Etzetera - April 2017

TEMPLE ETZ CHAIM ETZETERA

April 2017

Nisan/Iyar 5777

CHAG PESACH SAMEACH “Once we were slaves, but now we are free!” In a few days, we begin the wonderful observance of the glorious festival of Pesach. We will celebrate our freedom and the beauty of spring with our family and friends. We will tell the story of the ancient march from slavery to freedom through magnificent customs and interesting rituals.

Rabbi Richard Spiegel rabbi@templeetzchaim.org

For so many of us, Pesach is our favorite holiday. The combination of meaningful tradition with delicious food and warm fellowship is certainly inviting. I hope that every one of our members participates in a joyous celebration. If you are searching for a Pesach celebration, we would love to have you at our lively Temple Seder on the second night of Pesach on April 11th (please call the Temple office to RSVP).

Immediately after Pesach, there are several more events that deserve your attention and participation. The week after Pesach, we observe Yom HaShoah—Holocaust Memorial Day. This is a significant event in which we remember the six million of our brothers and sisters who perished in the Holocaust.

In our Temple, we will observe Yom HaShoah with a special service on Friday, April 21st, at 7:30 p.m. Our TEC adult choir will be singing during the service and we will have a special guest speaker, James Bachner, a Holocaust survivor and author of My Darkest Y ears: Memoirs of a Survivor of A uschwitz, W arsaw, and Dachau. On Sunday, April 23rd, we should also all mark the exact day of Yom HaShoah by lighting the Men’s Club yellow candles in our homes at sundown.

During Yom HaShoah we honor those who perished in the Holocaust, but even today people all over the world are suffering from genocides and mass atrocities. I’m proud to support the annual Jewish World Watch Conejo Valley Walk to End Genocide which will take place on Sunday, May 7th, from noon to 2 p.m. at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza on Thousand Oaks Blvd. This is a special way to tell the world that, after the Holocaust, we will not stand idly by another genocide—anywhere in the world.

Pesach begins a season of important and sacred observances. Linda joins me in wishing you and your family a happy, healthy, and joyous Pesach.

B’Shalom, Rabbi Richard Spiegel

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

FROM THE DESK OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Laurence Harris Executive Director Laurence@templeetzchaim.org

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Calendar Temple Etz Chaim

April 2017

Calendar of Events

Sun

Mon

Tue

1

Wed

2

Thu

3

Fri

4

Sat

1 Vayikra H: Isaiah 10:00AM Shabbat Service

2

3

8:30 AM Minyan

7:15 PM Minyan

7

5

6

7

10 AM Tuesdays with Rabbi Spiegel

9:30 AM Bereavement Support Group

5 PM Bingo

7:01 PM Candle Lighting

9:45 AM Adult B’nei Mitzvah Class

8 Tzav H: Malachi

7 PM Say Shalom

10 AM Shabbat Service

7 PM TEC Choir 7:30 Shabbat Service 7:15 PM Minyan

7 PM Havdalah And Film

10 AM Rabbi Shoshana Cohen Shabbat HaGadol 9 8:30 AM Minyan 9:45AM Adult B’Nai Mitzvah Class 10AM Blood Drive at Temple Adat Elohim

10 First night of Passover Start of Spring Break 6:45 AM Siyum B’chorim— Service for the First Born

11 10AM Festive Service For 1st day of Passover 6:30 Family 2nd Night Passover Seder

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13

10AM Festive Service for 2nd day of Passover

7 PM JNET

14 7:06 PM Candle Lighting 7:30 PM Shabbat Chol HaMoed Pesach Service —Scout Shabbat & In the Round

7 PM TEC Choir 7:15 PM Minyan

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

10 AM Festive Service for 7th day of Passover

18 Last Day of Spring Break

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21

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7 PM TEC Choir 10 AM Festive Service for 8th day Pesach and Yizkor

7:15 PM Minyan

10 AM Shabbat Chol HaMoed Pesach Service 10 AM Shabbat Morning J.A.M in the Wolfson

7:15 PM Minyan

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15 Shabbat Chol HaMoed Pesach

