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
Rabbi Ari Averbach rabbiaverbach@templeetzchaim.org
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.
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.
Debbie Blumenthal, Early Education Director debbieb@templeetzchaim.org
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
Phyllis Dankberg & Elissa Lazarus, Co-President, Women of TEC
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
