Etzetera - May/June 2023

THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF

TEMPLE ETZ CHAIM

M AY-J U N E 2 0 2 3

ISSUE 5

Inside This Issue

www.templeetzchaim.org

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PAGE 5

PAGE 10

Letters from Our Leaders

Renovation Updates

Meet Our B’nai Mitzvah

May - June 2023 | Sivan-Tammuz 5783

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Contents 4

Letters From Our Leaders

Clergy

5

Construction Update

Rabbi Ari Averbach

6

TEC Education

Rabbi Emeritus Richard Spiegel

8

TEC Community

9

A Look Back: The 45th Anniversary of the First TEC Adult B’not Mitzvah

Interim Cantor Kenny Ellis Rabbi Emeritus Shimon Paskow

Staff

10 B’nai Mitzvah

Executive Director Gideon Manzur

12 May-June Calendar

Religious School Director Joyce Bronstein

14 Birthdays & Anniversaries

Early Childhood Education Director Debbie Blumenthal Early Childhood Education Asst. Director Keri Loventhal Programming & Youth Director Cindy Goldberg

16 TEC Tributes

Programming & Events Coordinator Shane Silverstein

17 Simchas

RS Administrative Assistant Sarah Karamas

18 Upcoming Events

Clergy Assistant Jill Rosenberg

20 Shavuot Activities & Learning Series 22 Kids’ Corner

ECE Administrative Assistant Linda Starr Accounts Receivable Jessica Jacoby Musical Director Mariano Dugatkin

Board of Directors President Eric Feigenbaum Executive Vice President Felicia Toporoff Immediate Past President Shari Mark

This Month’s Spotlight: Let’s celebrate Shavuot together!

See page 20 for details.

Treasurer David Yodkovik Corresponding Secretary Elissa Lazarus Recording Secretary Rachael Pugh VP, Building & Grounds Dan Wachs VP, Communications Rachel Carmona VP, Early Childhood Education Chad Hampton VP, Personnel & Legal Josh Hopstone VP, Project Funding Wendy Margolis* VP, Religion & Worship Benny Sommerfeld VP, Religious School Education Adya Riss VP, Social Action Pam Friedman VP, Youth Ilana Sweet Trustee, Bingo Marshall Scherr* Trustee, Community Outreach Mark Goldstein Trustee, Governance Steve Plotkin Trustee, Programming Dan Lubetkin Trustee, Sustainability Ely Jacobsohn President, Men’s Club Irwin Barney President, Women of TEC Linda Hutchings Past President, Board Member Sherri Finn-Werber Past President, Board Member Gary Katz Past President, Board Member Myles Simpson *Past President

TEMPLE ETZ CHAIM PRESENTS

AN ENTERTAINING EVENING CELEBRATING JEWISH MUSIC

SUNDAY, JUNE 11, 2023 | 6:30PM Join Temple Etz Chaim in its newly reopened state-of-the-art sanctuary and social hall for a night to remember, as Cantor Kenny Ellis invites Mostly Kosher & Nefesh Mountain Band for an entertaining evening of great music! Doors open at 6pm, 6:30pm show begins.

BUY YOUR TICKETS N0W! TINYURL.COM/CKAF2023

www.templeetzchaim.org

1080 E. Janss Rd. • Thousand Oaks, CA 913605783 • (805) 497-6891 • www.templeetzchaim.org 3 May - June 2023 | Sivan-Tammuz

Letters from Our Leaders Rabbi Ari Averbach

rabbiaverbach@templeetzchaim.org

For the past eight months, we have been “making do” in our temporary dwellings. With the overwhelming success of our capital campaign, the building where I used to spend most of my time has been under renovation.

From the pictures, it looks like it is coming along beautifully, to open in just a few days. I am grateful that Rabbi Spiegel is allowing me to use his office, to sit at his desk, to learn from his books, and to eat the candy he has stashed in his drawers!

I am aware of how these past several months have impacted our community. Some have a difficult time finding parking, others don’t feel quite comfortable in our interim prayer space. (Although we have been getting a wonderful turnout at services recently!)

But most of all, I am aware of the incredible work of our maintenance staff. Ricardo and his team seem to be working around the clock to set-up and break-down our limited space.

On a typical day, the Wolfson Auditorium is turned over from an adult-ed classroom to a preschool song area to a gymnastics studio to a sacred prayer space and dessert hall. In the blink of an eye, the coffee maker is gone, tables and chairs go in and out with swift ease, the orientation is turned on its axis.

The constant work of making our sanctuary, chapel, social hall and offices look beautiful and refreshed will all be worth it. But when you see our indefatigable maintenance crew, make sure to thank them for the behind-the-scenes work they are doing to keep us afloat with the Wolfson Auditorium as our only place of communal gathering.

Eric Feigenbaum, President eric@templeetzchaim.org

On May 7th Temple Etz Chaim kicked off its new “sister synagogue” relationship with Temple Etz Hayyim of Hania, Crete. In a Sunday Stickaround, we had the opportunity for video conversation with TEH’s leadership and educators in which we met and learedn about them and they got to know us.

Why a “sister synagogue” program? Why is this important?

Our Temple Etz Chaim is relatively young and thriving. We have more than 220 children in our Early Childhood Education Center with a waiting list. We have more than 420 families and a robust religious school that includes confirmation and post-confirmation programming. This month, we complete the renovation of our synagogue building. Whatever concerns, worries and complaints we have from time-to-time, we are a growing, dynamic Jewish community.

Temple Etz Hayyim of Hania Crete has a much longer history than us – it was constructed in the 14th century and became a synagogue in 1669. It is part of a 2000 year-old tradition of Judaism and Jewish life on Crete and is filled with rare texts including a Sefer Torah completely in Greek. Cretan Judaism was largely nonTalmudic and has all kinds of fascinating layers. In 1944 the Nazis wiped the entire Jewish population off Crete and most every other

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Greek island. And Temple Etz Hayyim became the last standing shul on Crete – being used as a garbage dump.

Thanks to the hard work of Nikos Stavroulakis, a Jewish man from Crete, whose family successfully fled to England when he was a child, Temple Etz Hayyim was restored and is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. During summers, there are enough Jews to consistently have services and minyans in-person. And during the rest of the year, a community of Jews from around the world – who know and visit TEH in the summers – continue to have services and remain a congregation.