22 Shemini H: II Samuel

7:11 PM Candle Lighting 5 PM Bingo

7:30 Shabbat Service observing Yom HaShoah

10AM Shabbat Service

7:15 PM Minyan 7 PM Book Club— Barnes & Noble Westlake Promenade location

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24 Yom HaShoah

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26

27 Rosh Chodesh Iyar

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8:30 AM Minyan

7:15PM Minyan

10 AM Tuesday with Rabbi Spiegel

9:30 AM Bereavement Support Group

5 PM Bingo

7:17 PM Candle Lighting

9:45 AM Adult B’Nai Mitzvah Class

29 Tazria_Metzora H: II Kings

7:30 PM Shabbat Service 7:30 PM Executive Board Meeting

1 PM Woman OF TEC Tea Time

7 PM TEC Choir

6 PM 4th Shabbat Dinner

10 AM Shabbat Service 5 PM Taylor Friedman Bar Mitzvah

7:15 PM Minyan

SAVE THE DATE

Walk to End Genocide May 7th

June 2nd

Community Passover Seder

In Gratitude Say Shalom

April 11th

Come walk to end Genocide

All congregants invited for community dinner on behalf of all that you do.

Enjoy a Passover Seder Led by Hazzan Pablo Duek and Rabbi Spiegel

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

We hope all of you have an enjoyable Passover holiday.

As soon as Passover is over we will have our Women of TEC Tea on April 23 at 1 P.M. There will be great food, prize drawings galore and a spectacular fashion show. You don’t want to miss this event. RSVP deadline is April 10.

Remember, Women of TEC sets sail on January 19, 2018 to Mexico for a long weekend cruise.

Commitments need to be made in the coming months to secure enough cabins. For questions contact womenoftec@templeetzchaim.org. Lisa Eidman of Seymour & Associates Travel is making all the arrangements. Invite mothers, daughters, aunts and friends to join us.

Thanks to Wendy Halpert for organizing a Just remember, Women of TEC is an lovely Big Band evening at the Palm Garden Hotel on organization for women at all stages and at all ages!

March 6. A great time to relax and listen to some Come to an event.

There is something for wonderful music. everyone. Your Irma Sommerfeld did her usual superb job with Women of TEC Shabbat on March 17. Some of support enables us to continue our good work us participated and some attended the service in the round. And Hazzan Pablo’s patience was boundless for the TEC community. in making sure we were all singing the same tune.

We also enjoyed Saturday morning service with the Mens Club under the direction of Benny Sommerfeld.

Women of TEC at the Pacific Southwest Region Gala on March 5th

MEN’S CLUB We hoped you enjoyed all the March Men’s Club’s events and activities including Men’s Cub Poker night, and the especially timely and poignant “Under the Dome” Sunday Brunch Speaker. In March we joined Men’s Clubs across the country to distribute specially crafted Yellow Yom HaShoah candles to synagogue members to light on Erev Yom HaShoah to remember those who perished during the Holocaust. It’s our TEC Men’s Club tradition to pack, assemble, and mail/distribute these Candles with our USY youth. Your generous contributions help continue this important tradition and enables Men’s Club to provide scholarships for our Temple Youth to travel to Israel and/or participate in “March of the Living” in order to study the history of the Holocaust and to examine the roots of prejudice, intolerance and

hate and share these experiences back to our temple community. Also, this summer, FJMC will host its Bi-Annual International Convention July 19th – 23rd in Washington DC. Men's Club Members from across the country and beyond come together to renew long-distance friendships, learn about the newest International initiatives, participate in innovative services, enjoy Kosher cuisine, celebrate the best grassroots programming, and grow with leadership training. There are subsidies for attendees plus additional incentives for first-timers, so please contact me if you are interested in attending this important event. More info at https://www.fjmc.org/.

Mark Zucherman, Men’s Club President mensclub@templeetzchaim..org

We are in need of two keurig type coffee makers for a new coffee station to be in the Rotunda.

Please contact Tami Wank, Community Outreach at justinhayley@aol.com to donate.

