ETZETERA - OCTOBER 2023

THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF

TEMPLE ETZ CHAIM

OCTOBER 2023

ISSUE 8

Inside This Issue

PAGE 4

PAGE 9

PAGE 10

Letters from Our Leaders

New Inclusion Committee

Meet Our B’nai Mitzvah

Contents 4

Letters From Our Leaders

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Clergy

TEC Education

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TEC Community

Rabbi Ari Averbach Interim Cantor Kenny Ellis Associate Chaplain Benny Sommerfeld Rabbi Emeritus Richard Spiegel Rabbi Emeritus Shimon Paskow

10 Simchas 12 September Calendar 13 Birthdays & Anniversaries 14 TEC Tributes 18 Upcoming Events 26 Kids’ Corner

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

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Stay up-to-date with community events, news and happenings. Follow us on your favorite social platform.

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Staff Executive Director Gideon Manzur Early Childhood Education Director Debbie Blumenthal Religious School Director Joyce Bronstein Early Childhood Education Asst. Director Keri Loventhal Programming & Youth Director Cindy Goldberg Office Manager Shane Silverstein ECE Administrative Assistant Linda Starr RS Administrative Assistant Sarah Karamas Membership Services Jessica Jacoby Clergy Assistant Jill Rosenberg Musical Director Mariano Dugatkin

Board of Directors President Eric Feigenbaum Executive Vice President Felicia Toporoff Immediate Past President Shari Mark Treasurer Shira Soria Recording Secretary Rachael Pugh VP, Building & Grounds Dan Wachs VP, Early Childhood Education Chad Hampton VP, Personnel & Legal Josh Hopstone VP, Project Funding Wendy Margolis* VP, Religion & Worship Cheryl Wolf VP, Religious School Education Adya Riss VP, Social Action Pam Friedman VP, Youth Ilana Sweet Trustee, Bingo Arnie Blitstein 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, Board Member Marshall Scherr *Past President

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oin us as we invite Lori Gottlieb to TEC. Lori is the best-selling author of Maybe You Should Talk to Someone and the co-host of the Dear Therapists podcast. This event will be moderated by Rabbi Ari Averbach.

SUNDAY, NOV. 12, 2023 Doors open 6:15pm Event begins promptly at 7:00pm

 VIP Tickets  General Admission *A purchase of a VIP ticket includes a private dinner with Lori prior to the event.

PURCHASE TICKETS TODAY TECTO.ORG/LORIGOTTLIEB

This Event & all VIP/Sponsor Activities will take place at Temple Etz Chaim

Over one million copies sold! www.templeetzchaim.org

1080 E. Janss Road Thousand Oaks, CA 91360

1080 E. Janss Rd. • Thousand 913605784 • (805) 497-6891 • www.templeetzchaim.org 3 October 2023 Oaks, | Tishrei CA – Cheshvan

Letters from Our Leaders Rabbi Ari Averbach

rabbiaverbach@templeetzchaim.org

Zeh HaYom Asah Ado’nai, Nagila V’nism’ha Vo – This is the day the Lord made, let’s rejoice in it and be happy.

It’s probably a favorite line of most clergy. We sing these words every day of Sukkot, and every time we do Hallel (a group of Psalms sung on certain holidays). But it’s also a key theme of Judaism. People like to sum up Jewish holidays as, “They tried to kill us. We won. Let’s eat.” However, that is a misrepresentation of most of Judaism. Yes, some holidays fall into that category (most notably Hanukkah and Purim). But so many of our celebrations are centered on finding joy in the everyday.

We sing these words on such occasions as each new moon. Judaism is aware that life is complicated and sometimes heartbreaking.

And our ancestors found countless reasons to celebrate – not just when we escaped persecution.

Creation is renewed every single day, and we have a chance to find something holy in that monotony. Maybe it is taking those five minutes to watch the sun set or to observe an insect do its important work as it carries a leaf across a branch.

Find something that reminds you that today is a special day and do something to celebrate it. No matter how small.

Benny Sommerfeld, Chaplain benny@templeetzchaim.org

Chag Sameach! I hope the holiday season has been rewarding for you and your family. This is my first column as part of the clergy team at Temple Etz Chaim as your Chaplain. What does the Chaplain do? My main task is to nurture the spiritual wellbeing of TEC in partnership with Rabbi Averbach. That includes adult education; visits to the hospital; connecting with congregants who are part of our Misheberach list; helping make your lifecycle events more spiritual for all family members; participating in Minyan of comfort; etc. You find my office next to Rabbi Averbach’s in the administrative wing at TEC. Come in and say hello, I welcome your visits.

to sign up too. This will give you another opportunity to experience this milestone as an adult. The program is going to run for a year and end in the fall of next year. This fall sessions are focused on brushing up your Hebrew skills, taught by Gail Simpson. If you feel that your knowledge base is already up to par, then you can choose to read Torah, starting a Torah trope class. In January we will continue with Judaica, prayers and Torah reading. You will discover the inner secrets of our prayers, their structure and meaning. There will be a second opportunity for the B’nai Mitzvah class to learn Trope later during next year’s sessions as well.

