ETZETERA - April 2024

Clergy

Rabbi Ari Averbach

Interim Cantor Kenny Ellis

Associate Chaplain Benny Sommerfeld

Rabbi Emeritus Richard Spiegel

Rabbi Emeritus Simon Paskow (z”l)

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

Office Manager Shane Silverstein

ECE Administrative Assistant Linda Starr

RS Administrative Assistant Sarah Karamas

Membership Services 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 Shira Soria

Recording Secretary Rachael Pugh

VP, Building & Grounds Dan Wachs

VP, Early Childhood Education Chad Hampton

VP, Personnel & Legal Josh Hopstone

VP, Project Funding Wendy Margolis*

VP, Religion & Worship Cheryl Wolf

VP, Religious School Education Adya Riss

VP, Social Action Pam Friedman

VP, Ways and Means Judy Gindi

VP, Youth Ilana Sweet

Trustee, At-Large Rachel Carmona

Trustee, Bingo Arnie Blitstein

Trustee, Governance Steve Plotkin

Trustee, Programming Dan Lubetkin

Trustee, Security Paul Dryman

Trustee, Sustainability Ely Jacobsohn

President, Men’s Club Irwin Barney

SCHEDULE OF SERVICES

Letters from Our Leaders

When my parents moved to Agoura Hills in the mid-1980s, their friends from the old country (Tarzana) thought they were becoming farmers. Agoura was horses, cows and orange groves, plus the occasional Renaissance Faire. It felt so far away, even though it wasn’t.

When I asked about applying for the job here, a colleague noted that Rabbi Paskow (z”l) had the vision of taking on the role of rabbi when Thousand Oaks was nothing but a 7-11 and a gas station, and he helped build the community into the thriving suburb it is now.

Our membership is growing, owing in large part to our incredible ECE and religious school, and the vision of so many who have volunteered their time to continue breaking ground here.

And still, sometimes it feels like we are cloistered way out here, disconnected from the benefits of being this close to Greater LA. We feel lucky that we have our own unique community, far away from the traffic and hubbub on the other side of the hill.

But it is also important to remember that we have access to some of the resources that the big city offers. Through Federation’s Ezra Network, we can take advantage of the incredible resources – job counselors, legal counselors, and social workers – who are specially trained in helping people in need.

The goal of a community is to take care of each other during difficult moments. With the assistance of the Ezra Network, we have access to what we need, while living in the beautiful Conejo Valley. For more information: jewishla.org/ezra

Benny Sommerfeld, Chaplain

benny@templeetzchaim.org

Spring has arrived and with its season one of our most celebrated holidays. Yes, you might have guessed it, it is Pesach and Shavuot. The beginning of our peoplehood, we are redeemed, liberated out of Egypt from slavery and the journey begins. Seven weeks later the Israelites arrived at the foot of Mt Sinai for the revelation, the receiving the Torah. Every year we are reliving these events, to remind us that this is an everlasting experience from generation to generation.

We are cleaning our homes from breadcrumbs and chametz. Some of us will take this purifying activity to heart and turn our homes upside down, to rid our home from chametz. However, this is the physical preparation for Passover. The spiritual preparation starts on the second day of Pesach, the counting of the Omer. Each of the seven weeks has an attribute that refines our soul. Since all these attributes are individually focused it is up to us to translate what it means for you.

We start with loving-kindness, chesed, focusing on being more loving to our dear ones and our surroundings. The second week is justice and discipline, gevurah, challenging ourselves to stick to our promises and goals without being too harsh when things don’t

go our way. The third week is about harmony and beauty, tiferet, the midpoint between loving kindness and discipline. The fourth week is all about endurance, netzach, hanging in there knowing that the halfway mark is past. Week five is focused on humility and modesty, hod. The belief that weakness is part of humility is not true. Instead, it is trying to move your ego out of the way, to be open to encounter the other. Week 6 is foundation, Yesod, we are building ourselves up for the moment of receiving the Torah, creating a foundation. This is leading up to the last week, which is Majesty or kingship, malchut, the attribute that usher’s in festival of Shavuot.

I recognize that this is a lot to absorb being that the descriptions are short and on a high level. Try to see if you can pivot between the different attributes during the seven weeks of the Omer. This yearly opportunity to refine our spiritual character is unique and I hope it elevates you to a higher spiritual level. I hope and pray that that the Omer period can usher in peace in Israel.

Chag Kosher Pesach Sameach.

