Etzetera - June 2021

JUNE 2021, ISSUE 6

THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF TEMPLE ETZ CHAIM

IN THIS ISSUE High Holidays Update - 4 TEC Staff Spotlight - 11 Congrats to the 2021 Confirmation Class - 13 Kid's Corner - 18 Summer Fun - 20

2

TABLE OF CONTENTS Letters From Our Leaders SPOTLIGHT: HIGH HOLIDAYS UPDATE TEC's June Calendar Deja View Education Simchas TEC Community ETZ-iting Events Kid's Corner ETZ-tra ETZ-tra Community Partners

CLERGY Rabbi Ari Averbach Rabbi Intern Rachel Simmons Rabbi Emeritus Shimon Paskow Rabbi Emeritus Richard Spiegel STAFF Executive Director - Gideon Manzur ECE Director - Debbie Blumenthal Religious School Director - Joyce Bronstein Youth Director - Shannon Tepfer ECE Asst. Director - Kathy Sharp Program/Events Coordinator - Shane Silverstein Accounts Receivable - Jessica Jacoby Administrative Support - Lindsey Alpert BOARD OF DIRECTORS President - Shari Mark Executive VP - Eric Feigenbaum Immediate Past President - Jeff Solomon Corresponding Secretary - Elissa Lazarus Financial Secretary - Wendy Margolis* Recording Secretary - Beth Meyer Treasurer - David Yodkovik VP, Building and Grounds - Larry Slomowitz VP, Communications - Dan Lubetkin VP, Early Childhood Education - Joe Zwicker VP, Membership - Jennifer Elson VP, Personnel/Legal - Tom Milhaupt VP, Religion & Worship - Benny Sommerfeld VP, Religious School - Felicia Toporoff VP, Social Action - Judy Gindi VP, Youth - Ilana Sweet Trustee, Adult Education - Sherri Finn-Werber* Trustee, Bingo - Michael Roberts Trustee, Community Outreach - Mark Goldstein Trustee, Strategic Planning - Terri Zwicker Men's Club President - Colin Pullan Women of TEC President - Cindy Scherr Past President - Gary Katz Past President - Marshall Scherr Past President - Myles Simpson *Past President

'S SPOTL H T N O M IGH S I T TH

O L I H D A H Y G I S H R S E O P N N I F A S I L H L T

3

Walking through the hidden Jewish sections of Prague in 2013, I got a taste of how my ancestors lived. I don't trace any family lineage to Prague, but the general overlaps are obvious, confirmed on a subsequent trip to Poland: the small decrepit neighborhoods with buildings generally taller than the surrounding neighborhoods; the engravings in cornerstones and architraves with tiny clues, such as a Hebrew letter...

One of the signs is in a cemetery. Little markers carved into headstones - priestly hands, lions, a menorah - act as signifiers that this person was part of the Jewish community. But for centuries, Jews were not permitted to own property, not even burial plots. No permanent headstones. Sometimes they were placed in the ground for a short while before being moved to the synagogue. Other times a marker was never placed in the ground, and only a plaque placed in the synagogue.

While we are lucky enough to have equal rights in America - to own property and to permanently put headstones as markers for our loved ones - we continue the practice of filling our synagogue with plaques in memory of our loved ones, knowing that when we go into the building, we see their names and we know that the light is illuminated for their yahrzeit.

This year, we are beginning a new step in that tradition: adding all of this information online. The TEC website now has all of our plaques searchable the link to the website is here - and we are able to add even more: pictures, poetry, biographies. Our plaques will still be on the walls, surrounding us as we pray and learn, but with the addition of having access to the plaques when we are not in the synagogue.

Just as our ancestors’ European communities were uniquely Jewish, so will Etz Chaim continue in that practice. Holding on tight to tradition, while growing with the changing world around us.

May was an incredible month at TEC. So much excitement, so much hope, and so many firsts in what has been a long 15 months. A personal first for me was sitting on the bimah on a Friday night in early May. To amplify the happiness and optimism I was feeling, the 6th grade students helped lead the service. I was overflowing with pride in our Temple as a whole, and with joy in seeing the students, a year or more away from their Bar/Bat Mitzvah, leading us with grace and confidence. I felt an enormous gratitude for the ability to share Shabbat with my TEC community.

"Your Board, consisting entirely of volunteers, is an astounding, dedicated and generous group of individuals..."

