Monthly Newsletter - Congregation Ohr Tzafon

JUNE Newsletter from COT

06/02/2019 01:54:06 AM

Jun2

JUNE 2019
2605 Traffic Way, Atascadero, CA
805-466-0329
congregationcot@gmail.com

From the Rabbi

The holiday of Shavuot goes by many names including
Chag HaBikkurim – Festival of the First Fruits
Chag HaKatzir – Harvest Festival and
Chag Matan Torah – the Festival of the Giving of the Torah.
One has to wonder how one holiday can have such varied names from celebrating an agricultural cycles all the way to a festival celebrating receiving the Torah? The Torah doesn’t give us any clues as to the connection but our sages, both ancient and contemporary have been commenting on this for centuries. At the end of the Second Temple period, Judaism was in flux with many different voices weighing in. [1] The priestly Sadducees were focused on the temple system while the early rabbis, the Pharisees, were interested in prayer and study. These proto-rabbis taught that Torah was a continual unfolding tradition that may have started at Mount Sinai but was continually renewed through engaged study, debate and in the search for inner meaning. This became particularly poignant for them when they were no longer in the Promised Land and no longer connected to the agricultural rhythms of the seasons. The harvest festivals became opportunities to retell our ancient story and to delve into deep personal spiritiual growth. So Shavuot became a holiday celebrating the anniversary of revelation at Mt. Sinai. Shavuot asks each one of us to be holy vessels to receive the Torah. When we accept the Torah, we are linked to a vast background of story and history and we become another thread in the fabric of our people and our sacred story. How will you make yourself a holy vessel this Shavuot? How will your actions and your story contribute to the rich tapestry of the Jewish people?

[1]Seasons of Our Joy: A Modern Guide to the Jewish Holidays, Beacon Press, 1980

June Calendar

6/07     05:30p Tot Shabbat
06:30p Family Services
  Teacher Appreciation
  Young Mensch Award
  Rabbi Janice

6/09     10:00a Shavuot Brunch
  Board Installation
   Yizkor Service to follow

6/11       07:00p  Board Meeting

6/14       07:00p Shabbat Service
   Rick & Leslie Moss

6/21       07:00p Shabbat Service
   Ron Becker

6/23 04:00p AIPAC Speaker

6/28       07:00p Shabbat Service
   Rabbi Janice
6/29       10:00a Nathan Trinidad Bar Mitzvah

6/30       08:15a COT Golf Tournament

Board Highlights

The COT Board of Trustees meets the second Tuesday of the month at 7:00 PM. Here are the highlights from the last meeting.

Annual General Membership Meeting Wednesday, May 29 at 6:00 at COT. Rabbi Janice’s contract, proposed board for next year, as well as next year’s budget will be voted on. Please plan to attend this very important meeting!
AED training will be offered soon. Please contact Jerome Becker or Naomi Blakely if interested in becoming certified.
Our security grant has been submitted to the federal government. We can expect to hear back in September.
New Board installation/Shavuot potluck Brunch – Sunday, June 9 at 10:00 at COT.
COT Golf Tournament June 30 in Paso Robles. Contact Rick Moss or Larry Caris if interested!

Announcements

High Holy Day Choir

Please contact Rabbi Janice, if you are interested in singing in the High Holy Day choir.

There will be a meeting the last week of June (TBD) and then weekly rehearsals in September (times TBD depending on the group and accompanist availability).
Rehearsals will be mandatory. No choir experience is necessary. Reading music is not required but helpful. You just need to love to sing and be willing to commit to the practices.

Update your member listing in the COT Directory!

Upcoming Events

June 7, 2019 // 6:30 PM

June 9, 2019 // 10:00 AM

MEET AND GREET
Rachel Urman, AIPAC Regional Staff

Sunday, June 23, 4 pm
2605 Traffic Way, Atascadero

Please join Rabbi Janice in welcoming AIPAC Regional Staff Member, Rachel Urman, to learn about the bipartisan advocacy work of The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC).

This gathering is an opportunity for us to learn about AIPAC’s mission to strengthen the U.S.-Israel relationship through education and how the organization continues to embrace its strategy of bringing Democrats and Republicans together notwithstanding the hyper-partisan political environment across the country.

The afternoon will involve a short presentation focusing on AIPAC’s mission, strategy and legislative achievements, which include annual funding of $3.3 billion for security assistance and $500 million in cooperative missile defense technologies such as Iron Dome, which has saved countless lives- both Israeli and Palestinian- during recent conflicts with Gaza.

There will be plenty of opportunities to ask questions, discuss current events in Israel and what to expect heading into the 2020 here in the US. Refreshments will be served.   RSVP required.

Please be sure to register by June 18 using this link:   Register Here.

If you have any questions or would like additional information, please contact Rabbi Janice Mehring at rabbijanice1@gmail.com or 805-466-0329.

Kvelling Corner

Emma & Isaak Kirchenstein put together a silent auction this past weekend to benefit Woods Humane Society. They raised $1,268.00 Yashar Koach to Emma and Isaak and Mazel Tov on becoming Bar and Bat Mitzvah!

Congratulations to graduate Zal Robles!

Mazel tov to recent college graduate Allie Mundee!

Congratulations to graduating seniors and Top 30 Honorees Drew and Haddie Daner!

