Etzetera - November 2021

NOVE MBE R 2 0 2 1 , I S S UE 1 0

ETZETERA T H E O F F I C I A L N E WS L E T T E R O F T E MPLE E T Z CHA I M

Rabbi Rabbi Rabbi Rabbi

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Ari Averbach Intern Rachel Simmons Emeritus Richard Spiegel Emeritus Shimon Paskow

Executive Director Gideon Manzur ECE Director Debbie Blumenthal Religious School Director Joyce Bronstein Experiential Ed/Youth Director Shannon Tepfer ECE Asst. Director Kathy Sharp Program/Events Coordinator Shane Silverstein Accounts Receivable Jessica Jacoby Marketing Assistant Alex Steinhauer

President Shari Mark Executive Vice President Eric Feigenbaum Treasurer David Yodkovik Corresponding Secretary Elissa Lazarus Financial Secretary Wendy Margolis* Recording Secretary Beth Meyer 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 Education Felicia Toporoff VP, Social Action Judy Gindi VP, Youth Ilana Sweet Trustee, Adult Education Sherri Finn-Werber* Trustee, Bingo Marshall Scherr* Trustee, Outreach Mark Goldstein Trustee, Strategic Planning Terri Zwicker President, Mens Club Colin Pullan President, Women of TEC Cindy Scherr Past President, Board Member Gary Katz Past President, Board Member Myles Simpson *Past President

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I V G S U K K N K AH A H MPLE ETZ CHAIM E T T A

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RABBI ARI AVERBACH rabbiaverbach@templeetzchaim.org

SHARI MARK PRESIDENT

smark@templeetzchaim.org

Now, three years later, how much the world has changed.

dayenu

RABBI RACHEL SIMMONS rachels@templeetzchaim.org

Even though I was down in the dumps, that act of choosing gratitude changed me and my relationship to the Thanksgiving season in a subtle and profound way.

As American Jews, we carry multiple traditions in our hearts.

The message of Thanksgiving - of cooperation, hope, and faith something greater than ourselves - mirrors one of our deepest Jewish messages, too. We are stronger together, and we are grateful for it.

Happy Thanksgiving!

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MONTHLY MITZVAH WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 22, 2021 For much of 2021, members of the Social Action Committee have organized a monthly fruit & and vegetable drive called "Monthly Mitzvah Wednesday." Every month, we have been overwhelmed by the generosity of our congregation as so many have shared fruit & vegetables for those in need. The program continues this month! Many thanks to those who give and those who have organized this successful event.

SIMCHAT TORAH SEPTEMBER 28, 2021 This year's Simchat Torah celebration was so much fun. The congregation came together outside - and celebrated the conclusion of our readings of the Torah by unrolling the Torah. Congregants held the Torah from end to end and celebrated this important milestone for the year. Thank you to all who were in attendance and participated in this important and fun celebration.

TOT SHABBAT & FAMILY DINNER OCTOBER 8, 2021 Our ECE celebrated the first Tot Shabbat of the new year with a family dinner. ECE Director Debbie Blumenthal organized a fun night for our youngest TEC-ers to enjoy songs, prayers and, most importantly, pizza. If you missed it, worry not! There is another Tot Shabbat scheduled for this month and we'd love to see you!

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WOTEC MEMBERSHIP LUNCHEON OCTOBER 10, 2021 Women of TEC celebrated its membership luncheon on Sunday, October 10. Many members were in attendance and a delicious lunch was served. Cantor Kenny Ellis entertained, Rabbi Averbach and Rabbi Rachel were in attendance, and WOTEC organized a raffle with prizes.

There was also a visit from the Pacific Regional President of the Women's League of Conservative Judaism!

WATCH FOOTBALL WITH THE RABBIS OCTOBER 10, 2021 Mens Club went to 14 Cannons in Westlake Village to watch the Cleveland Browns lose to the LA Chargers! And Rabbi Averbach, Rabbi Rachel and Rabbi Spiegel were there as well. And whether you supported one of the teams playing - hopefully the Chargers, who won - or another team, a great time was had by all.

