Rabbi Ari Averbach rabbiaverbach@templeetzchaim.org
The weeks leading up to Pesach are laden with profound meaning. That first visit to a grocery store where the end cap is jars of gefilte fish and macaroons (and, for some reason, Hanukkah candles!) puts a pit in my stomach.
I love Pesach. I love the meal and the songs. I love the seder and actually wish it were longer. I love the wine (well, the first glass – by the third, I’m feeling dizzy). I love that how we do seder is almost the same as how my great-grandparents did it, all the way back. The seder is essentially all in the Talmud (written in Babylonia 1500+ years ago).
I also love that, when I ask people who are considering converting to Judaism what the singular moment was when they decided to choose joining our peoplehood, nearly every one of them says it
was a seder. The idea of a deep discussion around a meaningful meal, a tradition where everyone’s voice is heard, where we acknowledge past pains and our fight to overcome, is powerful.
As you take this month to prepare for the holiday, find someone new to bring to your table. Find a new song, or a new interpretation, to add a layer to this historic meal (as every generation has done).
If you want to share it with me, I am always looking for something beautiful to add to our conversation. And, if you want to “sell” your hametz through the synagogue, please let me know. We take care of that the week before the holiday.
May this be a month of joy as we work towards becoming a free people.
It’s been a busy and beautiful month at TEC. We’ve celebrated some truly outstanding B’nai Mitzvahs — our students have been singing beautifully, speaking beautifully, and involving their families in such meaningful ways. We’re so proud of each and every one of them. Meanwhile, Purim is just around the corner, and Passover isn’t far behind, so there’s plenty of music-making and preparing happening behind the scenes.
In the midst of all of it, I’ve found myself sitting with a question that keeps coming up in both my personal life as a Jew and in my own research: what does Judaism actually sound like? What does it sound like to be in synagogue, to be in prayer, to be part of a community that sings together?
When Jewish sound shows up in popular culture, it’s usually flattened into something recognizable but thin — a few familiar tropes that don’t come close to capturing what I experience here every week. The real thing is richer, more encompassing: multilayered, multigenerational, steeped in nusach and memory and the particular acoustics of this room with these people.
These are questions I’ve been exploring academically as well, and I’ll be presenting some of this work at an upcoming conference. If you’d like to hear more about it, feel free to reach out.
Wishing everyone a wonderful month ahead — hope to see you in services. Come say hi!
Benny Sommerfeld, Chaplain
benny@templeetzchaim.org
Spring is almost in the air, and the rain has made all the hills green and lush in Conejo Valley. The Olympic games have finished, and we can all go back to our normal routine. I speak for myself, the Olypmics have been a big deal for me, and it resulted in many late nights watching the athletes from around the globe competing in different disciplines. It was great to see the snippets from the bobsled team from Israel. As a Jew from the frozen tundra, I got a lot of joy seeing them in the slopes of Cortina. Purim is here and it comes with mitzvot including the “ganze Megilla.” The mitzvot are listening/reading of the Megillah (Book of Esther), sending food gifts to friends (Mishloach Manot), giving charity to the poor (Matanot La’evyonim), and eating a festive meal (Seudah). If you scored more than one of the four, I applaud you. Purim brings me back to Jerusalem in 2023. As a walled city, it celebrates two days.
Hence our daughter living in Tel-Aviv at the time took it to heart and jumped on the train for day two and joined us in Jerusalem. One of the streets outside Machane Yehuda (the Shuk), Agrippas Street was closed off and turned into a carnival with a music scene filled with ruach, music and food. There was a sea of people who were dressed up in all sorts of costumes, young and old.
We created a lively atmosphere at our celebration at TEC. I hope that you enjoyed the Purim carnival and the rest of that day and reading of the Megillah on the following day. One more thing about Purim is, Peasch is only a month away. It is time to brush off the Haggadah from last year and see what to include this year. If you want to share your ideas or get some new ones, I am here for you.
