THE NORTHERN LIGHT · Please select the HHD Appeal option from the drop down menu to identify your...
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Years ago, I attended a High Holy Day workshop for rabbis featuring Rabbi Larry Kushner as the keynote speaker. He started his talk with a computer metaphor for this time of year. Press start > restore > default > configuration > error message! “We’ve been messing around with the software so much we’ve forgotten how to work it and forgotten how to get home to our default settings,” he taught. It’s an apt metaphor for this year when we will all experience the High Holy Days virtually for the first time in history. At this time of year, we are called to begin again and find our way back to our default settings. Judaism teaches not only is this possible, it is easy because all you have to do is think about starting over and the process has begun. But realistically, doing teshuvah is one of the hardest things we do because we have to be willing to step beyond our own ego and sit with our shortcomings, failures and disappointments. Teshuvah is often translated as repentance but its root meaning is to turn or return and teshuvah is the Jewish way to get home. Maimonides, in Mishneh Torah, taught that complete teshuvah is achieved when you have the opportunity to repeat a past offense, but you don’t. You choose another response or path. And you make this choice not out of fear or what he called “failure of vigor” but because you are committing to a new way in the service of returning to your soul. The teachings of our sages and our tradition are important for our spiritual and emotional health and well being. These teachings hold true whether we are meeting in person or sitting in our homes engaging with our tradition virtually. The introspective journey is not always easy and it does take courage to look within and commit to change. Rebbe Nachman of Braslov, the great Hasidic master suffered from serious depression, self-doubt, and chronic indecision yet he was a great teacher. He wrote “Growing spiritually can be like a roller coaster ride. Take comfort in the knowledge that the way down is only preparation for the way up.” Shanah tovah tikateivu - I wish you all a good, sweet New Year. Rabbi Janice THE NORTHERN LIGHT SEPTEMBER, 2020 TISHREI, 5781
Transcript of THE NORTHERN LIGHT · Please select the HHD Appeal option from the drop down menu to identify your...
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K u s h n e r a s t h e k e y n o t e s p e a k e r . H e s t a r t e d h i s t a l k w i t h a c o m p u t e r m e t a p h o r f o r t h i s
t i m e o f y e a r .
P r e s s s t a r t > r e s t o r e > d e f a u l t > c o n f i g u r a t i o n > e r r o r m e s s a g e !
“ W e ’ v e b e e n m e s s i n g a r o u n d w i t h t h e s o f t w a r e s o m u c h w e ’ v e f o r g o t t e n h o w t o w o r k
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m e t a p h o r f o r t h i s y e a r w h e n w e w i l l a l l e x p e r i e n c e t h e H i g h H o l y D a y s v i r t u a l l y f o r t h e
f i r s t t i m e i n h i s t o r y .
A t t h i s t i m e o f y e a r , w e a r e c a l l e d t o b e g i n a g a i n a n d f i n d o u r w a y b a c k t o o u r
d e f a u l t s e t t i n g s . J u d a i s m t e a c h e s n o t o n l y i s t h i s p o s s i b l e , i t i s e a s y b e c a u s e a l l y o u
h a v e t o d o i s t h i n k a b o u t s t a r t i n g o v e r a n d t h e p r o c e s s h a s b e g u n . B u t r e a l i s t i c a l l y ,
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d i s a p p o i n t m e n t s . T e s h u v a h i s o f t e n t r a n s l a t e d a s r e p e n t a n c e b u t i t s r o o t m e a n i n g i s t o
t u r n o r r e t u r n a n d t e s h u v a h i s t h e J e w i s h w a y t o g e t h o m e . M a i m o n i d e s , i n M i s h n e h
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r e p e a t a p a s t o f f e n s e , b u t y o u d o n ’ t . Y o u c h o o s e a n o t h e r r e s p o n s e o r p a t h . A n d y o u
m a k e t h i s c h o i c e n o t o u t o f f e a r o r w h a t h e c a l l e d “ f a i l u r e o f v i g o r ” b u t b e c a u s e y o u a r e
c o m m i t t i n g t o a n e w w a y i n t h e s e r v i c e o f r e t u r n i n g t o y o u r s o u l .
