Shalom Bayit תיב םולש

December 2015
A monthly publication of Temple Beth Ami
www.templebethami.org
Shalom Bayit
‫שלום בית‬
Vol 44 No 28
Established 1987
From The Rabbi
The greatest ritual connected to
Chanukah is lighting the menorah or
hanukiyah each night for eight successive
nights as dusk falls. Traditionally the
Chanukah menorah should be placed in a
window or in a place where our neighbors
can see it. The public proclamation of
Chanukah not only reminds us and our
community of the miracle that happened
over 2100 years ago, but that we have
been celebrating the holiday in the same
way for that long and this is the greatest miracle of all!
Today we take part in community-wide menorah lightings,
which is consistent with the values and traditions of this holiday.
In our nation, which protects and honors religious freedom,
Chanukah reinforces the notion of pluralism: that each faith and
creed has the sacred right to be different, to uphold its own
ideals and principles, and to serve God in its own unique way.
Hellenism sought to homogenize all faiths and cultures; the
Maccabees succeeded in battling for the right to uphold
Judaism in a world of paganism and to swim against the
popular tide.
However you choose to celebrate, may you, and your entire
family be illuminated with the warmth of the holidays. We invite
you to join us in Temple Beth Ami’s annual Chanukah events
(with something special every night!):
Saturday, Dec. 5. 12am-4pm–Holiday Celebration at Old
Town Newhall, Wendy Hersh singing Chanukah, songs & arts
and crafts , Heritage Park & Main Street (NEW EVENT)
Sunday, Dec. 6,5pm-Santa Clarita’s Jewish Community Party
at Westfield’s Valencia Town Center (1st Night)
Monday, Dec.7, 6pm- Storytime at the Canyon Country Library
(2nd Night)
Tuesday, Dec. 8,7pm- Chanukah Party and Storytime at
Barnes & Noble, Valencia. Fun for all ages! (3rd Night)
Wednesday, Dec. 9,6pm- Storytime at the Old Town Newhall
Library (4th Night)
Thursday, Dec. 10, 6pm - Join us as we light the Stevenson
Ranch Community menorah at Stevenson Ranch Parkway and
Holmes Place (5th Night)
Friday, Dec. 11, 8pm - Don’t miss TBA’s famous Chanukah
Party and Shabbat Celebration at Temple Beth Ami featuring
PASHA/Volunteer Family of the Year Award (6th Night)
Saturday, Dec. 12, 7pm – TBArts“ Deathtrap” at The Rep,
menorah lighting & Q/A with director Mark Kaplan (7th Night).
Newsletter - December 2015
Thursday, Dec. 10, 6pm - Join us as we light the Stevenson
Ranch Community menorah at Stevenson Ranch Parkway
and Holmes Place (5th Night)
Friday, Dec. 11, 8pm - Don’t miss TBA’s famous Chanukah
Party and Shabbat Celebration at Temple Beth Ami featuring
PASHA/Volunteer Family of the Year Award (6th Night)
Saturday, Dec. 12, 7pm – TBArts“ Deathtrap” at The Rep,
menorah lighting & Q/A with director Mark Kaplan (7th Night)
Sunday, Dec. 13,7pm - Vodka/Latke at the Blazer’s (8th
Night)
Monday, Dec. 14, 6pm - Storytime at the Valencia Library
As we begin 2016, we have a chance to look back at what
has already happened since the Jewish New Year three
months ago. These last months were a time of new
possibilities and celebrations as well loss and frustrations. As
we stand at the beginning of a new secular year we look out
to the unknown and our mind fills with more questions and
uncertainty.
On one thing you can be rest assured –Temple Beth Ami
continues to be a source of strength to Santa Clarita and
beyond. We have multiple 12 Step meetings each and every
week at our facility including AA, Alanon and OA. This
coming year we are adding NAMI/National Alliance on Mental
Illness support groups to the organizations that we are using
our shul as a home. We continue to house homeless families
this year as part of Family Promise,and nearly had a child
born at TBA during her parents stay. Our facility, though
small on size, has a huge impact on our community.
Please keep Temple Beth Ami in mind as you make end of
the year charitable donations: www.templebethami.org/
support-tba.html. Your generosity has helped us come so far,
enabled us to help so many and we know we will be there for
challenges in the future.
