Monthly Newsletter

November, 2018       
2605 Traffic Way, Atascadero, CA
805-466-0329                                                         
congregationcot@gmail.com ​​​​​

Rabbi's Message 

We are all heartbroken by the devastating tragedy last Saturday morning which took place at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh. We mourn the loss of eleven Jews who wanted nothing other than to pray in peace and celebrate Shabbat.   

There is much to say to try and contextualize how something like this could happen in our time, in our country.  But for me, it is not the time. Our emotional energy is already stretched so thin, our time is best spent on strengthening the work we do as a community to counter the hatred and violence that continues to plague our communities and our country.

We are not naive to the realities of our world.  Anti-semitism is alive and well and has been on the increase over the past two years in particular. This attack rocks our sense of safety to the core.  Please rest assured that your Board of Trustees is being vigilant about the security at our synagogue so that we can continue to gather with confidence. We are in touch with law enforcement here in Atascadero and countywide along with conferring with the other Jewish organizations to share strategies and maintain a cohesive response. 

I am strengthened by the outpouring of support from my Jewish, Christian and Muslim friends who stand together in solidarity against this act of hate and anti-semitism. I will continue reaching out to my neighbors and I will continue to model the highest values of our Jewish tradition in order to bring about a more peaceful and just world. I will also speak up when I hear hate speech whether it be anti-semitic, homophobic, xenophobic, racist or Islamophobic. This is also part of being Jewish - not standing idly by.    As one of my teachers wrote this week, "Let us awaken ourselves to our charge as a people of holiness and come together with faith and support to do the necessary work to heal, uplift and do the daily work of repair that the Torah calls out to us to do."

We continue to pray for a healing of body and soul to all who have been wounded and impacted by this devastating attack.  May all mourners be comforted. May we find healing from this trauma and may justice, love and peace be the forces that motivate us in the days to come.  

Rabbi Janice  

November   Calendar 

11/2    5:30p   Tot Shabbat
           6:30p   Shabbat for Healing & 
                       Comfort
                       Rabbi Janice
11/4    9:30a   Torah School
11/9    7:30p   Shabbat Service
                       Rabbi Janice
11/11  9:30a   Torah School
11/13  7:00p   Board Meeting
11/15  10:30a Book Club
11/16  7:30p   Shabbat Service
                       Hilary Steiniger
11/18  9:30a   Torah School
11/23  7:30p   Shabbat Service
                       Leslie Moss
11/30  7:30p   Shabbat Service
                       Rabbi Janice

Board Highlights

• A series of Eilu v’Eilu-Living Room Conversations will be held at Rabbi Janice’s house in these weeks before the new calendar year.  Important discussion items from our survey will be discussed in very small groups.  You will be contacted about meeting time soon!  
• Financials are in order.  High Holiday pledges have not yet all arrived.
• Please welcome our newest members, the Gholian family!
• Torah School enrollment is at 22. 
• Irv Shelub’s adult education course on Jewish history and ancestry will begin on January 9 and run for 8 consecutive weeks.  This course is limited to COT members.
• We need someone willing to undertake the Social Action 9th Vice President position.  Please contact Jerome or Rita if you are interested in assuming this very important position.

Announcements

Only 4 more squares left!!!!

Social Action

Volunteers Urgently Needed!
​​​​​​​
SLO FoodBank volunteer opportunity with COT - All ages welcome. 
Saturday Nov 10th 10 am-12 pm.
1180 Kendall Road, SLO.  

Limited to 20 participants!  Rabbi Janice will send the volunteer waiver to the first 20 people that RSVP. 

RSVP to Rabbi Janice

Upcoming COT Events 

Adult Education
Contact: Irv Shelub

Fused Glass Workshop
Contact: Joan Bloomfield ​​​​​​​

COT Scenes

Free Family Concert at COT.
Photo Credit: Mimi Naish

COTTY making us proud during the High Holidays
Photo Credit: Leslie Moss

Havurah at Chesebrough Pumpkin Farm
Photo Credit: Naomi Blakely & Leslie Moss

Sukkot 2018
Photo Credit: Leslie Moss

Other SLO Events

Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service

Kvelling Corner

Please send your proud moments to Sam Mogull by the 25th to be featured in the Kvelling Corner!  

Yahrzeits

11/01
Betty Rosen- Aunt of Jayne Sacks
11/02
Hilda Rubay- of blessed memory
11/03
Beverly Donnenfeld- Aunt of Jeff Zucker
11/05
Marvin Cohl- Father of Phillip Cohl
11/07
Bertha Mayer- Mother of Allan Mayer
11/08
Mary Kuster- Aunt of Paul & Jayne Sacks
Sylvia Segal- Grandmother of Elisabeth Madding
11/09
Eppie Meltzer- of blessed memory
11/15
Sam Siegel-of blessed memory
11/16
Rosalie Ross- Cousin of Paul & Jayne Sacks
Katie Levine- Grandmother of Rick Moss
Erwin A. Mason- Brother-in-law of Paul & Jayne Sacks
Jeffrey Neil Simon- of blessed memory
11/17
Abraham Kirchenstein- Father of Phyllis Caris