Another first for us in May, Bubbe’s Blintzes and cheesecake for Shavuot. How delicious a treat was that!? I cannot begin to tell you how much fun it was to plan for these new holiday delicacies and our execution is replete with stories, jokes and of course, trial runs. The thing that isn’t new is how much fun can be had while giving of your time working on projects which also forges priceless and precious friendships with your kindred TEC family.

On May 19, our Board of Directors met in person for the first time since March 2020.

We met outside on the plaza and it was truly wonderful. Your Board, consisting entirely of volunteers, is an astounding, dedicated and generous group of individuals, made up of folks from all demographics representing our community at large, sharing their passion, expertise and acumen from their personal lives.

For planning purposes, meetings will move to the 4th Wednesday of the month beginning in July. Meetings are public, so I encourage and invite you to join us and witness for yourself how TEC business is conducted.

As always, it is my honor and privilege to serve.

As the world begins to reopen, I’m filled with gratitude. There are many things for which to be thankful: for the doctors and nurses who have cared for us over the past year, for the traditions and technology that sustained us (Zoom seders, anyone?), for the community that reached out to each other in the scariest moments of this modern plague.

I’m also thankful for the sacred curiosity which inspired our scientists and researchers to persevere in their campaign to find not one, not two, but many vaccines and treatments for COVID-19.

In what way was their curiosity sacred?

Rabbi Harold Kushner, in his fantastic book How Good Do We Really Have To Be? , describes Eve’s decision to eat forbidden fruit not as a sin but rather as a courageous, groundbreaking moment in humanity’s history.

According to Rabbi Kushner, it was Eve who bravely opened a door to a world in which humans are creative partners with God. This was the first moment of sacred curiosity.

We aren’t in the Garden anymore, but with the arrival of vaccines we are similarly benefitting from the tradition of holy exploration embodied by Eve. The hard work and research by so many humans in the face of such an imposing virus was driven by one of the traits that makes us undeniably "btzelem elohim" (in the image of God): our curiosity.

Blessed are you, God, who causes us to ask questions and search for answers!

B’shalom, Rabbi Rachel Rabbi Rachel is TEC's new Rabbinic Intern.

4

(WE HOPE)

LOOK FOR MORE DETAILED INFORMATION IN UPCOMING ISSUES OF ETZETERA

6

DAT ES TO SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY 1 NATIONAL SAY SOMETHING NICE DAY

D-DAY WOTEC LUNCHEON RELIGIOUS SCHOOL END OF YEAR BASH

NATIONAL CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM DAY

NATIONAL BEST FRIENDS DAY

13

14

15

6

7

8

21

22

FAST OF THE 17TH OF TAMMUZ

9

28

29

FRIDAY

THURSDAY 3

4

You'r e nic e.

16

23

30

MONTHLY MITZVAH WEDNESDAY

JEFF FINN MEMORIAL SCOTCH, STEAK & TALMUD

SATURDAY 5

NATIONAL CHEESE & DONUT DAY

10

11

NATIONAL ICED TEA DAY

CONGREGATIONAL MEETING

FATHER'S DAY

27

2

NATIONAL FUDGE DAY

FLAG DAY

20

WEDNESDAY

17

See the flyer on Page 16 18

TEC BINGO IS BACK 24

See the flyer on Page 17

12

19 JUNETEENTH

25 GLOBAL BEATLES DAY

26

7

SUNDAY 8:30 AM MONDAY 7:15 PM TUESDAY 10:00 AM WEDNESDAY 7:15 PM FRIDAY 7:00 PM SATURDAY 9:30 AM SATURDAY 8:30 PM

1 Yaron Gold Shmueli Blase Anderson Marisa Rothstein Joel Kopczynski David Shechter 2 Cary Finkelstein Wendy Goodkin Stuart Forman Ben Zion Kogen 3 Jonathan Bronstein Jason Ross Barbara Harris Michele Mahler 4 Matt Morgenstern 5 Diane Rudman Robert Shipow Michelle Katz Carleigh Lipman 6 Ailyn Feigenbaum Leora Hettena Gareth Friedlander Courtney Pomush Renee Appell Arnold Rudman 7 Aimee Shapiro Jack Shechter Alex Budish Firouzeh Glodowski 8 Sophie Cohan Carole Firestone Geoffrey Bugaisky Sennen Feigenbaum Justin Ginsburg