Almost 80 years after the Holocaust, Temple Etz Hayyim is still just beginning to recover. I was fortunate enough to meet Nikos Stavroulakis when visiting Hania in 2010. He explained that he had a choice whether to make Etz Hayyim a Holocaust museum or to try to make it an active shul despite the odds. “The world doesn’t need another Holocaust museum,” he said, “we defeat the Nazis when we live on.”

I hope you’ll join for the upcoming events with Temple Etz Hayyim and the courses they will offer us as we try to bring our two very different – and similar – Trees of Life together, expanding our Jewish communities.

May - June 2023 | Sivan-Tammuz 5783

www.templeetzchaim.org

Construction Update Gideon Manzur, Executive Director gideon@templeetzchaim.org

After seven months of diligent work, the renovation that has transformed our Bet Midrash is finally drawing to a close. The scaffoldings are coming down, the hard hats are being put away, and the dust is settling, revealing a magnificent new space.

This endeavor, which has required the concerted effort of a diverse team of designers, congregants, and construction professionals, marks a new chapter in Temple Etz Chaim’s story. The end of construction is not simply a conclusion, but a beginning – a symbol of progress and a testament to our community’s love. We look forward to the ways this new Bet Midrash will enrich and contribute to the vibrancy of our community.

www.templeetzchaim.org

May - June 2023 | Sivan-Tammuz 5783

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

We are counting down our last weeks of the 2023 school year! In the month of May our early childhood parents are spoiling our staff with a week-long Teacher Appreciation Event. The teachers are enjoying daily breakfast, a day of flowers, luncheon, and ending the week with gifts from the families. What a beautiful week and the teachers are feeling very appreciated.

We have a “touch-a-truck” event planned for the children. We are going to have a fire truck, garbage truck, city bus, and other emergency vehicles here for the children to explore. This is going to be exciting for the young ones. Our older students will take a field trip to the Thousand Oaks Public Works Open House to learn all about the jobs our Thousand Oaks Public Workers do around our hometown.

Our May Tot Shabbat is on Friday, May 19th at 6:00 p.m. We have a delicious dinner planned, Shabbat blessings, songs, and lots of family fun for all!

We are ending the month with a Family Shavuot Day! On Friday, May

26th all preschool parents are joining their children for a morning of activities, a Shavuot brunch and finally a school-wide Shabbat singalong! School will close at 12:30 p.m. that day.

The month of June will go by quickly as we prepare for the preschool and kindergarten graduations and the end of our 12-month school year. We look forward to the start of our 2023-24 school year on Wednesday, July 5th. Parents will be invited for a Parent Orientation before school begins.

We sadly say goodbye to Aliza Stokelman, a beloved Gesher teacher who is retiring from Temple Etz Chaim after 30 years of teaching.

We have loved Aliza’s Judaica and Hebrew lessons and she has shared so much with so many children over the years. We wish her all the best in her retirement.

If you would like any information about our Infant Program or Preschool, please contact Debbie Blumenthal or Keri Loventhal at 805-497-6852. Have a great summer! Debbie Blumenthal

Joyce Bronstein, Religious School Director joyce@Templeetzchaim.org

Drum Roll Please: I am beyond proud to announce that the BJE has selected two Religious School Teachers to receive prestigious awards from the Builders of Jewish Education. The BJE determines recipients based on established criteria and an in-person observation.

Ultimately, they are responsible for selecting the recipients.

Laura Dugatkin received the respected and noteworthy Sara and Simcha Lainer Award. This award is extended by the BJE to the most deserving teacher for excellence in Religious School Education. Laura is in her sixteenth year teaching at the Religious School. She has taught many grades over the years and currently teaches Hebrew to fifth and sixth-grade students. In all the years of observing and working with Laura, I am always amazed by her ability to teach creatively and innovatively. Her students love her and look forward to learning with her.

Maya Tenenbaum received the distinguished Smotrich Award.

Maya has completed her fourth year of teaching Religious School.

She teaches first-grade students and Confirmation students. Her students adore her and love her enthusiasm and love of teaching Judaism.

Both Laura and Maya are committed to excellence and dedicated to teaching and learning. They are both extremely skilled and talented in 6

preparing slides that enhance their teaching skills. It is quite remarkable, to say the least, to watch their techniques in teaching the curriculum to their students. Their ability to connect with their students is impressive.

Because of their innate teaching skills, they bring Judaism to life. Laura and Maya’s students are mesmerized as they explain concepts and creatively pique each student’s interest in the day’s topic. TEC Religious School is so fortunate to have a staff of extraordinary and exceptional teachers who genuinely make a difference.

Please join me in congratulating Laura Dugatkin and Maya Tenenbaum for being selected to receive this most deserving recognition. Religious School Lainer Recipients: Laura Dugatkin, Heidi Birnbaum, Barbara Budish, Maureen Axelrad, Claire Maultasch, Lesley Schneider, and Joyce Bronstein. Smotrich Recipient:s Maya Tenenbaum and Randee Paller.

The staff is incredibly excited and proud of the Religious School.

As a team, teachers create a nurturing educational atmosphere for all grades. Our children represent our Jewish future, and together we strive to strengthen and enrich each child’s Jewish experience and create a love of Judaism that they feel in their hearts and soul... l’dor v’dor!

B’shalom, Joyce

May - June 2023 | Sivan-Tammuz 5783

www.templeetzchaim.org

Cindy Goldberg, Programming & Youth Director cindy@Templeetzchaim.org

It’s a busy time here at TEC! (When isn’t it??) Thank you to those of you able to join us on a tour of the Auschwitz exhibit at the Reagan Library. For those of you unable to make it that day, I encourage you to take advantage of this meaningful, important local opportunity.

This exhibit is scheduled to run through August, but there are discussions about extending through January.

At our Yom Ha’atzmaut/Israel’s 75th Birthday BBQ, we held a taste test of various Israeli sodas. The results are in. In order of preference: 1. Prigat Strawberry Banana 2. VitaMiniks Red

On May 10th, we hosted a fun Parent’s Night Out at Tarantula Hill.

This was also a fundraiser for TEC, and we hope to repeat gatherings like this in the future.

The second annual BYO Family Picnic is back on May 21 at 11:30 AM immediately following Religious School. Kona Ice will again be on hand to help usher in those summer vibes.

