ETZetera February 2025 FINAL

FEBRUARY 2025

ISSUE 2

Inside This Issue

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PAGE 7

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Letters from Our Leaders

Chai 5 & Good Vibes

SAVE THE DATE: Scholar in Residence

Contents 3

Summer Camp Fair

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Letters From Our Leaders

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TEC Education

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TEC Happenings

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TEC Community

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February Calendar

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Birthdays and Anniversaries

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B’nai Mitzvah

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TEC Tributes

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Upcoming Events

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WOTEC Youth Scholarships

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Call to Action: Collection for Conejo Closet

20 Memorial Plaques, Memorial Leaf and SCRIP 21

End-of-Life Care and Planning

22 Kids’ Corner 24 Support Our Community: Small Business Highlights

WANT TO ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS? Space is available in our Etzetera.

If you are interested in placing an ad, please send an email to: communications@templeetzchaim.org

Join TEC on Social Media!

Stay up-to-date with community events, news and happenings. Follow us on your favorite social platform.

Search for @templeetzchaim across all platforms. On Facebook search for Temple Etz Chaim as well as Temple Etz Chaim Preschool.

Clergy Rabbi Ari Averbach Cantor Noam Fields-Meyer Gould Associate Chaplain Benny Sommerfeld Rabbi Emeritus Richard Spiegel Rabbi Emeritus Simon Paskow (z”l)

Staff

Interim Executive Director, Programming & Youth Director Cindy Goldberg Early Childhood Education Director Debbie Blumenthal Religious School Director Joyce Bronstein Early Childhood Education Asst. Director Keri Loventhal Office Manager Shane Silverstein ECE Administrative Assistant Jessica Jacoby RS Administrative Assistant Sarah Karamas Clergy Assistant Jill Rosenberg Musical Director Mariano Dugatkin

Board of Directors

President Felicia Toporoff Vice President Dan Lubetkin Immediate Past President Eric Feigenbaum Treasurer Arnie Blitstein Secretary Sarica Klein Trustee, Bingo Michael Roberts Trustee, Building and Grounds Steve Plotkin Trustee, Early Childhood Education Chad Hampton Trustee, Financial Consideration Neal Arons Trustee, Inclusion Paula Lefko Trustee, Membership Rachael Pugh Trustee, Personnel & Legal Affairs Josh Hopstone Trustee, Programming Evan Robichaud Trustee, Religion and Worship Cheryl Math Trustee, Religious Education Adya Riss Trustee, Security Paul Dryman Trustee, Social Action Pam Friedman Trustee, Sustainability Ely Jacobsohn Trustee, Ways and Means Judy Gindi Trustee, Rachel Carmona Trustee, Shira Soria President, Men’s Club Mark Goldstein President, Women of TEC Phyllis Dankberg & Elissa Lazarus Past President, Board Member Sherri Finn-Werber Past President, Board Member Gary Katz Past President, Board Member Myles Simpson Past President, Board Member Marshall Scherr Past President, Board Member Shari Mark

Join us at Temple Etz Chaim SUNDAY

Summer

FEB 09 11:30 - 1:00 PM

CAMPFAIR JOIN US IN SPIEGEL HALL

CAMPS INCLUDE: 6 Points Camps Camp Alonim Camp Hess Kramer Camp JCA Shalom Camp Mountain Chai Camp Ramah Gan Izzy Ranch Gindling Hilltop Camp Eden Village West Shalom Institute

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1080 E. Janss Rd. • Thousand 91360 3 FebruaryOaks, 2025 | CA Shevat, 5785 • (805) 497-6891 • www.templeetzchaim.org

Letters from Our Leaders Rabbi Ari Averbach

rabbiaverbach@templeetzchaim.org

There’s a joke: Imagine if trees gave off WIFI signals. We would plant so many trees. Too bad they only produce the oxygen we breathe!

trees/vines/plants give us. (Many people celebrate by eating several kinds of fruit and drinking two kinds of wine!)

And this year we need renewal more than ever.

We also plant trees. As our synagogue is Etz Chaim - tree of life - we revel in the idea of adding greenery to our beautiful campus. Many thanks to the team of volunteers who weekly do incredible work in the garden - planting vegetables that are given to those in need, irrigating the area so the fruit trees can continue to thrive. And just recently, they put benches in to form an amphitheater, so we can have classes and services amongst the trees.