9 Julieta Barenbaum David Reinus Esther Winston Joshua Von Hoffmann Max Hops Phil Cain Adam Ellis 10 Bonnie Rothman Richard Diament Julie Koppel Merrill Kaminsky Alexandra Toporoff Matthew Munowitch 11 Shane Silverstein 12 Andrew Cohen Marvin Friedman Michael Stelman 13 Michael Lazarus Sandra Lutzker 14 David Wilkoff Charles Schwager Shari Cohen Forsythe Evy Mc Cauley Raquel Wallace Lisa Malchicoff 16 Joe Domingo Richard Engler Zoe Wolf 17 Darren Perlmutter Maureen Levine James Rosenfeld Abigail Walsh Jonah Polkes

Morning Minyan Service Evening Minyan Service Tuesdays with Rabbi Spiegel Evening Minyan Service Kabbalat Shabbat Shabbat Morning Service Community Havdalah

18 Joanne Riss 19 David Harris Cynthia Urbach Dina Adler 20 Samantha Groden Laurel Warner Avah Morton Darcey Groden Emily Malchicoff Irwin Barney 21 Asher Malone Marissa Borochoff Shimon Paskow David Dryman Judith Weiss Sandra Gonor Richard Spiegel 22 Ilana Sweet Randol Curtis Logan Stokols Carol Wolff Cameron Friedman 23 Jacob MacBrair Barbara Anik Jenna Shechter Cheryl Wolf 24 Jason Anderson Joyce Katz Gary Levine Elyse Schoenwald Phyllis Bayewitch

25 Glen Kilmnick Laura Withrow Tami Marciano Mark Katz Noel Sterling Evan Gorowitz

1

Lori & Dan Lubetkin

2

Ilene & Irwin Barney

3

Barbara & Arthur Harris

5

Monika & Alan Mendelson Susan & Lee Simowitz

26 Beth Silverman Jonathan Kay Rachel Salant Beverly Ashcraft Sarah Sterling Adrianna Heber A.J. Harris Carol Paskow Matthew Skurka Al Ungar

7

Ellen & Andy Smith

11

Randi & Marc Cohn Melinda Garabedian & David Harris Linda & Marvin Natlin

27 Kimberly Winthrop Karen Garelik Leah Neiderman Hadar Dvir Samuel Scherr Rebecca Stelman Zachary Breverman 28 Reed Arons Scott Smith Bridget Baskin Adam Kane 29 Lauren Ginsburg Marla Ben-Tov Stan Rosen Jeff Roberts 30 Daniel Strauss Matthew Blumenthal

14 Linda & Carl Friedlander 15

Tobi & Jay Love

16

Judy & Jack Gindi Cindy & Harold Rosenfeld Laura Dugatkin & Pablo Wolf

17

Joyce & Israel Bronstein Elinor & Stephen Fienberg

18 Penny & Chuck Sterling 20 Laura & David Katz Cindy & Nathan Stelman 21

Ilana & Steven Ormond Lynne & Stan Rosen

22 Laurel & Michael Lichtman Julie & Devin Sterling Terri & Joe Zwicker 24 Lynda & Gil Kessler 25 Cheryl & William Davidson Beth & David Silverman 26 Lisa & Phil Cain Jennifer & Steven Golove 27 Jackie & Arnie Blitstein Emily Frydrych & Eric Feigenbaum Melanie & Bernard Gero Shirley & Alan Lipkin Beth & Israel Perel Janeen & Jeff Solomon 29 Linda & Rabbi Richard Spiegel 30 Leah Canon West & Clinton West

8

TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK From May 3-7, we celebrated the terrific team of TEC Religious School and ECE teachers for Teacher Appreciation Week. (even though we think they deserve an appreciation week EVERY week of the year). Cards, banners, balloons, big hugs, gifts and yummy treats were just some of the ways our parents, students and staff showed our teachers just how much we care about them.

MONTHLY MITZVAH WEDNESDAY The Social Action Committee's new Monthly Mitzvah Wednesday program continues to be a great success. Members have been signing up for the donation of specific needed items and dropping them off during the last Wednesday of each month. In May, the food donations were piled high at our drop off right in front of the chapel. Pictured here are Debbie Alpert and Tami Wank who helped in a huge way. Thank you to all who donated!

TIKKUN OLAM NEW SOCK & UNDERWEAR DRIVE The Social Action Committee organized a drive to collect new socks & new underwear, ending on May 7. They were able to collect over 600 pairs of socks and underwear thanks to our generous congregants. There are so many ways to be involved with and give back to our community...be on the lookout for upcoming volunteer and donation opportunities through Tikkun Olam.