May 25 will usher in Erev Shavuot. We will begin with dessert after Confirmation at approximately 7:15 which will be followed by an evening of learning about “The Six Most Important Words in Judaism” with Rabbi Michael Raileanu, “It’s A Stretch” led by Coby Field, and “All In Good Time – the Jewish Calendar” with Joyce Bronstein.

3. VitaMiniks Grape 4. FuzeTea 5. Prigat Mango 6. Prigat Lemon Lime 7. Prigat Orange Events like this don’t just happen without a lot of volunteer support.

Thanks to our volunteers: Men’s Club representatives Mark Goldstein and Marshall Rosen, as well as Dave Abamovicz, Heidi Birnbaum, Mike Wellin, Ely Jacobsohn, Eric Feigenbaum, Dan Lubetkin and the whole Lubetkin family.

Our ComeAround/StickAround series continued with a special Tuesday edition on May 2 where marriage and family counselor Lori Allen discussed how to navigate screentime for kids (and ourselves). For those who missed it, we will be making the zoom/slides available.

As I write this, we will be celebrating tonight (May the 4th) in traditional Jewish style with another offering in our film series, Great Films from Great Jewish Filmmakers, with Mel Brooks’ immortal classic, Spaceballs; A good time will be had by all.

Families with preschool aged children/grandchildren! Join us for Bim Bam Shabbat with Mr. Steve on May 6 and June 3 at 10:30 AM on the Gesher yard!

On May 7, our community had the chance to meet and interact with some of the key members of the Etz Hayyim congregation in Hania, our sibling shul in Greece. This was the first of many opportunities to learn with and from this beautiful, historic congregation.

www.templeetzchaim.org

Also on May 7 was our last Machar Lounge of the year and May 23 will be the last Kadima Lounge of the year. Come join your friends after religious school!

Mark your calendars and get tickets now for these great events: June 11: a spectacular evening celebrating Jewish music with Cantor Kenny and Friends, featuring Mostly Kosher and Nefesh Mountain, here at TEC. Enjoy great music and friendships in our newly remodeled sanctuary! Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, see the TEC website (https://www. templeetzchaim.org/ckaf2023).

July 16: The first in our Global Thought Leaders Speaker Series, with Pulitzer Prize winning author Professor Jared Diamond , at the Scherr Forum in Thousand Oaks at 7 PM. For more information, see the TEC website ( https://www.templeetzchaim.org/speakerseries/). Tickets will be available soon!

July 30: Meatology, an evening of learning, grilling and eating with Pitmaster Danielle Goldblatt from Holy Smokes Kosher BBQ. Watch for more information!

And stay tuned: Sundays in the park with TEC – We will meet at the Splash Pad in Oak Park on Sunday morning June 25, and July 23 at 10 AM. More information to come!

May - June 2023 | Sivan-Tammuz 5783

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TEC Community Linda Hutchings President, Women of TEC

Looking to Get Involved and Make A Difference? WOTEC needs you!!! We are looking for a Membership Chairperson. This rewarding volunteer position has you welcome new synagogue members to WOTEC and help plan our annual paid up membership luncheon.

In addition, the Membership Chairperson puts together our WOTEC Membership Booklet. We have helpers who can assist with the booklet and luncheon. This is a great way to be involved and meet new synagogue members!

We are also looking for a new Programming Chairperson. Want to be in charge of planning WOTEC events and working with our WOTEC Board to coordinate some fun and engaging events? What a rewarding way to have fun and interact with our synagogue community.

Have great technical skills with Excel that are not being put to use?

We are looking for helpers to assist with our High Holiday Booklets.

This is our biggest fundraiser for the synagogue every year. Your help will make a true difference!

Andrea Arons

Chair, Clergy Search Committee Hello Temple Etz Chaim!

The Clergy Search Committee had a sad set back when Cantor Noah Rachels accepted a position in Northern California to be close to his family, rather than accepting our offer, but we’re a resilient group! We picked up right where we left off, and started making calls! It’s very late in the year for the search committee to expect that a candidate will miraculously materialize, but we’re not giving up hope. We’re continuing to interview and vet potential candidates.

We’re also working on a plan which will help organize the cantorial duties and roles for next year while we continue our search. This would allow us to help distribute some of the administrative tasks and help lighten the load for Rabbi Ari. We realize that the search hasn’t been as easy as any of us have hoped for thus far. But, persevere we will!

Wishing you all a wonderful summer of fun and relaxation!

Game Night is Back by Popular Demand: Tuesday, June 6th (6-9pm).

Enjoy Mahjong and other games like Trivial Pursuit, Scrabble, etc.

Refreshments provided. Please RSVP to LindaH@TempleEtzChaim.org

Irwin Barney

Pam Friedman

In April, the Men’s Club and WOTEC coordinated and participated in services for Shabbat Chol HaMoed Pesach. Both Friday evening and Shabbat morning services were well attended with about 50 people participating in the services. Yasher Koach to Jonathan Hops, Cynthia Koepcke, and Linda Hutchings for arranging such a meaningful and enjoyable Shabbat celebration.

Feeding those in need is something that Social Action has been doing for years. This is a need in our community that keeps growing. With recent reductions in State and Federal food assistance programs, families in need in Ventura County are receiving half the amount of subsidies they received in the past. This reduction of funds has had a devastating effect on our families and seniors. Obtaining food has become a daily struggle for many.

VP, Social Action

President, Men’s Club

Our Scholar in Residence weekend took place on April 28 – April 30.

This year’s scholar was Rabbi Daniel Cohen. He speaks nationally inspiring people to maximize every moment while leading a life of impact and legacy. He shared his thoughts on the subject at four sessions held throughout the weekend. I hope you were able to attend all the sessions and am sure that you learned a great deal from those that you were able to. Thanks to all those that helped with the weekend activities. Also, on behalf of all that attended, a special thank you goes to Mark Zucherman whose work began in June 2022 to arrange for and coordinate this weekend of learning.

Plans are underway for a Hollywood Backlot Tour event to take place on May 21. More information will be provided as the plans are finalized.

Last, May 14 is Mother’s Day. As you know, the traditional Friday night blessing for a daughter is “May G-d make you like Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel and Leah” in honor of our four matriarchs. Happy Mother’s Day to all moms!

