Temple Beth David - MESSAGE FROM THE RABBI
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David ’ s Word Temple Beth David | March/April Volume 21, Issue 2 Pesach is not just abstaining from bread When Jews ask other Jews about their Passover observance level, often the response is tied to abstaining from consuming bread. The ab- stinence from products with leavening is fine but not the essence of our holiday. There are many elements of Pesach which ask us to remember the tough journey and transition- ing from slavery to freedom by the children of Is- rael. Perhaps, in the newly revised fifth question, we should ask ourselves, have we extended a hand to help those in need of assistance? Have we done enough for those living in poverty? We cannot be like Moses who delivered our enslaved people, but neither should we stand idly while the needs of others go unattended. In this day and age it is not unusual for Seder attendees to have their cell phones at the table. I have heard guests at the table who have shared up- dated basketball scores between courses or when there was a break in the readings from the Hag- gadah. Cell phones and the internet can be distrac- tions, but I propose we use them for a higher purpose this Pesach. A worthy use of our 21st century phones might be centered on the ways we will try to end suffer- ing in society beginning with the days of Pesach. I propose this year that when we read about the four children that we begin a new habit of immediately going on the internet to websites like, Jewish World Watch (WWW.JWW.ORG ) that works to end genocide and mass atrocities by educating and mobilizing individuals, advocating for policy changes and funding projects supporting resilience in conflict-affected communities. WWW.GreaterGood.com is a collection of portals helping ten causes which range from Alzheimer research, breast Cancer research, liter- acy, the rain forest and hunger. While www.freerice.com helps us learn while giving rice to the needy with each correct answer. There is no better time than NOW to reach out with caring hands. Most of us cannot give unlim- ited time and money to all the worthy organiza- tions but neither are we free to refrain from doing our share to make the world a much better place as part of Tikkun Olam. In the spirit of Pesach, we are opening our doors to all who are hungry and who desire to share the first Seder at Temple Beth David on Friday, March 30. If you could help subsidize an individual or a family to attend the Seder, please let me know. Wishing you and your family a meaningful Pe- sach with acts of kindness and an outstretched hand. Chag Sameach Inside this issue: Temple Beth David Calendar Page 2 From Gal Kessler Rohs Page 3 Men’s Club Page 4 Special Events Page 5 Sisterhood Page 6 Stars of David Page 8 Service Calendar Page 9 Life Cycle Events Page 11 MESSAGE FROM THE RABBI RABBI ALAN LACHTMAN
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Transcript of Temple Beth David - MESSAGE FROM THE RABBI
David’s WordTemple Beth David | March/April Volume 21, Issue 2
Pesach is not just abstainingfrom breadWhen Jews ask other Jews about their
Passover observance level, often the response istied to abstaining from consuming bread. The ab-stinence from products with leavening is fine butnot the essence of our holiday.There are many elements of Pesach which ask
us to remember the tough journey and transition-ing from slavery to freedom by the children of Is-rael. Perhaps, in the newly revised fifth question,we should ask ourselves, have we extended a handto help those in need of assistance? Have we doneenough for those living in poverty? We cannot belike Moses who delivered our enslaved people,but neither should we stand idly while the needsof others go unattended.In this day and age it is not unusual for Seder
attendees to have their cell phones at the table. Ihave heard guests at the table who have shared up-dated basketball scores between courses or whenthere was a break in the readings from the Hag-gadah. Cell phones and the internet can be distrac-tions, but I propose we use them for a higherpurpose this Pesach.A worthy use of our 21st century phones might
be centered on the ways we will try to end suffer-ing in society beginning with the days of Pesach. Ipropose this year that when we read about the fourchildren that we begin a new habit of immediatelygoing on the internet to websites like, JewishWorld Watch (WWW.JWW.ORG) that works toend genocide and mass atrocities by educating andmobilizing individuals, advocating for policy
changes and funding projects supporting resiliencein conflict-affected communities.WWW.GreaterGood.com is a collection of
portals helping ten causes which range fromAlzheimer research, breast Cancer research, liter-acy, the rain forest and hunger. Whilewww.freerice.com helps us learn while giving riceto the needy with each correct answer. There is no better time than NOW to reach out
with caring hands. Most of us cannot give unlim-ited time and money to all the worthy organiza-tions but neither are we free to refrain from doingour share to make the world a much better placeas part of Tikkun Olam.In the spirit of Pesach, we are opening our doors
to all who are hungry and who desire to share thefirst Seder at Temple Beth David on Friday, March30. If you could help subsidize an individual or afamily to attend the Seder, please let me know.Wishing you and your family a meaningful Pe-
sach with acts of kindness and an outstretched hand.