Thanks to those who organized this fun Sunday afternoon event and those who came as well.

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WEEKLY SCHEDULE

HOME H OME HOM

SUN. MON. TUES. WED. FRI. SAT. SAT.

8:30 AM 7:15 PM

10:00 AM 7:15 PM 7:00 PM 9:30 AM 7:00 PM

LET'S CELEBRATE THIS MONTH'S BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES!

LEARN ALL ABOUT THE FUN ON MITZVAH DAY P. 16

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TIME TO REWIND A LOOK BACK AT THE INTERFAITH SERVICE

On Wednesday, November 21, 2018, TEC hosted its annual Thanksgiving tradition: the Interfaith Service.

The service alternates locations each year between TEC and the United Methodist Church of Thousand Oaks, primarily with TEC hosting even years and United Methodist Church hosting odd years. The service is a beautiful, emotional experience - but in 2018, it was especially profound.

It was only a few weeks after the Woolsey Fire destroyed countless homes and tragically claimed many lives. It was also a few weeks after the shooting at the Borderline Bar & Grill on November 7. For those in the sanctuary who were congregants of Temple Etz Chaim and those who belonged to United Methodist Church, there was a lot to be thankful for: survival, perseverance, hope...

In the midst of this profound and important moment, Rabbi Spiegel remarked about the legacy of this service.

He asked for those who had been in attendance at the Interfaith Service in 2010 to please stand; most of the congregation stood. He made the same request for those who had been there in 2000; some sat, but many still stood. As Rabbi Spiegel went on, listing year after year, it was remarkable how many of those in attendance still stood. 1995, 1990, 1985, 1980 - still, many stood, though not as many.

Rabbi Spiegel continued, and soon got to 1963 - where one attendee was still standing. It was comforting to know that two congregations could come together to observe a shared, solemn and emotional experience. And to have some in attendance every year for almost 60 years was inspiring.

Many discussions were had about moving the service back to TEC for just that year, but when the conversation included the leadership of United Methodist Church, they insisted on keeping the Interfaith Service - and lighting candles for the first night of Hanukkah in the church.

The Interfaith Service has been a shared annual tradition for as long as anyone can remember. As United Methodist Church existed first, they had sold the land to TEC and in those early days, our close relationship was evident by the fact that they allowed our congregation to use the church for TEC services.

TEC Member Bonnie Rothman recalls that United Methodist Church allowed TEC to hold its High Holiday services in the church as warm relationships existed between Rabbi Paskow and the Methodist clergy.

We share a parking lot with United Methodist Church, but we don’t usually have an opportunity to come together outside of this annual service. Partially as a result of this tradition, our congregations have grown very close. As Rabbi Spiegel remarked, “We share the service, we’re together - it’s a beautiful feeling.”

One of Rabbi Spiegel’s personal highlights was in 2013. That year similar to this year - Hanukkah fell close to Thanksgiving. “Erev Thanksgiving” - as it is sometimes called - happened to also fall on the first night of Hanukkah.

The Interfaith service was scheduled for the church that year, which raised a number of questions of where we would light the candles on TEC’s menorah.

United Methodist Church was very excited about the opportunity to participate in this important Jewish tradition and, as Rabbi Spiegel recalls, the menorah was brought over from TEC and it was lit on the first night - with a cross from UMC in the background.

This month, on Wednesday, November 24, we will again observe the Interfaith Service.

It will once again be hosted by United Methodist Church. And sadly as with so many things affected by COVID - it may not look the same as it did in years past, certainly not as far back as 1963, when that sole attendee who stood honored their decades of being present.

But as Rabbi Spiegel - now, our Rabbi Emeritus - says, the Interfaith Service is about so much more: "Thanksgiving has become synonymous with turkey dinners and shopping sales and football… but, for one night, the night before Thanksgiving, it’s an opportunity for two neighboring congregations to come together."

