Early Childhood Education Director Debbie Blumenthal
Religious School Director Joyce Bronstein
Early Childhood Education Asst. Director Keri Loventhal
Office Manager Shane Silverstein
ECE Administrative Assistant Jessica Jacoby
RS Administrative Assistant Sarah Karamas
Clergy Assistant Jill Rosenberg
Musical Director Mariano Dugatkin
Board of Trustees
President Felicia Toporoff
Vice President Dan Lubetkin
Immediate Past President Eric Feigenbaum
Treasurer Arnie Blitstein
Secretary Brianna Abrams Trustee, Bingo Michael Roberts Trustee, Building and Grounds Steve Plotkin Trustee, Early Childhood Education Josh Atlas Trustee, Financial Consideration Neal Arons Trustee, Inclusion Paula Lefko Trustee, Membership Rachael Pugh Trustee, Personnel & Legal Affairs Josh Hopstone Trustee, Programming Evan Robichaud Trustee, Religion and Worship Cheryl Math Trustee, Religious Education Adya Riss Trustee, Security Paul Dryman Trustee, Social Action Pam Friedman Trustee, Ways & Means Donald Zimring
President, Men’s Club Mark Goldstein President, Women of TEC Phyllis Dankberg & Elissa
Past
Letters from Our Leaders
Rabbi Ari Averbach
rabbiaverbach@templeetzchaim.org
The word Rabbi comes from the word Teacher (Moses is often called Moshe Rabbeinu – Moses Our Teacher). Of all the titles to give Moses – he isn’t Moses the Great, like so many other historical figures would prefer their appellation. Or Moses the Wise (like King Solomon became known). Or Moses the Just (an epithet used by many, including a high priest who served in the ancient Temple). Or Moses the Magnificent (like the Ottoman ruler Suleiman).
The generations that followed Moses, who picked the word Rabbeinu – our Teacher – as the key word to describe him, knew the importance of teachers in our community.
Moses was patient. He was forgiving. He saw every person in the community as worthy, as an individual, the way the best teachers do. He knew it was about the next generation, not about him.
As the summer draws to a close, our staff and volunteers have been hard at work behind the scenes, preparing every detail of our High Holiday services. There’s a tremendous amount that goes into making these days meaningful and seamless, from planning the music and liturgy to managing logistics you might never see. But preparation isn’t just the work of clergy and staff. For many of us, the High Holidays require a different kind of labor: the inner work of showing up fully. Reading and engaging with texts that speak about mortality, repentance, and transformation is not always easy. Taking stock of who we have been and who we hope to become is courageous and, at times, heavy. As we enter this season, I hope we all take a moment to recognize the effort it takes simply to be present. May we grant ourselves grace and space, trusting that the energy we bring will shape what we receive in return.
In that same spirit of preparation, I’m excited to share that I’ll be teaching a new twelve-week course this fall called “Embodied Kavanah: Using Music to Engage More Deeply with Services.” This workshop is designed for adult congregants and teens who want to deepen their connection to Jewish prayer and music while building the skills to step confidently into service leadership. Over the course of twelve Tuesday evenings, we’ll explore the nusach— the musical language of Jewish prayer—for Shabbat and weekday
It is not lost on me that my title is Rabbi, teacher. While other clerics in my field have titles that claim their role in the community was ordained by God, that they are inherently holy, I know that I have a duty to share what I learn, not because there is something special in me, but because I love it.
My favorite moments of the year are when I am in front of a classroom. Friday mornings with my Torah study group. Monday nights with my Post-Confirmation class. Going to the Preschool and Religious School to tell stories and answer questions. And being called out into the community – high schools and colleges – to help others comprehend what our tradition has been sharing for these millennia.
May this new year – 5786 – be one of learning together.
services, as well as how pacing, rhythm, and melody shape the flow and emotional tone of the liturgy. We’ll also look at Torah and Haftarah trope in an accessible way, practice vocal techniques, and even experiment with light percussion to help center communal singing.
Participants will have the opportunity to take on small leadership roles throughout the program, like leading a single line of prayer or chanting a few verses of Torah, then reflect on those experiences as a group. The course will culminate in a Shabbat morning service entirely led by the participants, celebrating their growth and learning. Some sessions will be hands-on musical labs in the sanctuary, while others will be discussion-based over Zoom. All sessions will be recorded and shared, and digital practice materials will be provided. The course will begin in late October, most likely October 21, and there is no fee to participate.
