Etzetera - December 2018

ETZETERA December 2018

Kislev and Tevet 5779 Temple Etz Chaim Presents

Festival of Voices Cantors in Concert

Noa Dori

Pablo Duek

Noa Shaashua

Stephanie Kupfer

Monday, December, 10 2018 at 7:30 pm $54 Reserved Seating and Reception, $45 Open Seating and Reception, $36 Open Seating, and $40 at the door Call the front office for sponsorship options or to purchase tickets A percentage of the proceeds will proudly be donated to Camp JCA Shalom and Camp Hess Kramer to help rebuild their facilities

Latkes & Lights Wednesday, December 5th at 6:30 pm at the Janss Marketplace

Join Rabbi Spiegel, Hazzan Pablo, Jeffrey Prince, and Cantor Kenny Ellis as we celebrate the festival of lights!

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

Rabbi’s Message As I sit to write this message for the December bulletin, I have just returned from a wonderful trip to Dallas and Philadelphia (where the grandchildren reside), to Baltimore (for a nephew’s wedding), and to Tel Aviv and Jerusalem – the two biggest cities in Israel. The trip was marvelous in every way except one – the reports from our beloved Conejo Valley.

Rabbi Richard Spiegel rabbi@templeetzchaim.org

our community was undergoing. But, there was something else we noticed as well. With suffering, with sadness comes kindness and compassion, caring and warmth. The firefighters, the police, and the first responders showed courage and bravery and our community expressed its appreciation. People began reaching out to one another (and they still are). A desire to help was so profound that the lines to donate blood at the Red Cross outposts went out the door and onto the street.

People who were not in danger reached out to those who were. We often lament the fact that it takes tragedy or crisis to bring out the best in our fellow human beings. But, we can be grateful that at such times people really do step up to meet the overwhelming needs around us.

I decided to take the trip in the beginning of November because it appeared to be a quiet time on the Temple’s calendar. The holidays were over and there were no B’nai Mitzvah scheduled. It looked like the perfect time for family visits and enjoying life in the miracle that is modern day Israel.

The last weeks have been filled with a terrible and frightening fire. But, in a few days, we will be looking at a different fire as we kindle the Hanukkah menorah. May this fire be only one of light, of joy, and of hope. May our beautiful holiday of Hanukkah lift our spirits and warm our hearts as we cherish the gift of religious freedom so important to our ancestors and to us as well. May our children enjoy their favorite holiday and may we all feel a peacefulness enter our lives.

But, there we were in Tel Aviv receiving a call to turn on the news – that there was a mass shooting in our normally calm, peaceful, and safe Thousand Oaks. Before the tears could even form, there was more trauma with devastating wildfires consuming our region. Countless evacuations ensued and too many of our friends and neighbors lost their homes. Everyone fell prey to breathing smoke filled air (the first thing we noticed upon returning) and everyone experienced fear and worry that winds would shift, that fires would worsen, that destruction would not cease.

Linda joins me in wishing you a happy, healthy, and joyous Hanukkah.

Rabbi Richard Spiegel

Even from far away, Linda and I could sense the hardship that

President’s Message Happy Hanukkah!

Jeff Solomon, President president@templeetzchaim.org

surrounding these two events, there is a spark of light in getting to know the stories of each one of these 23 people.

Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, arrives this month. As I look forward to Hanukkah, I am dedicating each candle to something bright in our lives.

Candle five is for the first responders and police officers in Squirrel Hill who rushed into harm’s way saving the lives of countless early morning daveners. In the face of darkness, they were bright, shining lights.

Candle one is for our children and, for some of you, grandchildren. For any parent (or grandparent), they are the light of your life and bring you an unbelievable amount of joy.

Candle six is for Sergeant Ron Helus, the hero among us, who charged into the Borderline Bar without any regard for his own safety.

Candle two is for our parents; those who raised and nurtured us in good homes while providing us with the foundational ethics of Judaism that bind us all together.

Candle seven is for the many young people at the Borderline Bar that rescued others through amazing acts of courage under the worst circumstances possible.

