ETZETERA - November 2022

TEMPLE ETZ

BOARD OF DIRECTORS President Eric

Executive Vice

Immediate Past

Treasurer

Recording

VP,

VP,

Trustee,

Trustee,

Trustee,

Trustee,

President,

LETTERS FROM OUR LEADERS

ERIC FEIGENBAUM, PRESIDENTrabbiaverbach@templeetzchaim.org

RABBI ARI AVERBACH

A few days after Yom Kippur, we found ourselves in the middle of two events. One happens every year,theotherhappensonceinageneration.

The first was Sukkot. With the help of our amazing maintenance staff and Men’s Club volunteers, we putupaSukkahthatwasnearly2,000squarefeet.

Over the course of the week, we had services and mealsinthere,allofthepreschoolstudentsateand sang,Men’sClubhadaneventandreligiousschool hosted a dinner for the community. The weather wasnearlyperfect(includingafewraindrops).

Among other themes of the holiday, Sukkot is a reminder of how little we need to survive. After spending hours indoors on the High Holy Days prayingaboutourtrustinGod,Sukkotistheholiday of acting out that trust, bringing us back to the Garden of Eden, surrounded by nature and the elements. All we need is some food, something to drink, some companions to join us in conversation and song, and some bug spray. Everything else is extra.

The other major event was the beginning of demolition as we prepare for the remodel of the sanctuary building. As we sat in the Sukkah, constructioncrewswerebusyinsidedisassembling therestrooms.Wewentthroughourofficesandour communal spaces, packing boxes – some for storage,someforrecycling.

We were again reminded about how little we need to survive. As long as we have our phones and computers, a few books and other odds and ends, wewillbeokay.Itwillbedifferent,forcertain,butwe can still be Temple Etz Chaim as we begin to updateour(almost)40-year-oldbuilding.

How lucky we are to have. We have more than we need. But with Sukkot and the building update, we get our reminder that we can get by with just the essentials – and some companions to join us in conversationandsong.

eric@templeetzchaim.org

November is a time of Thanksgiving on the secular calendar and a time when TEC too has reasonforgratitude.

Our generous congregation donated more than $2.5 million in our recent capital campaign to renovate our synagogue and pay down our mortgage.Whileservicesandeventswillbeinthe Wolfson Auditorium instead of our beloved PaskowSanctuary,we’llbeabletolookacrossthe plaza with excitement for the beautiful and updatedbuildingwe’llenjoyagaincomeSpring.

And while Autumn is typically a time of harvest, at TEC we’re planting seeds. Work on new and exciting programming for 2023 is well underway and expected to reach full bloom in Spring. We expect big name speakers both on and off campus, adopting a new sister-synagogue, courses for parents, new congregational “town hall” meetings and continuation of the popular "SundayStickaround.”Ifallgoeswell,2023willbe a big year full of new and promising things for TempleEtzChaim.

Of course, there’s plenty to be thankful for in the present too. TEC’s membership has been growing,ourschoolsarefull,andwehaveastrong balance sheet with large reserves. But most importantly,we’reallbacktogetheragainaftertwo years of distancing. Our services and events feel warmer than ever as we once again share our triumphs,challenges,lossesandsimchasside-byside.

DEBBIE BLUMENTHAL debbieb@templeetzchaim.org

Novemberishereandthatmeansthestartof anothergreatholidayseason! In preparation, last week the entire preschool took a day to visit Underwood Family Farms and learn all aboutpumpkins! Learningaboutthelifecycle ofthepumpkinandexploringtheinsideofthe pumpkin led to a wonderful life science experienceforallages.TodayIsawaninfant classwashingpumpkinsintheirsensorytable. As Thanksgiving approaches, there are sure to be some cooking and baking projects with pumpkintoo!

Thanksgiving is a time for us to reflect on all thethingswearethankfulforandalsoto

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION DIRECTOR

remembertohelpothers.MitzvahDayisalways recognized at Temple Etz Chaim on the first SundayofNovember.

