthly messages theme to the calendar – using whatever Jewish holiday or season we’re in for a focal point. In this awkward time between latkes and hamantaschen, we have Tu B’Shevat to think about –which has important themes of life, environmentalism and support for Israel. Thanks to my great-grandmother and a handful of other older relatives, there’s what amounts to a small forest in Israel planted in my honor.

In my life and the lives of so many people I know, the beginning of January was a time of loss. People who were hanging in to get through the holidays let go once they were over, leaving a rash of funerals. In most cases they were older or suffering from chronic illness – but I knew of one very sad case where mental illness claimed a life. Rabbi Averbach mentioned to me that it’s not uncommon for deaths to follow major events and moments.

American culture seems to look at grief as something linear: the most pain is at the time someone passes and It gradually lessens with time. So we show up and support people right away – funerals, shiva, and the weeks and months afterward. Jews are particularly great at making sure there’s food flowing through a house of mourning. You can practically count love in babkas and deli trays. And when you’re the one in mourning, that can feel very good.

But grief isn’t actually linear. We experience it in fits and bursts for years – maybe even the rest of our lives. We don’t miss people every minute of every day, but in the moments when we feel their absence - a holiday, a lifecycle event, when you see their favorite something, that moment you want to tell or show them something or ask a question. I once broke down in tears at a gas station ten years after my aunt died when I had the fleeting thought that she wouldn’t be at my wedding.

Tu B’Shevat reminds us to plant trees. That’s really just the beginning. Once they’re in the ground, there’s a lifetime of tending and caring for them ahead. Some of the most important work of being a friend or family member is long after the babkas are gone – in the days and moments far down the line when your day is fine and someone else’s might be very hard. This year, I’m going to mark some dates far out in my calendar to check in with the people whose trees lost leaves or maybe even major limbs this January and beyond.

In our ECE Center we all had non-stop fun in January,andFebruaryislookingtobemuchofthe same!

WebeginthemonthwithGroundhogDayactivities, searching for shadows, measuring and exploring theirshapes. Nextupwillbecelebratingour100th day of school, learning about Presidents, Dental Awareness, Tu B’Shevat and getting ready for our annualTECGrandparentDays!

On Tu B’Shevat we love to celebrate trees and all theygiveus. ThisholidayfallsonMonday,February 6th! Our entire preschool (parents are invited too) will be celebrating at 9:30 a.m. in our garden area withsongs,blessings,andplanting!

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION DIRECTOR

The Preschool and Infant Centers will be closed on Friday, February 17th at 3:00 for our next staff development afternoon. The ECE Center will be closed on Monday, February 20th in observance of Presidents’Day.

At the end of February, our classes will begin introducing the next Jewish holiday, Purim! Our lessons will begin with a Purim Puppet Show on February 28th. We look forward to the TEC Purim carnivalonSunday,March5th!

We have started registering for the 2023-24 school year. Classes are already filling up. Call Debbie at 805-497-6852 if you would like information or to scheduleatourofourpreschoolorinfantclassrooms.

JOYCE BRONSTEIN RELIGIOUS SCHOOL DIRECTOR

HaveyousignedupforHavdalahandHotdogs? In justafewdays,onFebruary4th,Ihopethatyouwill come experience a wonderful evening of fun and excitingactivitiesforallages!

I would like to write about one of my weekly highlights: the TEC Confirmation and Post Confirmation Programs. After our seventh-grade students become B'nai Mitzvah, I am always so proud to see them return to the classroom to complete their seventh-grade year. Most of our Religious School graduates continue their Jewish educationinTEC'sConfirmationProgram. Thefirst hour of the program is a core class with a specific curriculum for each grade level. The second hour consistsofelectivechoices.

Rabbi Averbach teaches our 11th and 12th graders. Hediscussesmanyimportantandsensitivetopicsin his class. Rabbi addresses issues that are on our students'minds. As our students begin their college years, they can fall back on the values and insights that he provides. As part of the Confirmation Program, TEC also hosts Dinner Seminars where guestlecturerspresentdiverseandfascinatingtopics. We invite parents and students to come and learn together.

Students who continue their education after their B'nai Mitzvah also have the opportunity to work as Religious School aides. Some students elect to be paid(minimumwageis$15.50perhour)whileothers volunteerandearncommunityservicecredit. Our

DIRECTOR

Happy February! Machar and Kadima had great lounges in January. Additionally, many of our USYersandourintrepidleaderAdamattendedthe regional Shabbaton at Camp Ramah. From all accounts, everyone had a phenomenal time. February Kadima and Machar Lounges are being planned and USY is planning a February night out. Staytuned!