The new year has begun, and we are about to kick off our adult education programs. Adult B’nai Mitzvah will start on October 15. I would encourage anyone who would like to do a Re-B’nai Mitzvah

Contact me and sign up if you are interested, it will be a memory for life. Rabbi Averbach and I are looking forward to seeing many of you in class.

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October 2023 | Tishrei – Cheshvan 5784

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Eric Feigenbaum, President eric@templeetzchaim.org

This year’s High Holidays were full and really felt like everyone was FINALLY back together – in our newly remodeled sanctuary.

In recent months Temple Etz Chaim has added more than 30 new families. We are incredibly blessed to be growing and thriving at a time when many Conservative congregations cannot say the same.

Why are we thriving? There’s no doubt our award-winning Religious School and bursting-at-the-seams Early Childhood Education Center play a huge role in our appeal to families.

Certainly, our position as the largest shul of any kind from Calabasas to Ventura and Thousand Oaks to Simi Valley also plays a part. I would also like to think our very active community with lots of diverse programming attracts and engages people.

Of course, the work to keep TEC thriving is never done. Now that we have Chaplain Benny in place to support the Rabbi and all of us in our clerical needs, our Clergy Search Committee will continue its work to find us a musical leader, most likely in the form of a Cantor. Having a new musical face to TEC will be an important part of our appeal, growth, and future.

Programming-wise, we have a few big things to watch for including

the next of our Global Thought Leaders Series: Lori Gottlieb, author of Maybe You Should Talk To Someone who will be coming to our campus on November 12th. Tickets are now available at TEC-TO. ORG/LORI-GOTTLIEB. On Sunday November 19th we will also have the first in a series of courses offered to us by our new Sister Synagogue in Hania, Crete – Temple Etz Hayyim. The incredible people who restored this synagogue after the complete annihilation of Crete’s Jews in 1944 will be teaching classes on culture, Cretan Judaism, Jewish history of the Eastern Mediterranean and more. Tuition goes to benefit Temple Etz Hayyim who unlike us has a limited membership base of only 100 congregants, most of whom do not live in Crete year-round.

Our partnership involves TEH educating us and TEC supporting a congregation recovering from Holocaust. Contact Cindy Goldberg (cindy@templeetzchaim.org) to learn more or sign up.

One stark difference between TEH and TEC is that they have no children, and we are blessed with more than 500 of them between our two schools. Next time you hear the noise of kids in our hallways, classrooms, lawns, and playgrounds – remember that’s the sound of Jewish life. That’s the ultimate sound of thriving.

Gideon Manzur, Executive Director gideon@templeetzchaim.org

As we close out Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, we swiftly move into Sukkot – one of my favorite holidays. Also known as the Feast of Tabernacles or Booths, Sukkot celebrates the harvest and commemorates the Israelites’ 40-year journey through the desert.

As did our ancestors see a generation change while wandering in the desert, my family too has changed. We have seen the birth of a new generation with my nieces and daughters. We have been through the losses of patriarchs and matriarchs, but no matter the simcha or yagon (sadness), we carry on the traditions passed down from generation to generation (l’dor v’dor) of building and decorating, sharing meals with family and friends, laughing, and sometimes even crying as we remember those whose seats are empty.

For the first 15 years of my life, our Sukkah was a 10’x10’ structure.

As kids, aside from eating every meal in our Sukkah, my father, brother, and I would sleep in it in our Star Wars and Transformer

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sleeping bags. As time passed, it transformed into a 21’ x 10’ Sukkah that would house over 30 people. The sukkah was adorned with hand-crafted decor. What started as gluing colorful construction paper together to make rings that my dad would hang around the perimeter was soon replaced by old magazines pages stapled together. Over the years, artwork that my brother and I created at Hebrew or public school was happily replaced by our kids’ artwork or a yearly photo of each grandkid showing the progression of their ages as they helped build the Sukkah each year.

As I turn my gaze to the next generation here at Temple Etz Chaim, I hope our Kehillah will actively participate in the events taking place in our sukkah here at TEC. I encourage everyone to bring artwork to help decorate the walls of the Sukkah and attend the weeks’ worth of meaningful events taking place. I look forward to shaking the lulav and etrog with you.

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

The Jewish holiday of Sukkot is one of our favorite festivals around the preschool. The children love to hear the stories of how the Israelites traveled far and wide and how they built their huts in the desert as they traveled towards the Promised Land. Next to hearing the stories of the huts, they love to build and decorate their own sukkot.

During the weeklong holiday, the classes will enjoy decorating the sukkah and eating lunch in the huge Temple Etz Chaim sukkah.

Miss Bobbie is sure to teach us many songs about hanging fruit in the sukkah and waving the lulav and etrog. This holiday of Sukkot will help to reinforce friendship, outdoor nature experiences, and enrich our Jewish education.

