HAMIGDALOR CONGREGATION AM HAYAM Market Street, Unit C, Ventura, Ca Phone (805) Fax (805) Website:

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1 HAMIGDALOR CONGREGATION AM HAYAM Market Street, Unit C, Ventura, Ca Phone (805) Fax (805) Website: From From The The Rabbi s Rabbi s Study Study January June From the Rabbi s Study Light Out of Darkness With the start of a New Year, we think of new resolve, new choices, new possibilities. Even as the world is mired in the darkness of winter, we start thinking about the hope of spring. This year, as well, Tu B Shevat, the Jewish Arbor Day, comes in January, and adds to this message. After all, planting looks forward to growth, to harvest, and so insists on a future. What can be more hopeful than planting trees in the middle of winter? Just as the winter contains the hint of the promise of spring, so we realize that everything in life that happens to us contains a mixture of good and bad. We turn on the local news station and see a report of a car crash--and that is bad. But then, perhaps, we remember how many people drive safely to and from work each day. Indeed, so many people drive each day without incident. This is good. We suddenly learn from our accountant that our profits have gone up considerable--and that is good. But then we realize that because of this, we have to pay increased taxes--and that tempers our joy. Often we find ourselves harshly criticizing the status quo, especially in our political structures. Perhaps too much, and that brings us down. Upon reflection, however, we realize, too, that our protestations suggest that we are deeply concerned about the public weal. We care about tzedek, the living of justice, and the fact that we want change that renders more efficiency and more kindness in our bureaucratic structures--and that is proper and good. If we indeed take stock of every situation, and if we have some perspective, we discover that all of life is such a combination of good and bad. This realization promotes our growth in our character strengths. After all, if we keep this in mind during our good times, we might find ourselves elevating such qualities as humility, prudence, and judgment. During the bad times, we might elevate our qualities of perspective, humor, hope, and even zest. The Midrash (Leviticus Rabbah 31:7) reminds us that the Holy One created light out of darkness. That is a paradigm for our own possibilities, for we, too, can create light out of darkness. continued

2 2 As human beings we are always faced with the problems of challenge and adversity. But the real question is whether or not we are willing to go forth and do something about them, and what we can learn from them. All of our lives we struggle: growing up, procuring an education, finding the best relationships and social circle for ourselves, starting and managing our careers, being part of and contributing to our various communities-- particularly our spiritual community and family here at Am HaYam--and facing the future. Whether it be in illness, in aging, in anything that befalls us, we must determine to keep on going and to face up to our challenges despite the fears brought on by our wintry outlook, and sometimes wintry reality. Of course, it would be wrong to deny that often our situations sometimes seem grim, and that life is difficult. But if we are determined, we will find a way to triumph. No matter how grave the situation, we must never lose hope in finding the good. For the good is there with the bad, if we are willing to search it out. Light out of darkness, indeed. May you and yours find and experience the new calendar year 2018 as a year in which you bask in light. And when you find yourself going through a personal winter, may you remember that spring is ahead, and it will arrive into our hearts sooner when we prepare for our by finding, even creating, the light. Rabbi J.B. Sacks

3 3 Message from Brenda Rich Greetings: Your president is on vacation and is taking full advantage of being away and relaxing so I will bring you all my news next month. But Arnie and I hope you all had a wonderful Chanukah and want to wish everyone a happy 2018 filled with lots of you, fulfillment of your dreams and a year filled with good health to all. Just a few things I will remind you of. We will be having services on Friday, January 5 th at 8 p.m. and Saturday morning, January 6 th at 10 a.m. Also services will be held on Friday, January 19 th at 8 p.m. and Saturday, January 20 th at 10 a.m. Also see all the information on our Mishloach Manot fund raiser in celebration and fulfilling the Mitzah of Purim. Also see the information on another fundraiser or Cabaret Night on Saturday, February 24 th. Shalom, Brenda continued

4 In celebration of Jewish Disability and Inclusion Month, 4 CAH is partnering with the Arc of Ventura County to host a fun-filled, evening of music and entertainment. The Arc is a non-profit organization that promotes and protects the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and actively supports their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes. Come support Cabaret CAH and enjoy a fun-filled evening of music headlined by Mark Goffeney. Mark is an internationally recognized musician, singer and humorist. Born with no arms, he has mastered the guitar and has performed throughout Europe as well as the United States. Tickets are $20.00 and with the support of the Arc we are sure that we will have a full house. Tickets will soon be available on line but you can get advanced tickets by contacting Marc Goldman at or by ing him at Marc@DamonBrooks.com