Whether you’re a regular at services or someone who comes occasionally but wants to feel more present and grounded when you do, this course offers a supportive and joyful space to grow. If you’re interested, please reach out to me directly. Our learning will only deepen as more voices join in.
Wishing you a year of meaning, renewal, and connection. Shanah tovah!
Felicia Toporoff, President ftoporoff@templeetzchaim.org
As we have moved deftly into fall, the summer quiet on our campus has been decidedly replaced by the bustling of activity. Well into the throes of the High Holidays, the return of Religious School, as well as our thriving Early Childhood Education center, we are busting at the seams with people. And, frankly, I would have it no other way. There are kids of all ages roaming the facility in all sorts of different activities. Temple Etz Chaim is an exciting place to be. Do you feel there isn’t something for you to dig your teeth into? Let me dispel that notion!
Have you ever wanted to learn to read Hebrew better? We’ve got you covered! Gail Simpson will be teaching Hebrew classes. Have you ever wondered about the music that is played during our services and why those particular melodies? We’ve also got
We are all commanded to be joyous when we are celebrating Sukkot. That is to say, we have to make an asserted effort to raise our spirits. (That does not equate to a Lechayim). After ten days of introspective and serious days we arrive at the celebratory part of our month. Sukkot is one of my favorite holidays. Building the Sukkah has been a yearly tradition since our oldest daughter was born just before the holiday. We have great memories throughout the years and each year we find something new to add to the Sukkah. This year we are replacing our old bamboo mats with the new kosher mats, which means no metal material is used for forging the bamboo slats together. It will be exciting to build with the Schach and enjoy the new Schach for our Sukkah.
Our Synagogue Sukkah is always an amazing showpiece for what Men’s Club can do for the community. The size of our Sukkah is around 1900 square feet! I hope you can come down and dwell in
Tashlich, 9/28/25 (see more on page 14)
you covered! Hazzan Noam will be teaching a class on this very topic. Have you always wanted to help build a sukkah? Look no further! Every year our Men’s Club takes on this monumental task of erecting a roughly 1900 square foot sukkah for our community to enjoy and they always can use the help. Teens, are you looking for a youth group that will do the activities you are interested in? Well, TEC is the place for you! We are working to bring BBYO to campus so that you can meet up with teens from TEC and from around the greater Conejo to build lifelong Jewish friendships. It’s an exciting time to be here at Temple Etz Chaim. There really is something for everyone. I, along with the entire Board of Trustees, look forward to seeing all of you on campus.
it, which is one of the mitzvoth of the holiday.
The four species are significant for our spiritual wellbeing as well. The etrog has a wonderful smell, which remains throughout its entirety. The etrog represents our heart and emotions. The Lulav is part of the palm branch from a date palm which fruit is tasty. The lulav represents the spine or backbones of a person. The Myrtle or Hadas are shaped like eyes and as such represent our eyes. The willow is shaped like our lips and represents our mouth. The fifth sense which is speech is part of the blessings which we say when we wave the four species together. The four species are meant to evoke our body, mind and soul. To make us aware of the wonderment of the Sukkah’s sheltering power, where we invite God, our prophets, our prophetess, family and friends to come and visit.
Chag Sameach!
TEC Education
Debbie Blumenthal, Early Education Director
debbieb@templeetzchaim.org
As we welcome the warm and windy air of October, and the beauty of fall, our school is filled with learning, creativity, and joyful celebration of the special Jewish holidays that mark the season. Throughout the month, we will explore Yom Kippur, Sukkot, and Simchat Torah in age-appropriate, meaningful ways.
Yom Kippur is a time for reflection and kindness. Our focus with young children is on being kind, saying sorry, and starting fresh. In our classrooms, some activities will include, reading stories about making good choices and saying, “I’m sorry”, creating mitzvah trees, kindness chains, and listening to peaceful holiday music. We always try to emphasize that everyone makes mistakes, and Yom Kippur is a time to learn, grow, and become our best selves.