Some other fun activities in the month of October will include but not be limited to a school-wide field trip to the Underwood Farms, a Simchat Torah celebration, fall curriculum, nature walks, gardening, music with Miss Bobbie, and much more.

On Friday, October 20th, our Pre-K children will sing at our

ECE Tot Shabbat service starting at 6:00 p.m. Dinner will be offered for $36.00 per family. Look for registration information on brightwheel.

Parent & Me classes have started! If you are interested in meeting other parents with young children, enjoying fun music and stories, developmentally appropriate play, and discussions on parenting topics, call the school office at 805-497-6852 for more information.

The Parents of Temple Etz Chaim (PTEC) also has activities planned this month for parents and families. On Wednesday, October 4th from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. there is a Coffee and Chat opportunity for everyone to stop by to have a morning snack and chat with other ECE parents.

On Thursday, October 12, a Paint Night is planned at Tarantula Hill. Lastly, this month there will be a PTEC Family Movie Night here at Temple Etz Chaim on Sunday, October 15th from 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Joyce Bronstein, Religious School Director joyce@Templeetzchaim.org

While attending High Holiday services this year, I was surprised, pleased, and extremely moved by the many former Religious School students who shared with me their positive memories of their years growing up at Temple Etz Chaim. Each one smiled from ear to ear as they reminisced about their days as students in the Religious School.

They loved the remodeled sanctuary, but where was the counter where the girls would hang out in the women’s restroom? These students, now professionals, continued to tell me many stories, which I loved listening to. Many have their own families, and I enjoyed meeting their spouses and kvelling over their children. Seeing so many of these families returning to this area and joining TEC is fantastic. L’Dor V’Dor. In November, we look forward to being part of Mitzvah Day. We will collect specific school and art supplies to benefit the children at Casa Pacifica. In addition, we sincerely ask TEC families to donate 6

money to offset the cost of the school backpacks we purchase for these supplies. On Mitzvah Day, Religious School students in grades k-7 will fill the backpacks with the new school supplies. Students will also create and decorate cards for the children receiving the backpacks. Ultimately, 60 filled backpacks will be donated to children at Casa Pacifica. This project is unique because it is handson and actively involves all our students. Watching students’ faces as they participate in this Mitzvah project is very moving.

I am proud of the dedication, commitment, and enthusiasm our students and parents demonstrate as they participate in this Mitzvah Day Project —everyone’s efforts to reach out to the community and help others reflect our Jewish values. Let us always remember to participate in Mitzvot and help others. Assisting others creates wonderful feelings inside each of us. Please participate in this worthwhile and important Mitzvah!!!

October 2023 | Tishrei – Cheshvan 5784

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

Shana Tova! It was so great to see so many of you throughout the holidays! Thank you to all who helped make September so special!

We are in the home-stretch of the High Holiday season. To help our community members cope with all the feelings that come with holidays, and to build our overall mental health, we are beginning a new program on October 4 at 11 AM. Wellness Wednesdays is a series of 4 sessions designed to help build connections and skills to improve overall mental wellbeing and facilitated by Lori Oberman, MA, MFT, License #45608. Funded in part by a grant from the USCJ, this 4-week group experience is free for our congregants.

Ice Cream brings us together! On October 7, join us for a Simchat Torah Ice Cream Social at 5:15 PM, fun and flag-waving services at 6:15 pm and followed by Havdalah. Please RSVP and select your Little Calf Creamery ice cream flavor. RSVP HERE: http://tec-to.org/simchat-torah-2023.

October 15, at 9:45 AM, join Rabbi Averbach for a Taste of Judaism.

Drop your students off at Religious School (or join after minyan).

Come for coffee, stay for the conversation.

Please join us in the Wolfson and on the Warren Lawn on Sunday, October 29 at 9:45 AM for an Inclusive Schmooze. The TEC Inclusion Committee would love for you to share your thoughts on ways TEC can be a more inclusive, more welcoming community to all of our members.

And at long last, Adam and Sammy have planned great kickoff lounges for our Machar, Kadima, and Middle School (MS) TECY/ USY this month: • October 10 Kadima from 6:15 – 7:45 PM • October 15 Machar from 11:30 AM– 1 PM • October 22 MS TECY/USY 11:30 AM – 1 PM All lounges will be held immediately following Religious School.

Lunch or dinner will be served as part of the events.

Tashlich at the Beach, Sunday, September 17th www.templeetzchaim.org

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TEC Community Linda Hutchings, President, Women of TEC We had a wonderful time at our Torah Fund Ice Cream Social Event and are looking forward to having you join us at our upcoming events.

Please make sure to have wotecnews@gmail.com set as a safe sender so you can receive our Constant Contact updates.

Please note that Membership Dues are free to all first year temple members. All Membership Dues for returning members are due to be paid in full by end of September: $43 for regular members and $30 for Seniors (age 62 and up).

If you are not receiving our Constant Contact updates, please email me directly to be added to the email list. Also, if you have any changes you want noted in our membership booklet, please let me know.