5 CHAG PURIM SAMEACH! PURIM IS COMING! TIME FOR MISHLOACH MANOT! We know that it feels like Chanukah was just here and it was! But, this year Purim is celebrated on Wednesday, February 28-Thursday,March 1 and wow, do we need a joyous celebration. It has been a tough few months with the fires, so the theme of this year s Purim festivities will be HOPE! This year CAH is once again participating in the custom of mishloach manot. Also known as mishloach manos or shortened to sh lach manos, these are goodies (all kosher) given out at Purim. These bags or baskets are given to relatives, friends, teachers, neighbors, business associates and any other acquaintances you may have. The mitzvah of giving mishloach manot derives from the Book of Esther. It is meant to insure that everyone has enough food for the Purim feast and to increase love and friendship among Jews as a counter to Haman s assertion that the Jewish people are characterized by strife and disunity. Mishloach manot is made up of sweets, drinks and other food items and can vary from synagogue to synagogue and year to year. It is always fun to open them and discover what has been given. The one item you can count on is of course hammentashen. This is not only fun but it brings in money for the congregation. Last year it was a big success, helping the synagogue in many ways. You can purchase as many mishloach manot as you wish and there will be a discount for different quantities purchased. Let us say 10 people want to send Rabbi Sacks a mishloach manot. He gets one bag with a card showing the ten names of those who gave it to him. This year we want to add a new twist, we encourage you to not only buy for the congregation and/or your friends and neighbors, but add one more for those affected by the fires, your regular order +1. Please see order form in Migdalor for all the important details. We hope to have everyone participate. For additional information or questions contact Ruth Resnick 2578 Neptune Pl. Port Hueneme Fran Lande fblande@gmail.com

6 CONGREGATION AM HAYAM S 2018 FIFTH ANNUAL MISHLOACH MANOT Yes, I would like to participate in the CAH Mishloach Manot Program. Please return by Feb 14 th. Deliveries will be Feb. 25 th Feb. 28 th You may pick up orders at CAH at Purim and Shabbat services: Feb 28 th, March 1 st, March 2 nd, March 3 rd Name: Phone Number 6 Price: 1-3 Mishloach Manot $ 18 each 4 or more Mishloach Manot $ 15 each Entire Congregation $ 118 Entire Congregation plus additional Mishloach Manot is $ 118 plus $ 13 each additional I would like to order one for the whole congregation. $ 118 $ I would like to order a Mishloach Manot for the following CAH members: Name: Name: Name: Name: Name: I would like to order a Mishloach Manot for the following non members: Please circle I will Please Name: Pick up Deliver Address: Name: Pick up Address: Deliver Name: Pick up Address: Deliver Please attach another piece of paper for additional orders if necessary. Total number Mishloach Manot ordered: at $ each = $ TOTAL $ Please make checks payable to CONGREGATION AM HAYAM and mail to: Ruth Resnick 2578 Neptune Pl. Port Hueneme, CA

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8 ADULT EDUCATION PRESENTS SIGNIFICANT BOOK CLUB 8 The discussion of the book, In My Brother s Image, as part of the Chanukah celebration was attended by over 20 participants. After a brief synopsis of the book, for those who had not read the book, an intriguing discussion of choices the characters made during the Shoah and their ensuing journeys occurred. Participants grappled with the ideas of faith in difficult times and the historical response of the Pope and other religious communities during the Shoah. It was highly recommended to read the book if you have not. The next book discussion will be on Saturday, January 20, 2018, after Kiddush. We will be discussing the first book in the Jewish Lives book series, Einstein: His Space and Times by Steven Gimbel. This biography presents Einstein in the context of the world he lived in, offering a fascinating portrait of a remarkable individual who remained actively engaged in international affairs throughout his life. Einstein s theories are explained in understandable terms and how they emerged from the realities of his times and helped create the world we live in today. The Einstein reading guide can be downloaded via this link: readingguideeinstein. There is a video link to the author event on Einstein: You can still get a free copy of the book from CAH by contacting Fran Lande at fblande@gmail.com. The next book will be Steven Spielberg. It can be purchased at a 40 % discount with the code SPIELBERG at JewishLives.org. This is the direct link books/steven-spielberg. The date for the discussion will be announced soon. For further information or questions, contact Fran Lande, Adult Education chair, at fblande@gmail.com.

