ETZetera February 2026 FINAL

THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF

TEMPLE ETZ CHAIM

FEBRUARY 2026

ISSUE 2

Inside This Issue

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PAGE 4

PAGE 10

Scholar in Residence

Letters from Our Leaders

Meet Our B’nai Mitzvah

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Letters From Our Leaders

Clergy

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TEC Education

Rabbi Ari Averbach

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TEC Community

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B’nai Mitzvah

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February Calendar

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Birthdays and Anniversaries

Staff

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TEC Tributes

Early Childhood Education Director Debbie Blumenthal

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Upcoming Events

24 Kids’ Corner

Hazzan Noam Fields-Meyer Gould Chaplain Benny Sommerfeld Rabbi Emeritus Richard Spiegel

Executive Director Cindy Goldberg Religious School Director Joyce Bronstein Early Childhood Education Asst. Director Keri Loventhal Office Manager Shane Silverstein

26 Memorial Receptions Available

ECE Administrative Assistant Jessica Jacoby

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Memorial Plaques & Digital Memorial Library

Clergy Assistant Jill Rosenberg

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Hearing Assistance Network Support Our Community: Small Business Highlights

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RS Administrative Assistant Sarah Karamas Musical Director Mariano Dugatkin

Board of Trustees President Felicia Toporoff

Vice President Dan Lubetkin Immediate Past President Eric Feigenbaum

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

Treasurer Arnie Blitstein Secretary Brianna Abrams Trustee, Bingo Michael Roberts Trustee, Building and Grounds Steve Plotkin Trustee, Early Childhood Education Josh Atlas Trustee, Endowment Jeff Landau Trustee, Financial Consideration Neal Arons Trustee, Inclusion Paula Lefko Trustee, Membership, Sarica Klein Trustee, Personnel & Legal Affairs Josh Hopstone Trustee, Programming Evan Robichaud

Join TEC on Social Media!

Trustee, Religion and Worship Cheryl Math

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

President, Women of TEC Phyllis Dankberg & Elissa Lazarus

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

Trustee, Religious Education Adya Riss Trustee, Security Paul Dryman Trustee, Social Action Pam Friedman Trustee, Ways & Means Donald Zimring President, Men’s Club Mark Goldstein

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 Past President, Board Member Wendy Margolis

SAVE THE DATE

MARCH

TEC MEN’S CLUB IS PROUD TO PRESENT

2729, 2026

25TH SCHOLAR IN RESIDENCE

WEEKEND EVENT F O R TH E EN T I R E CO NGRE GAT IO N

Seeing the Sounds - Visual Interpretations of Biblical Text and the Holidays Dr. Revital Somekh-Goldreich

An award-winning scholar, educator, stained-glass artist, and community builder who uses art and sensory experiences to make Jewish studies more interactive and relevant.

SEEING BEYOND THE TEXT: BUILDING BRIDGES OF MEANING FROM PURIM TO PASSOVER THROUGH VISUAL THEOLOGY

FRIDAY EVENING

SATURDAY EVENING

SATURDAY MORNING

SUNDAY MORNING BRUNCH

7:00 PM Shabbat Evening Service What is Experiential Midrash? Take a magical carousel ride through the realm of experiential midrash to uncover why this approach is so exciting and relevant today.

9:30 AM Shabbat Morning Service Turn It and Turn It Again! Fun and games with visual theology for Purim and Passover. Explore the synergy of text, image, and frame in Visual Theology.

7:00PM Havdalah and Interactive Presentation (with refreshments) Are Exile and Diaspora Synonyms?

Explore this question by examining the Purim and Passover story-cycles and their rich visual interpretations.

9:30 AM, Meaning-Making Workshop So Many Bridges, So Little Time! Join us for a dynamic, co-creative workshop where we’ll discover and test relevant Purim-Passover connections, bringing our weekend of visual theology to a powerful close.

Saturday Evening and Sunday Brunch: $10 pp (no charge for SIR Sponsors, Legacy level &above, and students

Please visit our Scholar-In-Residence website often for updated agenda information, details and sponsorship opportunities.

www.templeetzchaim.org

CHECK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION https://www.templeetzchaim.org/connect/mens-club/scholar-in-residence-weekend-2026

1080 E. Janss Rd. • Thousand Oaks, CA 91360 • (805) 497-6891 • www.templeetzchaim.org 3 February 2026 | Shevat - Adar, 5786

Letters from Our Leaders Rabbi Ari Averbach

rabbiaverbach@templeetzchaim.org

I look at the Jewish world and wonder how we got here.