Sh’vat’s most exciting day is Tu B’shvat - the 15th day of the month, which is the “birthday of the trees.” Some people celebrate by having a seder (like on Passover), or by partaking in the incredible bounty

This month, may we see the blessings that surround us, and do our best to appreciate those blessings. Then we will all feel (at least partially) spiritual renewal.

This week, we are not only beginning the month of February, it is also the start of the Hebrew month Sh’vat. While February might be the cruelest in other parts of the world, in Israel (like in Thousand Oaks), Sh’vat is a time of blessings and spiritual renewal, as historically this is a month of rain (which we desperately need though not too much at once!).

Noam Fields-Meyer Gould, Cantor Noam@templeetzchaim.org

Hello TEC! It’s been a wonderful month here at TEC, filled with joyful moments, meaningful services, and time spent together in song and celebration. One of the highlights was coming together last Friday night to honor Rabbi Averbach’s five years of leadership in our community. The energy in the room was incredible—so many familiar faces, warm conversations, and heartfelt music. Many people told me how much they enjoyed the evening, and I want to take a moment to say: it’s like this every week!

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Every Friday night and Saturday morning, we create a space that is joyful, welcoming, and filled with music and connection. Whether it’s a quiet, reflective moment in prayer or a lively song shared together, services are always an opportunity to come together, lift our voices, and experience something special as a community. If you haven’t been in a while, I encourage you to join us—you might be surprised by just how much you love it.

I’m looking forward to another month of making music, sharing in prayer, and seeing you—whether in services, around the synagogue, or wherever else our paths may cross.

February 2025 | Shevat, 5785

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Felicia Toporoff, President ftoporoff@templeetzchaim.org

Winds and power outages and fires, oh my! What a start to 2025 and certainly not one that any person could have anticipated.

Stories of the devastation and loss resulting from the Palisades and Eaton fires were heartbreaking. So many of us within this TEC community know people directly impacted by these fires; from being evacuated to sadly losing their homes. And the loss of the Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center, a beacon of Conservative Judaism within the San Gabriel Valley, was gut wrenching. Our hearts go out to their community.

Most of our city was without power for days on end, which created its own set of complications. And beyond the heartbreak we were already feeling was this undercurrent of unease, agitation, and fear.

Sadly, we’ve all experienced these wind events before, but we never get used to them. We never get used to having “go bags” ready near the front door filled with those irreplaceable items we can’t bear to leave behind. Nor are we used to explaining to our children why we even need to have these bags ready in the first place.

Yet, through all the unease, uncertainty, and loss, our TEC community stepped up as it always does. Every time there is a call to help one another, our congregation never disappoints. The outpouring of help from our congregants has been amazing. From gathering supplies to help those directly affected by the fires, to bringing food to the firefighters, to offering up rooms in their homes for fellow congregants who lost power, the true, compassionate spirit of our community came out without a moment’s hesitation. Many of us worked from TEC and were able to continue to do our jobs (I was one of them!), because the building had generator power due to the generous donation by one of our congregants who supplied the use of a generator as long as we needed it. As a result, none of our schools or programming was negatively affected.

Once again, I’m reminded that what we have here, with each other, is truly special and I’m forever thankful for all of you and to be part of this wonderful community.

Benny Sommerfeld, Associate Chaplain benny@templeetzchaim.org

Spiritual Growth Opportunities We are entering more spiritual times in the month of Shevat. Our Torah readings take us out of Egypt or Mitzrayim and into freedom. can be divide up in two parts, and .

The word Mitzrayim, The Zohar, one of our core mystical sources translated the word to be “from narrow straights” which is to say from our constricted and limited self. That is, we have an opportunity to be liberated from our personal Egypt, to liberate ourselves from our narrow places, our limitations. We can gain spiritual growth by examining our ways of relating to our loved ones. You might wonder why we are talking about this now since Passover is in April. Our Torah cycle comes to a halt at the holiday, and we re-read the portion that we are

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now encountering during the month of Shevat/February. Come to service during the month and you will hear the ten commandments being read out loud in the service. We are getting a taste of our pilgrimage festivals that start with Passover. Seven weeks later we are at Mt Sinai receiving the Torah and the ten commandments.

Another opportunity is the 15 of Shevat or Tu B’Shevat, the new year of the trees. It has a special seder where we eat fruits and drink four cups of wine that symbolize the different seasons of the year.

I hope you take advantage of these opportunities to connect with yourself and the environment around you, both internally and externally. Traditionally, trees are planted, and in Israel the walnut tree is starting to bloom.