9

SACK LUNCHES FOR THE HUNGRY This joyful group of volunteers takes a well-deserved schmooze break between prepping and packing meals that will be donated those who are less fortunate in Ventura County. In all, over 50 meals were provided by the TEC Sack Lunch program. Not only does volunteering time for Temple Etz Chaim sponsored functions DO good, it also FEELS good to connect with your fellow congregants.

Please join us next time!

Temple Etz Chaim is grateful to Chef Edwin Cruz for providing 50 chicken dinners at his cost for the Harbor House Feed the Hungry program on Wednesday, June 16.

Chef Edwin is the caterer behind TEC's delicious TEC to GO Shabbat dinners each week.

Please support Temple Etz Chaim and Chef Edwin by purchasing your Shabbat dinners at the following link:

BIT.LY/TECDINNERS

10

One year ago, Temple Etz Chaim ECE Center reopened its doors during the COVID-19 pandemic and was declared “Open and Safe” by the City of Thousand Oaks. The entire ECE staff has worked extra hard during the past 12 months and I congratulate them for all their efforts to keep their classroom cohorts safe. Also, our teachers made changes to their routines and regular programming to make each holiday and learning experience meaningful and fun.

We are so excited this month to celebrate the graduation of four different Gesher (Pre-Kindergarten) classrooms and our first two Kindergarten cohorts! For the first time this year, the parents from each classroom will join us for a socially-distanced, maskwearing celebration of their child’s preschool and Kindergarten experience at Temple Etz Chaim. This is an especially bittersweet year given all that we have been through together.

As our extended school year ends on Friday, June 25th, we look forward to our new 2021-22 school year which will begin on Tuesday, July 6th! We are expecting our classrooms to be filled to maximum capacity and look forward to meeting all the new families that we will be welcoming to Temple Etz Chaim ECE Center for the first time.

We want to thank our Temple Etz Chaim community for trusting us with your children during the past year.

You supported us every step of the way and gave us the strength to get through each day!

Looking forward to a fun and safe summer!

I want to extend my appreciation to all of our students, families and staff for supporting our endeavors during this pandemic. Although this year has been different, we persevered in teaching the next generation successfully.

A very special Todah Rabah to Rabbi Averbach, Rabbi Rachel, Gideon Manzur, Shari Mark, Board of Directors and Office Staff for all your help. You made this year that much better.

I would especially like to thank Felicia Toporoff, VP Religious School Education. I appreciate her support and commitment. I would also like to thank the Education Committee, including: Jonathan Benjamin, Heidi Birnbaum, Graeme Ginsburg, Linda & Carl Friedlander, Steve Friedman, Cindy Goldberg, Susan Kane, Hun Kaplowitz, Leah Neiderman, Adya Riss, Jen Sonnenberg-Rhim, Devin Sterling & Shannon Walsh.

This committee helps make Religious School an excellent experience for our students.

A very special thank you to Sarah Karamas for everything she does to ensure that all aspects of programming run efficiently. Our Religious School teachers were honored at Shabbat Services last month.

I was proud to thank them publicly for being such wonderful and caring teachers. This year especially, they went above and beyond to teach our students.

I must also extend a special thank you to our teenage Religious School Aides. They are always ready and willing to help. We are fortunate to have such terrific role models for our young students Most importantly, Todah Rabah to all of our students.

This was a very different year than previous years, and we appreciate the hard work you did all year.

We can’t wait to see everyone this Fall in Religious School!

Hello from the TEC Youth Department! What an amazing and different year we have had. We’ve accomplished so much this year as a community and I can’t wait to see what is next to come.

V’Dough we baked challah while also learning more about the Holocaust through a survivor from our own community as a means of remembrance on Yom Hashoah.

It is my privilege to be a part of the Jewish education of our TEC youth. We offer fun events and programming for kids of all ages, from Kindergarten through to 12th Grade. Our focus ranges from a love of Judaism to opportunities with leadership, combining to make an unforgettable experience at any age.

In late April, USY had a dessert-making activity in the spirit of the Netflix series, “Nailed It!” Also in late April, we ventured out to Golf n’ Stuff for our first outdoor activity in a long time.

Programming is separated into four groups: Machar is for K-2nd Grade, Kadima is for 3rd-6th Grade, Junior USY is for 7th-8th Grade and Senior USY is for 9th-12th Grade.

We organize and participate in multiple programs throughout the year; here’s just a taste of what we’ve done: In early April we welcomed back many Machar families for the first time in over a year for an inperson but socially-distanced experience. At L’Dough

We gave back to our community with Feeding the Hungry, learned to make sushi, played laser tag, went bowling and even had “Into the Night” activities which went from 8pm-8am. Many thanks to our dedicated USY board and volunteers who bring a great energy and attitude to all of our events.

