Etzetera - October 2020

ETZETERA October 2020

President - Shari Mark It’s a new year, 5781 and hard to believe that after all the anticipation, High Holidays are almost in the rearview mirror.

Our clergy, Rabbi Averbach and Hazzan Pablo, spent untold and countless hours reading, chanting, educating, producing, editing and perfecting the services we had the privilege of watching and being part of this year. The familiar sounds of ritual music, prayers, Torah readings, meaningful and relevant sermons and of course the shofar blasts almost made me forget for a moment that life in 2020 isn’t quite normal. There is something so comforting in our traditions and customs.

Finding silver linings in such a unique year has also been a blessing, i.e. new format for Tashlich and shofar blowing and personal and creative poems and essays from our congregants. Like I said at Kol Nidre, we once again prove as humans and Jews, just how adaptable and resilient we can be.

Religious school started last month and is off to a great start. Teachers and students alike are teaching and learning, excited and engaged. Early Childhood Education is in full swing. Our first ever two Kindergarten classes are off to a great start and USY has already visited Disneyland, virtually of course, as well as holding a super hero lounge, Israel Lounge and more. Whether a baby, a toddler, an Elementary or High School student, it’s a great time to be at TEC.

By the time you are reading this, Men’s Club will have built their beautiful, annual Sukkah, which is such a fun and exciting time for us.

Come shake the Lulav and Etrog. Again, 2020 has forced us to adapt and we will have a drivethru Sukkah! Spending time in the Sukkah holds so much meaning and enjoyment. On Friday, October 2nd, Kabbalat Shabbat service will be held there. More details to follow, but if you haven’t joined us yet in the parking lot, this is a great opportunity!

To everyone who has gone online or sent in your Kol Nidre commitment, my enormous gratitude for your generosity. If you haven’t yet committed, you are not too late, this is a great time to do it.

Temple Etz Chaim is a thriving Jewish community because of our family of families taking care of each other. I am comforted to know that not even a pandemic can stop us from being that generous, big hearted community.

Yours, Shari Mark

Shari Mark can be reached at president@templeetzchaim.org

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Rabbi Ari Averbach The Jewish year seems to play a trick on us. On Rosh Hashanah, our mood is hopeful, thinking about the new year ahead. Ten days later, on Yom Kippur, there is a desperation in our prayers as we strive to wipe clean our slates, to think of how we can better ourselves.

It is almost as if the holidays should have been reversed - first cleaning our souls, and then celebrating the idea that we can start anew with the turning of the calendar.

It is serious spiritual whiplash to hone the energy from the desperation of Yom Kippur to the ecological dancing of Sukkot. Which is then capped off with two more days of celebration - Shmini Atzeret and Simchat Torah. All of these celebrations cap off a season where we think about our mortality, and the only thing we can do is celebrate our station in life, take in the verdancy that surrounds us and remind ourselves how lucky we are.

With Simchat Torah, we then open up the entire Torah, remind ourselves of our ancient story that we have been repeating for three thousand years, and start again at the beginning, with the story of people who lived in a garden reminiscent of our Sukkah.

God-willing, there is a lot more to celebrate in the year to come. Maybe even in person!

From the gravitas of these holidays, we do not segue back into the real world, but burst forth into another holiday Sukkot, known in our literature as Zman Simchateinu - the time of our joy. We eat outside (and some people sleep outside), opening ourselves up to the elements, in an ancient reminder of those who don’t have enough, those who are vulnerable to each change in climate. We collect a special fruit (Etrog) and branches from three different trees to wave all around us in what looks like a cultic dance.

Rabbi Averbach can be reached at rabbiaverbach@templeetzchaim.org

Hazzan Pablo Duek There was a man - let’s call him Yank’l - who was jealous of his friend Tuvia simply because of his wisdom and kindness. He couldn’t stand how he kept a positive attitude despite the many problems he had at work, with his family - and even with his own health.

Yank’l was smiling inside and out. If Tuvia answered “dead” he would simply open his hands and release the butterfly; if the answer was “alive” he would crush it and show that it was dead. It was a win-win situation for Yank’l, and he was so excited.

Tuvia looked at his friend Yank’l to his eyes, and after a pause he replied: “The answer is in your hands, my friend.”

Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are behind us and we all know how different this experience was for us. I want to be Tuvia, and I invite you to be him as well. A kind and wise person, grateful to God and the world for his many blessings.