Yahrzeits

6/1 Arturo Robles
      Father of David Robles
6/2  Isaac Blaustein
   Uncle of Jackie Zucker
  Julius Goldstein
Grandfather of Steve Weiss
6/3  Irving Drucker
   Father of Howard Drucker
6/4 Irene Katz
      Cousin of Jayne Sacks
6/5 Moe Gilbert
    Uncle of Jayne Sacks
6/7 Rose Jacobson
  Aunt of Jayne Sacks
6/8 Samuel Lyon Albaum
   Father of Barbara Kurtzman
  Samuel Solish
     Grandfather of Alfred Solish
   Pauline Carol
   Of Blessed Memory
6/12 Joseph Levine
      Father of Adam Levine
      Rose Moss
   Richard A. Moss
      Lew Gans
   Grandfather of Jackie Ramsdell
6/15 Wolf Hirshfield
   Father of Hilary Steiniger

6/16 Sarah Blaustein
     Aunt of Jackie Zucker
6/17 Shelly Blaustein
      Cousin of Jackie Zucker
6/19 Esther Goldberg Stone
  Mother of Rudyard(Rud) Stone
6/20  Erna Steburg
Grandmother of Charles Wilkins
6/23 Leopold Schiffer
     Father of Larry Schiffer
        Sanders Levine
   Uncle of Richard A. Moss
6/24 Gisella Friedman
Grandmother of Sharon George
6/26 Margaret S. Lowe
     Mother of Jean Lowe
     Tricia Beers
Of Blessed Memory
6/28 Julius Mandelbaum
   Of Blessed Memory
6/29 Michael Salzman
   Father of Steve Salzman

Donations

Susan Aroner
In memory of Arthur Day

Jean Jacoves
In memory of Paul Sacks

Geoff & Kate Auslen
General Fund

Bernie & Bonnie Weiss
In memory of Paul Sacks
for Jayne Sacks, Julie Mundee and Family.

Janine & Bob Dingler
In memory of Ralph Fox

Ed & Susan Russell
In honor of Frieda Russell

Carol Fine
General Fund

Steve & Susan Weiss
In memory of Paul Sacks

Janet & Aurthur Lazik
In memory of Paul Sacks

Make a Donation

Birthdays

6/2 Mark Cohen
6/4 Phil Cohl
6/5 Ken Shapiro
6/8 Brandon Hirsch
6/9 Daniel Padolsky
6/12 Meta Nisbet
6/15 Doug Trinidad
6/17 Steve Weiss
6/19 Jackie Zucker
6/20 Barbara Kurtzman
Wendy Kim
6/21 Linda Baker
Justin Burke

6/23 Michael Aroner
6/24 Robert Dingler
6/25 Zal Robles
6/26 Kathy Cohl
6/27 Mimi Naish
6/28 Rabbi Janice
6/29 Robyn Elliot
6/30 Sylvia Drucker
Hazel Hirsch

Anniversaries

6/3 Frieda and Fred Russell
6/10 Cricket Handler and Jerry Boots
6/16 Jackie and George Ramsdell
6/17 Cindy Dixon and Adam Levine
Sue and Steve Weiss
6/22 Barbara and Chip Kurtzman
Sylvia and Howard Drucker

Support COT with your Amazon purchases!

Congregation Ohr Tzafon
2605 Traffic Way
Atascadero, CA 93422

May Newsletter from COT

04/30/2019 06:13:06 PM

Apr30

May 2019
2605 Traffic Way, Atascadero, CA
805-466-0329
congregationcot@gmail.com

On Wednesday night, we will gather in our sanctuary to remember. We gather to say we will not forget what happened in our not so distant past but also to say we stand in solidarity in the face of continued antisemisitm, hatred and violence. I am often asked, "What can we do? How do we drive it away?" Here are some lessons from the writings of Elie Wiesel:

1. When you see the signs of hate, don’t wait to respond -- fight it. What begins with words (slogans, articles, social media posts) becomes gestures (graffiti, toppled headstones), and eventually devolves into physical violence.
2. We must not become complacent. We have always had to fight against hatred, and there are lessons in memory. Be alert.
3. Don't fight alone. Build unity within our own Jewish community.
4. Build unity across communities too. Our friendships with others is a powerful weapon against the forces that try to divide us.
5. Don’t be defined by the hate you fight. Tragedy doesn't define us; our response to tragedy does. As you fight hate, don't fall into hate.
6. Remember to celebrate the things worth celebrating. With the grief, pain, and anger, there will also be moments of joy. Celebration is an act of rebellion, subversion, revolution.

Keyn y'hi ratzon - May this be God's will.
Rabbi Janice Mehring

May Calendar

5/1     7:00p Yom HaShoah
Holocaust & Heroism
5/3    5:30p Tot Shabbat
6:30p Family Services
Rabbi Janice
5/5     9:30a Torah School
5/10    7:00p Wine, Whiskey, & Worship
Rabbi Janice
5/14    7:00p Board Meeting
5/17    2:00p CC Festival for Jewish Learning
Day 1
7:00p Shabbat Service
Naomi Blakely
5/18    8:30a CC Festival for Jewish Learning
Day 2
5/19    8:00a CC Festival for Jewish Learning
Day 3
    9:30a Torah School
5/24    7:00p Shabbat Service
Men's Club
5/29    6:00p General Membership Meeting
5/31    7:00p Shabbat Service
Rabbi Janice

Tomorrow

Note from Rabbi Janice:
I know many are concerned about gathering for such a publicized Jewish program in light of the continued anti semitic violence.
The COT Board of Trustees is concerned as well but we are vigilant. There will be increased security for the event as well as presence by the Atascadero Police Department. We appreciate Chief Haley's support.

I remind everyone about our policy at COT. No one is allowed to bring their own personal firearms into the building.

I look forward to seeing you as we gather to affirm that we will not forget.

Board Highlights

The COT Board meets the second Tuesday of the month at 7:00 PM. Here are the highlights from the last meeting.

Annual General Membership Meeting – Wednesday, May 29 at 6:00 at COT. Budget and Rabbi Janice’s contract will be voted on for approval.
Our B’nei Mitzvah students will be doing their mitzvah projects. Please check the bulletin weekly to see how you can support them as they work on their mitzvot.
Wine, Whiskey and Worship is May 10. Join us at COT – details to follow. Check the bulletin.
Please welcome Bill Alexander, Linda Baker, and Kathleen Yoruba, our newest members!
COT Golf Tournament Sunday June 30 in Paso Robles. Stay tuned for sign ups. Sponsorships are available! Contact Rick Moss.