How we live Jewishly is not directly from the Torah – it took millennia of sages interpreting the words of the Tanakh (Bible) in each generation, as the world changed.

we know today was shaped by them, which they, in turn, handed to others. Rabbis Jonathan Sacks, Sharon Brous, Bradley Artson, among others. And, of course, one of my teachers, Rabbi Ed Feinstein.

Twenty-six hundred years ago, prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah preached their understanding of Judaism to anyone who would listen. Two thousand years ago, the rabbis of the Mishna and G’mara (Talmud) shared wisdom as they argued about how to keep Judaism relevant in a world that looked nothing like the one they inherited from their parents.

You might not have time to read the works of the leaders of each generation. You might not have time to listen to my podcast where I speak with so many of these modern thinkers. But I want to recommend a class that Rabbi Feinstein is teaching about Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan. It’s free, it’s on zoom, and it is only three sessions starting February 12. A great way to learn about Kaplan, and how Judaism got to where we are now.

Because, in Judaism, we never stop learning.

In time came interpreters like Rashi and Rambam and Radak. Mysticism and the Enlightenment and the Holocaust, each demanding a change in how we uphold our end of the eternal covenant.

A generation ago, two rabbis took the reins of the conversation: Mordecai Kaplan and Abraham Joshua Heschel. The Judaism

Rabbi Feinstein’s Class

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

Happy Secular New Year! As January brings its own energy of renewal—similar to yet distinct from the spiritual reflection we experience at Rosh Hashanah—we here at TEC are embracing this season as an opportunity to refresh and enhance what we offer. Our focus in the coming months is simple: creating more value in your experience as members of this community. That means making our services more musical, our events more organized, our lifecycle celebrations more participatory, and our choir more experienced with an expanding repertoire.

We are entering a season rich with B’nai Mitzvah, one after another filling our Sanctuary in the weeks ahead. What I love most about these celebrations is how they reveal the many ways TEC touches families across generations—parents, 4

children, grandparents—all gathered together. I am deeply proud of our Religious School students and the progress each of them has made over these past months in learning prayers and improving their Hebrew. They should all be proud of themselves. I encourage every congregant, even if you don’t know the Bar or Bat Mitzvah personally, to attend one of these services. It is a beautiful encapsulation of what it means to belong to this family.

And looking ahead: Purim is coming! We have a lot in store for Purim night—lots of music, lots of songs to sing together.

Stay tuned.

Thank you for helping to make this community what it is.

I am deeply grateful to belong to a congregation that shows up, week after week.

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Felicia Toporoff, President ftoporoff@templeetzchaim.org

February is famously known for Valentine’s Day where pink and red fill the stores in the form of cards, stuffed animals, and candy. We walk down the aisles picking up little gifts for our spouses, significant others, friends, and children to let them know how much they are loved. Although a completely commercialized holiday (I have no idea of what its origins are), the sentiment is a sweet one we can all get around. It’s nice to shower people we care about with gifts and sweets and it’s nice to know we are loved and appreciated in return.

What I love about Temple Etz Chaim is that these sentiments are found among our community all year round, especially during difficult times. We are a community that cares for one another, and it shows every day with actions big and small.

We offer each other support in times of need, a shoulder to cry on in times of grief and sorrow or celebrate each other during times of joy. We don’t need a commercially invented

holiday to show our care for one another. It’s in our DNA and is evident every time we see each other. It makes me feel so very fortunate that you are all my community and are there for me just as I am there for you.

St. Valentine has NOTHING on TEC!

Benny Sommerfeld, Chaplain benny@templeetzchaim.org

I feel very emotional when I see pictures from Israel. The 25t1st hostage has been released, and there are no more hostages left in Gaza. What will happen in the future is hard to tell, but I feel for all parents and citizens who have been affected by October 7. Israel is hopefully finding time to breath and over time bring more soldiers back from the frontline. My yellow ribbon that I have worn for the last years will be taken off. On February 2nd one the hostages will be presenting at Temple Adat Elohim.