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Harbor House is a community support group that provides meals and services to the Conejo Valley. They provide food for those in need every day of the year. Each day ninety sack lunches and fifty hot meals are provided. Social Acton supports Harbor House’s Feed the Hungry program with the help of the congregation. Once a month, we reach out to you asking for donations of food, money and volunteers for this important program. We package meals and deliver them to Harbor House for distribution.

The Harbor House Feed the Hungry program makes a huge difference to those who are food insecure. For those that are hungry, knowing that they can get food every day without judgement means everything.

Support this mitzvah by committing to donate food, pledge money or help package meals. Look for the Constant Contact email coming your way and in the weekly Shabbat handouts. Our next Feed the Hungry dates are Tuesday, May 30th and Tuesday, June 27th.

May - June 2023 | Sivan-Tammuz 5783

www.templeetzchaim.org

A Very Special Shavuoth Years ago, in the 1970’s, classes for adults were held one morning a week at our temple. They were known as M.I.D., Multi Interest Day. And so, after sending our children off to school or preschool the adults came to school here.

Our celebration was a lovely kiddish prepared by sisterhood, followed by singing and and dancing with our families - our rabbi, and our congregation to the merry magical music of our resident Temple accordion player, Harvey Dunaire (obm).

One class many attended was Hebrew reading, some for the first time, others refreshing or relearning, as well as a Torah study. This first class was taught by Rabbin Shimon Paskow, our Rabbi.

Our B’not Mitzvah class of 7 were: Barbara Ann Fefferman, Sybil Goldstein, Myrna Stelman, Joyce-Ruth Bunkin, Barbara Freeman, Randy Gilson, Lori Roach. Sadly we lost our sister Barbara Fefferman (obm). Lori Roach our youngest moved away-raised her family in another area.

The 2nd class (after a break and a nosh) was History, Culture, Holidays - and much diversion about our families, backgrounds, and other things that came up in discussion. This teacher was Julius Lipnick (obm), a teacher in religious school, a Bar/Bat Mitzvah tutor, a roller of the Torah for the coming parsha, and so much more, as he was here most every day. And now was teaching this adult class.

After several years of attending these classes, a classmate suggested the class should have a culmination, a celebration of these learning years. As many agreed, suggestions were made. Then Rabbi made one, why not a joint B’nai Mitzvah. It turned out to be a very agreeable idea. And now, when? A date was needed. After discussion again Rabbi said - this class had been studying Hebrew, Torah, History, and Culture for years. Why not the day of the receiving of the Law – our Torah, celebrated on Shavuoth.

Many in this class had been bringing our children to religious school for years – 3 days a week, 2 weekdays of Hebrew, 1 day of Judaica on Sunday and often multiple trips in a day, as some classes were held in the evening 6-8 PM to accommodate the classes needed. And here we are, going to classes as well.

From this class, of the 6 women, 20 of our children and 5 grandchildren attended Temple Etz Chaim’s religious school, were Bar/Bat Mitzvah, most confirmed, most attended our own Hebrew High School, with a couple going on to LA Hebrew High at the UJ, now AJU. 5 of our B’not Mitzvah sisters are still in and around TO, and get together as often as we can.

This Shavuoth is the 45th anniversary of our B’not Mitzvah, And Temple Etz Chaim’s First ‘Adult’ B’nai Mitzvah. In commemoration of these and in honor of our teachers Rabbi Shimon Paskow and Julius Lipnick obm, a fruit tree is planted in our community garden – Tikun Olam, as well a donation is made to the Lipnick religious school fund, whose creation was to insure that a tutor is available for every Bar/Bat Mitzvah student. And a donation is made to help sustain our community garden.

Yes, a very special Shavuoth, June 11, 1978-May 26, 2023 B’ Shalom, Myrna Stelman

As it turned out the number of classmates wanting this numbered 7, and all-were women. As so, serious studying ensued in preparation for this event. There were different degrees of formal religious school among us in our past- some had more - some very little. But, none of us had a ‘Bat’ Mitzvah. For some it simply didn’t exist – yet –for others there were very personal reasons.

Now - no invitations were sent out. This would be for our families and our congregation family. No one had a new dress. What we did have was our own personal Avnate, made by one of our Bat Mitzvah sisters, Barbara Fefferman (obm), who was Temple Etz Chaim’s 2nd religious school principal for many years.

And so, on Shavuoth morning, 7 women ranging in age from 17 to just past 40, each with her own Torah portion, said the blessings and read from the Torah scroll. We shared blessings and the Haftorah.

The rest of the service participants, led by Rabbi Paskow, were our 18 (at the time) children with the youngest being held up to put the crowns on the Torah. After the rabbi’s blessing over us, there were many tears of pure relief but also much joy. www.templeetzchaim.org

Top row, left to right: Rabbi Paskow, Barbara Freeman, Joyce-Ruth Bunkin, Randy Gilson. Bottom row, left to right: Lori Roach, Barbara Ann Fefferman, Myrna Stelman, Sybil Goldstein

May - June 2023 | Sivan-Tammuz 5783

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B’nai Mitzvah

Ethan Borochoff

May 20

Hi, my name is Ethan Borochoff. I am a 7th grade student at Viewpoint School in Calabasas and have grown up at TEC starting with preschool. I enjoy playing tennis, soccer, flag football, hanging out with friends and I also participate in middle school orchestra (violin), Jewish Students Union, and the robotics team. I am excited for my Bar Mitzvah, and am so thankful to Rabbi Ari, Betty Zonshine, Cantor Kenny, Joyce, my religious school teachers, the TEC community and my family for always cheering me on and helping me prepare for my big day.

Elijah Lubetkin

May 27

Hello! My name is Elijah Lubetkin, and I’m incredibly excited to celebrate my Bar Mitzvah with my community. I’m currently in 7th grade and go to A. E. Wright Middle School.

My favorite subject is Robotics, where I get to 3D print items, create games and more. I love playing basketball at AYBA and Sports Academy and editing YouTube videos for my channel @idolij. I’ve been going to Temple Etz Chaim since I was in Preschool and now I’m in 7th grade, ready to become an adult in the Jewish community. I want to thank my tutor, Rivka, and all of my teachers in Religious School who prepared me for my Bar Mitzvah.

I also want to thank my sisters, Tova and Ayla, and most importantly my mom and dad.