Candle three is for our community; Temple Etz Chaim and the Jewish community of the Conejo Valley. With all the events of the past month, I feel that so many of us have pulled together and become closer; reaching out to each other to check on one another and really, really see how we are doing and coping.

Candle eight is for the firefighters in Ventura and Los Angeles Counties. They did a remarkable and amazing job of saving homes in our community when faced with the absolute destructive power of nature in the form of fire and wind.

Last is the shamash, the lead candle. This year, it is shared by our Rabbi, Richard Spiegel, for his leadership of our kehilla during both good times and bad and for Rabbi Ari Averbach, our future shamash, for igniting our congregation as we look toward the next chapter in the history of Temple Etz Chaim.

Candle four is for 23 people going about their lives until they were senselessly massacred this past month. As we have come to learn more about the 11 victims of the Tree of Life Synagogue and the 12 victims of the Borderline Bar, we see individual lives filled with goodness and light; lives lived fully and lives cut short of their time. In spite of all the darkness

Chag Sameach,

Jeff Solomon 2

Executive Director “It’s simple, really: the more volunteering that you do, the more you bring to our congregation.”

I’d like to call your attention to a couple of wonderful ways in which you can become a “contributing member”, an active volunteer. First, I invite you to stop by the synagogue office and see all the great changes that we have made. We are now compiling a list of those of you who would like to help in the main office. Do you have one day, one morning, an hour or two? We need you!

Email me at david@templeetzchaim.org and offer a bit of your time in the office.

There is a famous story about an army sergeant who needs a few men for a risky assignment. “I’m looking for a few brave volunteers,” he bellows, “Smith! Levy! O’Reilly!

You are the volunteers!”

Second, our weekly Bingo game is probably one of the most fun ways to spend your time. The Bingo volunteers are 20+ strong, dedicated and happy people that give of their time weekly. When I walk up to a Bingo volunteer, they tell me they’ve been doing it for years and they have so much fun. They would love to have you help them! I can promise you that you will immediately feel that you are doing good and important work and having a great time.

Email Michael Roberts at mrr421@gmail.com and let him know you have Thursday night open!

Gideon, one of the prominent “Judges” – actually, military leaders – of the Israelites, had a different approach. Faced with a superfluity of volunteers – probably the last time this has happened in Jewish history – he winnowed them down to the most alert and aware men. The test was simple: he brought his thirsty volunteers to the side of the stream, and invited them to drink from it.

Most of the men eagerly stuck their faces into the water to drink. A few prudent ones, however, kneeled next to the stream and scooped water into their hands before drinking. Only they were allowed to go on with Gideon. In this instance, just a select few were even permitted to volunteer.

There is a wonderful quote in Pirkei Avot, the Ethics of our Ancestors, in the Mishnah. It says simply, “the more Torah the more life.” This means, simply, that the more of this great Jewish process of interactive learning and helping, the better your own life will be.

Most synagogues fall somewhere between these two extremes. We need volunteers, but find them in a variety of ways. It’s true that some essential functions of a synagogue need to be performed by professional employees – on occasion, even by Executive Directors. But without the efforts and involvement of effective volunteers, much of the life of a congregation would simply disappear, and so would most of the joy.

It’s simple, really: the more volunteering that you do, the more you bring to our synagogue. The more volunteering that you do, the more your bring to yourself.

Be a little selfish – volunteer! Help us create a better community. Help us create a better life for you, and for Temple Etz Chaim. A special Todah Rabah to our entire TEC Community for responding to the needs of our community during the recent fires – Kol Hakavod!

In my short two months (as of this writing) at Temple Etz Chaim, we are fortunate to have some great volunteers here, but we are always looking for more. There are two reasons for this. First, we believe that the more that people are actively involved in living their Judaism, in making our spiritual home an exciting, vibrant center of Jewish life, the better for our community. And second, we are certain that the more you involve yourself in our synagogue’s life, the more you will come to care about your own Judaism, and the richer and more rewarding your own life will become.