Upcoming Events

Festival for Jewish Learning
May 17-19

The JCC-Federation of SLO, SLO Hillel, and the Jewish community will highlight inspiring ideas, traditions, food, culture and more on campus.

We will host keynote speakers and workshops with:

Aaron Tapper, Jewish Studies and Social Justice Chair, University of San Francisco
Gitta Ryle, Holocaust survivor, along with Bruce Einhorn, retired judge and former Nazi war crimes prosecutor
Hussein Aboubakr Mansour, Egyptian refugee turned Hebrew professor
Maggie Anton, Talmudic scholar and author of "Rashi's Daughters," and author Teri Kanefield on the Ruth Bader Ginsberg story of seeking justice
our area rabbis, including: Rabbi Janice Mehring, Rabbi Rick Litvak, Rabbi Chaim Hilel, and Rabbi Dov Gottesfield
visiting rabbis, including: Rabbi Micah Hyman, Rabbi Rachel Isaacs
Plus sessions on the diversity in Judaism, how to use Jewish wisdom to handle stress, the history of Jewish life in SLO County, Torah learning and hiking, and Judaism in wine

This weekend will be an incredible supplement to Cal Poly life, as well as an engaging way for community and students to learn alongside one another. FREE kosher meals included with your registration!

Registrater Here

COT Golf Tournament
June 30

Last Month at COT

Emma & Isaak Kirchenstein put together a silent auction this past weekend to benefit Woods Humane Society. COT is so proud of all its B'nei Mitzvah Students!

From the SLO Master Chorale
Monuments of the Jewish Tradition
Nathan and Ariela present Rabbi Janice with flowers after a stunning performance.

Thank you to our Charoset Crew! Here they are prepping for the Community Seder.

New Members Bill Alexander, Linda Baker, and Kathleen Yorba being welcomed and blessed by Rabbi Janice and the congregation.
Welcome!!

Kvelling Corner

Captain Drew Daner and her team, AHS Greybots, are the
WORLD CHAMPIONS
from over 400 teams from all over the world!

Link to KSBY Article

Yahrzeits

5/1 Minnie Colman
   Mother of Frances Mayer
5/3 Pat Elliott
   Husband of Robyn Elliott
Roslyn Cohl
Mother of Phillip Cohl
5/4 George Solish
   Father of Alfred Solish
Arthur Day
Father of Susan Aroner
5/5 Harry Finkle
   Uncle of Linda Prior
5/7   Shepard Zafran
   Uncle of Larry Schiffer
5/8 Ken Burgess
   Step-father of Jeff Zucker
Max Moss
   Grandfather of Rick Moss
5/10 Tillie Finkel
   Mother of Linda Prior
5/11 Joseph Tzvi Fried
   Father of Tali Freed
   Herman Brown
   Grandfather of Jackie Zucker
5/13 Joseph Aroner
   Father of Michael Aroner
   Clifford Randall Rubin
   Brother Nancy Osran

5/14 Mary Pollack
   Grandmother of Rabbi Janice
   Ira Jacoves
   Brother-in-law of Jayne Sacks
5/15 Stanley Sacks
   Brother-in-law of Jayne Sacks
   Janet Pace
   Aunt of Elisabeth Madding
   Edith Boxer
Of blessed memory
5/16 Steven Craig
   Son of Regene Craig
   Ralph Fox
   Father of Janine Dingler
5/20  Zalman Scherer
   Father of Michelle Scherer Robles
& Dawn Scherer Daner
5/22 Roza Adler
   Aunt of Frieda Russell
5/23 Virginia Wise Marx
   Mother of Mary Bianco
5/28 Max Keer
   Father of Ellen Weingarten

Birthdays

5/1 Sue Weiss
5/2 Melissa Trinidad
5/3 Del Robasciotti
Ben Robasciotti
Diana Heller
5/4 Fred Russell
5/5 Hilary Steiniger
5/6 Donna Weisz Jones
5/7 Mary Bianco
5/9 Phyllis Caris
5/13 Frieda Russell
5/15 Julie Mundee
5/16 Brian Alhadeff

5/17 Justin Gish
5/18 Esther Salzman
   Ariela Shoshana Trinidad
5/19 Larry Schiffer
5/20 Emma Kirschenstein
   Isaak Kirschenstein
5/21 Henry Hamilton
   Kris Siegel
   Hannah Grace Proffitt
5/24 Steve Salzman
5/26 Eva Alhadeff
5/27 Elisabeth Madding
5/29 Paul Sacks
5/31 Michael Mogull

Anniversaries

5/17 Tali Freed & Ken Doerr

5/24 Dawn & Adam Daner

Support COT with your Amazon purchases!

Tzedakah
Thank you for your generosity.

Sharon George
In memory of Natalie Stone
In memory of Bob Brigham

Jake & Wendy Kaufman
To the Rabbi Discretionary Fund

Joannie & Group
In gratitude Post Israel Trip

Leslie, Rick, Pat, Jim, Naomi & David
Post Israel Trip

Carol Fine
To the General Fund

Jean Lowe
To the Havurah Campership Fund
In memory of Trudy Moss
In memory of Natalie Stone

Susan, Phyllis, Arlene
Natalie Stone Memorial

Leslie B. & Tichad M. Holmes
In memory of Natalie Stone

Arlene McDonald
In memory of Harold Goldstein

Bonnie & Bernie Weiss
In memory of Natalie Stone
In memory of Trudy Moss
In memory of Bob Brigham

Theresa Hirsch
In memory of Natalie Stone
In memory of Bob Brigham
In memory of Trudy Moss
In memory of Paul Schwarm
In loving memory of Larry Hirsch

Louis & Yoshiko Bunk
In memory of Natalie Stone

Susan & Michael Aroner
In memory of Melody Aroner Katz
In memory of Trudy Moss
In memory of Bob Brigham

