(Please scroll through until the end of this message to see all of the information)
April, 2020 2605 Traffic Way, Atascadero, CA 805-466-0329 congregationcot@gmail.com
FROM THE RABBI
As we continue to shelter at home,. I am very proud of how our COT community has adapted and worked together to reach out to members in need, to keep our synagogue running virtually, to provide online content for kids, and to live stream our Shabbat services. Last Shabbat, I shared a teaching from Mishnah Pesachim (1:2): "They need not fear that a weasel may have dragged chametz from one room to another room or from one place to another…….. For if so (meaning if they worried about that), ein l'dvar sof - there would be no end to the matter.” This teaching from the second century CE reminds us that no matter how we prepare, things will still happen that are beyond our control. We can clean our house meticulously for Passover and a rodent could still bring in a crumb of chametz rendering the home not kosher. But if we focus and fret on all the things that are out of our control, there will be no end to our level of stress and anxiety. Mental health professionals across the board agree with our mishnaic Sages that we are better served if we focus on things within our control. We can all set up a daily routine, take breaks from social media and news, nurture relationships, eat healthy, get outside for fresh air, and stay connected to friends and loved ones.Doing this helps us to push away the things that we lose sleep over. I wish you all a joyful Passover in whatever shape it takes this year. I pray for a time of connection despite our distancing, freedom of the spirit instead of confinement of the mind, a sense of purpose in what we can control and a letting go of the things we cannot in order to truly feel a sense of renewal and spiritual liberation.
Please note Rabbi Janice has a new e-mail address: rabbijanice@ohrtzafon.net
April Calendar
Please watch the weekly bulletin for information on events as the current situation is constantly changing.
Friday, April 3, 2020
5:30 PM: Virtual Tot Shabbat A link will be provided by Rabbi Janice for Tot Families to join. 6:30 PM Virtual Family Service via YouTube Live!
As we are all adjusting to our new slower and isolated life, your COT family is pulling together to help us all get through this time of stress and uncertainty. The Bikkur Cholim committee is/has checked in with every family in our congregation and we are connecting those who have volunteered to go shopping or bring things to those most at risk from the Coronavirus. If you need help, please call me (in the directory).
We have a group of wonderful, healthy, young volunteers who can pick up what you might need. In order to protect you, they will bring items to your front porch, but they should not enter your home.
We all have our friend networks. Call and checkup on each other plus at least once a week check in with someone who is alone. If we all talk to those, we care about it will help with the loneliness we all are feeling.
One possible way to use this time is to learn something new. Learning anything you have never done as learning helps your brain create new connections. It could be as challenging as learning a new language or a learning a new crochet pattern or woodworking technique. YouTube offers hundreds of step by step instructions. Rabbi Janice provided a beautiful streaming Shabbat service on Friday evening and she also offered a Saturday morning Torah Study. This will continue for this coming Shabbat as well. Take time now to learn more about the Jewish way to be in the world.
The most important thing to do right now is to stay safe.
Shalom lekha (Peace to you) Melany
Upcoming Events
More information and a Haggadah to come next Week.
Support COT!
Celebrate Shabbat Bags!
To order a “Shabbat/Havdalah Gift Bag,” please email Mimi Naish (information can be found in the member directory).
Last Month at COT!
The Purim Spiel was a Blast!