Yank’l decided to ask him a tricky question with the clear intention of ridiculing him and showing everyone that he was wiser than his friend.

Yank’l figured out every aspect of the situation and there was no way his friend could succeed.

Let us receive this New Year with the intention of growing in gratitude.

He took a healthy and colorful butterfly in his hands and marched toward his friend Tuvia, who was shopping for Shabbat on the open market.

Let us live each day extending our lending hand to the needy and to the lonely friends around us.

“Tuvia! You are always so wise, ah! Come here my friend, I want to ask you something.”

Let us shout out “Thank you, God!” for being alive.

“Hi Yank’l, how are you my friend? Go ahead. I’m listening.”

“Do you see this beautiful God’s creature? This colorful and healthy butterfly?”

Hazzan Pablo Duek

Hazzan Pablo can be reached at hazzanpablo@templeetzchaim.org

“Yes, I do.”

“I’m going to hide it in my two hands. Can you tell me if the butterfly is dead or alive?”

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Education at TEC

Debbie Blumenthal - Early Childhood Education Celebrating the High Holidays at Temple Etz Chaim ECE Center brought the smell of honey cake baking in the school kitchen, the sound of shofar blows in the play yard, children dipping apples in honey, and lots of holiday songs! This has truly been a joyful time for all of us!

We are growing! Our ECE Center has welcomed many new families during the month of September and we have just about filled all our preschool classrooms! Some old familiar friends have returned, and we are welcoming new families to our TEC community! As Hazzan Pablo sings to us, “How happy we are to be all together!”

As the year continues, we look forward to continuing our Jewish holiday experiences, foods, and traditions together.

If you would like any information about our preschool, Kindergarten or Infant Center, please call the school office at 805-497-6852 or email me.

At the conclusion of Yom Kippur, our children will begin the celebration of Sukkot. They will participate in the building of Sukkot around the school. They will hang fruits, vegetables, flowers, and original decorations in the Sukkah. Throughout the week-long celebration the children sing songs, new prayers will be introduced, and festive meals and snacks eaten in the Sukkah. Sukkot is a time for celebrating and being happy. We are always amazed at the way the roof of the Sukkah gives us shade, but we are still able to see the sky. The celebration of Sukkot reminds us that our ancestors used temporary dwellings when they wandered in the desert. We extend this concept to the discovery of other temporary dwellings such as igloos, tents, nests, hotel rooms, and vacation homes.

Chag Sameach!

Debbie Blumenthal ECE Director

Debbie can be reached at debbieb@templeetzchaim.org

Shannon Tepfer - Youth Department What an eventful month we had in September! We went to Disneyland, we had our “Welcome Back” lounges, and our first Machar (K, 1,2) lounge of the year!! During the High Holidays, we led Tashlich at Conejo Creek Park, it was a beautiful and meaningful program.

Looking ahead for the month of October we have a lot of awesome things planned. Check out the dates below and mark your calendars, we can’t wait to hang out with all of you.

Youth Commission: We are looking for parents who are interested in joining our parent board. We meet virtually once a month on a Sunday Morning. We work together to plan, discuss important issues, and fundraise.

B’shalom Shannon Tepfer, Youth Director Shannon can be reached at shannon@templeetzchaim.org

October Dates and Events: 10/08: Kadima DIY Lounge 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm 10/15: Jr/Sr Color Wars! 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm 10/18: Youth Commission (Parent) Mtg. 10:15 am - 11:15 am 10/22: Harry Potter Lounge 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm 10/25: Machar Sukkat Shalom 12:00 pm - 12:45 pm

USY & Kadima (3, 4, 5, 6): Lounges are every Thursday from 4:00 pm-5:30 pm.

Membership: $90 for the year. No fees Our plan: engage the students in virtual and in person (when possible).

Machar (K, 1, 2): Lounges are on the last Sunday of every month.

Our focus: Social and emotional connections with Judaic themes.

Includes: Movement, stories, concepts, discussions, family projects /activities Goals: Creating community, friendships, love of self, and love of Judaism Membership: $50 for the year. No fees

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Joyce Bronstein - Religious School In September, Confirmation Classes began for students in grades 8, 9 and 10. Classes meet on Mondays from 6:30 - 8:30 pm with the first hour being a grade level core class and the second hour an elective of their choice. Because of Zoom, I can “pop in” to classes during this hour. I am incredibly inspired by our young adults as I listen to their thoughtful discussions and by the level and caliber of their opinions. These students are engaged in every way. The future of Judaism is bright!