Lunette Bauer & Carolyn Schacter
In celebration of Natalie Stone's life

Rud Stone
In memorium of Natalie

Rich & Jan Carsel
In memory of Sophie Carsel

Judith Baron
In memory of Adelaide Baron

Make a Donation

Thank You to Our Supporters

Congregation Ohr Tzafon
2605 Traffic Way
Atascadero, CA 93422

April Newsletter 2 from COT

04/02/2019 05:29:33 AM

Apr2

April 2019
2605 Traffic Way, Atascadero, CA
805-466-0329
congregationcot@gmail.com

The two joyous months of Adar are coming to a close. Did your 'happiness increase' as the Talmud says it will during this time of raucous Purim energy? While our sages were well-intentioned, can we really obligate people to be happy? Modern day researchers suggest that we replace the word happiness with well-being. Rather than searching for happiness, if we strive for meaning, self-worth, and satisfaction in our lives we can all increase our sense of well-being and not just for Adar but throughout the year. This will serve us well as we shift into the season of our liberation. The commemoration of our freedom is not just about celebrating our people become physically free from bondage, but also about them breaking the chains of spiritual enslavement. They no longer would be oppressed by the narrowness of slave mentality but could follow their own hearts and minds to a new way of being. This was not an easy transition for the Children of Israel. There was a definite learning curve to acting and thinking as a free people. But with time, and faith, and perseverance, we did indeed become free.

This year, we begin to count the Omer in the evening on April 20. This tradition, grounded in the agricultural cycle of the land of Israel, has become an opportunity for spiritual growth. Because the work of finding meaning, self-worth, and satisfaction in our lives is ongoing, it is wonderful that our tradition gives us built-in 'spiritual boot camps' (such as counting the Omer) to help us. There are many wonderful guides and websites for making the counting of the Omer a spiritual practice. I offer this poem for the new month of Nissan and I wish you all peaceful and wonderful season of liberation. Rabbi Janice

The barley ripens
The Season of the Omer celebrates the sprouting grain.
Each day the light increases and
Fresh breezes clean out the dark places.
We journey from the grains of liberation to the bread of Torah
From the potential of freedom to the realization of vision.
Like our plant friends, we move
From buds to blossoms to ripening fruit.
Earth energy strengthens the trees and plants
The time has come to harvest the healing herbs.
And we count, trying to make each day count,
On our journey from Egypt to Sinai.
We re-connect with Mother Earth
Who births us into the people Israel.
-- Judy Young

Counting the Omer with Rabbi Yael Levy https://www.awayin.org/counting-the-omer
Omer: A Counting by Rabbi Karyn Kedar https://www.ccarpress.org/shopping_product_detail.asp?pid=50132

March Calendar

4/5    5:30p Tot Shabbat
6:30p Family Services
Rabbi Janice
4/7    9:30a Torah School
4/9    7:00p Board Meeting
4/12 7:30p Shabbat Service
Rabbi Janice
4/14 9:30a Torah School
   2:00p Natalie Stone Memorial Service
4/19 7:30p Shabbat Service
Erev Pesach
  Leslie Moss
4/20 5:45p Community Seder
4/23 7:00p Men's Club
Rick Moss
4/26 7:00p Shabbat Service

Natalie Stone Memorial

Southern Poverty Law Center

Upcoming COT Events

Remember: reservation forms are due no later than Friday, April 12.

Saturday, April 20, 2019 at 6:00 PM
2019 Seder Reservation Form

Please click on the form for a printable PDF.

General Community Events

Sunday, April 28, 2019 at 3:00 PM

Click for More Info!

We would love you to join us at the Monuments of the Jewish Tradition Concert on Sunday, April 28th 2019 3pm, at the Harold Moss Hall, Performing Arts Center, San Luis Obispo.

We have reserved a block of tickets to allow us to all sit together and support our Singing Rabbi, Rabbi Janice Mehring.
These tickets are in the orchestra section rows H-K and the cost is $38 each.
If you would like to join us please contact me on or before Monday April 15th by email at jrmbkr@gmail.com
I would need your payment by Friday April 19th.
We can also arrange a car pool list for anyone interested.
This is going to be a magnificent concert with a full orchestra and 115 voice choir, with beautiful choral music in Hebrew, a concert not to be missed.

COT Thanks You!

Thank you to Hilary and Peter Steiniger and Kate Silverman for reorganizing our library. Books are now categorized and color coded by subject matter.
Please feel free to check out a book by completing the card in the book (or a 3x5 card in the plastic check out box) with your name and phone number and date of check out. Return the book to the proper section when you are finished.

Thank you to Melany Spielman, Jackie Ramsdell and parents and teachers for a fun Purim celebration.

Kvelling Corner

Mazel tov to William Mehring. He will enter the USC Keck School of Medicine on August 9.

Yahrzeits

4/3   Mariam Greene- Aunt of Judith
   Bernstein
4/6 Harold Gold- Father of Ariene
   McDonald
4/9 Aaron Simon- Grandfather of Jessica
  Main
Bronia Weiss- Grandmother of Steve
  Weiss
4/10 Suzanne DaSilva- Sister of Rita Becker
Lillian Levine- Aunt of Rick Moss
   Sandra Alice Boxer- Of Blessed
   Memory
4/11 Sophie Carsel- Mother of Richard
  Carsel
   Philip Trevor- Cousin of Linda Prior
   Rachel Margalit- Grandmother of
   Nachschon Margalit
4/12 Leonard M. Marx- Father of Mary
   Bianco
Betty Mandelbaum- Of Blessed
   Memory
4/13 Phillip Finkel- Uncle of Linda Prior
4/14 Dorothy Russell- Mother of Fred
   Russell
   Sara Golde- Mother of Regene Craig
4/15 Margaret K. Sloss- Grandmother of
   Jean Lowe
   Raphael Shelby- Grandfather of Linda
   Prior
4/16 Melody Aroner Katz- Sister of Michael
   Aroner

