ETZetera January 2025 FINAL

JANUARY 2025

ISSUE 1

Inside This Issue

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Letters from Our Leaders

Community News

SAVE THE DATE: Scholar in Residence

Contents 3

Knish Klatch for the Community

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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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January Calendar

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Birthdays and Anniversaries

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B’nai Mitzvah

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Simchas

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TEC Tributes

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Upcoming Events

20 Memorial Plaques, Memorial Leaf and SCRIP 26 End-of-Life Care and Planning 28 Kids’ Corner 30 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

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Letters from Our Leaders Rabbi Ari Averbach

rabbiaverbach@templeetzchaim.org

I struggle with spirituality. And I know that I am not alone. What are the paths we take towards achieving something deeper, feeling something grander than our everyday existence? Even in the Torah, Jacob’s name gets changed to Israel because he struggles with divinity – and we are the inheritors of that lineage.

I went to yoga with our immediate past president, Eric Feigenbaum.

It is not in my comfort zone, but I am always interested in stretching myself – literally and metaphorically.

As I was trying my best to hold different poses, my mind traveled through time. Work-related thoughts and family scheduling and current events, but by the time we reached Warrior 2, and I wondered what a rabbi was doing meditating in the Eastern tradition, I remembered a tidbit that my Orthodox friend Rabbi Hyim Shafner taught me: yoga is pretty Jewish. Not only because most of the rabbis I know participate in the Indian stretching tradition, but because it

was developed by a Jewish woman.

The origins of what we know today as yoga is not so ancient, even if it stems from an ancient practice. The Holy Mother of Pondicherry founded an ashram on the coast of India in the 1920s. Yoga at the time was monastic – the practitioner would have to give up their entire life to focus on a yogic lifestyle. The Mother, as she was known, developed “integral yoga” where the practitioner would aim to be more present in day-to-day life by taking on this extra layer of physical spirituality.

She took a Jewish idea – how to integrate deep spirituality and ancient rites with living in the modern world – and made it universal in a new way. And no wonder! The Mother was born Blanche Rachel Mirra Alfassa to a Sephardic family.

May we all find a way to integrate spirituality into our everyday lives.

And to stretch ourselves a bit in the year to come.

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

It’s been a wonderful month here at TEC. We recently had Havdalah and Hotdogs, which brought so many of us together for a beautiful evening of music, art, food, and togetherness. Our Shabbat services have been especially meaningful lately: We’ve made some changes to Friday nights, adding more music and creating a more intimate atmosphere, and it’s been incredible to see how it’s brought a renewed energy to our Kabbalat Shabbat services.

As we approach Hanukkah, I’ve been reflecting on the theme of perseverance. It’s one of the key ideas of the holiday—not just the perseverance of the Maccabees in the face of overwhelming odds, but also the endurance of the oil in the menorah that lasted eight nights. These stories remind us of the strength and resilience that are so deeply embedded in Jewish tradition. But perseverance isn’t just about the big, miraculous moments we remember in our stories. It’s also about the quieter, everyday acts

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that sustain Judaism. There’s an image in Jewish thought of a “still small voice”—a voice that’s been carried through centuries and generations, through times of challenge and times of celebration.

And I think that when we come together at shul, when we pray and sing, we express that ongoing voice. Showing up, engaging in the service, and participating in music and prayer are all ways of persevering as Jews and keeping that voice alive. This is one of the things that makes TEC so special. It’s a space where we can gather, not only to connect as a community but also to engage in the traditions that give Judaism its enduring strength and meaning.

My Hanukkah wish for all of us is that we find ways to come together, sing, and keep the Jewish music and traditions alive. Whether it’s through Hanukkah songs, Shabbat prayers, or just being there for each other, may this season remind us of the beauty of sticking together and the joy of community. Happy Hanukkah to everyone!