February 2025 | Shevat, 5785

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TEC Education Debbie Blumenthal, Early Education Director debbieb@templeetzchaim.org

February 2025 will bring four weeks of non-stop fun around Temple Etz Chaim ECE Center! During the next four weeks, we will be celebrating our 100th day of school, Groundhog Day, Presidents Day, Tu B’Shevat, and towards the end of February we will begin our Grandparent Day visits!

On Thursday, February 13th, our ECE Center will celebrate Tu B’Shevat , the Birthday of the Trees with a school-wide holiday event featuring songs about trees, a tree story, and we will all plant a tree together with Rabbi Ari and our music specialist Jeffrey Prince. The children will be planting seeds in their classrooms and watching the sprouts pop up! Hopefully we have a good crop of parsley by the time Pesach arrives! The spurts of rain and sunshine are helping!

At the end of the month, our Pre-K classrooms, A and D will be inviting grandparents or other special guests to join them for a morning of classroom activities and Shabbat! We always love intergenerational interactions. I’m not sure who has more fun, the children or the grandparents!

School closes at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, February 14 so the ECE staff can have an afternoon of staff development. The following Monday, February 17th the school is closed in observance of Presidents’ Day. Registration for the 2025-26 school year is continuing. If you or any of your friends are interested in getting more information about any of our ECE programs, please feel free to contact me!

Chag Sameach!

Joyce Bronstein, Religious School Director joyce@templeetzchaim.org

As I write this article, I realize that it’s a very special time here at TEC. The Religious School teachers, students, and parents look forward to the Shabbat Service when we honor Rabbi Averbach for his five years at TEC. The school has a buzz of excitement as we come together to recognize him.

Personally, I have enjoyed working with Rabbi Averbach. His role as our Rabbi is multifaceted, and the many hats he wears to help others is amazing. I enjoy seeing him at the Religious School drop-off as he greets each student and parent. They adore him.

One area where his influence is particularly evident is in the 11th and 12th grade post-confirmation class. Our students are lucky to have a Rabbi who is committed to creating meaningful learning experiences, and they rarely miss an opportunity to study with him. The topics discussed in his classes are thought-provoking and address important current issues on the minds of our teens. Just a couple of months ago, Rabbi Averbach even hosted a Shabbat dinner at his home for his students, allowing them to connect with him on another level. As a note, the students stayed at his

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house for hours and hours. As our students begin their college journey, they know they can always reach out to Rabbi Averbach.

Rabbi Averbach has an extraordinary ability to communicate with all ages within our TEC community, a true gift that enhances our congregants’ spiritual and emotional lives. As we celebrate his five years with us, I look forward to his continued leadership at TEC for years to come.

As I continue to write this bulletin in mid-January, I am also reminded of the recent news that a deal has been struck to free our hostages. By the time you read this, I hope they will have been released and are on their way to recovering both physically and mentally after what has been an emotionally painful fifteen months for them and their families. Our hearts are with them.

Looking ahead, there is much to be grateful for, and much to celebrate.

L’hitraot, Joyce

February 2025 | Shevat, 5785

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TEC Happenings Ring in the New Year

By Committing to Vote for MERCAZ USA! The 2025 World Zionist Congress elections are a few, short months away and it’s time to get ready to vote for the MERCAZ USA slate.

It’s critical that the voice of Conservative/Masorti Judaism is heard.

The World Zionist Congress and its affiliates provide millions of dollars in funding and support the programs that enrich your community and Jewish life in the U.S. Voting for MERCAZ USA is an investment in the future of the Jewish institutions at the heart of our communities. This funding includes Israel education at Ramah summer camps, programming at our congregation, and critical philanthropy objectives supporting hostage families, the global diaspora, and more.

Commit to voting by visiting mercazusa.org/votemercaz2025 and

filling out the form, and encourage your friends, family, and neighbors to do the same! Together, we can realize the Zionist vision of a safe, secure, Jewish, and democratic Israel that serves as a home for every Jew. The voting period begins on March 10, 2025, and no preregistration or organizational membership is required beforehand. Any Jewish adult over 18 who lives permanently in the U.S. and didn’t vote in the last Knesset election can vote for MERCAZ USA in the World Zionist Congress elections.

Please direct any questions your MERCAZ USA captains at Temple Etz Chaim: Adam Lerner at Adamelliotlerner@gmail.com and Maya Tenenbaum at Dr.Maya.Tenenbaum@gmail.com

Chai 5 & Good Vibes January 24th 2025. Happy Anniversary Rabbi Averbach!