As we head into summer, we have many exciting activities planned. If you have a child or children who you think would like to participate, please let me know! We look forward to providing more great opportunities for the TEC Youth!

11

GUS TAVO RAMIREZ

12

Emma Baskin

Zoe Curtis

Jacob MacBrair

Sarah Sterling

June 5

June 19

June 26

June 26

Our TEC family just got a little bit bigger!

Whether you have a Bar or Bat Mitzvah or a little bundle of joy on the way, please let us know so our entire community can share in the celebration.

Send all simcha information to communications@templeetzchaim.org

13

CONFIRMATION CLASS

MAZEL TOV TO THE CONFIRMATION CLASS OF 2021

On Sunday, May 16, TEC congratulated and honored its Confirmation Class.

Please join us in acknowledging their hard work and dedication.

TI D I S NG U

HE

LAI N

R

IS

U

C

AT

RD

D

ED

During the TEC Board Meeting on Wednesday, May 19, religious school teacher Heidi Birnbaum was presented with the prestigious "Sara and Simcha Lainer Award." This award recognizes excellence in Religious School Education. The Builders of Jewish Education select the most deserving teacher every year based on established criteria.

E

SARA BLAKELY MARISSA BOROCHOFF JOSHUA FIREMAN TAYLOR FRIEDMAN ARIEL LITWIN JENNA LOTTERMAN SOPHIA LYSOBEY BROOKE ROBERTS JACOB ROSS MIA SONNENBERG-RHIM DANIEL STRAUSS BRADEN TECK ANNIE WYNNER

OR AW

A

Heidi has taught at the Religious School for 17 years. Heidi currently teaches our 2nd Graders, but has taught 1st Grade as well. Heidi is a special teacher who genuinely makes a difference.

Both her current and previous students treasure and embrace their Religious School experience because of her. Heidi is a great teacher and role model.

Congratulations, Heidi, for this most deserving recognition.

JOIN US IN CELEBRATING ALL SIMCHAS!

14

Barry Cantor Memorial Fund for Cohen Family Library In Memory of Lucille Ganz Phil Ganz

Ner Tamid Education & Community Center Fund In Memory of Jack Gorman Sandy Rosenfeld

Dunaier Music Fund In Memory of Fanny Buchbinder Frances Deutsch

Rabbi Averbach's Discretionary Fund In Memory of Hilda Mann Beau Mann

Religious School Fund In Memory of Alenne Mayer Iris Antell In Memory of Edwin Tollman Lisa Tollman

In Memory of Harvey Dunaier Howard Dunaier

In Memory of Lazarus Falk Beryl Mann

Sandee Tischler Religious School Scholarship Fund In Memory of Jack Yaskiel Cyndi Mahler

Early Childhood Education Fund In Memory of Ralph Munowitch Dave Munowitch & Emily Habib

In Memory of Paula Winreb Betty Zonshine

In Memory of Sheldon Friedman Heywood Friedman

In Memory of William Winreb Betty Zonshine

Temple General Fund In Memory of Tillie Pearl Touby David Salzman

In Memory of Benjamin Brookstein Edward Chadroff In Memory of Courtney Maltz Eric Maltz In Memory of Morton Adler Joyce Goldberg In Memory of Nathan Levin Joyce Goldberg In Memory of Emily Safani Michael Safani In Memory of Carole Klein Susan Malchicoff

In Memory of Fannie (Nana) Markowitz Bonnie Garfinkel In Memory of Michael Dekofsky Cheri Dekofsky In Memory of Seymour Kane Daniel Kane In Memory of Sheila Wallman David Schwartz In Memory of Harry B. Wank David Wank In Memory of Rose Morris Elizabeth Groden

Elisa Feldman Memorial Religious School Scholarship Fund In Memory of Elisa Feldman Debbie Feldman

In Memory of Bella Goldin Herbert Goldin

In Memory of Harry Altman Nomi Freed

In Memory of Sol Anbinder Iris Woods

Feeding the Hungry In Memory of Edward Garabedian Melinda Garabedian Harris In Memory of Uncle Mert Mish Mendelson In Memory of Roy Chesher Robin Kahn Fienberg-Lerner Chapel Minyan Fund In Memory of Kay Fienberg Stephen Fienberg Jotkowitz Camp Ramah Scholarship Fund In Memory of Mertyn Mann Beau & Beryl Mann In Memory of Belle Kunin Lorraine Dennis In Memory of Nathaniel I. Goodman Roger Lifeset Lipnick Religious School Scholarship Funds In Memory of Sol Gleimer Ellen Gleimer Hustead