The preschool has been collecting tzedakah all monthtodonateforBreastCancerAwareness month.Wearealsohelpingtocollectfruitsand vegetablesthelastWednesdayofeverymonth. TheconstructionandrenovationoftheTemple Etz Chaim sanctuary has given us the opportunity to celebrate Shabbat every Friday morningoutdoorsontheWarrenLawnwithour preschoolers and infants. The ECE Parents are invited to join us every week for songs, blessings,andaShabbatstory!

JOYCE BRONSTEIN RELIGIOUS SCHOOL DIRECTOR

Mitzvah Day will take place on Sunday, November 6th. Our students especially look forward to being part of this annual community project. I appreciate the outpouringofsupportforthisimportantsocial action project. This year we are collecting personal hygiene items for the children of CasaPacifica.Afewyearsago,Ilistenedtoa speaker who was once in the foster care system. With tears in her eyes, she spoke about never receiving a new toothbrush as she moved from house to house. Let’s make a difference and help give children new fullsizeitems.

We will never see their faces and joy upon receivingtheseitems.Buteachofusknowsin ourheartthatwedidmakeadifference,andit feelsgreat.

On Mitzvah Day, Religious School students in gradesK-7willfilltoteswiththenewpersonal

hygiene items. Students will also create and decorate cards for the children. Ultimately, 60 filled totes will be donated to students at Casa Pacifica.

This project is unique because it is a hands-on project involving all our students. Watching students’ faces as they participate in this Mitzvahprojectisverymoving.

I am so thankful for our congregants’ dedication, enthusiasm and participation in this worthwhile project. Giving our children these memories to recount and share creates the tradition of donating and we hope as adults theywillcontinuetodoso.

Later this month, families will join together to celebrate Thanksgiving. Many people believe that the original Thanksgiving meal of the Pilgrims in New Salem, Massachusetts, was a copy of the Sukkot festival celebrated by the IsraelitesinJerusalem.

PROGRAMMING & YOUTH DIRECTOR

So many holidays, so many opportunities to betogether!

Our plates and hearts were full in September and October with holidays, beginning with a Selichot dinner program with Beit Teshuva founders Rabbi Mark Borovitz and Harriet Rossetto, and ending with a joyous Simchat Torahdinnerandservice.Thankyoutoallwho made these programs and dinners possible including:

DanLubetkin,JoyceBronstein,LeoBronstein, Pam Friedman, Steve Friedman, Linda Friedlander, Carl Friedlander, Karen Garelik, Buzz Schoenkerman, Carol Schoenkerman, Dave Abramovicz, Dylan Abramovicz, Jake Abramovicz, Shane Silverstein, AJ Silverstein, AllanHorowitz,GideonManzur,ElishaManzur,

Sarah Karamas, Steve Ormond, Coby Field, Ricardo Delgado, Tatiana Caceres, Elisa Chacon,JoseAndino,JuanCastellanos,Patricia Bolenos,CherylWolf,JillRosenberg,andBenny Sommerfeld. Without these people, none of theseeventswouldhavebeenpossible.Please take a minute and thank them when you see them.

We learned a lot while having fun during our Sunday StickArounds (Round Challah Making and Q&A with Rabbi Averbach)! Sundays in November are going to be great opportunities to get involved with Tikun Oalm, with Mitzvah Day on November 6 and a PJ Library Event at theMoorparkTeachingZooonNovember13at 1:00pm. Look for flyers and emails with more informationcomingsoon.

This month, our two newest Cantorial candidates will be joining us for the Friday morning sing-alongs, so everyone is invited to comeandmeetthemaswell!

The ECE Center will be closed on November 24th and 25th in observance of the Thanksgivingholiday.

Save the Date! We will be having an in-person Scholastic Book Fair December 5-9th! Books makegreatholidaygifts!Scholasticoffersgreat booksforallages!