T h e t e a c h i n g s o f o u r s a g e s a n d o u r t r a d i t i o n a r e i m p o r t a n t f o r o u r s p i r i t u a l a n d
e m o t i o n a l h e a l t h a n d w e l l b e i n g . T h e s e t e a c h i n g s h o l d t r u e w h e t h e r w e a r e m e e t i n g i n
p e r s o n o r s i t t i n g i n o u r h o m e s e n g a g i n g w i t h o u r t r a d i t i o n v i r t u a l l y . T h e i n t r o s p e c t i v e
j o u r n e y i s n o t a l w a y s e a s y a n d i t d o e s t a k e c o u r a g e t o l o o k w i t h i n a n d c o m m i t t o
c h a n g e . R e b b e N a c h m a n o f B r a s l o v , t h e g r e a t H a s i d i c m a s t e r s u f f e r e d f r o m s e r i o u s
d e p r e s s i o n , s e l f - d o u b t , a n d c h r o n i c i n d e c i s i o n y e t h e w a s a g r e a t t e a c h e r . H e w r o t e
“ G r o w i n g s p i r i t u a l l y c a n b e l i k e a r o l l e r c o a s t e r r i d e . T a k e c o m f o r t i n t h e k n o w l e d g e
t h a t t h e w a y d o w n i s o n l y p r e p a r a t i o n f o r t h e w a y u p . ”
S h a n a h t o v a h t i k a t e i v u - I w i s h y o u a l l a g o o d , s w e e t N e w Y e a r .
R a b b i J a n i c e
THE NORTHERN LIGHT S E P T E M B E R , 2 0 2 0 T I S H R E I , 5 7 8 1
W h a t c a n w e h o l d f a s t t o i n t h i s y e a r o f c h a n g e a n d d i s r u p t i o n ? I b e l i e v e t h a t w e
n e e d t o h o l d s t r o n g t o o u r J e w i s h f a i t h a n d t h o s e t e n a n t s t h a t h a v e s u s t a i n e d J e w s
t h e w o r l d o v e r t h r o u g h m u c h w o r s e t i m e s t h a n t h e s e . A s w e p r e p a r e f o r H i g h H o l y
D a y s l e t ’ s f o c u s o n h o w e a c h o f u s c a n m a k e o u r h o m e s f e e l s a c r e d a n d a d d t o t h e
m e a n i n g o f t h e h o l i d a y s . F o r s o m e i t m i g h t b e l i s t e n i n g t o b e a u t i f u l m u s i c w h i l e
o t h e r s m i g h t r e a d t h e T o r a h a n d t h e M a c h z o r f o r s e v e r a l d a y s l e a d i n g u p t o t h e
H o l i d a y s . C e l e b r a t e S h a b b a t m o r e r e g u l a r l y t h a n u s u a l a n d p r e p a r e a s p e c i a l J e w i s h
f o o d t h a t y o u l o v e . B r i n g f l o w e r s i n t o t h e h o u s e a n d s e t u p a n a r e a n e a r t h e T V ( o r
y o u r c o m p u t e r w h e r e y o u w i l l w a t c h t h e s t r e a m e d s e r v i c e s ) w i t h c a n d l e s , K i d d u s h
c u p , a n d a n y t h i n g e l s e w i t h m e a n i n g t o y o u .
W e w i l l m i s s o u r c l o s e c o m m u n i t y a n d b e i n g t o g e t h e r . W e w i l l m i s s h u g s a n d s e e i n g
y o u a l l . B u t t h i s w i l l p a s s , a n d w e w a n t a l l o f u s t o s t i l l b e h e r e w h e n i t s o v e r . S o , i n
p l a c e o f c o m i n g t o g e t h e r d u r i n g t h i s s a c r e d t i m e l e t u s a l l c o m m i t t o m a k i n g t h e s e
H o l y D a y s n u r t u r i n g a n d m e a n i n g f u l t o y o u a n d y o u r f a m i l y . I n o r d e r t o h e l p w i t h
t h a t t a s k , a H o l y D a y B a g w i l l b e d e l i v e r e d t o e a c h f a m i l y w i t h i t e m s t o e n h a n c e y o u r
e x p e r i e n c e . A t e a m f r o m t h e C O T B o a r d a n d H a v u r a h h a v e w o r k e d h a r d t o b r i n g y o u
s o m e t h i n g s t h a t m a y e n h a n c e y o u r e x p e r i e n c e s .
