Etzetera - June/July 2017 revised by Temple Etz Chaim

TEMPLE ETZ CHAIM ETZETERA

June/July 2017

Sivan/Tammuz/Av 5777

Rabbi’s Message

Rabbi Richard Spiegel rabbi@templeetzchaim.org

As this bulletin arrives at the homes of our Temple members, we are entering the time of year that almost everyone loves the most– the summer season. Even in Southern California, where the weather is so beautiful all year long, there is something special about the summer months. This is a time for the pace to slow down, for appreciating the glory of nature around us, and for seeking leisure and quiet in our lives. To me, the summer also offers a special opportunity to experience Jewish living and traditions. Any of our children who attend Jewish summer camps or Youth programs can testify to this. Being outdoors and doing Jewish things makes for a wonderful combination. Feeling one’s Judaism every day elevates us spiritually and educationally and leaves a lasting impression. When I speak to our Religious School students each year at their Final assembly, I make one request. I ask them to do at least one Jewish activity during the summer hiatus. Immediately, they begin sharing their plans with me. Many students tell me they are going to Jewish camp. A few very lucky ones will say they are going to Israel. Others will speak about other activities – such as reading a Jewish book, attending a Service, reciting prayers, or going to their cousin’s Bar or Bat Mitzvah. The list can go on and on. What about adults and families? How can we make the summer a time of Jewish enrichment and growth? To begin, our Temple offers “Shabbat under the Stars” for our Friday evening Services through August 18th. It is warm and welcoming and a true joy to look at the beautiful sky and welcome Shabbat. Families have other opportunities. For those who like to camp, what is a weekend camping trip without candles, wine for Kiddush, and challah? For those who like to read, there are so many interesting Jewish books and magazines today. There has never been a time that so many Jewish classical sources have been available in English and easily accessible through the Internet or through old fashion hard covers. Looking to do a mitzvah? How about coming to Minyan over the summer and helping a fellow congregant who is saying kaddish. Whatever your path, the leisure of the summer offers us a time for Jewish living. Hopefully, each one of us can take advantage and find a way to celebrate our Jewish spirituality and learning. Enjoy the summer by embracing our wonderful Jewish heritage! Rabbi Richard Spiegel

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

Calendar Temple Etz Chaim

June 2017

Calendar of Events

Sun

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

10 AM Shavuot Service and Yizkor

7:42 PM Candle Lighting

5 PM Bingo

6 PM In Gratitude Say Shalom 7:30 PM Shabbat Service

Sat 3 Naso H:Judges 10 AM Shabbat Service 10 AM Bar Mitzvah of Noah Divir 4 PM Bat Mitzvah of Hana Marichal-Nack