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CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR SYNAGOGUE Rabbi Richard Spiegel Discretionary Fund In Memory of Yosef and Zisla Shtilvaser, Raisa and Viktor Ivanov In Memory of Yosef and Zisla Shtilvaser, Sar ah Olsen Myles and Gail Simpson, Condolences, Sarah Orlin Karen Samson Smith and Donald Samson, Condolences, Sarah Orlin In Memory of William Frederick, Rose Fr eder ick-Horowitz In Memory of Lisa Simpson, Mar ice and Nanette Cutler In Memory of Tania Pfefferman, Ar thur Pfeffer man In Memory of Carolyn Berk Kotiaho, Er r ol Ber k In Memory of Sarah Racowsky, Ben Racowsky In Memory of Fred Kunin, Lor r aine Dennis In Honor of Kevin Longobart, Bonnie Rothman In Memory of Norman and Bertha Malchick, Sandr a Fine In Memory of Milton Silverman, Lewis Silver man In Memory of Betty Bard, Rose Fr eder ick-Horowitz In Honor of Gail and Myles Simpson’s Birthdays, Maur ice and Nanette Cutler In Honor of Rabbi Spiegel, Robyn, Michael, Eden Lazar us, Missy Sole and Alan Fink In Memory of Nancy Colton, Ted Wasser man In Memory of Lynda Berk, Benjamin Ber k In Memory of Lynda Berk, Er r ol Ber k In Memory of Arlyn Pomush, Steve Pomush In Memory of Roslyn Dallek, Susan Cohen In Memory of Joel Berk, Er r ol Ber k In Memory of Betty Marko, Reuben Finkelstein In Memory of Pauline Garfinkel, Ar nie Gar finkel In Memory of Stan Rothman, Bonnie Rothman In Memory of Sylvia Groden, Ronald Gr oden In Memory of Josephine Gubner, Michael Gubner In Memory of Morris Moskowitz, Har vey Moskowitz In Memory of Celia Gorman, Sandy Rosenfeld In Memory of Richard Manes, Randy and Debbie Manes In Memory of Joseph Mason, Claudine Mar x Hazzan Pablo Duek Discretionary Fund In Memory of Lynda Berk, Er r ol Ber k In Memory of Jackie Blitstein’s Father, Neil and Car olyn Bordofsky In Memory of Frances Sarah Ratzan, J er ome Ratzan In Memory of Irwin Gollub, Michael Gollub In Memory of Sam Racowsky, Ben Racowsky Jody Schaiman, In memory of your mother, Jerry and Dawne Ratzan In Memory of Esther Gollub, Helene and Michael Gollub In Memory of Lawrence Oberman, Robin Ober man In Memory of Joseph Mason, Claudine Mar x In Memory of Tillie Siegel, Ronald Siegel In Honor of Kevin Longobart, Phyllis Dankber g In Honor of Hazzan Pablo, Dan and Lor een Ebr oon In Memory of Sylvia Lichtenfeld, Philip Lichtenfeld In Memory of Lily Malchicoff, Sheldon Malchicoff In Memory of Lynda Berk, J onathan Ber k In Memory of Frances Racowsky, Ben Racowsky In Memory of Robert Treisman, Robin Ober man In Memory of Alex Lichtman and Charlotte Lichtman, Michael Lichtman In Memory of Edward Rothenberg, Mar sha Rosenblum The Elson Family, best wishes, Judy Sneed In Memory of Frances Levine, Dawne and J er r y Ratzan In Memory of Esther Gollub, Helene and Michael Gollub Temple General Fund In Memory of Sidney Green, William Gr een In Memory of June Barroll, Alan Bar r oll In Memory of Elizabeth Leibovich, Anna Fr iedman In Memory of Sidney Barnett, J ane Spitzer

In Memory of Eva Weiss, Ralph Weiss In Memory of Sofia Roisman Weinstein, Sofia Kobr in In Memory of Yetta Storch, Lar r y Stor ch In Memory of Irving Peisner, Rober t Peisner Gail and Myles Simpson, Condolences, Susan and Alan Flaschner In Memory of Dorothy Erman, Russ Er man In Memory of Cecil Moll, Fr ancine Finkelstein In Memory of Aleksander Waksman, J eanne Waksman Jeff Schoenwald, In Honor of your birthday, Ilene and Irwin Barney

In Memory of Harriet Levy, Lena and Rabbi J ack Shechter In Memory of Rose Robbins, Mar lene Wasser man In Memory of Bernard Mezey, Gail Simpson In Memory of Lillian Mezey, Gail Simpson

Ritual Fund In Memory of Louis Braunstein, Wendy Mar golis In Memory of Rhoda Pashkowitz, Wendy Mar golis In Memory of Shirly Rothke, Wendy Mar golis In Memory of Albert Wolf, Peter Mar golis In Memory of Jeff Finn, Bar r y Goldber g

Early Childhood Education Fund In Memory of Benjamoin Cohen, Br uce Cohen In Memory of Hannah Shevlowitz, Sheldon Malchicoff In Memory of Laura Tennenhouse, Lila Faitr o In Memory of Irving Malchicoff, Sheldon Malchicoff

