December 7, 2022
2nd Annual Ron Snow Memorial Concert
Wow - what an afternoon! “Spectacular,” “best concert ever,” and “let’s do it again” were just a few of the many accolades from attendees at the 2nd Annual Cantor Ron Snow Memorial Concert on Sunday. The voices of Cantorial Intern David Childs, Cantor Jacqueline Rafii, Shirel Richman, and Jenni Asher harmonized beautifully together, and the band, under the direction of Daniel Raijman, was world class.

Thank you to everyone who helped put this spectacular event together, and especially to Cantorial Intern David Childs, who coordinated the production on such short notice. We can't help but think Cantor Snow is smiling down on all of you after such a wonderful tribute to him.

For those who were unable to attend, or if you'd like to view the livestream of the concert again, click the image above. If you would like to make a donation to the Cantor Ron Snow Memorial Concert Fund, please click here.
B'yachad/Together
This Shabbat at STS
Friday, December 9
We will be honoring all those in attendance with a November or December birthday or anniversary. In-person and online at stslive.org, Facebook, and YouTube.

Saturday, December 10
In-person at STS and online at stslive.orgFacebook, and YouTube.
Fay Miller Invites You To Morning Minyan
"Although I was not a synagogue goer, when my husband of sixty years, Jim, passed on August 29, I decided to go to morning services for a year. It seemed like a fitting way to honor his memory. Because I don't read Hebrew, I wasn't sure I would be comfortable or even like going. Much to my surprise, I love going. It's a wonderful way to start my day, alone with thoughts, my Jim, and Hashem. Repeating words my people have been comforted by for thousands of years connects me with past generations and being in the sanctuary is so serene. I think you will like it too. We especially need you on Monday and Thursday mornings when we read Torah. Do come, and be sure to introduce yourself. I am a short 80-year-old woman with reddish hair. I very much look forward to meeting you."
Morning Minyan (Monday-Friday at 8:00am; Sunday at 9:00am) in-person at Shomrei Torah and on Zoom. Click here to join the ZOOM meeting or enter meeting ID 874 5946 3346, passcode Shomrei.
Evening Minyan (Monday-Thursday at 7:15pm) led by Temple Aliyah. Click here to join the ZOOM meeting, or enter meeting ID 821 3615 1400, passcode: shalom.
Upcoming Shabbat
Friday, December 16
8:00 PM "Banish Darkness" Hanukkah Shabbat Service at Temple Aliyah
Join us at Temple Aliyah for a musical Hanukkah Kabbalat Shabbat service. In-person from Temple Aliyah and online at stslive.orgFacebook, and YouTube. (No service at STS)

Saturday, December 17
In-person at STS and online at stslive.orgFacebook, and YouTube.

Bring the little ones for a fun family service with music and stories. We'll join the adult Shabbat Morning Service for final songs, followed by Kiddush Lunch. RSVP requested.
Upcoming Programs
Weekly on Thursdays at 12:00 PM
Study the weekly Torah Portion with Rabbi Camras. Participate on Zoom or watch online at stslive.org.
Rock Climbing with Sababa (20s & 30s group)
Saturday, December 10 at 6pm
Come join Sababa as we rock climb indoors at Boulderdash Climbing San Fernando! All climbing experience levels are welcome, Wear hiking/running shoes and comfortable clothes. Be sure to bring water, snacks (if you'd like), and a smart phone. Spaces are limited, so to guarantee a spot, please RSVP below. Cost is $15. PLEASE NOTE: If you are a member with adult children age 20-30, they are welcome to attend.
Sunday, December 11 | 9:30 AM
Join us Sunday to help plant for the spring growing season. Our garden is on a flat-raised area at the top end of the parking lot with stairs up to the site. One of our goals is education, so children of all ages are welcome to help to better understand where their food comes from. Email Gil Solomon or call him at 818-470-0690 for more information.
Tuesday, Dec. 13 | 10:30 - 11:30 AM | STS Parking Lot
The Social Action Committee's monthly sack lunch collection should contain a PB&J sandwich, orange or banana, small water bottle, and a snack. Drop off your donations at the parking lot. For more information, email Zygi Boxer.
Adult Education
10 Wednesday evenings starting Jan. 11 at 7:00-8:30 pm
Jan 11, 18, 25, Feb 1, 8, 15, 22, Mar 1, 15, 22
Taught by Rabbi Deborah Silver
Offered in person at Shomrei Torah Synagogue and on Zoom
$200 for Shomrei Torah Members; $295 for Non-Members
This Melton course highlights the Jewish call to action and provides a practical approach for achieving lasting change. Beyond acts of kindness, proponents of social justice aim to bend the arc of history toward alleviating the ills of society. Drawing from classic and modern texts, explore the communal connection that compels us to support the most vulnerable. While serious issues such as poverty, climate change and systemic racism may seem insurmountable, this course helps us step back and discover opportunities and strategies for local and global progress, providing a framework for taking a stand on issues of concern within one’s own community.
Baby & Me
Hello Parents and Grandparents! Our first session of Baby & Me/Grandparent & Me begins in January! There are many classes to choose from including classes for working families, classes for grandparents, musical shabbat classes and so much more to discover. Sign up now and come join the fun!
Youth Department
Last Sunday, the Jewish Teen Learning Center kicked off their program with 12 teens eager to engage in meaningful conversations with their peers and teachers. They explored the connection between Jewish values and different types of relationships and applied what they learned to their own lives.

It's not too late to join! Our next session in January 29, 10am-1pm. Please email Michelle Greenberg at [email protected] or Erica Katsel at [email protected] to sign up or learn more.
 