In Memory of Dorothy Schoenwald Jeff Schoenwald In Memory of Benjamin Woods Leon Woods In Memory of Annie Rubens Marie Rubens In Honor of Rabbi Averbach Michael & Meredith Druyen In Memory of Walter Ganz Phil Ganz In Memory of Yitzchak Saranga Rivka Moscovitch In Memory of Eva Minarsky Robert Peisner In Memory of Evelyn Peisner Robert Peisner In Memory of Edward Zabel Sandra Lutzker In Memory of Virginia Moore Sandy Pfefferman

In Memory of Natalee Gurien Harvey Gurien

In Memory of Jack Arons Steven Arons

In Memory of Dorann Bunkin Michael Bunkin

In Memory of Ira Cook Susan Pierce

Men's Club Scholar-in-Residence Fund In Memory of Sue Shrater Joel Shrater

Religious School Fund In Memory of Naomi Animoff Dr. Jeronme Ratzan

In Memory of David Zabel Sandra & John Lutzker

In Memory of Reuben Zucker Ellen Zucker

Men's Club Silverstein Humanitarian Fund In Memory of Sarah Simpson Myles Simpson

In Memory of Marilyn Cohen Seiden Debra Levine In Memory of Maurice Benchimol Elaine Scully In Honor of Judy Mayer Ellen Cooper Klyce In Memory of David Presser Francine Finkelstein In Memory of Elsie Bayewitch Joseph Bayewitch In Memory of Lawrence Dvorkin Judith Dvorkin In Memory of Shana Ozark Lisa Warren In Memory of Martin Konigsberg Shirley Bressler In Memory of David Leichter The Kalinski Family In Memory of Blanche Chak The Kalinski Family In Honor of Emma Riss The Klyce Family Tzedakah Fund In Memory of Mary & Michael Wexler Herb Wexler In Memory of Jack Siegel Judith Feldman In Memory of Markus Kluber Lou Kluber USY & Scholarship Fund In Memory of Mel Lefko Paul Lefko Women of TEC Fund In Memory of Magda Chesnick Myrna Stelman Women of TEC Torah Fund In Memory of Charlotte Ilese Tiefenthal Ann Ross In Memory of David Forman Harriet Shrater In Memory of Gertrude Halpert Lester Halpert In Memory of Herman Halpert Lester Halpert

15

BUILDINGS & GROUNDS

BY LARRY SLOMOWITZ

I wanted to share about our ongoing commitment to security at Temple Etz Chaim since completing our major construction on the sanctuary, community center and classrooms.

At the time of final construction, our committee was headed by Lester Halbert and his recommendation was to have an eight-foot fence surrounding the classroom building. The city of Thousand Oaks approved a six-foot wooden fence to encompass the play yards. We had metal fencing that was originally at the site and we utilized them on the margins overlooking the lower property.

As we continued to investigate our options, we looked at our overall needs as synagogues were undergoing some new threats. We upgraded our alarm system, created locked doors, obtained a more elaborate phone system, increased guards and obtained additional communication devices for emergencies. We also added emergency supplies, both medical and food-related in all classrooms.

Additionally new fencing was proposed that would encompass our three buildings; we proceeded with bids.

Fortunately Gideon Manzur was able to obtain a new grant that will allow us to accomplish this goal with an impenetrable eight-foot wrought-iron powder-coated fence that will surround the entire perimeter of our campus, including the chapel.

These changes are part of our ongoing mission to keep our facilities safe and secure. Thank you to all who have contributed to this mission.

Larry Slomowitz is VP of Buildings & Grounds He can be reached at lslomowitz@templeetzchaim.org

RELIGION & WORSHIP

BY BENNY SOMMERFELD

Summer is here and with it comes long days and beautiful sunsets. We will start our "Shabbat Under the Stars" services on Friday, June 11. We welcome you to celebrate Kabbalat Shabbat with us on the Warren Lawn.

To be outside during sunset while singing "Lecha Dodi" is one of my personal highlights.

This summer we will have a class for those of you who would like to learn how to read the Book of Eicha on Tisha B’Av. Rabbi Rachel will teach us the special trope that is used when chanting lamentations.

