Shir Notes The Official Newsletter of Congregation Shir Ami Volume 9, Number 2, February 2011 Affiliated with United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism

Events Rabbi’s Column of the Month We had just two photographs. Two pictures depicting Bonnie's mom with her family standing next to a Around the Rabbi’s Tisch tombstone of a relative. Thursdays Feb. 3, 10, 17, and 24 at 7:30 pm They seemed to take a lot of tombstone-and-family pictures around the turn of the century (20th, that is). In Our popular series of weekly this case, there is a photo of a big, elaborate tomb- discussions, led by Rabbi Vorspan at stone, almost as tall as the family standing around it. his home, continues. For more information call Rabbi Vorspan at Our plan was to visit the cemetery where Bonnie's mother's (818) 888-9817. family was buried in Belarus, each of us armed with the two ------pictures of the tombstone, locate it and then have our own Shabbat Services picture taken standing next to it. at Temple Ner Maarav This was last summer. Bonnie, her brother and his wife, Saturday, February 5, 10:15 am and I went on a 7-day tour of Jewish Poland. After this Birthday Shabbat and Social Action Linen Shabbat organized tour accompanied by another two women from See flyer for items to be collected the east coast, we hired a separate guide to lead us through for Domestic Violence shelters the detail of going to Belarus, visiting Bonnie's father's birth city (Pinsk) Saturday, February 12, 10:15 am and her mother's (Sherashev). Saturday, February 19, 10:15 am Saturday, February 26, 10:15 am Sherashev was our last stop, but the one we looked forward to the most. Anniversary Shabbat The idea of finding these substantial tombstones was exciting. The thought Extended kiddush followed by of having our picture taken at the exact spot next to these markers where presentation by Rabbi and Bonnie Bonnie's family stood a century ago made this the fitting conclusion of a Vorspan of their trip to Poland remarkable journey visiting our roots. last summer to visit family and Jewish historical sites. We documented the visit with film and photos. Upon our return, I used ------some professional editing software to create a 20 minute "travelogue" Shir Ami Lecture Series which we've been showing to our family. at Temple Ner Maarav Bonnie and I will be sharing this with the congregation after Shabbat Tuesday February 22 at 1:00 pm services on Saturday, February 26. Vincent McCormack, Supervisor of Adult Protective Services at the Los It's worth viewing, if only to see what happened in our search for those Angeles County Van Nuys field office tombstones! will discuss Elder Abuse. This series is free to all. See flyer with Shir Notes Rabbi David Vorspan or call Helga at (818) 340-5751.

Presidents’ Day Save the Date: Sunday, March 20, 2 - 5 pm February 21 for our annual free Ice Cream Social

Congregation Shir Ami will once again have a party for its members with ice cream sundaes, Visit our website: entertainment, and lots of fun. This year we will have an afternoon party to avoid driving www.shirami.com after dark. Mark your calendar and be part of the fun! page 2 February 2011

President’s Report December Lecture: Scams Targeting Seniors by Helga Unkeless Shalom my friends, December 28th we enjoyed our fourth lecture in our We have had a guest from Temple monthly lecture series Discussions with Professionals Ner Maarav at most of our monthly About Many of our Senior Concerns. We were board meetings. This way we have fortunate, indeed, to hear Bob Richardson, Director the opportunity to get to know their of Operations for the Better Business Bureau, speak officers and staff, and they can meet the members of to us about scams that especially target seniors. Bob our board. At our January board meeting we had the came with a wealth of information and lots of handout pleasure of hearing Cantor Linda Rich tell us about literature. We walked away with more knowledge and herself, and her amazing family. Did you know that a better feeling of how to avoid these scoundrels who Cantor Rich was the first woman cantor in the th are only after our money. Conservative movement? Cantor Rich is the 4 generation Cantor of her family, and now her daughter This month we will welcome Vincent McCormack, is the fifth generation. Isn’t that awesome! She was so Supervisor for LA County Adult Protective Services gracious in revealing her personal history, and we are who will speak to us about Elder Abuse. There are so grateful to her. Do try to attend some of Temple many different kinds of abuse and we need to know Ner Maarav’s services on the days that we don’t have how to recognize them and report them. It will take any and come under her spell too. place, like all our lectures in the series, at Ner Maarav Tuesday, February 22 at 1:00 pm. Come and bring Congratulations to our 2011 board members. I look your friends, as these lectures are free and open to forward to a stimulating and exciting year for Congre- the community. See the flyer in this Shir Notes for gation Shir Ami. more details.