Wednesday, December 21 | 6:30 - 8:00 PM | Tel Aviv Grill
All Jewish young adults, ages 18 (post-high school) to 22, are invited for dinner at Tel Aviv Grill in Woodland Hills to reunite with friends, make new ones, and debrief their experiences throughout the year. You don't need to have participated in USY or be a member of Shomrei Torah/Temple Aliyah to come to this meal! Please reach out to Michelle Greenberg with any questions! 
STS News
Bone Marrow Donation Assistance
Nathan Einsiedler, son of Georgina and Paul Einsiedler, is in need of a bone marrow transplant and looking for possible donor matches. Donors should be between 19 and 40 years of age and in good health. You can help by joining the Be the Match Registry, calling the City of Hope (626-301-8483) or directly through the NMDP: www.marrow.org or 1-800-MARROW-2. You may also contact a laboratory to be tested privately.

Kashi Laboratories
877-527-4452
Quest Diagnostics
800-222-0446
Lab Corps of America
800-859-6046
Bridge and Mahjongg
Interested in joining a bridge or mahjongg group that would meet during the week at Shomrei Torah? If so, please contact Lynn Wilson, a member of our STS staff and Chaplain student at the Academy of Jewish Religion.
Shomrei Torah Sisterhood is now taking pre-orders for the 2023 Mahjongg Cards. Sisterhood benefits from each card that you purchase. Purchase includes your application for Membership to The National Mahjongg League. All orders must be submitted by Jan. 25, 2023. SAVE THE DATE: Sunday, April 30, 2022 for our Mahjongg Tournament.
Community News
Thursday, December 8 at 7pm
Community screening at Temple Aliyah from 7-8pm. The film exposes how antisemitism has morphed and now hides under the veneer of anti-Zionism, followed by a Q&A. Open to teens and families.
Sunday, Dec. 11 at 7:30 pm | VBS
Abraham Joshua Heschel's masterwork "The Sabbath" is brought to life through extraordinary musical interpretations and performances by acclaimed cantors and musicians from all across Los Angeles, including Shomrei Torah's own Hazzan Joel Smith.
Thursday, December 15 at 9am
Join The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles as we launch our #ShineALight campaign to respond in solidarity against antisemitism, racism, and all forms of hate. STS is a sponsor of this campaign.
How you can get involved:
  • Visit JewishLA.org/ShineALight
  • Access educational resources addressing antisemitism and community bridge-building
  • Download Shine a Light graphic, choose from an array of captions and share on your social media accounts. Don’t forget to tag us @JFedLA and #ShineALight to amplify this message far and wide!
  • Print Shine a Light graphic to display in your window or anywhere you want to share the message
  • Join us at our Shine A Light Ceremony on Thursday, December 15th at 9:00 am in Grand Park in Downtown Los Angeles. Hear from civic and community leaders as we symbolically light the menorah and Shine A Light on the values we want to see in our world — love, justice, kindness, compassion, humanity, allyship, and community.
Saturday, January 28 at 6:30pm
Join Temple Aliyah at the Casino Royale as they honor Rabbi Stewart Vogel for 30 years of tireless leadership. Enjoy your favorite cocktails, indulge in some elegant cuisine, and stack your chips on the casino floor all night long!
Conejo West Valley Melton Adult Jewish Learning Winter registration is now open! Winter courses being offered run from January 2023 - March 2023.
Donations
We thank our members and friends for their contributions this past week:
Rabbi Camras’ Discretionary Fund
Laurie & Craig Dahlerbruch in appreciation of Zoey’s baby naming.
Vicki Uchill
 
Abayudaya Fund
Malcolm Katz
 
Cantor Ron Snow Memorial Concert Fund
Karen & Mitchell Daks
Rhona & Rob Fidler in honor of Cantor Snow’s 2nd Yahrzeit.
Monica & Phillip Ganz
Rona Greenstadt
Judy & Irwin Groner
Sue & Gordon Leff in honor of Cantor Snow’s 2nd Yahrzeit.
Judy & Stan Podolsky in memory of Ron Snow in in appreciation of his memorial concert.
 
Cantor Ron Snow Simcha Fund
Fran Guttman
Rhonda & Jeff Snow
 
Community of Caring
Sherry & Michael Raber
 
Yahrzeit Fund
Sandy & Stephen Bell in memory of Stephen’s father, David Bell.
Joan Cohen in memory of her father, Sam Schantz.
Esther & Joe Feingold in memory of Joe’s father, Benjamin Feingold.
Petra & Lionel Geretz in memory of Lionel’s father, Victor Geretz.
Illana Katz in memory of her husband, David Katz, and her parents, Alice and Emanuel Schear.
Sandra & Alan Knopf in memory of Sandie’s father, Moses Zalik.
Hilleri & Brent Merritt in memory of Brent’s mother, Marcia Merritt.
Sue Moss in memory of her brother, Jeff Moss and grandfather, Morris Moskowitz.
Jay Persselin in memory of his parents, Birdie and Morris Persselin.
Karen & Thomas Ransohoff in memory of Thomas’ father, Robert Ransohoff.
Andrea & Dean Richards in memory of Andrea’s beloved father, Mike Strugo.
Sheree & Jay Shafer in memory of Jay’s father, Marvin D. Shafer.
Helene Strugo in memory of her husband, Meyer “Mike” Strugo, mother, Nettie Davis, mother-in-law, Rachel Strugo, and sister-in-law, Vicki “Veda” Schwartz.
Robin & Cary Wiener in memory of Robin’s mother, Rae Asrelsky.
Click here to learn about our funds, send a tribute card, or make an online contribution.
Sisterhood Judaica Shop
Shomrei Torah Synagogue
7353 Valley Circle Blvd., West Hills, CA 91304
(818) 854-7650 | stsonline.org