February is cold and snowy here in the US but in Israel Tu B’Shevat, the 15th Day of Shevat, the New Year of Trees, arrives on February 2nd, this year. Mother nature in Israel is waking up. This day is known as “Chag Ha’Ilanot” (Ilan ‫ = אילן‬tree), we honor this day when budding trees such as walnuts enters

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a new year of life by planting saplings of different trees. This is also a marker for what year a harvest is counted. Everything before Tu B’Shevat belongs to the previous year’s harvest.

We celebrate this holiday by making a seder! That is correct, seder is not only for Passover. We are coming together and eat from the seven biblical species, and we drink four cups of wine. The seven species are: Wheat – Chita; Barley – Se’orah; Grapes – Anavim; Fig – Te’enah; Pomegranate – Rimmon; Olive - Zayit; and Dates – Tamar (from the dates honey is made). If you take a closer look at our Bima, you will find all of them represented in the artwork. Enjoy Tu B’Shevat, eat some of the above fruits. Tu B’Shevat is one month away from Purim and Purim is yet another month away from Pesach... start preparing... Happy New Year!

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

February is a rich and meaningful month in our Early Childhood Education Center, filled with celebration, learning, and joyful exploration.

We will begin the month with a Tu B’ Shevat celebration, led by Rabbi Ari and Cantor Kenny. The children will enjoy a special morning focused on trees and nature, including planting activities, singing songs about trees, and engaging in age-appropriate discussions about caring for our world.

In honor of Groundhog Day, we will also explore the idea of shadows and who knows, we may even spot a groundhog in the yard.

Throughout the month, our curriculum will center on the Jewish value of Shomer Adamah — care for the Earth.

Children will learn about trees, taste a variety of fruits, and explore how we care for all living things. As part of this learning, we will incorporate a focus on pets and the important work of veterinarians in our community.

Our artist of the month is Mark Rothko, and children will explore his use of color and expression through hands-on art experiences. All learning will take place through sensory play, music and movement, art, and daily classroom routines.

Please note that the preschool and infant classes will be closed on Monday, February 16, in observance of Presidents’ Day. We look forward to a month filled with curiosity, celebration, and meaningful learning together.

ECE Winter Festival

Men’s Club Sunday brunch, welcoming Deputy Consul General of Israel, Yulia Rachinsky-Spivakov. More details on page 8.

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Joyce Bronstein, Religious School Director joyce@templeetzchaim.org

Many parents at Religious School have heard me say, “It is really a short amount of time that you have to teach your children whatever it is you want them to learn and value.” Parents, please know the staff and I are truly thankful you chose to send your children to Temple Etz Chaim Religious School.

We love having the privilege of making a difference in your child’s life. We recognize that we have only a few short years to help our students feel comfortable with and knowledgeable about their Jewish heritage, culture, and traditions. It is our sincere hope that each child enjoys their time in Religious School and truly feels their Judaism in their hearts.

On a different note, Havdalah and Hotdogs will have already taken place by the time you read this article. I love hearing attendees say, “Havdalah and Hotdogs is my favorite holiday,” or “I can’t wait for Erev Havdalah and Hotdogs!” Knowing that this program continues to receive such an overwhelmingly positive response

from our congregants fills me with fulfillment and joy.

An extravaganza of this nature could not happen without a dedicated team of wonderful and hardworking individuals. Everyone involved in Havdalah and Hotdogs, from conception to fruition, works diligently to make this evening the ongoing success that it is.

Programs like these leave a lasting and meaningful imprint on our children.

Looking ahead, Purim will be celebrated at the beginning of March.

There is a Hebrew saying, “When the month of Adar arrives, we increase our happiness.” May this be true for your family! Celebrate Purim together! Please come in costume, listen to the reading of the Megillah, enjoy the sounds of children singing and laughing, and most importantly, take pride in our Jewish traditions, customs, and heritage. Truly, you will not want to miss this special time at T.E.C. Wishing everyone an early Happy Purim. Chag Purim Sameach!

Women of TEC’s Tu B’ Shvat Garden event on January 27, 2026. More details on page 8.