Mitzvah Day will be Sunday, November 1st, and the Religious School will again provide new backpacks filled with school supplies to the residents of Casa Pacifica. It is especially important, due to the ongoing Pandemic, that we continue to provide necessary school items. Everyone at TEC is encouraged to donate! Remember to check out the Amazon web link to help with your shopping. In addition, we are asking T.E.C. families to donate $10.00 to offset the cost of the new school backpacks. Casa Pacifica is not a traditional school facility so school items are important to the residents year-round.

During the second hour, Confirmation students were given the opportunity to choose from various electives: cooking; Jewish social justice, Jewtopia; Jewish books and movies; Hebrew conversation; and ceramics. It was inspiring to watch our students chopping and cooking in their kitchens at home, shaping clay and painting ceramic pieces from their kitchen tables, discussing issues and reading passages from books, and listening to them converse with each other in Hebrew.

I am proud of the dedication, commitment and enthusiasm of our students and parents. Everyone’s efforts to reach out and help others who are in need is a reflection of the Jewish values we foster in our students. We should always remember to participate in Mitzvot. Assisting others creates wonderful feelings inside each of us. Please help us by participating in this worthwhile and important Mitzvah!

I am very proud of our teens and their personal commitment in continuing their education post Bar/Bat Mitzvah regardless of the Pandemic. I am so happy that our teachers are able to offer our students educational moments to treasure. Our ancestors endured many adversities over thousands of years and yet, in each generation, the Jewish people continue to thrive, study and learn. I am glad we have technology to aide us in our quest to teach the beauty and sanctity of Judaism to this important age group at this difficult time.

I love hearing from you, our TEC families. Please contact me anytime for more information.

Shalom, Joyce

Joyce can be reached at joyce@templeetzchaim.org

Gideon Manzur - Executive Director For those who are unfamiliar, The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles works to identify and address the greatest challenges and opportunities in Los Angeles, Israel and around the world. Since the onset of Covid-19, our Federation has been steadfast in its commitment to addressing our community’s short- and long-term challenges. From providing essential resources for those most in need to increasing cash assistance funds to keeping our community connected, The Jewish Federation is playing an essential role in the rebuilding of our beloved Jewish LA.

Additionally, through ECC COVID-19 Financial Aid Awards, the Federation continues its long-standing support of Jewish Early Childhood Centers and Families. The Federation understands that Jewish early childhood preschool experiences provide and “on ramp” for Jewish families to enter Jewish communal life, and investment in this stage of life is essential. As part of the Covid-19 Crisis response, this strategy focuses on addressing affordability concerns to ensure families with young children have access to Jewish ECCs and can build a foundation for Jewish engagement now and in the future. Our ECE has provided eight (8) families a $2,000 tuition scholarship to help build or strengthen their Jewish foundation.

As part of its COVID-19 Response Plan, the Federation has provided critical support to 50+ Jewish organizations across LA through the CARES Fund: Careful Agency Reopening and Educational Safety Fund, a $1,000,000 program to help organizations serving youth manage the costs of reopening operations in compliance with COVID-19 regulatory requirements. These funds will help safeguard the staff, students, and community through purchasing of safety items and equipment. Some of the equipment we are looking to procure include, but are not limited to touch-free teacher and visitor access system, additional PPEs for staff and cleaning supplies for each classroom and Front Gate Check in, and a structure to our security/health screening and check-in table to protect staff from elements.

We at Temple Etz Chaim are grateful for the support the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles has provided us and our community through this hard time.

Gideon can be reached at executivedirector@templeetzchaim.org

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Men’s Club

Colin Pullan - President of Men’s Club Hello, TEC. I’m Colin Pullan, the new Men’s Club President.

Men’s Club has an exciting, pandemically challenging year ahead. We have a bunch of great guys and a lot of terrific programs and activities.

