ETZetera July 2025

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Clergy

Rabbi Ari Averbach

Hazzan Noam Fields-Meyer Gould

Chaplain Benny Sommerfeld

Rabbi Emeritus Richard Spiegel

Staff

Executive 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 Trustees

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

please send an email to: communications@templeetzchaim.org

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, Rachel Carmona Trustee, Shira Soria

President, Men’s Club Mark Goldstein President, Women of TEC Phyllis Dankberg & Elissa

Past

Past

Past

Past

Past

Past

Marshall Scherr

Shari Mark

Letters from Our Leaders

On Friday night, I stood on the bimah listening to story after story from our congregants who went on March of the Living. I was moved, their words reminding me of my own trip six years agowalking from Auschwitz to Birkenau, saying Kaddish at Treblinka, looking through the enormous book of 4.3 million names of Jews whose lives were cut short by an authoritarian government.

Just 24 hours earlier, we got the news that Israel had begun its dismantling of Iran’s advanced nuclear arsenal, knowing that these days could drastically shape the future of Israel, the Middle East, and the world. Once again living in fear for what our enemies are capable of, though this time we have our own defense structure, stronger than ever before.

During services, two kids came up on the bimah to help lead services – their b’nai mitzvah just a few months away. I thought of Emil Fackenheim, a philosopher who was arrested on Kristallnacht and

placed in Sachsenhausen concentration camp. He escaped, lived an incredible life, and wrote a number of books. He is best known for his idea of the 614th Commandment.

The Torah, as you may know, has 613 mitzvot (sacred obligations, also know as commandments). Shabbat, holidays, how we treat each other — it is all covered in those 613 holy rules. Rabbi Fackenheim adds one more: not to let Judaism die. Not to give the Nazis a posthumous victory.

Sharing the bimah with people who bore witness to the Shoah’s atrocities, and then turning to two 12-year-olds, was a poignant moment. They were living proof that Judaism continues to thrive in Thousand Oaks – and the world – despite our awareness of all the horrors out there. And we vow to keep up our work so we can continue to thrive.

Benny Sommerfeld, Chaplain benny@templeetzchaim.org

Summer is here and with it the summer solstice. Many places around the globe make a big deal out of it, but not so in the US, at least not in SoCal. You might have noticed that Shabbat ends later and later. We are having a couple of weeks where Havdalah is at 9 pm. With summer comes the travelling Minyan on Sunday mornings. We are away from the TEC campus and out in our community. Unlike the Israelites, who were wandering for 40 years in circles, we are set up with different locations for all the morning services. The office knows where we are so you can always find us on Sunday mornings. Please, come and help us make a Minyan during the summer.

I hope you take time to relax or take a trip this summer, recharging your batteries. Spiritually we are entering a time of sadness, we are approaching the weeks of the first fast day 17 of Tammuz, the breach of the walls of Jerusalem. Three weeks later we commemorate Tisha

B’Av, the day when the two Temples were destroyed. However, it also marks the turning point where we have reached a spiritual low to start building us up, seven weeks, to enter a spiritual high, the High Holidays.

Enjoy the long days and beautiful evenings, spend time outside if the weather permits. Find time and a place to nurture your spiritual self. Be it the ocean, hiking trail, swimming pool, or together with family friends, grandchildren, whatever makes it special and spiritual.

I’d like to end my column by giving thoughts and prayer to Israel; Hashem, bring the hostages back home and protect all the population of Israel. Grant them shelter, peace and end the conflict.

We are so excited to welcome all the early childhood parents and your little learners to a brand-new school year at Temple Etz Chaim Preschool and Infant Center! The first day of school is just around the corner – Monday, July 7th – and we cannot wait to see our classrooms filled with smiles, laughter, and curiosity.

Whether your child is returning or joining us for the first time, we are thrilled to partner with you in this exciting stage of early learning. Our teachers and staff have been busy preparing a warm, welcoming, and engaging environment where children can explore, grow, and thrive.

What’s Ahead this Year? We’ve planned a rich variety of handson activities and themed units that will spark imagination and

promote development in all areas including creative art, time adventures, sensory play, music and movement, outdoor play and exploration, and circle time learning.