4 Last day for TK,K,1st and 2nd grade class 11:30 AM Summer Fest

5 Last day of MondayWednesday 3rd-6th Grade class 7:15 PM Minyan

6 Last day of SundayTuesday 3rd-6th Grade class 10 AM Tuesdays with Rabbi

8:30 AM Minyan

7 PM TEC Choir

5 PM Bingo

7:45 PM Candle Lighting

7 PM—Men’s Club Cigars, Scotch and Talmud

7 PM JNET

7 PM Shabbat service Under The Stars

10 Beha’alotcha H: Zechariah 10 AM Shabbat Service 5 PM Bar Mitzvah of Rami Cohen

7:15 PM Minyan

9:45 AM Adult B’nei Mitzvah Class

14 Flag Day

8:30 AM Minyan 9:45AM Adult B’Nai Mitzvah Class

7:15 PM Minyan

7:30 PM Board meeting

9:30 AM Bereavement Support Group

5 PM Bingo

7:48 PM Candle Lighting 7 PM Shabbat service Under The Stars

7 PM TEC Choir

17 Sh’lach H:Joshua 10 AM Shabbat Service

7:15 PM Minyan

11:30 AM Woman of Valor Luncheon

18 Father’s Day

21 First day of Summer

8:30 AM Minyan

11 AM Caregiver Support Group

7 PM Book Club

7:30 PM Congregational Meeting

7:15 PM Minyan

10 AM Tuesdays with Rabbi

24 Korach H:Isaiah

7:50 PM Candle Lighting 5 PM Bingo

7 PM TEC Choir

7 PM Shabbat service Under The Stars

10AM Shabbat Service 10 AM Bat Mitzvah of Annie Deitel

7:15 PM Minyan

1st day Rosh Chodesh Tammuz 25 2nd day Rosh Chodesh Tammuz

26 7:15 PM Minyan

8:30 AM Minyan 10:30 AM Men’s Club Guest speaker Stephan Harold Tabolowsky

9:30 AM Bereavement Support Group

5 PM Bingo

7:50 PM Candle Lighting 7 PM Shabbat service Under The Stars

7 PM TEC Choir 7:15 PM Minyan

SAVE THE DATE Shabbat Under the Stars June 9th—August 11th

Men’s Club Brunch Stephen Tobolowsky June 25th 2

Guess Who’s Coming To Shabbas? Congregant’s Homes July 14th

Calendar Temple Etz Chaim

July 2017

Calendar of Events

Sun

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

1 Chukkat H: Judges 10AM Shabbat Service

8:30 AM Minyan

7:15 PM Minyan

4 Independence day. Office and School Closed

8 Balak H: Mica

7 PM TEC Choir

5 PM Bingo

7:49 PM Candle Lighting 10 AM Shabbat Service

7:15 PM Minyan 7 PM Shabbat service Under The Stars

8:30 AM Minyan

7:15 PM Minyan

11 Fast of Tammuz

9:30 AM Bereavement Support Group

5 PM Bingo

7:47 PM Candle Lighting

7 PM JNET

6 PM Guess Who’s Coming To Shabbas at Congregant's homes

7 PM TEC Choir

15 Pinchas H: Jeremiah 10 AM Shabbat Service

7:15 PM Minyan 7 PM Shabbat service Under The Stars

8:30 AM Minyan

7:15 PM Minyan

7:30 PM Executive Board Meeting

7 PM TEC Choir

11 AM Caregiver Support Group

24 Rosh Chodesh Av

8:30 AM Minyan

7:15 PM Minyan

7:15 PM Minyan 7:30 PM Women of TEC Board Meeting

8:30 AM Minyan 4:30 Men’s Club Board Meeting

7:15 PM Minyan 7:30 PM Tisha B’Av Services

22 Matot-Masei H: Jeremiah

7:43 PM Candle Lighting 5 PM Bingo

7 PM Shabbat service Under The Stars

9:30 AM Bereavement Support Group

5 PM Bingo

7:38 PM Candle Lighting

10AM Shabbat Service

29 Devarim H: Isaiah

7 PM Shabbat service Under The Stars

10 AM Shabbat Service

7 PM TEC Choir 7:15 PM Minyan Shabbat Hazon

SAVE THE DATE Tisha B’Av Services July 31st

Havdallah and Hike August 26th 3

Erev Rosh Hashana September 20th

WOMEN OF TEC

Elissa Lazarus, Women of TEC President Womenoftec@templeetzchaim.org

As I write this article we are preparing for the Contact Lisa Eidman at advent of summer and with it comes the end of the lisa@seymourassociatestravel.com. Invite daughters, school year for many, graduations, vacations, etc. mothers, nieces. Women of TEC is preparing for an exciting year ahead with our Board for 2017-18: President Elissa Lazarus; Torah Fund VP Linda Hutchings; Youth VP Karen Longobart; Programs VP Wendy Halpert; Corresponding and Recording Secretary Pam Friedman; Financial Secretary Etta Weinstein; Treasurer Sarah Karamas and Parliamentarian Cindy Scherr. Volunteer for a committee this year, attend some events. Show your support for Women of TEC! On June 11th we will be honoring our 2017 Woman of Valor Myrna Stelman. Plan to attend the Awards Lunch at 11:30. RSVPs are due to Barbara Ungar by June 1. Cost is $36. Don’t be left on shore as Women of TEC cruises to Mexico January 19th-22nd. Deposits are due in mid September. Mark Zucherman, Men’s Club President mensclub@templeetzchaim.org

MEN’S CLUB The past several months have been very busy planning some great end of year Men’s Club events. We hope everyone enjoyed the Men’s Club BBQ as part of TEC SummerFest. It might look like we’re working hard, but we do enjoy a great BBQ afterparty! June is especially fun month where we enjoy our signature Jeffrey Finn Steak, Cigars, Scotch and Talmud event. This year we went all out with BBQ Steaks served this year… A great event for everyone who shows up.