Enjoy the summer, I look forward to seeing you at our outdoor services or indoor services, where we are celebrating almost every weekend with our B’Nai Mitzvah families. Join Us! Benny Sommerfeld is VP of Religion & Worship He can be reached at religion@templeetzchaim.org

t x e n e h t Turn to l l a t e g o t page u o y o f n i e th d n e t t a o t need r e d n U t a Shabb the Stars

16

JUNE 4

ORANGE CHICKEN

with steamed rice and stir fry veggies

BANANA BREAD PUDDING* JUNE 11

TWO FISH TACOS

with cilantro lime rice and roasted corn

CARAMELIZED APPLE TARTS* JUNE 18

STUFFED CABBAGE

with roasted potatoes and roasted carrots

FLOURLESS CHOCOLATE CAKE* JUNE 25

COCONUT CURRY VEGETABLE STEW served over rice with a Caesar salad

VANILLA CREME BRULEE*

*DELIVERY RESTRICTIONS APPLY. *DESSERTS PURCHASED SEPARATELY.

18

Kid's Corner POOL PARTY

CONNECT THE LETTERS IN ANY DIRECTION TO FIND AS MANY WORDS AS YOU CAN.

E D I W S

I V M M R

T I N G E

A O L U T

P O F A W

- ANSWERS -

NEED MORE SPACE? GRAB SOME PAPER AND KEEP GOING!

CAN YOU USE THE PICTURES TO FIGURE OUT THESE FOUR SWIMMING STYLES?

+

+

+

+

19

MAKE A SPLASH

CAN YOU COMPLETE THIS POOL THEMED CROSSWORD PUZZLE? 1 2

3 4 5

8

6

7

9

10 11

12 13 14 15 16 17 18

19

20

21

ACROSS

DOWN

3 5 7 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 20 21

1 2 3 4 6 8 9 13 14

Swim on this side Stylish deep end entry Time to dry off!

Swim upside down Poolside bubble bath (minus the soap) Best friend's swimming style?

Jump in and get everyone wet Blow it up and chill out One of the four popular swim strokes Suit up before you swim Be water safe before anything else Stand on this side "Splish _____" Underwater eyeball protectors

Tall barrier to keep kiddos out of the water Play with these Water temp test (3 words) Double arm swimming stroke Let's celebrate!

Explorer's favorite pool game?

Do this when you're under water (3 words) One element to keeping your pool clean This sounds like you're swimming any way you want to, but you're not 18 Protect your skin 19 Don't do this. It's bad for your health.

ANSWERS ON PAGE 23

20

ETZETERA ASKED 50 TEMPLE MEMBERS ABOUT THEIR SUMMER PLANS. HERE'S WHAT WE FOUND OUT:

GOING SOMEWHERE TROPICAL

TRAVELING BY PLANE

HEADING OUT OF STATE

ROAD TRIPPING

TRAVELING WITH FAMILY

BUSINESS TRIP

GOING TO A JOYOUS EVENT (WEDDING, BIRTHDAY OR BAR/BAT MITZVAH)

NO TRAVEL PLANS / "STAYCATION"

21

Answers on Page 25

EIT

VD

KA ENRRE W

BA

C WHMNOU

IT

R BI B A R C HIVE

BE

TPAYT EYKA

MA

DIA

PLAE

N FIA E R

MD

IE B

D TULLAEB N M

H

22

From the vault at TEC If you know anything about the stories behind the featured mystery photo, please share with us! We will publish your story along with the photo in our next issue.

SEND YOUR COMMENTS AND MEMORIES TO COMMUNICATIONS@TEMPLEETZCHAIM.ORG For this month's Mystery Photo, we have no context on this happy group of people. Does anyone know when this photo was taken? And during which event?

GROUND-BREAKING! Last month, we included this image for our first Mystery Photo.

We received the following from TEC Member Sybil Goldstein: "Wonderful Picture…

In the photo: Jay Schwartz, Alan Steele, Harvey Scherr, Ed Katz, Jerry Calnitz, Rabbi Pomerantz and Dr. Val Birds… Nice to see our friends from past years… It has brought me back in time."

23

RUBY W. Ruby has been watching her favorite movie "Ferris Buellers Day Off," an animated TV show called "Adventure Time," and has been listening to the band Cage the Elephant.

MANDY B. Mandy has been watching "Brooklyn NineNine" and her favorite movie, "Avengers: Endgame." She also has currently been listening to the New Zealand pop singer, Lorde.

JENNA L. Jenna has been listening to one of her favorite musical artists, Mumford & Sons. Her favorite show she is bingewatching is "Derry Girls" and her favorite movie at the moment is "Almost Famous."