If you want to get involved, have suggestions for events or ever have questions, please do not hesitate to reach out. Also, please help us prepare for our Membership Luncheon Raffle—we need the following types of donations: gift cards (any denominations for things like Starbucks, Nordstrom, manicure, massage, etc.), new wallets, handbags, clothing, home decor (new items that have not been used) that we can use to create the beautiful gift baskets for our membership luncheon raffle.

WOTEC Calendar of Events 10/3 Womens League of Conservative Judaism, Pacific Southwest Region Sukkah Event @ Temple Ramat Zion.

Tuesday, 10/3 at 11:30am 11/7 Guest Speaker, Cheryl Wolf. Tuesday evening, 11/7 12/3 Paid Up Membership Luncheon — Save the Date!

Sunday, 12/3 at 12:00pm 1/20 Havdallah & Wine Tasting & Appetizers.

Saturday,1/20 at 5:30pm 2/27 Babka Bake. Tuesday, 2/27 at 6:30 pm 3/24 Volunteer @ Purim Carnival. Sun morning, 3/24 4/14 Beach Sunset & Games Day (Bring your own dinner) Co-Sponsored with Men’s Club. Sunday 4/14 5/5

Friendship Tea (bring a mother/father, daughter/son, sister/brother, niece/nephew, aunt/uncle friend).

Sun, 5/5 at 11:30am

Irwin Barney, President, Men’s Club I hope that you had a meaningful and enjoyable High Holiday season.

As part of the season, the Men’s Club and WOTEC coordinated services for Shabbat Shuvah on Friday, September 22 and Shabbat Saturday,September 23. Approximately 50 people participated in various parts of the services. Yasher Koach to our Religious Chair Jon Hops for leading this meaningful and important effort and to Cindy Koepcke for her support from WOTEC.

study in the Sukkah on Tuesday evening, October 3. Bring your own kosher steak, fish, or parve veggie burger for grilling. The Men’s Club will provide Scotch and other beverages. Rabbi Averbach will guide our Torah study. We invite the entire TEC community to participate.

The Men’s Club continued its annual tradition of building the TEC Sukkah on Sunday, September 24. It was a morning of camaraderie and fun. As always, it involved the broader TEC community. The Men’s Club is coordinating an evening of Steak, Scotch, and Torah

As you can see, the Men’s Club has had a busy two months. We have at least one activity or event planned for each month through June of 2024.

I hope that you took home one of our bookmarks provided during High Holiday services that identify the various programs and dates.

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Our first speaker brunch is scheduled for Sunday, October 22. Be on the lookout for the details in a forthcoming flyer.

October 2023 | Tishrei – Cheshvan 5784

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Pam Friedman, VP, Social Action This year’s Mitzvah Day will be held on Sunday, November 5th.

Come together with your Temple family and friends to help those in our community who are in need. The Social Action Committee has planned a variety of activities for you to choose from.

Both TEC and Adat Elohim will be sponsoring our annual Blood Donation Drive. This is truly a life-saving gift to those in need. Please look out for the flyer for information to make an appointment.

Religious School students will be putting together backpacks of school supplies for Casa Pacifica. Casa Pacifica is a non-profit organization that provides residential services and mental health services to children and youth who need support.

Make “Homeless Care Kits” for Harbor House. We will be filling our care kits with items that will provide comfort to those in need of our care. Each kit will have socks, toothbrush and toothpaste, lip balm and more. We will be sending out a Sign Up Genius with a complete list of the items that are needed soon.

Crochet granny squares to make baby blankets. If you do not know

how to crochet, yarn, hooks and loving teachers will be provided.

Social Action will donate the baby blankets made at Mitzvah Day to James Store House who supports foster families.

Make lunches for “Feed the Hungry” with WOTEC and Men’s Club.

Once again, this year WOTEC and Mens Club will be working together to help you make a PB&J sandwich and lunch for those in need. We need a total of 70 lunches so bring your friends. All the lunches will be dropped off at Harbor House for those who are unhoused and food insecure.

No-sew blankets are a favorite each year. Come join the fun and make a blanket for Senior Concerns and the Conejo Interfaith Refugee Team. Each of these organizations provides wonderful support, the blankets we donate give just a little bit of extra comfort to our senior and refugee families.

We have more surprises waiting for you on Mitzvah Day. Come by and join us for a wonderful day.

Susan Kane, Chairperson, Inclusion Committee The newly formed Inclusion Committee is committed to making Temple Etz Chaim a safe, welcoming, caring, and inclusive Jewish community for all people, with special respect and understanding for varied religious upbringing, education, level of observance, ethnic origin, skin color, physical or mental limitations, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

Our committee is a diverse group of TEC members who care deeply about ensuring that Temple Etz Chaim is welcoming and inclusive of all, both those who are currently connected to our community and those who wish to be connected.

Areas of specific focus for this committee include: Interfaith and Differing Backgrounds, Accessibility Communication, Gender and Sexuality, and Racial Justice.