11/18
Cathy Raiman- Cousin of Jayne Sacks
11/19
Ruth Brown- Mother & Bubbe of the Zucker family
11/22
Bella Ruth Solish-Grandmother of Alfred Solish
Henry Pollack- Grandfather of Rabbi Janice Mehring
11/24
Carol Brigham- Grandmother of Leslie Moss
11/25
Elizabeth Gersh- Grandmother of Steve Gersh
Fred Ellenberger-Uncle of Steve Gersh
11/26
Rabbi Scott Corngold- Friend of Diana Heller
11/27
Bernice Solish- Mother of Alfred Solish
11/30
Karen Sheinuik- Friend of Paul & Jayne Sacks
Vera Kinkel-Aunt of Linda Prior

11/03  Ezra Gish
           Micah Gish
11/07  William Mehring 
11/11  Allan Mayer
          Jason Kirschenstein
          Chip Kurtzman
11/12 Cindy Dixon Levine
          Rick Moss
11/13 Susan Aroner
11/15 Lorraine Friedman

11/17  Samuel Salzman
11/19  Maria Minichiello
11/24  Ari Mogull
11/25  Seiji Kawano
11/29  Jared Field 
11/30  Judith Baron
           Larry Spielman 
           Ken Doerr
​​​​​​​           Amelia Kim

11/01 Steve & Esther Salzman
11/02 Dana & John Sidders
11/28 Mark & Robin Cohen

Support COT with your Amazon purchases! 

Tzedakah - Thank you for your generosity

David & Naomi Blakely
In memory of Ernest Blakely
In gratitude for multiple HH honors

Larry & Phyllis Caris
Get gell wishes to Mary Bianco
Congratulations Alhadeff Family on birth of baby Noah Elliot
Congratulations to Proffitt Family on bith of baby Jacob
Condolences to Cricket Handler on the loss of her sister.

Larry Schiffer
In memory of Anna Zafran
Tree of Life

Doreen Jacobs
In memory of David Jacobs

Steve & Sue Weiss
In memory of Lori Gersh

Arlene McDonald
In honor of Rick & Leslie Moss- "for all you do for me."

Susan & Michael Aroner
In memory of Edith Aroner
In Tribute to Rabbi Janice
In Tribute to Cindy & Pop-Up Choir for a beautiful HH service
In thanks for Aliyah honor
In honor of Larry & Phyllis Caris
In memory of Julie Anne Dieguez

Rick & Leslie Moss
In memory of Mickey Westrich
In memory of Katie Levine
In memory of Carol Brigham
In memory of Leslie Brigham
In honor of Jeff Zucker
In honor of Rabbi Janice
In honor of Cindy Dixon Levine
In honor of Rita & Jerome Becker
In honor of Fred & Frieda Russell
In honor of Nancy Osran
In honor of Theresa Hirsch
​​​​​​​
Michael & Rachel Santos
In memory of Jesus Ochoa

Elie Axelroth
In memory Bobbie Scott

A special thank you to the Margalit family for donating a swing set to our Torah School!

October, 2018       
2605 Traffic Way, Atascadero, CA
805-466-0329                                                         
congregationcot@gmail.com ​​​​​

Rabbi's Message
Every morning we recite a pray called Nisim B’Chol Yom- “Daily Miracles.” We express our gratitude for many things, one of which is the gratitude  for being free. As American Jews, we don't take for granted the tremendous gift of freedom.   We have the ability to express our opinions and raise our voices and one of the ways we do that is through voting. This is  a freedom that Jews have not always been afforded.
Voting encompasses several Jewish values. To vote is to envision a world more whole. It is about optimism and hope that things can be better. And when we vote, we see ourselves as part of the solution and as God's partners in bringing about change.    

On Yom Kippur, I spoke about how we speak God's language through our actions. I would add voting to the list of the ways we speak God's language. There is no halakhic (Jewish law) obligation to vote but voting is deeply rooted in our tradition and we Jews have a long history of civic engagement.  In the 1950’s and 1960’s , more than any other segment of the white population, Jews played an active role in the fight for civil rights, a movement that ultimately granted citizens of color the right to vote. This is not a partisan endeavor but a sacred effort, to enfranchise all of society in building a just and fair nation.   
Register to vote and make a voting plan:  
Check to see if you are registered to vote and  find your polling place. If you are not registered, do it today. The deadline for the general election is October 22, 2018.  

I pray our entire congregation will commit to voting this year.  My prayer is that every member of our congregation will vote this year. I pray "Praise to You, Adonai our God, who has made us free, and gifted us with the privilege of voting. May we all make good use of this precious gift, this year and in years to come."                       Rabbi Janice  

October   Calendar 
​​​​​​​
10/1   6:30p   Yizkor
          7:00p   Simchat Torah
10/5   5:30p   Tot Shabbat
          6:30p   Family Services
                      Rabbi Janice
10/9   7:00p   Board Meeting
10/10 10:30a Book Club
                      The Weight of Ink
10/12 7:30p   Shabbat Services
                      Rich Carsel
10/14 9:30a   Torah School
10/17 7:00p   History of Jewish
                      Ancestry
10/19 7:30p   Shabbat Service
                      Rabbi Janice
10/21 9:30a   Torah School
10/23 4:00p   Havurah
                      Nancy Osran
          7:00p   Men's Club
                      Fred Russell
10/24 7:00p   History of Jewish
                      Ancestry
10/26  7:30p  Shabbat Service
                      Rabbi Janice
10/28  9:30a  Torah School

Please Join Us TONIGHT for Simchat Torah!