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May - June 2023 | Sivan-Tammuz 5783

www.templeetzchaim.org

Milena Hampton

June 3

Hi, my name is Milena Hampton. I’m in 7th grade at Medea Creek Middle School and my favorite class is New Media Art. I started Etz Chaim when I was 3 years old and attended the pre-school program where I met my closest friends. I’m also on the gymnastics team at Monarchs where I spend 18 hours a week practicing. I also love animals and volunteer at the pet shelter when time permits. I want to thank all of the teachers who helped me prepare for this special day, including Cantor Kenny, my tutor, Betty Zonshine, Rabbi Ari, and of course, Joyce, who is always there to answer all of my mom‘s questions.

Meredith Goodkin

June 10

I am Meredith Goodkin, a 7th Grader in Simi Valley. I love reading, writing, playing video games, spending time with friends and family, and watching movies. I enjoy creating art and stories, and I want to be an author when I grow up. I love to be active in my community, as both a former Student Ambassador for the American Heart Association and a current member of the National Junior Honor Society. As a member, I currently make beanies and pack supplies to send to our troops, make no-sew blankets for youths in need, and help around my school when I can. I would like to thank all my family, teachers, Rabbi Averbach, Cantor Kenny, and Joyce for helping me prepare to become a Bat Mitzvah. I’ve been at Temple Etz Chaim since I was in preschool, so I’m really excited to celebrate my special day at a place that has been such a large part of my life!

Cameron Friedman

June 17

Cameron Levi Friedman, son of Toni and Paul, brother of Taylor and Hudson, is excited to become a bar mitzvah on June 17, 2023. Cameron is just finishing a wonderful 6th grade year at Colina Middle School. He enjoys club basketball and spending time with family and friends. Cameron is grateful for his teachers from Etz Chaim, Joyce Bronstein, Rabbi Averbach, Rabbi Spiegel, and his bar mitzvah tutor, Betty Zonshine, for helping him to reach this huge milestone.

www.templeetzchaim.org

May - June 2023 | Sivan-Tammuz 5783

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Dates to Remember

May SUN

MON

TUE

WED

THU

1

2

3

4

7

8

9

10

11

14

15

16

17

18

Sunday Stick Around: Meet Temple Etz Hayyim, our sibling synagogue

Mother’s Day

21

22

Parent’s Night Out @ Tarantula Hill Brewing Co.

Preschool Parents Night Out at Cork Dork 7th grade Promotion

23 USY Kadima

28

29

Memorial Day

30

Feed the Hungry

24

Board Meeting

25

Erev Shavuot Confirmation Tikkun Leil Shavuot

FRI

SAT

5

6

4th Grade Dinner & Kabbalat Shabbat

Bim Bam Shabbat

12

13

19

20

Yom HaMoreh 6th Grade Shabbat

Tot Shabbat

26

Shavuot Service

Ethan Borochoff Bar Mitzvah

27

Shavuot/Shabbat Services/Yizkor Elijah Lubetkin Bar Mitzvah

31

Offices Closed

12

May - June 2023 | Sivan-Tammuz 5783

www.templeetzchaim.org

June SUN

MON

TUE

WED

THU

FRI

SAT

1

2

3

Bim Bam Shabbat Milena Hampton Bat Mitzvah

4

Men’s Club BBQ Picnic

5

6

WOTEC Game Night

7

8

9

Tot Shabbat

Congregational Meeting

11

Cantor Kenny & Friends Concert

18

Father’s Day

25

WOTEC Arts & Crafts Day

12

13

14

15

16

10 Meredith Goodkin Bat Mitzvah

17 Cameron Friedman Bar Mitzvah

19

Juneteenth

20

21

22

23

28

29

30

24

Offices Closed

26

27

Feed the Hungry

Board Meeting

Sundays in the Park

www.templeetzchaim.org

May - June 2023 | Sivan-Tammuz 5783

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Birthdays & Anniversaries

May 1 Lawrence Grosslight Ayla Sklar Judah Sklar Judith Sneed 2 Steven Golove Jake Wellen John Mc Cauley Daniel Sturman 3 Brian Lacy Raz Bagg Mark Scop 4 Noah Weinberg Brit Sharon Noah Dvir Richard Eidman 5 Eric Shechter Ethan Bagg Samantha Katz Gabriel Korn Jake Simowitz Alana Silverstein Arnie Blitstein 6 Eden Lazarus Michelle Taylor 7 Ron Mark Ella Sabat Tali Lefko Megan Welch Yola Kalinski Carl Friedlander Natalie Roman 8 Jaclyn Plotkin Harvey Moskowitz Cyrus Mizrahi Bridget Betah Spencer Morris 9 Leah Israel Deborah Goldin 10 Jeanna Gindi Jennifer Golove Lynne Zuckerman 11 Rebecca Gindi Zoe Carmon Balgley Leon Sassoon 12 Noa Ghozland Jessica Wernick Leah Tepfer Martin Sturman Paul Munowitch Jeremy Garelik 14

13 Ethan Rinkov Josh Rudman Hillary Natlin Stephanie Morgenstern Jacob Ross Robert Sarto Eli Tischler Rachel Axelrad 14 Sarah Golden Brooke Roberts Dina Stone Brianna Brownstein Irving Weiss Elisha Manzur 15 Adam McCullough Max Cohan Leo Bronstein 16 Renee Lantz Kenneth Saul Anita Heber Michele Salant Gabrielle Polkes 17 Lillian Levine Paige Esqueda Rachelle Varley Alexa Mizrahi Sol Mizrahi 18 Sloane Berkowitz Leah Teshinsky Paula Lefko Dylan Sklar Brian Goodkin Benjamin Slomowitz Nicole Blitstein Brooke Paiva 19 Melissa Snyder Nimrod Carmon Julie Sterling Jan Blakely Shailee Hoffmann Gilbert Kessler Lana Marcus 20 Jenna Marx Joshua Wernick Ronald Freeman Ina Wiesmann 21 Kennedy Kahn Bryan Breverman

22 Lucianna Chalita Caleb Kass Michael Druyen Michael Bayewitch Kenny Ellis 23 Irma Sommerfeld Ariana Mendelson Emma Riss Ann Moore-Ross 24 Ruty Levy Allison Rozzen Judy Koutal