During the summer, the children will enjoy waterplay, learning about famous artists, dress-up days and our favorite — Shabbat programs every Friday morning.

We plan on making this school year one to remember! If you are interested in learning more about our Infant Center or preschool program, feel free to contact me for a tour and I will be happy to answer any questions.

We hope everyone has a fun and safe summer!

TEC Community

WE NEED YOU! As summer will soon be settling in and school is over for most of the school districts, Women of TEC is working diligently on coming up with many exciting programs for 202526. Dates will be announced soon. We welcome any ideas or suggestions from you. We also have started organizing the High Holidays Greeting Book and Book of Remembrance.

Check the Scoop each week for the link where you can put your names for one or both publications that are given out each Rosh Hashanah. We had a very successful Bunco afternoon on June 8. If you would like to see more programs like that or a general Games Day or Night let us know.

Linda Hutchings, immediate Past President would like to teach

someone how to send out our Constant Contacts. She promises that it is not difficult and helps WOTEC keep in touch with its membership. Contact Elissa Lazarus or Phyllis Dankberg and we will put you in touch with Linda.

Come to an event, come to a WOTEC Board Meeting. Please get involved. You won’t regret it!!!

Please contact Co-Presidents Elissa Lazarus or Phyllis Dankberg. We would love to hear from you. Wishing you all a great summer!