Chag Sameach
Inside this issue:
Temple Beth David Calendar Page 2From Gal Kessler Rohs Page 3Men’s Club Page 4Special Events Page 5Sisterhood Page 6Stars of David Page 8Service Calendar Page 9Life Cycle Events Page 11
MESSAGE FROM THE RABBIRABBI ALAN LACHTMAN
2 | Calendar
TEMPLE BETH DAVID CALENDAR
March, 2018Fri, 3/2 5:30 pm Ulpan Shabbat
6:30 pm Purim Dinner7:30 pm Shabbat Services-Purim Celebration
Sat, 3/3 4:00 pm Carmel Randolph’s Bat MitzvahSun, 3/4 9:30 am Mindfulness Meditation
9:30 am Religious School Session9:30 am Free Adult Hebrew I Class10:30 amFree Adult Hebrew II Class11:30 amFree Adult Hebrew III Class 1:00 pm Confirmation Class1:00 pm TBD Book Club “Why be Jewish”
Wed, 3/7 6:30 pm TOV CHAI Youth Group MeetingFri, 3/9 5:30 pm Ulpan Shabbat
7:30 pm Shabbat ServicesSat, 3/10 8:30 am Men’s Club BreakfastSun, 3/11 9:30 am Mindfulness Meditation
9:30 am Religious School Session9:30 am Free Adult Hebrew I Class10:30 amFree Adult Hebrew II Class11:30 amFree Adult Hebrew III Class
Fri, 3/16 5:30 pm Ulpan Shabbat 7:30 pm Shabbat Services
Sun, 3/18 *NO RELGIOUS SCHOOL or ADULT FREE HEBREW CLASSES*Confirmation Class Field Trip: Details TBA9:30 am Mindfulness Meditation
Tue, 3/20 7:30 pm Haggadah & Enhancing the Meaning of Passover with Rabbi
Thu, 3/22 9:15 am 2018 Women’s Forum at Courtyard Marriott featuring TBD honoree Susan Ivory
Fri, 3/23 5:30 pm Ulpan Shabbat7:30 pm Shabbat Services: Musical Service
Sun, 3/25 9:30 am Mindfulness Meditation9:30 am Religious School Session9:30 am Free Adult Hebrew I Class10:30 amFree Adult Hebrew II Class11:30 amFree Adult Hebrew III Class 1:00 pm Confirmation Class
Fri, 3/30 *NO ULPAN SHABBAT*6:30 pm TBD Community Passover Seder
April, 2018Sun, 4/1 *NO RELGIOUS SCHOOL
or ADULT FREE HEBREW CLASSES*9:30 am Mindfulness Meditation
Wed, 4/4 6:30 pm TOV CHAI Youth Group MeetingFri, 4/6 5:30 pm Ulpan Shabbat
7:30 pm Shabbat ServicesSat, 4/7 8:00 am Men’s Club Bike Ride Sun, 4/8 9:30 am Religious School Session
9:30 am Free Adult Hebrew I Class10:30 amCommunity Forum 10:30 amFree Adult Hebrew II Class11:30 amFree Adult Hebrew III Class
Fri, 4/13 5:30 pm Ulpan Shabbat7:30 pm Shabbat Services: Social Action
Sun, 4/15 9:30 am Mindfulness Meditation9:30 am Religious School Session9:30 am Bagel Breakfast: Peacemaking in Israel 9:30 am Free Adult Hebrew I Class10:30 amFree Adult Hebrew II Class11:30 amFree Adult Hebrew III Class 1:00 pm Confirmation Class
Fri, 4/20 5:30 pm Ulpan Shabbat7:30 pm Shabbat Services: Traditional Service
Sun, 4/22 9:30 am Mindfulness Meditation9:30 am Religious School Session9:30 am Free Adult Hebrew I Class10:30 amFree Adult Hebrew II Class11:30 amFree Adult Hebrew III Class
Fri, 4/27 9:00 am Challah Club5:30 pm Ulpan Shabbat7:30 pm Shabbat Services: Musical Service
Sun, 4/29 9:30 am Mindfulness Meditation9:30 am Religious School Session9:30 am Free Adult Hebrew I Class10:30 amFree Adult Hebrew II Class11:30 amFree Adult Hebrew III Class 1:00 pm Confirmation Class
Temple News | 3
UPDATES FROM OUR RELIGIOUS SCHOOLGal Kessler Rohs
Jewish + Warm + Relevant =Jewishly Warm and Relevant
