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February 2015
A monthly publication of Temple Beth Ami
www.templebethami.org
Shalom Bayit
‫שלום בית‬
Vol 36 No 18
Established 1987
From The Rabbi
I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.
(Joyce Kilmer)
The 15th day of the Hebrew month of
Shevat is also known as Tu B'Shevat. It
is designated as Jewish Arbor Day or
the New Year of the Trees. This year
this festival begins the evening of
February 3rd.
The "New Year of the Trees" was not merely a poetic phrase.
It had profound bearing on Jewish law. In order to observe
certain laws it was necessary to know how old a tree was. In
days when the Holy Temple in Jerusalem still stood, tithes
and offerings had to be set aside from all new fruit and crop
produce. Fruit gathered from the previous year's produce
could not be used for tithes due on fruit gathered in the next
year. Tu B'Shevat was the official "birthday" for all trees and
this day was the official deadline. Fruit that had been
gathered up to Tu B'Shevat was considered last year's
income, while fruit picked after Tu B'Shevat constituted a new
crop, hence, the new year's income
Even after the Temple was destroyed the Jewish people
clung to memories of the land of Israel, while searching for
new ways to give expressions of their love. Tu B'Shevat.
deprived of its tangible content, now emphasized the spiritual
longing of a people to its land and the fervent hope for a
return to its borders.
Hundreds of years ago the custom of eating fruits on Tu
B'Shevat arose. By the end of the 17th century Jews living in
various countries developed their own rituals and traditions.
One celebration of the holiday included a festive meal where
thirty fruits associated with the land of Israel were eaten.
Through the contributions of people throughout the world, the
JNF has planted over 250 million trees throughout Israel.
Forests and parks have been established in honor of
America's Bicentennial; to remember world heroes, such as
President John F. Kennedy, and Martin Luther King, Jr., and
in memory of the children of the Holocaust. Tu B’Shevat is a
time to commit funds for this ongoing reclamation of the Holy
Land. Visit www.jnf.org.
Today Tu B'Shevat is also a time to consider our more
general connection to the earth and our obligation to take
care of it. The tradition of 'tikkun olam' repairing the world-can be taken in an ecological as well as a spiritual sense. On
this day, then, we can renew our commitment to this
philosophy by taking matters into our own hands. For
example, we could commit ourselves to planting a garden,
lobbying our politicians to protect our natural resources, or by
planning a family recycling project.
It is our sacred duty to protect the earth, to appreciate God’s
presence in nature.
As the Bible reminds us:
“How great are Your works, Lord;
in wisdom You have fashioned them all,
the earth is full of Your creations.” (Psalms 104: 24)
Or as Kilmer wrote:
Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.
Sunday morning, February 1, at 9 AM all religious school
grades celebrate our special Tu B’Shevat Seder.
Rabbi Mark Blazer
One hundred years ago the Zionist movement brought the
Jewish people back to the land of Israel. But the land bore
the marks and scars of hundreds of years of neglect.
Swamps, deserts and hills strewn with rocks, presented the
early pioneers-with a seemingly insurmountable challenge.
These pioneers took up the life of farmers, road builders and
foresters. They built kibbutzim, cities and schools. The
Jewish National Find (JNF) provided them with the material
means, the land and machinery, to accomplish the task.
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Temple Beth Ami
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From The Cantor
This month we celebrate Tu Bishvat,
the 15th day of the month of Shvat. It’s
the birthday of the trees. It’s so
important to take a moment and
realize how important trees are to us.
When they are alive, they give us fruit,
maple syrup, shade, a home for
animals and insects, oxygen, etc.
When they are cut down, they give us wood for building, for
furniture, toothpicks, pencils, etc.
We are also celebrating the birthdays of Presidents
Washington and Lincoln this month. And at the end of the
month, on the last Shabbat, the 27th of February, we will have
our Klezmer Shabbat featuring the Ellis Family Klezmer band.
Hope all of you can be there.
B’shalom,
Cantor Kenny Ellis
Religious and Ritual
Purim Carnival Coming up soon!!
It is time to have fun!
March 1, 2015 at Temple Beth Ami
10:30-1:30
Come in costume.
We are going to have our annual Purim Carnival.
We plan to have Mad Dog games, Kona Ice, Slide and Moon
Bounce.
We will also have games, prizes, arts and crafts and food.