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TEC Community Phyllis Dankberg & Elissa Lazarus, Co-President, Women of TEC According to an AI overview, when asked what the purpose of Sisterhood at a Temple the answer is a Temple’s Sisterhood’s purpose is to build community, friendship, and support among women, fostering spiritual, social and intellectual growth while serving the temple and broader Jewish community through fundraising, social action (Tikkun Olam) and educational programs, making the synagogue more welcoming and vibrant. They provide a space for women of ALL ages to connect, learn about their heritage, develop leadership and contribute to Jewish life. And WOTEC, here at Temple Etz Chaim does that and more, vastly contributing to the vitality of TEC.

We saw samples of different tree veneers shared with us by Marsha Roberts. We learned about medicinal trees and herbs, taught by Carol Schoenkerman, an herbalist also known as our herb doctor. Carol taught us about plants for healing. We made our own personalized tea bags and sample different tree teas. We had yummy snacks all made from fruit and nuts. It was a fun filled evening learning and socializing while giving thanks for creation and our connection to the earth.

With all that in mind, our last event was a Tu B’ Shvat Garden event.

Chag Semeach!

If you missed our program on Tu B’ Shvat you can join us for a fun evening of Israeli dancing on February 22nd.

elazarus@templeetzchaim.org | phyllis@templeetzchaim.org.

Mark Goldstein, President, Men’s Club In January, more than 20 of all ages, from 8 to 88, participated in a special behind the scenes tour of the Commemorative Airforce Aviation Museum in Camarillo where we learned about planes and aviation history. Big thanks to Andy Smith for helping to coordinate our exciting visit.

To welcome in the new year, we had a Welcome Back Wednesday Men’s Night Out at Naughty Pine Brewing Co. in Westlake Village where 8 of us relaxed over good beer and colorful conversation. Join us for the next Men’s Night Out on Wednesday, February 11 at 7 pm – 9 pm.

And more than 60 attended our first Sunday brunch of the year welcoming Deputy Consul General of Israel, Yulia RachinskySpivakov. We were treated to first hand insights into happenings in and involving Israel. Thanks to Myles Simpson for arranging the visit and managing the brunch. See pictures on page 6.

Join us for the second Sunday brunch of 2026 on February 22, 2026 at 9:30 am when the regional director of ADL Santa Barbara / Tricounties, Joshua Burt, addresses antisemitism in our community and provides techniques for talking about antisemitism and growing allies.

Coming up in February we also have World Wide Wrap on Sunday February 8, 2026 at 8:30 am in conjunction with FJMC International.

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All are welcome to participate as Men’s Club educates about tefillin and provides wrapping opportunities.

When Purim arrives, during the Purim Carnival on March 1, Men’s Club will be hosting a beer tasting tent for adults. If you want to meet parents and grandparents of religious school students and like beer, please volunteer to man the booth.

Scholar in Residence Weekend is March 27-29, 2026. This year, we welcome Dr. Revital Somekh-Goldreich, an award-winning scholar, educator, and artist who will use art and sensory experience to present Jewish topics in an interactive and impactful way. The theme, Beyond the Text: Building Bridges of Meaning from Purim to Passover through Visual Theology, promises a weekend of engaging discovery for our community. Please save the date and become a sponsor.

For all of the above, see email and flyers for more information.

We welcome your participation in organizing, leading or assisting in these and other programs.

All are welcome to our Men’s Club Board Meetings regularly held the third Tuesday of the month at 7 pm. The next meeting is February 20, 2026.

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B’nai Mitzvah

Lucas Gerstel

February 7

Hi, my name is Lucas Gerstel, and I am a 7th grader at Lindero Canyon Middle School. I have been part of Temple Etz Chaim since preschool, which makes becoming a Bar Mitzvah especially meaningful to me. Outside of school, I enjoy bringing ideas to life on screen by making movies and computer games. I also love music and play the alto saxophone in my school’s jazz and intermediate bands. I enjoy spending time with friends and family. I am very grateful to everyone who has supported me on my journey to becoming a Bar Mitzvah, including my parents, my sister Mia, my grandparents, my Religious School teachers, Rabbi Averbach, and Hazzan Noam. I look forward to celebrating this special milestone surrounded by family and friends.