They have included retired players from the Dodgers and even medal winning Olympic athletes. We are planning Shabbat with Women of TEC. Our signature event is Scholar-in-Residence. This years Scholar has created four presentations from Friday night through Sunday morning, which include lively interactive discussions. We are planning a few poker nights during the year. Scotch, Cigars, Steak, and Talmud is a lively evening of eating, drinking, a bit of smoking by some, and terrific Talmud study led by our Rabbi. Hopefully, circumstances will allow us to put on the annual TEC picnic in June. This is just a partial list of our activities.

We are anticipating a busy and productive year.

Circumstances will help determine which programs we can have, and how they will be carried out. As of this writing, Men’s Club completed our first ever drive-thru Sukkah. You can come and participate in the Mitzvah of shaking the Lulav and Etrog with us on October 6th and 8th from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm. You can also come during Temple Office hours throughout Sukkot week participate on your own. Bring your own set or use one of ours. One of our annual events is Football with the Rabbi. This year it might be at a sports bar, or via Zoom. Every year we have several Sunday morning brunches with terrific speakers.

Please contact me if you have questions about Men’s Club.

Colin can be reached at mensclub@templeetzchaim.org

Women of TEC

Cindy Scherr - President of WOTEC It’s hard to believe the holidays have come and gone already! I hope you all had a wonderful Rosh Hashanah celebration and a meaningful Yom Kippur. Now, it’s time to focus on Women of TEC’s upcoming activities!

On Tuesday, October 13, we will have a movie discussion night. On your own, watch “On the Basis of Sex”, the movie based on Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s life. Then Zoom with us as we discuss the movie. Bring some snacks and a glass of wine!

On Thursday, October 15, we will join with TEC’s Social Action Committee, Men’s Club, as well as our local Hadassah chapters, to sponsor a voter’s forum put on by our local League of Women Voters. Join our Zoom program to learn about this year’s ballot initiatives and propositions, and to participate in our Q&A. Make your plans in advance for our third annual Challah Bake, on Wednesday, November 18. More information will follow soon.

Our WOTEC meetings are held on the first Tuesday of every month, at 7:00. For the time being, we are holding our meetings on Zoom. You are all welcome to join us! Check TEC@Home for the links to all of our meetings and events.

I look forward to seeing you all on Zoom, and am looking forward to the day when we can all be together again!

B’Shalom, Cindy Scherr, WOTEC President Cindy can be reached at womenoftec@templeetzchaim.org

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ON THE BASIS OF SEX

Communication

Dan Lubetkin - VP of Communications This is a new experience for me, writing directly to all of you, as usually my role at TEC has been coordinating communications with our incredible Office Staff on behalf of others. But as VP Communications, I wanted to take this moment to share a couple exciting updates on how TEC has been promoting and sharing information with all of you.

a tunnel, at a wedding, while cooking dinner and even while riding a bike. (I’m not certain we were insured for that last one.)

Like many other Shuls, we had to turn to digital reach and social media to keep our congregation informed and engaged. And while there is a long list of folks in this role before me who took the reins of our communications (including our Executive Director!), the need for online engagement in this moment has never been greater. Due to this, we chose to elevate the importance of something new: Content. Here’s just a sampling of what we’ve done: •

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We evolved our weekly Wednesday email - what we used to call the “weekly blast” - into TEC@HOME, an update on all key events for the upcoming week.

This includes Zoom information, classes, services and much more.

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We boosted our Youtube Channel from around, a dozen subscribers pre-COVID, to over 330 subscribers today.

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We continued distribution of ETZETERA via email, allowing us to embed links to additional video content and other online resources.

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And lastly and perhaps most importantly, our HighHolidays@HOME programming was streamed via our Youtube Channel, with our primary services reaching around 2,000 viewers locally and internationally and counting. Facebook and Instagram content continues to reach new and prospective members alike.

My sincere thanks to the many folks who have taken advantage of this new media to spread word about TEC. If you have thoughts for potential content for the Youtube Channel, please let me know. And don’t forget to Like, Share and Subscribe!

Every single week, Rabbi Averbach has bravely endeavored to create a short video message, via unlisted Youtube links, to the congregation to personalize this information, adding humor, humility and warmth. Hopefully you’ve seen him in the Sanctuary, out of the Sanctuary, in a pool, at home in

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

Religion & Worship

Benny Sommerfeld - VP of Religion and Worship The High Holidays are over and I hope that you have enjoyed the broadcasted Services that we featured on our YouTube Channel. I’d like to thank Hazzan Pablo and Rabbi Averbach for their tireless effort in making the Services spiritual and meaningful to us all. I’d like to thank our TEC Men’s Club, with Colin Pullan at the helm for their creativity in designing our drive through Sukkah so we could shake the Lulav and have outdoor Services. Please let us know what you thought about the High Holidays experience, we want your feedback.