TEC Education
Debbie Blumenthal, Early Education Director
debbieb@templeetzchaim.org
As spring approaches, our children are full of excitement as we welcome the joyful month of March in our Early Childhood Education program. We begin the month with lots of anticipation for our Purim celebrations. The children are already talking about the carnival on March 1, the costumes they will wear, and of course their favorite part of the holiday – shaking their groggers and making plenty of noise when they hear Haman’s name during the Purim story. In the classrooms, students are busy creating groggers and festive masks, and they are looking forward to baking and tasting hamantaschen and bringing home their own shalach manot baskets to share with family.
That same week, we will also celebrate the birthday of Dr. Seuss. Classrooms will be filled with his beloved stories as we focus on rhyming activities throughout the week.
Families always enjoy joining us as guest readers, and the children especially love this special opportunity to share their classroom with parents. We may even see some “green eggs” served as part of the fun! On Friday, March 6, we will celebrate Shabbat with a
special Dr. Seuss-themed dress-up day.
Another highlight of March is our intergenerational visits. Each classroom takes turns inviting special family members or friends to join us and experience a day of preschool!
We begin the month with our toddlers welcoming their guests. Each Friday the guests will participate in classroom activities, join us for a preschool Shabbat with Rabbi Ari and Hazzan Noam, and enjoy challah!
As March ends, we will begin introducing Passover stories, music, and blessings as we prepare for our upcoming Seders at the start of April. Meanwhile our garden boxes that were planted on Tu B’ Shevat are beginning to sprout! The children are carefully watering, observing, and eagerly watching each new plant appear.
We truly love this season of renewal. Spring brings meaningful holidays, hands-on learning, and many opportunities for connection, and we look forward to celebrating together throughout the month of March.
Joyce Bronstein, Religious School Director
joyce@templeetzchaim.org
So much is being planned for this month as Purim approaches. Most likely, as you read this bulletin, it is March 1, hopefully with beautiful weather, and the TEC Purim Carnival is the highlight of the day. I know our students truly look forward to this special and fun time each year.
On March 2, we will gather for our Purim Pop-Up Pizza Party at 5:15 PM. We will begin with pizza, read the Megillah, and enthusiastically drown out Haman’s name with our groggers! Recently, Rabbi Averbach sponsored cartoonist Jordan Gorfinkel (AKA Gorf) to teach our students in grades 3–12 the art of cartooning. Each student drew and wrote about Purim, and the finished product is the Purim story told through their creative illustrations. I am so excited to see our students’ faces as they watch their artwork displayed on the big screen. Thank you, Rabbi Averbach, for your vision in bringing this fun and meaningful opportunity to our students. I hope you will join us for our Purim celebration and enjoy being together as a community.
There is a recurring theme throughout many of our holidays, including Purim: the Jewish people face adversity, someone seeks to
destroy us, the tables turn, and the threat is overcome. Thankfully, life continues with our precious family and friends, and we celebrate our resilience and faith.
As the month continues, we will begin learning about Passover. In Religious School, our students will participate in a Seder in their classrooms. Depending on their grade level, various Haggadot will be used, each tailored to their age group. I find it truly inspiring to watch teachers and students experience this meaningful holiday together. Everyone at the table has the opportunity to share thoughts and insights about the significance and symbolism of Passover, which adds to the richness of the experience.
The staff and I feel so fortunate to teach the beauty of Judaism to our students. One of the greatest rewards is seeing former students return as parents, becoming members of TEC, enrolling their children in Religious School, and continuing the traditions. It is beautiful in so many ways.
Let us take pride in our Jewish traditions, customs, and heritage. Chag Purim Sameach! Wishing everyone a joyful and Happy Purim.
Havdalah and Hotdogs, January 31
TEC Community
Phyllis Dankberg & Elissa Lazarus, Co-President, Women of TEC
It is only the beginning of March and I’m already thinking about Passover. What dishes will be on our menu this year? How will I set the table so that it is beautiful when my guests walk into the dining room? What activities will be awaiting the great-grandchildren? What about an Afikoman prize and will I be ready come Wednesday evening April 1st? But despite my anxiety it is truly one of my greatest pleasures to celebrate Passover with our family. Along with my personal planning for our family Seder, Jill Rosenberg Women of TEC’s Program VP and I have been planning something special for all of you.