If you want to sponsor an game, donate money or volunteer
to work, please contact
Debra Block
[email protected]
Continued on page 4
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Temple Beth Ami
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From The President
Fellow Congregants,
B'shalach reminds me that the TBA community is here to share
both the peaks and valleys of life with its members. On the one
Following our winter respite, we're all back to the grind of
work and school. Meanwhile, your synagogue is vibrant with
hand, we provide a variety of events and activities to peak your
interest and enthusiasm, as well as provide for educational and
activity.
social outlets for all ages. On the other hand, we're also here to
support our community members when they need us. In that
On Monday, January 26 we had our first in a series of
spirit, we've created a new position on the Board called the
workshops on the Myths of Estate Planning. Martha
Stulman, attorney and sister of our very own John Stulman,
Mitzvah Trustee, who will work closely with the Rabbi to ensure
that we're meeting the needs of congregants who need some
is offering this free series to inform and educate. The series
will continue on the last Monday of each month for next few
extra support.
months and it's open to the public.
With that, please continue to participate, donate, organize, and
assist! We need you! Shabbat Shalom!
On Saturday, January 31, Men's Club organized another
Family Bowling Night. Other Men's Club events coming up
are Monthly Poker, Feb 22, and the TBA Annual Golf
Eddie Nathan
TBA President
Tourney on March 8. And don't forget to join your President
for Lox and Bagels on Sunday, Feb 22 at 10am. On the
Sisterhood side of things, the annual Women's Retreat is
this first weekend of February. And, of course, planning is
well under way for the Purim Carnival.
Our regular weekly events continue with Tuesday Torah
EAT FOR TBA FEBRUARY
Study, Wednesday Adult Education, and Friday night
services with Rabbi Mark and Cantor Kenny. And I'm sure
there will be plenty of discussion about this past week's
Torah portion, B'shalach.
B'shalach is an interesting portion which portrays what I like
to refer to as the Yin and Yan of being human. On the one
hand, the Jewish people rejoice their escape from Egypt
with Shirat HaYam, the "Song at the Sea". On the other
hand, they grumble about how they will survive in the
desert. G_d, of course provides mannah, but then they
DINE IN OR TAKE OUT
complain about the lack of water. It's this cycle of happiness
and gratitude, counterbalanced by ongoing fear and anxiety
that, to a large extent, characterizes the 40 years of
wandering in the Sinai.
Tuesday, February 17th, 2015
5:00pm - 10:00pm
27746 N. Mc Bean Parkway
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Temple Beth Ami
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Mission Statement of Temple Beth Ami
The Purpose of this Reform Congregation shall be to worship G-d, to promote Jewish education and the fundamental principles
of Judaism, to ensure the continuity of the Jewish people to cultivate love, understanding, and enjoyment of our Jewish heritage
and to encourage community involvement.
Rabbi - Mark Blazer
[email protected]
Cantor - Kenny Ellis
[email protected]
Board of Trustees:
President - Eddie Nathan
[email protected]
Executive Vice President - Rosemary Watson
[email protected]
Past President - John Stulman
[email protected]
Treasurer - Jeff Stein
[email protected]
Secretary - Andy Steier
[email protected]
Religious and Ritual - Debra Block
[email protected]
Facilities Trustee - Bill Schwartz
[email protected]
Membership – Francine G. Van Scoyoc
[email protected]
Men's Club - Rich Tabach
[email protected]
Board Trustee Sisterhood - Nancy Lepore
[email protected]
Havurah Trustee - Lori Garden
[email protected]
Mitzvah Trustee - Cheryl Cogan
[email protected]
Judith Stolnitz - Educational Director
[email protected]
Catherine Szyfer - Administrator
[email protected]
Ofra Naylor - Bookkeeper
[email protected]
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Temple Beth Ami
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Temple Beth Ami
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Education
Shalom! This month I want to share with you the Dalet (4th
You can hear all about what they learned with their teacher
grade) class. This past month they have continued with their
studies of Jewish Life Cycle events. They learned about our
Nancy Lepore when Dalet class leads Shabbat services
on May 1 at 8PM.
marriage/wedding traditions and each made his/her own
miniature Chuppa. They will round out this part of their year
This month we are excited to have our Zayen class, the last
with a discussion of Jewish Mourning Rituals and Traditions.
class before B;nai Mitzvah lead services on February
20. They will be sharing some of what they have learned
Most exciting, thought, was the day the class made lunches
about American Jewish history and their own Jewish
for the Homeless. As you can see in the pictures, the
children made sandwiches and filled brown paper bags with
journeys.
goodies for a healthy (and sweet) lunch. Thank you to all
who donated and the Azran family for seeing that the lunches
Judith Stolnitz
Education Director
made it to the shelter.