HANNAH S. Hannah has been watching Grey's Anatomy and listening to one of her favorite musical artists, Arctic Monkeys.

NWORD NEERCSNUS ELYTSEERF ENIROLHC HTAERB RUOY DLOH OLOP OCRAM YTRAP LOOP YLFRETTUB EOT RUOY PID SYOT LOOP ECNEF LOOP SELGGOG HSALPS DNE WOLLAHS TSRIF YTEFAS TIUSMIWS EKORTSTSAERB TAOLF LLABNONNAC ELDDAP EIGGOD IZZUCAJ EKORTSKCAB LEWOT EVID DNE PEED 91 EGAP MORF SREWSNA 4

15

6

16

8

ACROSS: 3 17

9

18

5

7

10 20

22 13

11

12 DOWN: 1 14

18

19

13 2

3

14

24

HOW MANY OF THESE SIZZLING 70 SUMMER BUCKET LIST ITEMS HAVE YOU DONE? CHECK THE BOXES, TALLY YOUR TOTAL AND FIND OUT HOW YOU SCORE! 1. Throw a water balloon 2. Lay on a blanket and stare at the stars 3. Blow bubbles 4. Wash a car in the driveway 5. Play with sidewalk chalk 6. Watch fireworks 7. Play Frisbee 8. Hula hoop 9. Visit a water park 10. Collect flat rocks and skip them 11. Have a picnic 12. Run through a sprinkler 13. Make sand angels on the beach 14. Swing at a playground 15. Go on a cruise 16. Swim in a pool 17. Ride a Ferris Wheel 18. Stay up all night and watch the sunrise 19. Drink a root beer float 20. Watch lightning bugs 21. Collect seashells 22. Take part in an outdoor workout 23. Go down a slip ‘n’ slide 24. Get your face painted 25. See a drive-in movie 26. Play miniature golf 27. Build a sandcastle 28. Buy something from an ice cream truck 29. Put your hand out of the car window 30. Explore a boardwalk 31. Roll down a hill 32. Pick some wildflowers 33. Jump into the water fully clothed 34. Make tie-dye shirts 35. Go roller skating

36. Go to an amusement park 37. Have a barbeque 38. Attend a food truck rally 39. Play hopscotch or cornhole 40. Run a lemonade stand 41. Go camping 42. Run full speed into a crashing wave 43. Have a mud fight 44. Ride a carousel 45. Have an ice cream party 46. Go to a concert 47. Cut your hair short 48. Blow up giant colorful pool inflatables 49. Ride on a speed boat 50. Sunbathe 51. Go tubing down a river 52. Take a hike 53. Go surfing 54. Have a bonfire and tell ghost stories 55. Make S'mores 56. Take pictures with an underwater camera 57. Visit a butterfly garden 58. Jump on a trampoline 59. Watch a parade 60. Stuff your face with cotton candy 61. Have a sleepover 62. Get crazy tan lines 63. Get your toes painted a neon color 64. Do a crazy dive into a pool 65. Have a paper airplane contest 66. Have a watermelon seed spitting contest 67. Drink something tasty from a coconut 68. Make a summer playlist 69. Make a paper sailboat 70. Pick fruits and/or vegetables

WHAT YOUR SCORE MEANS 1-20: YOU'VE GOT SUMMERTIME BLUES! Get a Kickstarter campaign going. Open a lemonade stand (#40). Save your allowance.

Whatever it takes. Just GET OUT THERE!

36-53: THINGS ARE HEATING UP Even though you're no stranger to fun in the sun, you've got a little work to do to go from lazy summer days to full on beach bum.

21-35: TIME TO STOCK UP ON THE SPF! Your lack of exposure to the summer sun might cause you harm if you're not prepared, but you can still make great memories this summer.

54-70: MASTER OF SUMMER You take your summers very seriously! When the sand and surf call to you, you always come running (in a Baywatch style slo-mo, of course).

25

KAT

DA

IE W E R N E R

RA

M U N O WIT

CH

B BI A V E R B A C H

DE

PATTY KAYE

PA

VID

M EL

A F RIE D M

AN

BBI

A E BLU MENTH

L

PAGE 29

YOUTUBE.COM/C/TEMPLEETZCHAIM

@TEMPLEETZCHAIM

FACEBOOK.COM/TEMPLEETZ

@TEMPLEETZCHAIM

FACEBOOK.COM/TEMPLE.ECEC

WWW.TEMPLEETZCHAIM.ORG