On Tuesday evening March 24th the Women of TEC will be having a Passover Desserts Program. One of the recipes we’ll be featuring will be Rabbi Ari’s famous Mac and Cheese, not quite a dessert but
we recommend it for any time of the day. Cindy Goldberg’s sisterin-law’s addictive Granola samples will disappear very quickly along with Jill’s Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding Muffins made with Matzah.
If you have a special dessert that you would like to share email the recipe to Jill Rosenberg at jrosenberg@templeetzchaim.org.
Also coming up during Passover is the WOTEC/Men’s Club Shabbat on April 3rd. and 4th. This is a semi-annual event where the Women of Tec and Men’s Club conduct services. Please contact Cyndy Koepke at ckoepke@templeetzchaim.org if you would like an English or Hebrew reading on Friday evening or Saturday morning. Looking forward to sharing all the exciting upcoming events with all of you!
Hi Everyone! The momentum of TEC Men’s Club continues!
We’re having regular, monthly Men’s Night Out meet ups. The numbers keep growing! The third Wednesday Men’s Night Out at Naughty Pine Brewing Co. in Westlake Village will be Wednesday, March 11 from 7 pm – 9 pm. Come after minyan or dropping the kids off. Come for a few minutes or all two hours. Just hang and schmooze.
More than 40 attended our second Sunday brunch of the year to learn from the regional director of ADL Santa Barbara / Tri-counties, Joshua Burt, who provided techniques for talking about antisemitism and growing allies. The extended time brunch was a testament to our community’s interest and the importance of the message. Thanks to Myles Simpson for managing the kitchen crew and many members for assisting with the preparation and clean up.
In February, there was also World Wide Wrap held in conjunction with FJMC International. Rabbi Averbach and multiple Men’s Club volunteers instructed about tefillin and provides wrapping opportunities. Thanks to Steve Friedman for managing this and all volunteers and participants for making this a meaningful event! (pics on page 5)
When Purim arrives, during the Purim Carnival on March 1, Men’s Club will be hosting a beer tasting tent for adults. If you want to meet parents and grandparents of religious school students and like beer,
please volunteer to man the booth. And if you’re at the carnival, please drop by to say hi and try a new beer you’ve never tasted before. Later this month is Scholar in Residence Weekend from March 2729. This year, we welcome Dr. Revital Somekh-Goldreich, an awardwinning scholar, educator, and artist who will use art and sensory experience to present Jewish topics in an interactive and impactful way. The theme, “Beyond the Text: Building Bridges of Meaning from Purim to Passover through Visual Theology,” promises a weekend of engaging discovery for our community. Please plan to attend this stimulating educational experience.
Upcoming events include Men’s Club/WoTEC Shabbat April 3-4, havdallah hikes to be scheduled and a new TEC Cycling Club –get ready to roll! Plus, Men’s Club members will be delivering holocaust memorial candles for lighting on Yom HaShoah as part of FJMC’s Yellow Candle Program. Make sure to light your Shoah Yellow Candle at sundown on Monday, April 13.
For all of the above, see email and flyers for more information. We welcome your participation in organizing, leading or assisting in these and other programs. All are welcome to Men’s Club Board Meetings regularly held the third Tuesday of the month at 7 pm, except this month we’ve changed the meeting to March 10.
Pam Friedman, Trustee, Social Action
I would like to thank our Temple community for coming together on February 8 for our joint donation drive with the Salvation Army. Both the ECE and Religious School brought bags and boxes to the drive throughout the morning. Congregants came and brought donations by the carload; dishes, small appliances, books, clothing as well as household items. The donation drop off site filled up with items all through the morning. It was wonderful to see our
community come together to help those in need.
When the Salvation Army pickup truck came and started loading, we could not believe our eyes. The truck filled up! It felt so good knowing that everything donated would be going to someone in need either directly to their rehabilitation or to help with their rehabilitation. What a mitzvah!
