NEWS TODAY

WESTWOOD VILLAGE ROTARY CLUB

View as Webpage

As we try out the Hillel Center at UCLA as a meeting site we become thoroughly enthralled by our speaker for the day, Rabbi Toba Schaller. Rabbi Toba was born in Wyoming and raised in Texas by Jewish parents who instilled in her what it means to build a community and that community is what and where you make it.

Rabbi Toba graduated from the University of Texas on scholarships including one from the Rotary Club of Texas and went to work for Hillel at that time. She learned how to put people first, how to connect to others and, connect them to Judaism, self, and each other. When she turned 30 years of age, she realized she wanted to be a Rabbi.

Hillel International, founded in 1923, began with a noble mission to convey Jewish civilization to a new generation. Founded by Rabbi Benjamin at the University of Illinois it was such a success branches were formed at universities around the world. They were formed so students could connect to Judaism, grow their core values, connect with, and support each other, understand antisemitism, talk about it and advocate for their beliefs.

UCLA currently helps 2500 students connect deeper to Judaism, build community, support the State of Israel and, be inclusive of all.

I found Rabbi Toba to be interesting, entertaining, intelligent, and yet gentle. By the end of the meeting, I wanted to start attending events at Hillel!!

Thank you to Jim Crane for leading the pledge, John O’Keefe for the “thought of the day,” PP Ed Gauld for leading us in the song, “America” and, PE Steve Day for reminding us of what happened on this day many years ago.

Congratulations to David Stover on attaining Paul Harris Fellow and, thank you to Arnold Anisgarten and Sarah Huang a UCLA Rotaract for spending lunch with all of us.

• This Thursday's WVRC meeting, February 23rd, 2023, will on ZOOM. Emerson High School Speech & Debate Team will be presenting and since they are on their lunch break, they will be present first at 12:30. You will need to wait for the President's joke until 1:15pm!

• Rotary Means Business Happy Hour is back and scheduled for February 23rd from 6-8pm at the Beverly Bar on 434 N. Camden Drive in Beverly Hills. This is an opportunity to network and, socialize with the District Governor. Cost is $25 and you can register at https://rotary5280.org/event/rotary-means-business-district-mixer-1/

Volunteer Opportunity

• The VA Heroes Golf Course is having a "Heroes" jam session on March 1st, 2023 from 12-1:30pm for all veteran musicians. This is sponsored by Music Mends Minds and, Westwood Village Rotary. WVRC will be sponsoring the lunch following the jam session and needs volunteers to help set up the instruments pre-jam session and then serve the food afterwards! Please contact PP Diane Good if interested in helping out.

• March 4th WVRC will once again do a cleanup project in Westwood Village. Stay tuned for details from PE Steve Day in the coming days.

• Pageant of the Arts is back in person and WVRC judges are needed. Judging will be at University High School on March 8th starting at 4pm. There will be five categories, musical instrument, music vocal, art, dance, and speech. Winners will represent WVRC in the finals in April. Parking is available in the north lot off of Barrington. Come out and support the students by agreeing to be a Judge. Please contact PP Diane Good if available.

WVRC 2022/2023 Leadership Team