Wishing everyone a Thanksgiving holiday filled withfriends,family,andgoodhealth!

joyce@templeetzchaim.org

The Pilgrims loved the Bible and even based their calendars on it. Especially noteworthy is that the Pilgrims’ early American calendar used Hebrew names for the months. “Giving thanks” has always been an essential part of Judaism, from reciting blessings after meals to the pilgrimagefestivalofSukkot.

Since Biblical times, the ancient Israelites celebrated Sukkot by bringing a portion of their fall harvest to the Temple in Jerusalem as a sacrificeandthengatheringwiththeirfamiliesin boothstofeastontheirportionoftheharvest.

Thanksgiving is when we give thanks and appreciate the many things that fulfill our lives. PleaseplantoattendtheThanksgivingInterfaith Service on Wednesday, November 23rd. This Service is always special because members of the United Methodist Church and Temple Etz Chaimjointocelebratethisnationalholiday.

Wishingyoueverythinggoodandwonderfulthis Thanksgivingseason.

cindy@templeetzchaim.org

Save the date for Bim Bam Shabbat on Saturday, November 5 at 10:30 am on the Gesher/Preschool yard. We will have a youngfamily friendly service with an Oneg to follow. It willbeafunandupliftingmorning.

USY has been busy! Congratulations to our newlyelectedboard: Jenna Lotterman, President; Martin Jacobsohn and Sarah Blakely, Executive Vice Presidents; JohnJacobsohn,VPReligiousEducation;Mandy Borys, VP Social Action Tikkun Olam; and Harrison Forman, VP Communications. Machar, Kadima and USY all had welcome back events andthereiseveryindicationthatitisgoingtobe agreatyear!Staytuned!

GOLDBERG

Barbara & Harvey Scherr Memorial Fund

In Memory of Irving Gil Barbara Krupin

In Memory of Casper Ungar Al Ungar

Barry Cantor Memorial Fund

In Memory of Max Borman Harvey Mahler

Dunaier Music Fund

In Memory of Larry Seaver Barbara Freeman

In Memory of Julia Deutsch Francis Deutsch

In Memory of William Deutsch Francis Deutsch

In Memory of Babe Dunaier Howard Dunaier

In Memory of Robert Seaver Barbara Freeman

Early Childhood Education Center

In Memory of Jacquelyn Elbling Ron Elbling

Early Childhood Education Fund

In Appreciation of the care and education that our grandchildren, Riley and Dylan Mussack, are receiving Russell & Lori Nishimura

In Appreciation of Everyone at the ECE Sam & Amy Greenberg

In Memory of David Isaac Cohen Bruce Cohen

In Memory of Hyman Foster Sylvia Koppel

In Memory of Regina Hime Koppel Melvin Harold Simon

In Memory of Rosemary Tobin Brian & Gilah Sietz Moshe Cohen Jean Belzer Simon Cohen

In Memory of Ben Rutberg Barbara Nemet

In Memory of Sender Orlin Lorne Label

In Memory of Miriam Mintz Foster Sylvia Koppel

In Memory of Minnie Marcus Bruce Cohen

In Memory of Florence Young Stephen & Debora Wright

In Memory of Clara Shipow Robert & Stephanie Shipow

In Memory of Hy Golditch Robert & Stephanie Shipow Martin & Tami Cohen

Elisa Feldman Memorial

Religious School Scholarship Fund

In Memory of Ilean Kanter Les & Debbie Feldman

In Memory of Evelyn Feldman Les & Debbie Feldman

In Memory of Carol Paskow Patty Kaye

In Memory of Pinney Kanter Stan & Lynne Rosen David & Eileen Sachs Les & Debbie Feldman