Thank you Thank you! to all the volunteers who helped move our storage items into the new permanent storage at our
synagogue. And Toda Raba to the donor of the storage unit!
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SISTERHOOD NEWS
We have several things happening during the next couple of months. Approximately 15 women will be enjoying a relaxing
weekend full of spiritual and social time at our Women’s Retreat. We will have a used book sale this month. Plans for our
Women’s Community Seder on March 22nd are coming together. More will be happening. Check each month’s newsletter and
each week’s e-blast to see the latest goings on. If you have any suggestions for events please let us know. You can always
contact us at [email protected]
Nancy Lepore
President
Do you want to get to know people in TBA’s community? Being a part of Sisterhood is the best to get to know other women in
our community. It is a way to volunteer and to make a difference at TBA! We always have events that we would love you to
help plan. Sisterhood also takes care TBA’s Onegs and the Judaica Shop. If you even have a great idea just let our board
know! While being on a committee you also schmooze while helping to plan - there’s always new ideas especially coming from
new members. You will feel more connected to the community of TBA!
NOTICE: Do you have a flair for writing? Please contact Francine through [email protected] to write
sisterhood articles! Francine has been writing the Sisterhood articles for several years now and is looking for someone to start
taking this over soon!
SAVE THESE DATES FOR FEBRUARY & MARCH 2015
2/6 to 2/8/15
WOMEN’S RETREAT @ BRANDEIS!!
2/9/15@ 7:00 p.m.
Sisterhood Meeting – What is being planned for 2015? Come & see!
3/9/15 @ 7:00 p.m.
Sisterhood Meeting – Women’s Seder & beyond!!!
3/21/15 @ 10:30 a.m.
Non-Fiction Book Club @ Francine’s
“Out of the Shoebox” by Yaron Reshef
3/22/15 –SAVE THE DATE!
WOMEN’S COMMUNITY SEDER – Be a part of the committee!
Please see flyers in the Newsletter & on Sisterhood’s Website!
WOMEN’S RETREAT – FEBRUARY 6 – 8, 2015
IF IT IS BEFORE FEBRUARY 6 AND YOU WANT TO GO TO THE RETREAT PLEASE CONTACT JUDITH STOLNITZ ASAP!
([email protected] )
By the time the TBA Newsletter is hitting your email, the WOMEN’S RETREAT will have just taken place on February 6 – 8,
2014 will have just taken place, and so a full summary will have to be in the March Newsletter! However, it is a memorable
spiritual weekend at Brandeis University in Simi Valley. Our own Judith Stolnitz and Tracy Blazer each time puts together a
wonderfully themed and interwoven program of spiritual readings, art, music and activities for the group of women that attend to
thoroughly enjoy making new and strengthening friendships within Temple Beth Ami’s community. This year’s theme is:
“Deborah – Woman of Peace, Woman of War – A Discussion of Women’s Leadership.
Visit the sisterhood website for news & events
http://www.templebethami.org/sisterhood.html
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Temple Beth Ami
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Sisterhood Continued
MARCH 2015 – SAVE THESE DATES
WOMEN'S COMMUNITY PASSOVER SEDER
All Women of SCV are Welcome! Yes, bring your moms, aunts, grandmas, sisters & daughters (age 13 & up), cousins, your
friends and neighbors!
This is a community event and we are hosting this year’s Women’s Community Passover Seder. Come for the special service,
music and Passover Seder meal (Tracy Blazer “catering”). A special Seder – just for women and put together by a committee
headed by Judith Stolnitz will surely be one you will want to attend! (She does such a great job with the Women’s Retreat!!!)
and co-chaired with Lori Garden (past president and very talented!!!). So here are some of the preliminary details so you can
SAVE THE DATE:
DATE: MARCH 22, 2015
TIME:
4:00 P.M.
PLACE: NORTHPARK CLUBHOUSE (date of clubhouse to be announced)
COST: $36 (payment by check or cash)
$37 (payment by credit card or Paypal (by going to [email protected])
PLEASE RSVP BY MARCH 15, 2015
Your payment will be your reservation. If you have a special Passover dessert recipe and would like to prepare & share at the
Seder, please let us know when you RSVP. Please bring copies of the recipe and prepare and bring to serve 8!