At Etz Chaim we are grateful for the diverse journeys that bring people to our community which includes those who have been Jewish their whole lives; those who have chosen to join the Jewish people as part of their own spiritual journeys; and interfaith families. We strive to make participation in education, worship, cultural and social activities welcoming and accessible to all. We believe that we are strengthened by the gifts that all members of our community bring, and we extend a warm welcome to those

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who are part of our family and fellow travelers in our work to make the world more filled with caring, love and responsibility.

We hope that you too will find a place in our community.

Upcoming events include: Sunday Schmooze: October 29th 9:45 am. Share your thoughts on inclusion at TEC Jews of Color Shabbat (celebrating Black History Month): February date TBA Jewish Disability Month Awareness: February programming and dates TBA Pride Shabbat: June 7th – 8th, 2024 The Inclusion Committee seeks to expand the opportunities for full participation and support by listening to congregants’ needs and experiences so we can advocate for positive changes.

We certainly don’t have all the answers, so we are leading with curiosity and welcome your thoughts and suggestions... Where can we improve and what are we doing well...

Email us at Inclusion@templeetzchaim.org

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Simchas

Congratulations to the Schwager family on the birth of

Charlotte Olivia Devine Born on September 15, 2023

Parents: Rachel and Jacob Devine Grandparents: Nancy and Charles Schwager Eve and Sean Devine

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August Riss

October 14

Hi, my name is August Riss, and I am in the 7th grade at Redwood Middle School.

I have been at TEC since preschool, which makes this my eleventh year. Besides school and Confirmation, I am a percussionist in the Symphonic and Jazz Bands at Redwood. I also like spending time with my friends and family, and coding and playing various games on my computer. Some people who have helped me through my journey to being a Bar Mitzvah are my parents, my sister Emma, my grandparents, Religious School teachers past and present, Cantor Kenny Ellis, Rabbi Averbach, Joyce Bronstein, and friends. I could not have done it without you all. As I become a Bar Mitzvah, I look forward to being surrounded by my closest friends and family.

Alissa Fireman

October 21

Hello, my name is Alissa Fireman, and I am in the 7th grade at La Reina in Thousand Oaks. I have a passion for many activities including art, swim team, basketball, and softball. Most of all, I love socializing with family and friends. At TEC, I enjoy attending confirmation classes and volunteering as an aide. Thank you to Rivka, Rabbi Averbach, Joyce, and all my Religious School teachers for helping me prepare for my Bat Mitzvah.

Emily Katz

October 28

Hi, I am Emily Katz. I was born in Thousand Oaks, and I’ve lived here since I started attending TEC Religious School where I have made so many memories and friends.

I am now a seventh grader at Los Cerritos Middle School. I want to thank all my Religious School teachers, Joyce, Sarah, Rabbi Ari, and especially my Bat Mitzvah tutor Cantor Kenny Ellis. My one last big thank you goes to my parents for always being there for me and preparing me for this big day.

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Dates to Remember

October SUN

1

MON

2

Hol HaMoed Sukkot

Hol HaMoed Sukkot

8

9

Simchat Torah

15

Machar Rabbi’s Taste of Judaism

16

TECY/USY

29

Inclusion Committee Schmooze

12

3

WED

4

Hol HaMoed Sukkot

Hol HaMoed Sukkot

10

11

Kadima

17

Book Club via Zoom

18

THU

5

FRI

6

23

30

24

SAT

7

Hol HaMoed Sukkot

Hol HaMoed Sukkot

Shmini Atzeret & Simchat Torah

12

13

14

Parents’ Night Out - Paint Night

19

Auggie Riss Bar Mitzvah

20

21 Alissa Fireman Bat Mitzvah

Feed the Hungry

Movie Night

22

TUE

25

Board Meeting

26

27

28 Emily Katz Bat Mitzvah

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Birthdays & Anniversaries

October 1 Max Gorney Hailey Gerin Samuel Goldenberg David Lessman Debbie Margolis Monika Mendelson Rivka Moscovitch 2 Harold Lacy Oryan Raday 4 Aaron Ellis Courtney Groden Inbal Lapid Kathy Levit 5 Derick Levine Arlene Norkin Alysa Polkes Emmet Pugh Hannah Rivkin 6 Daniel Eidman Jennifer Halpert Cecilia Rustam Matthew Weiner Hunter Yuro 7 Logan Erster Sara Gerstel Rebecca Jacobs Alma Lantsman Keri Loventhal Michael Rosenberg Samuel Slomowitz Ian Toporoff 9 Brian Graham 10 Robin Friedman Michael Karamas Joshua Schoenwald Paul Sklar 11 Payton Loventhal 12 Kevin Axelrad Naomi Sommerfeld Linda Spiegel 13 Marc Heber Robin Oberman Lorraine Raileanu Etta Weinstein

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14 William Green Larry Levit Alex Plotkin 15 Vanessa Averbach Laurel Lichtman Brian Lotterman Edward Norick Steven Peisner 16 Rhonda Averbach Aaron Freed

25 Ava Kaiser Durkee Paul Friedman Brianna Mellon Aviva Raskin Jacob Rivkin 26 Rachel Goldberg Daniel Lubetkin Mia Simowitz Annie Smith