Came and experience the joy of Torah with dance and song!
We complete the yearly cycle reading about Moses’ final days then transition right back to the beginning, Creation. The Sages teach that we begin the Torah again on the same day we finish to show that the Torah is beloved to us like a new object, and not like an old commandment that we no longer treasure.
Everyone participates in the Torah Procession and reading.

We will also celebrate the consecration of our new Torah School pupils.

Monday, October 1st 7pm followed by a potluck Oneg. Please bring a dairy or parev dish to share.

We will start with a Yiskor/Memorial service at 6:30pm

There is something for everybody on Simchat Torah young and old.

Adult Education

A new adult education series entitled:

History of Jewish Ancestry: A Discussion Survey

will soon begin as a sequence of Wednesday Night Sessions at Ohr Tzafon
All our Ohr Tzafon family are invited to JOIN IN & ENGAGE OUR INHERITED PAST! 

...flyer to come!

Questions: Contact Irv Shelub

Social Action

LAST CHANCE TO DONATE!!!!!!

Donating  Food To Food Bank Coalition
 
Please donate items that are low sodium, low sugar, and whole grain to provide well-balanced and nutritious items to those who do not have enough to eat.
 
Food donation accepted at COT from
September 9-October 5

Fruits & Vegetables Group
•    Canned fruit & vegetables
•    Dried fruit & vegetables
 
Grain Group
•    Oatmeal
•    Whole grain crackers
•    Low sugar/high fiber cereals
•    Whole grain pasta & rice
 
Protein Group
•    Canned tuna, salmon or chicken
•    Soups low in sodium
•   Dried and canned beans and peas
•   Peanut Butter

Upcoming COT Events 

Kvelling Corner

Please send your proud moments to Sam Mogull by the 25th to be featured in the Kvelling Corner!  

Yahrzeits

10/1
Julie Ann Dieguez- Neice of Michael Aroner
Mickey Westrich- Aunt of Rick Moss
10/2
Abraham Hyman Silverstein- of blessed memory
10/4
Annie Weisberg- Mother of Herman Weisberg
Ben Zucker- Grandfather of Jeff Zucker
10/5
Ralph Lumi- Husband of Carol Hoffman
10/7
Harry Peskin- Grandfather of Sandy Kawano
Faye Weisberg- Wife of Herman Weisberg and mother of Joanna Wemple
10/8
Elizabeth Peters- Aunt of Hilary Steiniger
Rose Terminello- Grandmother of Rabbi Janice Mehring
10/12
Dorothy Siegel- of blessed memory
10/15
Thelma Yeskel- Mother of Filip Yeskel
10/16
Albert Heller- Father of Diana Heller
10/20
Herman Goldenberg- Uncle of Jayne Sacks

10/21
Esther Tshewik- Mother of Frieda Russell
Miriam Berman- Grandmother of Michelle Scherer Robles and Dawn Scherer Daner
Anna Zafran- Aunt of Larry Schiffer
10/22
Murray Shapiro- Father of Kenneth L. Shapiro
Robert Hirsch- Father in Law of Theresa Hirsch
10/24
Vern McDonald- Husband of Arlene McDonald
10/28
Leora Weiss Gersh- Wife of Steve Gersh, Daughter of Steve and Sue Weiss
10/29
Esther Fox- Mother of Janine Dingler
Edith. R. Aroner- Mother of Michael Aroner
10/30
Miriam Knell- Friend of Michelle Scherer Robles and David Robles
10/31
Eva Peskin- Grandmother of Sandy Kawano

10/5   Larry Caris
          Michael Weingarten
10/7   Jackie Ramsdell
          Julian Kirschenstein
          Frances Mayer
10/8   David Blakely
          Helene Zucker
10/10 Dana Sidders
          William Wane White

10/11  Cricket Handler
10/14  Janine Dingler
10/15  Jan Carsel
10/16  Kyle Cristal
           Carol Hoffman
10/21  Alexx Robles
10/23  Judith Bernstein
10/30  Fannie Osran

10/21 Dave & Gail Padolsky
10/03 Jordan & Manu Fiorentini
10/23 Alfred Solish & Margaret Frerking

Support COT with your Amazon purchases! 

Tzedakah - Thank you for your generosity

Susan & Michael Aroner
In Memory of Anata Henda Becker
In honor of Skyler Wemple's Bat Mitzvah
In memory of Debra Fine

Bonnie & Bernie Weiss
In memory of Jerome's Mother
Speedy Recovery to Frieda Russell

Sharyn Solish
In Rememberance of George & Bernice
In memory of Fred & Harriet Siegel

Mike Santos
General Fund

Theresa Hirsch
In memory of Larry Hirsch
In memory of Johnny Sanchez

Fred & Frieda Russell
In memory of Fred's Father
​​​​​​​
Lorraine Friedman
In memory of Julian Friedman

Jerome & Rita Becker
In memory of Jerome's Mother

September, 2018                                              2605 Traffic Way, Atascadero, CA
805-466-0329                                                          congregationcot@gmail.com ​​​​​