Eric Feigenbaum, President

If the High Holidays are the time we each reflect on who we are individually, Passover is the time we reflect on ourselves collectively. What does our world look like? Is it free? Are people safe? Can they be them? What can we be grateful for – and who doesn’t have our blessings? Who can we help?

We welcome strangers into our homes, consider all the people who lack the incredible freedoms and prosperity we have and wonder what we can all do to have “next year in Jerusalem.”

Growing up, our Haggadot always mentioned the USSR as the primary place of people – especially Jews – without freedom including the freedom of religion. We needed to celebrate Pesach for them. Today whatever few Jews left in Russia may have the ability to celebrate Pesach – but how truly free is Russia? And thanks to Operation Exodus, many if not most of those Jews are celebrating Passover in Israel – maybe some in Jerusalem.

Nowadays, it’s easy to miss the simplicity of the binary world of two superpowers – one representing freedom and other repression. I can’t think of a time in my life more so than now where the freedom and relative safety we enjoy is more precious. Beyond the

As families around the world gather to celebrate Passover, they commemorate the ancient Exodus from Egypt, an event symbolizing liberation from oppression and the journey towards freedom. This festival is a time-honored tradition where the story of the Israelites’ escape from slavery is retold, serving as a powerful reminder of the resilience and perseverance of the Jewish people.

Passover is not just a reflection on the past but a relevant observance in today’s context, especially as we face the resurgence of antisemitism in various forms. In this modern era, the shadows of hatred and bigotry still loom, challenging us to stand firm against those who seek to harm or eliminate Jewish communities. The celebration of Passover becomes an act of defiance against oppression, a reaffirmation of Jewish identity and continuity.

This year, the festival is particularly poignant, given the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. As we sit at our Seder tables, recounting the ancient tale of liberation, we are reminded of the current turmoil and the hundreds of Israeli families whose celebrations are marred by pain and uncertainty. These families await the return of their loved ones, taken amid the conflict, making this year’s Passover a somber occasion for many.

obvious hot spots of Israel, Ukraine, Haiti and Sudan so much of our world lives under authoritarianism and restricted freedoms. From our backyard in places like Honduras, El Salvador and Venezuela to places most Americans rarely venture or discuss like Myanmar, North Korea, Cameroon, Yemen, Somalia and Libya – so many of our fellow human beings live in the same kind of oppression that Moses and our ancestors fled.

Passover is a North Star – reminding us what is essential and where the work of Tikkun Olam is waiting to be done. Sure, we all have the struggles of our lives. We’ll bicker among ourselves about the proper density of matzah balls, whose brisket is best and is potato kugel still relevant in our world today? This year, our kids may gripe about the Pesadich lunches they have to take to school (although I personally loved the years when that happened to me – my mom, who may be reading, made awesome lunches during Passover). All the same, by any reasonable standard throughout all of human history – we are blessed with an incredible quality of life, freedom and opportunity. And if we’re lucky and persistent, maybe we’ll be able to help someone else – maybe even a group of people – find their way to freedom too.

The story of Passover encourages us to reflect on the themes of freedom and redemption, which are deeply resonant in the context of these families’ experiences. It urges us to not only remember the struggles of the past but also to acknowledge the ongoing battles for security and peace in the present. The narrative of the Exodus becomes a lens through which we view our current challenges, inspiring us to pursue justice and peace in our world.

As we break the matzah and share the bitter herbs, let us remember the bitter taste of oppression and the fragility of freedom. Let this Passover be a time of solidarity and strength, where we commit to fighting against antisemitism and supporting those who face threats to their safety and freedom. Let us also pray for the safe return of those who are absent from their families, hoping that next year’s Passover will be celebrated in a world of peace and security.

In commemorating Passover, we are reminded of the enduring spirit of the Jewish people, who, through centuries of trials and tribulations, have maintained their identity and faith. Let this festival renew our resolve to stand against hatred and violence, and let it inspire us to work towards a future where freedom and justice prevail for all.