Men’s Club Brunch, February 22
Salvation Army Donation Drive, February 8
B’nai Mitzvah
Jasper Heirshberg March 7
Shalom, my name is Jasper Heirshberg. My path to my Bar Mitzvah has been different than most since I did not attend Sunday School during the 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th grade years. After this hiatus, I returned to Temple Etz Chaim over a year and a half ago and was welcomed back by Rabbi Averbach and Mrs. Joyce Bronstein. Ever since then, I have been studying and attending services on an almost weekly basis to prepare. I am grateful for the excellent one-on-one tutoring by Mrs. Ellen Zucker and all her patience with me. I appreciate Hazzan Noam for teaching me my Torah portion and melodies. Thank you to my Mom, Dad, and brother Azure for all their support and encouragement. I truly look forward to my Bar Mitzvah…it is special to me.
Archie Nolan Orens
Born: January 7, 2026
Parents:
Hannah and Zachry Orens
Grandparents:
Dorlee and Jeff Rinkov & Gail and Steven Orens
Jacob Boucher Silverman
Born: February 17, 2026
Parents:
Jackie and Adam Silverman
Grandparents:
Beth and David Silverman & Kate and Leo Mamorsky
Dates to Remember March
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Tributes
Barbara & Harvey Scherr Memorial Fund
In Memory of Leon Noel Blaugrund
In Memory of Louis Bigley
Ferne Blaugrund
Dunaier Music Fund
In Memory of Kenneth Solovy
Susan Solovy
Early Childhood Education Fund
In Honor of The Birth of Archie Nolan Orens
Steven & Gail Orens
Elisa Feldman Memorial Religious
School Scholarship Fund
In Memory of Diane Berman
Eileen Sachs
In Memory of Max Sher
Bernard & Melanie Gero
Fienberg-Lerner Chapel Minyan Fund
In Memory of Norma Robinson Smith
Andy & Ellen Smith
Hazzan Noam’s Discretionary Fund
In Memory of Lenny Cummins
David & Sandi Israel
In Memory of Shirley Nudelman
Jack & Laura-Beth Sholkoff
Hazzan Noam’s Discretionary Fund
In Appreciation of Hazzan Noam Officiating our daughter’s naming ceremony—We hope you can buy some new intruments!
Matt & Sara Timsit
Jotkowitz Camp Ramah Camp
Scholarship Fund
In Memory of Toba Greinetz
Robert & Lynne Zuckerman
Lipnick RSSF
In Memory of Anny Levin
In Memory of Jim Levin
In Memory of Walter Michelson
Barbara Shannon
In Memory of Murray Goldberg
Susan Goldberg
In Memory of Mollie Bunkin
In Memory of Dorann Bunkin
In Memory of Esther Lipnick
Michael Bunkin
Memorial Plaque Fund
In Memory of Stanley Farber
Roberta Toporoff
Men’s Club Scholar-in-Residence Fund
In Memory of Bella Lewin Varkel
Frank Lewin
Steven & Pamela Friedman
Men’s Club Silverstein Humanitarian Fund
In Memory of Joseph Mason
Claudine Marx
In Memory of Anne Henry Kaufman
Joel Shrater
In Memory of Julian Robert Saly
Richard & Gari Saly
Rabbi Averbach’s Discretionary Fund
In Memory of Stewart H. Brookstein
Edward Chadroff
In Memory of Bernard Ehrenpreis
Sarah Jo
In Memory of Diane Berman
Elissa Lazarus
In Memory of Ada Samuels
Mark Wolfson
In Memory of Alfred Agranoff
Eileen Sachs
Lee & Ruth Forman and Haley Isman
In Memory of Vivian Sterling
In Memory of Noel Sterling
Randi Cohn
In Memory of Bobbie Eisenstadt
Harvey Kern
In Memory of Irwin Gollub
In Memory of Esther Gollub
Michael Gollub
In Memory of Albert Shipow
Robert Shipow
In Memory of Sarah Orlin
Lorne & Caryl Label
In Memory of Herman Weiss
Ronald Weiss