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Felicia Toporoff, President ftoporoff@templeetzchaim.org

How are we in 2025 already? It seems like I blinked and 2024 blew right past me! (But in all fairness, the years do seem to be going by a lot faster than they did when I was much younger.) As we are all no doubtedly recovering from the many end of year festivities we’ve attended from Hanukkah celebrations to New Year’s Eve parties, it is my hope that everyone has had the opportunity to take a moment to reflect on the past year and what new goals or tasks we hope to achieve in this new one. I certainly have. Perspective is a powerful tool and as I look back on all the improvements we’ve needed to make as an organization from better transparency to more streamlined operations, I can see how far we’ve come and how much we’ve accomplished this past year. But that doesn’t mean

there isn’t more to do, and your Board of Trustees and amazing group of volunteers and staff are hard at work making sure our “to do” list continues to be addressed. There certainly is more to accomplish and we aren’t taking our foot off the gas.

Things are moving and shaking at TEC so look out for our emails and flyers notifying you of all the fun and interesting programming coming your way this spring. We also have many b’nai mitzvahs on the calendar and all of us can’t wait to celebrate these wonderful group of kids as they become adults in our community. Thank you all for continuing to support TEC, which enriches our lives every day. I hope everyone has a wonderful year ahead and that 2025 brings you all joy, health and happiness.

Benny Sommerfeld, Associate Chaplain benny@templeetzchaim.org

O Hanukkah, o Hanukkah come light the menorah... I hope that you all have enjoyed the holiday. It overlaps nicely with the Gregorian calendar and creates a bridge between past and future. The miracle of oil has been transposed to the miracle of not eating too many sufganiyot and latkes. The new year brings with it resolutions and the hope of a better 2025. Israel is in a crossroads with so many changes in the countries around them. When I write this, the Syrian government has fallen and Israel has destroyed their military power by bombing their arsenal of military equipment. I pray for peace and that it will happen soon. My desire to go and visit is building up, but the situation needs to be stable before the trip can happen.

We have passed the halfway mark of short days with a little sunlight.

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We are headed towards the lighter side of the year. Our next new year is in sight, which is Tu B’shevat, the new year of the trees. When living in Israel in 2023 we moved there in February, and the almond tree started to bloom just around Tu B’Shevat. I am in my final year of Chaplaincy school and will be graduating in May of next year 2025 (B”H). As part of my thesis work, I would like to involve the 67+ group in the community, to assess their spiritual wellbeing. I hope if you belong to this cohort that you can help me by filling out a short questionnaire that should take around 10 minutes to complete. The idea is to identify spiritual opportunities that is, addressing different need-categories: 1) meaning and direction in life; 2) self-worth and belonging, and 3) reconciliation/to love and be loved.

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

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

The holiday of Hanukkah is ending as we return to school. I hope that everyone’s holiday was filled with family, memorable experiences, and happiness. How great it is that one-year ends and another begins all during the Hanukkah holiday. We have lots to celebrate!

new registrations starting in February. The first day of the new school year will be Monday, July 7th!

Wishing everyone a very happy, healthy, and bright New Year 2025!

Thank you for being a part of our Temple Etz Chaim family!

We want to give a big welcome to all the new preschool and infant families who are joining us in January 2025. We look forward to getting to know you and introducing you to our Temple Etz Chaim friends and family.

We invite you to join us for our January 31st Tot Shabbat dinner and service. Let’s begin 2025 with a musical Tot Shabbat! Everyone can bring a musical instrument and join the band! We will enjoy Shabbat dinner and an interactive family Shabbat service starting at 5:00 p.m. on January 31st!

Before we know it, we will be starting registration for the 2025-26 school year! In the month of January, all current TEC preschool and infant families will be asked to register for the new school year and then we will start filling open spaces from our Wait List and

Joyce Bronstein, Religious School Director joyce@templeetzchaim.org

When you receive this bulletin, we will most likely have celebrated our eighth night of Hanukkah. I hope your family had a wonderful holiday filled with warmth and light and enjoyed a festive New Year.

I’m excited that Religious School will resume on January 5th! The staff and I look forward to interacting with our students—we’ve missed them!