2 Harold & Sharon Seiden Chaim & Shira Zoarets 5 Ronald & Elizabeth Groden 6 Jason & Veronica Artof 7 Mark & Inez Zucherman 16 Joel& Laurie Volk

25 Ilana Shapiro David Werner David Teshinsky Doina Borla

17 Adam & Andrea Ainley

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18 Timothy & Susan Mellon

Jeffrey Sweet Elijah Lubetkin Penina Lipkin 27 Jack Gindi Aaron Zucherman Cora Sklar Martin Jacobsohn Sandy Pfefferman Bruce Mahler 28 Jon Silberman Ryan Sterling 29 Aami Gutman David Cohan Andrew Moore Jonathan Hops 30 Declan Winthrop Matthew Jacobs Daniel Weiss Aria McCullough Benjamin Hopstone Ron Stein Betty Zonshine Matthew Garelik 31 Judy Gindi Mayzie Werner Kaitlyn Kahn Meredith Druyen

May - June 2023 | Sivan-Tammuz 5783

19 Daniel & Amanda Sissman Mike & Jackie Wellen 21 Philip & Dina Stone Lawrence & Gabriele Bugaisky 22 Charles & Nancy Schwager Darren & Nili Perlmutter 24 Scott & Samantha Wasserman 27 Ari & Amy Wallack Alik Shulman & Yevgeniya Belenkaya-Shulman Matt & Stephanie Morgenstern Gil & Cindy Goldberg Jay & Debra Levine 29 Chad & Lorie Hampton 31 Daniel & Susan Kane Daniel & Sheridan Kahn William & Sandy Tenenbaum

www.templeetzchaim.org

June 1 Samir Rustam David Shechter Joel Kopczynski 2 Ben Zion Kogen Wendy Goodkin Cary Finkelstein Shanna Casswell Michael Ghozland Stuart Forman 3 Jason Ross Daphne Rosa Carmon Balgley Harrison Paisley Jonathan Bronstein Liam Erster Michele Mahler Barbara Harris 4 Matt Morgenstern 5 Kira Hill Michelle Katz Kellie Miller Shay Esqueda Jacob Esqueda 6 Madaline Sissman Courtney Pomush Arnold Rudman Gareth Friedlander 7 Ailyn Feigenbaum Keramat Nourani Aimee Shapiro Jack Shechter 8 Geoffrey Bugaisky Dina Pineda Carole Firestone Tracie Beaulieu Justin Borla Sennen Feigenbaum Sophie Cohan 9 Phil Cain Adam Ellis Joshua Von Hoffmann Max Hops 10 Matty Munowitch Merrill Kaminsky Bonnie Rothman Alexandra Toporoff Julie Koppel Savanna Meza Shane Silverstein

www.templeetzchaim.org

12 Makayla Landes Michael Stelman Andrew Cohen

Cameron Friedman Logan Stokols Ilana Sweet Randol Curtis

13 Amelia Welch Michael Lazarus Sandra Lutzker Adam Goodman 14 Mikaela Koutal Lisa Malchicoff Shari Cohen Forsythe David Wilkoff Charles Schwager Evy Mc Cauley

23 Cheryl Wolf Jenna Shechter Liam Landes Barbara Anik Eynat Atia-Zimon

15 Elijah Fenton 16 Richard Engler Joe Domingo Zoe Wolf 17 Jonah Polkes James Rosenfeld Maureen Levine Darren Perlmutter 18 Edward Peisner Pamma David Clarice Gerstel JoAnne Riss 19 Rachel Leitner Cynthia Urbach David Harris 20 Emily Malchicoff Laurel Warner Irwin Barney Christopher Chaffee Avah Morton Samantha Groden Darcey Groden 21 Asher Malone Judith Weiss Marissa Borochoff Shimon Paskow Ethan Fenton David Dryman Richard Spiegel

24 Christina Raskin Gary Levine Phyllis Bayewitch Elyse Schoenwald Joyce Katz 25 Alexis Pomush Mark Katz Evan Gorowitz Laura Withrow Yael Alon Sydney Sharon 26 Adrianna Heber Sarah Sterling Beth Silverman Rachel Salant Jonathan Kay Beverly Ashcraft Marc Abrams A.J. Harris 27 Rebecca Stelman Samuel Scherr Zachary Breverman Karen Garelik Hadar Dvir Leah Neiderman Kimberly Winthrop David Isaacs 28 Adam Kane Reed Arons Scott Smith 29 Jeff Roberts Marla Ben-Tov Stan Rosen Mitzi Jacobsohn 30 Matthew Blumenthal

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May - June 2023 | Sivan-Tammuz 5783

1 Daniel & Lori Lubetkin 2 Sam & Judy Koutal Irwin & Ilene Barney Zvi & Yola Kalinski 3 Arthur & Barbara Harris 5 Alan & Monika Mendelson Lee & Susan Simowitz 7 Andrew & Ellen Smith 11 David Harris & Melinda Garabedian Marc & Randi Cohn 14 Carl & Linda Friedlander 15 Tobi & Jay Love 16 Jack & Judy Gindi Harold & Cindy Rosenfeld Pablo Wolf & Laura Dugatkin 17 Stephen & Elinor Fienberg Joyce & Leo Bronstein 18 Chuck & Penny Sterling 20 Nathan & Cindy Stelman 21 Stan & Lynne Rosen Steven & Ilana Ormond 22 Joseph & Terri Zwicker Devin & Julie Sterling Michael & Laurel Lichtman 24 Gil & Lynda Kessler 25 David & Beth Silverman 26 Steven & Jennifer Golove Phil & Lisa Cain 27 Bernard & Melanie Gero Martin & Donna Lichtmann Alan & Shirley Lipkin Israel & Beth Perel Arnie & Jackie Blitstein 29 Richard & Linda Spiegel Ronald & Lynn Freeman

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Tributes Dunaier Music Fund

Lipnick RSSF

Rabbi Averbach’s Discretionary Fund (cont)

In Memory of Barbara, Maurice and David King Paul King

In Memory of June Cher

In Memory of Abraham Ratzan In Memory of Harvey Levine Jerome & Dawne Ratzan

Early Childhood Education Fund

and Chaim Cher Mark Cher

Andrew & Katherine Lerner

In Memory of Yetta Edelstein Judi Gill

In Memory of Parvin Rostamian Zoe Abdolrazagh

In Memory of Dorann Bunkin Michael Bunkin

Kayitz Finley & Kayli Flanders In Honor of the Marriage of Kelly Mark & Sean Murphy Scott & Debbie Blumenthal