TEC Education

debbieb@templeetzchaim.org

April is here and Pesach is near and so our preschoolers will begin their preparation for this favorite Jewish holiday. This spring holiday preparation means that our classes are cooking and tasting Passover foods like matzah, matzah-brei, charoset and matzah ball soups. The children are acting out the story of Moses, and learning about the ten plagues, the four questions, and the Passover Seder. In each classroom, the children will participate in a model Seder, complete with the telling of the Passover story, familiar Passover songs and blessings. Our Early Childhood Education Center will be

joyce@templeetzchaim.org

I have many thoughts as we anticipate Passover. First, of course, the work. Oy! The cooking, the setup, and the cleanup. But I also think about the Israelites long ago being enslaved people in Egypt. Now is a time to celebrate and be free. How can we rejoice, however, when over 130 hostages are currently being held in Gaza? I can’t imagine what they are thinking and how their captors are treating them. When will they be freed? Are they still alive? I continue to pray for their safety and release. Our tradition teaches us that G-d wants all people to be free worldwide. Hopefully, this will happen soon.

This year, unlike all previous years, I will add a new symbol on our Seder plate, a dove to remember the hostages. This year, it will be that

closed Monday, April 22-Wednesday, April 24th.

Our classes for the 2024-25 school year are all just about filled. If you are planning on attending and have not registered yet, please contact Debbie Blumenthal for more information. We are already filling our school calendar for next year with amazing programming.

The early childhood staff and I would love to wish everyone a wonderful Passover holiday! Happy Passover!

much more important to spend time during the Seder to read poems and talk about the people who are held captive and cannot experience the happiness of celebrating Passover with their loved ones.

We wish for all people who suffered immense loss on October 7th to truly be free, both physically and mentally. As we observe Passover with our loved ones, let’s celebrate the greatness of freedom.

The staff and I wish you and your family a meaningful, memorable, and peaceful Passover. Am Yisrael Chai!

Chag Sameach, Joyce

Debbie Blumenthal, Early Education Director

Joyce Bronstein, Religious School Director

Cindy Goldberg, Programming & Youth Director

Thank you to everyone who volunteered and participated in the Saturday night 80s shpiel, Megillah reading and costume parade on Sunday morning and our carnival. Everyone really came together,

and a great time was had by all. Now, on to Pesach fun! Save the date of 4/23 for the community Seder. More details on page 3.

TEC Community

Linda Hutchings, President, Women of TEC

WOMEN of TEC NEEDS YOU! We are looking for volunteers

to help with committees and members to come forward to serve in leadership roles on our board. There is lots to be done and we are always looking to widen our audience and improve our programming. It is truly a rewarding experience and a wonderful way to get more involved at Temple.

Did you know each year we consistently lead in auxiliary sponsored donations to the synagogue community and we are honored and proud to do so. Our High Holiday Booklets take many hours of hard work to put together each year and the income helps provide funding for our annual contributions to the synagogue, the religious school, the ECE and Youth programs. In addition, we are always looking forward to the Jewish Overnight Camp Scholarships we provide each year.

March was a busy month and a big thank you to all of the volunteers that made the Arts and Crafts Booth we hosted at the Purim Carnival

such a terrific success! It is always a joy to see all of the smiling faces at the carnival and the camaraderie enjoyed by all who participated. Our previously scheduled beach event with Men’s Club is being postponed as TEC is looking forward to hosting a special speaker, Rachel Lester, on April 14th, who will explain about the work she does creating digital content for social media in support of the IDF and combatting the disinformation that is unfortunately so prevalent in the digital world.

Please mark your calendars for our very special Woman of Valor Luncheon honoring the amazing Bonnie Rothman on Sunday, May 5th at 11:30am. A Save the Date has gone out and invitations to follow. As always, please keep checking your WOTEC Constant Contact updates and please reach out if you would like to contribute with WOTEC leadership by serving on our board or volunteering for a committee position.

Irwin Barney, President, Men’s Club

March was a very active month for the Men’s Club. On the evening of March 16, Ryan Winthrop lead a class on cocktail making with a Purim theme including drinks named The Mordechai Mash and The Grogger. Attendees made their own cocktails using the provided recipes, supplies, and cocktail making kits. Of course, everyone enjoyed the benefits of their labor.

On March 17, Steve Friedman led an Adventure in Learning focused on photography. Participants learned the difference between a snapshot and a picture. The event took place in the Conejo Valley Botanic Garden that included a scavenger hunt of plant life to photograph and to apply what was learned in creating a picture.

On March 24, the Men’s Club continued the tradition of hosting a Beer Garden at the TEC Purim Carnival. Thanks to Gary Katz for

leading this activity.

