4839 Market Street, Unit C, Ventura, Ca Phone (805) Fax (805) Website: From The Rabbi s Study January 2015

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1 HAMIGDALOR CONGREGATION AM HAYAM 4839 Market Street, Unit C, Ventura, Ca. 93003 Phone (805) 644-2899 Fax (805) 644-2887 Website: www.amhayam.

Many years ago Thomas Mann wrote an essay attributing some of the spark of Dostoevsky's genius to his epilepsy.

The Wound and the Bow was the title of a well-known series of essays on literary artists by Edmund Wilson, exploring the link between anguish and art.

Injured, he acquires the name Israel. Through wounding he is deepened, matured, made more whole. He does not seek the pain, but he also does not shrink from it.

This documentary portrays the journey of Ronni Sanlo, daughter of our own Lois Lebman. In 1977, Anita Bryant formed the Save Our Children campaign. Ronni came out as a lesbian about five months later.

1 1 HAMIGDALOR CONGREGATION AM HAYAM 4839 Market Street, Unit C, Ventura, Ca Phone (805) Fax (805) Website: From The Rabbi s Study January 2015 Anguish and Art Does pain contribute to achievement? Many years ago Thomas Mann wrote an essay attributing some of the spark of Dostoevsky's genius to his epilepsy. The ancient Greek myth of Philoctetes recounts that the suppurating wound he suffered ended up enhancing his skill as an archer. The Wound and the Bow was the title of a well-known series of essays on literary artists by Edmund Wilson, exploring the link between anguish and art. In Judaism the premier exhibit for this linkage is Jacob. Jacob is wounded in his confrontation with the angel, but that same confrontation creates a man out of a willful boy. Injured, he acquires the name Israel. Through wounding he is deepened, matured, made more whole. He does not seek the pain, but he also does not shrink from it. We will have a chance to see another exhibit of anguish transformed into art when we gather on Sunday, January 11 at 2 p.m. for our fund raising event, a special screening of the film Letter to Anita. This documentary portrays the journey of Ronni Sanlo, daughter of our own Lois Lebman. In 1977, Anita Bryant formed the Save Our Children campaign. Ronni came out as a lesbian about five months later. The journey toward self-discovery surely encompassed pain. But this was deepened when the state of Florida withdrew all custody of her children from her. Ronni only begins to find resolve and direction when she writes a letter to Anita. Ronni charts an artful life as an activist, and this film a highly praised work of art came out of her painful journey. Pain and suffering are the legacy of an imperfect world. But they are also, at times, the means by which we discover resources inside ourselves that are not summoned with quotidian ease. Do we owe The Brothers Karamazov to the author's seizures? Surely any such equation is facile and reductive. Nonetheless, the novel bears the stamp of one who knew loneliness, and pain. Beethoven's music is marked by his struggles, and many of Goya's works are inconceivable without the suffering he endured. Unable to decide if we will experience pain, we can decide how to respond to it. Had Jacob not struggled and overcome, he would still have endured the pain, but there would be no Israel. Had Ronnie not encountered a homophobic culture and bureaucracy, her life might have been smoother, and she would not have been disconnected from her children, but she may not have had the wherewithal to do the community activism that has uplifted the lives of so many others. What is the connection between anguish and art? I do not know for certain. But on January 11 we will all be privileged to witness a case where anguish can lead to a life led artfully and caringly. When we all look back on our lives, I know we will recognize the bumps along the way, when life presented us with anguishing obstacles. But I also hope we see how resilient we were, and how we at least sometimes used that anguish to instill us with the resolve to live a life that matters. I look forward to seeing all of you at our special screening of Letter to Anita. Rabbi J.B. Sacks

Message from Brenda Rich 2 Greetings: Hope everyone had a very Happy Chanukah. And wishing all a Happy and Healthy 2015. So sorry if you missed the Chanukah celebration we had at CAH.