Helga Unkeless, President

Congregation Shir Ami Upcoming Events

Saturday, February 5 Linen Shabbat

Saturday, February 26 Summer Trip Presentation following Shabbat Service with the Vorspans

Sunday, March 20 Ice Cream Social at Ner Maarav

Sunday, April 3 Celebration of Jewish Life at Temple Aliyah

Sunday, April 10 Jewish World Watch Walk at Warner Center Park

Sunday, May 1 Early Bird Movie & Dinner Congregational News at Betty and Harvey Cohen’s rec room Get well wishes rafuah schleimah to:

Sunday, June 5 Walk Around Lake Balboa at Lake Balboa Bernice Lipschultz recovering from a fractured bone in her hip Sunday, June 26 BINGO Sandy Cooper at Ner Maarav May they be blessed with a complete recovery in body and spirit. page 3 February 2011

Birthdays & Anniversaries DONATIONS Congregation Shir Ami wishes to Birthdays acknowledge the following donations: $ Nancy Scharf ...... 2/1 Yahrzeits Carol Koransky ...... 2/2 Howard Teichman...... 2/3 Ann and Isidore Goldfarb for Minnie Berman Madeline Cooperman...... 2/4 Lori and Ed Orens for David Orens Michael Easley...... 2/5 Esther Perez for Samantha Perez Esther Perez...... 2/7 Nancy and Lonny Scharf for Sally Brucker Bette Delman...... 2/9 Jacquie and Marshall Gordon for Joseph Gordon Lorraine Simansky...... 2/10 Ethel Granik for Sarah Goldberg Jacob Sipos...... 2/11 16th Rabbi and Bonnie Vorspan for Leonard and Sime Meshul Sherry Dollins...... 2/12 Doris Beck Sima Schuster ...... 2/13 Morris Nimovitz for Debby Nimovitz Talia Gnessin...... 2/14 15th Shirley Esko for Rose Esko Frances Black...... 2/21 Marcie and Steve Spetner for Sarah Lurie Philip Cramer...... 2/23 Linda and Harvey Tapper for Ruth Tapper and Elanor Rubin...... 2/28 Nathan Josephy

Clara and Stan Rosenbluth for Sadie Rosenbluth Rae and Armand Wazana for Fifyne Henderson and Paul Kroop Myrna Gold for Meyer/Jean Victer Fran and Sam Kobulnick for Rose Suckman Mailbox

Birthdays Congregation Shir Ami Dear Leon Nachenberg, Lonny Scharf Jerry Gort We are thankful for your support. Your Jacquie Gordon donation of 216 backpacks and school supplies on Fiona Taylor 11/7/2010 provides the gift of education to so many Sara Rose and Adam Joshua Kobulnick Eliot Louis Blank homeless students. We are grateful that because of you, a kindergartener can learn to read; because of you, a fifth grader will be able to go to school Our Condolences because she now has a uniform and a brand new