In Memory of your beloved mother Ricky Dennis

In Memory of Annette Cohen William & Cynthia Koepcke

In Memory of Blanka Markovitz Michael Mark

In Memory of Sarah Lederich Larry & Judy Mayer

In Memory of a wonderful Step-Mom Pat Anonymous

In Memory of LillianKlapper Bonnie Greenberg

Feeding the Hungry for Harbor House Israel & Beth Perel William & Cynthis Koepcke David & Doina Borla Myles & Gail Simpson

In Appreciation of Pam Friedman Perry & Susan Pierce

In Memory of Annette Cohen David & Judy Siegel

Fienberg-Lerner Chapel Minyan Fund In Memory of Sharon Hommel Joyce Goldberg

In Memory of Herb Math Jeffrey Math

In Memory of Mike Brooks Sandra Levy

Inbar Israel Travel & Education Scholarship Fund In Memory of Blanche Fields Stan & Lynne Rosen

Jotkowitz Camp Ramah Scholarship Fund In Memory of Beatrice Cohen Susan Cohen

In Memory of Abraham Freilich Marshall Scherr

In Memory of Frieda Freilich Marshall Scherr

In Memory of Penny Neugroschl Cindy Scherr

In Memory of Sarah Kern Harvey Kern

In Memory of Pauline Shechter Jack Shechter

In Memory of Ermiene Mallinger Mollie Helfand

In Memroy of Ron Wasserman Marlene Wasserman

In Memory of Abraham Levy Rosalie Fromberg

Harvey Kern

Lipnick B'nai Mitvot Fund

In Memory of William Edelstein Judi Gill

Lipnick Religious School Scholarship Fund In Memory of David Corn Michael Bunkin

In Memory of Julius Lipnick Michael Bunkin

In Memory of Dorann Bunkin Michael Bunkin

In Memory of Meyer Levin Barbara Shannon

In Memory of Esther Rebecca Goldberg Susan Goldberg

Men's Club General Fund

In Honor of My Grandfather's Yahrzeit and in continued support of the Men's Club and Temple Etz Chaim Doron Schnaid

Men's Club Silverstein Humanitarian Fund In Memory of Herma Silverstein Richard & Gari Saly

In Memory of Neil Levitt Richard & Gari Saly

Men's Club Scholar-in-Residence In Memory of Gladys Fishman Alan Lipkin

In Memory of Annie Rebecca Dubinsky Jeff Schoenwald

Ner Tamid Education & Community Center Fund

In Memory of Milton Fixel Francine Mozes

In Memory of Helen Fixel Francine Mozes

Rabbi Averbach's Discretionary Fund In Appreciation of Rabbi Averbach The Cohen and Sauer Families Ira Klein

Ken and Linda Leon Herb Wexler Seth Browner Lawrence Kalisher

In Appreciation of Rabbi Averbach & Cantor Kenny Ellis for wonderful High Holiday services