This year Temple Beth Ami begins the celebration of its first
30years! Great events are being planned throughout the next
12 months and we hope you will a find a way to join us in the
festivities. Whatever this secular year holds for us as a
community, a people and a nation, we will all be better off
meeting the challenges and opportunities ahead together.
May 2016 that soon begins be a more peaceful and
successful one than the one that just passed.
Peace, Health and Blessings to all of you.
Rabbi Mark Blazer
Temple Beth Ami
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Temple Beth Ami
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From The Cantor
December is always a great month for
me and my family because of the winter
break and of course, Hanukkah.
Hanukkah was always special to me,
but even more so, now since the
release of “Hanukkah Swings!”.Every
year since it was
released in 2005, (this is the 10th
anniversary of the album) I have been
doing Hanukkah concerts, radio shows,
podcasts and promotions in addition to lighting the candles
and gift-giving on all eight nights at home. It has been
amazing!
And don’t forget to listen for “Hanukkah Swings!” on Sirius/
XM’s Radio Hanukkah on Channel 68 from December 6th
until December 14th.
Hanukkah next year begins on December 24th and the last
candle will be lit on New Year’s Eve! Hanukkah is always a
fun time for all of us. Whether if it is early or late, it’s always
great!!
So, have a great December.
In the meantime, the Ellis family wishes all of you a Happy,
Healthy 2016!
B’shalom.
Cantor Kenny Ellis
Havurah
Have you Havurah’d?
TBA is revamping our Havurah program! A Havurah is a small group of individuals, couples or families who join together at
various intervals for friendship and fun.
If you are interested in learning more about being in a Havurah, contact Lori Garden at havurah@templebethami.org. A Havurah
event is in the works, so be sure to get on the interest list!
Our Judaica Shop hours are from
9 a.m.-3 p.m.
during the week Monday through Thursday! So if you
need a gift, all you have to do is
contact our bookkeeper Ofra by simply calling
661-255-6410 at TBA’s office and she will be happy to
help you!
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From The President
As a wise rabbi once told me, "The
only person who is happy about
change is a wet baby."
It's a reminder that even changes for
the better can leave us feeling
confused and off-kilter. We've had a
lot of changes this year at Temple
Beth Ami, some of them easier to
adjust to than others.
Nearly everyone seems to be happy with celebrating the
High Holy Days at Real Life Church -- except those who
found it wasn't quite as easy to slip out of the sanctuary
unnoticed in the middle of the service!
Though we were all sad to see Judith retire from her long
time position as head of our religious school, our students
are benefitting from Cantor Kenny's knowledge and
professionalism.
And much as we'd like to have Kenny every Shabbat, we've had
to get used to seeing him only on the second and third Friday of
the month instead of 3 times a month. Although we did increase
dues over last year, we don't have enough to pay for music
every week.
Some things don't change though -- as always we will celebrate
Chanukah with a special Shabbat to recognize our PASHA and
Volunteer Family of the Year honorees. Who are they??? That's
a secret!
I hope you will join us as for the PASHA and Family awards,
along with latkes, cake, and Chanukah joy at Shabbat services,
8 pm December 11. And as we enter this joyous season, please
consider Temple Beth Ami as part of your year-end giving. So
much depends on your support. Thank you, and Chag Sameach
to all!
Rosemary Watson
President
Membership
Dear TBA Members
Hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving with your families and
wishing you a Happy Chanukah from our family to yours!
New Members that missed the New Members Welcoming
Service at the beginning of November - your New Member Gift
bags are in our bookkeeper's office through the end of
December for you to pick up. The gifts are helpful to enjoy
celebrating Shabbat!
As we look forward towards 2016, please look at the flyer in this
newsletter for TBA's Progressive Dinner that will be taking
place on January 23, 2016. This will be a great way for new
and old members to meet and support TBA.
Sincerely,
Francine G. Van Scoyoc
Membership Trustee - Temple Beth Ami
francine.vanscoyoc@templebethami.org
On January 10, 2016 a Mommy & Me Play Group is gathering
at a new member's home. Most of the children are about one
year's old, so if you are interested in being a part of this play
group, please contact membership trustee for further
information.
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Mission Statement of Temple Beth Ami
The Purpose of this Reform Congregation shall be to worship G-d, to promote Jewish education and the fundamental principles
of Judaism, to ensure the continuity of the Jewish people to cultivate love, understanding, and enjoyment of our Jewish heritage
and to encourage community involvement.