backpack; because of you, a high school student We regret to inform the congre- can discuss and solve a complex problem with his gational family of the passing of very own tutor. longtime member Wolf Schlesinger and Charles Altman, father of Your generosity has done so longtime member Carol Koransky. much for the homeless children of our communities. May God comfort Jo and the Schlesinger family We celebrate this time of and the Koransky family during this time of their giving thanks and are grateful bereavement. for everything you do to sup- port School on Wheels. Correction to 2011 Shir Ami Roster Thank you most of all for the hope you have given to our homeless students that Gale and Jay Cohen they too can have a chance for success through 22907 Bassett St. education. West Hills, CA 91307 Catherine Meek Phone: (818) 346-3841 Executive Director Email: [email protected] School on Wheels page 4 February 2011 Social Action Committee We ask each of you to participate in as many mitzvah projects as you can during these difficult times. Together Here it is, the month we have all been waiting for! It we can make a difference! Together we have made a is finally February and we will be having our annual huge difference in our community. On behalf of all the Linen Shabbat on Saturday, February 5 at our people we have helped, I personally want to let you Shabbat service. I know from past experience that know that you are truly amazing and very much many of you attend to hear our speaker(s) from the appreciated. Family Violence Project which is in charge of the Domestic Violence Shelters we help sponsor. This Shalom, year we are truly in need for all of you to attend Fran Kobulnick, Social Action Vice President once again to support our Linen Shabbat. Funding has been cut back drastically to the shelters, but Operation Gratitude, MOT, Jews in the Military unfortunately more women and children are coming by Esther Perez into the shelters because many of the other A thank you to all the congregants who have partici- shelters have been closed due to lack of funds. pated in writing letters to our MOT service personnel. The most needed items are new twin size sheet sets, twin size warm winter blankets, full size Every year Operation Gratitude holds two campaigns: bath towels, washcloths and new pillowcases. one is the Patriotic Drive in the spring. We are now The reason we are asking for only new items is asking for letters to be sent along with Passover because of health code requirements. packages. These packages, filled with donated goods, are shipped to men and women in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Domestic Violence Shelters are going through They contain non-perishable energy drinks and very trying times and this is where each and every powders, an array of entertainment items such as DVDs, one of you can help by being as generous as you CDs, magazines, books, decks of cards, small stuffed can afford and buying as many of these items as animals, personal care products, toiletries, and some possible to help us with this special mitzvah project. items of clothing. Many of us give flowers and candy to those we love in February, but I think each one of us would be At the same time we will include cards and letters for the willing to give up our personal gifts just so that the Passover boxes. The men and women who have women and children can have the linens that they received these letters have responded that they read all need. If for some reason you cannot come to them over and over again, and they are the best. Linen Shabbat, please call Laura Simon (818) 883- 1765 or Fran Kobulnick (818) 345-2405 to arrange Please contact me at (818) 886-7512 if you can write a for drop off or pickup of your Linen donations. If few cards and letters. Anyone wishing to donate books anyone has very gently used children’s coats or can also call me and I will pick them up. clothing, please consider donating these items too. I can’t think of a better way to show how much we care for these families in their time of need. Ritual Committee

The Social Action Committee held an open meeting This year I have taken over from Harvey Cohen the with Ner Maarav in January regarding the possibility position of Ritual Vice President. I thank Harvey for all of doing some Mitzvah Projects together in the he has done to ensure we have a well organized and future. The outcome of this meeting was that we family-atmosphere ritual program for Shabbat and the will again have our weekly SOVA food collections High Holy Days. and we will also support the AIDS Project Chicken I have been reluctant to accept this position in the past Soup baskets. We are hopeful that our congre- because I prefer to focus on what I consider creative, gation will volunteer soon to go to their kosher rather than administrative, ways of contributing to our kitchen to cook and/or deliver food to these AIDS congregation. Now I will combine these functions. patients. We have invited Ner Maarav to support us for our Linen Shabbat and writing Passover cards Look for exciting ways to celebrate the holidays with us for Project MOT. We were told that there is a strong in the coming months: Purim in March, Passover in possibility that they may join our team for our April, and the “Yom” holidays in May. I welcome your annual Walk to End Genocide Sunday, April 10 for suggestions for adding to our Ritual programs. Jewish World Watch. Stan Schroeder, Ritual Vice President

page 5 February 2011

Memories of Debbie Friedman President Helga Unkeless Acceptance Speech by Stan Schroeder at Consecration of Officers January 8th

