Shir Notes The Official Newsletter of Congregation Shir Ami Volume 16, Number 6, June 2018. Affiliated with United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism

Rabbi’s Column Events . We’re going to dedicate a Ner Tamid at the end of this of the Month month.

Shabbat services at It was designed by us but hand-made in Israel reflecting our de Toledo High School name and the congregation’s musical emphasis. I’d post a picture, but we Saturday, June `9 - 10:30 am Birthday Shabbat want the reveal on June 23 to be our first view of this artistic endeavor!

Saturday, June 23 - 10:30 am The Eternal Light is often associated with the menorah, the seven-branched Anniversary Shabbat lamp stand which was part of the Bet HaMikdash – the Holy Temple in Ner Tamid dedication Jerusalem. (See article on page 2) Kiddush lunch for Ethyl Granik’s The rabbis interpreted the Ner Tamid as a symbol of God’s eternal presence 90th birthday in the world. ------Walk Around Lake Balboa Originally the Ner Tamid was an oil lamp. Ours will be a battery powered Sunday, June 3, 9:00 am bulb. It’s supposed to be “eternal” but how long the batteries last will determine that. Our Walk this year raises money for the Painted Turtle Camp for Obviously, we have been able to manage without a Ner Tamid this long, so seriously ill children. Call Sheilah what will this light add to our lives? Hart at (818) 884-2342. See article on page 4 and flyer. The light shines above the ark, repository of the Torah scrolls. The Hebrew ------root for both the Torah and the Ner Tamid is “or.” Interestingly, both the The Story of the Jews Hebrew words of parent (Hor’rah) and teacher (Mo’rah) also contain that Sunday, June 10 same root for “light.” Meaning that illumination comes from many different 2:00 pm at the Vorspans’ sources.

This is the fourth afternoon of a five We as a people are supposed to be an “Or La’goyim”–a light unto the part series originally shown on PBS nations. Perhaps we, as individuals, can serve that same purpose, reminded created by Professor Simon Schama. This segment portrays to do so by the Ner Tamid. how the Jews of eastern Europe made their mark in the modern Life can be trying, but it is at those times that we must be on our best world. Rabbi Vorspan will lead a behavior. In moments of impatience, or anger, or frustration – these are discussion following the video. See when we must remember that light shining above the ark. the article on page 7 and see the flyer to register. And become that light.

Rabbi David Vorspan

Featured articles inside

Dedication of Our New Ner Tamid and Parochet at Shabbat Service June 23 by Sherry Dollins - page 2

Biography of the Month: by Stan Schroeder - page 5

Jewish World Watch Walk to End Genocide by Rae Wazana - page 6

Visit our website: The Story of the Jews [4], Sunday, June 10 by Stan Schroeder - page 7

www.shirami.com Operation Gratitude - Father’s Day by Charlene Kazel - page 8

page 2 June 2018 President’s Report Dedication of Our New Ner Tamid and Shalom, Parochet at Shabbat Service June 23 June is here and like kids all over the by Sherry Dollins country can hardly wait until school is out, we are Our congregation is fortunate to have two new ritual waiting for Schul to be “out” as we look forward to items to enhance our Shabbat services. At her Tribute our annual two-month hiatus in July and August. Luncheon, our rebbetzin, Bonnie Vosrpan, presented

the congregation with a gift of a beautiful hand-made Not so fast, though. We have a lot to accomplish parochet that she created for our ARK, which was this June. We have two more Saturday morning installed several months ago. Additionally, as a result Shabbat services and one more Torah/Shabbat of a very successful fundraising campaign, we were Study Session. Our Shabbat services will still be able to have a ritual designer in Israel create a lovely held at De Toledo High School, but we still don’t battery operated Ner Tamid that represents our know exactly where, so keep alert. And we should all be looking forward to the last Shabbat service of musical heritage. Our member, Jerry Gort, has June when we will be unveiling our new Ner Tamid. installed the new Ner Tamid on our Ark.