Bim Bam Shabbat will be held February 4 on the Gesher play yard, weather permitting. If the rain returns,wewillmovetotheRotunda.Eitherway,Mr. StevewillbewithusagainaswecelebrateShabbat together. This song-filled morning is geared for familieswithyoungchildren.

Setting the stage for Tu B’Shevat, the muchanticipatedannualHavdalah&HotDogswillbeheld at 5 PM on February 4. Joyce and her team have plannedaneveningofcreativityandTu-getherness -creatingmemoriesthatwilllastalifetime.

We will celebrate Tu B’Shevat beginning at 8 AM on February5inourownTECCommunityGarden.Help the morning’s planting efforts and stay for a dedicationat10:30(timeapproximate).Thankyouto Michael Lysobey and his team of dedicated volunteers for creating an opportunity for meaningful participationinthiswonderfulholidaybyhelpingplant anolivetreeandotherplantsinourgarden.

Do you love movies? Is it a value add if the movie is made by Jews or centers on Jewish themes? Then wehaveanewgroupjustforyou!OnFebruary9,at7 PM,wewillwatchGroundhogDay,andfollowitwitha discussion. Both in-person and Zoom options are available,butifyoujoinusinperson,wewillmakethe popcornforyou.

Get your summer vibes started a little early! Come meetrepresentativesfromlocalareaJewishsummer camps to learn more about opportunities for this summer!Representativesfromeachcampwillbeon

Our Parent & Me class meets on Friday mornings in theschoolbuilding. Contacttheschoolofficeformore information.

Shalom, DebbieBlumenthal

joyce@templeetzchaim.org

aides enjoy helping the younger students and our office,anddeepentheirconnectiontoTEC.It'sawinwin!

IhopeourchildrenareinspiredtocherishtheirJewish experiences throughout their lives. With encouragement and a positive attitude, we can strengthen our childrens' Jewish identity and the Jewishcommunity. As they leave our school, I hope they will feel Judaism in their hearts and know that TempleEtzChaimwillalwaysbethereforthem. We loveourstudentsandfamilies!

Staytunedformorefuneducationalmoments!

L'hitraot, Joyce

siteforaCampFaironFebruary12from11:30AM–12:30PMonthePlaza.

With the rise in antisemitism globally, nationally, and locally,TECisproudtobepartoftheTri-CountyADL Walk Against Hate on February 26. Many of us have witnessed hateful slurs and assaults targeting Jews, as well as seen increased antisemitic vandalism and graffiti in our public spaces, and some of us even received virulently antisemitic flyers that were distributed in Moorpark and Thousand Oaks. #NeverAgain is now. The Walk begins at Conejo CreekNorthParkat1PM.Formoreinformation,orto register,gotohttps://www.walkagainsthate.org/vc

Be on the lookout for opportunities to volunteer for and/or attend the Purim Carnival (3/5/23), Pop-Up Purim Pizza Party, and other Purim events. Also coming up: Fiddler on the Roof ( 3/16/23 1:00 PM), our new Global Thought Leaders Speaker Series (4/2/23), and a group trip to the Ronald Reagan Library's Auschwitz exhibit on the Sunday (4/16/23) precedingYomHaShoah.

I am pleased to report that construction is progressing smoothly and we are on schedule to complete the renovation during the Spring of this year.

WHERE'S GIDEON? SEE IF YOU CAN FIND HIM HIDING IN A PHOTO

TEC TRIBUTES TEC TRIBUTES

Barbara & Harvey Scherr Memorial Fund

In Memory of Louis Bigley

Ferne Blaugrund

In Memory of Leon Noel Blaugrund

Ferne Blaugrund

Dunaier Music Fund

In Memory of Lucille Deutsch

Frances Deutsch

Early Childhood Education Fund

In Honor of the Birth of Lev Isaacs

Scott & Debbie Blumenthal

In Honor of Sarah Orlin's 100th Birthday

Mark & Phyllis Fishman

In Memory of Myer Greenberg

Janis Leshnov

In Memroy of Fern Starr

Jay & Debra Levine

In Memroy of Manuel Label

Lorne Label

In Honor of a Speedy Recovery for Julie Slater

Andy & Ellen Smith

In Memory of Charles Arthur Koppel

Richard Koppel

In Memory of Beatrice Foster

Sylvia Koppel

Elisa Feldman Memorial

Religious School Scholarship Fund

In Appreciation of Joyce and the TEC RS teachers for their roles in teaching Jewish values and contributing to the future of the the Jewish tradition in America and the world