4/18 Baruch Margalit- Father of Nachson
   Margalit
Fannie Finkel- Grandmother of Linda
  Prior
4/20 Ann Finkel- Aunt of Linda Prior
4/21 Shirley Oser- Mother of Jan Carsel
4/22 Larry Hirsch- Husband and Father of
   Theresa Hirsch, Micah Hirsch, Hazel
   Hirsch and Brandon Hirsch
   Carmen Froes- Grandmother of Rita
   Becker
Louis Donnenfeld- Uncle of Jeff Zucker
Jonathan Jacoves- Nephew of Jayne
   Sacks
Irving Alexander- Father of William
   Alexander
   Abraham Goldstein- Of Blessed
   Memory
4/23 Louis Gottlieb Stone- Father of I.
   Rudyard (Rud) Stone
Beatrice Simone- Grandmother of
   Jessica Main
4/24 Suan Mogull- Mother of Michael Mogull
4/25 Rose Caris- Mother of Larry Caris
   Philip Bloomfield- Father of Joan
   Bloomfield
4/26 Adelaide Baron- Mother of Judith Baron
4/29 Jackson Alberts- Nephew of Jayne
   Sacks

Birthdays

4/3 Daniel Solish
4/6 Irwin Shelub
4/7 Grace Mundee
Carrie White
Camille Hamilton
4/15 Dr. Shervin Gholian
4/16 Samuel David Gholian
4/17 Charlotte Olivia Gholian

4/18 Karen Wilkins
   Drew Daner
   Haddie Daner
4/20 Robin Cohen
4/21 Filip Yeskel
4/22 Steve Gersh
4/29 Patricia Schechter
   Noah Dingler

Anniversaries

4/6 Jayne & Paul Sacks
4/8 Rick & Leslie Moss
4/17 Rich & Jan Carsel

4/22 Ron & Linda Becker
4/24 Les & Muna Cristal

Support COT with your Amazon purchases!

Tzedakah
Thank you for your generosity.

Ron & Linda Becker
In honor of Irv Shelub- Ancestry Education Series

Nachshon & Colleen Margalit
In honor of Ester Margalit

Jean Lowe
Havurah Campership
In memory of Natalie Stone
In memory of Trudy Moss

Rick & Leslie Moss
In memory of Natalie Stone
In honor of Larry Caris/Fundraising
In honor of Irv Shelub-Ancestry Education Series

Rud Stone
In memory of Natalie Stone

Chip & Barbara Kurtzman
In memory of Natalie Stone

Bonnie & Bernie Weiss
In memory of Trudy Moss
In memory of Natalie Stone

Michael & Susan Aroner
In memory of Mildred Day

Arlene McDonald
In memory of Harold Goldstein

Make a Donation

Thank You to Our Supporters

Congregation Ohr Tzafon
2605 Traffic Way
Atascadero, CA 93422

March Newsletter from COT

03/01/2019 02:41:07 PM

Mar1

March, 2019
2605 Traffic Way, Atascadero, CA
805-466-0329
congregationcot@gmail.com

25 of us will be leaving for Israel next week. 4 million tourists arrived in Israel last year for the “Wow” moments of encountering ancient ruins, monuments, battlefields and living history. However, we Jews visit Israel as pilgrims, with a sense of something more. We are returning to our history, our people, to the place it all began.    The word ‘pilgrim’ refers to a traveler going to a holy place.   We don’t often think of that word in a Jewish context. Muslims make a hajjto Mecca. Christians walk the Via Dolorosa but pilgrimage is Jewish at its core.  Jews have been doing it since biblical times, traveling to Jerusalem for the three pilgrimage festivals (shalosh regalim) of Sukkot, Passover and Shavuot.
It is customary before leaving to collect written prayers to insert into the Kotel, the Western Wall, and token amounts of tzedakah to give to the poor.  I am happy to be the messenger for any of your prayers or monetary gifts. Please give them to me before Shabbat on March 8.

It also customary to say this prayer around the Shabbat table before leaving.

May the One who blessed our ancestors
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob
Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel and Leah
Bless me and those with whom I travel
On this journey up to Israel.
May we travel safely, and arrive in peace
To the land that we hold dear,
The land that we call Zion.
May we return to those we love
Blessed in every undertaking
Inspired and renewed by our people and our land. Amen.

Keyn Y’hi Ratzon.  May this be God’s will.

March Calendar

3/1    5:30p Shabbat Potluck
6:20p Summer Camp Presentation
7:00p Shabbat Service Begins
Rabbi Janice
3/3    9:30a Torah School

3/8    7:30p Shabbat Service
   Rabbi Janice
Last day to give RJ prayers for Israel
3/12   7:00p Board Meeting
3/15 7:30p Shabbat Service
Ron Becker
3/17   9:30a Torah School
3/20   6:00p Erev Purim
Pizza and Purim!!!
3/22 7:30p Shabbat Service
Sharon George
3/24   9:30a Torah School
3/26   7:00p Havurah
   Jean Lowe & Sharon George
   Men's Club
Mark Cohen
3/29 7:30p Shabbat Service
Rick & Leslie Moss

Board Highlights

Dues payments are lagging a bit. Board discussed different means to communicate the importance of our dues.
Be on the lookout for a summary of the participants’ input on the main focus questions during the “living room conversations” held late last year.
We are pursuing a federal security grant to enhance our overall security. There are already excellent measures in place.
Camperships for local and away camps will be available. Plan to attend family services on March 1 for more information.
Shabbat service times will change at the end of April. Family and Tot Shabbat service times will remain the same. Stay tuned!

Upcoming COT Events

TONIGHT!

Saturday, April 20, 2019 at 6:00 PM
2019 Seder Reservation Form
Please click on the form for a printable PDF.

General Community Events

Sunday, April 28, 2019 at 3:00 PM

Click for More Info!

Ticket Giveaway!!!