He goes on: "And isn’t that what Thanksgiving is really supposed to be about?"

Dan Lubetkin VP, Communications Dan can be reached at dan@templeetzchaim.org

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I V G S U K K N K AH A H LE ETZ CHAI P M E T M AT

By Rabbi Ari Averbach

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TO OUR NOVEMBER

Send all simcha information to communications@templeetzchaim.org

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JOYCE BRONSTEIN

DEBBIE BLUMENTHAL

joyce@templeetzchaim.org

debbieb @templeetzchaim.org

RELIGIOUS SCHOOL DIRECTOR

In honor of Thanksgiving & Hanukkah, I would like to share some of our students' thoughts and feelings about being grateful and thankful: Liam Lefko (7th): I am thankful for the blessing of my family.

Logan Nordahl (7th): Every year, my family hosts a party, and we all have fun together. It is a special bonding moment.

Mia Schwartz (5th): Playing dreidel, lighting the candles, and eating latkes.

Sam Licht (7th): I am grateful for having a family and a roof above my head.

Katia Lysobey (7th): Every Hanukkah, everyone in my family picks a charity to donate to support. We all get the same amount of money to donate, and we choose whatever (real) charity we want.

Eli Ben-Tov (5th): I am thankful for life because, without life, nothing would exist.

Evan Gorowitz (4th): I am most grateful for my family because everyone needs some people to rely on or fall back on.

Dylan Sklar (5th): One thing that I am grateful for is that I love and appreciate all of our privileges.

I hope you enjoyed reading some of the students writings. I am thankful to you, our TEC families, who make our school a joyful place.

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION DIRECTOR Fall is one of our favorite seasons around the Temple Etz Chaim ECE Center! Walking around the school I see children exploring pumpkins, planting in the garden boxes, collecting fall leaves, baking bread and generally enjoying the sights, smells, and colors of the season.

Our next Tot Shabbat service will be a fun pajama night on Friday, November 12th at 6:00 p.m. We are providing dinner for $18 per family that night in addition to the Shabbat celebration complete with a service led by Rabbi Averbach and Rabbi Rachel, and a Shabbat Story told by Miss Debbie.

Everyone is invited to join. RSVP in the school office if you would like to join us for dinner too.

Parent & Me classes have resumed! We have several class options during the week for children birth to 3 years of age. The children enjoy creative art activities, learning activities, music, stories, all within a warm, Jewish environment. For class schedules and information, please contact Nikki@templeetzchaim.org.

The month will end with stories and songs of Thanksgiving. We look forward to our classroom feasts and holiday time with our families.

Hanukkah is around the corner. We love learning about the miracle of light and the Maccabees. We sing holiday songs, practice candle blessings, play dreidel and make latkes and sufganiyot.

Chag Sameach and may you have holidays filled with family, love, and beautiful memories.

SHANNON TEPFER

EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION & YOUTH DIRECTOR shannon@templeetzchaim.org

Sunday, November 7th is Mitzvah Day! We will have tables set up for everyone in the community to help make jewelry for foster teens and to make cards for Meals on Wheels. We are also collecting gently-used and new hoodies and jackets for James Storehouse.

When was the last time you cleaned out your closets?

All sizes and styles are welcomed, from babies to teens.

For our 9th-12th graders it's that time again. What time, you ask? Why, it's time to sign up for Fall Kinnus at AJU Familian Campus!!!!! (screams, bells, whistles, fireworks!!!!) It's November 12th-14th…

We are feeding the hungry this month by making 100 lunches for Harbor House. We have a Sign Up Genius for all that are interested to donate items for these lunches as well as volunteer. This will be a wonderful mitzvah for the entire family. re you looking for friends, fun activities, leadership opportunities, a place to chill and be yourself? Then our TEC USY Chapter is the place for you!