Kvelling Corner
Yahrzeits
04/02 Miriam Greene Aunt of Judith Bernstein 04/03 Dorothy Russell Mother of Fred Russell 04/07 Baruch Margalit Father of Nachshon Margalit 04/08 Stephen Lewis Grandfather of Amy Hormann 04/09 Aaron Simon Grandfather of Jessica Main Bronia Weiss Grandmother of Steve Weiss 04/10 Suzanne DaSilva Sister of Rita Becker Lillian Levine Aunt of Rick Moss Sandra Alice Boxer Of blessed memory 04/11 Sophie Carsel Mother of Rich Carsel Louis Donnenfeld Uncle of Jeff Zucker Philip Trevor Cousin of Linda Prior 04/12 Leonard M. Marx Father of Mary Bianco Betty Mendelbaum Of blessed memory 04/13 Phillip Finkel Uncle of Linda Prior 04/14 Sara Golde Mother of Regene Craig 04/15 Raphael Sheby Grandfather of Linda Prior Margaaret K. Sloss Grandmother of Jean Lowe 04/16 Melody Aroner Katz Sister of Michael Aroner 04/18 Fannie Finkel Grandmother of Linda Prior 04/20 Ann Finkel Aunt of Linda Prior
04/21 Shirley Oser Mother of Jan Carsel 04/22 Larry Hirsch Husband of Theresa Hirsch Father of Brandon, Micah, and Hazel Jonathan Jacoves Nephew of Jayne Sacks Irving Alexander Father of Bill Alexander Carmen Froes Grandmother of Rita Becker Roslyn Cohl Mother of Phillip Cohl Abraham Goldstein Of blessed memory 04/23 Louis Gottlieb Stone Father of Rud Stone George Solish Father of Alfred Solish Beatrice Simon Grandmother of Jessica Main 04/24 Susan Mogull Mother of Michael Mogull 04/25 Philip Bloomfield Father of Joan Bloomfield Rose Caris Mother of Larry Caris 04/26 Shepard Zafran Uncle of Larry Schiffer Adelaide Baron Of blessed memory 04/28 Paul Sacks Husband of Jayne Sacks Father of Julie Mundee 04/29 Jackson Alberts Nephew of Jayne Sacks 04/30 Herman Brown Grandfather of Jackie Zucker
Donations
Cheryl Keast In honor of COT for Keeping the Faith participation
Rick & Leslie Moss In honor of Sharon George and Naomi Blakely
Anonymous In honor of Joan Bloomfield
Carol Hoffman In memory of Leon and Marion Stein
Michael & Susan Aroner In memory of Mildred Day
Larry & Melany Spielman In honor of Robin & Mark Cohen
(Please scroll through until the end of this message to see all of the information)
March, 2020 2605 Traffic Way, Atascadero, CA
805-466-0329
congregationcot@gmail.com
FROM THE RABBI
This month marks the beginning of the 2020 US Census. Jews are quite familiar with mandated census taking. The Israelites were counted three times in the span of just of a few months after leaving slavery in Egypt. It could not have been easy to count all those people in the desert and yet there was a practical reason for doing so. They needed a count of how many able- bodied men over the age of 20 were available for battle. We also have a practical and technical reason for our constitutionally mandated head count. The census determines political districts, allocates congressional seats and determines how hundreds of billions of dollars in federal spending for social programs will be distributed for schools, hospitals, food aid and other critical programs. Because of the historical undercounting of people, Michael Waldman, president of the bi-partisan Brennan Center for Justice calls the counting of the census in the year 2020 one of the greatest and most important civil rights issues of our day. In Jewish terms, the reason for counting is unambiguous: everyone matters. By counting everyone, we not only distribute justice ethically, we remind ourselves that everyone counts. The Hebrew phrase for the counting is “to lift up the head.” Each person would stand before Moses and Aaron and they would be seen and receive a prayer. In other words, the count was not just technical but also to bestow dignity on each person and to remind the leaders that the collective only exists because of the individual. Each person was given the message that you are seen and that you matter.
The same is needed today. People need to feel that they matter. The Census Bureau estimates that minorities, including African Americans, Hispanics, and Native Americans, were undercounted by 1.5 million in 2010 and many fear an even bigger undercount this year. At a time when 43 million people live in poverty and 40% of Americans cannot afford a $400 emergency expense, we must work hard to count every single person. The real beauty of community can only come when every single person is lifted up. We pray that we see and embrace and lift up the diverse beauty of an America that is built on justice and mercy. An America where we all count.
Rabbi Janice
Please note Rabbi Janice has a new e-mail address:
rabbijanice@ohrtzafon.net
March Calendar
03/04 7:00 PM Adult Education with Irv 03/06 5:30 PM Tot Shabbat 5:50 PMPotluck Served 6:30 PM Family Service
Rabbi Janice 03/08 9:30 AM Torah School 3:00 PM Julia Miller Concert 03/09 6:00 PM Purim Spiel 03/10 7:00 PM Board Meeting 03/11 6:30 PM Intro to Judaism 03/13 7:30 PM Shabbat Service
Ron Becker 03/15 9:30 AM Torah School 03/17 6:30 PM Intro do Judaism 7:00 PM Men's Club 03/20 7:30 PM Shabbat Service
Rick & Leslie Moss 03/22 1:00 PM Texas Hold'Em Tourney 03/24 6:30 PM Intro to Judaism 7:00 PM Havurah 03/27 7:30 PM Shabbat Service
Rabbi Janice 03/31 6:30 PM Intro to Judaism
This Week!