Rabbi's Message
 
It was said that Reb Simcha Bunem carried two slips of paper, one in each pocket. On one he wrote: “for my sake the world was created.” On the other he wrote: “I am but dust and ashes.” He would take out each slip of paper as necessary, as a reminder to himself. 
Many people are fine with the idea that the world was created for their sake and they carry themselves with a sense of entitlement. If you think that most of the time you’re right and the world around you is getting it wrong, then perhaps it’s time to spend a little more time in the “dust and ashes” pocket. 
“Dust and ashes” helps put our life and our ego in perspective as “I am but dust and ashes" is a call to an awareness of our smallness in the cosmic scheme of things. Once we understand that we have a far greater share than any one person might reasonably expect, it’s amazing how generosity and abundance can open up in our hearts and in our lives. To know that we are of this earth, and that we will one day return to this earth, is a real spiritual achievement. It’s a reminder that it is a great gift to just to be alive each day.
But taken to the extreme, this mindset can lead to not taking care of our own needs, constantly putting ourselves down, feeling worthless and small. If that is your tendency, then your challenge is to dive into the pocket of “for my sake the world was created.” It is a reminder that as b'nei Adam, children of the first human, our inheritance is all the blessings of Creation. 
Experiencing both ‘pockets’ at the same time is the best situation –knowing the radical humility of “dust and ashes,” and the acceptance and love of self of “the world was created for my sake.” We can spend these holy days trying to cultivate both of these qualities within ourselves. May each of us find the balance that will allow us to walk through this world gently but powerfully contributing to a world of wholeness, and peace.      “Shanah tovah um’tukah”
“May you have a good and sweet new year.” 

September   Calendar 
​​​​​​​
9/1    7:00p  Selichot Service
9/7    5:30p  Tot Shabbat
         6:30p  Family Services
                    Rabbi Janice
9/9    7:30p  Erev Rosh
                    Hashanah
9/10  9:30a  Rosh Hashanah
         1:30p  Tashlich
9/11  7:00p  Board Meeting
9/14  7:30p  Shabbat of Return
                    Creative Service
                    Joan B. et al
9/16  9:30a  Torah School
                    Begins
9/18  7:30p  Erev Yom Kippur
                    Kol Nidre
9/19 10:00a Yom Kippur 
                    Morning Service
         3:30p  Evening Service
9/21  7:30p  Shabbat Services
                    Larry Caris
9/23  9:30a  Torah School
         5:30p  Sukkot Celebration
9/25  7:00p  Havurah
                    Naomi Blakely
                    Men's Club
                    Larry Caris
9/28  7:30p  Shabbat Services
                    Larry Caris
9/30  9:30a  Torah School

This evening:

Virtual Bulletin Board

**********The Memorial Book is now being prepared!********** 

If you wish names placed in the book, please get them in as soon as possible so that the book can be completed in time for the Yom Kippur.  The deadline is September 10th, Rosh Hashanah Day.   Please click on this link to download the form

Social Action

Donating  Food To Food Bank Coalition
 
Please donate items that are low sodium, low sugar, and whole grain to provide well-balanced and nutritious items to those who do not have enough to eat.
 
Food donation accepted at COT from
September 9-October 5

Fruits & Vegetables Group
•    Canned fruit & vegetables
•    Dried fruit & vegetables
 
Grain Group
•    Oatmeal
•    Whole grain crackers
•    Low sugar/high fiber cereals
•    Whole grain pasta & rice
 
Protein Group
•    Canned tuna, salmon or chicken
•    Soups low in sodium
•   Dried and canned beans and peas
•   Peanut Butter

Upcoming COT Events 

Community Events

SLO County Human Trafficking Summit: Keeping Kids Safe from Predators 
September 15,   8:30 am -2 pm, Morro Bay Community Center
Sponsored by Morro Bay Rotary and St. Timothy's Women's Guild 

For more information on speakers and program and to purchase tickets:

Kvelling Corner

Please send your proud moments to Sam Mogull to be featured in the Kvelling Corner!  

Mazel tov to Alhadeff family 
Noah Elliot Alhadeff born 8/15/18
8 lbs 6 oz

Yahrzeits

9/1
Dora Scherer- Grandmother of Michelle Scherer Robles and Dawn Scherer Daner
9/2
Kermit Russell- Father of Fred Russell
9/4
Louis Gersh- Grandfather of Steve Gersh
Sandra "Kandy" Mandel- Sister of Jayne Sacks
Sheila Taylor- of blessed memory
9/6
Melvin Harold Pollack- Father of Rabbi Janice Mehring
9/7
Harry Weisberg- Brother of Herman Weisberg
9/9
Steve Trevor- Uncle of Linda Prior
9/11
Toba Hirschfield- Mother of Hilary Steiniger
Carola Vivian Cohn- Mother of Nancy Cohn

9/12
Calena Block- Aunt of Linda Prior
9/17
Wendell Ray Whitlock- Husband of Phyllis Whitlock
Jean Hart- of blessed memory
9/19
Sharon Wittkoph- Mother of Justin Gish, MIL of Summer Gish
9/21
Everett Ernest Blakely- Father of David Blakely, FIL of Naomi Blakely
9/22
Sam Simon- Father of Sandy Kawano
Janet Phibbs- Mother of Jason Kirschenstein
9/23
Brenda Weingarten- Mother of Michael Weingarten

9/1    Dawn Scherer Daner
         Ellen Weingarten
9/4    Luana Alhadeff
         Nachshon Margalit
9/5    Aria Freitas
9/8    Barbara Solish
9/13  Linda Becker

9/16  Monique Becker
9/20  Morgane Sofia Fiorentini
         Philip Ramsdell
9/23  David Robles
9/24  Jean Lowe
9/26  Robert Schechter

9/16 Patricia & Robert Schechter

9/29  Kathleen & Jason Kirschenstein
            

Support COT with your Amazon purchases! 