Alan Horwitz

In Honor of Laurel & Ken Warner, Debbie & Les Feldman, Pam & Steve Friedman and Diane & Arnie Rudman's Anniversaries

Patricia Kaye

In Honor of Marshall Rosen's Birthday

Alan & Susan Flaschner

In Memory of Morris Reiser

Patty Kaye

In Memory of Yona Friedman

Nomi Freed

In Memory of Sara Clara Freed

Jeff & Sheri Schoenwald

In Memory of Norman Epstein

Ilene Barney

Feeding the Hungry for Harbor House

Joseph Bayewitch

Perry & Susan Pierce

Joseph & Phyllis Bayewitch

Bonnie Rothman

Jotkowitz Camp Ramah Scholarship Fund

In Memory of Edward Jotkowitz

Herb Wexler

Kiddush Fund

In Memory of Sara Clara Freed

William & Cynthia Koepcke

Library Fund

In Memory of Tom Sneed

Judy Sneed

Men's Club Scholar-in-Residence

In Memory of Jack Treger

Shirley Lipkin

In Honor of Sponsoring the Men's Club Weekend

Andy & Ellen Smith

Men's Club Silverstein Humanitarian Fund

In Memory of Joe Simpson Myles Simpson

Rabbi Averbach's Discretionary Fund

In Appreciation of Rabbi Averbach performing the baby naming of our grandson on 1/1/2023 Janis Kummer

Ritual Fund

In Memory of Aristides Saiez

Rebeccah Schwartz

In Memory of Bela Kalinski

Zvi & Yola Kalinski

Social Action Fund

In Appreciation of Pam Friedman and Judy Gindi and their dedication to Social Action in our community

William & Cynthia Koepcke

In Honor of Pam Friedman, Joyce Bronstein, Susan Pierce, David Schwartz, Cindy Goldberg, Sara Orlin and Stephen Fienberg's Birthdays

Patricia Kaye

In Honor of Marriage of Noah Levine & Morgan

Miller

William & Cynthia Koepcke

Patricia Kaye

In Honor of Sarah Orlin's 100th Birthday

Patricia Kaye

In Memory of Yona Friedman

Patricia Kaye

In Memory of Sara Clara Freed

Israel & Beth Perel

Temple General Fund

In Honor of Marshall Rosen's Bar Mitzvah

Irwin & Gloria Katz

In Memory of Sandor Nemet

John Nemet

In Memory of Robert Brenner

Jay & Debra Levine

In Memory of Sara Clara Freed

Herb Wexler

Michael & Jennifer Ghozland

Tzedakah Fund

In Memory of Maury Samson

Herb Wexler

USY Youth & Scholarship Fund

In Memory of Irving Dallek

Susan Cohen

Women of TEC

Wishing Wendy Halpert a speed recovery from her surgery

Elissa Lazarus

Mazel Tov to Marshal Rosen on the 66th anniversary of his Bar Mitzvah

Elissa Lazarus

Women of TEC Scholarship Fund

In Honor of Sarah Orlin

Lorne & Caryl Label

Women of TEC Torah Fund

In Memory of Marcia Marks

Kenneth Marks

In Memory of Stewart H. Brookstein

Edward Chadroff

In Memory of Amy Melissa Hagler

Ann Moore-Ross

we love and in memory of those we have lost. in honor of those we and in memory those we have lost.

PAM FRIEDMAN VP, SOCIAL ACTION

socialaction@templeetzchaim.org

TEC Social Action is so grateful for the amazing support of our congregation. Our Adopt a Family donation drive was able to donate $2,000 in Target gift cards to Harbor House for the local homeless community. Sheri Groenveld explained how this donation will make such a difference in so many lives. Ann Sturman at Many Mansions was overjoyed with our gifts. We dropped off three bikes, and piles and piles of gifts for the families of Many Mansions. All of the beautifully wrapped gifts for Homebound Seniors were excitedly accepted by Senior Concerns and then delivered by the Meals on Wheels Program. Finally, a wonderful collection of unwrapped toys for the families who rely on the Westminster Free Clinic for medical care were dropped off to welcoming arms and smiles. I would like to thank the Social Action team for all their hard work in putting this donation drive together. There are so many things to do including coordinating adopting families and adoptees, packaging, collecting gifts, and delivery of course. A special thanks to the efforts of Judy Gindi and RobynZimmet.