In December, families enjoyed our annual Havdalah and Hotdogs event, where the theme was Hanukkah. It was a fantastic way to begin thinking about our own Hanukkah celebrations. The evening was filled with positive energy and creative activities. A special Todah Rabah (thank you) to everyone who made the event such a success: our incredible clergy, the hot dog committee, the Friday setup crew, workshop facilitators, office staff, Board Members, maintenance and

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security, and all the many volunteers who contributed their time and energy. We are incredibly fortunate to have had over 60 volunteers working together.

There is a special Havdalah and Hotdogs team that I so enjoy working with: a heartfelt thank you goes to Susan Kane, Karen Garelik, and Heidi Birnbaum. Together, we plan, prepare, purchase, and coordinate the entire evening. Thank you to this amazing group.

A huge shout out to the anonymous TEC family who generously supports this meaningful endeavor each year. Your contribution creates long-lasting positive memories for all participants.

As I write this article, it’s a Monday night, and our teens are engaged in their first-hour grade-level core class. It’s truly heartwarming to see them enjoying their Confirmation and Post-Confirmation classes.

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TEC Happenings Havdalah and Hotdogs, December 14

Adopt a Family Collection

Joyce Bronstein, Religious School Director (continued) Our teens can participate in various electives for their second hour, including pyrography (wood burning), cooking, Krav Maga (Israeli self-defense), ceramics, and band class. Students can choose their elective, with the option to switch mid-year—ensuring a dynamic and flexible learning environment.

I’m immensely proud of our teens and their commitment to continuing their education beyond Bar/Bat Mitzvah. It’s a privilege to see them grow in knowledge and their connection to our Jewish traditions. Our teachers provide invaluable educational moments that our students will carry with them into adulthood.

The first hour is the students’ grade level core class, which fantastic teachers teach. I feel incredibly fortunate to work with such an outstanding team:

We are fortunate to offer an education that teaches our rich traditions, heritage, history, prayers, and much more. Even more importantly, we hope to instill in our students a deep and lasting love of being Jewish—one they will hold in their hearts throughout their lives.

• 8th Grade: Karen Garelik • 9th Grade: Maya Tenenbaum • 10th Grade: Hazzan Noam • 11th & 12th Grades: Rabbi Averbach

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Here’s to a fantastic 2025 filled with good health, joy, and happiness!

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TEC Community Phyllis Dankberg & Elissa Lazarus, Co-President, Women of TEC As I am writing this article, Women of TEC had a spectacular event of “Latkes and Vodka” at the home of Carol and Buzz Schoenkerman. It was a heart-warming evening of friendship and fun. Lots and lots of latkes, drinks, jelly doughnuts, etc. Thanks to Carol and Buzz for their extraordinary hospitality. Although Chanukah is not quite here yet as I write this in early December, Phyllis and I want to take this opportunity to wish you all a great Chanukah and a happy secular New Year. Onward to 2025.

As we start our programming for 2025, mark your calendars for Knish Klatch under the leadership of Wendy Margolis at 6:30 on Tuesday, January 14. Look for the flyer for all the details. Each month will bring a new program to which all are invited.

If you have not yet paid your dues for 2024-25 please do so.

We’d love to have you as a member and, most importantly, have you attended our programs. There is something for everyone in Women of TEC. And patronize our terrific Gift Shop under the leadership of Ann Ross and Phyllis Dankberg. Our dollars go toward helping the synagogue and youth programs, scholarships for trips to Israel and overnight Jewish camps and the list goes on.

If you have any suggestions or questions, please reach out to me at elazarus@templeetzchaim.org or to Phyllis Dankberg, my copresident at phyllis@templeetzchaim.org. We would be happy to speak with you.

Mark Goldstein, President, Men’s Club

Shalom All! Men’s Club has been actively planning upcoming events for 2025! We will be having a Dragon Fruit Orchard visit, a Hike and Havdalah for the entire TEC community, a magic night for adults, an astronomy night for all, and a game night for adults. Plus, a Hearing Men’s Voices program to address challenges of being a dad and grandfather is being scheduled. World Wide Wrap tefillin event is set for February 9, 2025. We welcome your participation in organizing, leading or assisting 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

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opportunities centered on the importance of the State of Israel entitled Learn, Grow, and Stay Connected with the State of Israel.