Tzedakah - Thank you for your generosity

Jean Lowe
In Memory of Larry Hirsch
In Honor of the New Board
In Honor of Leslie Moss for all she does
General Fund Donation

Arlene McDonald
In Loving Memory of my Mom

Susan & Michael Aroner
In Memory of Jo Roth, Michael's Aunt

Susan & Michael Aroner
In Memory of Randall Day Susan's Brother

Lorraine Friedman
In Memory of Julian Friedman
​​​​​​​

August, 2018                                              2605 Traffic Way, Atascadero, CA
805-466-0329                                                          congregationcot@gmail.com ​​​​​

Rabbi's Message

The month of Elul is nearly upon us (beginning at  sundown on August 11).  This will begin the preprogrammed time of introspection to prepare us for holiest, most awesome days of the year.  We can prepare ourselves for these holy days in many ways – study, introspection, journaling, discussion, restitution for past mistakes, and prayer -  all of which are steps the rabbis mapped out to help us reach our goal of readiness.  
 
Rabbi Shefa Gold calls this the time to “face the music” of our own lives.  It’s the time to listen to our own tone, quality and rhythm. Is there dissonance between our intentions and our deeds?  Harmony between our thoughts and our speech?      Throughout the year, we often get stuck in a rut playing the same songs in habitual patterns whether they are harmonious and beautiful or not.   The High Holy Days give us the chance to reset and rewrite our song for the year ahead.  
Whether you use  journaling or prayer or meditation or music as the vehicle, I hope the month of Elul brings insight and inspiration to sing a new song in the year 5779.  

August   Calendar 
​​​​​​​
8/3    5:30p   Tot Shabbat
         6:30p   Family Services
                     Rabbi Janice
8/8    7:00p   New Machzor
                     Sin & Forgiveness
                     in the 21st Century
8/10  7:30p   Shabbat Services
                     Rabbi Janice
8/11  3:00p   Skyler Wemple's
                     Bat Mitzvah
8/14  7:00p   Board Meeting
8/17  7:00p   Shabbat Services
                     Larry Caris
8/24  7:30p   Shabbat Services
                     Rick & Leslie Moss
8/28  7:00p   Havurah
                     Bonnie Weiss
                     Men's Club
                     Bill Alexander
8/29  7:00p   New Machzor
                     Wrestling with
                     Unetaneh Tokef
8/31  7:30p  Shabbat Services
                     Rabbi Janice

Board Highlights
·      

• The financials from the past year show us to be in good shape.  They are available for perusal upon request!
• We are still hoping that 3 additional COT members sign up for the Israel trip next March, to achieve a price reduction.
• Look for information regarding the recently concluded survey after the High Holidays.  
• Board members will be contacting general membership, to serve on committees based on information they have provided.
• Nachshon and Colleen Margalit are donating a swing set to match the gaga pit and Sukkah!
• Purchased Julian Friedman art is available for pick up.  Thanks to Lorraine Friedman for her generous donation, as well as to the Steinigers for their donation of a painter for the Bimah.
• New High Holidays machzor information workshops through August.  See newsletter for dates.  Please rsvp.
• A variety of upcoming events to look for: a 4 part seminar on Israel, from its beginnings to present day; a self defense workshop for women; Apples and Honey Festival

Virtual Bulletin Board

**********The Memorial Book is now being prepared!********** 

If you wish names placed in the book, please get them in as soon as possible so that the book can be completed in time for the Yom Kippur.  The deadline is September 10th, Rosh Hashanah Day.   Please click on this link to download the form

Rabbi Janice to present about our local
Jewish Burial Society (Hevra Kadisha)   
Thursday, August 9, 5-6pm

Temple Ner Shalom, Klein Room, 875 Laureate Lane, SLO

Rabbi Janice Mehring and Binah Polay will be giving a presentation about the Central Coast Community Hevra Kadisha. 
You will gain an understanding about Jewish burial, the role of the Hevra Kadisha, and what services our community Hevra Kadisha provides to the Jewish community here. 

Upcoming COT Events 

Kvelling Corner

Please send your proud moments to Sam Mogull to be featured in the Kvelling Corner!  

WELCOME JACOB DANIEL
7/16/18
4:50 pm
8lbs. 4oz
21” long
Mindy Proffitt delivered at Sierra Vista.  Mother and baby have been doing great!

COT Community

Joan Bloomfield arranged for an enjoyable afternoon that included lunch, a tour, and wine tasting with a knowledgeable guide, Reese, at Herzog Wine Cellars in Oxnard.

Yahrzeits

8/1
Jacob Segal- Grandfather of Elisabeth Madding
Samuel Colman- Father of Frances Mayer
8/4
David Solish- Uncle of Alfred Solish
8/5
Margaret Pasternak- Friend of Linda Prior
8/6
Ethel Moss- Mother of Rick Moss
8/7
Ruth Schechter- Mother of Robert Schechter
Norman Solish- Uncle of Alfred Solish
8/8
Mel Albaum- Brother of Barbara Kurtzman
Sherman Forrester- Grandfather of Leslie Moss
8/10
Julian Friedman- Husband of Lorraine Friedman
Doris Zucker- Grandmother of Jeff Zucker
8/11
Albert Osran- Father of Hadley Osran
​​​​​​​Benjamin Parvey, MD- Grandfather of Alfred Solish
8/13
Irene Bloomfield- Mother of Joan Bloomfield
Jack Block- Uncle of Linda Prior