2 Message from Brenda Rich 2 Greetings: Hope everyone had a very Happy Chanukah. And wishing all a Happy and Healthy So sorry if you missed the Chanukah celebration we had at CAH. The latkes were delicious. Joyous singing and praying with the Rabbi and Andrea. Great sufganiyot. Thanks to Ruthy Resnick for supervising this event. Sorry if you missed the Chanukah display at the Oxnard Public Library. Thanks goes to Donna Gustafson for setting it up and taking it down. Hope you have or will send in reservations for the award-winning screening of Letter to Anita to be held at CAH on Sunday, January 11 at 2 p.m. Doors open at 1:30. Tickets are $10 (advance sale); $12 at the door; $25 which includes dessert reception with Ronni Sanlo and director Andrea Massion. Please send your checks made payable to CAH to the synagogue at 4839 Market Street; Unit C; Ventura, CA It is important that everyone create tolerant, understanding communities and this is an opportunity for you to do this. Hope to see you there. Letter to Anita tells the story of how one young mother, after the hate filled speech by Anita Bryant, lost her children to the State of Florida after she came out to her family and husband that she was gay. Ronni Sanlo, daughter of Lois Lebman is the mother whose children were taken away from her and is co-author of this documentary. The film is narrated by Meredith Baxter. Q & A will follow with director Andrea M and Ronni Sanlo, subject and co-writer of the film and Ventura County resident. On January 16 th and 17 th, we will be having a Women s Shabbat. Friday s service will be at 8 p.m and Saturday s service will be at 10 a.m. Please let me know by brenda.bashful16@gmail.com or if you will participate. There will be English reading from the Siddur and other selected readings and Hebrew readings. So if you haven t already let me know, please do so now. They are going to a lovely, meaningful services. Elsewhere you will see an article from Fran Lande regarding our significant Jewish Book club that will be held on Sunday, Janauary 25 th at 1 p.m. Please come you won t be disappointed. The book that will be discussed is Last of the Just by Andre Schwarz-Barr. We have a busy month. Hope to see you at all our events. Your support of CAH is vital. Shalom,

3 Andrea Meyerson and writer Ronni Sanlo 3

4 January Birthday s Arnie Rich 16 January Anniversaries No Anniversaries PURIM GOODIES This year CAH is once again participating in the custom of mishloach manot.

4 4 January Birthday s Arnie Rich 16 January Anniversaries No Anniversaries PURIM GOODIES This year CAH is once again participating in the custom of mishloach manot. Also known as mishloach manos or shortened to shalach 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 temple to temple 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 year our congregation will be having a surprise theme that will coordinate with Purim services. So you will want to be sure to participate. This is not only fun but it brings in money for the congregation. Last year it was a big success bringing in more than $2000, 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. The committee will be working out the details but please look for the forms in your February Migdalor. Ruth Resnick or Fran Lande francat@aol.com

5 5 Significant Jewish Books Club Are you looking for a way to increase your Jewish learning in the New Year? CAH has the perfect opportunity for you. Come participate in the Significant Jewish Books Club. A lively discussion will take place whether you liked the book or not. We can learn from each other. Our next meeting will be on Sunday, January 25 at 1 PM. We will be discussing the book The Last of the Just by Andre Schwarz-Bart. This novel is based on a tradition of the Just Men, dating from the time of the prophet Isaiah. There are thirty-six mortals who are the hearts of the world multiplied, and into them, as into one receptacle, pour all our griefs. These Just Men allow humankind to survive by accepting this suffering by not being overwhelmed by the nature and knowledge of cruelty. By telling us about the succeeding generations of the Levy family, Schwarz Bart narrates an account of how the Just Men deal with the burden of this knowledge. Readers also gain perspective of the tragic legacy of Jewish persecution. One of the Just Men legacy takes place in Germany and the time of the Shoah. You can purchase the book from a variety of sources. If you want to help CAH, purchase it with Amazon Scrip and through Amazon Smile. For additional information and to RSVP please contact Fran Lande, Adult Education Vice President at fblande@gmail.com.

6 6 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

7 7 Get Well Ann Jacobs Norma Van Riper Gene Matlin Rachel Kozak Mort Resnick Dianne Ruthman Fred Rosen Ann Sperber Herb Stein Bob Packer Sheila Myles Jack Sperber Fran Lande Gail Packer Sherry Horwitz Miriam Rubinstein Irv Jacobs Dawn VanValkenburg Donations Donation received from Dianne Ruthman In Honor of C A H 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.

8 8 YAHRZEIT January 2 Sol Rosenberg, Father of Elaine Allen Arthur Simms, Uncle of Bob Allen Regina Spunt Hacker, Mother of Fil Barton Feiga Sobol, Grandmother of Cookie Dimant *Sol Kozak, Father of Maurice Kozak Sylvia Fogel, grandmother of Myra Matlin Albert Zeller, Father of Sheila Myles Ruth Hochberg, Mother of Mildred Rubenstein Maurice Ruthman, Father-in-law of Dianne Ruthman Bertha Miller, Mother of Tobie Treitman Louis Goldfeder, Grandfather of Eileen Walker January 16 Louis Bardfield, Husband of Deanne Bardfield Sadie Levine, Mother of Vivian D. Barr Benjamin Dennis, Father of Renee Becker Leah Dennis, Mother of Renee Becker Hannah Macina, Mother of Elayne Edelstein Louis Spitalnick, Father of Elayne Edelstein *Irving Prilook, Father of Elaine Hanig *Ida Kaufman, Grandmother of Felice Farber Rose Matlin, Grandmother of Myra Matlin and Mother of Gene Matlin Roselyn Matlin, Mother of Myra Matlin and Wife of Gene Matlin Edward Strasser, Father of Diane Mautner Teddy Shapiro, Father of Alan Shapiro Nachama Pugach, Aunt of Leonid Skuratovsky Fred Sperber, Brother of Jack Sperber Fred Sperber, Husband of Reva Sperber Selig Becker, Grandfather of Eileen Walker Jerome Wolfson, Brother of Ilana Wolfson *Inscribed on Memorial Wall