Family Potluck
March 6th // 5:50 PM
Judith Baron Memorial
March 2nd // 6:30 PM*
Judith's friends will be hosting a memorial in her honor, please see the notice below:
"A Celebration of Life for the redheaded hurricane that was Judith will be held at 6:30 PM Monday, March 2 at the Pavilion on the Lake, Atascadero. Call or text (805) 674-4318 .“
*Please note the Julia Miller concert will include a tribute to Judith. Flyer and information below.
Please note Rabbi Janice has a new e-mail address:
rabbijanice@ohrtzafon.net
Community Safety Bulletin
Celebrate Shabbat Bags!
To order a “Shabbat/Havdalah Gift Bag,” please email
Mimi Naish: candm1@charter.net
Support COT Security with Scrip Fundraiser
Springtime is here and scrip can help with freshening up everything from winter skin to giving your house and yard a new look! See the attached flyer for special offerings for March. Remember, you spend only what you would spend directly with the merchant, you just buy it through COT first so that we get a donation from the merchant. It's that easy! Of course, we still have all our regular merchants as well for dining out, grocery shopping, fuel, department stores, and so much more. We have raised over $1,000 for COT and we can do even more together. Orders are now regularly done on the 2nd and 4th Monday of the month so March 9th and 23rd will be this month's order days. Contact Jackie Ramsdell at 909.921.7231 or leave message at congregationcot@gmail.com with any questions. Thank you for supporting COT.
Upcoming Events
Last Month at COT!
Family Tu Bish'vat Seder was a great success!
Kvelling Corner
Yahrzeits
03/01 Jeff Surnow Cousin of Jayne Sacks 03/02 Marilyn Kilbrek Winer Sister-In-Law of Rud Stone 03/04 Joseph Levine Grandfather of Rick Moss 03/06 Samuel Yeskel Father of Fil Yeskel Florence Blair Nager Of Blessed memory 03/09 Mildred Day Mother of Susan Aroner Nina Ruffino Friend of Michelle Scherer
Robles & David Robles 03/13 Robert Leslie Bingham Father of Leslie Moss 03/14 Lily J. Taylor Of blessed memory 03/18 Leon Stein Father of Carol Hoffman Marion Stein Mother of Carol Hoffman
03/20 Lillian Shapiro Mother of Kenneth Shapiro 03/21 Jordan Kilbrick Brother-In-Law of Rud Stone 03/23 Estelle Diamant Cousin of Sharon George Gina Toberman Of blessed memory 03/26 Charlotte Solomon Klein Mother of Sylvia Drucker Harold Gold Father of Arlene McDonald 03/27 William Cullen Father of Theresa Hirsch 03/30 Bunny Levine Uncle of Rick Moss Pat Robles Sister-in-Law to David Robles &
Michelle Scherer Robles 03/31 Rahel Margalit Grandmother of Nachshon
Margalit
Donations
David James Smith & Theresa Marie Smith Building Fund
Sally Rogow In honor of Rabbi Janice
Jackie & George Ramsdell In memory of Fay Gans
Larry & Melany Spielman In honor of Rabbi Janice, Rick & Leslie Moss, Joan Bloomfield, Tali Freed for Keeping the Faith
Seiji & Sandy Kawano In memory of Edith Simon
Jayne Sacks In memory of Jeanne Jacoves
In memory of Stan Weiner
In honor of Carrie & Mitch Jacoves
Fred & Frieda Russell In honor of the birth of Yael Mogull
In memory of Aron Tschewik
Michael & Susan Aroner In memory of Natalie Stone
In memory of Art Toberman
In memory of Bea Cusden
03/02 Nancy Osran
03/03 Herman Weisberg
03/08 Alfred Solish
Arlene McDonald
Nathan Trinidad
03/09 Michelle Scherer Robles
03/17 Ronald Field
03/18 Eli Yorba
03/24 Mindy Proffitt
03/27 Benjamin Alexander
03/28 Rita Becker
03/31 Josh Burke Cohn
Anniversaries
03/02 Julie & Bill Mundee
03/16 Phillip & Kathy Cohl
03/24 Mindy & Derek Proffitt
03/29 Naomi & David Blakely
Frances & Allan Mayer
COT Supporters
Support COT with your Amazon purchases!