On June 23rd, we will be dedicating these two new But that doesn’t mean we’ll be standing idly by, enhancements to our Shabbat sanctuary and we waiting for our vacation. Not so! We will be having invite you to join us for this special celebration. A our annual “Walk Around Lake Balboa.” This year, special Kiddush will be part of the commemoration. we walk to benefit the Painted Turtle Camp which provides a fun-filled free camping experience to We are lucky to have wonderful, big-hearted members kids with chronic and life-threatening illnesses. We and a caring and talented rebbetzin who contribute so will have our annual “Class Photo” and then we put generously to our congregation. Please join us for ourselves into orbit around Lake Balboa. this very special occasion.

Take advantage of July and August, so you can return tanned, rested, and ready to begin another year of Shabbat Services. And we promise to let you Mailbox know in what room they will be held, really. Dearest Friends,

As always, if you have any questions or want to provide your input, please feel free to email me at On behalf of the women and children [email protected]. victims we serve at JFS{Hope, I would like to thank you all so very much for your generous Thank you. contribution of Target Gift Cards to our program. Your Jordan Pistol, President generosity of spirit and commitment to our work continues to be outstanding and we’re deeply grateful and appreciative to you all. The gift cards will be distributed to the women and they will be so thrilled having a special outing with their children to indulge in a little “something” for themselves. You have no idea how deeply our clients appreciate the “kindness of strangers”….folks they’ll never get to meet or thank in person. So please accept my gratitude and rest Congregational News assured your gifts will be a great Mother’s Day treat!!

Get well wishes rafuah schleimah to: The staff joins me in wishing all the Moms in the

synagogue a very Happy Mother’s Day with deep Cantor Roger Goodman thanks for thinking of our special folks. Take good care Fran Kobulnick and have a healthy, happy summer. Paullette Pistol

May they be blessed with a complete recovery in Warmly, body and spirit. Kitty Glass, Community Outreach Coordinator

page 3 June 2018

Birthdays & Anniversaries DONATIONS Congregation Shir Ami wishes to Birthdays acknowledge the following donations: $ Wayne Geffen...... 6/3 Yahrzeits Sondra Licht...... 6/6 Gary Finlay...... 6/10 Lynn Cherney for Dora Cherney Stan Rosenbluth...... 6/14 Harvey Cohen for Sally Cohen Irwin Koransky...... 6/15 Fran Feinman for Stephen Feinman and Myrna Gold Jay Cohen...... 6/26 Jacquie Gordon for Marshall Gordon Helga Unkeless...... 6/26 Philip Hockmeyer for Joseph Hockmeyer David Lipman...... 6/29 Sylvia Hockmeyer for Joseph Hockmeyer Gale Cohen...... 7/1 Andrea and Leon Nachenberg for Milton Stover Heather Hyman...... 7/1 Ann and Seymour Potell for Libby Blankstein Ethel Granik...... 7/7 Ed Schackman for Mark David Schackman Fran Feinman...... 7/12 Sally Shane Ed Schackman...... 7/15 Irving Strassner for Ann Perelmutter Barbara Hattem...... 7/22 Bonnie and Rabbi Vorspan for Max Vorspan and Al Siebler...... 7/22 Sandy Vorspan Phyllis Feldman-Schroeder...... 7/27 Phyllis and Stan Schroeder for Albert Kaufman Stan Goodman...... 7/27 Birthdays Charlene Kazel...... 7/29 Judy Eisikowitz...... 7/30 Ellen Fremed Yael and Gavi Sela (14) (by Bonnie and Rabbi Vorspan) Anniversaries Linda Tapper (70) Ben Vorspan (by Bonnie and Rabbi Vorspan) Bette and Owen Delman...... 6/7 54th Shaina Vorspan (35) (by Bonnie and Rabbi Vorspan) Marcie and Steve Spetner...... 6/10 39th Phyllis Schroeder Becky and Gary Finlay...... 6/13 19th Paula and Paul Frankel...... 6/16 28th Anniversaries Karen and Fenton Harvey...... 6/24 34th Sherry and Lee Dollins...... 6/25 51st Shaina and Aaron Brenner (4th) Cheryl and William Niesen...... 6/28 48th (by Bonnie and Rabbi Vorspan) Maralyn and Paul Soifer...... 6/28 49th Alisha and Ehud Sela (17th) Clara and Stan Rosenbluth...... 7/6 66th (by Bonnie and Rabbi Vorspan) Lorraine and Dan Simansky...... 7/10 53rd Ben and Elana Vorspan (11th) Susan and David Lipman...... 7/12 48th (by Bonnie and Rabbi Vorspan) Sima and Steve Schuster...... 7/15 51st Rabbi David and Bonnie Vorspan (47th)

