ETZETERA - MARCH 2023

C H A I M

ISSUE 3

E T Z

MARCH 2023

T E M P L E

TABLE OF CONTENTS 3. Letters From Our Leaders 4. TEC Education 5. Construction Update 6. Deja View 8. Calender 9. Birthdays & Anniversaries

THIS

MONTH'S SPOTLIGHT

PURIM SEE PAGE 13

10. TEC Tributes 11. TEC Community 12. Simchas 13. Upcoming Events CLERGY Rabbi Ari Averbach Interim Cantor Kenny Ellis Rabbi Emeritus Richard Spiegel Rabbi Emeritus Shimon Paskow

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 Programming & Events Coordinator Shane Silverstein ECE Administrative Assistant Linda Starr RS Administrative Assistant Sarah Karamas Accounts Receivable 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 David Yodkovik Corresponding Secretary Elissa Lazarus Recording Secretary Rachael Pugh VP, Building & Grounds Dan Wachs VP, Communications Rachel Carmona VP, Early Childhood Education Chad Hampton VP, Personnel & Legal Josh Hopstone VP, Project Funding Wendy Margolis* VP, Religion & Worship Benny Sommerfeld VP, Religious School Education Adya Riss VP, Social Action Pam Friedman VP, Youth Ilana Sweet Trustee, Bingo Marshall Scherr* Trustee, Community Outreach Mark Goldstein Trustee, Governance Steve Plotkin Trustee, Programming Dan Lubetkin Trustee, Sustainability Ely Jacobsohn President, Mens Club Irwin Barney President, Women of TEC Linda Hutchings Past President, Board Member Sherri Finn-Werber Past President, Board Member Gary Katz Past President, Board Member Myles Simpson *Past President

LETTERS FROM OUR LEADERS

RABBI ARI AVERBACH

rabbiaverbach@templeetzchaim.org

I have been teaching a class on Friday mornings that has become one of the highlights of my week. We comb through Jewish texts, finding new perspectives on our ancient words. I spend part of each week mining through sources, comparing commentators, reading the words of the greatest minds in Jewish history.

And then I present it to the class, and I am surprised – every week – that the people in our class bring up a different standpoint that I had not considered, that our sages had not elucidated.

How lucky I am to get to think and discuss (and sometimes debate) with the great minds of our generation, right here in Temple Etz Chaim’s Wolfson Auditorium!

This is one of the beautiful things about Jewish text: no one has ownership on one right answer. Every person brings something new to the table, something that they can teach.

Lest someone think they know everything, our books are a reminder that there is always more to know. An example of this is that each book of the Talmud (codified about 1500 years ago) starts on page 2, as if even were you to read the entire book, you will never know everything.

I am grateful to be in a community of learners – people who want to keep discovering what our tradition teaches about the world today, and what the world today teaches about our traditions.

ERIC FEIGENBAUM

PRESIDENT

eric@templeetzchaim.org

Queen Esther was a reluctant hero. She began life as an everyday person who almost unwillingly was pulled into life of royalty. When bad things started happening, she had every incentive to stay quiet. It would have been easy for her to live her protected and luxurious life and allow the politics around her to be. Moreover, she knew speaking up could be fatal. But with the lives of family, friends and all of her people on the line, she prayed and found the courage to have uncomfortable conversations. To have conversations which were almost unimaginable.

One important truth we can learn from Purim is that in a sense we (and maybe Megan Markle too) are all Queen Esther. There are a lot of large and important topics we face in our individual lives, in our society and as a human race that can feel so big or risky – or so beyond us – that the easy path is to go about our lives and leave the big decisions to others – hoping the outcomes won’t be too terrible.

Like Queen Esther, we live lives of privilege and power. Never in history have Jews had as much power as we do here and now. We are equal citizens in a heterogeneous society where we worship freely, have access to high levels of education, can live wherever we want, take any job we want, own property, hold political offices and hold title to the pursuit of happiness. Like Queen Esther, our privilege gives us the responsibility to care about what’s going on and engage in difficult conversations when needed.