Event Highlights include Speakers from StandWithUs, visiting clergy and experts who will provide engaging talks on a variety of topics on Israel and community building opportunities. The weekend will include 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.

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Pam Friedman, VP, Social Action We are closing out the year with our annual Adopt a Family Drive.

Working together, Shari Mark and Robyn Zimmet, our Adopt-aFamily leaders, did an incredible job organizing and contacting past donors and recruiting new donors. They matched up donors to those in need from Senor Concerns’ Meals on Wheels Program for the Home Bond and Westminster Free Clinic’s families in need. Donors were given a wish list to guide their gift buying. After making their purchases, donors wrapped their gifts beautifully and delivered them to TEC. They looked spectacular.

Other TEC community members donated unwrapped toys for

the Westminster Free Clinic. Later this season, parents in the Westminster program will be given the opportunity to pick out gifts to give to their children for the holidays. Shari and Robyn also collected Target gift cards for Harbor House which will be given out to our local homeless community so that they can buy needed personal items.

Every year, I am warmed by the generosity of our congregation.

Our Adot a Family Program is truly a perfect mitzvah to end the year with.

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 of Hazzan Noam), Tom Fields-Meyer 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, and will hold a Q & A during the Oneg, after 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 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 the TEC community! Please keep an eye out for the emails and flyers with information on how you can

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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... where can we improve and what are we doing well. Email us at hurykne@mac.com

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Dates to Remember

January SUN

MON

TUE

WED

THU

FRI

SAT

1

2

3

4 Tova Lubetkin Bat Mitzvah

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6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

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Men’s Club Brunch for the Entire Community

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20

WOTEC Knish Klatch

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Asher Sklar Bar Mitzvah

Martin Luther King Day

Feed the Hungry Book Club via Zoom

Board Meeting

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23

24

27

28

29

30

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Tot Shabbat

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Birthdays & Anniversaries

January 1 Nasser Moradian 2 Robert Malone Catherine Michaels Howard Rutten Amanda Sissman Jeanne Weiss 3 Lynne Lacy 4 Gail Kogen Tova Lubetkin David Michaels 5 Pamela Friedman Suzanne Plotkin Barbara Rosenberg 6 Jeremy Scharf Danielle Starr 7 Dorothy Charnaw Sandy Lasarow Frank Lewin Sydney Torgan 8 Layla Anderson Sara Blakely Reece Friedman Natalia Staneva-Yankevich 9 Joel Balbien Noah Finn Zachary Finn Ava Freund Rachel Harris Mia Schwartz Eli Schwartz 10 Scott Levin Maia Wolf 11 Parker Blutter David Borla Spencer Goodman Owen Urbach

David Schwartz Andy Smith Scott Wasserman 14 Jacob Adler Kayitz Finley Sam Greenberg Asher Mehr Marshall Rosen Spencer Silverstein Inez Zucherman 15 Mika Hoffmann Abigail Morgenstern Adrianne Pasternak Andrew Pevsner Asher Sklar 16 Erika Field Sheena Gelfound Katie Werner 17 Joyce Bronstein Cindy Goldberg Ely Jacobsohn 18 Cleveland Bowens Lilah Evans Brandlyn Kitzman Susan Pierce Rob Silverstein Mia Sonnenberg-Rhim Annabelle Soria Alaina Soria 20 Andrew Freedman Shawn Moradian Matthew Savalas Zachary Warren 21 Jessica Jacoby Michael Katz Eli Katz Eli Perlmutter Alane Shechter