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Jordan Robinson

February 14

Hi, my name is Jordan Robinson, and I am in the 7th grade at Medea Creek Middle School. I have been at TEC since 5th grade, which makes this my 3rd year being part of the community. I like watching and playing hockey, and the San Jose Sharks are my favorite team. also enjoy playing saxophone in the Intermediate Band and Jazz Band at my school. I have three rescue dogs that I love, who we take camping in our fifth wheel. I would like to thank Betty Zonshine, Rabbi Averbach, Hazzan Noam, Joyce Bronstein, and all of my teachers. I really appreciate everything you have done to help me prepare for my Bar Mitzvah. I am excited to celebrate my Bar Mitzvah with my family, friends and community.

Eliana Manzur

February 21

Hi, my name is Eliana Manzur, but most people call me Ellie. I am a seventh grader at Medea Creek Middle School and have been part of Temple Etz Chaim since I was two years old. In my free time, I enjoy watching hockey (Go Kings!), cheerleading, tumbling, traveling, and spending time with my friends, many of which I’ve known since preschool. I could not have reached this social milestone without the love and support of my parents and my sister, Ariella. I would also like to thank my tutor, Rivka Moscovitch, Rabbi Ari, Hazzan Noam, Cantor Kenny, and all the amazing teachers in the ECE and Religious School who have helped me learn and grow along the way, including Ms. Debbie with the keys and the office and Joyce with the licorice.

Ramona Freedman

February 28

My name is Ramona, and I’m a 7th grader at Bridges Charter School. I love building LEGO, competitive dance, gaming, and baking. I’d like to thank my family, Rabbi Ari, my friends, and my amazing tutor, Betty, for cheering me on and helping me prepare for my Bat Mitzvah. Thank you so much for being here to celebrate with me. Shabbat Shalom!

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Dates to Remember

February SUN

MON

TUE

WED

THU

FRI

SAT

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2

3

4

5

6

7

8

Salvation Army Collection

Tu B’ Shvat

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Book Club via Zoom

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Lucas Gerstel Bar Mitzvah

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14 Jordan Robinson Bar Mitzvah Valentine’s Day

World Wide Wrap

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Presidents’ Day

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Feed the Hungry

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21 Eliana Manzur Bat Mitzvah Shabbat Yeladim

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Men’s Club Brunch

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Board Meeting

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28 Ramona Freedman Bat Mitzvah

WOTEC Israeli Dancing

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Birthdays & Anniversaries

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

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11 Vladislav Bekerman Joshua Gluckman Ronald Goldstein Melissa Gaub Steven Altabef 12 Adam Morgenstern Alan Flaschner Justin West Bruce Raskin Larry Joshua 13 Rhyn Goldstein Bradley Weber Levi Farber Ramona Freedman Skye Loventhal 14 Vera Weinstock Jesseca Zwicker Robert Freinberg 15 Eliana Manzur Larry Rappoport Danielle Brogan 16 Brielle Arons 17 Nancy Schwager Elie Gorowitz Ethan McCullough Aiyla Friedman Les Feldman Myrna Stelman Erika Roman 18 Spencer Torgan Howard Simpson Yonatan Farber Howard Simpson Joseph Zwicker 19 Zachary Hutchings Juniper Lazarus Ezra David Gabor Nagy Jacob Borla 20 Elana Schwartz Max Joshua

21 Genevieve Stack 22 Nathan Dankberg Sandra Elson Shai Schwartz Kenneth Marks Debbie Feldman Lindy Breverman Sharon Moradian 23 Marc Cohn Zoe Sharon Cierra Lacy Adam Rustam David Rustam Paul Weiss 24 Alexander Silverstein Lucas Gerstel Ben Hoffmann Rhawn Friedlander Harvey Mahler Julie Peisner Megan Fernandez 25 Taylor Friedman Coby Weiner Zack Gerin Aaron Schoenkerman Taylor Stein Larry Mayer Mason Robichaud 26 Kim Merjan Jared Grosslight Scott Jacoby 27 Sheldon Tilles Mary Frid-Antseliovich Caitlyn Halper Elizabeth Mc Cauley 28 Shane McDole Jack Dvir Esther Pullan Noah Forsythe I. Andrew Byer Samuel Hopstone George Mitchell