Next is Sukkot, a fun outdoor holiday involving nature. Sukkot is always a happy holiday where we can celebrate outdoors with our
family and friends. We will visit the TEC sukkah, hang decorations and enjoy lunch and stories. We will explore the lulav and etrog and learn how to shake them in all directions. Creating colorful decorations like paper chains, fruit garlands and leaf prints will bring out our creativity.
Simchat Torah is a holiday where we can celebrate the Torah and some of its stories. This is also a joyful holiday with lots of music, dancing and celebration! We will enjoy making our own Torah scrolls, sings and dancing with instruments and flags.
Preschool will close at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 1 and will be closed on Thursday, October 2nd for Yom Kippur. The Yom Kippur Family Service is on October 2 from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Wishing everyone a meaningful Yom Kippur!
Joyce Bronstein, Religious School Director joyce@templeetzchaim.org
Erev Yom Kippur is on October 1. We hope you will join us on October 2 for the Children’s Service at 8:30 a.m. An hour later, at 9:30 a.m., students in grades K–4 are invited to participate in a meaningful High Holiday Experience, while students in grades 5–7 can attend our special Junior Congregation Service. Please sign up, as we need to prepare for all our specialized High Holiday educational enrichment.
Later in the day, we invite everyone to join us for our beautiful Neila Service, followed by Havdalah. The sanctuary will be dimly lit as the children walk slowly from the back of the sanctuary to the bimah, each holding a special light stick. We especially encourage your children to participate in this moving concluding service as it is an especially emotional moment.
At this time of year, we continue to offer innovative services for all ages. Our youth are a vital part of our community, and we want to provide a meaningful and memorable High Holiday Experience for them.
Looking ahead to November, we are excited to participate in Mitzvah Day once again. This year, we will again be collecting school and art supplies to benefit the children of Casa Pacifica.
Additionally, we kindly request that TEC families contribute monetary donations to help cover the cost of the school backpacks we will purchase.
On Mitzvah Day, Religious School students in grades K–7 will fill the backpacks with the donated supplies. They will also create and decorate cards to include in each backpack. Ultimately, 60 new fully stocked backpacks will be donated to the children at Casa Pacifica. This project is especially meaningful because it’s handson and directly involves all of our students. Watching their faces as they take part in this mitzvah is truly heartwarming.
I am proud of the dedication, commitment, and enthusiasm of our students, families, and staff. Your efforts to support the broader community reflect our core Jewish values. Let us always strive to perform mitzvot and help those in need. Acts of kindness enrich us as much as those we support.
I, along with my husband, Leo, our children, and grandchildren, wish everyone a new year filled with health, happiness, peace, fulfillment, and many memorable moments!
G’mar Chatima Tovah
Selichot with special guest, Nova survivor, Daniel Sharabi, 9/13/25
TEC Community
Phyllis Dankberg & Elissa Lazarus,
Co-President, Women of TEC
We heard the sound of the Shofar blowing as we worshipped in Temple. Historically, the Shofar was blown to assemble people. For me it is also a call for action at the beginning of a New Year.
For the Women of TEC it is also a call for action. We’ve already begun our New Year with our Torah Fund Ice Cream Social, which is the kick-off for our fund-raising year. Our joint efforts help to support aspiring Rabbi’s, Cantors, Educators and Lay Leaders at 6 Seminary’s around the world. If you haven’t contributed to Torah Fund in the past please consider doing so. Every scholarship that we give goes to
a worthy student.
We’ll be enjoying Wine and Chocolate in the Sukkah on Sunday, October 12th. Which is better the Wine or Chocolate? Come join us and have some fun!
November 16th is our Paid-Up Membership Brunch. It’s always a highlight of the year with delicious food, great raffle prizes and lots of faces you haven’t seen in a while. This is just a kick start to a year filled with some excellent programming.
I look forward to seeing you at one or all of our events.
Hi Everyone! Welcome to the new year of Men’s Club programming. Upcoming this month, we have:
October 5: Sukkah Building
Join us in constructing the TEC sukkah. 9am – 12 noon.
October 7: Steak, Scotch and Torah in the Sukkah
We’ll be joined by Rabbi Averbach with a remembrance tribute to October 7 victims and hostages. Share in camaraderie with Men’s Club members. This is one of our signature events you won’t want to miss. It’s a great opportunity to connect with one another and celebrate Sukkot. We will have the grill fired up, ready to go at 6:30 pm. Bring your own Kosher protein, such as steak or salmon; we will grill it and provide condiments and sides. We need your help grilling!