18 Andrew Atlas Gregory McCauley

27 Reagan Goldblatt Chad Hampton Eli Kolsbun Larry Mahler Rebecca Toporoff Jackie Weintraub

19 Ethan Anderson Mark Fireman Shai Goldberg Laura Peisner Sheri Schoenwald Eric Simpson Carl Slomowitz

28 Jonah Ghozland Richard Lessman John Lutzker Evan Sonnenberg Rhim Aaron Schein Jonathan Sterling

20 Madeleine Dem Eliana Lasarow Harriet Oberman Adam Robinson Elliott Smith

29 Joshua Atlas Carolyn Bordofsky Levi Felcher Natalie Moradian Emily Robinson

17 Courtney Grosslight Rachel Weiner

21 Steven Plotkin 22 Shikma Geffon Alison Gorowitz Lindsay Halper Debra Levine 23 Echo Bahrman Jacob Marks Grayson Morris Ruth Pollack Rebeccah Schwartz Ann Sturman Darren Warner 24 Shai Averbach Robert Farber Kim Jacobsohn Dorlee Rinkov Justin Ratzan Wank

30 Easton De Salay Paul Dryman Bar Raday Sandra Reuben Samuel Rinkov Shiloh Rozzen

8 Ryan & Casey Evans 10 Adam & Melissa Snyder Andrew & Tori Cohen 11 Kevin & Rachael Pugh David & Doina Borla 19 Evan & Elisa Robichaud 21 Steven & Monica Borochoff 22 James & Shannon Walsh 25 Michael & Joyce Katz 28 Frank & Sarah Karamas 29 Gil & Andrea Sklar

31 Debbie Jacoby Noah Levine Mika Raday Caitlin Sweet Olivia Urbach Stephanie Wolfson

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Tributes

In Memory of Kenneth Solovy Susan Solovy

Barbara & Harvey Scherr Memorial Fund

Religious School Fund

In Memory of Hardy Warren Ron & Shari Mark In Honor of The Birth of Samuel Hanono Dugatkin William & Cynthia Koepcke

In Appreciation of Cindy Goldberg for her Compassion Brett Molotsky

In Memory of Jacob Pourdavoudi Behrouz Pourdavoudi

Early Childhood Education Fund

In Memory of David Novogrodsky Jessica Dennis

In Memory of Evelyn Levin Joyce Goldberg

In Memory of Sender Orlin Sarah Orlin

Elisa Feldman Memorial RSSF

In Memory of Sender Orlin Lorne Label

In Memory of Annie Rebecca Dubinsky Jeff Schoenwald

In Memory of George Leshnov Michael & Janis Leshnov

In Memory of Maurice Silverman In Memory of Rose Axelrad In Memory of Rose Silverman Kevin Axelrad

In Memory of Melvin Wolf Gary & Randee Paller

Ritual Fund

In Memory of Sarah Lederich Larry & Judy Mayer

In Appreciation of Our High Holiday Aliyah Larry & Judy Mayer

In Memory of Eugene Reiser In Honor of Larry Slomowitz’s Birthday In Memory of Jerry Kaye Patricia Kaye

Sandee Tischler RSSF In Memory of Isaac Edelman David Wank

In Memory of Hardy Warren Richard & Lisa Eidman

Frances Friedman In Memory of Gladys Ratzan In Memory of Ben Ratzan Jerome & Dawne Ratzan

Fienberg-Lerner Chapel Minyan Fund In Memory of Cynthia Lerner Elinor Fienberg

Social Action Fund

Jotkowitz Camp Ramah Scholarship Fund

In Honor of Feed the Hungry for Harbor House David Munowitch & Emily Habib

In Memory of Sarah Kern Harvey Kern

In Honor of Feed the Hungry for Harbor House Myles & Gail Simpson

Lipnick RSSF

In Memory of Meyer Levin Barbara Shannon

In Honor of Feed the Hungry for Harbor House William & Cynthia Koepcke

Men’s Club

In Honor of Feed the Hungry for Harbor House Patricia Kaye

In Honor of Benny Sommerfeld’s Birthday Patricia Kaye

Temple General Fund

In Honor of The Marriage of Jonathan Katz and Allison Rapundalo William & Cynthia Koepcke

In Honor of Susan Cohen & TEC David & Diane Wender

Rabbi Averbach’s Discretionary Fund

In Memory of Frances Portnoy Ed Portnoy

In Honor of Rabbi Averbach Bob & Jane Bickerman

In Memory of Arlene Levenson Ellen Zucker

In Memory of Dennis Stern Charles & Terri Stern

In Honor of The Marriage of Jonathan Katz and Allison Rapundalo Irwin & Gloria Katz

In Memory of Carl Shaff Daniel & Andrea Weiss

In Appreciation of the Zelevinikoffs In Honor of The Marriage of Jonathan Katz and Allison Rapundalo Jay & Debra Levine

In Memory of Jason Hammer Elliott & Lynne Smith In Appreciation of Everything Rabbi Averbach did in assisting in George’s conversion.