12 Danielle Herrera Beth Perel Marilyn Schneider Romi Zimon

22 Jessica Ashcraft Heidi Birnbaum Stephen Fienberg Julie Goldstein Barbara Shannon Robyn Shrater Seemann Maureen Watson

13 Bill Lasarow

23 Kevin Pugh

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Joshua Tenenbaum 24 Joshua Adler Benjamin Goldstein Jaden Goldstein Benjamin Harris Joshua Hodeda Melissa Spiegelman 25 Alistair Berg Andrew Cowan Aleece Kaiser-Durkee Matthew Nordahl Harriet Shrater Jennie Winderlich 26 Peggy Barukh Laura Dugatkin Samantha Fein Benjamin Rosenblatt Megan Slomowitz Logan Stein 27 Kimberly Bader Jackie Blitstein Joshua Garelik Aaron Kass Heather Nordahl Morgan Ratzan-Wank Susan Simowitz Jonathon Wolfson Colin Zwicker 28 Marco Cohen Lee Kaplan 29 Richard Edgar Cole Levinsohn Roee Rubinstein Pam Rudman 30 Sarah Bunkin Grant Furniss Cynthia Schein 31 Julian DeSalay Mark Katz Michele Margolis Joshua Schwartz Ryan Winthrop

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4 Kenneth & Linda Leon Eugene Yankevich & Natalia Staneva-Yankevich 12 Steven & Pamela Friedman 14 Jason Schwartz & Jennifer Flam Robert & Lynne Zuckerman 16 Daniel & Danielle Wachs Adam & Jessica Lerner 17 Kenneth & Laurel Warner 18 Max & Navy Honigsberg 20 David & Rachel Carmona 21 Les & Debbie Feldman 27 Carl & Judith Weiss 28 Arnold & Diane Rudman 31 Bradley Kraus & Sharon Meiselman

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B’nai Mitzvah

Tova Lubetkin

January 4

Hi! I’m Tova Lubetkin, and I am currently in 7th grade at A. E. Wright Middle School. I have been at TEC since Preschool. Now, I attend Confirmation and volunteer as an aide in the TK class. For some of my hobbies, I like to play basketball and soccer. I also love going to the beach, spending time with family and friends, and traveling.

As I become a Bat Mitzvah, I have many people to thank for this long journey My parents, my brother, Elijah, my sister, Ayla, my lovely tutor, Rivka, Rabbi Averbach, Joyce Bronstein and all my Hebrew School teachers from the past. Thank you all.

Asher Sklar

January 18

Hi, my name is Asher Sklar and I am in the 7th grade at Medea Creek Middle School.

This is my second year at Temple Etz Chaim, and before TEC I received my Jewish education from Jewish day school. Although I’ve only been at TEC for a short period, I’ve really enjoyed getting to know the kids and community. In my spare time I enjoy being on the swim team, surfing, snow skiing and playing piano. I also enjoy time with my family and friends. I would like to thank my parents, my sister Cora and especially my grandparents who have spent time each morning with me for the past year on FaceTime to help me prepare for my Bar Mitzvah. In addition, I’d like to thank the TEC community and my wonderful Bar Mitzvah tutor, Betty Zonshine, who has helped me and encouraged me throughout my journey to being a Bar Mitzvah. I am very much looking forward to my big day!

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Congratulations to the Karamas family on the birth of

Levi David Karamas Born on November 1, 2024 Parents: Nicole and Michael Karamas Grandparents: Sarah and Frank Karamas Lisa and Chris Lodter

Congratulations to the Michaels family on the birth of

June Charlotte Michaels Born on November 26, 2024 Parents: Juliette and Jake Michaels Grandparents: Catherine and David Michaels

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Tributes Barbara & Harvey Scherr Memorial Fund

Giving Tuesday Fran Curtis

Men’s Club Silverstein Humanitarian Fund

In Memory of Lillian Moskowitz

Jerrald & Deborah Cohen

Myrna Stelman

Harvey Moskowitz In Memory of Leon Noel Blaugrund Fern Blaugrund

Jotkowitz Camp Ramah Scholarship Fund In Memory of Lowell Benjamin

Dr. Ruth Kaplan RSSF In Memory of Mollie Lederich Larry & Judy Mayer

Lisa Benjamin

Kiddush Fund In Honor of David Michael’s B’nai Mitzvah

Dunaier Music Fund In Memory of Sofia Landau Gina Landau In Memory of William Deutsch Frances Deutsch

