ETZETERA - January 2023

LETTERS FROM OUR LEADERS

RABBI ARI AVERBACH

ERIC FEIGENBAUM, PRESIDENT eric@templeetzchaim.org rabbiaverbach@templeetzchaim.org

With each new year, we think about what the year will bring - whether we consider it in January or Tishreiand we hope for health and blessings. But I also think about the notable anniversaries that this year will bring.

The end of April will mark the 75th birthday of the state of Israel, a dream for 2,000 years that was fulfilled by dreamers and pioneers. A dream we - and our cousins 10,000 miles away - are continuing to make a reality. It will also be the 50th anniversary of the Yom Kippur War, which changed the geography and political landscape in Israel.

But other turning points in history will also be noted this coming year. December will mark 250 years since the Boston Tea Party, which was a turning point in the move for independence in our own country.

March will be 25 years since Pope John Paul II apologized on behalf of the Catholic Church for not doing anything to intervene in the Shoah.

A few months later will also mark 25 years since the website Google launched. And it is ten years since the movie Frozen taught us to "Let it Go."

The real question is what are we going to do in 2023? How are you and I going to learn together, grow, and make our community stronger, kinder, and more holy?

I look forward to celebrating with you in this new year, sitting down to coffee with you, and learning more of your story.

Jews are fortunate to get two New Years – both Jewish andsecular.Weareapeoplewiththetendencytoreflect on the past and draw lessons – so the modern era giving ustwoNewYearsisagift.

My resolution as Temple President is to create as many meaningful opportunities for our congregants and community to engage in Jewish life through TEC as possible. This is something we’ve been building towards formonthsandthatIhopetoseeblossomin2023.

Already arrived: The Sunday Stickaround. Every Sunday from 9:30 to 11:30 we offer varied programs aimed to engage a variety of tastes and interests across the demographics that make up our congregation. We’ve already enjoyed a broad swath of activities including making sandwiches for the hungry, town hall meetings, challah making, active shooter training and learning how to safeguard our kids from predators. In the future we’ll have yoga, anxiety experts, adult education and of course holiday programming as we move through the Jewishyear.

Beyond that, expect to have a lecture series from our new Sister Synagogue (more on that to come) Etz Hayyim of Hania, Crete this spring. This tiny synagogue and UNESCO World Heritage site is still recovering from Holocaust and has several academics who study and teach about the Judaism and Jewish life of Crete and Greece, which include a unique Non-Talmudic Judaism and Seferim Torah written in Greek. We are exploring numerous ways our Shuls can work together in the long run and how our Etz Chaim can be part of helping anotherJewishcommunitytoflourishonceagain.

We are also excited that Professor Kathryn Paige Harden (https://www.kpharden.com) will be the first speaker in our Spring thought-leader series at the Bank of America Performing Arts Center in Thousand Oaks. Moreonthatsoonaswell.

All of this to say 2023 is going to be a big year for TEC. I recognize we all participate in this community for different reasons, bringing our different needs. My hope isthatin2023everyonefindssomethingtheycrave.

HappyNewYear!

Happy New Year! As we begin a new year and the second half of our school year, we look forward to coming back from winter break and getting back to our classroom routines and learning!

January is a fun month for winter themes to enrich our learning and exploration. Within our classrooms, the children will be learning about hibernation, penguins, arctic animals, space, and Martin Luther King, Jr. Towards the end of the month,theJewishholidayofTuB’Shevatwillbe introduced. The children can explore the curriculumintheirlearningcenters,sensoryplay, songs,andstories.

Before we know it, we will be starting registration for the 2023-24 school year! In the month of February, all current TEC preschool and infant familieswillbeaskedtoregisterforthenewschool yearandthenwewillstartfillingopenspacesfrom ourWaitListandnewregistrationsafterthat.

OnMartinLutherKing,Jr.Daytheentireschoolwill enjoya“PeacePicnic”togetherandsingsongsof Peace with Miss Bobbie. The children will participateinactivitiesthatintroducekindnessand peacefulfunforeveryone!

ThestaffandIallappreciateyoursupportandhelp with all our health and safety protocols, mask wearingwhennecessary,stayinghomewhensick, andBrightwheelcommunication! Wearesohappy tobeatschoolwithyourchildrenandworkingvery hard to keep everyone healthy and safe and have funlearningallatthesametime!