Religious School Fund In Memory of Esther Kane, Daniel Kane In Memory of Don Rennick, Stacy Bor suk In Memory of Stan Friedman, Steven Fr iedman In Memory of Sadie Cohen, Tobi Gould In Memory of Jacob Funk, Myr on Funk In Memory of Annette Shapiro, Bar bar a Budish In Memory of Jack Appel, J ason Appel In Memory of Frances Smith, Linda Fr iedlander

USY Youth & Scholarship Fund In Memory of Morris Reiser, Patr icia Kaye In Memory of Joe Wolfson, Shir ley Wolfson In Memory of Frank Winer, Shir ley Wolfson In Memory of Sonia Gurin, Bettu Reoser In Memory of Freda Gilson, Randy Gilson

Dunaier Music Fund In Memory of Eva Glick, J oan Ber nick In Memory of Morris Rosen, Stan Rosen In Memory of Henry Brody, Ar lene Tr otter Barbara & Harvey Scherr Memorial Fund Katrien Ratzan, Condolences, Dawne and Jerry Ratzan

Dr. Ruth Kaplan Relisious School Scholarship Fund In Memory of Sadie Cohen, Tobi Gould

Fienberg-Lerner Chapel Minyan Fund In Memory of Murray Goldberg, Susan Goldber g In Memory of Maury Sampson, Susan Goldber g In Memory of Jerome Melvin Fienberg, Stephen Fienber g In Memory of Estelle Lerner, Elinor Fienber g

Lipnick Religious School Scholarship Fund In Memory of Jim Levin, Bar bar a Shannon In Memory of Anny Levin, Bar bar a Shannon In Memory of Clara Stockell, Bonnie Rothman In Memory of Herman David Crane, Linda Kulik In Memory of Sylvia Rothman, Bonnie Rothman

Scholar-in-Residence Fund In Memory of Anne Henry Kaufman, J oel Shr ater In Memory of Lena Lipkin, Alan Lipkin In Memory of Dora Treger, Shir ley Lipkin In Memory of Jeffrey Finn, Sher r i, J acob, Noah and Zachar y Finn

Elisa Feldman Memorial Religious School Scholarship Fund In Memory of Norman Epstein, Ilene Bar ney In Honor of Pinney Kanter, Zona and Bar r y Pidgeon Rabbi and Mrs. Richard Spiegel, Speedy recovery of Cooper Spiegel, Zona and Barry Pidgeon In Memory of Seymour Weiss, Ben Racowsky In Honor of Debbie Feldman and Les Feldman’s birthdays, Susan Bernstein In Memory of Maurie Samson, Susan Ber nstein In Memory of Simon Dubinsky, J eff Schoenwald Marty Lichtman and Family, condolences, Nomi Freed In Memory of Gertrude Altman, Nomi Fr eed Happy Birthday Debbie and Les Feldman, Lynne Rosen In Memory of Betty Wechsler, Ilene Bar ney In Memory of Benjamin Barney, Ir win Bar ney Marty Lichtmann, In memory of your father, Wendy Margolis

Women of TEC Torah Fund In Memory of Stewart Brookstein, Sheila and Ed Chadr off In Memory of Pauline Herskovits, Evey Liebman In Memory of Morris Kanner, Anita Ehr ilich In Memory of Sidney Reuben, Sandr a Reuben In Memory of Mary Goldwasser, Ann Goldwasser In Memory of Gail Cohen, Stuar t Hockman In Memory of Jack Chadroff, Edwar d Chadr off In Memory of Florence Brookstein, Edwar d Chadr off

Ner Tamid Education & Community Center Fund In Memory of Irving Levitt, Cindy Alper n and Sons Jotkowitz Camp Ramah Scholarship Fund In Memory of Ida Kaplan, Pauline Kaplan In Memory of Irma Sklar, J anice and Manny In Memory of Bobbie Eisenstadt, Har vey Ker n In Memory of Pinchos Smith, Andr ew Smith In Memory of Harry Klein, Elva Levine In Memory of Bert James Mallinger, Mollie Helfand Jeff Schoenwald, Happy Birthday, Evie Alpert and Ed Jotkowitz In Memory of Tim Lucas, Elva Levine In Memory of Miriam Berlin, Lena and Rabbi J ack Shechter