Please volunteer and RSVP at mensclub@tempeetzchaim.org.
October 25: Hike and Havdalah
Participate in a family accessible hike/walk through a local park and gather for a community Havdalah. More details in upcoming flyer.
We have new events in the planning stages. An educational and exciting local airport visit, likely Santa Paula, is one of them. We welcome your participation in organizing, leading or assisting in these and other programs. Email mensclub@tempeetzchaim.org to volunteer and with program suggestions.
All are welcome to our Men’s Club Board Meetings held the third Tuesday of the month at 7:00 pm. The next meeting is October 21, 2025.
Pam Friedman, Trustee, Social Action
On Sunday, November 2nd Social Action will be celebrating Mitzvah Day. Come join us from 9-12:30pm on this special day. This is our biggest community outreach event of the year. We come together as a temple family with open hearts to those in need so that they can open theirs to us.
Our Community Outreach Partners this year include Vitalant, our Blood Drive team, Harbor House, The Conejo Community Diaper Bank, The Conejo Closet: Conejo Schools Foundation, and Buena Vista Hospice. Our Temple auxiliaries WOTEC and Men’s Club and Adat Elohim will be joining Social Action with this Mitzvah.
This year’s community outreach projects include making comfort kits for the homeless for Harbor House, writing a I Care card to go into the Comfort Kits, making lunch for our Feed the Hungry Program with WOTEC, working on a No-Sew blanket for a hospice patient. If working on a project is not for you, we have
drop off donation opportunities. The Conejo Community Diaper Bank is collecting sizes 4-6 (open packages are ok). The Conejo Closet new socks, t-shirts, hoodie sweatshirts for girls or boys (all sizes), and toiletries.
Our highest priority donation nee is for our Comfort Kits.
If you would like to donate to help make our kits possible, please click on the QR code. Your donation is deeply appreciated.
Join us for Shabbat dinner in the Sukkah on October 10
October 14, 6 pm
October 15, 9:30 am RSVP
B’nai Mitzvah
Nathan Halper October 18
My name is Nathan Halper and I am in 7th grade at Sinaloa Middle School. I have been at TEC since the 1st grade. My favorite subject in school is Math. My hobbies are playing sports, riding bikes, fishing, and hanging out with my friends. I play soccer and basketball, and I love exploring nature. Because of my connection with nature, I will be planting and tending to 3 fruit trees in the temple garden. The fruits will be gathered and donated to food banks, and the trees will always make me feel connected to Temple Etz Chaim and my roots in Judaism. I would like to thank my parents, my Pop, Rivka Moscovitch, Rabbi Ari, and Hazzan Noam for helping me become a Bar Mitzvah. I am looking forward to celebrating with my family and friends.
Shayna Weiss October 25
Hi, my name is Shayna Weiss, and I am currently an eighth grader at Medea Creek Middle School in Oak Park. I have been a religious school student at TEC since third grade and have really enjoyed learning and making wonderful friends here. Aside from school and confirmation, I love to play volleyball and softball, spend summers at sleepaway camp, traveling, as well as going to amusement parks and concerts with family and friends. I would like to thank Rabbi Averbach, Hazzan Noam, Joyce Bronstein, Betty Zonshine and all the wonderful staff at TEC who have helped me throughout my journey to become a Bat Mitzvah. I would also like to send a special thank you to my parents, sister Jenna, and brother Bennett for all their love and support. I am very much looking forward to celebrating my big day surrounded by the people I hold closest to my heart.