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February 2025 | Shevat, 5785

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TEC Community Phyllis Dankberg & Elissa Lazarus, Co-President, Women of TEC We here in Southern California have encountered so much loss recently, from the tragic loss of human life, homes and businesses lost, beloved pets and mere possessions due to the recent fires that swept across our communities. Now the human empathy kicks in.

How can we help each other and those in need? Women’s League the national organization that our Sisterhood/Women’s group fall under within the Conservative movement has created the “Sister’s Helping Sister’s Emergency Relief Fund.” Through our joint efforts there is a program being put forward that will help those affected face the long-term rebuilding efforts. To help, go to WLCJ.org to donate. The fund will help support the Sisterhood of Pasadena Temple and Jewish Center, Pacific Southwest Region and any other Women’s League for Conservative Judaism Sisterhood Affiliates affected by the 2025 wildfires in Southern California.

100% of the donations are going to emergency relief and will be distributed to and at the direction of our affiliates.

Here at home the Women of TEC and our Men’s Club have joined up to bring a fun and lively Tu B’ Shevat Seder for all to enjoy on February 4th @ 7:00 pm. Sign up by clicking on the link in the flyer you have received.

At the end of the month, we’re looking forward to the delayed “Knish Klatch.” From dough to delicious knish making with Wendy Margolis. Yum Delish!!!

We are looking forward to our March 4th event “The Ever Present Past” with author Jill Rosenberg and moderated by Rabbi Averbach.

Please keep checking your emails.

Mark Goldstein, President, Men’s Club Shalom All! 2025 is off to a good start – Men’s Club hosted a free Sunday Brunch in January featuring a leader from Rambam Hospital in Haifa who explained to a rapt audience of nearly 50 how the hospital and Israelis showed strength and resilience over the past year. It was quite a special event. Big thanks to Myles Simpson and Mark Zucherman for coordinating the brunch.

Upcoming happenings include a Tu B’shevat Seder on February 4 cohosted with WoTEC, World Wide Wrap tefillin event February 9 and a game night for adults with special Israeli drinks on March 8. In the planning stages are Dragon Fruit Orchard Visit, Hike and Havdalah, and an astronomy night for all for the entire TEC community, and a magic night for adults. Plus, a Hearing Men’s Voices program to address challenges of being a dad and grandfather is being scheduled.

We welcome your participation in organizing, leading or assisting

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in these programs. Please email mensclub@tempeetzchaim.org to volunteer.

Men’s Club is excited to host the 25th Annual Men’s Cub Scholar in Residence Weekend, April 25 – 27, 2025. In view of events in Israel and worldwide, the weekend will provide learning opportunities centered on the importance of the State of Israel entitled Learn, Grow, and Stay Connected with the State of Israel. The weekend will include speakers from StandWithUs, visiting clergy and experts leading presentations and discussions to foster a sense of community and camaraderie, strengthen our bonds with each other and with Israel, and inspire us with calls to action to help strengthen Israel.

Check the temple website for details and sponsorship opportunities.

All are welcome to our Men’s Club Board Meetings held the third Tuesday of the month @ 7:00 pm.

February 2025 | Shevat, 5785

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Pam Friedman, VP, Social Action For the month of February Social Action will be joining other members of The Women’s Interfaith Network collecting toiletries for the Conejo Closet. The Conejo Closet seeks to help CVUSD families in need of assistance by providing toiletries, personal care items, school supplies, and clothing, free of charge. Currently there are 500+ children attending CVUSD who are considered to be unhoused. Please join us in this mitzvah.

Here is the list of items that we will be collecting this month.

Full size bottles of laundry detergent, shampoo and conditioner, lotion, deodorant, body wash, and hairbrushes. We will also be collecting gift cards for Target, Amazon and Walmart.

Please drop off your donations in the yellow donation bin by the manna bin in the Temple Office. If you would like to order your donation from Amazon that would be OK too. Mailing address Temple Etz Chaim 1080 East Janss Rd Thousand Oaks, CA 91360 ATT: Shane Silverstein/Social Action. All gift cards need to be

handed to either Jill Rosenberg or Shane Silverstein. Please make your envelopes Attention Social Action, Conejo Closet Donation.

All donations for February kick off need to be dropped off by 5:00 PM, Wednesday February 27th.

After our joint effort with the Women’s Interfaith Network we will be continuing this mitzvah for the Conejo Closet.