Other

Owen and Bette Delman in fond memory of Esther Perez Jerry Gort in memory of Esther Perez Jerry Gort in honor of Harvey Cohen's 96th birthday Phyllis and Stan Schroeder in honor of Harvey Cohen's 96th birthday Bonnie and Rabbi Vorspan for Yael and Gavi Sela's graduation from Heschel Day School Congregation Shir Ami Tribute Cards

Our Condolences Thanks to Phyllis Schroeder for sending your cards celebrating We regret to inform the congre- simchas and conveying your get- gational family of the passing of: well and condolence messages. Patricia Williams, stepmother of our Secretary Karen Benson. She is creative with individualized, artistic cards that include a message May God comfort Karen and her family at this time and color graphics. Call her at (818) 718-7466. of their bereavement. Minimum donation of $5 per card is appreciated.

page 4 June 2018

Social Action Committee Our Committee is accepting orders for Mitzvah tee shirts

Thanks to our mitzvah doers who similar to the originals. They are white with blue lettering donated 50 Target $10 gift cards for and will have the Shir Ami logo on the front and the the women and children for Mother’s Day to the JFS definition of mitzvah on the back. They come in sizes S domestic violence shelters we help sponsor .I know through 4XL and priced at $18. Call Claire Silverman at the women and children appreciated our generosity. (747) 237-7130 to place an order or for more information. See the thank you letter from Kitty Glass, Outreach Coordinator at JFS Hope (formerly known as Mazel tov to our graduates this season, and those Domestic Violence) on page 2. celebrating birthdays with us. May you live to be 120 years old in good health, and continue doing our mitzvah Our Committee went to West Valley Healthcare on projects with us! And Happy Father’s Day to our dads, Friday, May 18 for our annual Mothers/Fathers Day granddads, and great granddads. Shabbat celebration. The residents were happy to see us and participate in the Shabbat blessings. One Thank you again for your kindness and thoughtfulness of the resident’s husband explained Shavout, the during a very difficult year for me. holiday that started the next night. Claire Silverman led everyone in our usual sing-along with her guitar, Shalom, and our Committee served refreshments and gave Fran Kobulnick, Social Action Vice President residents a personal gift. Our visits there started about 15 years ago when Barbara Tober invited us to visit her father. Linda Tapper’s father was also a resident there. There is not a better feeling than knowing you have brought happiness and kindness to others. We invite you to join us on our next visit at Chanukkah.

A special mazel tov to Team Congregation Shir Ami, chaired by Rae Wazana and Fiona Taylor for our annual Jewish World Watch Walk to End Genocide on May 6,. Rabbi and Bonnie Vorspan led our team of 22 participants who raised over $1500 this year. Certainly a job well done by Shir Ami, the little temple that could and does! See article on page 6.

Our annual charity fundraising Walk Around Lake Balboa and brunch will be Sunday morning, June 3, Becky Finlay, Ellie Zatz, Laura Simon, Rae Wazana, with registration starting at 8:30. This year we are Claire Silverman, and Neal Tober walking for the Painted Turtle Camp. Our chair is Sheilah Hart, who volunteers at this camp for children with life threatening illnesses who go the camp at no cost. We will have a guest speaker who will explain the amazing activities at the camp. See the flyer for further information and registration. Wear your Mitzvah tee shirt and bring food for SOVA to the Walk. There are sit-down activities for those who don’t walk.

Our SOVA barrels are at de Toledo High School for services and events. There is a High Holy Day SOVA flyer in this issue.