Rabbi - Mark Blazer
rabbi@templebethami.org
Cantor - Kenny Ellis
cantor@templebethami.org
Board of Trustees:
President - Rosemary Watson
president@templebethami.org
Executive Vice President - Andy Steier
executivevicepresident@templebethami.org
Past President - Eddie Nathan
pastpresident@templebethami.org
Treasurer - Jeff Stein
treasurer@templebethami.org
Secretary - Mike Schoenwetter
Mike.schoenwetter@templebethami.org
Religious and Ritual - Debra Block
religiousandritual@templebethami.org
Facilities Trustee - Bill Schwartz
facilities@templebethami.org
Membership – Francine G. Van Scoyoc
membership@templebethami.org
Men's Club - Daniel Levine
mensclub@templebethami.org
Sisterhood President - Francine G. Van Scoyoc
sisterhood@templebethami.org
Havurah Trustee - Lori Garden
Havurah@templebethami.org
Mitzvah Trustee - Cheryl Cogan
Cheryl.cogan@templebethami.org
______________________________
Kenny Ellis - Educational Director
education@templebethami.org
Catherine Szyfer - Administrator
administrator@templebethami.org
Ofra Naylor - Bookkeeper
bookkeeper@templebethami.org
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HONOR YOUR FAMILY - MITZVAH TRUSTEE – JENNIFER TWITCHELL
Tree & Water Projects - To Honor Family & Friends for Life Cycle events: Just $18 that will go to the Jewish National Fund and
your gift certificate will be forwarded to them showing you made a donation in their honor. You can either pay or mail a check to
TBA, Attn: Sisterhood, 23023 Hilse Lane, Santa Clarita, CA 91321 or to by PayPal by going to Sisterhood’s website:
www.templebethami.org/sisterhood.html.
Get Well Sympathy Cards - Sisterhood will send out a card upon your request for those that have been hospitalized, had
surgery or are seriously ill.
For both of these, please ask for past Sisterhood’s Mitzvah Trustee JENNIFER TWITCHELL through sisterhood:
sisterhood@templebethami.org.
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Temple Beth Ami
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SISTERHOOD NEWS
President’s Message
Hope each of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving with your families. We have come together this past year of 2015 for all kinds
of occasions. This past month has been one addressing some difficult times for some of our members, but also proving we do
come together to support one another.
Nancy Lepore showed a tremendous amount of strength while experiencing a very trying time for her family before finding it
necessary to step down as president of TBA’s Sisterhood. Thank you Nancy for all of your strength, foresight and planning in
working so hard towards making the future of TBA’s Sisterhood to be strong and to continue to grow – despite difficult
circumstances – all well recognized and appreciated.
We came together to support Glori Stulman after the loss of her Mom. Thank you to Donna Casey, Jennifer Twitchell, Nancy
Lepore, BJ Kaufman, Cheryl Cogan and Debra Block. Glori was so touched that she made a generous donation to Sisterhood.
Thank you.
Please look over the events we have coming up. Our next Sisterhood meeting is December 15, 2015 @ 7 pm at my home.
Some Sisterhood meeting changes for 2016: means more entertainment, fun & relaxation for a healthier you! Wishing you a
Happy Hanukkah from my family to yours!
Francine G. Van Scoyoc
Sisterhood President
*Please see flyers for events in the Newsletter & on Sisterhood’s Website!
Sisterhood’s website:
www.templebethami.org/sisterhood.html
Sisterhood’s email:
sisterhood@templebethami.org.
HANUKKAH PARTY & HAVDALAH - RSVP by December 1
DECEMBER 5, 2015 @ 6:30 p.m. @ Joyce Stein’s
Debra Block is putting together the Hanukkah Party at Joyce Stein’s - a Hanukkah recipe for a fun evening! An evening of fun,
latkes, laughs & Joyce Stein’s blue-martinis. Go down memory lane with your own personal Hanukkah story or picture & bring a
$10-$15 gift to exchange. Look for your Sign Up Genius email for the potluck item you will bring for 10 or go to
https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/9040e49aca62da57-sisterhood/768470 .Free for members; $5 for non-members.
RSVP to debra.block@templbethami.org.