Wishingeveryoneaveryhappy,healthy,andbright NewYear2023!

Thank you for being a part of our Temple Etz Chaimfamily!

DebbieBlumenthal

BRONSTEIN

After a wonderful Hanukkah celebration and a festive New Year, the staff and I eagerly look forwardtoseeingourstudents. Wemissthem!

Havdalah and Hotdogs will take place on February 4,2023….pleasesavethedate. Althoughthename isthesame,thethemeandactivitiesforallageswill be different. The theme this year is “Tu B’Shevat.” Havdalah and Hotdogs is fun, creative, and informative. Every age group will be able to participate in the many exciting activities based on the “theme” of the evening. Remember to come and be a part of the “community project.” Please sign up by following the link on the TEC website, “HavdalahandHotdogs;”theflyerwithmore

information can be found in this bulletin you are currently reading. Seeing everyone there will make thisdaygreat!

Programs such as “Havdalah and Hotdogs” leave an incredible imprint on our children. Additionally, extracurricular “happenings” enrich our students’ Jewish Education at Temple Etz Chaim. We hope that your children will be able to participate in many activitiesonJanuary4thandthatyou,asparents,will jointhemtoo.

Thank you so much for Temple Etz Chaim’s thoughtful in-kind donation of 60 sets of personal care items, received on Sunday, November 6, 2022 aspartofMitzvahDay.

CINDY GOLDBERG

Asyoureadthis,Ḥanukkahisarecentmemory.We aresohappyforallwhocametocelebratetogether onthe21st.It’swonderfultobeabletobetogether with our TEC family to eat, sing, and enjoy an evening together. Thank you to all the volunteers and religious school aides who helped make the eventsuchasuccess.

The holiday’s focus of standing together and combating those who want to eradicate Jews is relevanttoday,asitwasin200BC.Asasynagogue community,wewillrecommitourselvestostanding up and speaking out as Jews who believe that inciteful,dangerousspeechandhatefulactionsare simplynotacceptable.

TheTalmudteachesthatstayingsilentisequivalent to assent. When we hear something or read something that is antisemitic or hate-filled in any way, we must renounce it. To show our commitment, we are excited to have been chosen to participate in the first cohort of a nationwide program called Kulanu: Synagogues Together Fighting Antisemitism (Kulanu means “all of us”). In the coming months, we will be moving in that direction:learning,growing,andadvocatingfor

PROGRAMMING & YOUTH DIRECTOR

joyce@templeetzchaim.org

We are grateful for your compassion for our kids, evidenced by your kind gift, enabling us to provide much more for these struggling youth than would be possible on their own. Thank you for helping us to meetneeds,tostretchtheboundariesofpossibilities, and to enable them to experience a piece of the innocence that their childhood should know. We are gratefulforyourpartnershipinbringinghealingto

Through these many experiences TEC offers to our children, we hope to enrich and strengthen their Jewishidentity.

B’Vracha, JoyceBronstein

JOYCE

RELIGIOUS SCHOOL DIRECTOR

cindy@templeetzchaim.org

DEBBIE BLUMENTHAL debbieb@templeetzchaim.org

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION DIRECTOR

TEC TRIBUTES TEC TRIBUTES

Barbara & Harvey Scherr Memorial Fund

In Memory of Dora Bigley Ferne Blaugrund Dunaier Music Fund In Memory of Benjamin Marx David Marx

Early Childhood Education Fund In Memory of Aaron Marcus Bruce Cohen

In Memory of Passing of Opa Evan& Elisa Robichaud

In Memroy of Fern Starr Debbi& Scott Blumenthal

In Memory of Fern Starr Jessica Dennis

Tim Tucker & Kiki Perrin

Elisa Feldman Memorial Religious School Scholarship Fund

In Memory of Seymour Feldman Les & Debbie Feldman

Feeding the Hungry for Harbor House Jack & Judy Gindi

Jotkowitz Camp Ramah Scholarship Fund

In Memory of Gerald Schwager Charles Schwager

In Honor of Men's Club Board Alan Horwitz

Kiddush Fund

In Memory of Barbara Diane Jacobs Margie Gendler Marks

Lipnick Religious School Scholarship Fund

In Memory of Solomon Stockell Bonnie Rothman

In Memory of Irwin Stockell Bonnie Rothman

In Memory of Lillian Gurien Harvey Gurien

Men's Club Scholar-in-Residence

In Honor of Buzz Schoenkerman with gratitude for 35 years of friendship and support John & Sandra Lutzker

