Are You Coming To Our Hanukkah Dinner? |
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DINNER RSVP DEADLINE IS THURSDAY DEC. 15 AT 8:00PM |
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Let's celebrate Hanukkah together! We'll sing some songs, play some games, and eat some latkes & sufganiyot at the Hanukkah Celebration & Dinner on Tuesday, Dec. 20 at Shomrei Torah. There will be outdoor seating and heaters for those who prefer to eat outside.
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Hanukkah: #ShineALight on Antisemitism |
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Pirsumei Nisa – Publicizing the Miracle
Hanukkah Commentary from Rabbi Richard Camras
When it came to the celebration of Hanukkah, our ancient sages believed it was paramount for us to publicize the great miracle. Under the oppressive rule of Antiochus, the Jewish people were forbidden from observing or expressing Judaism in public. Therefore, they felt that when circumstances were such that we could practice freely, Jews should, with great joy share that joy with others.
Thus, the custom to place our hanukkiot in the windows of our home to proudly let the world know that we are Jews celebrating our religious right to practice our faith. Yet, understanding the realities of Jewish history, our sages acknowledged that when it wasn’t safe to do so, in times of danger, Jews should not publicize the miracle and instead light the hanukkiah within the home.
Living in America where we are free yet confronted in our day with an increase in antisemitism, we should be cautious yet still shine our lights brightly celebrating our gift of freedom in this country. For what is the purpose of these lights but to dispel the darkness that we sometimes feel when confronted by this age-old scourge of Jew hatred.
As we light the hanukkiah this year, may we light our candles pledging a renewed commitment to fighting the evils of antisemitism whenever and wherever it raises its ugly head.
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In addition to placing Hanukkiot in our windows, this year we can also place the Jewish Federation's Shine A Light flyer in our windows as well, simply by clicking here and printing it out. Flyers and yard signs are also available from the STS office.
Thursday, December 15 at 9am
Join The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles in Grand Park in Downtown LA 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. 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.
- 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!
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Print the Shine a Light graphic to display in your window or anywhere you want to share the message.
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Friday, December 16
Join us at Temple Aliyah for a musical Hanukkah Kabbalat Shabbat service. In-person from Temple Aliyah and online at stslive.org, Facebook, and YouTube. (No service at STS)
Saturday, December 17
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.
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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.
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Friday, December 23
Saturday, December 24
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Lunch and Learn with Rabbi Camras
Weekly on Thursdays at 12:00 PM - There will not be class this week, Dec 15!
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Sunday, December 18 | 9:30 AM
Last week was rained out so please join us this 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 info. |
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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.
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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!
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The Jewish Teen Learning Center kicked off their program December 4th 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.
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!
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Shabbat Greeters
We are looking for Shabbat Greeters. If you are interested in assisting please contact Connie Tassa.
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
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Thursday, January 19 | 4-6pm | Corbin Bowl
Yachad is a non-profit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of Jewish individuals with disabilities and their families, by enhancing their communal participation and their connection to Judaism through social and educational programs and support services.
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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!
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Conejo West Valley Melton Adult Jewish Learning Winter registration is now open! Winter courses being offered run from January 2023 - March 2023.
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We thank our members and friends for their contributions this past week: |
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Rabbi Camras’ Discretionary Fund
Daniel Gryczman
Benjamin Zycher in memory of his father, Murray Zycher.
Cantor Ron Snow Memorial Concert Fund
Jackie & Efi Ben-Efraim in appreciation of Sonny and Jeannie Raffle’s generosity to STS.
Arica Goldis in appreciation of Rhona Fidler.
George Jacobson
Judy Levin
Marganit Lish in memory of her father, Arye Vardi.
Nahid & Hamid Rafii
Terry & Robert Sutton
Maxine Yelin
Cantor Ron Snow Simcha Fund
Liane & Gavin Rosenberg
General Fund
Sherri & Rob Schreiber in memory of Pearl Gellerman, mother of Doug (Sue) Gellerman.
Lazer Cohen Cosmo-Theology Scholar in Residence Fund
Joan Cohen in memory of her husband, Lazer Cohen.
Social Action Fund
Emily & Stu Silverstein:
-in honor of the birth of Luca Maximus Ivshin, grandson of Ann and David Steinberger.
-Wishing a refuah sleimah for Nathan Einsiedler.
Yahrzeit Fund
Al Alfasso in memory of his mother-in-law, Rachel Ganzfried.
Karen & Steve Cohen in memory of Steve’s mother, Emma Cohen.
Talby & Robert Gelb in memory of Talby’s great-grandfather, Avraham Fleisher.
Sara Goldman in memory of her father, Zeev Goldman.
Jacquie Gordon in memory of her grandmothers, Sima Katz and Sarah Wolf.
Carole Greenberger-Loden in memory of her father, Maurice Blonsley.
Robin & Douglas Irvine and Family in memory of Robin’s father, Mike Strugo.
Francine Markow in memory of her father, Michael Newman.
Hilleri & Brent Merritt and Family in memory of Hilleri’s father, Irwin Grossman.
Cheryl & Bill Niesen in memory of Cheryl’s loved one, Robert King.
Debby & Bruce Powell in memory of Debby’s father, Ludwig Strauss.
Nadine Rachootin in memory of her father, William Lenson and husband, Sterling Rachootin.
Rebecca & Cameron Roth in memory of Cameron’s mother, Jacque Roth and uncle, Clifford Roth.
Renee & Mendi Schilit in memory of Mendi’s father, Samuel Schilit.
Nancy & Steven Wold in memory of Steven’s brother, Sheldon Wold.
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Click here to learn about our funds, send a tribute card, or make an online contribution.
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Shomrei Torah Synagogue
7353 Valley Circle Blvd., West Hills, CA 91304
(818) 854-7650 | stsonline.org
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