Boden Paul Munowitch
Born on August 24, 2025
Parents:
Cheyenne Roush & Braiden Munowitch
Grandparent: Paul Munowitch
Great-Grandparents: Emily Hadid & David Munowitch
Ryan Luna Morad
Born on August 27, 2025
Parents: Jenna & Yaniv Morad
Grandparents:
Debbie & Scott Jacoby
Christina & David Morad
Great-Grandparents: Donna Bernstein, Christina Enriquez, Luis Enriquez and Flora Morad
Aunts and Uncles:
Jessica Jacoby, Brigit & Josh Jacoby, Bridgette & Idan Morad and Faith & Ilan Morad
Grayson Blasé Anderson-Condon
Born on September 1, 2025
Parents: Layla & Marcus Condon
Grandparents:
Jessica & Jason Anderson
Paula & Marc Condon
Uncles: Blasé & Ethan Anderson
Great-Grandfather: Shapour Razinia
Great Great-Grandmother: Mahin Razinia
Mackenzie Rivkin
Born on September 5, 2025
Parents: Brittany & Jacob Rivkin
Grandparents:
Sharon & Greg Bradley
Reeva Rivkin & Michael Rivkin
Tributes
Dunaier Music Fund
In Memory of Babe Dunaier
Howard Dunaier
Early Childhood Eduction Fund
In Honor of the Birth of Ryan Luna Morad
Scott & Debbie Blumenthal
In Memory of Ethel Lieberman
Sheldon Malchicoff
Elisa Feldman Memorial Religious School Scholarship Fund
In Memory of Sandra Helliwell
Steven & Kendra Sternberg
In Memory of Evelyn Feldman
In Memory of Ilean Kanter
In Honor of The Birth of Boden Paul Munowitch
Les & Debbie Feldman
In Memory of Jerry Kaye
Patricia Kaye
Jotkowitz Camp Ramah Scholarship Fund
In Memory of Marcel Mendel Perel
Israel & Beth Perel
Kiddush Fund
In Honor of Sponsoring the Kiddush for Benny Sommerfeld’s Birthday
Benny & Irma Sommerfeld
Lipnick RSSF
In Honor of Ken Saul for being the Mench that he is Harvey & Linda Moskowitz
In Memory of William Edelstein
Judi Gill
Men’s Club
In Appreciation of Men’s Club Programs and Volunteers
William & Cynthia Koepcke
In Honor of Harvey Moskowitz and his dedication to evening Minyan. So glad you are well again!
William & Cynthia Koepcke
Men’s Club Silverstein Humanitarian Fund
In Honor of Benny Sommerfeld’s Birthday
Myles & Gail Simpson
In Memory of Neil Levitt
Ellen Levitt
Tashlich, 9/28/25 (see more on page 14)
Rabbi Averbach’s Discretionary Fund
In Memory of Rebecca Anbinder
Iris Woods
In Memory of Ann Woods
Leon Woods
In Memory of Shirley Arons
Steven Arons
In Memory of Yurek Litmanovich
Miriam Carmona
In Memory of Tillie Zabel
Sandra Lutzker
In Memory of Anne Lutzker
John Lutzker
In Appreciation of Rabbi Averbach’s Meaningful Officiating at Eileen Atlas’ Unveiling and In Memory of Eileen Atlas
Joshua & Deborah Atlas
In Memory of Helen Perel
In Memory of Elvin Green
Israel & Beth Perel
Ann Harris
In Honor of the Birth of Dylan Zev Averbach
Glen & Ruth Rose
In Memory of Reva Schwartz
In Memory of Jean Belzer Simon Cohen
In Memory of Melvin Harold Simon
In Memory of Moshe Cohen
In Memory of Mary Yaffa
In Memory of Barry Bordofsky
Neil & Carolyn Bordofsky
In Memory of Sandra Miller
Shari Mark
In Memory of Harold Greenberg
Lauri Arons
In Memory of Lillian Kramer
In Memory of Robert Natlin
Linda Natlin
In Memory of Sarah Kern
Harvey Kern
In Memory of Paul Snyder
Cheryl Cohen
Eliah Atlas
In Memory of Yaakov Moscovitch
Rivka Moscovitch
Religious School Fund
Congratulations to Joyce Bronstein on the Well Deserved Honor!
Bonnie Rothman
In Memory of Ted Geldberg
Anat Geldberg
In Memory of Sender Orlin
Lorne Label
In Memory of Yaakov Moscovitch
Rivka Moscovitch
Social Action Fund
In Appreciation of Pam Friedman’s Social Action Leadership and Hard Work
William & Cynthia Koepcke
In Honor of a complete and swift return to health to Jay Love
Bonnie Rothman
In Honor of Feed the Hungry for Harbor House
Myles & Gail Simpson
In Memory of Regina Munowitch
David Munowitch & Emily Habib
Temple General Fund
In Memory of Frances Portnoy
Ed Portnoy
In Memory of Evelyn Levin
Joyce Goldberg
In Honor of Etta Weinstein and Her Speedy Recovery