In July, we have our FJMC International Convention in Washington DC July 19th – 23rd, with a strong TEC Men’s Club contingent planning on attending. On Sunday Aug 21nd is the Western Region FJMC Man of the Year and Youth of the year brunch at Sinai Temple.

And, finally, your Men’s Club is working hard on next year’s calendar of activities. Our goal is to continue to make TEC Men’s Club fun, engaging, and accessible for Men of all ages in our temple On June 25th we have a special guest speaker community. We will work hard to continue our great that we’re sure you’ll change your vacation plans not education programs like Scholar-In-Residence, to miss. Stephen Harold Tobolowsky is an American our Sunday Brunch programs, and others. But just as character actor, author, and musician. He is known for important, we look forward to adding “New” social film roles such as annoying insurance agent Ned activities and engagements that we hope will enrich Ryerson in Groundhog Day and amnesiac Sammy and expand your social or religious Journey. Jankis in Christopher Nolan's Memento, as well as Wherever you are in your TEC Journey, we such television characters as Commissioner Hugo welcome you to Men’s Club. Questions, ideas, Jarry (Deadwood), Bob Bishop (Heroes), Sandy suggestions, thoughts, interested, or just curious? Please contact me at mark@zmago.com or Ryerson (Glee), and Jack Barker (Silicon Valley). mensclub@templeetzchaim.org. 4

PRESCHOOL

Debbie Blumenthal, Director of Early Childhood Education debbieb@templeetzchaim.org

Our school year is ending and we are looking forward to summertime! Our 10 week summer camp program begins on June 19th with week One – Frozen theme! The first week’s activities will focus on science activities including water activities, creation stations, Mad Science’s Fire and Ice show, music and ending with Shabbat fun on Friday.

for allowing us to share in your early childhood years with you and we look forward to hearing about your successes as you “spread your wings” and take off for elementary school! We hope that you will remain or become members of Temple Etz Chaim Religious School so that we can be a part of your formal Jewish education in future years.

Each week following our activities will be centered on a theme such as insects, zoo animals, pirates, ocean life, space, circus, pets and we end with Hawaii! The children will explore woodworking, clay, bubbles, a puppy center, sailboat races, fishing fun, water slides, Great Chocolate Factory, and so much more.

Have a fun and safe summer!

Congratulations to all our 10 Gesher graduates! We are thankful to your parents

USY We hope everyone is having an awesome summer! Don’t wait until Fall to sign up for USY, Kadima, or Machar. We have so many awesome things planned for you next year and we can’t wait to get started. My name is Shannon and I am the Director of the Youth Department here at Temple Etz Chaim. This is my 3rd year as Director and my 11th year working at TEC. I am currently going to AJU and working toward my masters in Jewish Education. I have the privilege of working with kids grades Kindergarten to 12th grade every year and love every minute of it! In the Youth Department your child/children will learn leadership, a love of Judaism like no other, connect with friends old and new, and get to participate in amazing and unforgettable experiences on and off campus! We have four programs available for our TEC’ers: Machar K-2nd grade, Kadima 3rd-6th grade, Jr USY 7th-8th grade, and Sr USY 9th-12th grade. All of the groups have special programming that is age appropriate, engaging, and fun! The Youth Staff and I work hard and take pride in being your child’s home away from home. For more details and information email youth@templeetzchaim.org or check out our TEC website at www.templeetzchaim.org (under Youth Department). We are already planning our 2017-2018 Machar/Kadima/USY year! Don’t wait until the last minute, sign up to be a TEC Youth Group Member today.