elazarus@templeetzchaim.org

phyllis@templeetzchaim.org

Community Garden and Bird Sanctuary

In Memory of Magda Chesnick

Myrna Stelman

Dunaier Music Fund

In Honor of Hazzan Noam Fields-Meyer Gould’s Doctorate from UC Santa Barbara

Nomi Freed

In Memory of Fanny Buchbinder

Frances Deutsch

In Memory of Abe Weinberg

Susan Solovy

In Honor of Hazzan Noam Fields-Meyer Gould’s Doctorate from UC Santa Barbara

Josh & Debbie Atlas

Early Childhood Education Fund

In Memory of Evelyn Levin

Joyce Goldberg

In Memory of Morton Adler

Joyce Goldberg

Elisa Feldman Memorial Religious School Scholarship Fund

In Honor of Hazzan Noam Fields-Meyer Gould’s Doctorate from UC Santa Barbara

Les & Debbie Feldman

In Honor of Chaplain Benny Sommerfeld’s Ordination

Les & Debbie Feldman

In Honor of Irwin Barney’s Birthday

Les & Debbie Feldman

In Honor of Rabbi Richard Spiegel’s Birthday

Les & Debbie Feldman

Fienberg-Lerner Chapel Minyan Fund

In Memory of Andrew Fienberg

Eileen Sachs

In Honor of Chaplain Benny Sommerfeld’s Ordination

Alan & Susan Flaschner

In Memory of Andrew Fienberg

Harriet Adelstein

In Honor of Chaplain Benny Sommerfeld’s Ordination

Josh & Debbie Atlas

Jotkowitz Camp Ramah Scholarship Fund

In Memory of Raymond Raskin

Fred & Rebecca Raskin

Kiddush Fund

In Memory of Elisa Feldman

Les & Debbie Feldman

Lipnick RSSF

In Memory of Geraldine Janka Altenburg

Myrna Stelman

Men’s Club

In Honor of Irwin Barbey’s Birthday

Yaakov & Janice Orlowski

Men’s Club Scholar-in-Residence

In Memory of Sue Shrater

Joel Shrater

In Memory of Lillian Wexler

Shirley Lipkin

In Honor of Irwin Barney’s Birthday

Marshall and Cindy Scherr

Men’s Club Silverstein

Humanitarian Fund

In Memory of Paul Chesnick

Myrna Stelman

Rabbi Averbach’s Discretionary Fund

In Memory of Rose Morris

Elizabeth Groden

In Memory of Davood Moradian

Nasser Moradian

In Honor of Speedy Recovery for Mark Gumbiner

Elissa Lazarus

In Memory of William Winreb

Robert & Betty Zonshine

In Memory of Bob Wexler

Robert & Betty Zonshine

In Memory of Joe Futterman

Gary Futterman

In Memory of Joyce Caplan

Shelly Armas

Women’s League for Conservative Judaism

In Appreciation of Rabbi Averbach Officiating Bob Berman’s Unveiling Ceremony

Diane Berman

In Memory of Yitzchak Saranga

Rivka Moscovitch

In Memory of William Groden

Ronald Groden

In Memory of Phyllis Naiman

Sylvia Weiss

In Appreciation of Rabbi Averbach for making our wedding so special

Jeffrey & Evann Barash

Rabbi Spiegel’s Discretionary Fund

In Honor of Rabbi Richard Spiegel’s Birthday

Marshall and Cindy Scherr

Religious School Fund

In Memory of Alenne Mayer

Iris Antell

In Memory of Michael Platt

Fred & Rebecca Raskin

Ritual Fund

In Honor of Chaplain Benny Sommerfeld’s Ordination

Nomi Freed

In Honor of Chaplain Benny Sommerfeld’s Ordination

In Honor of Hazzan Noam Fields-Meyer Gould’s

Doctorate from UC Santa Barbara

Patricia Kaye

Tributes

Social Action Fund

In Honor of Judy Gindi’s Birthday

In Honor of David Shechter’s Birthday

In Honor of Jack Gindi’s Birthday

In Honor of Daniel & Susan Kane’s Anniversary

In Honor of Dan & Lori Lubetkin’s Anniversary

In Honor of Irwin & Ilene Barney’s Anniversary

In Honor of Zvi & Yola Kalinski’s Anniversary

Patricia Kaye

In Memory of Sol Gleimer

Ellen Hustead

Temple General Fund

In Memory of Elsie Bayewitch

Joseph & Phyllis Bayewitch

In Memory of Bob Wexler

Joseph & Phyllis Bayewitch

In Honor of Liam Lefko’s Confirmation

George & Susan Kaplan

In Memory of Sheila Wallman

David Schwartz

In Memory of Maurice Benchimol

Elaine Scully

Marilyn Jorrie

In Memory of Janice Elaine Levich

Michelle Ferber

In Memory of Benjamin Woods

In Memory of Sol Anbinder

Leon Woods

In Memory of Rouhollah Safani

Michael Safani

In Memory of Abraham Freilich

In Memory of Stanley Scherr

Marshall Scherr

In Honor of Irwin Barney’s Birthday

Burt & Linda Lewensohn

In Honor of Rabbi Richard Spiegel’s Birthday

Yaakov & Janice Orlowski

Tribute Book

In Honor of HHD Greeting Book & Book of Remembrance

Nomi Freed

Tzedakah Fund

In Memory of Marcus Kluber

Lou Kluber

Women of TEC

In Memory of Malka Greenberg

Larry and Nina Wallach

Women of TEC Torah Fund

In Memory of Penny Neugroschl

Cindy Scherr

In Memory of Frieda Freilich

Marshall Scherr

B’nai Mitzvah

Brielle Arons July 12

Shalom! I am so excited for my bat mitzvah to finally be here. I have been working really hard to prepare for it, but I still find time to do many of the other things I love. My favorite activities are playing clarinet in the Redwood Marching Band, playing violin, taking care of my dog, cat, and chickens, playing soccer and basketball, going to 4H, and baking! I am entering 8th grade at Redwood Middle School and am looking forward to an awesome summer. I’d like to thank all of those at TEC who have helped make my bat mitzvah a reality, as well as my grandparents for their love and uber service to temple every week, and my family for their constant support. I look forward to continuing my education at TEC through confirmation after my bat mitzvah.

Congratulations to the Wallach family on the birth of Theo Rowan Wallach Ferdowsian

Born on May 23, 2025

Parents: Rachel Wallach & Carin Ferdowsia

Grandparents:

Nina & Larry Wallach

Laura Wiseman & Barry Rubinoff

Linda & Fred Ferdowsian

Mazel Tov to

Benny Sommerfeld

and Myles Simpson

on their well-deserved honors from the Federation of Jewish Men’s Club

Benny lives up to the ideals of Gemilut Hasidim in all he does.

Myles continues to be a leader of the highest caliber.

Both are dugma’ot for TEC, FJMC and beyond. We love you and appreciate you.

Brielle Arons Bat Mitzvah

The Mitzvah Committee is here to help...

• Large plastic trash bags 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:

• 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

Family provides:

• 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

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