Debbie Friedman, who reshaped Well my friends, how did we do last year? Jewish liturgical music into a more prayerful and participatory exper- We are not a congregation of highs and lows, we have ience for the Reform and Conser- no cause to panic and then heave a big sigh of relief, vative movements, died January 9 we merrily just bump along with little ups and downs to in an Orange County hospital. She keep us involved and paying attention. We are was remembered by her colleagues and students at generally a happy group and sometimes look for a little Hebrew Union College in Los Angeles where she has bump to put a little spice and conversation into our been teaching, and by the leading rabbis and cantors, lives, right? That includes me too. as a special caring person. All in all, our first year at Temple Ner Maarav went I have been inspired by her music and by the courage smoothly. We know that they are extremely grateful for she has shown throughout her life. I identify with her our presence, our energy and our involvement. We philosophy of self responsibility as expressed in her have brought new life to Temple Ner Maarav and that songs. The song L'chi Lach is in itself should make us feel very good. an interpretation of the biblical passage Lech Lecha, Thank goodness for the computer – I resurrected last Abraham's call to go out. The year’s acceptance speech and since my feelings are key phrase is “and you shall just the same, I would like to reread a part of it to you.

be a blessing” is the command- “My motto is ‘Shevet Achim gam Yachad’ (if people ment to each of us to live a life could sit together in unity), which to me means many based on Jewish Torah values. things, lets sit down together and talk things out, no one will not be heard, lets be a warm and caring Her upbeat melody of Miriam’s Song is a must at our congregation, let us support each other, let us be Passover seder. It is a joyous song celebrating our together during Shabbat services and during the crossing at the miraculous parting of the Sea. events planned for us. Join us in helping out and And Miriam was a weaver of unique variety becoming involved with the other members and so The tapestry she wove was one which sang our becoming a closer family. That is what we are all history. about. We don’t have a school to nurture children, we With every strand and every thread she crafted her have each other to nurture and be close to, and enjoy delight! each others company within and without the walls of A woman touched with spirit, she dances toward the our congregation”. light. Debbie reminds us of the unique place women have in I think we are still on the right track, and I hope we will our Jewish history and culture as she was active in continue to go forward in the same manner this year. empowering Jewish women. Now I must thank last year’s Board of Directors for And, finally, perhaps Debbie’s best known and widely their unending support and guidance. Carrying the title sung song is her Mi Shebeirach, a prayer for healing. ‘President’ means nothing if you don’t have the May the source of strength, support and help of the board behind you. I DO Who blessed the ones before us, THANK YOU ONE AND ALL. Help us find the courage to make our lives a blessing, And now I look forward to the new energy of the and let us say, Amen. ... coming year with our newest board members – Jordan Pistol – Executive VP and Ways & Means VP,. Esther Bless those in need of healing with r'fuah sh'leimah, Perez – Membership VP, Stan Schroeder – Ritual VP, The renewal of body, the renewal of spirit, Art Altshiller, Jay Cohen, Heather and Mark Hyman And let us say, Amen along with our pros of the previous year.

Again she is beseeching God to enable us to make our I thank you for your vote of confidence, and I hope you lives a blessing, as well as a source of healing. Debbie will all become more involved this coming year, if for showed us by example how to do this. I’ll remember no other reason than to help me to make 2011 a her example when I sing her songs. warm, successful and rewarding year for all of us. page 6 February 2011