This month we will be finishing our First Aid Drive. Look for the email and click on the donation link or use the QR code to bring up the Signup Genius list. Thursday January 19th is the last day to drop off donationitemsintheyellowdonationbinnexttotheguardstation.

Our next Feed the Hungry for Harbor House will be Tuesday, January 24th.AConstantContactemailwillbesentoutsoon.

Thankyouforyourcontinuedsupport,

PamelaFriedman

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

On January 15, the Men’s Club held a “Football with the Rabbi” event. Rabbi Averbach and a group of TEC family and friends of all ages cheered on their NFL playoff team, enjoyed their favorite beverages, pizza and snacks at Pedals and Pints. Conversation and camaraderie wereinabundance.

During February, the Men’s Club will participate in the Federation of Jewish Men’s Club World Wide Wrap. The event’s goal is to try to have all Jews everywhere put on Tefillin on the same day in February. This will take place at our weekly Sunday minyan on February 12 at 8:30 AM. In addition, prior to the World Wide Wrap day, Men’s Club members will work with TEC Religious School students on February 5 tohelplearnabouttefillinandhowtoputthemon.

In mid-December, you should have received a letter from Men’s Club Scholar in Residence Chair, Mark Zucherman, and me informing you of our Scholar in Residence weekend scheduled for April 28 – April 30. This year’s scholar is Rabbi Daniel Cohen. He speaks nationally inspiring people to maximize every moment while leading a life of impactandlegacy.Oneofhisbookstitlesis“WhatWillTheySayAbout 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 have not received the mid-December mailing or would like more information, please reach out to us via the Men’s Clubmailbox:mensclub@templeetzchaim.org

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

Do you know about Women's League for Conservative Judaism and how it impacts the intention of Conservative Synagogues' SisterhoodsthroughoutAmerica?

The mission of Women’s League is to strengthen and unite synagogue women’s groups and their members, support them in mutual efforts to understand and perpetuate Conservative/Masorti Judaism in the home, synagogue and community, and reinforce their bonds with Israel and with Jews worldwide. Women’s League accepts the Jerusalem Program, whichistheplatformoftheWorldZionistOrganization. Women’sLeague supportsitsnetworkof400sisterhoodsandsynagoguewomen’sgroups. Women’s League is the voice of the women of the Conservative Movement, representing its membership at a wide array of national, international,religious,andsocialactionorganizations.

Wouldyouliketogetinvolved? Pacific Southwest Region of Women's League for Conservative Judaism is hosting a VirtualTorahFundStudy Day and Conference on Sunday March 12th from 10am-3pm. This conference encourages Empowering Jewish Women to make a positive difference by Learning How We Can Care for Others and Care for Ourselves.Pleasereachoutformoredetails.

WOTEC Board meetings are being moved to the SECOND TUESDAY of each month at 7pm and we hold these either in person or on Zoom. If you would like to attend, please feel free. If you are looking for worthwhile causestodonateto,pleaseconsiderdonatingtoTorahFund.TorahFund is the official philanthropy of Women's League of Conservative Judaism that raises funds to support Rabbinical and Cantorial Scholars. Please reachouttoEstherPullanorPhyllisDankbergformoredetails

Please also support TEC's Gift Shop by purchasing Judaica items. Please reach out to Ann Ross or Phyllis Dankberg -- they can help you with tallit, invitations and anything else that you are looking for (even during the construction).

B'Shalom, LindaHutchings

ANDREA ARONS CHAIR, CLERGY SEARCH COMMITTEE

andrea@templeetzchaim.org

HelloEtzChaimChaverim,

This month has been delightful in that it's brought us a new candidate to interview! The CSC is exercising cautious optimism, as this candidate has been very frank with us about the fact that they're applying numerous places. While we, the TEC community, realize that Thousand Oaks and surrounding areas are clearly the best place in the world, we have to hope that others who don't already live here can see that same wondrousness. As we proceed through the interview process we will keep you updated with information regarding potential live weekend opportunitiestolistentocandidates.

The CSC is remaining patient, persistent, and passionate in our quest to findsomeonestellartojointheclergyatTempleEtzChaim.

As always, should you have any questions or wish to share any ideas, we'dlovetohearfromyou.CSC@templeetzchaim.org

Wishingyouagoodweek.

AndreaArons