As a reminder, the Men’s Club annual Scholar in Residence program will take place the weekend of April 5 to 7. This year’s speaker is Shira Telushkin who is a religion writer and reporter living in Brooklyn. We are honored to debut a speaker with intergenerational appeal who has an engaging and charming approach to a wide range of relevant contemporary topics that touch our lives today. Thanks to Mark Zucherman, our Scholar in Residence chair, who is coordinating the program.

As you know, we celebrate Pesach this month. On the weekend of April 26 and 27, the Men’s Club and WOTEC will lead services during Shabbat Chol HaMoed Pesach. We hope that you will be able to join us. I wish everyone a Chag Pesach Kasher.

Pam Friedman, VP, Social Action

Social Action will be starting off the month of April with a food drive for the Manna Food Pantry April 1st-7th. Rabbi Averbach and I were so happy to see that the Manna bins already have been filling up. It is so heartwarming to see so much kindness. We will have tables set in the lobby near the Temple office for your donations. Thank you for joining us.

Our next community outreach project will be teaming up with the Women’s Interfaith Network (WIN) to support Many Mansions. Many Mansions is a nonprofit organization that provides affordable housing for low-income seniors, families, veterans, and disabled individuals in Southern California. In addition, Many Mansions provides on-site support services for adults and families. With this continued stabilizing guidance, residents can move and manage their lives.

Social Action and WIN will be asking for donations for Many Mansions Villa Grande apartments in Thousand Oaks. Villa Grande is home to families and adults that have transitioned from homelessness. They need basic household cleaning supplies for the kitchen, bathroom, and laundry. A complete list will be sent out soon. Look for the flyer around mid-April and thank you again for your continued support.

Manna food donation list

canned spaghetti sauce

canned pasta: raviolis, spaghettiOs

canned soup

canned fruit

dry/uncooked rice or pasta

box instant potatoes

canned tuna

shelf stable drinks: almond milk

hot cereal or cold cereal

fruit juice any flavor

Susan Kane, Chairperson, Inclusion Committee

On March 18th TEC had the privilege of hosting several young people, nonspeakers with autism, along with their practitioners, that use the Spell to Communicate (S2C) method, as well as viewing of the award-winning documentary, SPELLERS. S2C empowers and teaches individuals with motor challenges to overcome traditional oral communication barriers by pointing to letters on a board as an alternative means of communication. Using the letterboards or a special keyboard, our guests shared their experiences as well as answered questions and educated all that attended, including our Confirmation students, about this impactful and powerful communication method. To learn more about S2C, visit https://i-asc.org/s2c-spelling-to-communicate. Special thanks to Paula Kaplan-Lefko and Cindy Goldberg for bringing this program to TEC and raising awareness around an important topic.

Check out the newly added listing of Community Resources under the ‘CONNECT’ tab on the TEC website. Among these are organizations that provide information and/or support in the areas of addiction, medical crises, special needs, social services and for the LGBTQ+ community. If there is an organization that you think should be included as a Community Resource, please let us know.

A variety of social services and support are available through THE EZRA NETWORK. These include mental health counseling, job search support and legal assistance, among other things. Please see the flyer included in this month’s bulletin. In addition, if you need help navigating services or are not sure where to call, the Jewish Federation of Los Angeles has a warm line at (855) JFED-HLP.

Magnifying sheets are now available to support those with vision impairment. They will be available in the lobby to be used during services. Please return them to the lobby at the conclusion of services. Should you need them for any other temple related activity, please notify the office in advance to make arrangements.

Mark your calendars and join us for Pride Shabbat (June 7-8th:). Stay tuned for details.

The Inclusion Committee seeks to expand the opportunities for full participation and support by listening to congregants’ needs and experiences so we can advocate for positive changes. We certainly don’t have all the answers, so we are leading with curiosity and welcome your thoughts and suggestions on where can we improve and what are we doing well. Email us at Inclusion@templeetzchaim.org.

Dates to Remember April

B’nai Mitzvah

My name is Maya Ghozland. I moved to the area about a year and a half ago and my family joined Etz Chaim. I made new friends and became part of this amazing Jewish community. As I become a Bat Mitzvah, I am excited to carry on my family’s Jewish traditions. I am proud to be Jewish and to take this next step to becoming a woman. When I am not studying for my Bat Mitzvah, you can find me on the ski slopes, competing at gymnastic meets or hanging out with my friends. I want to thank my Religious School teachers Toby and Cantor Kenny for teaching me about Judaism and making me a better Jew. I would also like to thank Rabbi Ari, Joyce and my Bat Mitzvah tutor Betty for taking this journey with me. want to thank my parents, brother, and sister for being my biggest fans and always supporting me.