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Silverstein Humanitarian In Memory of Joseph Mason, Claudine Mar x In Memory of Joe Simpson, Myles Simpson In Memory of Julian Robert Saly, Gar i and Richar d Saly Inbar Israel Travel and Education Scholarship Fund The Elson Family, Best Wishes, Judy Sneed Women of TEC Tribute Cards Dr. Daniel Ebroon, L oss of father, Etta Weinstein Marty Liehtman and family, L oss of father, Bar bar a and Al Unger

PRESCHOOL Debbie Blumenthal, Director of Early Childhood 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, haroset 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. On Friday, April 7th, the entire school will participate in a model Seder with Rabbi Spiegel and Hazzan Pablo, complete with a Gesher reenactment of the Passover story, familiar Passover songs and blessings.

Our Early Childhood Education Center will be closing from April 10th through April 12th and will open April 13 and 14, then close again for the end of Passover April 17 th and 18th.

Camp weekend at Camp Ramah in Ojai. Have you registered yet? There is a scholarship available. See Debbie Blumenthal for more details and information.

Just a reminder – we are currently accepting registration for Fall 2017. If you would like a tour of our school facility and program, please call the school office at 805497-6852. The early childhood staff and I would like to wish everyone a wonderful Passover holiday! Happy Passover!

The April Preschool Dinner and Tot Shabbat service will be on Friday, April 21st at 6:00 p.m. This will be our last Tot Shabbat service of this school year and so it will be Pajama Night! Come join this fun night that is sure to be full of songs, stories, and Shabbat blessings!

In May, we hope to be celebrate our Shabbat weekend with all of you May 19th-21st at our very first TEC Family

USY Shannon Tepfer Youth Director In April we have some very youth@templetzchaim.org exciting events planned! Into the Night is April 1st this is no joke! We will be out all night playing miniature golf, ice skating, eating ice cream, having havdallah at the beach, bowling, and much, much more! 7th through 12th graders invited ONLY and cost is $85. Pesach is coming!! We will be having a Chocolate Seder with Kadima (they love this), and will be having a Sr Seder event as seen through the eyes of the hit Broadway Play “Hamilton.” We have worked hard in preparing a very special guest speaker event for Yom Hashoah. We are hosting an evening of testimony and strength on 4/24 with Holocaust Survivors. 7th-12th graders are invited to this talk. We are also combining this event with Religious School so that all of Confirmation gets the opportunity to take part in this experience as well. Feeding the hungry at Calvary Church is this month and we need your help. A sign up genius will be sent out for food and volunteer sign ups. If you are interested in joining us on 4/25 please email youth@templeetzchaim.org so you can be added to the sign up. There will also be a specialty Kinnus this month (9th -12th) on 4/28-4/29 in Tustin. Scholarships are available to all who would like to go. Please contact the Youth Office (805) 494 -3648.

walking through the steps of the Holocaust victums and will hear testimony from Survivors. The following week we will travel to Israel for Yom Ha’atzmaut and will get to see many amazing sights, take part in a festival, and become re-Jew-vinated. We would love to share our experiences with you in May when we return, more information to follow.

April Dates to Remember: 4/1: Into the Night @TEC 7th-12th ONLY Cost $85 7pm-7am 4/4: Kadima Chocolate Seder @6:15pm-7:45pm in the lounge 4/9: Sr Seder (Hamilton Haggadot) @12:00pm-2:00pm in the Rotunda 4/18: Kadima Lounge @ 6:15pm-7:45pm (theme TBD) 4/23: Machar @11:30am-1:30pm (theme TBD) 4/24: Zikaron B’salon (Guest speakers coming to talk about the Holocaust) 7th-12 invited.

4/25: Feeding the Hungry at Calvary Church 4/28-4/30: Specialty Kinnus (9th-12th graders) Tustin

On a separate note I will be accompanying three of our TEC Sr’s this year to MOTL (March of the Living). We are traveling to Poland for a week during Yom Hashoah and will be 6

UPCOMING EVENTS Bereavement Support Group

Havdalah and Film

04/05 and 04/26/2017 9:30 AM Conference Room

04/15/2017 7 PM Sanctuary and Social Hall

We invite you to join this group if you are grieving the loss of a special person in your life. This community-wide support group (no charge) can provide you an opportunity to share your feelings.

Facilitated by Lori Oberman, MA, MFT, lorioberman@aol.com.