Forever a wonderful experience for both!

George & Lois Hampton In Memory of Bernard Axelrad Kevin Axelrad In Memory of Lillian Kramer Linda Natlin In Honor of Joel & Harriet Shrader’s Anniversary In Memory of Myron Ross Patricia Kaye In Honor of The Birth of Samuel Hanono Dugatkin In Memory of Yaakov Moscovitch Rivka Moscovitch

In Memory of Sol Jaffe Larry Jeffe In Memory of Sara Zimmerman Sofia Kobrin Continued Support of TEC Russell & Lori Nishimua In Memory of Ina Levine Jay & Debra Levine

USY Youth & Scholarship Fund In Memory of Esther Feldman Bruce Cohen

Women of TEC Torah Fund

In Honor of The Birth of Samuel Hanono Dugatkin Robin Oberman

In Honor of Phyllis Dankberg’s Birthday Patricia Kaye

In Memory of Laurie Lacob Ron & Ellen Stein

In Memory of Thelma Smith Stan & Lynne Rosen

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October 2023 | Tishrei – Cheshvan 5784

www.templeetzchaim.org

www.templeetzchaim.org

October 2023 | Tishrei – Cheshvan 5784

15

JOIN THE TEC COMMUNITY

4-Part Series

In our evolving world, seek out new tools to better yourself and diminish loneliness in the new year.

Hosted by Lori Oberman, MA, MFT, License #45608.

WEDNESDAYS 11AM – 12PM  10/4  10/ 11

 10/18  10/25

This free*, four-part series takes place Wednesdays in the Chapel.

Please plan to attend all four classes to take advantage of the benefits of the program.

RSVP TODAY https://tec.shulcloud.com/event/wellness-wednesdays

Secure your spot by Wednesday, 9/27.

Seats are limited. *This event is funded in part thanks to a grant by USCJ's Pacific Southwest Region.

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1080 E. Janss Rd. • Thousand 913605784 • (805) 497-6891 • www.templeetzchaim.org October 2023 Oaks, | Tishrei CA – Cheshvan www.templeetzchaim.org

PLEASE JOIN TEC FOR A

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 7TH IN THE TENT 5:15pm Social • 6:15pm Services Followed by Havdalah Please RSVP by EOD Thursday, 10/5/23 Be sure to choose your favorite Little Calf flavor.

Vegan options will be available.

RSVP TODAY!

http://tec-to.org/simchat-torah-2023

Walk-ins welcome but no guarantees on ice cream availability.

www.templeetzchaim.org

1080 E. Janss Rd. • Thousand 913605784 • (805) 497-6891 • www.templeetzchaim.org 17 October 2023 Oaks, | Tishrei CA – Cheshvan

TEMPLE ETZ CHAIM PRESENTS

OCTOBER 26TH 1st Place Winner - $100 2nd Place Winner - $75 3rd Place Winner - $50

SAVE THE DATE

Bingo Marathon on January 14, 2024

OCTOBER SCHEDULE DOORS OPEN

GAMES START

4:30PM 6:00PM 10.05 10.12 10.19 10.26

Hot Dogs on the Menu Horse Race Chef’s Special Halloween Costume Contest

$250

Three door prize drawings for a free $75 buy-in each week

Each night you play, you will be elligible to win a month of FREE bingo.

Attend every game night in October to increase your chances to win.

To claim a prize, you must be present on the 26th.

THE BINGO HALL IS EQUIPPED WITH WI-FI

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Winners possible each game night. $100 will be put into the sock each night, plus $1.00 for each player present.

The maximum for each sock is $1,199. When a sock reaches $1,199, a new sock will start.

Each sock has a separate number.

Est. Sock $700 as of 9.28.2023

1080 E. Janss Rd. • Thousand CA 91360 •5784 (805) 497-6891 • www.templeetzchaim.org October 2023Oaks, | Tishrei – Cheshvan www.templeetzchaim.org

TUESDAY

OCT

17

TEC FEEDS THE HUNGRY

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP AND DONATE https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E48A5AA22A6F4C43-43121015-lunches

QUESTIONS?

Email Pam Friedman At social action@templeetzchaim.org

www.templeetzchaim.org

October 2023 | Tishrei – Cheshvan 5784

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1080 E. Janss Rd. • Thousand Oaks, CA 91360 • (805) 497-6891 • www.templeetzchaim.org

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October 2023 | Tishrei – Cheshvan 5784

www.templeetzchaim.org

FRIDAY 10/20 6:00pm

Join TEC for

FALL FLANNEL FRIDAY!

t o t

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

Come dressed in your most comfy fall flannel. Join us in the Wolfson. Dinner will be served.

Dinner cost per family is $36 (family of 4)

RSVP & PAY FOR DINNER https://tec-to.org/oct-tot-shabbat

For more information contact Debbie Blumenthal at (805) 497-6852 or debbieb@templeetzchaim.org

www.templeetzchaim.org

1080 E. Janss Rd. • Thousand CA 91360 •5784 (805) 497-6891 • www.templeetzchaim.org 21 October 2023Oaks, | Tishrei – Cheshvan

TUESDAY, 10/24 @ 7:30PM

L'Chaim Kings Fans!