Religion and Worship committee continues to work with our Clergy to make our Services more attractive. You can find all the details on our homepage clicking on the TEC@Home tab for the latest information.

Bivracha, Benny Sommerfeld VP Religion and Worship Benny can be reached at religion@templeetzchaim.org

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Tikkun Olam Blood Drive

Our Spring Blood Drive was incredibly successful. It had been scheduled for April, but we rescheduled for June 14 and we exceeded our goal of donations collected. A very special thanks to Temple Adat Elohim for hosting this Blood Drive, and to the many donors who still joined us in the midst of COVID-19. distancing, masks and additional disinfecting procedures were all strictly adhered to and observed.

Please SAVE THE DATE and MAKE YOUR APPOINTMENT TODAY for our next scheduled Blood Drive on Sunday, November 1 - Mitzvah Day! Many have already signed up, but we still have time-slots available. Please click on the link below to book your Mitzvah Day donation: TEC BLOOD DRIVE APPT PORTAL - SUNDAY, NOV. 1

Social Action - Judy Gindi League of Women Voters: October 15, 7 pm: We are proud to present a speaker from the League of Women Voters who will educate us on many of the propositions that will be on the November ballot. Please RSVP to the Temple by October 14th to receive the Zoom link. Space is limited.

Adopt a Family: Beginning in October through Mid December, Social Action will be spear heading efforts to collect gifts for families from Many Mansions, Meals on Wheels, Harbor House, the Westminster Free Clinic and our own TEC families that have been affected by Covid-19. We have specific families ready for you to adopt. Or perhaps, you would rather provide a meal to an elderly person from Meals on Wheels? Harbor House is requesting $25 gift certificates to Target or Walmart for the Homeless. You can also donate an unwrapped toy(s) to the Westminster Free Clinic, we will have bins at the Temple Office for drop off. Please email socialaction@templeetzchaim.org for further information and to sign up.

Blood Drive at TEC November 1st: Contact dlevine@templeetzchaim.org for more information. Donations are critically needed.

Feeding the Hungry through Harbor House: This is an ongoing program. Please contact Judy or harborhouseto.org for further information.

Warmly, Judy Gindi Judy can be reached at socialaction@templeetzchaim.org

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BALLOT ISSUES 2020: A Zoom Event Thursday, October 15 7-8pm Join us as we welcome The League of Women Voters to educate us on California Ballot Issues. Please RSVP below so we can send you the link before the event.

The Event is FREE, and is sponsored by: Temple Etz Chaim Social Action Committee Temple Etz Chaim Community Outreach Women of TEC TEC Men’s Club Hevra Hadassah Group Emek Ha Ilanot Hadassah Group Please RSVP via this link by the morning of Wednesday, October 14 to receive a Zoom link for the event.

Temple Etz Chaim’s 2020 Adopt a Family Program

There are many families living in the Conejo Valley who cannot afford to buy presents for their children, including those who have been affected by COVID-19. That is why we decided it is important to continue with the Adopt-a-Family program this year. Our commitment to you is that we will make it easy, with many options. We will also make sure it is as contactless as possible.

You can choose to: 1. Adopt a family from Many Mansions or Temple Etz Chaim 2. Adopt a Senior from Meals on Wheels 3. Donate $25 Gift Cards to Harbor House for the local homeless community 4. Donate unwrapped toys for Westminster Free Clinic Please let us know if you are interested or ready to adopt. Once you contact us, we will send you specific information based on your choice(s). You can ship the gifts directly to our homes or drop them off at the temple. We can even pick them up outside your house if need be.

We look forward to hearing from you soon by email, text, or by phone.

Wishing you the best of Health,

Robin Zimmet 818-451-9400 rbzimmet@mac.com

Judy Gindi (805)701-6861 socialaction@templeetzchaim.org

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Advanced Planning Mt. Sinai

As we embark on a story about a family in today’s world, we all know that our lives have many ups and downs, with few guarantees. We all will live, pay taxes, have good days with bad days and sadly, one day, the end of our lives as well.