SISTERHOOD’S NON-FICTION BOOK CLUB:
MARCH 21, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. our Book Club will be meeting at the home of Francine for brunch and to discuss the book “Out
of the Shoebox” by Yaron Reshef. Please RSVP by March 19 that you are coming & what you are bringing to the brunch by
contacting Francine through Sisterhood's website: [email protected].
Looking ahead …. May 9, 2015 @ 10:30 a.m. we will be gathering in the home of Erika Schwartz to discuss our next
book: American Bride in Kabul by Phillyn Chesler!
ONGOING SERVICES SISTERHOOD OFFERS:
ONEGS: Friday Night Onegs are a great way to honor a life cycle event, or if you would just like to make a donation to
TBA. Please contact Nancy Lepore through Sisterhood. [email protected].
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Temple Beth Ami
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Sisterhood Continued
PAST JANUARY EVENTS
NON-FICTION BOOK CLUB MEETING
The story of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot came to life over at Nancy Lepore’s about Henrietta Lack’s
incredible life and the various issues related.
JANUARY 25, 2015 - MAH JONGG LESSONS
The lessons could not have been better! Four of us showed up to learn (Marcia Davis, Phyllis Nathan, Karen Barnett & myself
(Francine G. Van Scoyoc) and we each had our own coach! (Rena, Judith, Jennifer and Nancy). The teachers did a great job in
explaining a very involved game and we had a lot of fun – especially – guess who Mahged our first game – me – thanks to my
coach Judith! I am sure we will have other lessons offered … just let sisterhood know through our website that you are also
interested to learn and I am sure we get another lesson set up! A big thank you to our teachers!
SISTERHOOD MEMBERSHIP INFO: We are proud to say that we have a total of 45 members! We also would like to give
acknowledgements to the following members that joined at higher levels. They are as follows:
Sarah Level:
Hedy Greenfield, Shari Morgan & Joyce Stein
Rebecca Level: Esther Sternin, Donna Alvarado-Casey & Rosemary Watson
Rachel Level: Shawn Monheim
Thank you for your support and membership for Sisterhood!
Please contact Cheryl through [email protected] for Sisterhood Membership. Sisterhood membership fees are
set as follows: NEW TBA Members: You are automatic members for the first year! After that: Basic membership ($36); Sarah
($54); Leah ($90); Rachel ($180) and non-temple members ($46). Whether you are an existing or new member, please (1) fill
out the membership form which can be found on sisterhood’s website. This is so that we can have your contact information
and add you to our mailing lists. (2) Please either pay by Pay-Pal via the link below or by check. (Note: please mark in
"membership" in memo section):
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=QQ65BX5WBFCDW
Tree & Water Projects - To Honor Family & Friends for LifeCycle events: Just $18 that will go to the Jewish National Fund and
your gift certificate will be forwarded to them showing you made a donation in their honor. You can either pay through PayPal
above, or mail a check to TBA, Attn: Sisterhood.
Get Well Sympathy Cards - Sisterhood will send out a card upon your request for those that have been hospitalized, had
surgery or are seriously ill.
For both of these, please ask for past Sisterhood President Hedy Greenfeld through sisterhood: [email protected]. Thank you Hedy for always doing a prompt and great job!
"Without You We Are One Woman Short!"
Nancy Lepore – President; Francine G. Van Scoyoc – Vice President; Donna Alvarado-Casey – Secretary; B.J. Kaufman –
Treasurer; Debra Block – Programming; Membership – Cheryl Cogan; Judaica Shop – Nancy Lepore & Nancy Lefko; Flyers by
Elena Hedvig
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Temple Beth Ami
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Women’s Retreat 2015
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Women’s Retreat 2015
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Temple Beth Ami
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Visit our website for news, photos and events
http://www.templebethami.org
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Temple Beth Ami
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Birthdays
First Name
Last Name
Date
First Name
Last Name
Date
Jeffrey
Patrick
1-Feb
Cary
Dermer
16-Feb
Eileen
Kaplan
2-Feb
Norma
Fields
16-Feb
Faye
Kayne
2-Feb
Gene
Horwitz
16-Feb
Jennifer
Ihrig
3-Feb
Terri
Poe
16-Feb
Courtney
Jacobs
3-Feb
Hedy
Greenfield
17-Feb
Randy
Miller
3-Feb
Max
Breshears
20-Feb
Jackie
Fisher
4-Feb
Norm
Davis
20-Feb
Alan
Sternin
4-Feb
Diane
Solomon
20-Feb
Eric
Milak
6-Feb
Carrie
Schneider
21-Feb
Jack
Raber
9-Feb
Hannah
Shuper
24-Feb
Tina
Savitch
9-Feb
Rita
Aksenfeld
25-Feb
Casandra
Schmitt
12-Feb
Samuel
Fields
26-Feb
Stacy
Levine
13-Feb
Adam
Jaffke
28-Feb
Janice
Saks
13-Feb
Daniel
Melnick
28-Feb
Rich
Tabach
15-Feb
Anniversaries
First Name
Last Name
Date
Jim and Shellie
VanWinkle
1-Feb
Elan and Meredith
Raber
9-Feb
Our Judaica Shop hours are from
9 a.m.-3 p.m.