R a b b i R o b i n F o o n b e r g w i l l b e l e a d i n g u s t h i s y e a r a n d C r i c k e t H a n d l e r w i l l b e t h e
C a n t o r i a l S o l o i s t . T h e y a r e w o r k i n g h a r d t o b r i n g u s m e a n i n g f u l a n d b e a u t i f u l
s e r v i c e s . N a c h s h o n M a r g a l i t h a s l e d t h e R i t u a l c o m m i t t e e i n a r r a n g i n g H o l y D a y s
h o n o r s a n d t h e y w i l l a l l b e r e c o r d e d w i t h t h e T o r a h s o t h a t w i l l b e s e a m l e s s w h e n w e
a r e w a t c h i n g t h e s e r v i c e s . P l e a s e c h e c k t h e B u l l e t i n f o r t h e s c h e d u l e . M a y 5 7 8 1
b r i n g y o u p e a c e a n d j o y .
S h a l o m ,
M e l a n y a n d L a r r y S p i e l m a n
PRESIDENTS' MESSAGE S E P T E M B E R , 2 0 2 0 T I S H R E I , 5 7 8 1
High Holy Days
S E P T E M B E R , 2 0 2 0 T I S H R E I , 5 7 8 1
High Holy Days contributions can now be made directly through the COTwebsite. Please select the HHD Appeal option from the drop down menu to
identify your donation.
DONATE HEREDONATE HERE
S E P T E M B E R , 2 0 2 0 T I S H R E I , 5 7 8 1
Sept. 4, Livestream service leader Naomi Blakely 6:30 pm While not a family service, Ms. Joan Bloomfield will be reading a children's book suitable for the whole fam Sept. 11, Livestream service leader Rick & Leslie Moss 7:30 pmSept. 18, Livestream service leader Rabbi Robin Foonberg 7:30 pmSept. 25, ZOOM Creative Shabbat Shuvah Service Rick & Leslie Moss 7:30 pm
Friday Nights at COT S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 0 T I S H R E I , 5 7 8 1
LIVESTREAM LINK
Follow us on FacebookCongregationOhrTzafonAtascadero/
Click the pic for all upcoming dates on our website calendarhttps://www.congregationohrtzafon.org/calendar
We are so fortunate to be able to welcome new members to our COT family. Since we can’t welcome them inperson, we thought it would be fun to share a bit of their stories, and their photos, so that when we do have
the opportunity to meet again, everyone will know everyone else!
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
Michael Arcuri and his partner Delia Marlene Horwitz. Michael discovered COT when he attended Yom Ha’Shoah in 2019. “I was immediately impressed with the
friendliness of the group and decided to try Friday night services.” Raised as a Catholic Michael says “I alwayswanted to be Jewish because I sensed their strong commitment to community.” Michael's interest peaked his
life partner Delia’s curiosity. “I grew up enjoying the Jewish holidays and food, but regretted never learninganything about the religion.” After attending 2019 Rosh Hashanah services, they enrolled in Rabbi’s
Introduction to Judaism class and are now in the current Mussar class. Delia also serves on the Bikkur Cholimoutreach committee. Michael stays busy holding volunteer workshops teaching Narrative Therapy and
Narrative Conversations. Michael grew up in the Hudson River Valley area, and Delia in West Los Angeles.They have been residents in Templeton for seven years.
Beryl LeVine As a former Board Member of Beth David, Beryl did a lot of joint activities with COT and Rabbi Janice. When
her sister Delia expressed her new enthusiasm, Beryl acted on her idea to join COT and became a member inJune 2020. She is enjoying the Mussar class, is on the Bikkur Cholim outreach committee, and is part of the
Havurah. Beryl grew up in Los Angeles, and spent time in Colorado and the Sacramento area. Widowed after54 Years of happy marriage, Beryl keeps herself busy knitting, playing bridge and riding her new Tricycle. She
has two children and four grandchildren.
