January 25 th,

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AHAVAT TORAH Rabbi Miriam Hamrell Cantorial Soloist Gary Levine Associate Cantorial Soloist Co-President Vice President Kimberly Haynes Michael Stevens Judy Kollack ONE TORAH, MANY TEACHERS, ONE

30 PM Shabbat Service "Striking a slave.

1 AHAVAT TORAH Rabbi Miriam Hamrell Cantorial Soloist Gary Levine Associate Cantorial Soloist Co-President Vice President Kimberly Haynes Michael Stevens Judy Kollack ONE TORAH, MANY TEACHERS, ONE COMMUNITY January 25 th, : am Mussar with Rabbi Miriam and Rabbinic Intern Gregory Metzger Kohelet Ecclesiastes 10:00 am PM Shabbat Service "Striking a slave... must be avenged," Exodus 21:20 Secretary Treasurer Shoshi Wilchfort Lynn Stevens Dan Sterling Board Members Past Presidents Debra Barrath Barbara Burbank Vicki Crawford Judy Freeman Gary Levine Florene Rozen Jonathan Troper Rena Jaffe Jean Katz Ron Estroff Sid Rosenblatt Blanche Moss Ex- Officio Members Rabbi Miriam Hamrell Charles Hamrell MD Torah Portion Mishpatim Exodus 21:1-24:18 Chanter Teress D var Torah Gerry Owen Cantor Gary Levine Greeter Bernice Brown Unless otherwise indicated, all events and services are at Village Lutheran Church, 343 S. Church Lane, L.A

Rabbi Miriam Hamrell On October 27th, 1988, the Rape Treatment Center at Santa Monica Hospital launched Stuart House, a child abuse treatment program.

2 Rabbi Miriam Hamrell On October 27th, 1988, the Rape Treatment Center at Santa Monica Hospital launched Stuart House, a child abuse treatment program. It was the first in the world that had medical, police and child protective services under the same roof. It was a "one-stop center" where children were and still are given immediate assistance. Chuck and I were at the opening of the center. It was a hopeful and heart wrenching day all at once. Chuck worked for many years as a volunteer physician, and I worked for fifteen years as a volunteer in the waiting room, making rape victims feel a bit at ease before being seen by a professional. Our Torah portion today reminds me the important laws that were already set so many thousands of years ago by our ancient ancestors to protect the vulnerable in our society. This Torah portion is particularly interesting because it refers to an amazing number of laws that are applied particularly to women, for example: 1) What shall be the status of the wife of a Hebrew debt slave (21:3-5)? 2) What is the status and rights of a daughter who was sold into slavery to pay off her family's debt (21:7-11)? 3) What would happen with one who, verbally or physically abuses his mother (21:15, 17)? 4) What are the rights of a Hebrew female slave, who is physically abused by her master, (21:20-21 & 26-27)? 5) Who takes responsibility in a fight when a pregnant woman gets hurt, has a miscarriage, and her un-born child dies, and she herself is in a life and death situation (21:22-25)? 6) What happens to an ox who gores a woman to death (21:28-32)? 7) What are the consequences of a man who lies with virgin, and who did not ask her father formally to get engaged with the girl (22:15-16)? 8) How to treat a sorceress (22:17)? 9) What are the upshots to our society if we fail to protect the vulnerable like the widow or the orphan, (22:21-23)? There is a unifying promise to all these verses. God promises that if any of these vulnerable people will be mistreated and they would cry out to Him, "My anger shall blaze forth and I will put you to the sword (22:23)... I will pay heed, for I am compassionate,"(22:26). Sadly, many of us are all too familiar with the epidemic of women and children's abuse. Women world wide, suffer abusive relationships in silence that can be potentially fatal. Shocking statistics tell us that every nine seconds a woman is physically abused in the US. It is astounding that about one out of every four girls and one out of every eight boys are sexually abused before they reach eighteen years of age. Our ancestors knew already that the vulnerable in our society, the poor, the widow and the orphan needed to be protected. They created these compassionate laws to shield the voiceless, to strengthen them and defend them. Do we hear their cries? Does our anger burn as a blaze? Can we pay heed by being an active supporter of various anti-violence legislation? Let us in 2014 continue the work our ancestors started in our Torah portion this week. If you wish to volunteer you may contact, or, if you wish to donate some money contact, May each of us never be complacent or take for granted the health and safety many of us enjoy. May we be able to fulfill a covenantal relationship not only with God, but also with the needy and deprived all around us. Amen.