Your family can support this cause with the following items: • Toiletries (full size bottles), Toothpaste, and Toothbrushes • Laundry Detergent • Lotion, Soap, and Deodorant • New Underwear and Socks, • New Shoes in all sizes • Reuseable Water Bottles • New Sweatshirts in all sizes Thank you so much for your support.

Susan Kane, Chairperson, Inclusion Committee Did you know that February is Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance and Inclusion Month? We are thrilled to welcome author, storyteller, Autism advocate (and father Hazzan Noam), Tom FieldsMeyer on Friday, February 7th to share with us during services.

Tom and his wife, Rabbi Shawn Fields-Meyer are also the parents of Ezra, who has Autism. A Q&A will be held at the Oneg, immediately following services. Please join us for what is sure to be an inspiring and informative evening.

Tom is the author of Following Ezra: What one Father Learned About Gumby, Otters, Autism and Love from his Extraordinary Son as well as the co-author of Uniquely Human: A Different Way of Seeing Autism.

Purim is around the corner and this year, we will be coordinating a FUN-raiser, to provide Mishloach Manot (gifts given to friends and family) to every family in our TEC community! Please keep an

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eye out for the emails and flyers with information on how you can sponsor and support this fun holiday tradition. We hope everyone will participate!

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

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

February 2025 | Shevat, 5785

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Dates to Remember

February SUN

MON

TUE

WED

THU

FRI

SAT

1 Madilyn Domingo Bat Mitzvah

2

3

9

10

Camp Fair

16

23

10

17

4

5

6

7

8

11

12

13

Tu B’Shevat

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Valentine’s Day

15

22

Men’s Club/ WOTEC Tu B’Shevat Seder

Presidents’ Day

Feed the Hungry Book Club via Zoom

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19

20

21

24

25

26

27

28

WOTEC Knish Klatch

Board Meeting

February 2025 | Shevat, 5785

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Birthdays & Anniversaries

February 1 Donald Zimring Jonathan Kopczynski 2 Shari Mark Daniel Kane Arthur Barukh Elizabeth Vener Brendan Rubinstein 3 Daniel Goodkin 4 Jessica Kane Jason Zimring 5 Mark Zucherman Melissa Scharf Rachel Esqueda Linda Friedlander Arthur Pfefferman Marc Levit Rowen Schwartzbach 6 Michael Gurien Robert Zonshine 7 Craig Gluckman Emma Loewith Garret Blutter Danica Neiderman Ashley Tepfer Jennifer Cherney Steven Feldman 8 Brittany Rivkin Shiloh Golden Barbara Krupin 9 Jacob Stock Stacy Sterling Daniel Mahler Laura Gilbard 10 Matthew Freed Victoria Stephen Erika Miller 10 Leah Kitzman Navy Honigsberg

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10 Jay Love 11 Vladislav Bekerman Joshua Gluckman Herbert Goldin Ronald Goldstein Melissa Gaub 12 Adam Morgenstern Jacob Abramovicz Bruce Raskin Justin West Larry Joshua Alan Flaschner 13 Rhyn Goldstein Bradley Weber Levi Farber Ramona Freedman Skye Loventhal 14 Jesseca Zwicker Sharon Goldstein Robert Freinberg 15 Danielle Brogan Debra Davis Eliana Manzur 16 Brielle Arons 17 Nancy Schwager Aiyla Friedman Erika Roman Ethan McCullough Elie Gorowitz Jillian Crown-Yuro Les Feldman Myrna Stelman 18 Joseph Zwicker Dalia Stock Howard Simpson Shannon Tepfer Spencer Torgan Yonatan Farber Howard Simpson 19 Zachary Hutchings Ezra David Juniper Lazarus

Blake Gross Gabor Nagy Jacob Borla 20 Elana Schwartz Max Joshua 22 Sandra Elson Shai Schwartz Debbie Feldman Kenneth Marks Lindy Breverman Sharon Moradian 23 Marc Cohn Zoe Sharon Cierra Lacy Adam Rustam David Rustam Paul Weiss 24 Alexander Silverstein Lucas Gerstel Ben Hoffmann Harvey Mahler Rhawn Friedlander Julie Peisner Megan Fernandez 25 Alan Mendelson Taylor Friedman Calla Malone Stephanie Forman Zack Gerin Aaron Schoenkerman Larry Mayer Taylor Stein Mason Robichaud