David Munowitch & Emily Habib

In Honor of The High Holidays Gary & Debbie Silverman

In Memory of Alexander Warner Kenneth Warner

In Memory of Alfred Morris Ron & Liz Groden

In Memory of Alice Math Cheryl Wolf

In Memory of Amiram Manzur Gideon & Elisha Manzur

In Memory of Betty Weiss Laurel Warner

In Memory of Felicita Saiez Rebeccah Schwartz

In Memory of Glenn Bradley Garvin Laurel Warner

In Memory of Goldie Warner Kenneth Warner

In Memory of Harold Greenberg Lauri Arons

In Memory of Harry Waters Cheryl Wolf

In Memory of Hilda Stein Ron Stein

In Memory of Ina Levine Jay & Debra Levine

In Memory of Irving Garvin Laurel Warner

In Memory of Isaac Edelman David Wank

In Memory of Jeffrey Scott Gary Scott

In Memory of John Weiss Laurel Warner

In Memory of Kenneth Sachs David Sachs

In Memory of Lillian Kramer Linda Natlin

In Memory of Mark Scherr Marshall Scherr

In Memory of Philip Mann Beau Mann

In Memory of Shirley Arons Steven Arons

In Memory of Stanley Scherr Marshall Scherr

In Memory of Virginia Cook Perry & Susan Pierce

In Memory of Beatrice Treisman Robin Oberman

In Memory of Robert Zucherman Mark Zucherman

In Memory of Dorothy Schotland Tess Wilkoff

In Memory of Yaakov Moscovitch Rivka Moscovitch

In Memory of Florence Rosenberg Steve & Joy Rosenberg

Jennifer Jacobs

Ruth Rose

Religious School Fund

In Memory of Annette Cohen Gary & Randee Paller Barry & Claire Maultasch

In Memory of Arlene Levenson Richard Engler & Ellen Zucker

In Memory of Beatrice Cohen Fred Cohen

In Memory of Bertram Dallek Susan Cohen

In Memory of Sylvia Dallek Susan Cohen

In Memory of Earl Greinetz Robert & Lynne Zuckerman

In Memory of Esther Martin Sandra Wolin

In Memory of Florence Goldfinger Robin Goldfinger

In Memory of Robynne Schwartz David & Rebeccah Schwartz Katya Schwartz

In Memory of Sharif E. Moradian Nasser Moradian

In Memory of Alfred Shapiro Barbara Budish

In Memory of Herbert Friedlander Carl & Linda Friedlander

In Memory of Sophie Friedlander Carl & Linda Friedlander

In Memory of Robert Smith Carl & Linda Friedlander

In Memory of Frances Smith Carl & Linda Friedlander

Ritual Fund

In Honor of Buzz and Carol Schoenkerman's 1st Wedding Anniversary John & Sandra Lutzker

In Honor of High Holidays 5783 Ron & Alison Cher

In Memory of Harold Holland Jack & Judy Gindi

Sandra Tischler Religious School Scholarship Fund In Memory of Bernard Sussman Lori Dobrin

In Memory of Frida Edelman David Wank

In Memory of Benjamin Ratzan Jerome Ratzan

In Memory of Galdys Ratzan Jerome Ratzan

In Memory of Stuart Jay Bass Jerome Ratzan

Temple General Fund

In Honor of the High Holidays 5783 Herb Wexler

In Honor of Susan Cohen & Temple Etz Chaim David & Dian Wender

In Honor of Florence Young who passed away on October 5, 2022 Beth Wheatley

In Memory of Bernice Banker Jodi Greenberg

In Memory of Eli Storch Lawrence & Gail Storch

In Memory of Esther Sloate Comis & all 2022-2023 Yahrzeits Stuart Comis

In Memory of Frances Portnoy Ed Portnoy

In Memory of Harriet Wise Oberman Robin Oberman

In Memory of Harry Waters Hattie Wolf

In Memory of Jacob Pourdavoudi Behrouz Pourdavoudi

In Memory of Joseph Tischler Carol Wechsler

In Memory of Minnie Zamkoff Pauline Kaplan

In Memory of Israel Weinstein Sofia Kobrin

In Memory of Ric Landau Jay & Debra Levine

In Memory of Samuel Neustadt Jay & Debra Levine

In Memory of Sid Sherman William Harold Sherman Igor Bulkin

Scott & Florence Young

Jeff & Sheri Schoenwald

Tzedakah Fund

In Appreciation of TEC Men's Club and Pirkei Avot Study Group Mitchell Ross

In Memory of Sol Jaffe Larry & Surese Jaffe

In Memory of Carol Paskow Herb Wexler

In Memory of Leonard Schwartz David Schwartz

In Memory of Mary and Michael Wexler Herb Wexler

USY Youth & Scholarship Fund

In Appreciation Laura Bailin

In Memory of Perle Gil Barbara Krupin

In Memory of Bela Orensztein Denise Rusiecki

In Memory of Jacques Orensztein Denise Rusiecki

In Memory of Charles Orensztein Denise Rusiecki

Women of TEC Scholarship Fund

In Memory of Esther Feldman Bruce Cohen

Zerlin Library Fund

In Memory of Frederick Crawford Brenda Friedman

PAM FRIEDMAN VP, SOCIAL ACTION socialaction@templeetzchaim.org

We start the month of November with Mitzvah Day on Sunday the 6th at 9 am. We have exciting activities for all ages to help those in need.ComemakeaWelcomeHomecardforanewresidentofMany Mansions, crochet a square for a baby blanket, or make a no-sew cut-and-tieblanket.