Happy Hanukkah from the Brook family: David, Gila, Benjamin, Jordan & Alyssa In peace and friendship,

David Brook

And that’s good for you.

USY & Youth November was a great month for USY and the Youth Department. Our 9th12th graders really enjoyed going to Camp Ramah in Ojai for Encampment where they hung out with friends old and new and had a weekend of peace, love, and Judaism. We had our second chapter shabbat dinner at the home of one of our USY members, thank you Isaiah, Arielle, Terry, and Eva! The evening was awesome and the food was mmm mmm good! Mitzvah day was a big success! Thank you to our wonderful community who helped to bring coats, toys, books, socks for the homeless, made lunches, and brought recycling for SATO. Our Sunday with Machar (K,1,2) was spent learning about Fall and Mindfulness. The Kadimaniks were inspired while participating in Mitzvah Madness, and the Jr’s and Sr’s had fun getting nostalgic during their “Throwback Game” lounge with animal crackers, ultimate twister, and shrinky dinks.

Shannon Tepfer, Youth Director youth@templeetzchaim.org

Do you need Community Service credit? Join our Hayom/ Machar program and get a chance to work with kids here at TEC. You’ll learn programing, leadership, problem solving, and have a good time too!

December Events: 12/2- Jr’s & Kadima Ice skating at Simi Iceoplex from 2:00 pm4:00 pm. Meeting at Iceoplex.

12/3- Jr Hangout 5:30 pm-6:30 pm & Sr Hangout 6:30 pm-7:30 pm (Bring your homework, have dinner, hangout with friends) 12/5- Sharky’s and Panera Bread fundraiser and TEC Hanukkah Candle Lighting at the Janss Marketplace. Candle lighting starts at 6:30pm, so come early for dinner :) 12/11- Kadima/Jr New Years Lounge! 6:15 pm-7:45 pm 12/15- Sr’s Ice Skating and dinner at the Lakes in Westlake Village 6:30 pm-10:00 pm 12/16- Machar Holiday party at Scooter's Jungle, more info coming soon

We are planning an ice skating trip for Kadima, Jr’s, and Sr’s in December and will be having a fundraiser at Panera Bread and Sharky’s at the Janss Marketplace during our annual TEC Hanukkah Candle lighting. We are also planning a fun Hanukkah get together and book exchange for Machar. Check your calendars and pencil us in if you’re free.

Email us at youth@templeetzchaim.org or call us (805) 4943648 if you have any questions or would like to sign up your kiddo!

David Brook, Executive Director david@templeetzchaim.org

January Events: Youth Commission Parent Meeting 1/06/19- Meet in the Youth Lounge 10:15 am-11:15 am Let’s start the New Year off right by getting together!

Shannon Tepfer 3

Early Childhood Education We love that the holiday of Hanukkah comes after Thanksgiving! It lends for great conversation when we try to compare the two holidays. We can talk about how both holidays allowed for a group of people to stand up for their beliefs and freedom of worship. We cook delicious foods on both holidays. We can talk about tzedakah and sharing with others. We have two historical stories to tell along with holiday songs and blessings.

Debbie Blumenthal, Director of ECE debbieb@templeetzchaim.org

Rabbi Spiegel and Hazzan Pablo light the huge menorah, sing Hanukkah songs and enjoy hot latkes. I’ll have dreidels and chocolate gelt for all the children too!

Our December Tot Shabbat Service will be on Friday, December 21st starting at 5:45 p.m. with dinner in the Wolfson Auditorium followed by Shabbat blessings, songs, and a Shabbat story. Check in the School Office for cost and RSVP information. Let’s celebrate our last Tot Shabbat of 2018 and welcome 2019!

The Preschool will be closed December 24th – January 6th, 2019 for Winter Break. We are accepting registration for Winter Camp for those who need childcare during those weeks. See Debbie or Linda in the school office for details or to register. The Infant Center is closed December 24th and 25th as well as December 31st and January 1st.