With this in mind, Temple Etz Chaim is gearing up to introduce a new speaker series entitled Our World Evolving: Global Thought Leaders. For our inaugural year, we will welcome three diverse guests to our Thousand Oaks community, starting with Professor Jared Diamond this July. Each speaker is an expert in his or her field and each has extremely thought-provoking topics to discuss. Their talks will trigger emotional, moral, and ethical discussion, and you will have the opportunity to take part, accompanied by your TEC mishpacha. Don’t sit this out. Don’t let others make the big decisions. Come learn and be part of conversations that will shape the very future of humanity.

And have a very Happy Purim. www.templeetzchaim.org

March 2023 Adar/Nisan 5783

3

DEBBIE BLUMENTHAL As the month of March begins, the preschoolers are fully engaged in the story of Purim. The classrooms are stocked with crowns, costumes, Purim character masks and of course, groggers. This is a holiday where the children can use their dramatic play skills to celebrate the bravery of Esther, be silly like King Achashverosh, and be a hero to help the Jewish people.

Every Friday in the month of March we are inviting Grandparents to visit the classrooms with their grandchildren! Grandparents are a valuable part of our lives. They have so many stories and experiences to share with all of us.

JOYCE

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION DIRECTOR

We look forward to these intergenerational experiences. Together the family members will participate in activities in the classrooms and will finish the morning at our Shabbat Singalong.

We appreciate all the parent volunteers and those on the committee of the Parents of Temple Etz Chaim for helping us with our school, holiday and family events! We all value your support!

Towards the end of March, we are introducing the next Jewish holiday Pesach, or Passover.

The older preschoolers will visit the Matzah Factory and make their own matzah. We will enjoy the story of Passover, special Passover foods and classroom Seders.

Chag Sameach!

Our ECE parents’ group, Parents of Temple Etz Chaim (PTEC), had a Parents’ Night Out on March 1 at Tarantula Hill restaurant on Thousand Oaks Boulevard. It was a fun gettogether and a great RELIGIOUS way to meet other ECE SCHOOL BRONSTEIN DIRECTOR families.

Havdallah and Hotdogs, our annual family program, was once again a great success this year. We are so grateful to our anonymous donor family for their generous annual sponsorship of Havdallah and Hotdogs, which allows us to offer this fun-filled evening of food, crafts, and activities at a reduced cost to families. Todah Rabah!

This extravaganza could not have occurred without the outstanding and hardworking individuals listed below. From conception to fruition, all those involved in Havdallah and Hotdogs worked diligently to make this evening a success: Susan Kane, Karen Garelik, Maya Tenenbaum, Heidi Birnbaum, Rabbi Averbach, Leo Bronstein,

Sarah Karamas, Carl Friedlander, Linda Friedlander, Cindy Goldberg, Adya Riss, Auggie Riss, Merrill Kaminsky, Steve Kaminsky, Felicia Toporoff, Ian Toporoff, Jeff Landes, Matt Sanders, Terri Zwicker, Joe Zwicker, Vanessa Averbach, Cantor Kenny Ellis, Lori Arons, Jessica Dennis, Adam Felsen, Nicole Lodtner, Tobi Love, Randee Paller, Rivka Moscovitch, Jill Rosenberg, Dani Urman, Evelinda Urman, Ilana Urman, Niki Stokols, Mark Stokols, and Lior Yakov. Also, a huge thank you to Gideon Manzur, Shane Silverstein, and our fantastic maintenance staff for ensuring everything was set up and to our teenage aides – Sara Blakely, Mia Sonnenberg-Rhim, Emma Riss, and Ashley Tepfer.

CINDY GOLDBERG March Madness TEC Style begins…

We started the month a little early with a walk to combat the rise of antisemitism globally, nationally, and locally as a proud sponsor and supporter of the Tri-County ADL Walk Against Hate, held at Conejo Creek North on February 26. TEC was proudly and mightily represented at the event, which brought people from all across Ventura County together. It was a great afternoon of community and learning. Thank you to all who volunteered and who participated in the event in any other way. Your presence made a difference.