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4 Edward & Andrea Norick 5 Matthew & Heidi Savalas 11 Joseph & Phyllis Bayewitch 12 David Cohan & Barbara Anik 13 Jonathan & Natasha Gold 16 Payam & Cynthia Abrishami 17 Alan & Susan Jacobs 19 Robert & Erika Farber Jeremy Wolf & Sarah Gorney Michael & Robyn Lazarus 21 Darren & Sarica Klein 22 Jake Douglas & Ilana Urman

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Tributes Community Garden and Bird Sanctuary

Jotkowitz Camp Ramah Scholarship Fund

Dunaier Music Fund

In Memory of Claire Weiss Ronald Weiss

In Honor of Mike Lysobey’s Birthday Patricia Kaye

In Memory of Sylvia Mahler Harvey Mahler

In Memory of Harvey R. Cohen William Jacobs & Marilynn Roth In Memory of Lucille Deutsch Frances Deutsch In Memory of Aileen Heller Julie Saul

Early Childhood Education Fund In Memory of Beatrice Foster Sylvia Koppel

In Memory of Charles Arthur Koppel Richard Koppel Karthik & Anu Kumar In Memory of David Lascoe Ronald Lascoe

Elisa Feldman Memorial RSSF In Memory of Edith Dicker William Jacobs & Marilynn Roth

In Memory of Leo Mahler Harvey Mahler

In Memory of Lowell Benjamin Lisa Benjamin

Lipnick RSSF

In Memory of Ira Goldberg In Memory of Bertha Winterstein Susan Goldberg In Memory of Rabbi Shimon Paskow 1st Adult B’nai Mitzvah Class 1978 In Memory of Emil Altenburg Myrna Stelman

Men’s Club Scholar-in-Residence Fund In Memory of Benjamin Marx David Marx

In Honor of Men’s Club 2026 Scholar-in-Residence Weekend David & Melinda Harris

Men’s Club Silverstein Humanitarian Fund In Memory of Joe Simpson Myles & Gail Simpson

Karen Sugarman

In Memory of Bernie Silverman Myrna Stelman

In Memory of Ruth Schoenwald Jeff Schoenwald

Rabbi Averbach’s Discretionary Fund

In Memory of Sara Freed Nomi Freed In Honor of Andy Smith’s Birthday In Honor of Harriet Shrater’s Birthday In Honor of Rebeccah & David Schwartz’s Anniversary Patricia Kaye In Memory of Jack Borgen Eileen Sachs In Memory of Norman Epstein Ilene Barney

In Memory of John Weiss In Memory of Eleanor Garvin In Memory of Betty Weiss In Memory of Irving Garvin In Memory of Glen Bradley Garvin Laurel Warner In Memory of Goldie Warner In Memory of Alexander Warner Kenneth Warner In Memory of Benjamin Marx David Marx

Fienberg-Lerner Chapel Minyan Fund

In Memory of Francine Snyder Cheryl Cohen

In Honor of Marshall Rosen’s Birthday Patricia Kaye

In Memory of Bronna Engler Richard Engler

Hazzan Noam’s Discretionary Fund

In Memory of Henry Zonshine Robert Zonshine

In Honor of Hazzan Noam Fields-Meyer Gould’s Birthday In Honor of Erika Field’s Birthday Patricia Kaye

Inbar Israel Travel & Education Scholarship Fund In Memory of Benjamin Marx David Marx

In Memory of Cecelia Pfefferman Arthur Pfefferman Eric Sterling In Memory of Claire Weiss Ronald Weiss In Memory of Rebecca Penso William Jacobs & Marilynn Roth In Memory of Evelyn Dubinsky Jeff Schoenwald In Memory of Joseph Greene Israel & Beth Perel

Rabbi Averbach’s Discretionary Fund (cont.)

In Honor of Gail Simpson’s Birthday In Honor of Jill Rosenberg’s Birthday In Honor of David Schwartz’s Birthday In Honor of Diane & Arnie Rudman’s Anniversary In Honor of Vanessa & Rabbi Ari Averbach’s Anniversary In Honor of Laurel & Ken Warner’s Anniversary Patricia Kaye Zackary Bernholtz In Memory of Elliott Messinger Marsha Roberts In Memory of Marcia Marks Kenneth Marks & Sandra Reuben In Memory of Marcia Pomush Steve Pomush In Memory of Myer Greenberg Janis Leshnov In Memory of Aristides Saiez Rebeccah Schwartz In Memory of Manuel Label Lorne Label