We are especially excited about our annual Scholastic Book Fair which will be open in the school building rotunda from Tuesday, November 27th – Sunday, December 2nd. Reading is great for all ages and books make the best gifts! Check out the classroom “Wish Lists” and book exchanges also.

Our annual Hanukkah Candle lighting service at the Janss Marketplace will be on Wednesday, December 5th at 6:15 p.m.

This event is open to the community as together we watch

Happy Hanukkah and Happy New Year to all!

Debbie Blumenthal

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Religious School This past Monday evening, after the mass shooting that occurred at The Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Confirmation Students joined together to discuss their thoughts and share their questions regarding this tragedy.

The students articulated their concerns about fellow Jews around the world.

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

environment in which students can feel safe to ask these questions: Karen Garelik, 8th grade; Linda Hutchings, 9th grade; Hazzan Pablo, 10th grade; Rabbi Spiegel, 11th and 12th grades. I am lucky to have the opportunity to work with such wonderful and committed people.

Unfortunately, I must now add that late last night heartbreak struck again. At 12:30 am, I listened to the news and heard that there were gun shots in Thousand Oaks at the Borderline Bar and Grill. I was in disbelief as this tragedy unfolded over the next few hours. So many people were killed. As we now know, the loss of life was horrendous and senseless. I still can’t believe that this happened in our city.

I would like to share with you a glimpse of this recent session in our eighth-grade class taught by Karen Garelik, an exceptional and gifted Confirmation teacher.

Some of the questions our eighth-grade students asked were:

And now, I must add what will hopefully be the final tragedy to strike our local community. The raging fires and evacuations from our homes was stressful and devastating for so many in our community. Together, we are incredibly sad for those who lost their homes, businesses, schools, and so much more. It is shocking that there was significant damage to Ilan Ramon Day School and our local Jewish camps,

*Why Jews? *Why was it at the Temple? Did he have any ties to the Nazis? *Why did this happen? *Why would someone do this? *Will this affect the future and will this happen again?

JCA Shalom and Hess Kramer who both lost many of their buildings to the flames.

*Did his past have to do something with this? *Should people be allowed to have guns?

Words do not seem enough to convey our feelings of gratitude to our brave firefighters, policeman, and personnel who helped all of us in so many ways. Please forgive me if I didn’t mention everything or everyone. This week leaves us all numb.

*Shouldn’t there have been security to stop the man? *Why do we know of hundreds of anti-Semitic groups, but no one is trying to stop them? *Was he part of an anti-Semitic group?

Especially in the wake of these tragedies, I hope that as we come together to celebrate Hanukkah, we can reflect on our love for our family and friends and rely on each other and our community for support.

*Why would a Jewish doctor help save the murderer’s life? *What will be his punishment? *Does he regret it?

Joyce Bronstein

We are blessed to have an outstanding staff teaching and guiding our young adults who are capable of creating an

It’s not just

Havdalah & Hotdogs This year’s theme

“Spread the Ahavah” Featuring exciting crafts and activities!

Enjoy Havdalah together & a Hotdog dinner too!

Saturday, January 26 at 5:30 pm Reserve your space now! $5 per member, $10 per non-member, children under two free!

Hotdog dinner served promptly at 5:30 pm followed by Havdalah Service and Evening Program RSVP due by Thursday, January 10, 2019. Sign up online or mail your form to TEC Religious School!

Payment confirms registration! Please note Havdalah and Hotdogs on your envelope.

Questions? Call Joyce Bronstein at 805-494-8174 5

Women of Temple Etz Chaim November was quite a month for us all! With the horrors of the month – Squirrel Hill, Borderline, and the fires – we spent the better part of those few weeks holding our collective breath.

But TEC is a community, and we all came together to mourn, to be with each other, and to offer help to those who needed it, whether by opening our homes to those who had to evacuate or coming together at shul. I am so grateful that we are all safe, and that our homes and families are safe as well. There was much to be thankful for this year at Thanksgiving.

Cindy Scherr, WOTEC President womenoftec@templeetzchaim.org

of all our sales and paying our vendors.

