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 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

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

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.

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!

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.

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!