Today’s story will observe a family in their late 40’ s; married with children. They are happy doing all of the good things this life permits. Their elderly parents, who are also grandparents, love to spoil their children and grandchildrenas they could.

They all share the same ups and downs of most average families. Money isn’t plentiful, but there is enough that they don’t have to worry. Work is good, health is good, family is good, life is good.

One day, Grandpa becomes ill. His health is not good and is failing at 75 years of age. With uncontrollable sadness, as one of life’s guarantees, he passes away. The first family order of business is to properly plan the act of passing: a proper funeral.

But Grandpa, being the wise man, while he was in his 50’s met Josh Ryan at Mount Sinai Memorial Park. He and Josh designed an advanced and pre-paid plan that would take care of all the arrangements so his family would not have to.

He knew the rich emotional toll and decisions that needed to be made and didn’t want his family to be burdened with the pressures and financial impact. With Josh’s help, Grandpa took care of the planning for him and Grandma. His family would now have no worries or expenses; everything was pre-planned and prepaid; one great gift you can leave behind besides your legacy. Taking care of your family is one of life’s most beautiful mitzvahs. Shouldn’ t you? What’ s your story.....

Tami Wank, twank@templeetzchaim.org and Bob Zonshine bobz@templeetzchaim.org

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TODAH RABAH Part 2!

Thank you to the small but powerful army of volunteers, who showed up, gave so generously of their time assembling, filling, distributing, and delivering the High Holiday@Home gift bags. This was truly a team effort by the following people (in no particular order): Cheryl Wolf, Tami Wank, Maureen Watson, Hattie Wolf, Roni and Marshall Rosen, Susan Kane, Jen Elson, Shari Cohen Forsythe, Elissa Lazarus, Lynne and Gary Katz, Phyllis Dankberg, Sheri and Jeff Schoenwald, Emily Habib and Dave Munowitch, Irma and Benny Sommerfeld, Judi Gindi, Dana Gallenberg, Sheila Chadroff, Cindy Stelman, Shane Silverstein, Beth Meyer, Nomi Freed, Lori Oberman, Joe Weiss, Karen and Michael Roberts, Cindy Scherr, Evy McCauley, Terri and Joe Zwicker, Joyce Bronstein, Jeff Solomon, Wendy Margolis, Felicia Toperoff, Ilana Sweet, Myles Simpson and Sherri Finn-Werber. Without every single one of you, this never could have been executed so beautifully and smoothly.

As you know from driving through to pick up your bags what a fun and engaging time we had connecting with one another. The positive energy continued due in large part to the music, both live and recorded provided to us by our own Hazzan Pablo. We were literally singing and dancing in the parking lot! Thank you Pablo for your incredible spirit and energy.

Rabbi Averbach, you never stopped moving. You met and greeted nearly every single car that came through to pick up the High Holiday@HOME Gift Bags. Your energy is enviable, you are an unstoppable force of positivity and you truly embody the word mensch.

Between the two days of drive thru on our campus and some special deliveries, almost 400 bags were distributed to our valued members, our family of families. We successfully connected Temple Etz Chaim with our homes for a unique and meaningful season. Thank you.

Todah Rabah.

Shari Mark and Tami Wank

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Weekly Schedule* Sunday

8:30 am Morning Minyan Service

Monday 7:15 pm Evening Minyan Service

Tuesday 10:00 AM Tuesdays with Rabbi Spiegel

Wednesday 7:15 pm Evening Minyan Service

Friday 6:00 pm Kabbalat Shabbat Under the Stars

Saturday 9:30 am Shabbat Morning Service 8:30 pm Community Havdalah

* Visit TEC @ Home for updates

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Tributes Early Childhood Education Fund: In memory of: Ethel Lieberman

Sheldon Malchicoff Melvin Harold Simon Jean Belzer Simon Cohen Moshe Cohen

Rosemary Tobin Earl Greinetz

Lynne Zuckerman Ida Goldstein Beatrice Cohen

Susan Cohen Our condolences to: The Malone Family

The Calig Family

Debbie Blumenthal The Burr Family

The Calig Family The Tahir Family

Debbie Blumenthal

Fienberg-Lerner Chapel Minyan Fund In memory of: Cynthia Lerner

Elinor Fienberg Ruth Nathanson

Lois Girsky Jotkowitz Camp Ramah Scholarship Fund In memory of: Ida Goldstein Beatrice Cohen