What’s next on WOTEC’s agenda?

On January 23, International Women’s League President Margie Miller will be visiting us. Please be sure to join us for a great evening of fun, delicious snacks and wine, and fun activities, planned by Shannon Tepfer, Sarah Karamas, and Ilana Sweet. Come meet Margie and hear about Women’s League. The evening promises to be truly special!

And now it’s December. Chanukah has always been my favorite Jewish holiday. Not because of the presents, although those are always fun. There’s something about seeing all the Chanukiahs lit up, and seeing the faces of my children lit up as well, singing the prayers and songs, and celebrating miracles.

To me, the holiday is about family and togetherness. And of course, latkes! And by the way, if you need last minute gifts, or just candles and gelt, be sure to visit the Judaica shop – Ann Ross and her wonderful crew of volunteers can help with whatever you need.

With all of that, November was also a busy month for Women of TEC! Our Second Annual Challah Bake was a great success, with almost 100 people coming together to bake challah together. Thank you to Tami Wank and Elissa Lazarus for putting on this event again. I’m sure we’re all already looking forward to next year’s bake! We also hosted our annual Chanukah boutique, with almost 25 vendors and our Judaica shop. Thank you to all those who came to support the boutique – those who helped both at the boutique and in the kitchen, those who provided such wonderful merchandise, and those who shopped! Special thanks to Wendy Margolis and the Kitchenettes for providing breakfast and lunch for our vendors, and to Jennifer Sonnenberg-Rhim for keeping track

Marshall and I wish you all a very happy Chanukah. May the light from the candles be reflected in all of our hearts.

B’Shalom,

Cindy Scherr

Torah Fund Campaign Guardian Torah Fund Donors:

Susan & Sheldon Malchicoff

Cyndi Mahler

Sheri Schoenwald

Wendy Margolis

Gail Simpson

Barbara Rosenberg

Barbara Shannon Barbara Krupin

Benefactor Torah Fund Donors: Elissa Lazarus Cindy Scherr Nomi Freed Robin Oberman Tami Wank Sydelle Goodman Sandra Fine Debbie Feldman Pam Friedman

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Fay Glodowski Sandy Reuben Lisa Eidman Julie Goldstein

Liz Groden Elinor Fienberg Sheila Chadroff Patricia Kaye Deli Weisberg Sybil Goldstein Harvey Gurien Janice Orlowski Ava and Robert Gold Bonnie Rothman

Torah Fund Donors: Shirley Lipkin Ann Goldwasser

Jacqueline Stern

William Tenenbaum Gloria Tess Wilkoff Eva Liebman

Mary Wexler

Alan Flaschner

Susan Cohen

Barbara Krupin

Cyndi Mahler

Photos from the Second Annual Challah Bake

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Tami Wank, Trustee-Community Outreach outreach@templeetzchaim.org

Community Outreach Bereavement Support Group

12/12/18 and 12/26/18 9:30 AM in the Library

If you are grieving the loss of a loved one, this community-wide support group can provide you with an opportunity to share your feelings free of charge.

The 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month (9:30am-10:30am) at TEC in the library.

The Bereavement Support is led by Lori Oberman (MFT), loriobernan@aol.com.

Order Scrip Gift Cards

Purchase gift cards and support the temple. You purchase gift cards (scrip) from $25-$100 and use them at your favorite retailers.

TEC earns a percentage with each gift card purchase- no hidden fees or costs.

Get cards for a variety of stores: Starbucks, Target, Amazon, Staples, Best Buy, and Vons! You can even custom order for most other stores!

To place your order, see Jessica in the front office, call (805) 497-6891, or email sharimark@templeetzchaim.org.

Say Shalom Dinner “Community”

Come to the next Say Shalom dinner on Friday, January 11 at 6:00 pm in the Social Hall. Our dinner will be centered around the theme of “community.”

As always, the dinner is complimentary and open to everyone, but your RSVP is requested by Thursday, January 3. Please call the front office at (805) 497-6891 or e-mail sharimark@templeetzchaim.org with the number of people in your party.

