(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