We have two tickets available to give away in the Orchestra Section (Please see picture below)! These are phenomenal seats and a $76.00 value. Members of COT are entitled to one entry per household.

In order to enter you MUST e-mail Sam Mogull at CommunicationsCOT@gmail.com. Additional Entry possibilities will be announced during the weekly bulletins. Stay Tuned!

Winners to be announced after the April Board Meeting.

Kvelling Corner

Yahrzeits

3/1
Jeff Surnow- Cousin of Jayne Sacks
3/2
Marilyn Kilbreck Winer-Sister of Natalie Stone
3/4
Joseph Levine-Grandfather of Richard A. Moss
3/8
Morris Hartman-Of Blessed Memory
3/9
Mildred E. Day-Mother of Susan Aroner
Nina Ruffino- Friend of David Robles and MIchelle Scherer Robles
Fay Gans-Grandmother of Jackie Ramsdell
3/14
Lily J. Taylor-Of Blessed Memory
3/20
Lillian Shapiro-Mother Of Kenneth L. Shapiro
3/21
Jordan Kilbrick-Cousin Of Natalie Stone
3/23
Estelle Diamant-Cousin Of Sharon George
Ginna Toberman-Of Blessed Memory

3/26
Charlotte Soloman Klein-Mother of Sylvia Decker
3/27
William Cullen-Father Of Theresa Hirsch
3/29
Leon Stein-Father Of Carol Hoffman
Marion Stein-Mother of Carol Hoffman
3/30
Pat Robles- Sister-in-Law to David Robles and Michelle Scherer Robles
Bunny Levine-Uncle to Richard A. Moss

Birthdays

3/2 Nancy Osran
Kimberly Kurtzman
3/3 Herman Weisberg
3/5 Jayne Sacks
3/8 Alfred Solish
Ariene McDonald
Nathan Trinidad

3/9 Michelle Scherer Robles
3/16 George Wilkins
3/17 Ronald Field
3/24 Mindy Proffitt
3/28 Rita Becker
3/31 Josh Burke Cohn

Anniversaries

3/02 Bill & Julie Mundee
3/16 Phillip & Kathy Cohl
3/24 Derek & Mindy Proffitt
3/29 David & Naomi Blakely
Allan & Frances Mayer

Support COT with your Amazon purchases!

Tzedakah
Thank you for your generosity.

Security Fund
Ron & Linda Becker
In honor of Tali Freed's Birthday

Bonnie & Bernie Weiss

Howard & Sylvia Drucker

General Fund
Larry & Phyllis Caris
In appreciation of MLK Day

Memorial/Tribute
Steve & Sue Weiss
In memory of Natalie Stone

Jayne & Paul Sacks
In Tribute to Mundee & Stones

Susan & Michael Aroner
In memory of Natalie Stone
In memory of Beatrice Casden

Rick & Leslie Moss
In memory of Natalie Stone

Cricket Handler & Jerry Boots
In memory of Cricket's Father's Yahrzeit

Make a Donation

Thank You to Our Supporters

Congregation Ohr Tzafon
2605 Traffic Way
Atascadero, CA 93422

February Newsletter from COT

02/01/2019 08:02:00 AM

Feb1

February, 2019
2605 Traffic Way, Atascadero, CA
805-466-0329
congregationcot@gmail.com

Rabbi's Message

Our tradition teaches that not all months are created equal. We are entering the Hebrew month of Adar thought to have a special capacity to bring us hope and joy. Why? Because it is the beginning of the lead up to Purim, the holiday commemorating our deliverance from the evil Haman. This year is extra joyful because this is a Jewish leap year: a time when we add an entire extra month into the calendar. Our Hebrew calendar is a combined lunar-solar calendar.  Lunar cycle runs 29.5 days= 354 days a year as opposed to the 365 days of the solar year.  An extra month is added every 2-3 years to offset the 11 day lag per solar year to ensure the festivals occur in the right season.   This syncs the lunar year with the solar cycle of the agricultural seasons.
The rabbis could have added any month, but they decided to add an extra Adar for the chance to double our joy! Each Adar is a gift, an opprotunity to look to the future with hope and joy. Obviously, all our mental and physical pain will not magically disappear the minute the new moon appears. We can't control sickness and distress. But we can control some of our reaction to it all, and every new moon is a good time to reexamine the way we face the reality of our lives.
The great sage Rava taught “ When a person is brought before judgment in the next world, he or she will be asked: “Did you do business with honesty? Did you find time to learn Torah? Did you give yourself to your family? Did you keep hope in the future alive?” (Talmud Shabbat 31a).
It is an ancient, yet very relevant reminder that  we  can increase our joy in life during Adar and all throughout the year. We can do this through relationships, family, honesty, learning, and through remaining positive and hopeful .

Rabbi Janice

February Calendar

2/1    5:30p Tot Shabbat
6:30p Family Service
Rabbi Janice
2/3    9:30a Torah School
2/6   7:00p History of Jewish Ancestry
Era of the Israelites
2/8 7:30p Shabbat Service
Rabbi Janice
2/10 9:30a Torah School
2/12   7:00p Board Meeting
2/13   7:00p History of Jewish Ancestry
Era of the Judeans
2/15   7:30p Shabbat Service
Rich Carsel
2/20   7:00p   History of Jewish Ancestry
Era of the Judeans
2/22   7:30p Shabbat Service
Rabbi Janice
2/24   9:30a Torah School
2/26   7:00p Havurah
Men's Club
2/27   7:00p History of Jewish Ancestry
Era of the Judeans

Announcements

Security Fund

Donate to Security Fund

Music Appreciation Group

COT member, John Nisbet is looking for music lovers! He has a lifelong interest (50+ years) in classical music and wants to form a Music Appreciation Group with likeminded enthusiasts in the Paso Robles area.

The objectives would be simple: enjoyment and the opportunity to broaden understanding and knowledge.

