In This Issue:
- A WORD OF THANKS
- DECEMBER MEMBERSHIP MEETING JUDAICA SHOW AND TELL
- DECEMBER CHANUKAH MEN’S ONLY HANGOUT
- MoTAS TRADITIONAL JEWISH “CHRISTMAS”
- SPORTS SQUARES UPDATES
- TAS ACTIVITY CALENDARS AVAILABLE
- IN CLOSING
1. A WORD OF THANKS
Thanksgiving is Thursday. The leadership of MoTAS pauses for a moment to thank all the men who have volunteered throughout the year to make our events possible. Without their effort, all of this could not happen. We thank all the people that have donated to MoTAS activities — the Golf Tournament, the Sports Squares, and our support appeal (which has replaced our annual dues — and remember you can donate to MoTAS at any time through the “Support Us” link at http://www.tasnorthridge-motas.org/). We thank all those families that have gracefully accommodated their male members participation in our activities; we are aware this takes time away from family life. We also thank the leadership of Temple Ahavat Shalom for their leadership, and for permitting MoTAS to work in partnership with them to make Temple Ahavat Shalom a better place.
Temple Ahavat Shalom is an extended family, and we’re thankful for all our family members. We hope to see you at a future MoTAS activity so we can thank you in person.
2. DECEMBER MEMBERSHIP MEETING JUDAICA SHOW AND TELL
Start planning now for our Sunday, December 14 membership meeting, which will feature a Judaica show and tell. Every temple member I visit has a lovely Judaica collection. This is your opportunity to tell the story behind one or two pieces: where did you get it, and why is it meaningful to you. By sharing our stories, we learn more about each other and deepen our relationships. The meeting starts at 8:45 AM with our traditional breakfast.
3. DECEMBER CHANUKAH MEN’S ONLY HANGOUT
On Sunday, December 21, 2014 at 6:00 PM the Men of TAS will be holding our December Mens Only Hangout and Discussion. This month we’ll be celebrating Chanukah with greasy foods — latkes, fried (and baked) chicken, and sufganyiot. Come join us, light some candles, eat some food. We’ll sit. We’ll schmooze… and who knows, we might even discuss a Chanukah-related topic. RSVP online at http://www.eventbee.com/event?eid=195123093 or on the sign-up sheet at the December meeting. The cost will be $10 at the door, and space will be limited.
4. MoTAS TRADITIONAL JEWISH “CHRISTMAS”
I don’t know what you do on Christmas, but what I do is go out for a movie and Chinese food. Last year, after our movie, we met up with two other MoTAS members for dinner. That was so much fun we’re exploring making it an optional MoTAS activity. If this is your tradition, we’d love you to join us. We’re in the process of picking a few potential movies (take a look at http://www.movieinsider.com/movies/december/2014/ and send me your ideas — “Into The Woods” is a distinct possibility). We’ll settle on a few that are all at the same multiplex (either Pacific Northridge, Pacific Winnetka, or in Woodland Hills) around the same time, and then meet up after the movie. Depending on the size of the group, we’ll then either go out to a restaurant where we’ve made a reservation or bring in Chinese to a member’s home. If we go the latter route, we’ll distribute the menu ahead of time so we can pre-order, and pre-determine the amount per person. Note that this is a family event, not men-only. If you’re interested, please RSVP at the December MoTAS meeting or online at http://www.eventbee.com/event?eid=185523194. We’re setting a hard deadline of December 15 so we can make any necessary reservations.
5. SPORTS SQUARES UPDATES
The following are results for Week 12 of the Fall 2014 MoTAS Football Squares (Baltimore at New Orleans). As always, results are also posted at http://squares.tasnorthridge-motas.org/:
- Week Twelve(Baltimore at New Orleans): Q1: Judith Tishkoff; Q2: Scott Pullman; Q3: Scott Pullman; Final: Scott Pullman.
Our treasurer will be issuing checks for Weeks 11 and 12 after Thanksgiving. If you wish to donate your winnings back to MoTAS, please contact Roger at treasurer@tasnorthridge-motas.org before then. Once issued, the checks are printed and mailed by Chase, so please do not discard the envelopes as junk mail.
Superbowl Squares Registration is now open! You can register and pay online at http://motascybermaven.eventbee.com/event?eid=194021395, or find the paper registration form, together with the official rules, at http://squares.tasnorthridge-motas.org/.
Football Squares Grants are now open. Temple organizations — do you have a financial need for which MoTAS can help? If you do, please fill out our grant request form at http://grants.tasnorthridge-motas.org and return it to grants@tasnorthridge-motas.org. These grants will be funded from the proceeds of the Fall Football Squares programs; grants will also be considered for Golf Tournament proceeds once those are determined. The requests must be for specific items or programs, and are due by December 20. They will be prioritized by need and ability to fund, and will tentatively be announced at the January MoTAS meeting (where our speaker will be Mitch Englander).
6. TAS ACTIVITY CALENDARS AVAILABLE
As part of the Golf Tournament, MoTAS produced a Temple Calendar (which also served as the tournament program). This calendar provides — in one convenient place — information on the Temple officers, calendars and information about Synaplex, Life Long Learning, ECEC, the Temple Youth Groups, Sisterhood, Social Action, as well as lots of information about MoTAS. This calendar is available in the Temple foyer for any congregant. Take it. Use it for your reference. Use it to show people what Temple Ahavat Shalom is about and all the ways to get involved.
This calendar/ad book was developed as a way to give visibility to those individual, companies, and organization that have supported MoTAS, and by extension, Temple Ahavat Shalom. Patronize them and let them know you saw their support in the MoTAS Calendar/Ad Book. Encourage them to continue to support the congregation at the Gala in the Spring, and in the next MoTAS Calendar/Ad Book in the Fall. When you see the announcements for people to sell ads in the Gala Program or next years MoTAS Calendar/Ad Book/Tournament Program, we encourage you to solicit those community businesses you frequent. Use the MoTAS Calendar as a model of how their message will reach our congregation, and demonstrate that supporting Temple Ahavat Shalom — through MoTAS, the Gala Committee, Sisterhood, or other auxiliaries — is the best way to build long-lasting relationships with congregants.
7. IN CLOSING
As always, remember that the Men of Temple Ahavat Shalom is *your* organization. Keep up to date on our activities at http://www.tasnorthridge-motas.org/ and participate. We want to serve all the men of Temple Ahavat Shalom and welcome new participants from the TAS membership. Join our Facebook group and “follow” our website. Come be part of the Men of Temple Ahavat Shalom!
Men of Temple Ahavat Shalom 