Bim Bam Shabbat will be held March 4 on the Gesher play yard. Mr. Steve will be with us again as we celebrate Shabbat together. This song-filled morning is geared for families with young children.

www.templeetzchaim.org

debbieb@templeetzchaim.org

PROGRAMMING & YOUTH DIRECTOR

Purim is almost here, and we are looking forward to the merriment that only an amazing carnival, megillah reading, shpiel, hamantaschen, and homemade knishes can bring. If you haven’t already done so, please sign up to volunteer for the carnival on March 5 from 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM. This year, we will be adding a street fair component to the carnival for added fun for all ages. The Pop-Up Purim Pizza Party, Megillah reading and Shpiel will be held on March 6, beginning at 5:30 PM with pizza and 6:15 PM for the merriment of the main event(s) – the megillah and shpiel.

Our afternoon at the theater to see Fiddler on the Roof will be on March 16. We are looking forward to sharing this cultural experience together.

Debbie Blumenthal

joyce@templeetzchaim.org

We hope you plan to attend "Havdallah and Hotdogs" again next year. Although the name stays the same, the theme of Havdallah and Hotdogs changes every year. We already have next year's theme planned – you will love it!

We are looking forward to sharing many more happy times at Temple Etz Chaim.

Happy Purim – Chag Purim – Enjoy, Joyce Bronstein

cindy@templeetzchaim.org Look for upcoming information about how to join us for a group trip to the Ronald Reagan Library Auschwitz exhibit on the Sunday (4/16/23) preceding Yom HaShoah. Rabbi Averbach will also be participating in a community wide memorial at the Reagan Library that evening. We are looking forward to a meaningful day together.

Members of TEC USY joined with Aliyah and Shomrei Torah in their annual Into the Night activity, and Machar and Kadima continue to have fun-filled lounge activities. Our next lounges are planned with Machar tentatively scheduled for March 19 and Kadima scheduled for March 28.

Sunday StickArounds continue on March 19 with a Town-Hall focusing on educational opportunities at TEC. As usual, the Town Hall will begin at 9:30 AM. March 2023 Adar/Nisan 5783

4

GIDEON MANZUR

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

gideon@templeetzchaim.org

The construction team has been working diligently to ensure that the project is completed on time and with the highest quality standards.

As of now, the interior walls and floors have been stripped down, and the new electrical and plumbing systems have been installed.

The next phase of the renovation will focus on rebuilding the walls, installing new flooring, and updating the lighting fixtures.

We would like to thank all of our members for their patience and understanding during this renovation period. We understand that the construction work may cause some disruptions, but we assure you that it will be worth it once the renovation is complete.

We will continue to keep you updated on the progress of the renovation, and we look forward to welcoming you all back to the newly renovated building soon.

www.templeetzchaim.org

March 2023 Adar/Nisan 5783

5

'

'

D E J A

V I E W

A LOOK BACK AT TEMPLE EVENTS & PROGRAMMING

HAVDALAH & HOT DOGS

FEBRUARY 4, 2023

www.templeetzchaim.org

March 2023

Adar/Nisan 5783

6

'

'

D E J A

V I E W

A LOOK BACK AT TEMPLE EVENTS & PROGRAMMING

TU B'SHVAT

FEBRUARY 5, 2023

www.templeetzchaim.org

March 2023

Adar/Nisan 5783

7

MAR 2023

DATES TO REMEMBER SUN

MON

TUE

WED

THU

FRI

1

2

3

SAT 4 BIM BAM SHABBAT

5

6

7

PURIM CARNIVAL& STREET FAIR

POP-UP PURIM PIZZA PARTY

PURIM

8

9

10

11

MEGILLAH READING

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

20

21

22

23

24

25

30

31

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF

19 SUNDAY STICKAROUND

BOARD MEETING

MEN'S CLUB WINE TASTING

26

27

WOTEC PLANT 'N SIP

www.templeetzchaim.org

28

29

USY - KADIMA

March 2023

Adar/Nisan 5783

8

Save the Date: Passover Community Seder Thursday, April 6th

www.templeetzchaim.org

March 2023 Adar/Nisan 5783

9

T E C

T R I B U T E S

Early Childhood Education Fund In Memory of Ida Bernstein Marshall & Roni Rosen

Rabbi Averbach's Discretionary Fund In Memory of Irwin Gollub Michael & Helene Gollub