8/15
Betty Ayeroff- of blessed memory
8/16
Greta Steiniger- Mother of John Steiniger
Andrew Weisz- Father of Donna Weisz Jones
Dorothy Young- Sister-in-Law of Sharon George
8/18  
Louis Finkel- Father of Linda Prior
Arthur Parvey- Uncle of Alfred Solish
8/21
Sylvia Gefter- Grandmother of Elisabeth Madding
Marvin Zucker- Father of Jeff Zucker
8/22
Randall A. Day- Brother of Susan Aroner
Leonard Goldman- Uncle of Judith Baron
8/24
Herman W. Kurtzman- Father of Chip Kurtzman
Sidney Gibberman- Uncle of Jackie Zucker
8/26
Bessie Finkelstein- Grandmother of Jackie Zucker
Kalman Krause- of blessed memory
8/27
Emmanuel Charles Hartman- Uncle of Jackie Zucker

8/2    Cheryl Shelub
8/3    Colleen Margalit
8/5    Ken Siegel
8/6    Bonnie Weiss
8/7    Regene Craig
         Bernie Weiss
8/12  Joanna Wemple
8/13  Naomi Blakely
8/16  Hadley Osran

         Phyllis Whitlock
8/18  Sharon George
8/20  Noah Levine
         Jeff Zucker
8/22  Les Cristal
8/27  Adam Levine
         Jessica Main
         Summer Gish
8/29  Howard Drucker
                    

8/2   Michelle Scherer & David Robles
8/5   Melissa & Douglas Trinidad
8/9   Nachshon & Colleen Margalit

8/11    Phyllis & Larry Caris
8/27    Hilary & John Steiniger
            

Support COT with your Amazon purchases! 

Tzedakah - Thank you for your generosity
Please note that the Treasurer was out of office through May.  Any donations not listed will be included in the July newsletter. 

Mark and Robin Cohen
Havurah Fund
In gratitude for COT support while recovering.

Sharon George
In memory of Larry Hirsch
In honor of the COT graduates

Bonnie and Bernie Weiss
In honor of Fred Russell's 80th
Congratulations to Susan & Michael Aroner on the birth of their grandson
In memory of Larry Hirsch

Arlene McDonald
In memory of her sister's Yahrzeit

Susan & Michael Aroner
In honor of Bonnie & Bernie's 55th Anniversary

Larry & Phyllis Caris
In memory of Mary Kirschenstein

Rick & Leslie Moss
In honor of Rabbi Janice
In memory of Frances Forrester
In memory of Sherman Forrester
In memory of Sandy Levine
In memory of Ethel Moss
In Memory of Rose Moss
Thinking of Natalie & Rud Stone

Hilary & John Steiniger
Yahrzeit

Doreen Jacobs
In memory of Eva Brown
​​​​​​​

This Monthly Newsletter contains A LOT of information.  Please be sure to scroll down for Yahrzeits, Birthdays, and Anniversaries as well as board highlights and Temple Donations.

July, 2018                                                    2605 Traffic Way, Atascadero, CA
805-466-0329                                                          congregationcot@gmail.com ​​​​​

Rabbi's Message

In the middle of the desert, the Israelites discover a well ( be’er  in Hebrew).  At the discovery of this unexpected source of sustenance and hope, they burst into song. “Spring up, O well, sing to it!” [Numbers 21:17]. 
The Hasidic master, the Sefat Emet, quotes from the book of Proverbs 5:15: “Drink water from your cistern (bor) and flowing water from your well (be’er). And he asks, “What is the difference between a cistern (bor) and a well (be'er) ? 
The difference in Hebrew is just one letter – the letter aleph. For the Sefat Emet, that aleph signifies the Source of all Life. The cistern just contains gathered water; its contents are limited by the size of the vessel that contains them. But add an aleph to the word bor, and the cistern is transformed into a living well, joined directly to the source of an ever-flowing spring.” 

This can be a powerful metaphor for learning.  Add an aleph to our study of Torah, and we can be transformed.  We can move our Torah learning from academic exercises and/or debates taken out of context to deep waters of study that connect and sustain us all.  When we study Torah, in all its fullness and complexity, it gives creativity and meaning to our lives. It connects us to beauty of the world around us but it also opens our eyes to the cruelty of the world around us. When we read the Torah, it demands that we ask ourselves, “What does the Torah have to say to me about this world of mine? And what does Torah ask of me today?” 
   
I share this excerpt of a prayer by Rabbi Rachel Bearman, a prayer for those who strive to be what the Torah instructs us to be.  (Her sermon can be read in its entirety here).
 
I pray that we will be like Eve who was willing to risk her safe existence in order to pursue knowledge.
       
I pray that we will be like Abraham and Sarah who hurried to welcome strangers into their camp and rushed to prepare a meal for them.

I pray that we will be like Rebekah who was judged as remarkable because of her kindness to a traveler.

I pray that we will be like Reuel who encountered a wanderer fleeing from his home, brought him into his community, and treated him like family.

I pray that we will remember Rabbi Akivah’s teaching at the heart of the Torah, the verse at the center of the scroll and at the center of the Jewish tradition, is Leviticus 19:18 which says,"Love your neighbor as yourself- V'ahavta l'reiacha kamocha."

This is my prayer for all of us and for all those who hold the bible as a sacred text. 