Maya Ghozland April 13

Early Childhood Education Fund

In honor of The Birth of Ezra Joseph David

Scott & Debbie Blumenthal

In memory of Justin Koppel

Richard Koppel

In memory of Alan Lipkin

Kenneth & Linda Starr

Elisa Feldman Memorial Religious School Scholarship Fund

In memory of Marvin Natlin

Marc & Carole Firestone

In memory of Alan Lipkin

Nomi Freed

In memory of Alan Lipkin

Les & Debbie Feldman

In memory of Albert Kaye

Patricia Kaye

In Memory of Gabriella Raileanu

Les & Debbie Feldman

Fienberg-Lerner Chapel Minyan Fund

In honor of Steve & Elinor Fienberg’s 4th great-grandchild, Eden Jade

Barbara Galler

Lipnick RSSK

In memory of Stan Rothman

Bonnie Rothman

Men’s Club

In appreciation of Scholar-in-Residence Program

Steven & Pamela Friedman

Men’s Club Scholar-in-Residence

In memory of Ruth Slomowitz Vogel

Larry Slomowitz

Ner Tamid Education & Community Center Fund

In honor of Peter Margolis’ Birthday

Michael & Karen Roberts

In honor of Peter Margolis’ Birthday

Jeff & Sheri Schoenwald

Rabbi Averbach’s Discretionary Fund

In memory of Lawrence Cohen

Robert & Stephanie Shipow

With great appreciation for all the support Rabbi Averbach provided me and my family

Cheryl Kessler

In memory of Ruth Waters

Hattie Wolf

In appreciation of Rabbi Averbach’s continued support of our family

Paul, Susan, Ryan, Claire & Julia Eisenstadt

In memory of Bronna Engler

In memory of Joseph Engler

Richard Engler & Ellen Zucker

In memory of Albert Rosenblatt

Linda Rosenblatt

In memory of Paula Winreb

Bob & Betty Zonshine

In memory of Matthew Schoenwald

Jeff Schoenwald

In memory of Alice Shragai

Ruth Rose

In memory of Robert Treisman

Robin Oberman

In memory of Arlyn Pomush

Steve Pomush

In memory of Mala Leichter

Zvi & Yola Kalinski

In memory of Helen Finkelstein

Jeff & Sheri Schoenwald

In appreciation of Rabbi Averbach’s warmth & support & in memory of Bubbe Shirley Davis

David Cohan & Barbara Anik

Religious School Fund

In memory of Roslyn Dallek

Susan Cohen

In memory of Stanley Friedman

Steven & Pamela Friedman

In memory of Michelle Rosenberg

Richard & Barbara Rosenberg

To Leon Bronstien, from the Women of TEC, for making and donating the hand made wooden rolling pins for the WOTEC Babka Bake. Thank you so much!

Randall & Linda Hutchings

In memory of Lily Malchicoff

Sheldon Malchicoff

Jerrald & Deborah Cohen

Ritual Fund

Toward repair or replacement of Torah Cover

George & Susan Kaplan

Sandee Tischler RSSF

In memory of Marcia Levine

Jerome & Dawne Ratzan

Tributes

Social Action Fund

In honor of Feed the Hungry for Harbor House

Bonnie Rothman

Social Action Fund

Thank you to Judy Gindi and Beth Perel for the amazing support & caring at the time of my illness

Patricia Kaye

In memory of Francis Kaye, beloved mother of Jerry & Marty Kaye and mother-in-law of patty and julia kaye

Patricia Kaye

In honor of Feed the Hungry for Harbor House and to Pam & Steve Friedman and their tireless dedication to TEC Social Action’s Feed the Hungry Program

William & Cynthia Koepcke

TEC Garden

In honor of the naming of the TEC Garden amphitheater

Elliot & Lynne Smith

Temple General Fund

In memory of Daniel Presser

Francine Finkelstein

In memory of Marv Natlin

Hillary Natlin

In honor of the birth of Ezra Joseph David

Jay & Debra Levine

In memory of Aizik Pivovarov

Alik Shulman & Yevgeniya Belenkaya-Shulman

In memory of Sam Jacobs

Harold Jacobs

In memory of Sarah Jacobs

Harold Jacobs

In honor of Coby Lev Weiner’s Bris

Paul & Daphne Horowitz

In memory of Dennis “Skip” Ryzow

Neil & Carolyn Bordofsky

Women of TEC Schoarship Fund

In memory of Dennis “Skip” Ryzow

Geraldine Rothenberg

Women of TEC Torah Fund

In memory of Lillian Reuben

Sandra Reuben

Kol Yisrael Arevim Zeh Ba’Zeh Campaign

All the people of Israel are responsible for one another

We strive to make a significant impact through scholarships and programs that benefit students at The Jewish Theological Seminary, Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies, Schechter Institutes, Seminario Rabinico Latinoamericano and Zacharias Frankel College.

Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we help committed Jewish students become the rabbis, cantors, educators, synagogue administrators, social workers, scholars, researchers and lay leaders of tomorrow.

When you support Torah Fund, you help educate students in New York, Los Angeles, Israel, Latin America and Europe—and you align with those who value learning, knowledge and providing the future generation with relevant skills to fortify the Jewish people.

GIVE NOW: INSPIRED.JTSA.EDU/TORAHFUND

This pin highlights the word ‘arevut,’ responsibility. It corresponds to the theme from the Babylonian Talmud, Shevuot 39a, that all the people of Israel are responsible for one another, and we assume that responsibility through our support of the five Conservative/Masorti institutions of higher education.

MAKE IT A PRIORITY TO GIVE TO TORAH FUND TORAH FUND GIVING LEVELS

Click on GIVE NOW above.

Under "Affiliates," write: Temple Etz Chaim.

Under "City" and "State," write: Thousand Oaks, CA You can also make a donation in honor or in memory of someone for any amount ($5 or more)

FOR CHECKS: Make out to "Torah Fund" and leave in Temple Main Office Torah Fund box, or mail the check to TEC and indicate Torah Fund on the envelope.

Let Esther or Phyllis know when you make a donation so we can make sure it goes to the correct place and you and TEC are credited. Although all donations are very appreciated, with any donation of $180 or more you will be gifted with this year’s beautiful pin.

The Mitzvah Committee

is here to help...

and remember your loved ones.

MEMORIAL

We will provide:

What to Expect

We will be at your house a day or two before the funeral, or as time permits, for planning and any questions. We will arrive at your house half hour to one hour before you leave for the cemetery to receive any last-minute instructions. Our volunteers will be there to accept all deliveries and complete the set-up.

• Handwashing station to be set up outside, in front of the door, including water pitcher, paper towels, TV tray and trash bag

• Hard-boiled eggs (12)

• Challah, wine and mini wine cups

• Large and small paper plates, napkins, and cutlery

• Hot and cold cups

• Ice cubes in a cooler

• Large coffee maker, coffee, tea bags

• Sugar, sweeteners, mocha mix

• Large plastic trash bags

Contact

Family provides:

• Tablecloth, serving platters and utensils

• Cold drinks, water bottles

• Folding chairs

Have the deli/bakery deliver:

• Platters of food, bread, salads, cakes, etc.

Special Instructions for the deli/bakery:

• Be sure to schedule these items to be delivered at the same time the funeral is scheduled to begin.

• Remind them not to mix meat and dairy on the same platter.

or inquire via email at Shiva@templeetzchaim.org

After hours, please contact Roni Rosen at 818-585-9449

Schedule of Events APRIL

Join us as we spend the weekend looking at some of the most powerful stories in the Jewish tradition that tell our human story, and explore together what it can tell us about being a Jew in Today’s Modern World.

Shira Telushkin is a producer, an editor, a journalist, who is passionate about our understanding and telling of Jewish Stories in modern times. She writes about religion, fashion, and culture. Her writings have appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, and many other publications. Shira has a BA in Religious Studies from Yale University, and a Masters of Divinity from the Harvard Divinity School, where she studied early Egyptian Christian monasticism. She teaches at the Newmark Journalism school at CUNY.

FRIDAY EVENING Delivered during Services

Should Moral Differences Ever End a Friendship? A Jewish Perspective of stories that can help us unpack friendships that go awry.

SATURDAY MORNING Delivered during Services

Being Holy Does Not Mean Being Good A look back at strange stories about the power of holiness and seeking divine devotion among our saints, mystics and heroes in a world where being useful and serving others all the time can seem like the only way to live a meaningful life.

SATURDAY EVENING Havdalah with refreshments and Q&A

7:00 PM | $18 (no charge for SIR Sponsors any level, and students

Why do Jews Believe in Demons? How do we understand superstitions, angels, and fantastical stories that don't make sense in our modern world.