Biography of the Month: Steven Speilberg Spielberg’s first big hit was as director of by Stan Schroeder Jaws in 1975. This thriller based on Peter Benchley’s novel made him a Steven Spielberg was born household name and one of America's December 18, 1946 in Cincinnati, youngest multi-millionaires. In 1977 he Ohio, to a Jewish family. His wrote and directed Close Encounters mother, Leah Adler, was a restaur- of the Third Kind, another box office anteur and concert pianist, and his hit that earned him his first Oscar father, Arnold Spielberg, was an nomination for Best Director. He focused on science electrical engineer involved in the fiction and action thrillers, with one success after development of computers. He another: Star Wars, Raiders of the Lost Ark, the first of spent his childhood in Haddon Heights, New Jersey the Indiana Jones series, and E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. and Scottsdale, Arizona. In 1985 he changed direction with The Color Purple, an adaptation of Alice Walker's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel As a child, Spielberg faced difficulty assimilating. “It of the same name, about a generation of empowered isn’t something I enjoy admitting,” he once said, “but African-American women during depression-era when I was 7, 8, 9 years old, God forgive me, I was America, starring Whoopi Goldberg and future talk- embarrassed because we were Orthodox Jews. I was show superstar Oprah Winfrey. embarrassed by the outward perception of my parents’ Jewish practices. My grandfather always Following a varied series of hits, Spielberg outdid all his wore a long black coat, black hat and long white successes in 1994 with Schindler’s List, the story of beard. I was embarrassed to invite my friends over to Oskar Schindler, a German industrialist who saved 1200 the house, because he might be in a corner davening, Jews from death camps during World War II. The film and I wouldn’t know how to explain to my WASP won him Academy Awards for Best Picture and Best friends.” Director. Spielberg used the profits to set up the Shoah

Throughout his early teens, Spielberg made amateur Foundation, a non-profit organization that archives 8 mm "adventure" films with his friends, the first of filmed testimony of Holocaust survivors. which he shot at the Pinnacle Peak Patio restaurant in His further successes are too numerous to mention, but Scottsdale. He charged admission (25 cents) to his he won Best Director for Saving Private Ryan in 1999 home films (which involved the wrecks he staged with and was nominated for both Best Picture and Best his Lionel train set) while his sister sold popcorn. Director for Munich, the story of the massacre of Israeli

After moving to California, he applied to attend the athletes at the 1996 Olympics, in 2006. film school at University of Southern California School Spielberg married Kate Upshaw in 1991. He had of Theater, Film and Television three separate times, previously married actress Amy Irving in 1985 and they but was unsuccessful. He was a student subsequently had one son. Kate was a Protestant who converted to of California State University, Long Beach (CSULB). Judaism before their marriage. Spielberg credits her His actual career began when he returned to commitment to Judaism with reconnecting him to his Universal Studios as an unpaid, seven-day-a-week faith. The Upshaws had adopted an African-American intern and guest of the editing department. After son, Cleo, whom Spielberg adopted after the marriage. Spielberg became famous, USC awarded him an Cleo also converted, and Spielberg convinced Cleo to honorary degree in 1994, and in 1996 he became a have an Orthodox bar mitzvah as he had at 13. The trustee of the university. In 2002, thirty-five years after Spielbergs now have seven children and maintain a starting college, Spielberg finished his degree via Jewish home. independent projects at CSULB, and was awarded a B.A. in Film Production and Electronic Arts. Spielberg, whose fortune is estimated at three billion dollars, has extensive philanthropic efforts ranging from During his internship in 1968, Spielberg made his first pediatric centers to tsunami relief to the National short film for theatrical release, the 24 minute film Museum of American Jewish History. He has used his Amblin'. After Sidney Sheinberg, then the vice- efforts to expose issues to public scrutiny and to teach president of production for Universal's TV arm, saw the lessons of how to make the world a better place. the film, Spielberg became the youngest director ever to be signed for a long-term deal with a major Hollywood studio. page 7 February 2011

A Jew in Paradise sides -- producing eight generals, twenty-one by Owen Delman colonels and six Congressional Medals of Honor.