9 Mondays with Mort 9 During the month of January there will be sessions of Mondays With Mort at CAH at 10:30 AM on Monday January 15 th, 22 nd and 29th. Everyone is welcome to join us in January us we continue the Book of Shemot (Exodus). Question of the Month: Under what circumstance would someone lighting a Chanukiah at home for the first time not say Shehechayanu? The answer can be found at doyouknow.htm, Also be sure to check out the entire Mondays with Mort web site at and the CAH web site at Mort Dear family and friends, With great pleasure and joy we are letting you know of the arrival last evening of Noah Daniel Leon, b. 12/28/17 at 8:35pm in Denver CO, weight 6 lb 1 oz, length 19. Mother and son (the most beautiful baby ever) are doing fine. Grandparents are elated (all four of us are here in Denver to be part of homecoming). Love, Grampy Rick and Granny Judye

10 Many thanks to each of you who attended, supported and cooked for our Taste of Our Jewish Kitchen special event. It was a huge success with 40 people from our community and others from throughout the Oxnard-Ventura area. Special thanks to Brenda and Arnie for opening up their home and to Fran Lande for coordinating all of the dishes and publishing a wonderful description of each dish. Join Our Plus One Campaign A n n u a l l y o u r M i s h l o a c h M a n o t ( P u r i m G i ft B a g s ) c a m p a i g n i s o n e o f t h e b e s t r e c e i v e d a n d m o s t s u c c e s s f u l f u n d r a i s e r s o f t h e y e a r. W e a r e a s k i n g e a c h o f y o u t o c o n s i d e r a d d i n g j u s t o n e m o r e b a g t o y o u r o r d e r. J u s t t h i n k o f t h e j o y y o u w i l l b r i n g t o s o m e - o n e i n n e e d w h o w o u l d e n j o y t h e t r e a t s. I k e e p s e v e r a l b a g s w i t h m e i n m y c a r a n d g i v e t h e c o n t e n t s t o t h o s e w h o a r e l o o k i n g f o r a h e l p i n g h a n d. I a l s o l i k e t o g i v e a b a g t o s p e c i a l p e o p l e a s a t h a n k y o u w h o h a v e h e l p e d m e o v e r t h e y e a r. 10 S t a r t t h e N e w Y e a r o ff r i g h t b y c a l l i n g R u t h R e s n i c k t o p l a c e y o u r o r d e r n o w. E r e v P u r i m i s o n F e b r u a r y 2 8, j u s t a r o u n d t h e c o r n e r. P l a c e y o u r o r d e r, p l u s o n e t o d a y. S A V E T H E D A T E - S a t u r d a y e v e n i n g, F e b r u a r y 2 4, I n c e l e b r a t i o n o f J e w i s h D i s a b i l i t y a n d I n c l u s i o n A w a r e n e s s m o n t h i n F e b r u a r y,, C A H i s j o i n i n g w i t h t h e A r c o f V e n t u r a C o u n t y t o p r o d u c e o u t fi r s t C a b a r e t N i g h t. T h e p r o g r a m w i l l b e g i n a t 7 : 3 0 P M a n d w i l l b e f u n - fi l l e d w i t h h u m o r a n d m u s i c p r o v i d e d b y e n t e r t a i n e r s w i t h a d i s a b i l i t y. C o m e s e e C A H t r a n s f o r m e d i n t o a n i g h t c l u b a n d e n j o y a n e v e n i n g o f g r e a t e n t e r t a i n m e n t a n d f u n. A d o n a ti o n o f $ i s r e q u e s t e d. In Memory Of Eva Lowe IMO my Father, Alfred Hirsch, who was arrested, beaten and humiliated during November, 1938.

11 January Birthdays 11 Teri Kozak 2 Judye Newberger 3 Hilda Kunstadt 10 Rabbi J B Sacks 13 Arnie Rich 16 January Anniversaries Stephen and Kathy Goch 4 Teri & Maurice Kozak 16 If your birthday or anniversary is not acknowledged please me at bfrosen@gmail.com

12 12 CHAVURAH INTEREST The Membership Committee is sending you this form to discover if you have an interest in joining a Chavurah. A Chavurah is a small group of families, couples or individuals who share common interests and desires. These groups meet together, usually monthly, to study, socialize, cook, camp, or participate in any other activities. Each group sets their own schedule and plans their own activities. A Chavurah is a wonderful way to build and nurture strong friendships within our Congregation Am HaYam family extending beyond the schedule of community services and events After receiving back this questionnaire, an organizational meeting will be set to get everyone together to make further plans. Name(s) Address Phone # Name and age of other members in your household Please circle age group you prefer: Over 60 Please circle the situation that best applies to you and your family: Single Adult Adults Only Family (events with children) Other What type of events do you expect from a Chavurah (e.g. Judaic Studies; Social Activities; Sporting events; Discussion groups; Jewish cooking; Book groups; Theater groups, other Interests?) Please fill out this form and return it to: Brenda Rich; 4030 Nice Court; Oxnard, CA FORM AVAILABLE DIGITALLY AT