Ritual Fund In Memory of Rachel Rosen Marshall & Roni Rosen

Elisa Feldman Memorial Religious School Scholarship Fund In Memory of Sara Clara Freed Kenneth & Linda Leon

In Memory of Sara Clara Freed Jan & Janice Orlowski

In Memory of Samuel Rosen Marshall & Roni Rosen

In Memory of Arnold Patent Myles & Gail Simpson

Temple General Fund In Honor of Sidney Green WIlliam Green

In Memory of Lillian Mezey, Bernard Mezey, Lisa O'Brien & Gertrude Mezey Myles & Gail Simpson

In Memory Of Sara Clara Freed Ann Sturman

In Memory of Sara Clara Freed Les & Debbie Feldman

In Memory of Arnold Patent Peter Jaysen

In Memory of Eugene Feldman Les & Debbie Feldman

In Memory of Arnold Patent Jeff & Sheri Schoenwald

In Honor of the Birth of Zev Isaacs Les & Debbie Feldman

In Appreciation of Rabbi Averbach Marshall & Roni Rosen

In Honor of Stan & Lynne Rosen becoming GreatGrandparents Les & Debbie Feldman

In Honor of Marshall Rosen's 2nd Bar Mitzvah Jerry & Lynn Hoffman

In Memory of Jack Borgen Eileen Sachs In Memory of Sadie Borgen Eileen Sachs In Memory of Benjamin Barney Irwin Barney In Memory of Simon Dubinsky Jeff Schoenwald Jotkowitz Camp Ramah Scholarship Fund In Memory of Marvin Rosen Marshall & Roni Rosen In Memory of Sidney Rosen Marshall & Roni Rosen Kiddush Fund In Memory of Sara Clara Freed Myles & Gail Simpson Lipnick Religious School Scholarship Fund In Memory of Ira Goldberg Susan Goldberg In Memory of Bertha Winterstein Susan Goldberg In Memory of Sylvia Rothman Bonnie Rothman In Memory of Clara Stockell Bonnie Rothman In Memory of Jim Levin Barbara Shannon In Memory of Walter Michelson Barbara Shannon In Memory of Jacob Stelman Myrna Stelman Men's Club Scholar-in-Residence In Memory of Bella Lewin Varkel Frank Lewin In Memory of Anne Henry Kaufman Joel Shrater Men's Club Silverstein Humanitarian Fund In Honor of Marshall Rosen's BIrthday Myles & Gail Simpson In Memory of Joseph Mason Claudine Marx In Memory of Julian Robert Saly Richard & Gari Saly Minyan Fund In Memory of Joseph Bernstein Marshall & Roni Rosen

In Memory of Arnold Patent Michael & Martha Kahn In Memory of Dorothy Kwartler Linda Moskowitz In Memory of Robert Lichtmann Martin Lichtmann In Memory of Pinchos Smith Andy Smith In Memory of Alfred Agranoff Eileen Sachs

In Memory of Bobbie Eisenstadt Harvey Korn In Memory of Sofia R. Weinstein Sofia Kobrin In Memory of Rebecca Weinstein Sofia Kobrin In Memory of Arnold Patent Garvin & Sharon Kotzin In Memory of Sara Clara Freed Itzhak & Yola Kalinski In Memory of Cecil Moll Francine Finkelstein Tzedakah Fund In Memory of Sylvia Rosen Marshall & Roni Rosen In Memory of William Rosen Marshall & Roni Rosen In Memory of Ruth Ann Kalisher Andrea Smith