November Activities:

11/02: Fall for USY! Kadima lounge @ 6:15 pm7:30 pm 11/07: Mitzvah Day Card-making for Meals on Wheels, Hoodies and Coats collection for Harbor House (gently used or new), Jewelrymaking for Harbor House 11/12-11/14: Fall USY Kinnus- 9th-12th graders, scholarships available 11/16: Friendsgiving / Feeding the Hungry Lounge @ 6:15 pm-7:30 pm.

11/28: Youth Commission Meeting 9:30 am10:30 am.

11/28: “Miracles” Machar Hanukkah Lounge (K2nd) 11/30: Movie Night in -Jr Lounge (6th-8th) @6:15 pm-7:45 pm

TEC T EC C COMMUNITY OMMUNITY

SOCIAL ACTION

WOMEN OF TEC

Cindy Scherr President, Women of TEC Cindy can be reached at womenoftec@templeetzchaim.org

Judy Gindi VP, Social Action Judy can be reached at socialaction@templeetzchaim.org

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TE T EC T TRIBUTES RIBUTES

Barry Cantor Memorial Fund In Memory of Leo Mahler Harvey Mahler Dunaier Music Fund In Memory of Ruth Rosen Stan Rosen In Memory of William Deutsch Frances Deutsch Early Childhood Education Fund In Memory of Hyman Golditch Stephanie Shipow In Memory of Rose Goldberg Harvey Goldberg Elisa Feldman Memorial Religious School Scholarship Fund In Memory of Lillian Klapper Bonnie Goldenberg In Memory of Mollie & Irving Lederich Judy Mayer In Memory of Jerry Kaye Patty Kaye In Memory of Rose Rosenberg Sheri Schoenwald Feeding the Hungry for Harbor House In Honor of Feeding the Hungry Marty & Donna Lichtmann Judy Gindi Israel & Beth Perel Penny Sterling Amy Licht Judith Katzburg Sheri Schoenwald Betty Zonshine Fran Finkelstein David Munowitch & Emily Habib In Honor of Zoe Curtis & Sasha Curtis Melissa Cohen Jotkowitz Camp Ramah Scholarship Fund In Memory of Ben Rutberg Barbara Nemet In Memory of Molly, Max and Edward Lewis Jotkowitz, and Dr. Ron Feldman Emanuel & Janice Perlman In Memory of Ron Feldman Rosalie & Ken Fromberg In Memory of Ron Feldman Esther Brenner In Memory of Gerald O. Hayman Ann Hayman In Memory of Lillian Borman Harvey Mahler Lipnick Religious School Scholarship Fund In Memory of Esther Rebecca Goldberg, and Bertha and George Winterstein Susan Goldberg

Lipnick Religious School Scholarship Fund In Memory of Irwin and Solomon Stockwell Bonnie Rothman Men's Club Scholar-in-Residence In Memory of Robert Zucherman Mark Zucherman Monthly Mitzvah Wednesday for the Westminster Free Clinic In Honor of Recipient by Donor Judy Gindi Rabbi Averbach's Discretionary Fund In Memory of Dorothy Schotland Bruce Wilkoff In Memory of Felicita Saiez Rebeccah Schwartz In Memory of Philip Ruvman Maureen Levine In Memory of Maurice Schwartz Susan Malchicoff In Memory of Frida Edelman David Wank In Honor of Recipient by Donor Richard Friedman In Memory of Dorothy Druyen Michael & Meredith Druyen In Memory of Bertie Sneed and Cynthia Sneed Scott Judy Sneed In Memory of Jack Kern Harvey Kern In Honor of Marshall Rosen Alan & Susan Flaschner In Honor of Buzz & Carol Schoenkerman The Lubetkin Family In Honor of Max Henry Wasserman Ronald & Beverly Wasserman In Memory of Betty Reiser Patty Kaye