Our special get-well wishes go to Cantor Roger Resident’s husband and Claire Goodman who is in our thoughts and prayers. page 5 June 2018

Biography of the Month: Sandy Koufax During his first years with the Dodgers, starting in 1955, by Stan Schroeder (first published August, 2009) Koufax was very erratic and pitched only sparingly. During the fall, he enrolled in the Columbia University Sandy Koufax was born Sanford School of General Studies, which offered night classes Braun December 30, 1935, to Jack in architecture. The Dodgers won the that and Evelyn Braun in Brooklyn, NY. year for their first title in franchise history, but Koufax His parents divorced when he was did not appear in the series. After the final out of Game three years old. Six years later Seven, Koufax drove to Columbia to attend class. Evelyn married Irving Koufax, and gave her son her new name. To prepare for the 1957 season, the Dodgers sent Koufax to Puerto Rico to play winter ball. On May 15, Koufax attended Brooklyn's Lafay- the restriction on sending Koufax down to the minors ette High School [where he was a classmate of late was lifted. Alston gave him a chance to justify his place menber Esther Perez], where he was better known on the major league roster by giving him the next day's for basketball than for baseball. At the time, school start. Facing the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field, Koufax sports were not available because New York's struck out 13 while pitching his first complete game in teachers were refusing to supervise extracurricular almost two years. On September 29, Koufax became activities without monetary compensation. As an the last man ever to pitch for the Brooklyn Dodgers alternative, Koufax started playing basketball for a before their move to Los Angeles, by throwing an local Jewish Community Center team. Eventually, inning of relief in the final game of the season. Lafayette had a basketball team; Koufax became team captain in his senior year, and ranked second Over the next three seasons, Koufax was in and out of in his division in scoring. the Dodger starting rotation because of injuries. In 1959, the Dodgers won a close pennant race against In 1951, at the age of 15, Koufax also joined a local the Braves and the Giants, then played the Chicago youth baseball league known as the "Ice Cream White Sox in the World Series. Alston gave Koufax the League." He started out as a left-handed catcher, start in the fifth game, at the Los Angeles Coliseum in before moving to first base. While playing first base front of 92,706 fans. Koufax allowed only one in for Lafayette’s baseball team, a teammate’s father, seven innings, but lost the 1–0 game when Nellie Fox and coach in another youth league, recruited Koufax scored on a double play. Returning to Chicago, the to pitch for his team. Dodgers won the sixth game and the Series.

Following high school graduation, Koufax attended At the end of the 1960 season Koufax considered the University of Cincinnati on a basketball scholar- quitting baseball. However, he had worked out more ship. In the spring he also pitched for the varsity during the off-season and showed up in better shape baseball team. He had tryouts with the New York for 1961 spring training. Advice from catcher Norm Giants and the Pittsburg Pirates before his Ebbetts Sherry (Fairfax High graduate) was also helpful in Field tryout with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Dodger scout improving his control. The 1962 move from the Al Campanis had heard of Koufax from the owner of Coliseum to Dodger Stadium was friendly to pitchers. a local sporting goods store. From 1961 to 1966 Koufax became the dominant Campanis assumed the hitter's stance while Koufax pitcher in baseball. He made the All-Star team all six started throwing. He later said, "There are two times years, won the Cy Young Award as the best pitcher in my life the hair on my arms has stood up: The first three times, the World Series MVP in ‘63 and ‘65, and time I saw the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel and the the National League MVP in ‘63 and he pitched a first time I saw Sandy Koufax throw a fastball." perfect game on September 9, 1965. He had four no-hit Manager , who was watching the games and a 129 - 47 win/loss record. tryout, signed Koufax for a $6,000 salary and a $14,000 bonus. Koufax planned to use the signing But he is perhaps best known for his decision not to bonus as tuition to finish his university education, if pitch in Game 1 of the 1965 World Series because it his baseball career failed. fell on Yom Kippur. The Dodgers went on to beat the Minnesota Twins, with Koufax pitching a shutout in Because the bonus was more than $4,000, the Game 7 on two-days rest. Sandy Koufax retired after Dodgers couldn’t send Koufax to the minors for two the 1966 season to avoid further injury to his arm. He years. To make room for him, the Dodgers optioned was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1972, the youngest their future manager, , to the player to be so honored. of the International League. page 6 June 2018 Jewish World Watch Walk to End Genocide by Rae Wazana

Congregation Shir Ami did it again! We joined with several other synagogues and organizations in the annual Jewish World Watch Walk to End Genocide which took place on Sunday, May 6th in Thousand Oaks at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza.