Being Jewish, being warm, and beingrelevant, are all interrelated. All three qualitiesare what Temple Beth David is about, andthat’s why our temple is Jewishly Warm andRelevant. It is inevitable that I say that manytimes a day, that I teach that several times aweek, and that I hear that on countlessoccasions. I guess that’s why our congregationhas come to know this as our brand, our motto,our ethos, and, well, that’s just us.
Friday afternoons at TBD are a fineexample of this reflection. Children, as youngas two years of age, together with children asold as fourteen years, and all ages in between,all gather to prepare for Shabbat together.That’s Jewish, that’s warm, and that’s relevant.
Our children prepare the Shabbat meal forthe temple’s congregation, and for themselves.Kudos. Kudos because where traditionallyadults cook for children, at TBD, the roles flip.Our children not only cook, but also set thetable. Lehavdil ben kodesh lechol, this is noordinary table, but a Shabbat table, along withits Jewishly warm and relevant rituals.
The sense of accomplishment continues onTBD’s Friday afternoons, when our childrenlearn, from our Rabbi, and other professionals,about peers from around the world who maynot benefit from a Jewishly Warm andRelevant Shabbat experience because they arenot as fortunate as we are. We thus providefood for the hungry before we ourselves eat,
we prepare Mishlochei Manot for the poorbefore indulging in our oneg, and we plantsucculents in plant pots to take to the seniorswho may not be as physically or emotionallystable as our youth. That’s Jewish. That’swarm, and that’s relevant.
Once our congregation has chanted BirkatHaMazon for appreciation of Shabbat dinner,it is again the children who take the lead. Theylead our congregation into the holy sanctuary.It is them who stand on the bima, and beginkabbalat shabbat by lighting the candles.Again, where traditionally adults (enforce?)their young children to come to temple, here,our children proceed into the sanctuary, withadults following in tow. The conventionalroles, yet again, flip.
It is Jewish to prepare a Shabbat meal, to seta Shabbat table, to light the candles, and tobless over our rituals to the guidance of ourRabbi. It is warm to think about others, likethe hungry and elderly who are not asfortunate as us. It is relevant to teach childrento enter a synagogue, to lead a service, and toform friendships between the youngest andoldest of our youth. That, and more, isJewishly Warm and Relevant, and that, andmore, is TBD.
4 | Temple News
On Saturday January 13th, the Men’s Clubsponsored morning waterfall hike at MonroviaCanyon Park. Led by our very own TodBarry, members experienced not only greatexercise but gleaned fascinating informationabout the native wildlife and vegetation in thearea. Attending were Wayne Alhadeff, LarryAlpert, Bill Finn, Victor Herzfeld, RickKlein, Jerry Shutman, Joey Angel-Field,and Bill Joseph.
On Sunday, February 4th, the Men’s Clubalso sponsored our 2018 Super Bowl Party.Graciously and generously organized by Jimand Robin Evans, this proved to be a greatevent with hot dogs, chili, and other
refreshments …not to mention the thrill of areally exciting game. Indeed, we are gratefulto Jim and Robin for their hard work.