Shannon Tepfer Youth Director youth@templetzchaim.org

June events: June 11- Summer Fun Party in the Park/Board instillations for 7th-12th graders Email youth@templeetzchiam.org for info Next year’s activities in a nutshell: September- Welcome Back Kick off lounges for Machar, Kadima, Jr’s, and Sr’s 9/3- Disney Day with USY (more info to come about prices) Activities throughout the year: L’do V’do- challah baking with Holocaust survivors and families, Frolf ( frisbee golf game with 7th-12th graders and Men’s club), Movie nights under the stars, Mall Scavenger hunts, Israeli cooking, games, songs, dancing, Rosh Hashana Tashlich walk for 7th-12th graders, Canned food drive September, Yom Kippur Discussion for 8th-12th graders, Sushi in the Sukkah, Chapter Shabbat Potluck Dinners, Chanukah programming and toy drive, Ice Skating, Bowling and Laser tag events, Chapter-lead Shabbat Services***, Into the Night (7th12th graders take a bus and do activities from 7pm-7am), Into the Day (Social action activities for 7th-9th graders) Feeding the Hungry October and April, Teen weekends (Kinnusim) spent at Camp Alonim/Camp Ramah/Temples in our Region.

RELIGIOUS SCHOOL

Joyce Bronstien Director of Religious School joyce@templetzchaim.org

For the past three years, Jen Sonnenberg Rhim has served as Vice President of Religious School Education. Jen has been an incredible asset for the students, teachers, parents, and, of course, for me. She has listened and offered advice. She has always been available to lend her support to all Religious School activities. Jen is one of those people who will work and work and work. She has attended countless meetings with the goal of making our students’ educational experience the best it can possibly be. She has dealt with challenging and difficult issues, but always with great attention and fairness. . . I appreciate her work with the members of the education committee and all her efforts in planning for the future of the Religious School. I more than appreciate Jen’s expertise and sincere dedication. My sincerest Todah Rabah and Yasher Koach for being a wonderful Vice President of Religious School Education. Throughout my tenure as Director, I have been blessed with wonderful people who have taken on the position of Vice President of Religious School Education. I thank all of them for their time, effort and support during the years I have served as Director. I have told all of my V.P.’s, “once a V.P., always a V.P. of Religious School.” During the school year, the Education committee meets monthly I greatly thank the dynamic individuals who work together to help make our students’ educational experience meaningful: Jonathan Benjamin, Carl and Linda Friedlander, Steve Friedman, Cindy Goldberg, Susan Kane, Michelle Kilmnick, Claire Maultasch- teacher representative, Adya Riss and Felicia Toporoff.

I also appreciate and sincerely thank the following volunteers for spearheading various Religious School needs throughout the school year: Arielle Bowens & Marni Goren – R.S.V.P. co-chairs Alison Brandon — thank you! Liz Groden – purchasing snacks throughout the year Suzanne Gelfound – purchasing and preparing Passover Seder foods Brenda Kriger – cutting & sewing 3rd grade Siddur book covers Susan Goldberg – cutting & sewing tallit for our 4th grade program Carl Friedlander – tying the tzitzit for the 4th grade program Linda Friedlander – counting snack & tzedakah money throughout the year Wendy Margolis and her helpers providing a beautiful lunch for many of our programs As you can see, it takes many people to ensure the great quality of education that we are able to provide for our students. Next year, I know that we will need parents to assist the school again. Actually, volunteering is a wonderful way for everyone to be an active participant. The next time you receive a phone call or e-mail requesting your assistance, please sign up! I hope you will join our volunteer “mishpacha.” Wishing you a safe and happy summer. Looking forward to seeing you in September. L’hitraot Joyce Bronstein

CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR SYNAGOGUE Rabbi Richard Spiegel Discretionary Fund Rabbi Spiegel, T hank you for Pesach Honor, Herb Wexler In Memory of Richard Siegel, Terr i Bryant In Memory of Harry Rudman, Ronald Rudman In Memory of Leonard Halpern, J oy Rosenber g In Memory of Kate Shaw, Carla Shaw Rabbi, T hank you, Mar ilyn Tiller In Memory of Edward Bernstein, Shar i Mar k In Appreciation, J eanne and Ir ving Weiss In Memory of Nathaniel Goodman, Roger Lifeset In Memory of Virginia Moore, Sandy Pfeffer man In Memory of Jack Yaskiel, Cyndi Mahler In Honor of Rebeccah, David Schwar tz In Memory of Evelyn Peisner, Rober t Peisner Hazzan Pablo Duek Discretionary Fund In Memory of Gerald Zimmerman, J erome Ratzan In Appreciation, J eanne and Ir ving Weiss In Memory of Mollie Chadroff, Edwar d Chadroff In Memory of Lillian Fleishman, Sandr a Levy In Honor of Irv Weiss, Tobi and Sheldon Tilles Temple General Fund In Memory of Elliot Wax, Bar bar a Wax In Memory of David King, Paul King In Memory of Jean Kanner, Anita Ehr lich In Memory of Robert Ehrlich, Anita Ehr lich In Memory of Jerry Maze, Heidi Bir nbaum In Memory of Mollye Solomon, J effr ey Solomon In memory of Sonai Waksman, J eanne Waksman In Memory of Jean Kanner, Allen Kanner Rachael Tahir and Kevin Longobart, In appreciation, Susan Bernstein In Memory of Woinsky, Tziporah Lutzker In Memory of Arlene Shapiro, Gary Futter man In Memory of Larry Dvorkin, J udith Dvor kin In Memory of Marvin Waksman, J eanne Waksman In Memory of Samuel Galatz, Arr i Gubner Jotkowitz Camp Ramah Scholarship Fund In Memory of Gary Alpern, Cindy Alper n and Sons In Memory of Naomi Aminoff, J er ome Ratzan In Memory of William Horwitz, Ethlene Pollak In Memory of Mel Lefko, Paul Lefko

Religious School Fund In Memory of Eva Maultasch, Bar ry Maultasch Joyce Bronstein, In Appreciation, Carl and Linda Friedlander In Memory of Jack Siegel, J udith Feldman In Memory of Ida Bernstein, Roni and Mar shall Rosen In Memory of Joseph, Roni and Mar shall Rosen In Memory of Rachel Rosen, Roni and Mar shall Rosen In Memory of Samuel Rosen, Roni and Mar shall Rosen In Memory of Sidney Rosen, Roni and Mar shall Rosen In Memory of Sylvia Rosen, Roni and Mar shall Rosen In Memory of William Rosen, Roni and Mar shall Rosen In Memory of Marvin Rosen, Roni and Mar shall Rosen In Memory of Anita Levene, Roni and Mar shall Rosen In Memory of Arthur Levene, Roni and Mar shall Rosen In Memory of Jack Lipschitz, Claire Maultasch In Memory of Abraham Maultasch, Bar ry Maultasch Elisa Feldman Memorial Religious School Scholarship Fund In Memory of Gary Feldman, Sarah Or lin In Memory of Elisa Feldman, Sarah Or lin In Memory of Harry Altman, Nomi Fr eed Ner Tamid Education & Community Center Fund In Memory of Martin Konigsberg, Shir ley Bressler USY Youth & Scholarship Fund In Memory of Parvin Rostamian, Zoe Abdolrazagh Early Childhood Education Fund Debbie and Scott Blumenthal, Condolences, Liz and Ron Groden

Dunaier Music Fund In Memory of Anna Patera, Nathan Wine In Memory of Moish Israel Weinapple, Nathan Wine In Memory of Fanny Buchbinder, Fr ances Deutsch Irv Weiss, Happy Birthday, Phyllis Dankberg Barbara & Harvey Scherr Memorial Fund In Memory of Lazarus Falk, Beryl Mann In Memory of Samuel Ratzan, J er ome Ratzan In Memory of Gerald Zimmerman, J erome Ratzan Fienberg-Lerner In Memory of Albert Nathanson, Lois Gir sky In Memory of Sheila Rubenstein, Stephen Fienberg In Memory of Kay Fienberg, Stephen Fienberg Fienberg-Lerner Chapel Minyan Fund Tzedakah Fund In Memory of Larry Gruer, Lillian Gr uer Scholar-in-Residence Fund In Memory of Seymour Lipkin, Alan Lipkin In Memory of Sue Shrater, J oel Shr ater In Memory of David Forman, Harriet Shrater Women of TEC Torah Fund In Honor of Myrna Stelman, W oman of Valor, Nomi Freed In Memory of Benjamin Brookstein, Edwar d Chadroff Inbar Israel Travel and Education Scholarship Fund In Memory of Albert Goldenberg, Bonnie Goldenberg Shirley & Alan Lipkin made Donations in honor of The Goldberg Family in memory of Julius Zimmerman The Reisman Family in memory of Julius Zimmerman The Meyerowitz Family in memory of Julius Zimmerman

UPCOMING EVENTS Caregiver Support Group

Jeffrey Finn Steak, Cigars, Scotch and Talmud Program

6/19/2017 and 7/17/17 11 AM Conference Room If you are caring for an aging loved one, then come to share! Learn and get support in a safe group of other caregivers where tears are permitted, humor is encouraged, and hugs are easily accessible. Meets monthly - the third Monday of every month.