Join Temple Etz Chaim for Jewish Heritage Night on Tuesday, October 24th as the LA Kings take on the Arizona Coyotes.

n ea ! d clu Cap n i ill Era w et ew ick ve N t y i er clus v E ex

TEC encourages attendees 21+ Game begins at 7:30 Crypto Arena, 1111 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90015

BUY TICKETS HERE https://fevogm.com/event/lakingstempleetzchaim

For any questions, please contact Ryan Gottschalk at 310-535-4508 or rgottschalk@lakings.com

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1080 E. Janss Rd. • Thousand CA 91360 •5784 (805) 497-6891 • www.templeetzchaim.org October 2023Oaks, | Tishrei – Cheshvan www.templeetzchaim.org

MEET THE TEC INCLUSION COMMITTEE

SUNDAY SCHMOOZE

SUNDAY

10/29

9:45AM IN THE WOLFSON

Sunday Stick Around and Schmooze with TEC’s new Inclusion Committee

Join the conversation….

Help shape the future of TEC…

We welcome your thoughts and suggestions on making Temple Etz Chaim a more inclusive and welcoming community by expanding opportunities for full participation. Please join the important conversation around the topic of inclusion at the next Sunday Stick Around and Schmooze. Listening to your experiences and needs will guide us toward advocating for positive changes in areas including: • • • • •

Interfaith and Differing Backgrounds Gender and Sexuality Communication Racial Justice Accessibility

Questions? Email us at inclusion@templeetzchaim.org

www.templeetzchaim.org

October 2023 | Tishrei – Cheshvan 5784

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1080 E. Janss Rd. • Thousand Oaks, CA 91360 • (805) 497-6891 • www.templeetzchaim.org

COMING SOON! Join us for an educational experience like no other!

LEAR NING SER IES

SUNDAYS BEGINNING 11.19.23

TEC is connecting with our sibling shul in Hania, Greece - Temple Etz Hayyim – and members of its clergy, leadership (including college professors and historians) and congregation will be teaching an interactive Zoom course to members of our community. This is a 4-part course offered only on Zoom.

Cost for the entire course

$180/person

Cost for each individual course

$54/person

Dates: • 11.19.23: • 12.3.23: • 12.10.23: • 12.17.23:

Jewish History of Crete Jewish Music of Greece Jewish Food in Greece Visual Arts and Memory

Each course will take place 10:30am-11:30am If you would like to participate but also attend Minyan, please let us know and we will provide a private room on TEC’s campus for you to join via Zoom.

SIGN UP TODAY http://tec-to.org/hania

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October 2023 | Tishrei – Cheshvan 5784

www.templeetzchaim.org

1080 E. Janss Rd. • Thousand Oaks, CA 91360 • (805) 497-6891 • www.templeetzchaim.org

TeTemmppl lee EE t z CChhaai m i mP rPerseesnet sn t s

Adult Adult Education

Education

Adult Hebrew Class Starting in October

Join us on Sunday dult Hebrew Class mornings to continue your

rting in October Jewish journey of adult

education.

Learn, or n us on Sunday re-learn to read Hebrew ornings to continue from Alef to Tav (‫ת‬-‫)א‬.* ur Jewish journey of ult education. Re-learn read Hebrew from Alef Tav (‫ת‬-‫)ﬡ‬.*

Adult Adult B'nai B'nai Mitzvah Mitzvah Come & join us!

Come & join us!

Adult B’nai Mitzvah Class Starting in January

Prepare for a Meaningful Experience, Adult B’nai Mitzvah program classes begin on Sunday mornings rting in January in January.

dult B’nai itzvah Class

epare for a Meaningful perience, Adult B’nai tzvah program classes Note: The Hebrew class gin*on Sunday mornings is a preparation for the January.

B’nai Mitzvah program but not a requirement.

Contact benny@templeetzchaim.org

Note: The Hebrew class CA 91360 •5784 (805) 497-6891 • www.templeetzchaim.org 25 www.templeetzchaim.org October 2023Oaks, | Tishrei – Cheshvan s a preparation for the1080 E. Janss Rd. • Thousand ’nai Mitzvah program

How Many? I Spy

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October 2023 | Tishrei – Cheshvan 5784

www.templeetzchaim.org

Color by Numbers

Fall Fun Spot 5 Differences

Word Scramble

www.templeetzchaim.org

October 2023 | Tishrei – Cheshvan 5784

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Available:

2 BURIAL PLOTS (side by side) At Mount Sinai, Simi Valley

SECTION: Plains of Abraham LOCATION: Map 33, Lot 5212, Space 1 & 2

ENDOWMENT AND TRANSFER FEE INCLUDED

ASKING PRICE: $14,500.00 Contact Mindy with questions: (805) 368-0481 • mindyyaras@gmail.com