Our Shir Ami Walk Team had an amazing number of participants this year – 23 people in all! We raised more than $1500 for Jewish World Watch’s projects this year thanks to our Walk Team and generous support from many Shir Ami members. 2018 Shir Ami Jewish World Watch Walk team At the pre-Walk activities, we were so proud to see the two beautiful “Quilts of Caring” which were completed by Bonnie Vorspan. These were displayed for all to see. We also got to learn more about perma-gardening and drilling of new water wells in refugee camp areas in parts of Africa.

Our awesome Team members this year were: Rabbi David and Bonnie Vorspan, Fiona Taylor, Stan Goodman, Jerry and Pat Michaelson, Judy Eisikowitz, Claire and Lew Silverman, Paula and Lou Loomis, Neal Tober, Mike Easley, Linda Hallowell, Jordan Pistol, Stan Schroeder, Led by Rabbi and Bonnie Vorspan and Judy Eisikowitz Charlene Kazel, Becky Finlay, Karen Benson, Robin and Alan Burman, and Rae Wazana. Also registered were Joan Easley, Phyllis Schroeder, and Barbary Behr.

Because of these amazing people, we truly “walked the Walk” and did not stand idly by. Thank you, everyone, for helping us help JWW to have such an amazing event!

Editor’s note: Rae Wazana received a special Mike Easley at award from Jewish World Watch for her outstanding Walk Help Desk service to the organization. See pictures from the Rae receiving award from Amy Cecil Walk on this page.

Walkers Stan Schroeder, Pat Michaelson, Becky Finlay, Rabbi and Bonnie with Quilt Linda Hallowell, and Mike Easley page 7 June 2018 Schama talks about the turning points of the drama The Story of the Jews [4], Sunday, June 10 with living witnesses like Aviva Rahamim who as a by Stan Schroeder 14 year old walked across the Sudanese desert to try Rabbi Vorspan will offer the fourth of a five part video and reach Israel; Yakub Odeh, the Palestinian whose series at his home Sunday, June 10 at 2:00 pm. We village was destroyed in the war of 1948, and Levana will watch the video and then he will lead a discussion Shamir whose family members were imprisoned in of our unique heritage. The series is free to members, Egypt at the same time. He debates the meaning of but you must register in advance as seating is new archaeological discoveries of the Biblical period limited. See the flyer to register. with Yosef Garfinkel of the Hebrew University, the Dead Sea Scrolls with their chief curator Pnina Shor; The following is from the documentary the character of the Talmud with Leon Wieseltier, website. literary editor of the New Republic, the photographic

Prize winning author of fifteen books record of Israel’s history with Micha Bar Am; German and Emmy-Award winner Simon cultural treasures from Enlightenment Germany, and Schama brings to life Jewish history the music of Felix Mendelssohn with the critic and experience in a new five-part Norman Lebrecht. documentary series The Story of the Jews with The series, first broadcast in the United Kingdom on Simon Schama. The five-hour series follows Schama BBC fall 2013 was acclaimed in the British press as – who has written and presented 50 documentaries “an astonishing achievement, a TV landmark, on art, literature and history and is a Contributing idiosyncratic, accessible but always authoritative.” It Editor of the Financial Times, as he travels from includes new archaeological research which is Russia and the Ukraine to Egypt, Israel and Spain, transforming our understanding of the earliest world exploring the imprint that Jewish culture has made on of the Jews, and highlights evidence from the visual the world and the drama of suffering, resilience and arts – synagogue mosaics, spectacularly illustrated rebirth that has gone with it. Bibles; the brilliantly colorful decoration of