To Everything There Is a Season, Turn Turn Turn Rabbi Miriam and Rabbinic Intern Gregory Metzger are offering a new class Kohelet Ecclesiastes Saturdays at our Mussar (Ethics) class @ 9:00AM Ahavat

3 To Everything There Is a Season, Turn Turn Turn Rabbi Miriam and Rabbinic Intern Gregory Metzger are offering a new class Kohelet Ecclesiastes Saturdays at our Mussar (Ethics) 9:00AM Ahavat Torah Congregation 343 Church Lane, Los Angeles, CA A famous song written by Pete Seeger in the 1950s was adapted word-for-word from Chapter 3 of the Book of Ecclesiastes, traditionally credited to King Solomon. Come, enjoy and learn that life is NOT futile or mundane, but rather full of vitality and happiness For this class we are using Koheles book by ArtScroll Tanach Series Come and bring a friend.

5 SAVE THESE DATES Back by popular demand The first of three Ahavat Torah's Spring trips, will be to the Griffith Park Observatory on Tuesday, February 25th from noon to 3:30 p.m. We will meet for lunch at the Wolfgang Puck Cafeteria overlooking the city, see the history of the observatory and its "being lifted"---a major engineering feat---in the Leonard Nimoy Theater (free). Have a docent speak about the new and amazing downstairs, where we will stand before galaxies flashing around us, and face and study the wall portraying a part of the universe. Then time to see the second floor, and last, to attend a planetarium show ($5.00 for seniors). PLEASE RSVP by February 15th to: Florene Rozen at or florene@roadrunner.com Of course, guests are invited. Because parking is tight at the top of the hill, it is suggested you carpool.

6 We are having a VERY SPECIAL THEATER PARTY Date: Sunday March 9, at 4pm Where: The Lounge Theater 6201 Santa Monica Blvd Hollywood, CA Street Parking is Available Ticket price is $50.00 Please contact Barbara Burbank for reservations at burpurr@sbcglobal.net or at 310/ ***Important information*** Once Barbara has received your phone call or with your RSVP, information will be provided to you for payment purposes. Seating is limited so make your reservations as soon as possible. This price includes the performance at 4PM, followed by a wine and refreshment reception and 'talk back' with the playwright Wendy Graf. Along with Rabbi Miriam Hamrell and some of the performers. Closely Related Keys directed by acclaimed director Shirley Jo Finney ( Stick Fly, In The Red and Brown Water ). Starring: Simone Cook, Brent Jennings, Diarra Kilpatrick, Jeff Lorch and Adam Meir. A young woman s carefully constructed life begins to crumble with the surprise discovery of an Iraqi half sister who has fled Iraq, arriving in the U.S. with a seemingly strange and questionable agenda. Closely Related Keys is a beautiful exploration of religious and racial identity, clashing cultures, loyalty, hopes and dreams, and the walls people build when faced with loss and threat. It is about the ones left behind. It is a plea for understanding and tolerance at a time of fear and religious, moral, racial and political polarization. Both audience and characters are challenged by deeply held notions about those people, people we assume we know. But mostly Closely Related Keys is about picking up the broken pieces of the pas to imperfectly assemble a new family and future

On Saturday evening, May 3rd, 2014 Ahavat Torah Congregation will have a dinner,

Beth Devermont Hal and Rena Jaffe Hold the date and let us know you want to help

7 On Saturday evening, May 3rd, 2014 Ahavat Torah Congregation will have a dinner, celebrating 'Friendship' and Holy work at our compassionate and caring shul in the glen (Brentwood Glen that is). And who better to honor than three loving, giving and humble human menchen than Beth Devermont Hal and Rena Jaffe Hold the date and let us know you want to help plan a spectacular evening. Excitedly yours, Barbara and Debra Barbara Burbank - burpurr@sbcglobal.net Debra Barrath - AhavatTorahLA@gmail.com

Up-Coming Special Shabbat Service programs: Very informative, short programs will be integrated into three of our beautiful, coming Shabbat services. The theme will be particular U.S. political leader 's relationships with the Jews.