4 Edward & Andrea Norick 5 Matthew & Heidi Savalas 11 Joseph & Phyllis Bayewitch 12 David Cohan & Barbara Anik 17 Alan & Susan Jacobs 19 Robert & Erika Farber 19 Joshua Hodeda & Jennifer Weinstein

26 Kim Merjan Scott Jacoby

19 Michael & Robyn Lazarus

27 Sheldon Tilles Caitlyn Halper Elizabeth Mc Cauley

21 Darren & Sarica Klein

28 Jack Dvir Esther Pullan I. Andrew Byer Noah Forsythe Samuel Hopstone

February 2025 | Shevat, 5785

22 Jake Douglas & Ilana Urman

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B’nai Mitzvah

Madilyn Domingo

February 4

Hi, my name is Mady, and I am currently in 7th grade at Los Cerritos Middle School. I’ve been a part of Temple Etz Chaim since preschool, and over the years, I’ve had the privilege of learning so much from the incredible teachers at TEC. I have many interests, like horseback riding, reading, spending time with my family and friends, and playing with my dogs. But today, I want to take a moment to express my gratitude to some very special people who have helped me on my journey to becoming a Bat Mitzvah.

Thank you to Rabbi Averbach, Joyce Bronstein, my tutor Rivka, Cantor Kenny, Hazzan Noam, and all the wonderful staff at TEC for their support and guidance. I am also so grateful to my parents for always being there for me and for their constant love and encouragement.

I’d like to thank my sister Emmy, my grandparents, and my Lolo and Lola for their love and support as well. I am so excited to celebrate this special day with all of my family and friends. Thank you again to everyone who has made this moment possible.

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February 2025 | Shevat, 5785

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Tributes Community Garden and Bird Sanctuary Fund

In Appreciation of Michael Lysobey and his thoughtful and kind response.

Patricia Kaye

Kenneth Marks In Memory of Katherine Spero Lynda Kessler

In Honor of Feed the Hungry for Harbor House Myles & Gail Simpson

In Memory of Aileen Heller Julie Saul

In Honor of Rabbi Ari and Vanessa Averbach’s Wedding Anniversary In Honor of A Speedy Recovery for Judith Weiss In Honor of Harriet Shrater’s Birthday Patricia Kaye

In Honor of Feed the Hungry for Harbor House William & Cynthia Koepcke In Honor of Marion Lessman’s Birthday In Honor of Gail Simpson’s Birthday In Honor of Feed the Hungry for Harbor House In Honor of Beth Perel’s Birthday In Honor of Steven & Pamela Friedman’s 50th Anniversary In Honor of Cindy Goldberg’s Birthday In Honor of Kenneth & Laurel Warner’s Wedding Anniversary In Honor of Arnie & Diane Rodman’s Anniversary Wedding Anniversary Patricia Kaye

Elisa Feldman Memorial RSSF

In Honor of Tali Lefko’s Bat Mitzvah Paul & Paula Lefko

Temple General Fund

In Memory of Dr. Jerome Ratzan Hillary Barth

Dunaier Music Fund In Memory of Lucille Deutsch Frances Deutsch

In Honor of Hazzan Noam Fields-Meyer Gould’s Birthday In Honor of David Schwartz’s Birthday In Honor of Joyce Bronstein’s Birthday In Honor of Les & Debbie Feldman’s Wedding Anniversary Patricia Kaye

Fienberg-Lerner Chapel Minyan Fund In Memory of Maurice Samson Donald Samson In Memory of Charles Stein Ron Stein In Memory of Paul Essick Nomi Freed

Jotkowitz Camp Ramah Scholarship Fund In Memory of Leo Mahler Harvey Mahler In Memory of Samuel Farbenbloom Sylvia Weiss

Kiddush Fund

In Memory of Deborah Ellen Braden Bert & Carol Schoenkerman In Memory of Sidney Cohen Duncan Forsythe & Shari Cohen Forsythe In Memory of Manuel Label Lorne & Caryl Label In Honor of Our 50th Wedding Anniversary Steven & Pamela Friedman

In Memory of Glenn Bradley Garvin In Memory of Irving Garvin Michael & Meredith Druyen In Memory of Gerald Schwager Nancy Schwager

In Memory of Paul Gary Essick Rivka Moscovitch In Memory of Irving Peisner Robert Peisner In Memory of Anne Platt Ronald Groden Sandra Phillips In Appreciation of Leo’s Bar Mitzvah. Thank you Rabbi Averbach! Love, the Kiermans Shelley Kierman In Honor of Rabbi Averbach Sidney & Sheryl Gutmann In Honor of Rabbi Averbach’s 5th Anniversay Steven & Jennifer Golove

Religious School Fund In Memory of Josephine Berman In Memory of Jacques Urbach Cynthia Urbach

In Memory of Joseph Geller Evy McCauley In Memory of Sylvia Mahler Harvey Mahler In Memory of Dorothy Weiss Irving Weiss In Memory of Marcia Marks

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Jerrald & Deborah Cohen In Honor of TEC on-line streaming. I watch services every week. Thank you!