JUDAICA SHOP: NEED CHANUKAH MENORAHS & CHANUKAH CANDLES? Contact Nancy Lefko through
sisterhood@templebethami.org
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Temple Beth Ami
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SISTERHOOD
2016 DATES TO LOOK FORWARD TO!
SISTERHOOD’S NON-FICTION BOOK CLUB:
January 16, 2016, 10:30-12:30 at Erika Schwartz’s home.
NEXT READ: ?”MY GRANDFATHER WOULD HAVE SHOT ME” By Jennifer Teege
MEMBERS’ MOVIE MARTINI MEETING- January 17,2016
SISTERHOOD WOMEN’S RETREAT!
February 23, 2016- SAVE THE DATE – Flyers to be at the Chanukah Party with further details!
PAST RECENT EVENTS
WINE AND CHEESE PAIRING EVENT –Approximately 50 TBA members did make the time for the wine and cheese pairing
event with Reyes Winery and made it a great success! Thank you to Beth Heiserman of Reyes Winery for all of your knowledge
and expertise in supporting our Sisterhood event. Thank you to committee members Nancy Lepore, Donna Casey, Judith
Stolnitz and Tracy Blazer for wonderful evening and a beautifully displayed set up. Thank you to Rabbi and Tracy Blazer for
hosting the event at your home. All of you did an awesome job!
HOLIDAY BOUTIQUE 2015: Holiday Boutique was a great success with us making close to $1,300! It was wonderful to see
TBA member turnout (thank you ) and how well everyone worked together. Everything just seemed to fall in to place! Thank you
to those that helped: Nancy Lefko, Judaica Shop/Boutique Administrator, Nancy Lepore, GloriStulman, Lori Litel, BJ Kaufman,
Susan Schmitt, Donna Casey, Cheryl Cogan, Elena Hedvig& Daughter, Gailyn Cohen, Daniel Levine & Men’s Club, Elliott
Lefko & Bob Van Scoyoc.
Sisterhood :
Francine G Van Scoyoc, President
Nancy Lepore, Past President
Debra Block, Glori Stulman, Patrice Steier, Trustees
Nancy Lepore, B'Nai Mitzvah Onegs
Vacancy, Vice President
Donna Casey, Secretary
Francine G Van Scoyoc, Onegs
Joyce Stein, Facebook & Website
Susan Schmitt, Treasurer
BJ Kaufman, Membership
Elena Hedvig, Flyers
Francine G. Van Scoyoc, Newsletter & Eblast
"Without You We Are One Woman Short!"
December 2015 Sisterhood Happenings
By Francine G. Van Scoyoc
SISTERHOOD MEMBERSHIP INFO: Please contact BJ Kaufman thru sisterhood@templebethami.org for Sisterhood
Membership.
New TBA Members: First year TBA member – free!;Basic membership ($36);
Higher Levels: Sarah ($54); Leah ($90); Rachel ($180); Non TBA members ($46). PayPal via the link below or by check to TBA
Membership. (Note: please mark in "membership" in memo section):
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=QQ65BX5WBFCDWsisterhood@templebethami.org.
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BAR/BAT MITZVAH ONEGS: Nancy Lepore is the Bar/Bat Mitzvah Oneg Coordinator for TBA. Please contact her for Bar/Bat
Mitzvah Onegs: sisterhood@templebethami.org.
ONEGS: Sisterhood handles Onegs with your help! We look forward to Havurahs and individual members helping out too! In
sponsoring Onegs you can celebrate or honor anyone by making a donation to TBA Sisterhood for Oneg costs. We do the
rest! Please contact Francine G. Van Scoyoc through Sisterhood. sisterhood@templebethami.org.
Recent Oneg Sponsorships: We would like to thank the generous Oneg donations and/or sponsorships of:
Hedy& Cal Greenfield in honor of Cal’s Birthday!