Social Action

Mark Goldstein, VP of Social Action socialaction@templeetzchaim.org

This past month was trying on our Jewish community and the community of the Conejo Valley. After the horrific killings in Pittsburgh at the Tree of Life Synagogue, we mobilized quickly and through great teamwork including David Brook, Rabbi Spiegel and Joyce Bronstein, Temple Etz Chaim provided a meaningful stirring tribute in the form of a Solidarity Service that included local civic leaders, members of other faiths, and the Anti-Defamation League. This was followed by the local tragedies of the Borderline shootings and the Hill and Woolsey fires. In stressful times like these, the power of community is important. We are stronger together; together with each other in our TEC community and together with others in the Conejo Valley.

In this vein, we are pleased that some of our friends in the interfaith community were able to support us at the Solidarity Service and participate in the recent Women of TEC Challah Bake. There is great comfort in having the greater community support us in times of need, and sharing our traditions strengthens understanding. We continue to facilitate creating bonds with those in the interfaith community. The Interfaith Interaction Committee is actively preparing to roll out our Visitor Welcome Team to guide those of other faiths visiting Shabbat services and our Mock Seder Team to provide mock Seders to other faiths in our community at their places of worship.

To learn more about Social Action and Interfaith Interaction programs, share your ideas and join in, please attend our Social Action / Interfaith Interaction monthly meetings starting in January 2019, dates to be announced.

Mark Goldstein

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Sharing the Challah Bake with the Interfaith Community

Hanukkah How to Guide Add one candle each night of Hanukkah. On the first night, light only the shammash, the “helper candle” in the center of the Hanukkiah and one other candle. At the end of the eight days, you light all of the candles.

Add candles to the Hanukkiah from right to left, which is the same direction the Hebrew language is read. After lighting the shammash, recite the following blessings. Don’t light the rest of the candles until you say the blessings!

Blessing over the Candles

‫ וציוונו להדליק נר של חנוכה‬,‫ אשר קידשנו במצוותיו‬,‫ אלוהינו מלך העולם‬,‫ברוך אתה יי‬ Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melech haolam, asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav v’tsivanu l’hadlik ner shel Hanukkah.

Praised are You, Our God, Ruler of the universe, Who made us holy through Your commandments and commanded us to kindle the Hanukkah lights.

Blessing for the Hanukkah Miracle

‫ בימים ההם בזמן הזה‬,‫ שעשה נסים לאבותינו‬,‫ אלוהינו מלך העולם‬,‫ברוך אתה יי‬ Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melech haolam, she-asah nisim la’avoteinu bayamim hahem bazman hazeh.

Praised are You, Our God, Ruler of the universe, Who performed wondrous deeds for our ancestors in those ancient days at this season.

Shehecheyanu (first night only)

‫ והגענו לזמן הזה‬,‫ וקיימנו‬,‫ שהחיינו‬,‫ אלוהינו מלך העולם‬,‫ברוך אתה יי‬ Baruch atah adonai elohenu melech ha’olam, shehecheyanu, v’kiyimanu, v’higiyanu lazman hazeh Praised are You, Our God, Ruler of the universe, Who has given us life and sustained us and enabled us to reach this season.

Dreidel The dreidel has four sides each with a Hebrew letter written on it. The four letters are Nun (‫)נ‬, Gimel (‫)ג‬, Hey (‫)ה‬, and Shin (‫)ש‬.

Together, the four letters mean “A great miracle happened there,” which refers to the menorah that miraculously stayed alight for eight days in Jerusalem.

The game is normally played with coins, chips, or gelt (chocolate coins). Before playing the game, deposit a coin into the “kupah” or pot. Spin the dreidel and take action as follows: Nun – “nothing” – the next player spins Gimel – “all” – the player takes the entire pot Hey – “half” – the player takes half of the pot Shin – “put in” – the player puts one or two in the pot

Everyone gets a turn to spin the dreidel. Enjoy the chocolatey winnings!