Men's Club Silverstein Humanitarian Fund

In Memory of Abraham Goldstein Susan E. Cohen

In Memory of Wilma Saly Richard Saly

In Memory of Bernie Silverstein Richard & Gari Saly

Rabbi Averbach's Discretionary Fund In Memory of Stubby Kaye Cheryl Wolfe

In Memory of Samuel Groden Ronald Groden

In Memory of Bronna Engler Richard Engler

In Memory of Doris Levine Gary Levine

In Memory of Frances Greenholt Marie Rubens

In Memory of Jylian Mendelson Beau Mann

In Memory of Esther Natkowitz Marvin Natlin

In Memory of Shirley Zeitlin Lubetkin The Lubetkin Family

In Memory of Sylvia Samson Donald Samson

In Memory of Henry Zonshine Bob Zonshine

In Memory of Joseph Markowitz Bonnie Garfinkel

In Memory of Esther Kane Daniel Kane

In Memory if Dolores Plaster David Cohan

In Memory of Irwin Marco Fran Curtis

In Appreciation of Rabbi Averbach for all of his suppprt and support of the Hillel students by extension.Robert & Seth Browner

In Appreciation of Rabbi Averbach's support of Ezra's Bar Mitzvah Gabor Nagy & Harriet Oberman

Religious School Fund In Memory of Beatrice Speiser Robin Goldfinger

In Memory of Josephine Berman Cynthia Urbach

In Memory of Esther Kane Daniel Kane

In Honor of Mitzvah Day Beth Meyer

Sandra Tischler Religious School Scholarship Fund

In Memory of Alan Bass

Jerome Ratzan

In Memory of Marcelle Carlin Jerome Ratzan

Temple General Fund In Memory of Florence Young George Usi

In memory of Babcia Jay & Debra Levine

In Memory of Dr. Michael J. Fishbein Bruce & Cara Berryman

In Memory of Noel & Vivian Sterling Randi Cohn

In Memory of Betty Honigsberg Max Honigsberg

In Memory of Benno Silberman Jon & Jacqueline Silberman

In Memory of Hilda Presser Francine Finkelstein

Sidney & Sheryl Gutmann

Tzedakah Fund In Memory of Lillian Bettman Kluber Lou Kluber

USY Youth & Scholarship Fund

In Memory of Sylvia Elbling Ronald Elbling

In Memory of Norma Smith Andy & Ellen Smith

Women of TEC Scholarship Fund In Memory of Paul Moore Ann Moore-Ross

Women of TEC Torah Fund In Memory of Emilee Markstein Lynda Manzur-Peek

In Memory of Sophie Tenenbaum William & Sandy Tenenbaum

Temple Etz Chaim wants to thank you for your generous contributions to our community Temple Etz Chaim wants to thank you for your generous contributions to our community in honor of those we love and in memory of those we have lost. in honor of those we love and in memory of those we have lost.

PAM FRIEDMAN

VP, SOCIAL ACTION socialaction@templeetzchaim.org

TEC Social Action is so grateful for the amazing support of our congregation. Our Adopt a Family donation drive was able to donate $2,000 in Target gift cards to Harbor House for the local homeless community. Sheri Groenveld explained how this donation will make such a difference in so many lives. Ann Sturman at Many Mansions was overjoyed with our gifts. We dropped off three bikes, and piles and piles of gifts for the families of Many Mansions. All of the beautifully wrapped gifts for Homebound Seniors were excitedly accepted by Senior Concerns and then delivered by the Meals on Wheels Program. Finally, a wonderful collection of unwrapped toys for the families who rely on the Westminster Free Clinic for medical care were dropped off to welcoming arms and smiles. I would like to thank the Social Action team for all their hard work in putting this donation drive together. There are so many things to do including coordinating adopting families and adoptees, packaging, collecting gifts, and delivery of course. A special thanks to the efforts of Judy Gindi and RobynZimmet.

This month we will be finishing our First Aid Drive. Look for the email and click on the donation link or use the QR code to bring up the Signup Genius list. Thursday January 19th is the last day to drop off donationitemsintheyellowdonationbinnexttotheguardstation.