Amen

July   Calendar 
​​​​​​​
7/6    5:30p   Tot Shabbat
         6:30p   Family Services
                     Rabbi Janice
7/8    8:00a   Herzog Tour
7/10  7:00p   Board Meeting
7/11  7:00p   New Machzor
                     Intro to Machzor
7/13  7:30p  Shabbat Services
                     Rabbi Janice
7/18  7:00p  New Machzor
                    Shofar Service
7/20  7:30p  Shabbat Services
                     Ron Becker
7/24 10:30a  Book Club
                     At COT
7/25  7:00p   New Machzor
                     Avino Malkeinu
         7:00p  Men's Club 
                     Rick Moss
                     *No July Havurah
7/27  7:30p  Shabbat Services
                     Rabbi Janice

Board Highlights
·      

• Survey results netted a 60% participation rate.  The Board reviewed the results, and will consider what actions to take at the next Board meeting.
• There will be small group meetings scheduled in the future to discuss some of the survey questions and actions that the Board will be recommending.
• Torah School enrollment for Fall is 18.  Beginning Hebrew teachers are still being sought.
• New High Holiday Machzors are in.  There will be 5 introduction/education sessions during the summer: 3 in July, and 2 in August.
• Israel trip is finalized!  We are seeking 3 more COT travelers, to secure a better price.
• Kate Silverman, our new assistant, has started and is helping out a great deal already.  She will work up to 12 hours per week, many of these from home.
• Annual General Meeting – 36 people in attendance.  
• Herzog Winery Tour and Lunch (Oxnard), Sunday, July 8th.  
• Thanks to Fred and Frieda Russell for their ongoing representation on the JCC Board on our behalf.

Virtual Bulletin Board

Are you interested in becoming an adult Bar or Bat Mitzvah?

Contact Rabbi Janice for more information on how to begin this meaningful experience.

Check out: The Modern, Not Thirteen Year Old's Guide to: The Adult B'nai Mitzvah by Christine Machlin.
Joan Bloomfield, who completed the ceremony last year, is included in this personal compilation!

Upcoming COT Events 

Kvelling Corner

Please send your proud moments to Sam Mogull to be featured in the Kvelling Corner!  

Thank you to all who submitted pictures of your graduates!!!

Cayden Wemple with proud sister Skyler.

Emily Moss with parents Rick and Leslie Moss, sister Whitney, and brother Jacob.

Grace Mundee during her graduation ceremony.

Lia and Eshley Freed-Doerr speaking at their ceremony.

A smiling Will Mehring on to new adventures!

Samantha Mogull ready to make you wine.

Zach and Lexi Sidders with Grandparents Fred and Frieda Russell

COT Community

Rabbi Janice and Friends concert

A fantastic evening of friends, family, good food, wine, and awesome entertainment by some very talented Ladies! 
A big thank you to all our stars! Rabbi Janice, Meagan Pitcairn Glimpse, Meredith Brammeier, Sholly Von Stein, Donna Jones, Wendy Greene, Wendy Wendt, Mary Sue Gee, and our accompanists, Cindy Dixon Levine and Janis Johnson. All your talent is so appreciated.
Thank you to our hard working Committee, Rita Becker, Frieda Russell, Leslie Moss, Melany Spielman, Robin and Mark Cohen, Ron Becker, and all the help from Joan Bloomfield, Cricket Handler and Nancy Osran. Your hard work helped make this event the awesome success it was. 
Thank you to Dawn White and Pacific Harvest Catering, your food was outstanding.
Thank you to Epoch Estate Winery, Templeton and Sculpterra Winery, Paso Robles for donating wine for this event.

Teacher Appreciation
and
1st Annual Young Mensch Award

Thank you to all our Torah School Teachers who volunteered their time this year to nurture our youngest members.

Melissa Trinidad
Michael Mogull
Jessica Main 

-----------------------------------------------------------

Rita and I are pleased to announce Congregation Ohr Tzafon’s first “Young Mensch” award for 5778 or 2017/2018
We would like to present these awards annually and our goal is to hand out as many as possible to our temple youth. 
We received a very generous donation from Mary Bianco in honor of Fred’s 80thand Frieda’s birthday. This donation enabled us to create a new fund,
“Fund for Further Education”
This fund will enhance our Torah School, our Adult Education Program, and allow us to give Scholarships, as well as a scholarship prize for our Young Mensch award, Thank you so much for your continued generosity Mary!! This new fund will be open to our community for future donations to Education.
Our Recipient for 5778 is Samuel Salzman who started helping our community for his Bar mitzvah project, and he has never stopped, Sam worked on the Sukkah, playground, Drywall project, and many other tasks around our facility. Thank you so much for all your hard work Sam you are a great example and we all truly appreciate your effort.
Sam is the recipient of our Young Mensch Scholarship of $540 or CHAI (18) x 30 Mazal tov Sam!!
We invite all our youth to work towards achieving this wonderful award in the future.

-Rita and Jerome Becker
Co Presidents

The Marriage Reconsecration Ceremony

Members who are celebrating an anniversary of an increment of 5 (5,10, 15, 25, etc years) are invited to participate in the Marriage Reconsecration Ceremony.  This June we had 3 couples celebrate under the chuppah:

Ron and Linda Becker

Bonnie and Bernie Weiss

Phyllis and Larry Caris

Our Silent Auction Winners!