S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 0 T I S H R E I , 5 7 8 1
Lorrie LeVine Lorrie has been a resident of the County since 2011. She enjoys Friday night services and is in the current
Mussar class. Lorrie works as a companion to an elderly woman, and enjoys walking her roommate’s 100 lbdog to get in her 10,000 steps a day. Being a COT member became a family affair when Lorrie heard her Momand Aunt joined. She didn’t want to miss out on the opportunity to be on this journey together. And speaking
of family affairs:
Evelyn GrossEvelyn has been a very good friend of COT for many years through her daughter and son-in-law, Naomi andDavid Blakely. Evelyn lives in Culver City, CA, in an independent living community, and at 97 years young, isenjoying every day living there! Born in New York, she and her husband of 67 years moved away from thefamily, all the way across the country to Southern California in 1961. With Josh, her husband, they lived a
happy and healthy life in their home until his death in 2011. Just 2 years ago, she decided to join and enjoy asenior community. One of the very few upsides of COVID is that Evelyn has enjoyed participating in Shabbat
services, as well as the Shiur studies from afar and decided to join as a member. She is a bridge player, enjoysreading and Solitaire, a good game of Scrabble, and her family and friends. She is extraordinarily proud of her
two children and grandchildren, and adores her great-grandchildren. She looks forward to participating inHavurah and Book group, through our virtual world !
S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 0 T I S H R E I , 5 7 8 1
Happy Birthday יום הולדת שמחDawn Sherer DanerEllen WeingartenLuana AlhadeffNachshon MargalitAria FreitasBarbara SolishDelia HorwitzAmy HormannOliver HormannLinda BeckerOlivier EdsallElliot EdsallMonique BeckerMorgane FiorentiniPhillip RamsdellDavid RoblesJean LoweRobert Schechter
September 1
September 1
September 4
September 4
September 5
September 8
September 9
September 10
September 10
September 13
September 14
September 14
September 16
September 20
September 20
September 23
September 24
September 26
Happy Anniversary Patricia and Robert Schechter September 16
Mazel Tov!
S E P T E M B E R , 2 0 2 0 T I S H R E I , 5 7 8 1
Sidney Gibberman Uncle of Jackie ZuckerSheila Taylor Of Blessed MemorySandra "Kandy" Mandel Sister of Jayne SacksBessie Finkelstein Grandmother of Jackie ZuckerEmmanuel Charles Hartman Uncle of Jackie ZuckerMel Pollack Father of Janice MehringHarry Weisberg Brother of Herman WeisbergSteve Trevor Uncle of Linda PriorDora Scherer Grandmother of Michelle Robles and Dawn Scherer DanerCarola Cohn Mother of Nancy CohnKermit Russell Father of Fred RussellJean Hart Of Blessed MemorySharon Wittkoph Mother of Justin GishToba Hirschfield Mother of Hilary SteinigerEverest Ernest Blakely Father of David BlakelySam Simon Father of Sandy KawanoCalena Block Aunt of Linda Prior
13 ElulSeptember 4September 415 Elul16 ElulSeptember 6September 7September 921 Elul
September 1122 ElulSeptember 17September 192 TishreiSeptember 21September 22September 23
Zichronam liv'rachaMay their memories be for blessing.
We Remember
S E P T E M B E R , 2 0 2 0 T I S H R E I , 5 7 8 1
Jerome & Rita Becker in Honor of Rabbi Janice for Sidnie's conversion in memory of Aneta Hinda BeckerLarry & Phyllis Caris wishing Bill Alexander a speedy recovery.Dawn Daner in honor of Ranni Janice and the COT CommunityJennifer Kay in honor of the people lost to the COVID-19 virusLorraine Friedman in memory of Julian FriedmanArlene MacDonald in memory of mother, Evelyn GoldsteinRabbi Janice Mehring in memory of father, Mel PollackMelany & Larry Spielman in memory of Carol Spielman in memory of Enid Wright in honor of COT educators in honor of Rabbi Janice, Cindy, and Sam
Donations
Membership Directory now ONLINE! COT Members - Log on to the COT website to access the Membership Directorymake donations and payments and keep up to date with all events and services.
Log On HERE.
S E P T E M B E R , 2 0 2 0 T I S H R E I , 5 7 8 1
Reform Judaism Resources
Click to join
Rosh Hashanah Recipes
Everything from Torah Study to Storytelling to Jewish Thinkers
Community Events COT has nothing scheduled for Selichot this year but CBD has generouslyinvited members of all local synagogues to their Selichot event. If you are
interested in attending details can be found in the flyer below.
Contact Us
A U G U S T , 2 0 2 0 A V / E L U L , 5 7 8 0
Rabbi Janice [email protected]
Larry and Melany Spielman, [email protected]
Jackie Ramsdell, [email protected]
Naomi Blakely, [email protected]
General [email protected]