The series is at the same time, a personal journey for synagogues (contrary to impressions of a Schama who has been immersed in Jewish history monochrome religion) as well as the glorious music which carried Jewish traditions through the centuries. since his postwar childhood; a meditation on its dramatic trajectory, and a macro- history of a people Whether he is amidst the stones of 11th century whose mark on the world has been out of all Judea, the exuberantly decorated cemeteries of proportion to its modest numbers.“If you were to Ukrainian hasidic rabbis, the parlors of Moses remove from our collective history” said Schama, “the Mendelssohn’s Berlin or the streets of immigrant contribution Jews have made to human culture, our New York, Schama brings together memory and world would be almost unrecognizable. There would actuality, past and present, sorrows and celebrations, be no monotheism, no written Bible, and our sense of vindications and challenges and makes felt the modernity would be completely different. So the beating pulse of an epic of endurance that has been history of the Jews is everyone’s history too and what like no other; a story which belongs to everyone. I hope people will take away from the series is that [end of documentary website] sense of connection: a weave of cultural strands over the millennia, some brilliant, some dark, but resolving This episode, entitled Over the Rainbow, describes into a fabric of thrilling, sometimes tragic, often Jewish life in Lithuania (where Simon Schama’s exalted creativity.” mother’s family lived) and Poland, home to the largest Jewish communities prior to World War II. These The Story of the Jews draws on primary sources Jews made their mark on the modern world. We get a which include the Elephantine papyri, a collection of glimpse of the lost world of the Shtetl, towns and 5th century BCE manuscripts illuminating the life of a villages across Central and Eastern Europe, virtually town of Jewish soldiers and their families in ancient destroyed during the Holocaust. Egypt; the astonishing trove of documents – the Cairo Geniza – recording the world of the medieval Jews of See the flyer hor information about our presentation the Mediterranean and Near East; the records of of this epic series. You may also call me at disputations between Christians and Jews in Spain, (818) 718-7466 if you have any questions. correspondence between the leader of the Arab revolt during the First World War, Emir Feisal and the leader of the Zionist movement Chaim Weizmann.

page 8 June 2018 Operation Gratitude - Father’s Day waste of time and we didn’t learn anything. But I by Charlene Kazel fought back and went to my mother to get all the Last month for Mother’s Day I wrote about the invisible permission slips signed for P.E, GAC, GAA, and drill threads that bind the stories we pass from one team and all the trips we took. generation to the next. So now it’s time for you to write a story about your So now it’s Father’s Day, the other side of the coin, father to pass down to your children and grand- and my father was a very different person. He saved children so that they can cling to their invisible and money and in those days you paid cash for a car, visible threads. furniture, clothes, etc., no credit cards. I think it was a slower paced, easier, and better life. Remember all the good times and make many more

My father could fix anything and taught me a lot; how happy memories. Happy Father’s Day to use tools, be comfortable with them and very handy. This ends my article for June and may everyone enjoy He could fix a car. In those days all you had to do was their summer vacations. But keep Operation lift the hood, replace the spark plugs and change the Gratitude in mind. Please continue oil, which he taught my children to do, because I don’t to collect books and cards, or go do cars or electricity. on line to see what else is needed. My mother loved music and we were always singing. I will be happy to accept whatever you can give me at But my father could hear a piece of music on the radio our last service in June. (and this was before T.V.) could not read a note and never had a lesson, but could play by ear using both Have a wonderful summer—everyone be well. hands and it was was perfect. When he was a child he was given a violin but he took it apart to see where the Ritual Committee music came from. Last month of Shabbat services was our Remember the radio program last in our sanctuary/classroom/library Art Linkletter’s House Party? near the main lobby of de Toledo High Well scouts would go around School..It has indeed been an ideal Shabbat from school to school and pick environment for our Congregation.the last three years. someone to be on the show. However de Toledo has other plans for that room. Our From my grammar school, new Shabbat service sanctuary will be in the Farber Alta Loma in L.A., they chose Room located in the building to the south. It is me. accessed by going through the main lobby and the