13 13 Food Share Collection Food Share The Good News and the BETTER News The good news is Food Share came and emptied an entire barrel of non-perishable food donated by members of CAH. The BETTER news is that the barrel is again empty, sitting in the lobby, and waiting for more of your donations! Please take a paper bag and return it full of non-perishable foodstuffs to help the one in six people of Ventura County who are food insecure. Let this be your first Mitzvah of the New Year! A Community of Caring We are a family, and sometimes our members need to know there are people who are concerned about them. If you or someone you know in the CAH family is ill, bereaved or in need of consolation, condolence or acknowledgement of a happy event, please contact Brenda Rich so she can alert our volunteers who will reach out to offer a caring voice or helping hand.

14 14 Get Well Norma Van Riper Rachel Kozak Mort Resnick Dianne Ruthman Fred Rosen Ann Sperber Herb Stein Kenny Halpern Roz Resnick Lee Rothschild Beth Morales Betty Abramson Bruce Irvine Milt Rothschild Isaac Javier Masnicoff Dawn Kennedy Bob Packer Sheila Myles Fran Lande Gail Packer Miriam Rubinstein Irv Jacobs Elaine Hanig Maurice Kozak Arnie Rich Nancy Stein Donna Gustafson Jerry Cordova Judith Jacobson Judye Newberger Les Hanig Eva Lowe ATTENTION ALL JEWISH WAR VETERANS MEMBERS JWV Post 602 meets in the Veterans Administration Clinic, Recreation Building 22, Plummer Street, North Hills, CA. They meet the 1st Sunday of each month, at 10:00 am and all Jewish Veterans are welcome to attend. Please join us there.

15 YAHRZEIT 15 January 5 Regina Spunt Hacker, Mother of Fil Barton Leah Dennis, Mother of Renee Becker Benjamin Dennis, Father of Renee Becker * Irving Prilook, Father of Elaine Hanig Roselyn Matlin, Mother of Myra Matlin Rose Matlin, Grandmother of Myra Matlin Albert Zeller, Father of Sheila Myles Maurice Ruthman, Father In-Law of Dianne Ruthman Fred Sperber, Brother In-Law of Ann Sperber January 19 Louis Bardfield, Husband of Deanne Bardfield Nachama Pugach, Aunt of Leonid Skuratovsky Jerome Wolfson, Brother of Ilana Wolfson *Inscribed on Memorial Wall

16 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat NO Mondays with Mort Happy Birthday Teri Kozak January 2018 Happy Birthday Judye Newberger Happy Anniversary Stephen & Kathy Goch Light Candles at 4:33PM Services 8PM 16 Services 10 AM Shabbat Ends 5:243M NO Mondays with Mort Happy Birthday Hilda Kunstadt Light Candles at 4:50 PM Shabbat Ends 5:49M Happy Birthday Rabbi Sacks Mondays with Mort 10:30 AM Happy Birthday Arnie Rich Light Candles at 4:56PM Services 10 AM W&M meeting 6:30 pm home of Marc Goldman Happy Anniversary Teri & Maurice Kozak Services 8PM Significant Book Club discussion Einstein Shabbat Ends 5:55PM Ritual Club Meeting 10 am Board Meeting 11am Mondays Light Candles at Shabbat Ends with Mort 5:03 PM 6:01PM 10:30 AM Mondays with Mort 10:30 AM Erev Tu B SHEVAT Tu B Shevat

17 17 PAST PRESIDENTS Mort Resnick Arnie Fingerhut z l Jerry Ruthman z'l Peter Shack z'l Brenda Rich OUR VOLUNTEERS Kiddushim - Brenda Rich Oneg Shabbat -Fil Barton Librarian -- Programming Tributes Telephone Purchasing Yahrzeits Migdalor Sunshine Donna Gustafson Lois Lebman Ruth Resnick Bev Rosen Bev Rosen Webmaster Mort Resnick Publicity Rabbi J. B. Sacks rabbijb@aol.com phone# BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESIDENT Brenda Rich brenda.bashful16@gmail.com phone# VICE-PRESIDENT TRIBUTES- Lois Lebman SECRETARY - Donna Gustafson CORRESPONDING SECRETARY-Ruth Resnick WAYS & MEANS VP - Marc Goldman MEMBERSHIP VP - Miriam Mack RITUAL VP - Roz Resnick RITUAL VP Emeritus Milt Rothschild HOUSING VP - Neal Abramson IMMEDIATE PAST PRES - Brenda Rich ADULT EDUCATION VP - Fran Lande DIRECTORS Betty Abramson, Alma Boronkay, Elaine Hanig, Rick Newberger, Andrea Massion