In the next two months, there will be abreakfast 3/10/18 at Jake’s Road House inMonrovia, and a “surf and sand” beach bikeride on 4/7/18. See Special Events on page 5for more details.
For more details about the Men’s Club,future events, to contribute ideas, or even payyour 2018 $40 dues, contact Bill Joseph at323-420-4282 or email him [email protected]. For sure, theMen’s Club very much welcomes newmembers – younger, older, and in the middle.
MEN’S CLUB CHARGINGFULL-STEAM AHEAD
Temple News | 5
SPECIAL EVENTSMen’s Club BreakfastSaturday, March 10, 2018, 8:30 amJake’s Road House (All the peanuts you can eat)622 S. Myrtle Ave., Monrovia(626-599-9453)Free parking at rear off of Colorado Blvd.; can enter from rear too.Bring a good joke or suggestion for a futureevent! RSVP at least one week before very muchappreciated Bill Joseph: Call/text: 323-420-4282, Email: [email protected]
Haggadah and Enhancing the Meaning ofPassover with RabbiTuesday, March 20th, 7:30pmWant to learn more about the Haggadot? Want tomake your own? Do I have to read all the parts?Bring your questions and we can spend awonderful class together on March 20 at 730pm.RSVP a must!
Friday, March 30 at 7:30 pmIn the spirit of a Jewishly warm and relevantPesach, we are opening our doors to all who arehungry and want to share the first Passover Sederat Temple Beth David. Rabbi Alan Lachtmanwelcome all who might normally be unable toafford to participate in a communal seder. Yourtimely reservations a must!Suggested Donation: $30 per Adult, $15 perChild, $75 per Family
Surf and Sand Leisurely Bike Ride withBrunchSaturday, April 7, 2018 , 8:00 am-Marina Del Rey to Manhattan Beach Along theGorgeous Beach Bike Path – 1 hour each way!-Bring your own bike or rent one-Kids over 12 and spouses with some degree ofriding experience welcome
Meet at TBD parking lot at 8:00 am. Carpool toFisherman’s Village in the Marina. Rent bikes atDaniels’ Bike Rental (for those who need them),ride to Manhattan Beach, have a deliciousbrunch, and ride back. Estimated arrival timeback at TBD, 2:00 -2:30 P. M. The ride is almostall flat and again, about one hour each way. Cost: beach parking, bike rental of approx. $25,plus brunch (separate checks). Bring sunscreen,hat, water, and a sweatshirt if it is cool. If youbring your own bike, try also to bring a helmetand bike lock.
RSVP BY SATURDAY, 3/31/18: Call BillJoseph at 323-420-4282. To properly plan theevent, he must have information about:• Who has a bike, helmet, bike lock and bike rack.• Who needs to rent a bike.• Who is willing to drive and how many peopleyou can hold in your car.
Questionable Weather on Day of Event: Call BillJoseph
6 | Sisterhood
Our Sisterhood paid up brunch was met with a fewchallenges. But for those who attended, it was a funand meaningful morning. Thank you to Gal KesslerRohs, for her presentation on who her heroes are.
If there's an event, you can almost be assured thatRobin Evans is the diva behind the menu and prepa-ration of the meal. Israeli food had met its match. Wefeasted on homemade falafel and Israeli salad. Shealso baked cookies for dessert. What a treat!
Thank you to Jackie Green for providing the freshfruit and flowers.
Many thanks to everyone who came to supportTemple Beth David’s Sisterhood.
We’re still going ahead with the kitchen redo proj-ect. Our first undertaking will be the ovens. Just look-ing online to get an idea about pricing, it may be about$20,000. And, we also know we need to take in ac-count what's behind the wall of the ovens. I hope it'snot wiring from 1947!! Temple's kitchen has beenthrough many events and served us well. Let's give the
kitchen the redo it needs! I’m only asking, if youwould like to make a donation to the kitchen red-model, it will be gratefully accepted. Think about it,hasn't the kitchen always been the heart of most fam-ily's home?
