A joyous community of Jewish women engaged in prayer,
study, and spiritual growth
|
|
New Beginnings: Really? Aren’t all beginnings new? |
|
This Shabbat, October 2, we begin reading the Torah from the beginning all over again.
Because we do this every year, perhaps we should call it "old" beginnings?
Rabbi August claims that in spite of having read the Torah over 50 times during her lifetime, it still feels so FRESH and NEW! She is looking forward to finding an inspiring teaching that will renew us with an “aha” moment. How often do we have a chance to start all over again with a different perspective?
Join Rabbi August, Cindy Paley, Sharon Alexander, and Robin Winston for Lev Eisha Shabbat services, still on Zoom until we can meet safely in person. Share the excitement of "New Beginnings” as we chant Parshat Beresheet and start studying the Torah all over again.
JOIN US ON ZOOM!
Saturday, October 2 10am-Noon PDT
|
|
PLEASE NOTE: OCTOBER SERVICES ARE THIS SHABBAT, 10/2. |
|
Many thanks to our donors, whose contributions are helping provide Zoom events during these challenging times. Also thank you to those who are donating in honor and memory of loved ones, and those who donated to the Rabbi's Discretionary Fund.
Your generosity is most appreciated!
Tonia Agron
Rabbi August
Debra Baer
Lynn Beliak
Carol Burns
Janis Cohen - "honoring Carol and the entire Lev Board"
Nancy Federman
Hannah Ganezer
Judith Golden
Jackie Goldfield
Louise Himmel
Marion Klein
Esther Novak
Linda Zweig
|
|
New and Returning Members |
|
If you haven't already renewed your membership, you can add your name to our long list of Lev Eisha sisters who have renewed. It's easy to renew online at leveisha.org. Or mail back your paper application with your check, in the addressed envelope provided.
Thank you to these members who have renewed this month:
Eve Axelrad
Janis Cohen
Gladys Diener
Sara Fields
Gloria Gesas
Karen Golden
Estela Goldman
Barbara Goldstone
Louise Himmel
Beverly Peterson
Sarah Schachter
Looking for a gift for a special person? A Lev Eisha membership is the perfect gift! Let us know if you'd like an acknowledgement sent to the recipient.
|
|
When are we called ‘old’? In Japan, it's much later than you think!
In Japan, in order to keep its older residents active, and still working, the city of Nagano redefined what “elderly” meant. Only those 75 years and older qualify! The new term for people 65 to 74 is now “pre-old,” and people in their 60s are no longer considered elderly. One fear with this new designation is that the government will delay offering pensions, as the retirement age has risen to 70 in government offices. Otherwise, being "pre-old" reflects the data that suggests that those in their 60s and 70s are, on average, equal in health status to those who were a decade or so younger a generation or two ago. (Wall St. Journal Sept. 25, 2021)
Personally, since I am still actively working, I love the designation of being "pre-old’"and I feel less pressure to consider retirement!
As we read Parshat Beresheet, the theme of ageism is prevalent. Adam lives a long life and dies at 930 years of age. His son Seth dies at 912 years, and the oldest person, Methuselah, lived to 969 years old. Few people in the Genesis narratives died while they were "pre-old."
In the last few verses, God says, “the breath of life, My breath, shall not abide in humans forever, since people are flesh; let the days allowed them be 120 years.” The commentators say the duration of life was reduced because of moral and spiritual degeneration. Biblically, the ideal, ultimate, lifespan remains 120, exemplified by Moses. We retain today in the blessing we give on birthdays: “May you live a full life, to 120.”
No matter what age we are, may we live each day fully, with health and joy. May we find meaning and purpose and opportunities for new adventures. May we be able to gather together soon (before we are 120!) in person, for our uplifting and spirited Lev Eisha Services.
May this year truly be one of new beginnings for us all!
AMEN
Rabbi Toba August
|
|
Thank you to Leslie Geffen, who has offered to take on the Board role of corresponding secretary. Leslie will be sending out acknowledgement notes at the request of Lev members who make a donation in someone's honor, as well as sending thank-you notes when appropriate, and other duties.
|
|
We will let you know when we may safely return to Beth Shir Shalom for in-person services. Watch for a message in your email, hopefully soon!
(DATES SUBJECT TO CHANGE)
September 4, 2021 ON ZOOM
October 2, 2021 ON ZOOM
November 6, 2021 With The Braid (Formerly Jewish Women's Theatre)
December 4, 2021
January 8, 2022
February 5, 2022
March 5, 2022
April 2, 2022
May 7, 2022
June 4, 2022
|
|
Lev Eisha Travel Totes: Free with donation of $36 or more!
These fashionable totes pack into pocket-sized pouches so you can show your love for Lev everywhere you go, if you've made a donation of $36 or more. Until we can meet in person, we will be glad to mail your tote to you.
Limited one tote per donation.
|
|
2021-2022 Board of Directors
President: Carolyn Wispe Burns
Treasurer: Ruth Grossman
Recording Secretary: Wendy Aleman
Corresponding Secretary: Leslie Geffen
Membership: Robin Winston
Catering: Lynn Beliak
Ritual: Judy Fishman
Hospitality: Joan Spiegel
Newsletter: Rose Ziff
Outreach: Gail Heim
Member-At-Large: Leslie Geffen
Past Presidents: Barbara Brown, Susie Yuré
Advisory Council
Janis Cohen
Linda Zweig
Holly Zucker
|
|
Shop on Amazon and Support Lev Eisha! |
|
AmazonSmile is a website operated by Amazon with the same products, prices, and shopping features as Amazon.com. You use the same account on Amazon.com and AmazonSmile. The difference is that when you shop on AmazonSmile, the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible products to the charitable organization of your choice.
AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support Lev every time you shop, at no cost to you.
To sign up, visit smile.amazon.com/. You will be prompted to select Lev Eisha from a list of eligible organizations. Amazon will remember your selection, and then every eligible purchase you make at AmazonSmile will result in a donation. You only have to sign up once.
|
|
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE FOLLOWING FRIENDS WHO ARE CELEBRATING OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS:
Susan Batel
Deborah Brandt-Sarif
Elaine Craig Segal
Judy Fishman
Jackie Goldfield
Lynda Malerstein
Wendy Miller
Meryl Posner
Judith Rose
Laurie Samson
Do you have a birthday and we didn't acknowledge it? Please send us your birth month and we will be glad to wish you a Happy Birthday!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