In Memory of Arnold Borgen Eileen Sachs

USY Youth & Scholarship Fund In Memory of Sidney Barnett Jane Spitzer

In Memory of Tania Pfefferman Arthur Pfefferman

Women of TEC Torah Fund Liz Groden

In Memory of Richard Manes Randy Manes

In Memory of Bill Tiefenthal Ann Moore-Ross

In Memory of Abe N. Kessler Gilbert Kessler

In Memory of Sidney Reuben Sandra Reuben

In Memory of Esther Gollub Michael & Helene Gollub

In Memory of Roslyn Dallek Susan Cohen

In Memory of Lawrence Oberman Robin Oberman In Memory of Robert Treisman Robin Oberman In Memory of Joseph Engler Richard Engler In Memory of Rachel Sender Fine Lila Oberman In Memory of David Buchbinder Sara Sturman In Memory of Earl Lutzker John & Sandra Lutzker In Memory of Morris Wolf Cheryl Wolf In Memory of Frank Winer Mark Wolfson Religious School Fund In Memory of Anita Levene Marshall & Roni Rosen In Memory of Arthur Levene Marshall & Roni Rosen In Memory of Stan Friedman Steven Friedman In Memory of Blanche Bozarth Richard Engler In Memory of Annette Shapiro Barbara Budish

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. www.templeetzchaim.org

March 2023 Adar/Nisan 5783

10

PAM FRIEDMAN

LINDA HUTCHINGS

Social Action, in partnership with the Women’s Interfaith Network, is asking for donations for newly arrived Refugee Families. These families are here legally and come from all over the world. These families are relocating to our area, and they have so very little.

Please mark your calendars for two great events this month!

VP, SOCIAL ACTION socialaction@templeetzchaim.org

The Conejo Interfaith Team which works with the International Rescue Committee, has asked for our help in gathering much needed essential supplies to help these families settle into their new homes.

We will be gathering donated items to make Welcome Baskets for each family. Each family will receive Kitchen, Bathroom, and Cleaning Basket. Each basket will be filled with items to start a home.

Some of the items needed by our Refugee Families include a saucepan, frying pans, bath towels, wash cloths, bars of soap, toothbrushes, a box of band aids and so much more. Please check the Welcome Baskets for Refugee Families Constant Contact for the Signup Genius link for the full list of items needed. Please sign up to donate by March 15th. In addition to your donation, we would love to have you join us in making the Welcome Baskets on Thursday, March 30th.

All the Welcome Baskets will be distributed to local Refugee Families by the Conejo Interfaith Refugee Team and the International Refugee Committee.

Thank you for your support of this important program.

Pamela Friedman

IRWIN BARNEY

PRESIDENT, MEN'S CLUB mensclub@templeetzchaim.org

During February, the Men’s Club participated in the Federation of Jewish Men’s Club World Wide Wrap. The event’s goal is to try to have all Jews everywhere put on Tefillin on the same day in February. Men’s Club members attended the TEC weekly Sunday minyan on February 12 to participate. The event turned out to be truly worldwide as our fellow Men’s Club member and TEC Board Officer, Benny Sommerfeld, joined us from Israel via Zoom. In addition, in the week prior to the World Wide Wrap day, Men’s Club members worked with TEC Religious School students to help them learn about tefillin and how to put them on. Yasher Koach to Jon Hops for coordinating the Men’s Club effort and providing meaningful teachings about tefillin to both our religious school students and attendees at the Sunday minyan.

March is planned to be event filled. The Men’s Club will be hosting a Beer Garden at the TEC Purim Carnival and manning the barbeque.

We will be packaging memorial candles and a meditation for distribution to the TEC community for use in commemoration of Yom HaShoah which begins on Monday evening April 17. The last March activity will be a kosher wine tasting event to help you select something to your liking for your Seder table.