Source: https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/hanukkah-candle-lighting-ceremony/

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Contributions to our Synagogue Rabbi Richard Spiegel Discretionary Fund Religious School Fund

Women of TEC Tributes

In memory of Lillian Borman, Harvey Mahler

In memory of Beatrice Speiser, Robin Goldfinger

Debbie Blumenthal, Our condolences, Cindy and Marshall Scherr

In memory of Tillie Samson, Karen Samson Smith

In memory of Alfred Shapiro, Barbara Budish

Wendy and Peter Margolis, Mazel Tov, Cindy and Marshall Scherr

In memory of Alice Wasserman, Ted Wasserman

In memory of William Gould, Larry Gould

In memory of Samuel Groden, Ronald Groden In memory of Leah Besbeck, Claire Silverman In memory of Myrna Dale Bernick, Joan Bernick

In memory of Sylvia Schneider, Mitchell Schneider In memory of Gussie Liebman, Mitchell Schneider In memory of Patricia Rose, Pamela Friedman

In memory of Sharon May Friedman, In memory of Zena Bernick, Joan Bernick Steven Friedman

Torah Fund In memory of Leo Mahler, Harvey Mahler

Tzedakah Fund In memory of Lillian Bettman Kluber, Lou Kluber In memory of Harvey Goldberg, Joyce Goldberg

In memory of Alice Horowitz, Seymour Horowitz

In memory of Irwin Stockell, Bonnie Rothman

Hazzan Pablo Duek Discretionary Fund

In memory of Solomon Stockwell, Bonnie Men’s Club Scholar-in-Residence Rothman In memory of Aaron Marcus, Bruce In memory of Maurice Silverman, Kevin Cohen Axelrad

In memory of Marcelle Carlin, Jerome Ratzan In memory of Doris Levine, Gary Levine In memory of Etta Brodsky, Mark Brodsky In memory of Fania Orlowski, Jan Orlowski In memory of Rose Silverman, Kevin Axelrad In memory of Jylian Mendelson, Beau Mann Hazzan Pablo, In appreciation, Judith Sneed

Temple General Fund

Joyce Bronstein, In appreciation, Barbara Men’s Club Silverstein Humanitarian and Gary Budish

Fund

In memory of Robert Zucherman, Mark

Elisa Feldman Memorial Religious School Zucherman Scholarship Fund In memory of Rose Axelrad, Kevin Axelrad

Lipnick Religious School Scholarship Fund In memory of Bertha Winterstein, Susan Goldberg

In memory of Toby Miller, Susan Kanner

In memory of Irwin Stockell, Bonnie Rothman

In memory of Marcia Baslow, Risa Leonard

Early Childhood Education Fund

In memory of Theo Frankel, Judith Miller In memory of Lillian Gurien, Harvey Gurien

In memory of Maurice Schwartz, Susan Malchicoff

Debbie Blumenthal and Jeanne Thomas, Our condolences, Ronnie Greenberg, Diane Steinberg, Jill and Jeff Rosenfeld, Jotkowitz Camp Ramah Scholarship Fund Traci and Ross Blumenthal, and Stuart Steinberg In memory of Gerald Hayman, Ann Hayman

Dunaier Music Fund In memory of William Deutsch, Frances Deutsch In memory of Ethel and Robert Seaver, Barbara Freeman 10

In memory of Wilma Saly, Gari and Richard Saly

Barbara & Harvey Scherr Memorial Fund In memory of Rose Fisher, Sydelle Goodman In memory of Dora Bigley, Ferne Blaugrund