Some suggested parameters:

Monthly meetings, either at a member’s house or at a central location (library meeting room?), depending on availability of audio equipment
The term ‘classical’ could be loosely defined
Members would take turns – according to their interests - to build and present a program of recorded music for listening and discussion
The entire range of interests and perspectives would be accommodated: solo, chamber, orchestral, concerto, operatic
Recordings could cover the entire possible range of media and age
If you are interested or have questions, please contact John. Jnisbet6@gmail.com or call 617-694-8125

Upcoming COT Events

Last Month at COT

We are grateful to Valerie Johnson and Al B Blue, Lauren Bandari and the JCC Federation of SLO, Stephen Vines and the NAACP, SLO County Chapter, Consuelo Meax, Ph.D, CEO of Spokes, and Fil Yeskel, co-owner of BRU Coffeehouse for their participation in the Martin Luther King Jr. “Continuing the Dream” program.

General Community Events

Sunday, April 28, 2019 at 3:00 PM

Kvelling Corner

Leo Oscar Siegel
Born January 3, 2019 at 7:40 PM
Prince of Wales Private Hospital
7lbs 7oz
20.8 inches long
Mazel tov to new grandparents Kris and Ken Siegel!!!

Yahrzeits

2/2
Hannah Schwartz-Mother of Sharon George
2/4
Rand Salke-Of Blessed Memory
2/6
Mary Dolgow Drucker-Mother of Howard Drucker
Milton Schechter-Uncle of Robert Schechter
2/9
Jack Moss-Father of Richard A. Moss
2/11
Helen Rubin-Mother of Nancy Osran
Arthur Toberman-Of Blessed Memory
2/13
Beatrice Casden-Aunt of Michael Aroner
2/15
Samuel Yeskel-Father of Filip Yeskel
2/16
David Lowe-Brother of Jean Lowe
Sandy Lowe-Sister-in-Law of Jean Lowe

2/19
Harvey Mundee-Father of Bill Mundee
2/22
Philip Schwartz-Father of Sharon George
Sherman Westrich-Uncle of Richard A. Moss
2/23
Edith Simon-Mother of Sandy Kawano
2/24
Roland Eugene Hawk-Father of Patricia Schechter
Bunny Frankel-Sister of Steve Weiss
2/25
Daniel Ithak Kolikant-Father of Nitsan Kolikant
2/26
Rachel Albaum-Mother of Barbara Kurtzman

Birthdays

2/1 Dave Padolsky
2/5 Benjamin Zucker
2/7   Wren Willow White
2/10 Joan Bloomfield
   Micah Isaac Hirsch
2/12 Richard Carsel
2/13 Alli Mundee

2/14 Zach Sidders
Lexi Sidders
2/18 Dr. Melany Spielman
2/19 Manu Florentini
2/23 Nancy Cohn
2/26 Arielle Neshamah Margalit

Anniversaries

2/10 Jerome & Rita Becker
2/11 Robert & Janine Dingler
2/14 Ken & Kris Siegel

Support COT with your Amazon purchases!

Tzedakah
Thank you for your generosity.

Security Fund
Rich & Jan Carsel

General Fund
Geoff & Kate Auslen

Sharyn & Michael Siegel

Larry & Phyllis Caris
In appreciation of MLK Day

Ways & Means
Edward Zimmerman

Havurah
Ron & Linda Becker

Memorial/Tribute
Susan & Michael Aroner
In memory of Len Roth
In memory of Lawrence Day

Rick & Leslie Moss
In memory of Sherman Westrich
In memory of Jack Moss
In memory of Joseph Levine
In memory of Bunny Levine
In memory of Lillian Levine
In memory of Max Moss

Paula Schroder
In memory of Julie Moody

Thank You to Our Supporters

Congregation Ohr Tzafon
2605 Traffic Way
Atascadero, CA 93422

January Newsletter from COT

01/01/2019 01:25:36 PM

Jan1

January, 2019
2605 Traffic Way, Atascadero, CA
805-466-0329
congregationcot@gmail.com

Rabbi's Message

Rabbi Hillel, in Pirkei Avot/Ethics of the Father, taught “God led Adam around the Garden of Eden and said, "Look at My works. See how beautiful they are, how excellent! For your sake, I created them all. See to it that you do not spoil or destroy My world,for if you do, there will be no one to repair it after you." (Ecclesiastes Rabbah 7.13)
The holiday of Tu B'Shevat occurs this month, designated by the Talmud as the New Year for the Trees. This holiday reminds us to express our gratitude for the beauty and diversity of nature and to renew our commitment to being stewards of God’s creation. Our tradition emphasizes that the well-being of trees is intimately connected to the well being of all creation. We read in the midrash that "If not for the trees, human life could not exist." (Midrash Sifre, Deut. 20:19). The Lubavitcher Rebbe went as far to equate a tree to the spiritual life of a person. The roots represent a person’s faith, the trunk and branches represents the spiritual life through intellect, emotions, and achievements, and the fruit and seeds are the power in each of us to reach out to others and help everyone in our community become their own healthy trees.

With this metaphor in mind, I offer this poem, The Tree Trimmer, by Ruth Brin.

Dangling from a leather sling in the oak,
the tree trimmer, high in the swaying tree,
reaches out to saw away a branch.
It leaves a staring eye when it drops,
a round white eye on the tree trunk.
Cautiously, with rope and saw,
tools swinging from his belt,
he crawls upward, seeking limbs to cut.

Now I too slash away unnecessary branches,
opening my eyes to the sky.
Imperiled, dangling, lacking skill to choose
the limbs that stifle my growth, I pray
to You whose marks I bear within
like rings of trees.
I pray You guide my hand,
I, the tree trimmer, I the tree.

Chag Sameach. Happy secular New Year and Happy New Year of the Trees!