Elisa Feldman Memorial RSSF In Memory of Morris Freed Nomi Freed In Honor of Elissa Lazarus’ Birthday Patricia Kaye In Honor of Patty Kaye’s Special Birthday In Honor of the Birth of Aiden Shane Owen In Honor of Noah Forsythe’s Engagement In Memory of Gary Feldman In Memory of Leopold Sommerfeld Les & Debbie Feldman In Memory of Leonard and Roberta Mendel Valerie Knight In Honor of Patty Kaye’s Special Birthday In Memory of Harry Altman Nomi Freed

Feeding the Hungry for Harbor House Elissa Lazarus Kevin & Rachael Pugh

Men’s Club In Memory of Yom HaShoah Judith Sneed

Men’s Club Scholar-in-Residence In Memory of Seymour Lipkin Alan Lipkin

Men’s Club Silverstein Humanitarian Fund

In Memory of Emily Safani Michael Safani

Jotkowitz Camp Ramah Scholarship Fund

In Memory of Max Natkowitz Marvin Natlin In Memory of Charlotte Denkensohn Zane Averbach & Deborah Davis In Memory of Alfred Blum Sheri Wechsler

In Honor of Joel Shrater’s Birthday Myles & Gail Simpson

In Appreciation of Rabbi Averbach’s Kind Words at Our Daughter’s AufRuf Michael & Lorraine Raileanu

In Memory of Leopold Sommerfeld Marc & Carole Firestone

Rabbi Averbach’s Discretionary Fund In Memory of Gloria Kaminsky Ellen Stein

In Honor of Rabbi Averbach and his support of the students Seth Browner In Memory of Eileen Peisner Robert Peisner In Memory of Stan Rubens Marie Rubens In Memory of Selig Spero Lynda Kessler In Honor of the Birth of Aiyla Friedman Ron & Liz Groden In Memory of Sadie Alperson Bonnie Garfinkel In Memory of Edward Bernstein Shari Mark

In Memory of Jack Siegel Judith Feldman

In Memory of Lou Schotland Tess Wilkoff

Kiddush Fund

In Memory of Maurice L. Fine Lila Oberman

In Honor of Peter Margolis’ Biggest Birthday (So Far) Bert & Carol Schoenkerman

In Memory of Jodi Greenberg Florence Kinsbruner

In Honor of the Saturday Lunches that Wendy & the Crew Make for Everyone Steven & Pamela Friedman

In Honor of the Birth of Aiden Shane Owen Myles & Gail Simpson

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In Memory of Raquel Saranga Rivka Moscovitch

In Memory of William Horwitz Doreen Horwitz

Fienberg-Lerner Chapel Minyan Fund

In Memory of Albert Goldenberg Merrill Goldenberg

In Honor of the Birth of Aiden Shane Owen Ron & Liz Groden

Men’s Club SIR 2022-2023

In Memory of Maurice and Myrtle Zealand Michael & Helene Gollub

Inbar Israel Travel & Education Scholarship Fund

In Honor of Patty Kaye’s Special Birthday Israel & Beth Perel

In Memory of Florence E. Blum Sheri Wechsler

Eric Feigenbaum & Emily Frydrych

In Memory of Lillian Fleishman Sandra Levy

In Honor of the Averbach’s Passover Hospitality Mike & Dayna Lemmo

In Memory of Reba Stelman Myrna Stelman

In Memory of Abe Lutzker John & Sandra Lutzker

In Appreciation of Monica Ganz Phil Ganz

With sincere appreciation of Rabbi Averbach Lisa Garfinkle

In Memory of Murray Bass Sharon Seiden In Memory of Leopold Sommerfeld Patricia Kaye In Memory of Jack Arons Steven Arons Jaime & Kari Dorenbaum Elissa Lazarus In Memory of Jack Yaskiel Cyndi Mahler In Memory of Virginia Moore Sandy Pfefferman In Memory of Avremi Manzur Brenda Manzur In Memory of Carole Klein Susan Malchicoff In Memory of David Zabel John & Sandra Lutzker

Religious School Fund In Memory of Abraham Bass Jerome & Dawne Ratzan In Memory of Jerry Schneider Mitchell Schneider In Memory of Naomi Aminoff Jerome & Dawne Ratzan In Memory of Gerald Zimmerman Jerome & Dawne Ratzan In Memory of Edwin Tollman Lisa Tollman

In Memory of Irwin Marco Fran Curtis

May - June 2023 | Sivan-Tammuz 5783

www.templeetzchaim.org

Ritual Fund

Social Action Fund (cont)

Tzedakah Fund (cont)

In Memory of Leopold Sommerfeld Nomi Freed

In Honor of Pamela Friedman Perry & Susan Pierce

In Memory of Leopold Sommerfeld Zvi & Yola Kalinski

In Honor of the Birth of Aiden Shane Owen Steven & Pamela Friedman

In Memory of Arthur Shainhouse In Memory of Bonnie Malchicoff Herb Wexler

In Memory of Leopold Sommerfeld David & Rebeccah Schwartz

Temple General Fund

Sandee Tischler RSSF

In Memory of Joan Sturman Seltzer Martin Sturman

Eric Feigenbaum & Emily Frydrych In Memory of Harvey J. Levine Dawne Ratzan

Social Action Fund In Memory of Arnold Plotkin Steven & Suzanne Plotkin In Honor of the Birth of Aiden Shane Owen William & Cynthia Koepcke In Honor of Patty Kaye’s Special Birthday Joyce Flescher In Honor of Feeding the Hungry William & Cynthia Koepcke In Honor of TEC’s Passover Hospitality Judy Weiser In Honor of Leah Shechter’s Birthday In Honor of Toby Love’s Birthday In Honor of Candy Portman’s Birthday In Honor of David & Eileen Sach’s Anniversary In Honor of the Birth of Aiden Shane Owen In Honor of the Birth of Marlow Jane Melin Patricia Kaye In Honor of Patty Kaye’s Special Birthday Steven & Pamela Friedman

In Memory of Ida Kaufman Harley Kaufman In Memory of Morris Spitzer Leonard Spitzer