Lawrence Kalisher In Memory of Betty Honigsberg Max Honigsberg In Memory of Claire Weiss Ronald Weiss In Memory of Jerry Ratzan Adam Belsky In Memory of Dr. Jerome Ratzan Eric Feigenbaum

Tribute Book Fund

Samir & Cecila Rustam

In Honor of Rabbi Averbach’s Tribute Book David & Rebeccah Schwartz

Ritual Fund

In Honor of Rabbi Averbach’s Tribute Book Jack & Hadar Dvir

Rabbi Averbach’s Discretionary Fund In Memory of Cecelia Pfefferman Arthur Pfefferman

In Appreciation of the Online Yom Kippur Service Gershon Wetlman

In Honor of Tali Lefko’s Bat Mitzvah Paul & Paula Lefko

Sandee Tischler RSSF

Melton Conejo West Valley Adult Jewish Learning

In Memory of Hilda Presser Francine Finkelstein

In Memory of Paul Essick Eric Feigenbaum

Susan Feldman

In Memory of Ira Goldberg Susan Goldberg

Cynthis Koepcke

In Appreciation of the Soria Family. Thank you for your kindness and generosity.

Gary & Tina Orkin

In Honor of Marshall Rosen’s Birthday Patricia Kaye In Honor of Tali Lefko’s Bat Mitzvah Paul & Paula Lefko In Appreciation of Rabbi Ari Averbach and Chaplain Benny Sommerfeld for helping me complete the Breishit Haftarah Rebeccah Schwartz

Lipnick RSSF

In Honor of Rabbi’s Tribute Book Adam McCullough & Inbal Lapid

In Memory of Sarah Wank Jerome & Dawne Ratzan

Silverstein Humanitarian Fund In Memory of Joe Simpson Myles & Gail Simpson

In Honor of Rabbi Averbach’s Tribute Book Lee & Susan Simowitz

Tzedakah Fund

In Memory of Aristides Saiez Rebeccah Schwartz

USY Youth & Scholarship Fund Theodore Borkan

Women of TEC Torah Fund In Memory of Amy Melissa Hagler In Memory of Clara Fleiss Ann Moore-Ross In Memory of Sandy Tenenbaum William Tenenbaum

Social Action Fund

In Honor of Feed the Hungry for Harbor House Bonnie Rothman

February 2025 | Shevat, 5785

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SAVE THE DATE

APRIL 2527

2025

TEC MEN’S CLUB IS PROUD TO PRESENT

25TH ANNUAL

SCHOLAR IN RESIDENCE WEEKEND F O R T HE E N T IR E C ON G R E G AT I ON Learn, grow, and stay connected with the state of Israel

Temple Etz Chaim Men’s Club is proud to host 2025 Scholar in Residence weekend event celebrating the State of Israel.

Join us for a weekend of inspiring lectures, and thought-provoking discussions. Our distinguished scholars will delve into the rich history, culture, and current affairs of the State of Israel.

This year, a diverse “Community of Scholars” will address the importance of the State of Israel, and how antisemitism and recent current events have affected us as a Jewish community and how you can respond and take action to help the State of Israel.

Event Highlights include Speakers from StandWithUs and Clergy and experts.

FRIDAY EVENING • Reclaiming Our Narrative. Learn how to tell Israel’s story and frame messaging in a compelling way.

SATURDAY MORNING • Jewish Identity, Zionism, and Antisemitism - Explore the boundaries of free speech and how it intersects with antisemitism and anti-Zionism.

SATURDAY EVENING • 75 Years Later: Answering the Tough Questions About Israel • Panel discussion with Rabbi Ari, Rabbi Lana Zilberman Soloway, StandWithUs, and others.

SUNDAY BRUNCH • Call to Action: Your Role in Our Enduring Narrative • Panel discussion with Rabbi Ari, Rabbi Lana Zilberman Soloway, StandWithUs, and others.