Havdalah service followed by the screening of “There are Jews Here,” an intimate look at four once -thriving American Jewish communities now fighting for survival. Reception with coffee to follow film screening along with a Q&A with Janet and Mickey Radman, who are featured in the film.

Say Shalom

Yom HaShoah Observance

04/07/2017 7 PM Remembrance Hall

04/21/2017 7:30 PM Sanctuary

Be our guest before Shabbat services. Enjoy a nosh, glass of wine, charming conversation, meet a new or old friend.

TEC will observe Yom HaShoah at Friday Night Services with special speaker James Bachner, Holocaust survivor, and a performance by the TEC Choir.

Blood Drive

Women of TEC Tea

04/09/2017 9AM - 1PM Temple Adat Elohim Co-sponsored by Temple Etz Chaim and Temple Adat Elohim—By Appointment Only - To schedule your appointment, text, call or email: Debra Levine debra@schmeezle.com - (805) 271-1307

04/23/2017 1 PM Social Hall

Tea, Fashion Show, Fun! $25/adult; $10/children under 13 RSVP by 4/10. Send payment check to Barbara Ungar at TEC. (Indicate seating request)

Scout Shabbat—Shabbat in the Round Start the discussion and Learn More

04/14/2017 7:30 PM Sanctuary Celebrate our Scouts at a special Shabbat service.

Scouts are encouraged to wear their uniforms and are invited to participate in the Shabbat Service. To participate in the service, please RSVP to Rebecca

by April 5th, rebecca@templeetzchaim.org.

04/30/2017 9:30 AM Remembrance Hall Grab a light bite after minyan and join in.

Advanced planning representatives from Mt. Sinai Simi Memorial Parks to discuss 10-10 program and advance-needs benefits.

Shabbat Morning J.A.M. Caregiver Support Group

04/15/2017 10 AM Wolfson

05/15/2017 11 AM Conference Room

Join us at this fun-filled Passover-themed Shabbat morning program focused on families with children ages 2-8, led by Hazzan Pablo Duek and educator Steve Ormond. We will participate in singing, dancing, storytelling and more! Complimentary lunch is also served.

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 (3rd) Monday of every month.

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PASSOVER

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Passover Schedule of Services 2017/5777 Day

Date

Time

Service

Monday Morning

April 10

6:45 a.m.

Siyum B’chorim— Service of the First Born

Monday, Sundown

April 10

Sundown

Family Sedarim for 1st night of Pesach

Tuesday Morning

April 11

10:00 a.m.

Festive Service for 1st Day of Pesach

Tuesday Evening

April 11

6:30 p.m.

Temple Family Seder for 2nd night of Pesach

Wednesday Morning

April 12

10:00 a.m.

Festive Service for 2nd Day of Pesach

Friday Evening

April 14

7:30 p.m.

Hol HaMoed Shabbat Service *In the Round

Saturday Morning

April 15

10 a.m.

Hol HaMoed Shabbat Service

Monday Morning

April 17

10:00 a.m.

Festive Services for the 7th day of Pesach

Tuesday Morning

April 18

10 a.m.

Festive Services for the 8th day of Pesach (with Yiskor)

SIYUM B’CHORIM

SERVICE FOR THE FIRST BORN

To commemorate the fact that the first born of Israel were spared the fate of the Egyptians who were smitten during the tenth plague, it became compulsory for the first born of each Jewish family to fast on the day preceding Passover. However, if the first born participates in the “Seudat Mitzvah” service, which is always after the conclusion of a Talmudic Tractate, he is exempt from fasting. We earnestly request anyone who is first born (or even those who are not) to participate in this service and learning experience. The Seudat Mitzvah will take place on Monday morning, April 10th at 6:45 a.m.******************* MAOT HITTIM - PASSOVER FUND During our festivals it is a longstanding tradition to care for those who are in need. At Passover, the fund for caring for Jews in need is called “Maot Hittim” (literally money for wheat). If you wish to make a contribution, please write a check to the Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund and designate it for “Maot Hittim”.

RABBI ARRANGES SALE OF CHAMETZ All persons who wish to sell their Chametz (non Passover food) before the Holiday should complete this form and return to the Temple office.

I, (please print)_________________________________, hereby authorize Rabbi Richard Spiegel to dispose of all Chametz that may be in my possession wherever it may be...at home, place of business or elsewhere, in accordance with the requirements of Jewish law.