6/7/17 7PM Warren Lawn Join us in a special toast to our friend Jeffrey Finn in his memory, and a special thanks to Richard Finn (brother of Jeff Finn) for his donation of a steak BBQ this year. Rabbi Spiegel will lead us in Talmud study. We will provide and BBQ the Steaks! You heard right! RSVP to mensclub@templeetzchaim.org

Book Club 06/20 and 07/18 7 PM Conference Room June: A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles July: Skeletons at the Feast by Chris Bohjalian For information about TEC Book Club or to be put on our mailing list, contact Liz Groden via the Temple Office (805) 497-6891 or adult-ed@templeetzchaim.org. August 15th – Book Club dinner - “Save the Date”

Shabbat Under The Stars June 9th –August 18th, 7 PM Warren Lawn Join your TEC family For this annual tradition for a beautiful relaxing outdoor Service a beautiful way to end the week.

Bereavement Support Group 06/14, 06/28, and 7/12, 7/26 9:30 AM Conference Room We invite you to join this group if you are grieving the loss of a special person in your life. This communitywide support group (no charge) can provide you an opportunity to share your feelings. Facilitated by Lori Oberman, MA, MFT, lorioberman@aol.com.

Stephen Harold Tobolowsky Guest speaker & TEC Men’s Club Sunday Brunch 6/25/17 10:30 Social Hall Stephen Harold Tobolowsky is an American character actor, author, and musician. Cost $10/person, $8/MC Members.

Woman of Valor Luncheon 6/11/2017 11:30 AM Woman Of Valor Luncheon honoring Myrna Stelman. Cost is $36 RSVP due to Barbara Ungar by June 1st. Call TEC 805-497-6891.

Say Shalom 7/7/2017 6:30 PM Wolfson Be our guest before Shabbat services. Enjoy a nosh, glass of wine, charming conversation, meet a new or old friend.

Temple Etz Chaim Preschool Camp June 19-August 25th Now enrolling 18 month to 5 year old children. Children will have active play and Disney themed weeks. For more information contact Debbie at debbieb@templeetzchaim.org

Camp Conejo Creek June 19th - August 11th Camp Conejo Creek will provide your children with a fun and engaging summer Jewish day camp experience. For more info contact Dena: camp@templeetzchaim.org 8

WE PROUDLY CONGRATULATE OUR B’Nai MITZVAH Noah Dvir 6/3/17 My name is Noah Dvir. I enjoy singing and playing musical instruments. I also enjoy cycling, playing volleyball and spending time with my family and friends. I am thankful to my wonderful tutor (and Savta) Rivka Moscovitch as well as Rabbi Spiegel and Hazzan Pablo. I would like to also thank my Aba, Eema, Brother & Sister for their love and encouragement. I am proud to become a Bar Mitzvah.

Hana Marichal-nack 6/3/17 My name is Hana Marichal-Nack, and I am in 7th grade at Redwood Middle School. I enjoy making art, sewing and crafting. My bat mitzvah is an important religious milestone, and I am grateful for the education and support I’ve received from the Religious School, my tutor Marv Friedman, Rabbi Spiegel and Hazzan Pablo. I also thank my parents, grandparents, and friends for their love and support.

Annie Deitel 6/24 /17 I’m Annie Deitel and a 7th grade honors student at Sycamore Canyon. I created welcome bags for the blind and their guide dogs when they come to stay at Guide Dogs of America to get matched. I enjoy baking, art, walking my dog, gymnastics and karate. I want to thank Rivka Moscovitch, Rabbi Spiegel, Hazzan Pablo, my parents and my siblings for their support.