Early Childhood Education Fund In Memory of Al Smith Stan & Lynne Rosen In Honor of ECE Fundraiser Noreen Beiro In Memory of Harvey Goldberg Joyce Goldberg

David & Catherine Michaels

Lipnick RSSF In Memory of Lillian Gurien Harvey Gurien In Memory of Solomon Stockell In Memory of Irwin Stockell Bonnie Rothman

Les & Debbie Feldman In Memory of Sam Freed Nomi Freed In Memory of Evelyn Dubinsky Jeff Schoenwald Karen Sugarman

Rabbi Averbach’s Discretionary Fund In Memory of Betty Chislov Rhonda Averbach In Honor of Rachel and Joey Janowski’s Marriage Zvi & Yola Kalinski In Memory of Evelyn Greenberg Lauri Arons In Memory of Irving Garvin In Memory of Eleanor Garvin In Memory of Glenn Bradley Garvin In Memory of Goldie Warner

Jeannine Blakefield

In Memory of Alexander Warner

Melton Conejo West Valley Adult Jewish Learning

In Memory of John Weiss

Ben Zion & Gail Kogen

In Memory of Seymour Feldman

Richard & Gari Saly

Laurel Warner

In Honor of In Honor of Rachel & Joey Janowski’s Marriage

William & Cynthia Koepcke

Wilma Saly

Susan Goldberg

Susan Ehrlich

In Honor of the Birth of Levi Davis Karamas

Richard & Gari Saly

In Memory of Bertha Winterstein

Elisa Feldman Memorial Religious School Scholarship Fund In Memory of Abe Werber

In Memory of Ernie Silverstein

Michael and Lorraine Raileanu

In Appreciation of Rabbi Camras Cheryl Lewis

Men’s Club In Memory of Rabbi Jack Shechter Marc & Carole Firestone In Honor of Men’s Club Scholar in Residence Program

Kenneth Warner In Memory of Betty Weiss Laurel Warner In Graditude to Rabbi Ari for so beautifully officiating Talia’s Baby Naming Aaron Palmer & Annie Lascoe Palmer In Appreciation of Rabbi Averbach for the beautiful service for Geoff and all he has done for our family Karin Bara Sandra Rosenfeld In Honor of the Birth of June Charlotte Michaels Robert & Betty Zonshine

Steve & Pam Friedman

In Honor of our Daughter, Tami Kessler Wakeman’s

Men’s Club Scholar-in-Residence

Gil & Lynda Kessler

Harris Kaufman

Successful Surgery In Memory of Vivian Sterling In Memory of Noel Sterling

Fienberg-Lerner Chapel Minyan Fund

Joel Shrater

In Honor of Stephen & Elinor Fienberg

In Honor of 2025 SIR Weekend

In Memory of Marvin Cohn

Jerry & Sandie Leventhal

David & Melinda Harris

Randi Cohn

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In Memory of Maxine Cohn

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In Memory of Ruth Beaudry Lorraine Raileanu

Religious School Fund

In Memory of Francine Raileanu Michael Raileanu

Ellen Zucker

In Memory of Sylvan Simowitz In Memory of Rhoda Simowitz Lee & Susan Simowitz

In Memory of Patricia Rose

Golda Brill

In Memory of Jack Chislov Rhonda Averbach

Steve & Pam Friedman

In Memory of Toby Miller Susan Kanner

In Memory of Benjamin Marx David Marx

In Memory of Marcia Baslow

In Memory of David Sachs Eileen Sachs

In Honor of the Birth of Levi Davis Karamas

In Memory of Sylvia Samson Donald Samson

In Memory of Alexander Mayer

In Memory of Stubby Kaye Hattie Wolf

In Memory of Sylvia Schneider

In Memory of Marilyn Solomon Neil & Carolyn Bordofsky

In Memory of Rhea Myra Dersh

In Memory of Joseph Markowitz Bonnie Garfinkel In Memory of Samuel Groden Ronald Groden