When I got home and told my parents, my father told plaza beyond. It is large enough that we will be able to me “If they ask you what your father does, you tell set up for our service in the front and our kiddush in them I’m a cranium specialist” which I did and Art the back. Those who attended our recent Breakfast Linkletter’s reply was” Oh your father is a doctor.” My with thr Rabbi will remember the room. answer was “No, he’s a barber”. Well, that got a lot of It goes without saying that Rabbi and Bonnie laughs. Vorspan have made our services beautiful, inspir- My father was a cosmetologist (barber and beautician) ational, and fun. This is a good time to acknowledge and during the war he worked in a defense plant and thank those who have made our Contemporary where he lost some of his hearing because no family atmosphere services possible. Claire protective measures were taken then. Because he was Silverman and Sheilah Hart have coordinated the asthmatic he couldn’t be drafted, so he worked in kiddush, assisted by Jacquie Gordon, Rae and barber shops around L.A.’s Union Station or wherever Armand Wazana, and Judy Eisikowitz. Phyllis he was needed. He gave shaves and haircuts for two Schroeder and Jerry Gort have provided the coffee. bits and that was his contribution to the war effort. Claire and Phyllis have also provided refreshments for our Shabbar/Torah study sessions at Northridge My mother baked cookies and sent them to my uncles Mobile Home Park. and my father gave me money to buy war bonds at school. It seems to me that we took dimes to buy I look forward to another successful year.in our Shir them, if I remember correctly. Ami home. Join us and see what I mean.

The one thing my father wasn’t into was sports. He Stan Schroeder, Ritual Vice President didn’t think we needed P.E. in school and that it was a page 9 June 2018

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 Helha Unkeless at celebrate family occasions and support (818) 340-5751 so she may mail you an order Congregation Shir Ami. 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 Helga Unkeless at (818) 340-5751.

Editor’s note:

Helga Unkeless sent me this picture May 21 of her and Stan and Clara Rosenbluth. Clara was our President and Treasurer and Stan served on the Board for several years. The Rosenbluths moved to Arroyo Grande to be near family and enjoy visitors and staying in touch. Their address, phone, and email are in our roster. Stan Schroeder page 10 June 2018

Shop at Ralphs - Earn Money for Shir Ami You can do a search for Congregation Shir Ami by Maralyn Soifer by putting in the number 92785. Our congrega- tion will pop up and click on the button next to Here is an easy way to earn the name. Click on the button that saves the money for our Temple. We changes. are now officially a Ralphs’ community agency. All 5. You should also check the bottom of your you have to do is follow these simple instructions to receipt when you shop. It should say “At your help earn money for Congregation Shir Ami. request, Ralph’s is donating to

1. If you don’t have a Ralph’s rewards card already, CONGREGATION SHIR AMI”. go to the store or go to website www.ralphs.com 6. If all else fails, call me in the evening at (818) and select Order a Ralphs reward card. 704-0306. I’ll be happy to walk you through it. 7. Start Shopping! 2. Once you have your card, go to the website: www.ralphs.com and select Create an account Make sure that the clerk swipes your card each 3. If you have an account, your email address is your time you shop. Verify that your receipt shows a account ID. If you forgot your password, select contribution to Congregation Shir Ami at the Forgot your password? and you will receive an bottom. email with instructions to reset it. Follow the instructions to enter your email address and Important Note: All participants must confirm create a new password. their selection annually starting in September. 4. If you already have a Ralph’s reward card and an On or after September 1, sign into your account account, you will see Account Summary when you and reconfirm Community Rewards selection. login. You can change to our Temple by clicking on Edit within Community Rewards.

91365 CA Hills, Woodland

6353 Box P.O.

Ami Shir Congregation Sunday, June 10 at 2:00 pm 4th Episode of The Story of the Jews

Five part PBS documentary created by Simon Schama

Congregation Shir Ami presents Rabbi David Vorspan hosting and discussing this award winning series in his home “theater” at 22320 Philiprimm St. in Woodland Hills. It is free to our members on a “first come, first serve” basis. This episode Over the Raibow dsecribes early 20th century Eastern Europe.

Simon Schama presents this epic series exploring the extraordinary story of the Jewish experience from ancient times to the present day. Both deeply historical and utterly contemporary, this is a compelling film about distinctiveness and difference, separation and isolation, tolerance and prejudice. It is also a celebration of the ways in which Jewish thought, imagination, and achievement have transformed the world for us all.