Congregation Ohr Tzafon
2605 Traffic Way
Atascadero, CA 93422
(Please scroll through until the end of this message to see all of the information)
February, 2020 2605 Traffic Way, Atascadero, CA
805-466-0329
congregationcot@gmail.com
FROM THE RABBI
This year, the holiday of Tu BiShvat (the 15th of the month of Shvat) occurs on February 9/10. More Jews are celebrating this holiday than ever before by attending Tu BiShvat seders and planting trees.
There is no reference to Tu BiShvat in the Hebrew Bible. It is first mentioned in the Mishnah, the Oral Law, where four “new years” are designated. These are really “key dates” for administrative, economic or agricultural, just like we have “the fiscal year,” “the tax year,” etc. The Mishnah’s fourth case, “the New Year for the tree” fixes the “determining date” for fruits from trees for tithes (10% tax). It's not exactly the stuff holidays are made of.
While there were old traditions of eating fruits and reciting psalms on Tu BiShvat, the kabbalists “upgraded” the holiday in 16th century Tzfat, Israel. They composed a special service modeled on the Passover Seder. As the Zionist movement grew, from the late 19th century on, the Jews returning to Eretz Yisrael started planting trees, to replace natural forests that had been destroyed over the centuries. As our resources dwindle and our planet warms, this holiday about trees and honoring the natural world has particular significance.
Even though the Torah doesn't mention the holiday, it shows specific concern for trees, prohibiting cutting down trees which provide food (Deut 20:19-20) during wartime. This is likely the first case of a “protected species.” From this, comes the broader mitzvah of bal taschit, that we should not destroy things unnecessarily. The tree has become a symbol of life itself, and therefore it is fitting that its “holiday” be an occasion to remember our duty to protect the world we live in and its natural resources. Almost two thousand years ago, Ben Azzai hinted to the delicate ecosystems which enable life on this delicate planet to survive. And the rabbis were well aware of the tragic consequences of failing “to protect” them. If we destroy them, there will be no one to fix what we break. May this Tu BiShvat be a reminder of our responsibility to care for our natural world.
Rabbi Janice
February Calendar
02/02 9:30 AM Torah School 02/04 6:30 PM Intro to Judaism 02/05 7:00 PM Adult Education with Irv 02/07 5:30 PM Tot Shabbat 6:30 PM Family Service
Tu BiSh'vat Seder 02/11 7:00 PM Board Meeting 02/12 7:00 PM Adult Education with Irv 02/14 7:00 PM Shabbat Service 02/18 6:30 PM Intro to Judaism 02/19 7:00 PM Adult Education with Irv 02/21 7:00 PM Shabbat Service 02/23 9:30 AM Torah School 02/25 6:30 PM Intro to Judaism 02/26 7:00 PM Adult Education with Irv 02/28 7:00 PM Shabbat Service
Board Highlights
Security service costs are exceeding our security income. A Security fundraising letter is being mailed out. Please donate as generously as you can.
Purchase of gift cards will be twice monthly, to be scheduled soon. Contact Jackie Ramsdell with your order. Grocery Outlet cards will be on the front table also. They function the same way Amazon Smile, does in giving a percentage of your purchase to COT at no cost to you.
A very few virtual Super Bowl squares are left! Contact Larry Caris!
Greeter Committee is looking for additional members. Anyone is welcome! Training will be provided.
Announcements
******Synagogue Email Scam Alert.******
Synagogues all across the country, including here in California, have been victims of a phishing email scam. Congregants receive an email that appears to come from their rabbi asking them to send money or gift card numbers to a third party email. All emails from COT and Rabbi Janice will always have the COT logo and be sent through out official email system. Please do not click on any links in suspicious looking emails.
The new COT Scrip Fundraiser has been great over the holidays. Your scrip purchases have earned COT over $700.00 profit so far! It's easy to participate and you buy only what you need or use on a regular basis such as groceries, gas, dining out, shopping, etc.
It's a win-win.
You aren't spending anymore money than you normally would for essentials and COT gets a bonus.