Rabbi Janice
Click to learn more about Tu BiSh'vat

January Calendar

1/4    5:30p Tot Shabbat
6:30p Family Service
1/8    7:00p Board Meeting
1/9    7:00p History of Jewish Ancestry
Introduction
1/11 7:30p Shabbat Service
1/13   9:30a Torah School Resumes
12:30p MLK Lunch & Program
1/16  7:00p History of Jewish Ancestry
Era of the Hebrews Pt. 1
1/18 7:30p Shabbat Service
1/20  9:30a Torah School
1/22   7:00p Havurah
   Samantha Mogull
   Men's Club
   Michael Aroner
1/23  7:00p History of Jewish Ancestry
Era of the Hebrews Pt. 2
1/25 7:30p Shabbat Service
1/27   9:30a Torah School
  2:00p Fused Glass Workshop
1/29 10:30a Book Club
Joan Bloomfield
1/30  7:00p History of Jewish Ancestry
Era of the Israelites Pt. 1

Announcements

Donate to Security Fund

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

Music Appreciation Group

COT member, John Nisbet is looking for music lovers! He has a lifelong interest (50+ years) in classical music and wants to form a Music Appreciation Group with likeminded enthusiasts in the Paso Robles area.

The objectives would be simple: enjoyment and the opportunity to broaden understanding and knowledge.

Some suggested parameters:

Monthly meetings, either at a member’s house or at a central location (library meeting room?), depending on availability of audio equipment
The term ‘classical’ could be loosely defined
Members would take turns – according to their interests - to build and present a program of recorded music for listening and discussion
The entire range of interests and perspectives would be accommodated: solo, chamber, orchestral, concerto, operatic
Recordings could cover the entire possible range of media and age

If you are interested or have questions, please contact John. Jnisbet6@gmail.com or call 617-694-8125

Upcoming COT Events

KVELLING CORNER

Mazel tov to our two newest members of the tribe!
Kate Silverman (left with her grandmother) and Kathleen Yorba.
As our people have done through the ages, we ask God's blessing on you and wish you joy and happiness as you become a part of the Jewish people.

Natalie Stone celebrated her 91st Birthday, pictured with Husband Rud Stone.

Yahrzeits

1/1
Gertrude Sturner-Of Blessed Memory
1/2
Barney Miller-Grandfather of Jeff Zucker
1/4
Carolyn Cohl- 1st Wife of Phillip Cohl
Leah Doren Kilbrick-Mother of Natalie Stone
Barbara Blumenthal Gresham-Mother of Gail Gresham
1/5
Aron Tschewik-Father of Frieda Russel
Paul Sturner-Of Blessed Memory
1/7
Isabelle Weiss-Mother of Steve Weiss
1/8
Fredrick Oser-Father of Jan Carsel
Jack Surnow-Uncle of Jayne Sacks
1/9
Helen June Becker-Mother of Ronald Becker
1/10
Ben A Gilbert-Father of Jayne Sacks
Blanche Kirchenstein-Mother of Phyllis Caris
1/12
Clint George-Husband of Sharon George
1/13
Cy Wilkins- Father of Charles Wilkins
Curt Steiniger-Father of John Steiniger
Paul J. Shapiro-Brother of Kenneth L. Shapiro

1/14
Samuel Weisberg-Brother of Herman Weisberg
1/19
Kevin Kirby-Nephew of Frieda Russell
1/20
Mauro Guiffreda-Friend of Joel Kirschenstein & Phyllis Caris
1/23
Jack Golde-Father of Regene Craig
1/24
Albert M. Stone-Brother of I.Rudyard (Rud) Stone
Julia Moody-Wife of Paula Schroeder
1/25
Joanne Main-Mother of Jessica Main
1/26
Maime Rummerman-Grandmother of Karen Wilkins
1/28
Stuart Cohn-Father of Nancy Cohn
William Lowe-Father of Jean Lowe
1/30
Gerty Gibberman-Aunt of Jackie Zucker
1/31
Sherry Trevor-Aunt of Linda Prior

1/3 John Steiniger
1/5 John Sidders
Frederick Seaver Jr.
1/6 Elsa Corr Padolsky
1/7 John Nisbet
1/10 Jerome Becker

1/12 Charles Wilkins
1/14 I. Rudyard (Rud) Stone
1/23 Samantha Mogull
Miriam Robles
1/27 Tali Freed

1/11 Jackie & Jeff Zucker
1/12 Summer & Justin Gish
1/23 I. Rudyard (Rud) & Natalie Stone
1/26 Brian & Luana Alhadeff
1/31 Michael & Ellen Weingarten

Board Highlights

Irv Shelub’s Adult Ed Discussion Survey on the History of Jewish Ancestry will run for 8 sessions at COT and begin on Wednesday, January 9th at 7:00, for COT members only.
Discussions with community members and consultants continue regarding ongoing security. Trainings to be offered in the future. Stay tuned.
COT will be supporting the JCC Jewish Film Festival over the first weekend of the new year. Interested participants are urged to buy their tickets in advance.
Tickets are now being sold for a virtual football pool for the Super Bowl. Contact Larry Caris if interested.
Torah School is going well! We have 23 students.

Support COT with your Amazon purchases!

Tzedakah - Thank you for your generosity

Yahrtzeit/Memorial/Tribute Donations:

Larry Shiffer
In memory of Irene Schiffer.

Larry & Phyllis Caris
In memory of Philip Caris.
In memory of Blanche Kirschenstein.

Steve & Sue Weiss
In memory of Marc Weiss
In memory of David Frankel

Dave Padolsky
In memory of Mildred Padolsky

Michael Santos
In memory of Larry Doolin
In memory of Marc Crosby

Security Fund Donations:

Mary Bianco
Susan & Michael Aroner
Pat & Jim Paulson
Phyllis & Larry Caris
Mark & Robin Cohen
Douglas & Melissa Trinidad
Larry Schiffer

General Fund Donations:

Carol Fine
Sydney & Karen Goldstein
Fred Seaver
Paula Schroeder

Thank You to Our Supporters

Author
Date Added