SUNDAY MORNING BRUNCH (Roundtable and Q&A

10:00 AM, $10 ($8 for Men’s Club members, no charge for SIR Sponsors)

God, Intermarriage, Antisemitism. What 1920s Jewish Advice Columns Can Teach Us Today! Join us for a fun look at historical ways that stories from the 1920s through advice columns and cries for help really resonate with who we are.

Temple Etz Chaim Conservative Synagogue in Thousand Oaks, CA

Please visit our Scholar-In-Residence website often for updated agenda information, details and sponsorship opportunities.

RSVPs are appreciated.

https://www.templeetzchaim.org/connect/mens-club/sir2024

When you get there, we’ll talk a bit about your photography assignment, hand out your scavenger hunt list, and set you on the hunt. Afterward, send your best pictures to we’ll build a fun gallery.

This scavenger hunt will be curated by Steve Friedman and Gary Katz. Both Steve and Gary are well experienced photographers and can help you make a picture instead of a snapshot. What’s the difference? Come along and learn.

Location: Conejo Valley Botanic Garden. We’ll meet up near the botanic garden entrance, just west of Conejo Community

CONFLICT IN ISRAEL ENGAGING IN A DIGITAL WAR

SUNDAY, APRIL 14, 2024

PASKOW SANCTUARY 5:00PM

TEMPLE ETZ CHAIM

1080 E JANSS RD, THOUSAND OAKS, CA

Rachel Lester fights for the Israeli narrative as a video editor and social media manager for the IDF. A Los Angeles native and graduate of USC, she enlisted in the IDF at age 22 to put her skills of making videos to convey and simplify complicated messages about Israel to work. She served for four years as the Creative Director in the IDF’s Spokesperson’s Unit International Branch, and has now been back in reserves since October 7. In her free time, she makes

personal videos addressing hard questions she sees the international community asking about Israel on social media (her Instagram is @rachel.in.reserves). She identifies a key part of the conflict in Israel as a “digital war,” combatting disinformation and educating social media users about what’s really happening. Join us as TEC and Temple Adat Elohim welcome Rachel to talk about her efforts to create compelling content online in this digital war.

SPONSORED BY

images courtesy of @idf

Rachel Lester

Stained Glass Class Stained Glass Class

Oh! I’ve always wanted to do stained glass.

Well Pilgram, now is your chance to throw away those inhibitions and just do it. The objective is to learn how to scribe-and-break straight lines of glass. Then progress to curved lines. Practice, practice, practice. Sweep up the pieces. Then, you will make a project of your choice. Then, as a class we will construct an approved project for the temple. Gideon, the Rabbi, and our temple board will be the sources for approval.

But, but, but. No buts! Come on and join the adventure of learning a craft. Meet people with an inquisitive spirit. Have some pride in acquiring this art and creating a tangible piece of work. Most importantly when we look at our temple project, we really did have a hand in creating it!

How much will this cost?

That is up to you of course. To register, you will invest $25 for the class and most importantly your time. The $25 is a non-refundable escrow type fund, to buy your own supplies for the class. Any amounts remaining will go to the temple scholarship funds. To begin, you will need a glass cutter, some plate glass for practice, grozing pliers, some copper foil or lead came, solder, and a fid. You may want to purchase a soldering iron and other tools and special glass for your personal project, which will come later. Expenses exceeding your initial $25 will be at your own cost. Examples of Joe’s work are shown below. They use the copper foil process as opposed to lead came.

We will make a field trip to a nice stained glass supply store in Pasadena. They have almost everything you might want to pursue your stained glass interests.

Where will this take place and when?

Sunday afternoons at Joe’s place in his garage. We will start Sunday, 5 May, at 1:00 PM for approximately 2 hours and continue with the first and third Sundays of the month. Joe lives 5 minutes from the temple near Glenwood school and you will receive his address when you register. Call Joe Tischler at 805-279-4006

Find 5 differences

Find the Words

PASSOVER MAROR

PHAROAH

SEDER LIBERATION AFIKOMEN PLAGUES WINE MOSES BASKET

Write English Translation

How’s your Hebrew?

Can you draw the item in the correct location on the seder plate? Feel free to quiz your parents for help.

Draw the items on the Seder plate

ANSWER

KEY

Will the mouse find his way to the matzah?