There will be doing two orders each month starting this month on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month so for February it will be the 10th and 24th. Please note that payments are due with the orders either by mail, in Jackie Ramsdell's box at COT or on line (please e-mail the form to Jackie and note the payment online is for Scrip). Please make all checks payable to COT.
Have questions? Contact Jackie Ramsdell at
09-921-7231.
Thanks for supporting COT!
LEARN TO PLAY MAHJONG!!
Wed. Feb 12 & Wed. Feb 19 // 1:00 PM at COT
RSVP TO THERESA VIA EMAIL: tannc.h19@gmail.com
OR TEXT: 805-440-2476
Upcoming Events
Save the Date
Last Month at COT!
A wonderful turnout at the COT Menorah Lighting.
Rabbi Janice leads Havdalah at the Keeping the Faith exhibit at Studios on the Park.
Torah School Planting Passover karpas/parsley for Tu BiSh'vat
Oy Vey Bingo!
Kvelling Corner
Larry Stone, Natalie and Rudyard Stone's son, has been named the sportswriter of the year for 2019 in the state of Washington. This makes the third time that the National Sports Media Association has awarded him!
Other Community Events
-JCC Annual Meeting and Action Summit, Monday, February 10th, 2020 from 6:00-8:00PM at Congregation Beth David in SLO, 10180 Los Osos Valley Road
-Event led by JCC-Federation of SLO Board of Directors, Outgoing Executive Director Lauren Bandari, JCC President Adrienne Shivers, Incoming JCC President Gail Schwartz, and Incoming JCC-Federation Manager Bobby Naimark
Past - Present - Future
Come to hear about great Jewish community accomplishments, and how the JCC-Federation is moving forward. Then, participate in our Action Summit so YOU are a part of ongoing Jewish community programs and services.
02/02 Hannah Schwartz Mother of Sharon George 02/04 Doris Alexander
Mother of Bill Alexander Rand Salke
Of blessed memory 02/06 Mary Dolgow Drucker
Mother of Howard Drucker Milton Schechter
Uncle of Robert Schechter 02/09 Jack Moss
Father of Rick Moss 02/11 Helen Rubin
Mother of Nancy Osran Arthur Toberman
Of blessed memory 02/13 Natalie Stone
Wife of Rud Stone Beatrice Casden
Aunt of Michael Aroner 02/16 David Lowe
Brother of Jean Lowe Sandy Lowe
Sister-in-Law of Jean Lowe
02/19 Harvey Mundee Father of Bill Mundee Gerty Gibberman
Aunt of Jackie Zucker 02/22 Philip Schwartz
Father of Sharon George Sherman Westrich
Uncle of Rick Moss 02/23 Edith Simon
Mother of Sandy Kawano 02/24 Bunny Frankel
Sister of Steve Weiss Roland Eugene Hawk
Father of Patricia Schechter 02/25 Daniel Ithak Kolikant
Father of Nitsan Kolikant 02/26 Rachel Albaum
Mother of Barbara Kurtzman 02/27 Fay Gans
Grandmother of Jackie Ramsdell
Donations
Havurah Music Fund
Security Fund
Steve & Sue Weiss
In memory of Isabelle Weiss
In memory of Clint George
In memory of Bunny Frankel
Alfred Solish & Margaret Frerking
In memory of Alfred's Parents
Carol Fine
General Fund
David James Smith & Theresa Marie Smith
Building
Geoff & Kate Auslen
Security Fund
Sally Rogow
In honor of Rabbi Janice
Sharon George
In memory of Clint George
In honor of the birth of Yael
Jean Lowe In honor of Rabbi Janice
Larry & Phyllis Caris In memory of Blanche Kirchenstein
In memory of Mauro Guiffreda
Mazel Tov to Sam & Mike Mogull on the birth of Yael Isla.
Michael & Susan Aroner In memory of Leonard Roth
In memory of Lawrence Day
In honor of the birth of Yael Isla Mogull
Paula Schroeder In memory of Julie Moody
Rick & Leslie Moss In memory of Sherman Westrich, Jack Moss, Trudy Moss, Joseph Levine, Robert Bringham, Bunny Levine, Lillian Levine
In honor of Rabbi Janice, Melany & Larry Spielman, and Rita & Jerome Becker