9 9 In Memory Of Norma Van Riper, IMO Sam Kurnick, 1st husband & father of Jonathan and Janet Norma Van Riper, IMO Dora Behmoiram, widow of Norma's brother, Harry Norma Van Riper, IMO Herb Zipser, widower of Norma's sister, Myrtle Alma Golden, IMO mother, Edith Rosenthal Denise Heap, IMO sister Janet Jackie Saltz IMO Pearl Berman Earl Greinetz IMO Ruth Greinetz and Harry Greintez Ruth Resnick IMO husband Baylis Resnick Mondays With Mort During the month of January there will Not be any sessions of Mondays With Mort. Question of the Month: What biblical figure fathered a son when he was 8 years old and his son fathered a son eight years later? The answer can be found athttp:// Also be sure to check out the entire Mondays with Mort web site athttp:// and the CAH web site at Mort Tributes Ruth Resnick to Carol Maller, wishing you a full recovery. Ruth Resnick to Gil Bratspis in honor of your 2nd birthday. Ruth Resnick to Mort Resnick wishing you a speedy recovery

10 10 January 2015 Tevet/Shevat 5775 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Erev Shabbat Service 8 pm Candle Lighting 4:41 PM Shabbat Services 10 am Shabbat End 5:40 PM NO Mondays with Mort Ways & Means Meeting 5:30 PM Ritual Meeting 6:45 PM Need Help to set up at 4:30 PM for LETTER TO ANITA Candle Lighting 4:47 PM Shabbat End 5:46 PM Board Meeting 11 AM NO Mondays with Mort Happy Birthday Arnie Rich Women's Shabbat Erev Shabbat Service 8 pm Candle Lighting 4:53 PM Shabbat Services 10 am Women's Shabbat Shabbat End 5:52 PM NO Mondays with Mort Candle Lighting 5:00 PM Shabbat End 5:58 PM Significant Book Club 1:00pm NO Mondays with Mort Candle Lighting 5:07 PM Shabbat End 6:05 PM

11 Rabbi J. B. Sacks rabbijb@aol.com phone#323-387-0096 BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESIDENT Brenda Rich brenda.bashful16@gmail.

VOLUNTEERS Kiddushim - Brenda Rich Oneg Shabbat -Fil Barton Librarian Programming Tributes Telephone Purchasing Yahrzeits Migdalor

Gustafson CORRESPONDING SECRETARY-Ruth Resnick WAYS & MEANS VP - MEMBERSHIP VP - Janice Aharon-Ezer Rick Newberger RITUAL VP - Jef

11 11 Rabbi J. B. Sacks phone# BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESIDENT Brenda Rich phone# VICE-PRESIDENT PAST PRESIDENTS Mort Resnick Arnie Fingerhut Jerry Ruthman z'l Peter Shack Brenda Rich OUR VOLUNTEERS Kiddushim - Brenda Rich Oneg Shabbat -Fil Barton Librarian Programming Tributes Telephone Purchasing Yahrzeits Migdalor Sunshine Webmaster Donna Gustafson Ann Jacobs Lee Rothschild Bev Rosen Bev Rosen Ann Sperber TREASURER - Lois Lebman SECRETARY - Donna Gustafson CORRESPONDING SECRETARY-Ruth Resnick WAYS & MEANS VP - MEMBERSHIP VP - Janice Aharon-Ezer Rick Newberger RITUAL VP - Jef Bratspis RITUAL VP Emeritus Milt Rothschild HOUSING VP - Arnie Rich IMMEDIATE PAST PRES - Brenda Rich ADULT EDUCATION VP - Fran Lande DIRECTORS Marc Goldman, Diane Mautner Miriam Mack

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

HAMIGDALOR CONGREGATION AM HAYAM 1 4839 Market Street, Unit C, Ventura, Ca. 93003 Phone (805) 644-2899 Fax (805) 644-2887 Website: www.amhayam.com From From The The Rabbi s Rabbi s Study Study January