At first, it seemed as if the place couldn’t Boxing? Max Baer boxed in 84 professional fights be more, uh ... foreign. By that I mean from 1929 to 1941 ending up with a 71-13-0 kind of ... alien. Well, getting right to it, record with 53 knockouts. The 1998 Holiday Issue looking around, there just couldn’t be a of Ring ranked Baer #20 in "The 50 Greatest lot of Jews living here, could there? Heavyweights of All Time." Ouch! Tourists and renters maybe ... “a nice Astronaut? Judith Resnick, who died on her place to visit, but....” second mission in the Challenger. Jeff Hoffman Actually, though, it did sort of feel a lot like Israel (which who flew five missions and had four EVA’s. And certainly qualifies as a very Jewish place). I mean, the there were others. climate was Israeli -- lots of swaying palm trees, I realized, in almost any area one could name, pleasant breezes and the scent of warm waters at the Jews have left and are leaving their mark. How coast. But, this was half a world away from Israel. This can such a small population be such a major was Hawaii. Specifically, the Big Island of Hawaii, not participant in human affairs? What causes Jews to even the metropolis Honolulu had become. be so successful in seemingly most endeavors? Jewish? I read the street signs and town markers -- who Certainly not the first time anyone has asked that writes with so many vowels? It’s like my Buby, whose question, but that doesn’t mean the issue’s been first instinct in mastering English spelling was to use all settled. five vowels and sometimes “Y” -- in every word! A reason one often hears is the Jewish emphasis But, I began to look past the obvious -- the spelling and on education in child rearing and the reverence for the heavy Polynesian and Japanese ethnic population - knowledge in later years. After all, our rabbis are - and I ran across a local newspaper article about Linda teachers, the sources of information for our Lingle, recently termed out after eight years as the population, not direct conduits to God. This Governor of Hawaii. Ms. Lingle was the first female education turns into success in adulthood (and Governor of Hawaii and the first Jewish Governor! How another reason so many become teachers). did that happen here? I’m sure this solution, and, probably many, many

So I began to think. Jews, who only: a) comprise about others are correct. However, it may be more basic a quarter of one percent of the world’s population; b) a than that! I think Jews are raised to be, for lack of little better than two percent of the US population; c) a better word, curious about the world around and one half percent of Hawaii’s, seem to be in them. We even question aspects or our own evidence everywhere one looks. Why? And, is there religion. It’s how we understand the universe any place or enterprise they’re not involved in? around us. By uncovering these mysteries of the universe -- through science and other disciplines -- So there I was, sitting in a tropical paradise pondering and everything that universe contains, we feel we this somewhat perplexing question about Jews. You better understand and appreciate God. It’s a have permission to call me crazy. Back to the question never-ending search and sometimes gets us into and a little “Google” research. Okay, we know they are trouble! That’s okay, it’s good to question. Just deeply into the sciences, literature, medicine, learn to duck when people throw things at you. philosophy, inventions, culinary arts, and...and. What about the more arduous, adventurous areas of life? Jews haven’t just survived for five thousand years, they have thrived! We have taken the gift of “Life” Explorers? Well, there’s Luis de Torres who sailed with and used our other gift, “Free Will”, to unlock Life’s Columbus on the 1492 voyage and is considered the mysteries. This leads to a lot of participation in the first Jew to step onto what became America (on board world. It’s how the promise to Abraham has been because he was going to be needed in Asia where his fulfilled: your people “...will be as numerous as the knowledge of Hebrew would be useful when the stars of the heaven and the sands of the expedition met up with one of the “lost tribes”). seashore.”

How about professional soldiers (other than Israeli)? So, maybe I wasn’t so crazy to spend some of my Out of 150,000 Jews in the United States at the time of Hawaiian time thinking about these things, I was the Civil War, 8500 fought in the conflict -- on both just being curious -- how Jewish of me!

page 8 February 2011

Shop at Ralphs - Earn Money for Shir Ami Thank You Note from Helga by Maralyn Soifer My friends, Here is an easy way to I was overwhelmed at the love displayed toward me at earn money for our the Consecration of Officers Shabbat. The turnout of Temple. We are now officially a Ralph’s members for this Shabbat was very meaningful. It community agency. All you have to do is follow showed that everyone does have their heart in our these simple instructions to help earn money for synagogue and is grateful for the job that the past Congregation Shir Ami. board members have done. It also showed your acceptance and good wishes to the new board 1. If you don’t have a Ralph’s rewards card members for 2011. already, go to the store and fill out the It will be a good year! I thank the board application. You can get it from the customer and the congregation for the lovely service station or any checker. gifts of appreciation – a leaf on our 2. Once you have your card, go to the website: Tree of Life, and a beautiful “Woman www.ralphs.com of Valor” bowl. They both mean a lot to me and I thank all of you. 3. Go to the top where the red bar is located and click on services. I will continue seeing you all in 2011.