Debra & Brian Block supporting the Pasha Award Committee on December 11
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Visit our website for news, photos and events
http://www.templebethami.org
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Birthdays
First Name Last Name
Date
First Name Last Name Date
First Name Last Name
Date
Nina
Nathan
1-Dec
Lawrence
Miller
14-Dec
Sally
Vila
19-Dec
Erika
Stolnitz
1-Dec
Brenden
Steier
14-Dec
Taylor
Halberstam
20-Dec
Laurence
Strauss
2-Dec
Evelyn
Cohen
15-Dec
Marlene
Strauss
20-Dec
Jared
Lasky
4-Dec
Leah
Davis
15-Dec
Laura
Greenwald
22-Dec
Edward
Nathan
5-Dec
Megan
Davis
15-Dec
Kurt
Shlager
22-Dec
Bryan
Levine
5-Dec
Olivia-Rose Davis
15-Dec
Lauri
Kinney
23-Dec
Glori
Stulman
6-Dec
Noah
Greenwald 15-Dec
Jim
VanWinkle
23-Dec
Devyn
Savitch
6-Dec
Karen
Barnett
16-Dec
Ian
Bratslavsky
24-Dec
Abbe
Goodman
7-Dec
Allen
Azran
17-Dec
Kim
Goldman
26-Dec
Shelley
Silver
10-Dec
Michael
Morgan
17-Dec
Maria
Bernstein
27-Dec
Allison
Witherspoon
10-Dec
Keith
Jacobs
18-Dec
Barry
Silver
27-Dec
Zoe
Witherspoon
10-Dec
Shellie
VanWinkle 18-Dec
Jan
Swartz
27-Dec
Lee
Shulman
12-Dec
Lisa
Barton
19-Dec
Ronnie
Lasky
29-Dec
Benjamin
Rosen
12-Dec
Joseph
Lockhart
19-Dec
Harriet
Merjan
31-Dec
Rick
Kaufman
14-Dec
Andrew
Steier
19-Dec
Anniversaries
First Name
Last Name
Date
Kim and Loren
Fogel
6-Dec
Cary and Jackie
Dermer
13-Dec
Bart and Michele
Joseph
16-Dec
Michael and Corrie
Schoenwetter
23-Dec
Barry and Shelley
Silver
23-Dec
Ed and Linda
Docks
28-Dec
Kara and William
Roth
28-Dec
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Yahrzeits
First
Last
Yahrzeit Date
First
Last
Yahrzeit Date
Libbie
Abrams
1-Dec
Robert
Rosenthal
17-Dec
Arthur D.
Goldberg
1-Dec
Marti Ann
Schwartz
17-Dec
Robert
Goldstein
1-Dec
Morris
Kass
18-Dec
Jack
Saltzman
1-Dec
Andrew
Lipson
18-Dec
Honey
Schaffer
1-Dec
Henrey
Naftulin
18-Dec
Willie
Sparr
1-Dec
Esther
Blum
19-Dec
Sylvia
Lederfine
3-Dec
David
Horwitz
20-Dec
Else
Savitch
3-Dec
Betty
Joseph
20-Dec
Hyme
Schaffer
3-Dec
Louis
Weinberg
20-Dec
Mike
Fitzer
4-Dec
Emanuel
Abrams
21-Dec
Milton
Diamond
6-Dec
Robert Edwin
Barnett
21-Dec
Matthew
Ellis
6-Dec
Hyman
Rosenblum
22-Dec
Mindi Flancer
Loux
6-Dec
Sylvia
Rosnestein
22-Dec
Valyrie
Corben
7-Dec
Edith
Russell
22-Dec
Alyce
Orenstein
8-Dec
Carl
Fraser
23-Dec
Evelyn
Caplan
9-Dec
Eric
Gedalje
23-Dec
Sue
Gottfried
9-Dec
Jonas
Stulman
23-Dec
Audrey
Singerman
9-Dec
Benjamin
Bramson
24-Dec
Thelma
Solomon
10-Dec
Aaron
Trustman
24-Dec
Julian
Frieden
11-Dec
Stanley
Bresler
25-Dec
Ritzius
Fred
12-Dec
Pearl
Friedman
25-Dec
Abraham
Katell
12-Dec
Maurice Kerr
Hopkins
25-Dec
Michelle
Romprey
12-Dec
Harry
Fox
26-Dec
Teri
Guss
13-Dec
Ben
Malin
26-Dec
Shirley
Lowe
13-Dec
Shirley
Margolies
26-Dec
Renee
Amitin
14-Dec
Edith S.
Rudolf
26-Dec
Jessie
Hutton
15-Dec
Boyd
Saylor
26-Dec
Wanda
Fogel
16-Dec
Paul William
Thorsen
26-Dec
Susie
Hawbecker
16-Dec
William
Chapman
27-Dec
William
Littleton
16-Dec
George
Foster
28-Dec
Harold
Sachartoff
16-Dec
Hetty
Epstein
30-Dec
Harvey
Geist
17-Dec
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TBA’sCALENDAR
Calendar
TBA’s
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