during the week Monday through Thursday! So if
you need a gift, all you have to do is
contact our bookkeeper Ofra by simply calling
661-255-6410 at TBA’s office and she will be
happy to help you!
NEW SUNDAY HOURS TOO!!
Also each Sunday morning during class hours
Nancy Lefko of our Judaica Shop will be have the
shop open so that you can stop by and shop!
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Temple Beth Ami
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Yahrzeits
Dec First
Al
Albert
Eddie
Larry
Norman
Pauline
Stan
Burt
Frank
Dan
Isabelle Pomerance
Victoria
Barbara
Bernice
Martin
Samuel
Surette
Warren
Sol
Lena
Oscar
Sally
Hugh
Sarah
Joseph
Adolph A
Ben
Harold
Mickey
Adolph
Alvin
Dorothy
Harold
Harriet
Ely
Dec Last
Kramer
Goldman
Abrams
George
Berger
Goldstein
Pro
Zuckerman
Durkee
Retin
Sheffey
Azani
Rosenfeld
Blazer
Shulman
Sils
Kessler
Crane
Alson
Merjian
Slute
Sternin
Gottfried
Abramson
Birnbaum
Goldberg
Kahan
Saks
Hart
Goldberg
Popowitz
Heim
Dine
Popowitz
Kleinfeld
Yahrzeit Date
1-Feb-14
1-Feb-14
1-Feb-14
1-Feb-14
1-Feb-14
1-Feb-14
1-Feb-14
4-Feb-14
4-Feb-14
5-Feb-14
5-Feb-14
5-Feb-14
6-Feb-14
6-Feb-14
6-Feb-14
6-Feb-14
6-Feb-14
6-Feb-14
7-Feb-14
8-Feb-14
8-Feb-14
8-Feb-14
9-Feb-14
9-Feb-14
10-Feb-14
11-Feb-14
11-Feb-14
11-Feb-14
11-Feb-14
12-Feb-14
12-Feb-14
12-Feb-14
12-Feb-14
12-Feb-14
13-Feb-14
Dec First
Fanny
Karen
Sarah
Harry
Chaim
Fannie
Jean
Anabelle
Harry
Harry
John Thomas
Mark
Albert
Brian
Bob
Eliezar
Fannie
Frances
Barrett
Bessie
Elaine
Robert Jeffrey
Gertrude
Jacob Henry
Marilyn
Morris
Seigfried
Barry Stewart
Ethel
Robert I.
Hyman
Jack
Rebecca
Rita
Dec Last
Powazek
Trustman
Singerman
Sternin
Popowitz
Zimmerman
Sotela
Gershon
Schwartz
Epstein
Hall
Begley
STEIN
Kaufman
Moscowitz
Nahmias
Zlotziver
Tobe
Shuman
Talman
Lewis
Brill
Rosenthal
Wolpert
Zimmerman
Friedell
Kaswan
Lampert
Monheim
Ellen
Singerman
Aronowitz
Alson
Mann
Yahrzeit Date
13-Feb-14
13-Feb-14
15-Feb-14
16-Feb-14
17-Feb-14
17-Feb-14
18-Feb-14
19-Feb-14
19-Feb-14
20-Feb-14
20-Feb-14
20-Feb-14
21-Feb-14
21-Feb-14
22-Feb-14
22-Feb-14
22-Feb-14
22-Feb-14
23-Feb-14
23-Feb-14
23-Feb-14
24-Feb-14
26-Feb-14
26-Feb-14
26-Feb-14
26-Feb-14
26-Feb-14
27-Feb-14
27-Feb-14
27-Feb-14
28-Feb-14
28-Feb-14
28-Feb-14
28-Feb-14
Yahrzeit plaques are available to order at the office by contacting the
administrator Catherine at: [email protected].
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TBA’s Calendar
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