Rabbi Averbach's Discretionary Fund In Memory of Gerald Schwager Charles Schwager In Memory of Evelyn Greenberg Lauri Arons In Memory of Patricia Rose Pamela Friedman In Memory of Bronna Engler Richard Engler In Memory of Marilyn Katz Mark Katz In Memory of Henry Zonshine Bob Zonshine In Memory of Herman Sturman Martin Sturman In Memory of Frances Greenholt Marie Rubens In Memory of Zadock Perelson Michael & Meredith Druyen In Appreciation of Rabbi Averbach Alan Flaschner Seth Browner David Munowitch & Emily Habib Religious School Fund In Memory of Ira Goldfinger Robin Glodfinger In Memory of Sharon May Friedman Steven Friedman In Memory of David Birnbaum Mark Birnbaum In Memory of Melvin Wolf Randee Paller In Memory of Alfred Shapiro Barbara Budish In Memory of Stuart and Steven Bass, Morris Ratzan and Marcel Carlin Dr. Jerry Ratzan

In Memory of Jylian Mendelson Beau Mann

In Memory of Herberty Friedlander Carl Friedlander

In Memory of Lillian Moskowitz Harvey Moskowitz

In Memory of Sylvia Schneider Mitchell Schneider

In Memory of Samuel Groden Ronald Groden

In Memory of Alexander Mayer Iris Antel

In Memory of Dorothy Schotland Stuart Hockman Michelle & Marc Tuchman

In Memory of Herberty Friedlander Carl Friedlander

TE T EC T TRIBUTES RIBUTES

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Ritual Fund In Memory of Mike Brooks Sandra Levy

Temple General Fund In Memory of Leonard Schwartz David Schwartz

Tzedakah Fund In Memory of Irene Greenfeld Harry Greenfeld

In Memory of Sylvia Schneider Mitchell Schneider

In Memory of Robynne Schwartz Rebeccah, Joshua & Katya Schwartz

In Memory of Beatrice Treisman Robin Oberman

In Memory of Alexander Mayer Iris Ante TEC Garden Fund In Appreciation of the Community Garden Judy Gindi In Memory of Clara Shipow Robert Shipow In Honor of Katia Lysobey Michael Gollub Temple General Fund In Memory of Matthew Wolf Hattie Wolf In Memory of Sharif Moradian Nasser Moradian In Memory of Michael Lund and Matthew Wolf Cheryl Wolf

In Memory of Jo Anne Plotkin Steven Plotkin In Appreciation of Rabbi Averbach Ari Stiller In Memory of Marge Rapp Sherman and William Harold Sherman Gerald Sherman In Memory of Stubby Kaye Hattie Wolf In Memory of Monaver Shahbaz Jim Shahbaz

In Memory of Lillian Bettman Kluber Lou Kluber In Memory of Sylvia Samson Donald Samson USY Youth & Scholarship Fund In Memory of Jeannette Spitzer Leonard Spitzer In Memory of Betty Reiser Patty Kaye In Honor of Esme & Steven Kempler Patty Kaye

In Memory of Richard and Sofia Landau Gina Landau In Memory of Hector Cornello Sofia Kobrin

In Memory of Abe Nelson and Ann Nelson Phyllis Bayewitch

TEMPLE ETZ CHAIM WANTS TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR COMMUNITY

IN HONOR OF THOSE WE LOVE AND THOSE WE HAVE LOST

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HTNOM SIHT

STNEVE GNITI-ZTE

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e M w o n K Get to

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from the vault at TEC SEND YOUR COMMENTS AND MEMORIES TO SEN COM COMMUNICATIONS@TEMPLEETZCHAIM.ORG

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KADIMA, OUR PROGRAM FOR 3RD-6TH GRADERS, CELEBRATED ITS FALL FEST IN OCTOBER! IF YOU WANT TO JOIN, PLEASE EMAIL YOUTH@TEMPLEETZCHAIM.ORG

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