Fienberg-Lerner Chapel Minyan Fund In memory of Joseph Lerner, Elinor Fienberg

Calendar Temple Etz Chaim Calendar of Events

DECEMBER 2018 Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday 1

23 Kislev

10:00 AM Shabbat Services

2

24 Kislev 3

FIRST NIGHT OF HANUKKAH

25 Kislev 4

DAY 1 HANUKKAH

26 Kislev

9:45 AM Parent and Me Talk

5:30 PM USY Senior 10:00 AM Tuesday Hangout and with Rabbi Dinner

11:15 AM Kadima Lounge

7:15 PM Minyan

8:30 AM Minyan

9

1 Tevet 10

DAY 7 HANUKKAH 8:30 AM Minyan

2 Tevet 11

7:30 PM Cantor’s

6:15 PM USY Junior Lounge

2:00 PM Kadima and USY Junior Ice Skating

16

8 Tevet 17

9 Tevet 18

23

28 Kislev 7

DAY 4 HANUKKAH

7:15 PM Minyan 7:45 PM Men’s Club Poker Night

5:00 PM Bingo

11 Tevet

7:30 PM Sixth Grade Shabbat Dinner and Program

5 Tevet 14

5:00 PM Bingo

7:15 PM Minyan

10 Tevet 19

DAY 5 HANUKKAH

7:15 PM Minyan

7:15 PM Minyan

20

7:30 PM Kabbalat Shabbat

12 Tevet 21

5:00 PM Bingo

7:30 PM TEC Board Meeting

15 Tevet 24

16 Tevet 25

17 Tevet 26

DAY 6 HANUKKAH 10:00 AM Shabbat Services

6 Tevet 15

18 Tevet 27

7:30 PM Kabbalat Shabbat

19 Tevet 28

10:00 AM JAM

14 Tevet

10:00 AM Shabbat Services

20 Tevet 29

RELIGIOUS PRESCHOOL/INFANT CENTER CLOSED PRESCHOOL WINTER CAMP/INFANT CENTER OPEN SCHOOL CLOSED CHRISTMAS EVE CHRISTMAS DAY (DEC. 23 - JAN. 5) TEMPLE OFFICE TEMPLE OFFICE 9:30 AM Bereavement 5:00 PM Bingo 7:30 PM Kabbalat CLOSES AT 2 PM CLOSED Support Group Shabbat

7 Tevet

10:00 AM Shabbat Services

13 Tevet 22

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7:00 PM Book Club

30 Kislev

7:30 PM Kabbalat Shabbat

4 Tevet 13

9:30 AM Bereavement Support Group

29 Kislev 8

10:00 AM Tuesdays with Rabbi

8:30 AM Minyan 11:30 AM Machar Hanukkah Party

with Rabbi

27 Kislev 6

DAY 3 HANUKKAH

3 Tevet 12

DAY 8 HANUKKAH 10:00 AM Tuesday

9:30 AM TK-2 Hanukkah Concert Program

5

DAY 2 HANUKKAH

21 Tevet

10:00 AM Shabbat Services

8:30 AM Minyan

7:15 PM Minyan 30

22 Tevet 31

8:30 AM Minyan

7:15 PM Minyan

23 Tevet

PRESCHOOL/INFANT CENTER CLOSED NEW YEAR’S EVE TEMPLE OFFICE CLOSES AT 2 PM 7:15 PM Minyan

SAVE THE DATE Preschool Winter Camp/Infant Center Open January 2-4, 2019

Religious School Resumes January 6, 2019

Say Shalom Dinner January 11, 2019 11

Bingo Marathon January 20, 2019

Religious School Closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day January 21, 2019

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

Rabbi Richard Spiegel

Jeff Solomon, President

Elissa Lazarus, Corresponding Secretary

Hazzan Pablo Duek

Shari Mark, Executive Vice President

Larry Slomowitz, VP Building and Grounds

Rabbi Emeritus Shimon Paskow

Sherri Finn, Immediate Past President

Felicia Toporoff, VP Religious School

Debbie Cohen-Sitt, VP Youth

Tami Wank, Trustee Community Outreach

Administration

Mark Goldstein, VP Social Action

David Yodkovik, Treasurer

David Brook, Executive Director

Robin Kahn, Trustee Business Services

Joe Zwicker, VP Early Childhood Education

Debbie Blumenthal, ECE Director

Ken Leon, VP Religion and Worship

Terri Zwicker, Trustee Strategic Planning

Kathy Sharp, ECE Assistant Director

Gideon Manzur, VP Communications

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

12