As a reminder, our Scholar in Residence weekend is 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 impact and legacy. One of his books titles is “What Will They Say About 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 would like more information, please reach out to us via the Men’s Club mailbox: mensclub@templeetzchaim.org.

www.templeetzchaim.org

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

The first is the Women's League of Conservative Judaism's Pacific Southwest Region's Annual Conference and Torah Fund Study Day via Zoom is being held Sunday, March 12th from 10am-3pm. The theme for this year's conference is: Chazak v’Ematz: Be Strong & Courageous Empowering women to make a positive difference strengthening our community through engagement, volunteerism, and support while strengthening ourselves spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically.

Synagogue member and WOTEC Member, Cheryl Wolf is a featured panelist . In addition, former WOTEC President, Elissa Lazarus, is being recognized as an Honoree from Temple Etz Chaim at the Conference for exemplifying the theme of Chazak v' Ematz. You can register online or via mail. The cost for a standard ticket is $36.00 to attend and sponsor tickets are available for $100.00.

More info: https://www.wlcjregion.org/pacsw/ You can also place a tribute ad for the conference as well at this site if you like.

We are also excited to be hosting a Plant 'N Sip on March 26th from 1pm3pm in the Wolfson Auditorium. Join us to create your own succulents bowl and enjoy some wine and refreshments shmoozing with friends. This event is $30.00 and open to all Temple Members; registration and payment is required in advance.

Please RSVP to dgallenberg@templeetzchaim.org Our WOTEC Board meetings are the second Tuesday of the month and typically held in person and via Zoom.

Linda Hutchings

ANDREA ARONS

CHAIR, CLERGY SEARCH COMMITTEE andrea@templeetzchaim.org

Greetings Temple Etz Chaim, It gives me great joy to share with you that the Clergy Search Committee has 3 wonderful new candidates this month. All are interested in the fulltime Cantor position and we're moving forward, full steam ahead! The committee, while full of excitement, is still ensuring each candidate meets all our criteria. After each candidate completes their interview, should they be a good potential fit for our synagogue, we'll keep you apprised via email about future weekend visits. At this point it's too soon to determine if and when those would happen, though we realize you'd all like to plan your calendars accordingly. We'll give you as much advance notice as possible, though sometimes we don't have a lot of notice ourselves. Your flexibility and understanding are very much appreciated during this process.

We look forward to sharing happiness and song with you in the coming months!

Shavua Tov, Andrea Arons March 2023 Adar/Nisan 5783

11

Zoe Juliette Rose Sharon Born February 23, 2023 Parents: Sydney and Brit Sharon Big Sister: Thea Sharon Big Brother: Nathan Sharon Grandparents: Dana and Dany Sharon and Briar and Jay Grossman

Aiyla Kenzie Friedman Born February 17, 2023 Parents: Aubrey and Ian Friedman Big Brother: Reece Friedman Grandparents: Pam and Steve Friedman and Karen and Steven Nickel

Dalia Nora Stock Born February 18, 2023 Parents: Natalie and Cory Stock Big Brother: Jacob Stock Grandparents: Lynn and Ron Freeman and Anna and Harold Stock 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 www.templeetzchaim.org

March 2023

Adar/Nisan 5783

12

www.templeetzchaim.org

March 2023 Adar/Nisan 5783

13

www.templeetzchaim.org

March 2023 Adar/Nisan 5783

14

www.templeetzchaim.org

March 2023 Adar/Nisan 5783

15

www.templeetzchaim.org

March 2023 Adar/Nisan 5783

16

www.templeetzchaim.org

March 2023 Adar/Nisan 5783

17

www.templeetzchaim.org

March 2023 Adar/Nisan 5783

18

FOR ALL ADVERTISING INQUIRIES PLEASE CONTACT TEC COMMUNICATIONS AT COMMUNICATIONS@TEMPLEETZCHAIM.ORG www.templeetzchaim.org

March 2023 Adar/Nisan 5783

19

Facebook.com/templeetz

Facebook.com/temple.ecec

Youtube.com/c/TempleEtzChaim

@templeetzchaim

www.templeetzchaim.org