8 Up-Coming Special Shabbat Service programs: Very informative, short programs will be integrated into three of our beautiful, coming Shabbat services. The theme will be particular U.S. political leader 's relationships with the Jews. President Lincoln on February 8th, and President Washington on February 15th. Please come and bring a friend. _-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_- Dear friends, My housemate has recovered and no longer needs help and wants to live alone again, so I am once again looking for a place to live. I need a place where I can trade work for some or all of the rent. In exchange, I have experience as and can be a companion, nanny, organizer, personal assistant, driver, dog walker/pet sitter, run errands, go shopping, organize and administer medicines, cook, do light cleaning and laundry, and so on. Please contact me at or my new address: saleeds54@yahoo.com if you know of someone who would like such an arrangement. Thank you very much, Sue-Ann Leeds _-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_- Will be meeting in early February Please contact Irwin Moss for the date, time and location at: mooseman01@rodrunner.com or Cell: Thank you, Irwin Moss

9 DONATIONS FOR JANUARY, 2014 TRIBUTE CARDS Jean Katz: To Brian Haynes and to Lillian Johnson -- Wishes for a complete recovery. To Rabbi Miriam and Dr. Charles Hamrell, Arlene & Sid Rosenblatt, and Rena and Hal Jaffe In appreciation for their constant leadership and support for so many members. To Lynn & Michael Stevens Mazel tov on the birth of your twin grandchildren. To Debra Barrath & Jonathan Troper, & Coleman Colla & Nadine Antin-Colla Happy Anniversary To Debra Estroff and to Lenny Felder Happy Birthday Judy Kollack -- To Brian Haynes -- Wishes for a complete recovery Barbara & Alan Burbank To Brian Haynes Wishes for a complete recovery DONATIONS TO SYNAGOGUE Estelle Markowitz for the Hanukkah party and to the synagogue. Arlene and Sid Rosenblatt Sherry Modell Judy Dubin Sybil Michelson Linda Schorin: In honor of our wonderful cantor Gary Levine, for the beauty and holiness he brought to my brother Jeff s funeral and Shiva gathering, through his singing and prayers. In honor of the Ahavat Community, for its loving kindness and warm support at the time of Jeff s passing. In honor of my brother Jeff Schorin, may his soul be blessed for an eternity. Cathleen Loeser Barbara Stone Fred and Joannie Summers, Judy Dubin Ellen Dubois Kroger, the Ralphs Loyalty Program MEMBER SUPPORT FUND Ellen Dubois MOSS MUSIC FUND Judy Kollack, in appreciation for the beautiful musical services we have throughout the year RABBI S DISCRETIONARY FUND Judy Kollack Anita Ostroff

2014 / 5774 Weekly Saturdays 9-9:45 am Mussar-Ethics of Our Fathers & Ecclesiastes with Rabbi Miriam in Fireside Room Tuesdays 10 am - 12:30 pm Shabbat services followed by lunch at 12:30pm 11 - noon

10 2014 / 5774 Weekly Saturdays 9-9:45 am Mussar-Ethics of Our Fathers & Ecclesiastes with Rabbi Miriam in Fireside Room Tuesdays 10 am - 12:30 pm Shabbat services followed by lunch at 12:30pm 11 - noon by appointment Hebrew reading beginning/advanced, with Rena Jaffe Torah Chanting with Rena Wednesdays 12:00pm 1:15pm Save the Dates starting in February: New Class on Psalms with Rabbi Miriam, location TBD. 11 am - noon Tanya (Hasidic Ethics) Class, with Rabbi Miriam at the synagogue Thursdays Noon 2 pm Lunch & Torah study, at the synagogue with Rabbi Miriam and Aharon Nachshon January 2:00 2:30pm Haftarah of the Week, with Rabbi Miriam at the synagogue Sunday, 26 2pm Author Rosemary Hartounian Cohen Discusses The Mother of Jerusalem is Crying, with opportunity to purchase the book at a discount. February Shabbat, 1 10am Midrashah Shabbat, 8 Shabbat, 15 10am 1pm 10am 1pm Simchat Shabbat + Short Program on Lincoln s Relationship with Jews U Board Meeting Service Includes a short program on Washington s Letter to the Jews Social Action Committee meeting Tuesday, 25 12:00pm 3:30pm Spring Outing #1 to the New Griffith Park Observatory For further information contact Debra at AhavatTorahLA@gmail.com AHAVAT TORAH CONGREGATION, P. O. Box Los Angeles, CA 90029; Phone

AHAVAT TORAH. Tu-B'Shevat: Celebration of Marking the Revival of Nature. January 11 th, Kohelet Ecclesiastes

AHAVAT TORAH. Tu-B'Shevat: Celebration of Marking the Revival of Nature. January 11 th, Kohelet Ecclesiastes AHAVAT TORAH Rabbi Miriam Hamrell Cantorial Soloist Gary Levine Associate Cantorial Soloist Co-President Vice President Kimberly Haynes Michael Stevens Judy Kollack ONE TORAH, MANY TEACHERS, ONE COMMUNITY