IF YOU WISH TO MAKE A CONTRIBUTION, ALL PROCEEDS WILL GO TO CHARITY. HELP THOSE WHO ARE IN NEED TO CELEBRATE PESACH Signature________________________________________________________________________ 9

PASSOVER

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PASSOVER

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PASSOVER

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RELIGIOUS SCHOOL Joyce Bronstien Director of Religious School Education Joyce@templetzchaim.org

Passover will be celebrated during the month of April/Nisan. I feel especially awed when I think about the fact that the same ceremony has remained unchanged for centuries. The Torah teaches us that the first Seder took place on the eve of the Israelites’ quick departure from Egypt. The Seder represents another link in shared traditions of past, present and future.

Each year at the Passover Seder the youngest participant asks the same Four Questions. The Four Questions are important because by asking these traditional questions, we are really asking “What is the reason for this Passover holiday?” And the answer is that if G-d had not brought us out of Egypt, we would still be slaves. In other words, it is not just our ancestors who were set free…we too were set free! And so, the leader says in answer to the Four Questions that no matter how wise we become, or how much we study Torah, we still need to tell the story of the Exodus.

The Torah teaches us that G-d had compassion

and delivered us from slavery. Unfortunately, there are people today who are still oppressed. Our tradition teaches us that G-d wants all people to be free throughout the world.

At Religious School, students participate in a classroom Seder. Depending on their grade level, various age-appropriate Haggadot will be used. I find it inspiring to see teachers and students enjoy this special holiday together. As your child matures, he/ she will understand more. Try to include them in the preparation as much as possible; cleaning house, making haroset, searching for chametz, setting out the seder plate, and a multitude of other chores, all of which you can share with your children.

I feel it is important to create and give children their own memories to recount and share, because one day, they too will become parents and continue the traditions. Because of the experience of the Seder, both at home and at school, our children will have special moments to share with the next generation. The cycle continues….the memories grow…Jewish traditions are strengthened….how wonderful!

Chag Sameach!

WE PROUDLY CONGRATULATE OUR BAR MITZVAH Taylor Friedman 04/29/2017 My name is Taylor Friedman and I attend Colina Middle School as a 7th grader. I enjoy playing on the beach, basketball and soccer. I have been hearing about my bar mitzvah since preschool, and it is amazing to be at such a major milestone. I would like to thank my tutor, Marv Friedman, Rabbi Spiegel, Hazzan Pablo, my parents and my brothers for their support.

SHARING NACHES 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) 13

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FAMILY CAMP

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Non-Profit U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 131 Thousand Oaks, CA 91360

Temple Etz Chaim 1080 E. Janss Road Thousand Oaks, CA 91360 Clergy Rabbi Richard Spiegel Hazzan Pablo Duek Rabbi Emeritus Shimon Paskow

Administration Laurence Harris, Executive Director Debbie Blumenthal, ECE Director Joyce Bronstein, Religious School Director Shannon Tepfer, Youth Director Dena Feingold, Media and Outreach Specialist

Board of Directors: Sherri Finn, President Jeff Solomon, Executive Vice President Gary Katz, Immediate Past President Mark Zucherman, Men’s Club President Elissa Lazarus, Women of TEC President Larry Levine, Corresponding Secretary Lisa Eidman, Financial Secretary Debbie Cohen-Sitt, Recording Secretary Terri Zwicker, VP Adult Education Larry Slomowitz, VP Building and Grounds Brenda Kriger, VP Communications Shari Mark, VP Early Childhood Education Jeff Sigel, VP Legal and Personnel Kendra Jones, VP Membership Jen Sonnenberg Rhim, VP Religious School Ken Leon, VP Religion and Worship Amy B. Scop, VP Youth David Yodkovik, Treasurer Adam Ainley, Trustee Audit Wendy Margolis, Trustee Bingo Tami Wank, Trustee Community Outreach Steven Friedman, Trustee IT David Shechter, Trustee Strategic Planning Nanci Cooper, Past President Linda Friedlander, Past President The Mission Of Temple Etz Chaim is to provide a spiritual home for the exploration and expression of Judaism, to foster a warm and welcoming community for celebrating the joy and beauty of Marshall Scherr, Past President our Jewish Heritage, and to bring meaning to Jewish lives through religious observance, study of Torah performance of mitzvot.

Myles Simpson, Past President

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