Susan Cohen Sarah Kern

Harvey Kern Louis Shechter

Rabbi Jack Shechter Bertram Dallek Sylvia Dallek

Susan E. Cohen Our condolences to: The Tahir Family

Rabbi Jack and Leah Shechter Hazzan Duek’s Discretionary Fund In memory of: Yaakov Moscovitch

Rivka Moscovitch Terrill Oberman

Robin Oberman Doris Ruvman

Maureen Levine Leon Kaminsky

Ellen Stein Dolores Freides Charles Freides

Debbie Alpert Lillian Kramer

Linda Natlin Oscar Goldin

Herbert Goldin Frances Portnoy

Ed Portnoy Tille Zabel

Sandra Lutzker Marvin Cohn

Marc Cohn

Our condolences to: The Sturman Family

Liz and Ron Groden The Tahir Family

Liz and Ron Groden Inbar Israel Travel and Education Scholarship Fund In memory of: Penny Meth

Bonnie Goldenberg Rabbi Averbach’s Discretionary Fund In memory of: Charles Girsky

Lois Girsky Mildred Snyder

Merrill Kaminsky Jerry Kaye

Patty Kaye Harold Greenberg

Lauri Arons Virginia Cook

Susan Pierce Annie Rebecca Dubinsky

Jeff Schoenwald Lillian Wilkoff Eugene Wilkoff

Bruce Wilkoff Albert Gerrick George Gerrick Evelyn Gerrick

Debbie Alpert Amiram Manzur

The Manzur Family Irving Kessler

Robert Kessler Philip Mann

Beau Mann Shirley Arons

Steven Arons Jeffrey Scott

Gary Scott Samuel Levine

Gary Levine Maxine Cohn

Marc Cohn Melissa Abramovicz

David Abramovicz Anna Cogan

Judith Ross Maurice Sachs

David Sachs Dennis Bloom

Lindsey Horowitz Isaac Edelman

David Wank Rosie Sommerfeld

Benny Sommerfeld Yaakov Moscovitch

Rivka Moscovitch Gladys Ratzan

Dr. Ratzan Barbara Miller

Shari and Ron Mark Get well soon: Sheldon Shlossman

Stanley and Lynne Rosen Les Feldman

Alan and Susan Flaschner

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Thank you:

Eileen and Peter Malis

Bob and Betty Zonshine

Sandra and John Lutzker Our condolences to: The Lazarus Family

Their Havurah The Fischer Family

Their Havurah

Gary and Maureen Levine

Alan Flaschner The Tahir Family

William H. Gillers

Marie Rubens

Cindy and Marshall Scherr The Sturman Family

Anne and Marv Friedman The Sommerfeld Family

Patty Kaye The Stagg Family

Barbara Budish

Robert and Gail Breines Ner Tamid Education & Community Center Fund In memory of: Helen Fixel Milton Fixel

Francine Mozes Religious School Fund In memory of: David Novogrodsky

Jessica Dennis Rachel Funk

Myron Funk Rose Frost

Jerry Malkin Pearl Schwartz Florence Goldfinger

Robin Goldfinger Morton Margolis

Peter Margolis Bertram Dallek Sylvia Dallek

Susan E. Cohen Benjamin Ratzan

Dr. Ratzan In honor of: Barry and Clair Maultasch

Linda Hutchings Happy birthday to: Rabbi Averbach

Rick and Barbara Rosenberg Our condolences to: The Tahir Family

David and Rebecca Schwartz and Family

Tributes

Elisa Feldman Memorial Religious School Scholarship Fund In memory of: Evelyn Feldman Llean Kanter

Debbie and Les Feldman Thank you to: Rabbi, Hazzan, Gideon, and Office Staff

Nomi Freed Rabbi Richard Spiegel

Nomi Freed Our condolences to: The Tahir Family

Les and Debbie Feldman

Nomi Freed The Sturman Family

Nomi Freed

Ron and Ellen Stein and Family The Sommerfeld Family

Nomi Freed Mazel Tov to: Buzz Schoenkerman

Nomi Freed Lipnick Religious School Scholarship Fund In memory of: William Edelstein

Judi Gill Wally Michelson

Barbara Shannon Sandee Tischler Religious School Scholarship Fund Thank you to: Rabbi Averbach