Simon Michael Schama, CBE is an English historian specializing in art history, Dutch history, and French history. He is a University Professor of History and Art History at Columbia University, New York. He has won several awards for his varied historical books and productions.

You can register by email to [email protected] or phone Stan at (818) 718-7466 or mail the tearoff below to Congregation Shir Ami, PO Box 6353, Woodland Hills, CA 91365. ------Please reserve ____ places for 4th Episode: The Story of the Jews Sunday, June 10 at 2:00 pm.

Name: ______Phone: ______

Let’s go for a walk around Lake Balboa!

Join Congregation Shir Ami’s Social Action Committee on Sunday, June 3rd at 9:00 am. Registration required starting at 8:30 am All proceeds go to Painted Turtle Camp for special children Minimum donation: $10 per person, The Painted Turtle Camp started NO MAXIMUM! Following the walk, a in 2004 and has provided a fun- brunch will be provided by our Social Action filled free camping experience to Committee near the lake. Please bring over 53,000 kids with chronic and vegetarian salad, side dish, or dessert to life threatening illnesses. 100 % share, and remember to wear your Mitzvah of our donations will go to this worthy organization. Patrol shirt.

Also please bring non-perishable and non-breakable food for SOVA.

Sit-down activities are available for those who don’t walk. Call Sheilah Hart at (818) 884-2342 or her cell at (818) 389-0639. Sign up by returning this tear-off with your check for $10 (or more) per person to Congregation Shir Ami, P.O. Box 6353, Woodland Hills, CA 91365. Make check payable to Congregation Shir Ami. ------Total Donation $______Donation Amount: $10 [ ] $18 [ ] $36 [ ] Walker Names: Brunch (y/n) $72 [ ] Other [ ] 1. ______Phone no. ______2. ______In honor/memory of ______3. ______Number of participants ______4. ______I will bring: Salad [ ] Dessert [ ] Side dish [ ]

No sessions scheduled. “Around the Rabbi’s Tisch” at the Vorspans’

This popular Shir Ami educational series has concluded the second half of its 5778 season. Come join us after Sukkot to start the 5779 season for our Thursday evening weekly discussion of Rabbi Vorspan’s selected topics of Jewish interest. We discuss Jewish texts and current events as they relate to Jewish values and our lives as Jews. This is a unique opportunity to learn and share in an informal format around the Vorspans’ dining room table. .

Saturday June 2, 10:30 am: Torah/Shabbat Study at Northridge Mobile Home Park rec room

Stan Schroeder leads a Shabbat study session one Saturday morning a month at Northridge Mobile Home Park (19120 Nordhoff St.). We discuss the weekly Torah portion, the Shabbat prayers that are included in our Contemporary service, and various subjects relevant to Conservative Judaism.

The Torah reading will be Beha’alotecha (Numbers 8:1 - 12:16). It includes stories of the Jews in the wilderness featuring Moses and Miriam. We are commanded “la asok b’divrei torah” (to engage in the study of Torah). Join us and fulfill the mitzvah.

Call Stan at (818) 718-7466 for more information. High Holiday Food Drive September 9th – 19th, 2018 29 Elul 5778 – 10 Tishrei 5779

Jewish Family Service of Los Angeles { SOVA depends on your donations to meet the ongoing hunger crisis in our community. Donations directly benefit the nearly 9,000 people who visit our pantries each month – people of all ages, races and religions. Please be as generous as you can be – the need has never been greater. Listed below are our greatest needs. Peanut Butter Canned Tuna/Fish Canned or Dry Soup Rice Canned Meats Whole Grain Cereal (beef stew, chili w/meat, chicken etc.)

We also welcome other non-perishable foods, personal hygiene items and children’s books including: Dry Beans Tomato Sauce Cooking Oil Razors Dry Pasta Canned Beans Kosher Foods Deodorant Dry Milk Canned Vegetables Diapers/Wipes Lotion 100% Juice Canned Fruit Soap Toothpaste Oatmeal Canned Pasta Shampoo/Conditioner Toothbrushes Please avoid glass jars and expired, opened or perishable foods.

For more information, please visit www.jfsla.org/SOVA or call Kathi Dawidowicz at (818) 988-7682 ext. 120