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Scholar in Residence Weekend 2025 Temple Etz Chaim Conservative Synagogue in Thousand Oaks, California Please visit our Scholar-In-Residence website often for updated agenda information, details and sponsorship opportunities.

RSVPs are appreciated.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION https://www.templeetzchaim.org/connect/mens-club/ scholar-in-residence-weekend-2025/

StandWithUs is an international and non-partisan Israel education organization that inspires and educates people of all ages and backgrounds, challenges misinformation and fights antisemitism.

February 2025 | Shevat, 5785

www.templeetzchaim.org

JOIN US FOR A SPECIAL SHABBAT

FRIDAY

FEB

07

7:00 PM

In recognition of Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance and Inclusion month, The TEC Inclusion committee is honored to welcome Tom Fields-Meyer as our featured speaker during Shabbat service on Friday, February 7th. Service begins at 7pm.

Tom and his wife, Rabbi Shawn Fields-Meyer, are the proud parents of Ezra, who has Autism, and also the proud parents of Ami and our own Hazzan Noam. A Q&A will be held at the Oneg immediately following services. It’s sure to be an inspiring and informative evening.

Tom is the author of Following Ezra: What one Father Learned About Gumby, Otters, Autism and Love from his Extraordinary Son as well as the co-author of Uniquely Human: A Different Way of Seeing Autism.

www.templeetzchaim.org

February 2025 | Shevat, 5785

15

2/18

ON ZOOM

THE TEC

BOOK CLUB MEETS THE 3RD TUESDAY OF THE MONTH AT 7 PM

FEBRUARY 18 ON ZOOM

An Unorthodox Match

by Naomi Ragen

NEXT MEETING DATES ON ZOOM Tuesday, March 18th

The Matchmaker’s Gift

Tuesday, April 15th

Like Mother, Like Mother

Tuesday, May 20th

James

by Lynda Cohen Loigman

by Susan Rieger

by Percival Everett

We generally meet 3rd Tuesdays at 7 pm unless otherwise indicated.

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

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February 2025 | Shevat, 5785

www.templeetzchaim.org

TUESDAY

FEB

18

TEC FEEDS THE HUNGRY

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP AND DONATE https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E48A5AA22A6F4C43-54463637-feed

QUESTIONS?

Email Pam Friedman at social action@templeetzchaim.org

www.templeetzchaim.org

1080 E. Janss Rd. • Thousand Oaks, 91360 17 February 2025 | CA Shevat, 5785• (805) 497-6891 • www.templeetzchaim.org

SPONSORED BY THE WOMEN OF TEC

STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE Pricing if parent is not a member of WOTEC $250 for Jewish Overnight Camp $500 for Organized Trips to Israel

|

Pricing if parent is a member of WOTEC $400 for Jewish Overnight Camp $750 for Organized Trips to Israel

|

Students up to age 22 are eligible and welcome to apply.

Deadline for Applications: March 3, 2025

APPLY NOW DOWNLOAD HERE: https://www.templeetzchaim.org/connect/women-of-tec/wotec-scholarship/

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1080 E. Janss Rd. • Thousand Oaks, CA 913605785 • (805) 497-6891 • www.templeetzchaim.org February 2025 | Shevat, www.templeetzchaim.org

www.templeetzchaim.org

February 2025 | Shevat, 5785

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February 2025 | Shevat, 5785

www.templeetzchaim.org

The Mitzvah Committee is here to help... and remember your loved ones.

MEMORIAL RECEPTION Services offered by Women of TEC Mitzvah Committee

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

We will provide:

Family provides:

• Handwashing station to be set up outside, in front of the door, including water pitcher, paper towels, TV tray and trash bag • Hard-boiled eggs (12) • Challah, wine and mini wine cups • Large and small paper plates, napkins, and cutlery • Hot and cold cups • Ice cubes in a cooler • Large coffee maker, coffee, tea bags • Sugar, sweeteners, mocha mix • Large plastic trash bags

• Tablecloth, serving platters and utensils • Cold drinks, water bottles • Folding chairs

Have the deli/bakery deliver: • Platters of food, bread, salads, cakes, etc.

Special Instructions for the deli/bakery:

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

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

To ask questions or make arrangements Contact the Temple Office at

805-497-6891 or inquire via email at Shiva@templeetzchaim.org After hours, please contact Roni Rosen at 818-585-9449

www.templeetzchaim.org

February 2025 | Shevat, 5785

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Color by letter

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February 2025 | Shevat, 5785

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Valentine’s Day word search

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February 2025 | Shevat, 5785

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