In Memory of Joy Krieger
Bev Futterman
In Memory of Martin Bordofsky
Neil & Carolyn Bordofsky
In Memory of Simon Dubinsky
Jeff Schoenwald
Rabbi Averbach’s Discretionary Fund
In Memory of Fred Shragai
In Memory of Edith Rose
Glen & Ruth Rose
In Memory of Sandy Pfefferman
In Memory of Tania Pfefferman
Arthur Pfefferman
In Memory of Sidney Reuben
Sandra Reuben
In Memory of Della Carmona
Mika Carmona
In Memory of Abe N. Kessler
Gilbert Kessler
In Memory of Rachel Sender Fine
Lila Fine Oberman
In Memory of Gene Geller
Evy McCauley
In Appreciation of Rabbi Averbach Officiating Our Wedding
Caroline Goldfarb
In Appreciation of Rabbi Averbach and his Staff’s Kindness During Parent’s Yahrzeit
Lisa Garfinkle
In Honor of the Birth of Jacob Silverman
Robert & Betty Zonshine
Sandee Tischler RSSF
In Memory of Sandy Ratzan
In Memory of Frances R. Levine
In Memory of Natalie Friedman
Dawne Ratzan
Security Fund
In Memory of Murry Weber
Bradley Weber & Dianna Kaffka
Social Action Fund
In Memory of Morris Reiser
In Memory of Frances Kaye
Patricia Kaye
In Memory of Clara Stockell
In Memory of Sylvia Rothman
Bonnie Rothman
In Memory of Kari Munowitch
David Munowitch & Emily Habib
In Memory of Stanley Friedman
Steven & Pamela Friedman
In Honor of Feed the Hungry for Harbor House
Myles & Gail Simpson
Temple General Fund
In Memory of Bella Kalinski
Zvi & Yola Kalinski
In Memory of Cecil Moll
Francine Finkelstein
In Memory of George Kaplan
Daniel Goldberg
In Appreciation of TEC’s warm and welcoming community
Sidney & Sheryl Gutmann
In Memory of Jay Shery
David & Rebeccah Schwartz
In Memory of Betty Marko
Reuben Finkelstein
In Memory of George Kaplan
Mike & Sherri Cohn
Jerrald & Deborah Cohen
In Memory of Barbara King
In Memory of Maurice King
In Memory of David King
Paul King
Tzedakah Fund
In Memory of Sara Tevet
Steven & Orly Spielberg
In Memory of Pearl Rosenfeld
Harold Rosenfeld
USY Youth & Scholarship Fund
In Memory of Sidney Barnett
Jane Spitzer
Women of TEC
In Honor of Best Recovery Wishes for Elissa Lazarus
Cindy Goldberg
Women of TEC Torah Fund
In Memory of Miriam Fleser
In Memory of Robin Sales
Holly Seery
25TH SCHOLAR IN RESIDENCE WEEKEND EVENT
FOR THE ENTIRE CONGREGATION
Seeing the Sounds - Visual Interpretations of Biblical Text and the Holidays
Dr. Revital Somekh-Goldreich
An award-winning scholar, educator, stained-glass artist, and community builder who uses art and sensory experiences to make Jewish studies more interactive and relevant.
SEEING BEYOND THE TEXT: BUILDING BRIDGES OF MEANING FROM PURIM TO PASSOVER THROUGH VISUAL THEOLOGY
SATURDAY EVENING
7:00PM Havdalah and Interactive Presentation (with refreshments) Are Exile and Diaspora Synonyms?
Explore this question by examining the Purim and Passover story-cycles and their rich visual interpretations.
SUNDAY MORNING BRUNCH
9:30 AM, Meaning-Making Workshop
So Many Bridges, So Little Time! Join us for a dynamic, co-creative workshop where we’ll discover and test relevant Purim-Passover connections, bringing our weekend of visual theology to a powerful close.
Saturday Evening and Sunday Brunch: $10 pp (no charge for SIR Sponsors, Legacy level &above, and students
Please visit our Scholar-In-Residence website often for updated agenda information, details and sponsorship opportunities.
• 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