Barry Stagg Ritual Fund In memory of: Sarah Lederich

Judy Mayer Our condolences to: The Tahir Family

Eric Feigenbaum

Robert Bickerman The Sommerfeld Family

Eric Feigenbaum Tzedakah Fund In memory of: Charlotte Levine Hammer

Barbara Kluber Ernest Solomon

Marie Rubens Our condolences to: The Tahir Family

Herb Wexler

Myles Simpson Shana Tova:

Phil Ganz USY Youth & Scholarship Fund In memory of: Beatrice Cohen

Bruce Cohen

Temple General Fund In memory of: Maria Sabolch Siegel

Judith Feldman Louis Gittelman

Deli Weisberg Sol Jaffe

Lawrence Jaffe Zara Zimmerman Weinstein

Sofia Kobrin Marge Rapps Sherman William Harold Sherman

Jerry Sherman Shirley Neustadt

Debra Levine Our condolences to: The Sturman Family

Lois Smith

Debra and Jay Levine The Sommerfeld Family

Debra and Jay Levine

David and Rebeccah Schwartz

The Kalinsky Family The Tahir Family

The Kalinsky Family Men’s Club Scholar-in-Residence Fund In memory of: Herman Shrater

Joel Shrater Gladys Fishman

Alan Lipkin Irving Matzner

Judy Sneed Our condolences to: The Sturman Family

Marc and Carole Firestone Men’s Club Silverstein Humanitarian Fund In memory of: Herma Silverstein Neil Levitt

Ellen Levitt Our condolences to: The SommerFeld Family

Myles Simpson Women of TEC Scholarship Fund In memory of: Esther Feldman

Bruce Cohen Adolf Tiefenthal

Ann Moore-Ross Jack Folber

Marsha Goldin Our condolences to: The Sommerfeld Family

Marc and Carole Firestone Women of TEC Tribute Fund: Our condolences to: The Fischer Family

Elissa Lazarus

2019-2020 Beautification Campaign Our condolences to: The Sturman Family

Susan and Lee Simowitz

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Clergy Rabbi Ari Averbach Hazzan Pablo Duek Rabbi Emeritus Shimon Paskow Rabbi Emeritus Richard Spiegel

Space is available to advertising in our Etzetera. If you are interested in placing an ad, please send an email to communications@templeetzchaim.org

Staff Gideon Manzur - Executive Director Debbie Blumenthal - ECE Director Joyce Bronstein - Religious School Director Shannon Tepfer - Youth Director Kathy Sharp - ECE Assistant Director Lindsey Alpert - Administrative Support Shane Silverstein - Programs/Events Coordinator Jessica Jacoby - Accounts Receivable Board of Directors Shari Mark - President Eric Feigenbaum - Executive VP Jeff Solomon - Immediate Past President Jennifer Elson - VP Membership Sherri Finn-Werber* - Trustee, Adult Education Mark Goldstein - Trustee Community Outreach Judy Gindi - VP Social Action Elissa Lazarus - Corresponding Secretary Dan Lubetkin - VP Communications Wendy Margolis* - Financial Secretary Beth Meyer - Recording Secretary Tom Milhaupt - VP Personnel/Legal Colin Pullan - Men’s Club President Michael Roberts - Trustee Bingo Cindy Scherr - Women of TEC President Larry Slomowitz - VP Building and Grounds Benny Sommerfeld - VP Religion and Worship Ilana Sweet - VP Youth Felicia Toporoff - VP Religious School David Yodkovik - Treasurer Joe Zwicker - VP Early Childhood Education Terri Zwicker - Trustee Strategic Planning Gary Katz - Past President Marshall Scherr - Past President Myles Simpson - Past President

Temple Etz Chaim Live Stream!

At Temple Etz Chaim, all Shabbat Services held in the Paskow Sanctuary are live streamed. Live Streaming allows those in our community who otherwise cannot physically come to the Temple to participate in the Shabbat experience. It also affords B’nai Mitzvah families with out-of-town guests who cannot make it to services the opportunity to participate in the simcha.

Please know that if you ascend the bimah, light the Shabbat candles, have an Aliyah, or open the ark, your image and voice will be broadcast on the live stream. Services can now be viewed live! Visit our Facebook page or streamspot.com.

*Past President

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