SHARING NACHES From the Wank Family: Congrats Hayley! We kvell on your every achievement from your achieving your certificate of merit, to your high school music award, to now on to Chapman in the Fall. Go Get 'em Panther. Your Proud Family

From the Gobuty Family: We are kvelling because our Son and Big Brother, Kevin Joshua, graduated from Pepperdine University with his Masters Degree in Education on May 20, 2017. Mazel Tov to him on this wonderful accomplishment. You are changing the world one student at a time. Renne, Richard, & Meghan Gobuty

Mazel Tov to Rachael Tahir! Our very own TEC congregant and Simi Valley High School Sophmore Student earned first place for her photographic art work in the annual Congressional Art Contest. Her work will now hang, for one year, in the nation’s capitol. Keep Shining!

HAVE NACHES YOU WANT TO SHARE? Pride, gratification, pleasure, satisfaction, delight; proud enjoyment. A Yiddish word meaning that you are happy and proud, especially of someone’s accomplishments. The word has entered the English language in the form “nachas” or “naches” and is listed in some dictionaries. Each Friday night Shabbat Service, Rabbi asks: “Tell me something good that happened this week you’d like to share?” This NEW MONTHLY FEATURE will highlight wonderful naches in each bulletin. Don’t be shy. It’s okay to brag, we want you to share your naches! Please submit to: outreach@templeetzchaim.org or in the heart shaped lucite box outside the temple office, forms are located there for your ease of bragging! Inquiries to Tami Wank, Community Outreach please at 805 497 6891 www.templeetzchaim.org Here’s a form to get you started (just clip and return). I’m kvelling because: ____________________________________________________________________________ Sharing Naches from: __________________ Kvell: kvell is derived from Yiddish kveln, meaning “to be delighted,” which, in turn, comes from the Middle High German word quellen, meaning “to well, gush, or swell.” (Note: Return in the lucite box outside the TEC office) 9

Rabbi Search Committee I am happy to announce the congregants who make up the Rabbinic Search Committee. Eric Feigenbaum, Cindy Goldberg, Susan Kane, Patty Kaye, Ken Leon, Dan Lubetkin, Gideon Manzur, Buzz Schoenkerman, Sam Slomowitz, Jeff Solomon, Benny Sommerfeld and Terri Zwicker. This committee consists of a wonderful balance, spread evenly throughout the demographics of Temple Etz Chaim. They represent the Early Childhood Education Center, the Religious School, the Empty Nesters and the Senior Community. Additionally, each individual represents Religion and Worship, Education (Adult and Youth), Community Outreach, Social Action and Fundraising. The first meeting was a social gathering, Havdallah and Dessert, at Jan and Jeff Solomonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s home. Committee members and their spouses were able to get to know one another before beginning the exciting mission ahead of them. As the team moves forward, please watch future newsletters and emails for the dates and times for Parlor meetings in the homes of the search committee members. It is most important that you are involved and are part of the process. This is an exciting and invigorating time for our synagogue. Remember, my phone is always on and my door is always open. Sherri Finn, Temple President

10Ten Program Mount Sinai Simi Valley, 6150 Mount Sinai Drive, Simi Valley, 93063 800-600-0076 www.mountsinaiparks.org

For a limited time, when ten properties are sold in advance of need and paid in full, Mount Sinai Memorial Parks and Mortuaries will donate $10,000 to Temple Etz Chaim and the money keeps growing thereafter with every additional purchase before need. To get your confidential conversation started, learn more about pre-planning, and the 10Ten Program, make sure to mention: Temple Etz Chaim and contact: Josh T. Ryan 805.306.6411 jtryan@mountsinaiparks.org or Eric Frank 805.306.6410 efrank@mountsinaiparks.org For inquiries, please call Tami Wank, Trustee TEC Community Outreach, 805-497-6891 Program ends March 1, 2018; Cremation properties excludedâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Please note Mt. Sinai has a firm price policy Cemetery Plot For Sale Hillside Memorial Park; Stacked Companion Wall Crypt for Two Highly Desirable Location: Garden Mausoleum, Court of Isaiah, Designation: VV I, 41 Temple Member Asking Price $9,950 (transfer fees included) Please Call Temple Etz Chaim (805) 497-6891 10