Speaking of hearts, Mother's Day is coming! In thegift shop there are some very nice items fromBrighton. We thank Terri and Jerry Kohl who gra-ciously donate the Brighton goods. A purchase fromthe Sisterhood Gift Shop, always supports the temple.
Saving the best news for last. We now have a Sis-terhood email address. [email protected]. Ifyou have questions, comments or need to get in thegift shop, please use this email! And if you would liketo attend a meeting, we will be trying out Sundaymornings at a congregant’s house. Please email theTBD Sisterhood if you need information.
Happy Passover!
GREETINGS FROM SISTERHOODCarol Ozer
Sisterhood President
Coming this Spring… Temple Beth David’s Family Fun Day!
Activities for Everyone! Silent and live auctions,
bingo, face painting and much more! Dinner and dessert included!
Date and time to be announced soon.
Stars of David | 7
Please join us for two special musical Shabbat services featuring our very own “SweetSingers of David” on Fridays, March 23rd and April 27th. - Cantor Richard Schwartz
8 | Temple News
STARS OF DAVIDGeneral FundLarry Alpert in Memory of Donald & Clara AlpertLorraine I. Bernstein & Charles Searls inMemory of Ruth Cohen Kraft & Meyer CohenBen & Sandra BroderDafna BrookRobert Cooper & Sarah RosenbergM'Liss Regent- Cunha & Tim CunhaCrystal DrysdaleDulce DubinHarold & Annie FriedenbergCourtney ParisiLonette Rappoport in Memory of BellaDaum Rappoport & E. Herbert ScheppsJames & Lisa Reckon in Memory of Adyne ReckonMichael Rose
Louis Rubenstein in Memory of Seymour RubensteinAleksandr & Julie RysinTheodore & Lori SamuelsPaul & Josette SchwartzCantor Richard Schwartz & Lily Silver (Schwartz)Rona Sulloway-PoliRichard & Cathy Weise
Above/BeyondAleksandr & Julie RysinGerald & Feo Shutman
Food BankGary Ackerman
Rabbi's Discretionary FundMark LachtmanMargie Zwick in Memory of Bernard Zwick
Temple Beth David
Friday Night Services March to April 2018
March 2 | Purim Celebration
March 9 | Shabbat Services*
March 16 | Shabbat Services*
March 23 | Musical Service March 30 | Passover Seder (Begins at 6:30 p.m.)
April 6 | Shabbat Services* April 13 | Shabbat Service: Social Action April 20 | Traditional Service April 27 | Musical Service
Schedule Subject to change. Please stay updated on the website or via e-mail or phone.
Services start at 7:30 PM. Dinner starts at 6:30 PM where noted. Tot Shabbats begin at 5:45 PM where noted.
-Field at [email protected] * Please contact the Temple Office for service information.
Temple News | 9
The next meeting of the TBD Book Club will be1:00 PM, Sunday, March 4th. We will discuss "WhyBe Jewish?" by Edgar M. Bronfman. With honesty,poignancy, and passion, Bronfman shares In "Why BeJewish?" insights gleaned from his own personaljourney and makes a compelling case for the meaningand transcendence of a secular Judaism that is stillsteeped in deep moral values, authentic Jewish texts,and a focus on deed over creed or dogma.