Congratulations to all our participants in the silent auction featuring Julian Friedman's art.

Susan Aroner
Priestly Blessing

Peggy Rachel Baslo
Pianist on Parchment
The Law
Shema of us

Daniel Becker
Morning Prayer

Naomi Blakely
The Clown

John Carsel
Channukah Blessing

Mark Cohen
The Shema

Haddie Daner
Shema
Orange Shema

Diane Host
Ballerina

Allan & Frances Mayer
Sax Man

Rabbi Janice Mehring
Menorah

Sam Mogull
Teacher and student

Leslie Moss
The Altar

Rick Moss
Righteous Man

Mimi Naish
Candelabra

Mary Rose Niemi
Blue Heron

Tom O Malley
Time Remembered
Mother's Helper

Fannie Osran
Torso on Parchment

Hadley Osran
American Eagle
The Fighter
The Office

George Ramsdell
Bearded Man

Jackie Ramsdell
Flowers
The Law of
Red Shema

Roberta (No Last Name)
Torso on Wallpaper

Jacob Silverman
The Prayer 8/25

Larry Spielman
Boat Dock

Melany Spielman
Lighthouse
Carousel
Synagogue
Shema
The Temple

Cathy Stock
Boots

Weingarten Family
Blue Heron

Carrie White
Lighthouse

Finley White
Trolley

Chuck Wilkins
The Prayer + calligraphy

Yahrzeits

7/1
Beatrice Podover- Cousin of Jackie Zucker
Frances Miller- Grandmother of Jeff Zucker
7/3
John Forrest Lires- Father of Wendy Kim
Erin Patricia Lires- Sister of Wendy Kim
7/6
Nick Bensussen- Cousin of Linda Prior
7/7
Max Carol- May his memory be a blessing
7/10
Marilyn Slutzky- Sister of Paul Sacks
Eva Gerardis- Mother of Luana Alhadeff
Frances Forrester- Grandmother of Leslie Moss
Robert Mogull- Father of Michael Mogull
7/11
Wilfred Carsel- Father of Richard Carsel
7/13
Mary Kirchenstein- Stepmother of Phyllis Caris
7/15
Phillip Schechter- Father of Robert Schechter
​​​​​​​Wolf Hirschfield- Father of Hilary Steiniger
7/18
Jo Roth- Aunt of Michael Aroner

7/19
Steven Sacks- Nephew of Paul Sacks
Terrence Jay Lortie- of blessed memory
7/21
Belle Rose Gilbert- Mother of Jayne Sacks
Elkan Hart- of blessed memory
7/23  
Evelyn Goldstein- Mother of Arlene McDonald
7/24
Joshua Jerome Gross- Father of Naomi Blakely
Ann Olen- Aunt of Jayne Sacks
David Kreger- Cousin of Jayne Sacks
7/25
Robert F. Shapiro- Brother of Kenneth L. Shapiro
Floyd Rubin- Father of Nancy Osran
7/26
Carl M. Moore- of blessed memory
7/27
Florence Powell Kurtzman- Mother of Chip Kurtzman
7/30
Richard Gresham- Father of Gail Gresham

7/1    Jenny Gersh
7/2    Cayden Wemple
7/3    Daniel Barrera
         Kari Freitas-Field
7/7    Muna Cristal
7/12  Ayla Madding

7/15  Margaret Frerking
7/17  Nathan Robasciotti
         Ajai Daner
7/19  Theresa Hirsch
7/20  Katelin Silverman
7/24  Arianna Kurtzman
                    

7/3   Bonnie & Bernie Weiss
7/20 Nitsan & Del Kolikant

7/20    Nancy & Hadley Osran
7/31    Sam & Mike Mogull
            

Support COT with your Amazon purchases! 

Tzedakah - Thank you for your generosity
Please note that the Treasurer was out of office through May.  Any donations not listed will be included in the July newsletter. 

Jerome and Rita Becker
In honor of Fred Russell's 80th
In honor of Hilary and Peter Steiniger
In honor of Leslie and Rick Moss
In honor of Frieda Russell

Jayne and Paul Sacks
In honor of Fred Russell

Rick and Leslie Moss
In memory of Max Moss
In memory of Larry Hirsch

Michael & Susan Aroner
In honor of Fred Russell
In honor of Jerome and Rita Becker

Donna Weisz Jones
In honor of Fred Russell

Fred and Frieda Russell
In memory of Rosa Adler

Arlene McDonald
In memory of Larry Hirsch

Dolores McNeil
In memory of Larry Hirsch

Saul David
In memory of Larry Hirsch

Dana and John Sidder
Get on the Bus

Janine and Robert Dingler
In memory of Ralph Fox

Sharon George
To the Ritual Fund

Meta and John Nisbet
In honor of Mary Rose Niemi
In honor of Jonathon Castle Wedding

Carol Fine
To the General Fund

Naomi and David Blakely
In memory of Aunt Sylvia
In memory of Joshua Gross
​​​​​​​
Richard and Jan Carsel
In memory of Shirley Oser
In memory of Sophie Carsel

Larry Schiffer
In memory of Uncle Shepard Zafran

Doreen Jacobs
In memory of Sydney Brown
In memory of Earl Jacobs

Linda Gilbert
In honor of Fred Russell

Havurah
In memory of Larry Hirsch
In honor of Fred Russell

Mary Bianco
Fund for Further Education Grant
In honor of Fred and Frieda Russell