In Memory of Anna Konigsberg Shirley Bressler

In Memory of Leopold Sommerfeld Chuck & Penny Sterling

In Memory of Aghdass Harounian Safani Michael Safani

Women of TEC Torah Fund

In Memory of Blanche Chak David Schwartz

In Memory of Morris Marks Kenneth Marks

In Memory of Daniel Presser Francine Finkelstein

In Memory of Mollie Chadroff Edward Chadroff

In Memory of Allen Carl Kanner Susan Kanner

In Honor of Rabbi Averbach’s Friday Torah Study Class Jack & Judy Gindi

In Honor of Rabbi Averbach’s Friday Torah Study Class Marilyn Jorrie In Honor of the Marriage of Kelly Mark and Sean Murphy Jay & Debra Levine

Tzedakah Fund

In Memory of David Welsh Wendy Halpert In Memory of Betty Welsh Wendy Halpert

Zerlin Library Fund

In Memory of Blanche Kulik Morry Kulik

In Memory of Helena Dain Cherie Wrigley

In Memory of Ernest and Klara Kovar Rita Kovar In Memory of Eli Levine Barbara Kluber

Congratulations to the Gindi family on the birth of

Aiden Shane Owen Born on March 22, 2023

USY Youth & Scholarship Fund

We extend our congratulation to Temple members Shari and Captain Ron Mark on the marriage of their daughter

Kelly Mark to Sean Murphy

Parents: Jeanna Gindi and Dylan Owen Grandparents: Judy and Jack Gindi Great-Grandmother: Renee Holland

Date: Saturday, April 29, 2023 Parents of the Groom: Kiersten Murphy and Joe Stubbs

www.templeetzchaim.org

May - June 2023 | Sivan-Tammuz 5783

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May - June 2023 | Sivan-Tammuz 5783

www.templeetzchaim.org

FRIDAY MAY 19

Join TEC for

6:00pm - 7:00pm

t to Join us for dinner followed by songs, blessings and a Shabbat story.

Dinner cost per family is $25 (family of 4) RSVP below by May 12th RSVP & Pay for DInner

tec.shulcloud.com/event/tot-shabbat-5-19 For more information contact Debbie Blumenthal at (805) 497-6852 or debbieb@templeetzchaim.org

www.templeetzchaim.org

May - June 2023 | Sivan-Tammuz 5783

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Confirmation & Service Thu., May 25, 5:30pm

Happy

Tikkun Leil Shavuot/ Night of Learning Thu., May 25, 8:00-10:00pm

Shavuot

Shavuot Morning Service Fri., May 26, 9:30am Shabbat/Shavuot Service Fri., May 26, 7:00pm Shabbat/Shavuot/ Yizkor Services Sat., May 27, 9:30am

Celebrate Shavuot with TEC!

ACTIVITIES HAPPENING ON THURSDAY, MAY 25, 5:30 - 10:00PM

All ages welcome!

Confirmation and service at 5:30 P.M.

Stay for dessert, served at 7:30 P.M.

Leil Tikkun

Shavout 20

A Night of Learning Join us in the Wolfson for this 3-class series, starting around 8:00pm after dessert.

Rabbi Michael Raileanu

The 6 Most Important Words in Judaism The power behind every blessing we say

Coby Field It’s a Stretch

Join us for an all-abilities stretch class

May - June 2023 | Sivan-Tammuz 5783

Joyce Bronstein All in Good Time

Learn about the Jewish calendar

www.templeetzchaim.org

www.templeetzchaim.org

May - June 2023 | Sivan-Tammuz 5783

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1 2 EG AP

ARETEZTE

r e d n u h t

CAN YOU HELP MOSES FIND THE TEN COMMANDMENTS?

IN HONOR OF SHAVUOT, LET’S PLAY A GAME OF

TIC TAC TO-RAH

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May - June 2023 | Sivan-Tammuz 5783

www.templeetzchaim.org

DURING SHAVUOT, WE READ THE STORY OF RUTH.

thunder

HOW MANY ENGLISH WORDS CAN YOU THINK OF THAT CONTAIN ALL 4 LETTERS IN THE WORD “RUTH”?

Our History

GRAB YOUR FAVORITE MARKERS, CRAYONS OR COLORED PENCILS AND BRING THIS HISTORIC MOMENT FROM THE MONTH OF MAY TO LIFE. IN THIS PICTURE, MOSES RECEIVED THE TEN COMMANDMENTS FROM GOD WHILE ATOP MT. SINAI. www.templeetzchaim.org

May - June 2023 | Sivan-Tammuz 5783

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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.

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

Realtor® | DRE #01900646 805.844.5624 | Linda@WeSellThe805.com www.WeSellThe805.com Check out my Zillow Reviews: www.zillow.com/profile/LindaHutchings1

FOR SALE - Representing Seller 820 W Stafford, Lake Sherwood

$5,750,000 SOLD - Represented Buyer 1490 Calle Colina, Thousand Oaks

$941,000

“Linda is by far the BEST Realtor I’ve ever worked with over the years. She has extensive knowledge & handled every detail with the utmost professionalism. On the recent sale of our property, she took care of scheduling everything from the carpet cleaner, repair person, house cleaner and stager. She is very prompt & organized at getting things done. Her attention to details & dedication to her profession is above & beyond excellence. If I could give her a 100 star rating, I would.

She is truly TOP NOTCH!!!” - Joni H.

Over $33 Million in Sales in 2022!

IN ESCROW - Representing Seller 2629 Dorado, Thousand Oaks

List Price: $1,200,000 SOLD- Represented Buyer 2249 Rutland, Thousand Oaks

$1,315,000

IN ESCROW - Representing Seller 6246 Sunnycrest, Oak Park

List Price: $715,000 SOLD - Represented Buyer 3464 Radcliffe, Thousand Oaks

$913,100

SALE PENDING- Represented Buyer 22549 Malden St, West Hills

$1,147,050 SOLD - Represented Seller 1636 Earl Ave, Simi Valley

$717,500

Mention this Ad and I will donate 10% of my net comission back to Temple Etz Chaim. Please entrust me with your next Real Estate transaction. Temple member since 2002.

All information deemed reliable, but not guaranteed. If you are currently engaged in a Broker relationship, this is not meant as a solicitation. 2535 Townsgate Rd. Suite 101 Westlake Village, CA