Our next Feed the Hungry for Harbor House will be Tuesday, January 24th.AConstantContactemailwillbesentoutsoon. Thankyouforyourcontinuedsupport, PamelaFriedman

LINDA HUTCHINGS

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

WOTECislookingforwardtoanexciting2023!Ourmembershipbooklets will be heading your way soon and we have some fun events planned in thenewyear. Our first event will be on the afternoon of January 8th from 1-5pm and it will be a Trivial Pursuit Tournament with the option to play Mahjong and some other board games too. We will have a lot of fun, so pleasemarkyourcalendars. Someothergreateventsareintheworks,so please check your email updates. All of the WOTEC Constant Contact emails come from the following email: Wotecnews@gmail.com -- so pleasenotatethisemailasasafesendersoyoucanreceiveourupdates.

November and December were busy months for WOTEC. We enjoyed a fabulous WALK and NOSH in November. We walked throughout the Oak Canyon Park and then finished off with a lovely brunch of bagels, muffins and fruit. WOTEC was also honored to provide the Sufganiyot for the Hanukkah event. We enjoyed the Mahjong Game Day event and an informalhappyhoureventtoo.

WOTEC Board meetings are on the first Tuesday of each month at 7pm and we hold these either in person or on Zoom. If you would like to attend, pleasefeelfree.

If you are looking for worthwhile causes to donate to, please consider donating to Torah Fund. Torah Fund is the official philanthropy of the Women's League of Conservative Judaism that raises funds to support Rabbinical and Cantorial Scholars. Please reach out to Esther Pullan or PhyllisDankbergformoredetails.

IfyouarelookingforanyGiftShopJudaicaitems,pleasereachouttoAnn Ross or Phyllis Dankberg -- they can help you with tallit, invitations and anythingelsethatyouarelookingfor.

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

On Wednesday evening, December 21, the Men’s Club provided, prepared, and served latkes (with applesauce and sour cream) in support of the Temple Etz Chaim’s program to celebrate the fourth night of Chanukah. The turnout was great, and it was so wonderful to seefamilieshavingsuchafuntime,especiallythechildren.

On January 15, the Men’s Club is coordinating a “Football with the Rabbi” event. We will be watching the NFL Playoff games, imbibing our favorite beverages, and kibbitzing. Check the Temple flyer for time and place.

On January 22, the Men’s Club is organizing an Ice-Skating event. Everyoneiswelcometojoinin.Onceagain,checktheTempleflyersfor time,place,andcost.

In mid-December, you should have received a letter from Men’s Club Scholar in Residence Chair, Mark Zucherman, and me informing you of our Scholar in Residence weekend scheduled for April 28 – April 30. This year’s scholar is Rabbi Daniel Cohen. He speaks nationally inspiring people to maximize every moment while leading a life of impactandlegacy.Oneofhisbookstitlesis“WhatWillTheySayAbout

You When You Are Gone? Creating a Life of Legacy.” Please reserve time on your calendar to attend and consider participating as a Program Sponsor. If you have not received the mid-December mailing or would like more information, please reach out to us via the Men’s Clubmailbox:mensclub@templeetzchaim.org

Happyandhealthy2023toall.

Also, please make sure to be added to our WOTEC Constant Contact emails. If you are not receiving our email updates, please email me at LindaH@templeetzchaim.org B'Shalom,

CHAIR, CLERGY SEARCH COMMITTEE andrea@templeetzchaim.org

DearTempleEtzChaim,

The Clergy Search Committee is patiently awaiting candidates' submissions from the Cantorial Assembly, the conservative movement's largest group of Cantor oversight. It seems that patience is a required virtue in this process. We have reached out a number of times to ensure that all steps are being properly followed, and each time the response is tojustbepatient.

Inthemeantime,we'reexploringallavenuesandprospects.Westrivefor helpingthelongtermsuccessandoverallwellbeingofTEC.Asweknow moreaboutcandidatesandprospectswe'llcontinuetoupdateyou.

We thank you for your support and understanding through this process. Asalways,wearealwaysavailabletospeakwithyou.

AndreaArons

IRWIN

ANDREA ARONS

LindaHutchings

Whether you are anticipating a Bar or Bat Mitzvah or a little bundle of joy, please let us know so our entire community can share in the celebration. Send all simcha information to communications@templeetzchaim.org