4. On the left, click on Community Helga

Contributions. Mailbox 5. In the upper left hand corner click on Create

an Account if you haven’t already registered a Congregation Shir Ami card with a community organization. Dear friends,

6. If you already have a Ralph’s reward card and The Family Violence have registered it, go to sign in. You can Project of Jewish Family change to our Temple by going to your profile Service of Los Angeles page and clicking on Community Rewards. cannot thank you enough Then click on Edit Community Rewards. You for the generous Target gift cards you donated to our can do a search for Congregation Shir Ami by program. These will enable us to purchase much putting in the number 92785. Our needed items for the women and children in the congregation will pop up and click on the shelters and we deeply appreciate your thoughtfulness button next to the name. Click on the button and kindness. that saves the changes. The staff also values your commitment and dedication 7. You can also check the bottom of your receipt to our program and to the very important work that when you shop. It should say “Thank you for we’re doing to keep wpmen and children safe. In supporting Congregation Shir Ami”. addition to Tamar House and Hope Cottage, we recently acquired an additional emergency shelter 8. If all else fails, call me in the evening at (818) called Haven House in the Pasadena commmunity, so 704-0306. I’ll be happy to walk you through it. we now have spread our wings and can offer valuable 9. Start Shopping! services to more women and children in need.

On behalf of our entire staff at Family Violence Project, Make sure that the clerk swipes your card I wish to thank you all for your generosity and wish you each time you shop. This will not diminish and yours a 2011 filled with health. your other rewards that you receive from Ralphs. Happy shopping! Warmly, Kitty Glass Community Outreach Coordinator

page 9 February 2011

Ner Maarav Gift Shop Will Donate Sponsor Our Shabbat Kiddush by Clara Rosenbluth 10% of Your Purchase to Shir Ami The kiddush following services each Shabbat is Betty Marks, who operates the Ner Maarav provided by Temple Ner Maarav Sisterhood. Shir Ami Gift Shop, announced this generous offer. contributes $50 per week to cover our share of the cost. They have an exceptionally wide selection of We invite our members to underwrite part or all of this beautiful Judaica to fit every budget and every cost in honor of any special occasion: birthday, occasion. Come in and browse around. Tell anniversary, birth of a grandchild, great grandchild, Betty you are a Shir Ami member and we will graduation, promotion, retirement, etc. receive this 10% donation. Please call me at (818) 348-1498 if you wish to do this so we may acknowledge your donation. If you would like something added to the basic kiddush, such as a cake, herring, or gefilte fish, please contact Ner Maarav Sisterhood by calling Miriam Adler (818) 989-7160.

Share your happy events with your temple family.

Congregation Shir Ami Tribute Cards

Thanks to Phyllis Schroeder for sending your cards celebrating simchas and conveying your get- well and condolence messages.

She is creative with indivualized, artistic cards that include a message and color graphics. Call her at (818) 718-7466. Minimum donation of $5 per card is appreciated. page 10 February 2011

TREE OF LIFE Congregation Shir Ami Memorial Board

This beautiful Tree of Life, with leaves If you would like to honor the memory of your priced at $100 and rocks at $250 (one loved ones by dedicating plaques on our new remaining), makes a perfect way to Memorial Board, please call Clara Rosenbluth celebrate family occasions and support at (818) 348-1498 so she may mail you an Congregation Shir Ami. order form. The cost of each plaque is $36.

The Tree is on a rosewood background and consists of gold-colored leaves and Each plaque may contain up to three lines of rocks. It is displayed at all Congregation engraving: English name, Hebrew name, and Shir Ami services and events. the years of birth and death. Both of our Memorial Boards are displayed at all our For more information or to place an order, services.

call Sherry Dollins at (818) 886-7590.