Sandee Tischler RSSF In Memory of Jerome Ratzan Dawne Ratzan Joe Tischler In Memory of Frances Ratzan Dawne Ratzan

Security Fund

Jerrald & Deborah Cohen

Social Action Fund

In Memory of Sidney Cohen Shari Forsythe In Memory of Maye Natalie Greene Israel & Beth Perel

In Honor of Pamela Friedman’s Birthday In Honor of Pamela & Steven Friedman’s Anniversary Patricia Kaye

Temple General Fund

In Memory of Sarah Wank David Wank

In Memory of David Lieber In Memory of Esther Lieber Michael & Tamara Lieber

In Memory of Amy Melissa Hagler Ann Moore-Ross

In Memory of Richard B. Goldberg George Kaplan

In Memory of Patrick McKenna Neil & Carolyn Bordofsky

In Honor of Cindy Goldberg’s Birthday Patricia Kaye

In Memory of Toby Wallach Daniel & Susan Kane

In Memory of Soltan Elghanayan Lavi In Memory of Nadine Lavi Ray Lavi

In Memory of Samuel Agranoff Eileen Sachs

Religious School Fund In Memory of Sidmey Cohen Shari Forsythe

In Memory of Josephine Berman In Memory of Jacques Urbach In Memory of Phyllis Lipson Cynthia Urbach In Memory of Mary Antell Marvin Antell In Honor of Joyce Bronstein’s Birthday Patricia Kaye In Honor of Vanessa & Rabbi Ari Averbach’s Anniversary In Honor of Katya Schwartz’s Bet Mitzvah In Honor of Rebeccah & David Schwartz’s Anniversary Leah Shechter In Memory of Irving Dallek In Memory of Abraham Goldstein Susan Cohen

Ritual Fund

In Appreciation of of Benny Sommerfeld’s kindness during a difficult time.

Cindy Goldberg

In Memory of Herman Dav id Crane Linda Kulik Theodore Borkan In Memory of Sidney Green William Green In Memory of Renee Jacobs William Jacobs & Marilynn Roth

Tzedakah Fund

In Memory of Norma Robinson Smith Andy & Ellen Smith In Memory of Sandor Nemet John Nemet In Memory of Maurice Samson Donald Samson

Women of TEC Torah Fund In Memory of Sylvia Samson Donald Samson In Memory of Clara Fleiss Ann Moore-Ross In Memory of Doris Lehrman In Memory of Molly Mansky Terry & Karen Mansky

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Color by letter

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Valentine’s Day word search

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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

26

February 2026 | Shevat - Adar, 5786

www.templeetzchaim.org

TEC Has a Hearing TEC Has a Hearing Assistance Network Assistance Network

Improve your hearing when Improve your hearing when being in services, using your being in services, using own smartphone and your own smartphone and or earbuds, headphones, earbuds, headphones, or compatible hearing aids. compatible hearing aids.

To Access the network, do the following: To Access the network, do the following: 1.

Download the ListenWIFI app your app store or scan 1. from Download the ListenWIFI app the QR code from your app store or scan the QRyou code 2. When arrive at TEC, go to your settings and togo Wi-Fi 2. phone When you arrive at go TEC, to your connections.

Scroll phone settings and down go to your Wi-Filist and select TEC Listen Everywhere connections.

Scroll down your list and select TECis: Listen Everywhere 3. Password TEC24680!

3. Join Password is: TEC24680!

4. the network (Note: you will be to an internal Wi-Fi 4. connected Join the network (Note: you will be system, notto toan the internet) connected internal Wi-Fi system, not to the internet) 5. Open the ListenWIFI app 5.

Open the ListenWIFI 6. If permission is asked app by app, please "Allow" 6. answer If permission is asked by app, please answer 7. Click on"Allow" the venue scan button 7. Click Click on on the the top venue scanof button 8. button the screen. connected tothe thescreen.

8. You Clickare on now the top button of hearing network.

Please You are assistance now connected to the adjust volume on your phone to hearingthe assistance network.

Please control thevolume sound in adjust the onyour yourears. phone to control the sound in your ears.

www.templeetzchaim.org

HEARING ASSISTANCE HEARING AVAILABLE ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE

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