In Honor of the birth of Levi Davis Karamas

In Memory of Elizabeth Fair Risa Leonard Jay & Debra Levine Iris Antell Mitchell Schneider Cynthia Schein

Ritual Fund In Memory of Rabbi Jack Shechter David & Rebeccah Schwartz

In Memory of Francine Synder Cheryl Cohen

Sandee Tischler RSSF

In Memory of Irv Alper Gil & Lynda Kessler

In Memory of Marcelle Carlin

In Memory of Stephan Alan Bass Jerome & Dawne Ratzan

In Memory of Jordan Raileanu Michael Raileanu

Social Action Fund

In Memory of Manuel Label Lorne Label

William & Cynthia Koepcke

In Memory of Yona Friedman Rivka Moscovitch

Myles & Gail Simpson

In Memory of Mary Waisman In Memory of Raymond Waisman Ellen Smith In Memory of Arnold Patent Vanessa Averbach Ellen Hustead Sarah Recher Adam Eagle Leora Fersht

Marilyn Jorrie In Memory of Eli Yale Eric Feigenbaum

Tzedakah Fund

In Memory of Rochelle Lewinter Debra Byer In Memory of Lillian Bettman Lou Kluber

Women of TEC Fund Get Well Soon Dr. Flora Treger Get Well Soon Neil Heller Get Well Soon Linda Shirley Lipkin

Women of TEC Fund Torah Fund In Memory of Sophie Tenenbaum William Tenenbaum

In Honor of Feed the Hungry for Harbor House In Honor of Feed the Hungry for Harbor House Patricia Rose Steve & Pam Friedman

Temple General Fund In Honor of Pamela Rooks Ruth Ann Hapner In Memory of Rabbi Jack Shechter Liz Groden In Memory of Hector Cornelio Sofia Kobrin

Lorne Label

In Memory of Rabbi Jack Shechter

Eliah Atlas

Lee & Susan Simowitz

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William Jacobs

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JAN

TEMPLE ETZ CHAIM MEN'S CLUB BRUNCH

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FOR THE ENTIRE TEMPLE COMMUNITY

ISRAEL UPDATE

Israel's strength, innovation, and resiliency creates a new realty in the Middle East Now that Israel has nearly destroyed Hamas, crippled Iran and Hezbollah, and enabled the fall of the Assad regime in Syria, the geopolitical environment in the Middle East has markedly changed. A hostage deal seems imminent, and improved relations with the Saudis appear to be on the horizon. Yet, Israel still struggles with the effects of over a year of constant war, in both human and economic terms. How does the Israeli-in-the-street see these developments?

Join us as we chat live with Dr. Avi Weissman, Deputy Director of Rambam Hospital who will participate remotely from Haifa,Israel and provide a first-hand account of life in Israel today and expectations for the future.

This brunch is FREE for all!

RSVP BY JANUARY 20: mensclub@templeetzchaim.org

www.templeetzchaim.org

1080 E. Janss Rd. • Thousand Oaks, CA 913605785 • (805) 497-6891 • www.templeetzchaim.org 19 January 2025 | Tevet - Shevat,

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January 2025 | Tevet - 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

January 2025 | Tevet - Shevat, 5785

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Winter Word Search Puzzle

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January 2025 | Tevet - Shevat, 5785

www.templeetzchaim.org

Help these animals find their way home

www.templeetzchaim.org

January 2025 | Tevet - Shevat, 5785

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Prices starting at

$650 P.K. Video Production

Contact for quote

Preserving your special day forever—Quality beyond your expectation Weddings | Bar-Bat Mitzvah | and other special occasions

PETER KALISCH

Experienced cameraman for over 45 years Member Weve International International Photogragher Guild IATSE600

(818) 731-8726 pkvideo2000@hotmail.com

PKVIDEO.ORG