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93 No. Permit

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91365 CA Hills, Woodland Postage U.S.

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Ami Shir Congregation Congregation Shir Ami 2010/11 Lecture Series

Discussions with Professionals about Many of Our Senior Concerns

Sixth Lecture Tuesday, February 22 1:00 pm at Temple Ner Maarav

Elder Abuse Guest Speaker, Vincent McCormack

We are privileged to have Vincent McCormack, Supervisor of Adult Protective Services at the Los Angeles County Van Nuys field office. He will discuss different kinds of abuse: physical, financial, mental, and neglect. We will learn how to detect the signs of elder abuse of family members, friends, or neighbors, and how to report it. Vincent will bring handouts that will be helpful in recognizing and dealing with this problem.

Congregation Shir Ami is largely a community of seniors with the challenges brought on by senior living in today’s society. We will be inviting experts in fields relevant to our community.

This series is free to our members, Temple Ner Maarav members, and the whole community. We encourage you to bring your friends. Refreshments will be served. Please call Helga Unkeless at (818) 340-5751 for reservations or information. Congregation Shir Ami 2010/11 Lecture Series

Discussions with Professionals about Many of Our Senior Concerns

Seventh Lecture Tuesday, March 22

1:00 pm at Temple Ner Maarav

Organ Donation and Transplantation Guest Speaker, Jerry Guon

We are privileged to have Jerry Guon, who has represented Donated Life, the national organ donation organization and the American Red Cross, and who is, himself, a recipient of a liver transplant, speak about donation and transplantation.

Jerry will discuss the beliefs of different religions on this subject and what laws and regulations currently pertain to donations and transplants. Other issues include: Payment for organ donation How should priority of recipients be determined Should age of recipient be a factor Should recipient’s moral character be a factor

Congregation Shir Ami is largely a community of seniors with the challenges brought on by senior living in today’s society. We will be inviting experts in fields relevant to our community.

This series is free to our members, Temple Ner Maarav members, and the whole community. We encourage you to bring your friends. Refreshments will be served. Please call Helga Unkeless at (818) 340-5751 for reservations or information. To register for the Shir Ami team, make a donation, or for more information, call Rae Wazana at (818) 881-5549.

Congregation Shir Ami Schedule of Shabbat Services January - June 2011 Conducted by Rabbi David Vorspan at Temple Ner Maarav, 17730 Magnolia Blvd., Encino

Friday 8:00 pm, Saturday 10:15 am (unless otherwise noted)

January Saturday, January 8 Birthday Also Consecration of Officers Saturday, January 15 Saturday, January 22 Saturday, January 29 Anniversary

February Saturday, February 5 Birthday Also Social Action Committee Linen Shabbat Saturday, February 12 Saturday, February 19 Saturday, February 26 Anniversary Presentation of their trip to Poland last summer with the Vorspans after service

March Saturday, March 5 Birthday Saturday, March 12 Saturday, March 19 Saturday, March 26 Anniversary

April Saturday, April 9 Birthday Saturday, April 16 Friday, April 22 Anniversary Saturday, April 30 Helga Unkeless

David Vorspan May President Rabbi Saturday, May 7 Birthday Saturday, May 14 Saturday, May 21 Saturday, May 28 Anniversary

June Saturday, June 4 Birthday Saturday, June 11 Saturday, June 18 Saturday, June 25 Anniversary

If you would like more information about our congregation please visit our website at www.shirami.com

Join the Social Action Committee on Saturday, February 5th for a special

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Shabbat!

Please bring NEW twin size warm winter blankets, twin size sheets, pillow cases, full size bath towels, and wash cloths to Shabbat services on Saturday, February 5th at 10:15 am. They will be given to moms and their children in domestic violence shelters.

GUEST SPEAKER Join us for a TOO! Kiddush after services.

We look forward to seeing you and your family at For more information, please call this special community- mitzvah project Shabbat. Fran Kobulnick at (818) 345-2405 or And don’t forget SOVA food bins are back. Bring Laura Simon at (818) 883-1765. your food donation to the service.