For More Information: Milton [email protected] or (626) 355-8721
BOOK CLUB
10 | Temple News
Confirmation 1979: Rabbi Alan Lachtman, unknown, Jim Eisenberg, Steven Seltzer, Bruce Kadden (Rabbinic Intern), Terri Eisenberg, Laura Kranser, Mary Singman
and Mimi Segal
A MOMENT IN TBD HISTORY
BIRTHDAYSMarch1 Irwin Frazin 2 Carol Hunt2 Joan Shutman3 Robert Weissman9 Melissa Gersh 12 Brannon Esrey14 Jean Tarnove
15 Aaron Cass15 Zack Domb19 Karen Aboody21 Eva Cass21 Warren Montag26 Iris Malakoff30 Rhonda Bruker
April3 Richard Shapiro4 Joshua Kaplan 6 Kenneth Anhalt 8 Joel Kleinberg9 Courtney Parisi 16 Richard Klein19 Rick Wilcoxen
20 Julie Rysin22 Karen Felzer23 Christine Felman23 Bill Joseph28 Larry Kates29 Lisa Schall
ANNIVERSARIESMarch2 Mathew Randolph & Amy Korn8 Lawrence & Lisa Schall 11 Peter & Susan Ivory19 Charles & Ann-Marie Weinstein20 Robert & Cynthia Morrison21 John & Leslie Golper
21 Robert Rubino & Janice Rocker24 Michael & Melissa Schoonmaker25 Victor & Shari Herzfeld25 Rick & Karen Wilcoxen
April3 Carol Hunt & Ralph Adolphs
YAHRZEITMarch 2Florence RinaldiSeymour RubensteinStanley ZwangerLillian LenchnerBea HollanderFrieda Bunin
March 9Leon KahnJerome OzerFlorence WolffIsadore AptakerHelen L. BillensGertrude Ivory
March 16Edward D. AlpertWilliam Nadler LevineSam WidawskiIra KohlNathan Lachtman
March 23Louis BlockAbraham RubensteinSylvia KleinBernie MauserNellie MazeikaSamuel Mausner
March 30Sara BunkerSally IsaacsSadie RubensteinHarriet Goldstein
April 6Mario GleizerBrown FergusonHerschel GreenCarroll BunkerIrving SteinbergHerbert Kaufman
April 13William RubensteinErnest Klein
April 20Norman TarnoveJean ChaussAbraham Schwartz
April 27Lester SadoffAbraham Kaplan
Yahrzeit • Birthdays • Anniversaries | 11
photography
626.827.0742LAURENHENSONPHOTO.COM
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We note with great sorrow the passing of our beloved congregant Robert Marver on February 19th. Bob is survived by his devoted wife Carol and their three children, James, Dee and Cathy.
Bob and Carol were amongst our founding members in the late 1940s. Bob was president in 1953 and continued to be a generous supporter of Temple Beth David throughout his life. His memory is an inspiration.
Temple Beth David of the San Gabriel ValleyTemple Beth David is the home of a Reform Jewish congregation
that embraces Judaism’s values and traditions including spiritual discovery, educational richness,community, loving kindness, and personal responsibility.
We welcome all Jews and interfaith families committed to living a Jewish life.
Temple Beth David is a�liated with the Union for Reform Judaism.
Rabbi Alan R. LachtmanCantor Richard Schwartz, Cantor and Education Director
9677 East Longden Avenue, Temple City, California 91780Phone (626) 287-9994 Fax (626) 287-2846o�[email protected] www.templebd.com
O�ce Hours Monday-Friday 12-4:30 p.m. andWednesdays 12-5 p.m.Rabbi is not available on Tuesdays; Cantor is not available Mondays.
Please call for an appointment if you would like to meet with Rabbi Lachtman or Cantor Schwartz.
Editing and layout design for David’s Word and Printing services provided by Pro Printing, Inc. Irwindale, California
David’s Word
Temple Beth Davidof the San Gabriel Valley
9677 Longden AvenueTemple City, CA 91780
Change Service Requested
NON-PROFIT ORGU.S. POSTAGE
PAIDSAN GABRIEL, CAPERMIT No 10048
Temple Beth David of the San Gabriel Valley
Rabbi Alan R. Lachtman, MHL, DD, MFCT, LTC, USAR Cantor Richard Schwartz
9677 East Longden Avenue, Temple City, CA 91780Phone: (626) 287-9994 Email: [email protected] Website: www.templebd.com
Office Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00-3:30
Serving the Reform Jewish community since 1947, Temple Beth David of the San Gabriel Valley embraces Judaism’s liberal values and traditions of community, spiritual growth, educational richness,
loving kindness, and personal responsibility.
We welcome all Jews and interfaith families committed to living a Jewish life.
Rabbi is not available Tuesdays. Cantor is not available Mondays. Please call for an appointment if you would like to meet with Rabbi Lachtman or Cantor Schwartz.
Editing and layout design for David’s Word and printing services provided by Pro Printing, Inc. Irwindale, California.