Join WOTEC and Men’s Club making sandwiches and packing lunches for Feed the Hungry. You can also help by donating to Religious School’s Personal Hygiene Products project for Casa Pacifica and to ECE’s Tzedakah Drive for Breast Cancer Awareness. In addition, our annual joint Blood Drive with Adat Elohim will take placeatAdatElohim.

Our next collection, Adopt a Family, ends on December 6th. This annual program impacts the lives of many families, children and seniors. We will be collecting new un-wrapped toys, gifts and gift cards for adopted families and seniors for Many Mansions, Meals on Wheels and Harbor House. When you adopt a family, a child or a senior, your mitzvah makes a huge difference in their lives. Your kindnessisremembered.

To sign up to adopt a family or for more information about the Adopt a Family program, contact Judy Gindi at judygindi@gmail.com or call 805-701-6861.

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

CocktailMaking

Saturday,November12,6:30PM

OpentoallTECMembers(21+)

Come get some tips and tricks on how to up your home bar game

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

WOTEChadabusymonthinOctober!IwanttogiveabigTHANKYOUto Dana Gallenberg, Bonnie Rothman and Liz Groden for all of their instrumental help in putting together the High Holiday Booklets and Remembrance Booklets. These fabulous ladies spent many, many hours organizing every detail of putting these booklets together and it is our largest fundraising event for WOTEC each year. If you did not pick up booklets in person during the high holidays, extra copies are available at theTempleoffice.

Our Annual Membership Luncheon was a fantastic success as well! We entertained 75 guests, had wonderful guest speakers and terrific entertainment! Many fabulous raffle prizes were awarded and it was such a fun event for everyone. Thank you to all of the volunteers that helped make the luncheon such a huge success and to the following ladies that spent many hours preparing for the event: Tami Wank, Bonnie Rothman, PhyllisDankberg,ElissaLazarus,ShariCohenForsythe,HollySeery,Gloria SemerandDanaGallenberg!Ourgiftshopwasalsosuperbusywithabig sale and packing up for the big renovation -- a special Thank You to Ann Ross and Phyllis Dankberg for coordinating everything and for all of the volunteersthathelpedwiththepacking.

Finally, thank you to Cynthia Koepcke for organizing a special video messagefromRabbitoouryoungadultmemberstohelpkeeptheyoung adults connected with TEC while they are away at college or busy with theiradultlifeadventures.

If you are looking for opportunities to get involved with WOTEC, please reach out. If you are not already on the WOTEC Constant Contact email list, please let us know. We are looking forward to seeing you at our upcomingevents.

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

HelloTECfamily!

Men'sClubBrunch

Sunday,November20,10:30AM

This year's event will feature a presentation by Jared Head, a space enthusiast, aerospace engineering student, and improv comedian. Jared is a member of NASA's speaker bureau as a Solar System Ambassador.

The Clergy Search Committee is proud to present two wonderful candidates, Cantor Toby Schwartz and Happie Hoffman. Each candidate will join our congregation for a weekend of song and prayer. We invite you all to be part of the service as we sing along during the weekendsofOctober28thandNovember4th.

Following the candidate weekends, we'll provide you, the congregation, with a survey and opportunity to deliver feedback to us, the CSC. We'd like to hear from you! Your thoughts and opinions are greatly appreciated.

A more detailed letter regarding each weekend will be sent to you via email.Pleasereferenceitfortimesandinformation.

We look forward to sharing songs together this new year....and maybe havingacookieortwo!