In This Issue:
- LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER – MoTAS DINNER AND SHABBAT – FRIDAY, JANUARY 23
- TEMPLE AHAVAT SHALOM 50th ANNIVERSARY NEWS
- FOOTBALL SQUARES GRANTS
- THE SUPERBOWL IS ALMOST HERE – GET YOUR SQUARES NOW
- IT’S NEARLY TIME TO HANG OUT WITH RABBI LUTZ
- SUPPORT OUR MAN OF THE YEAR
- IN CLOSING
1. LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER – MoTAS DINNER AND SHABBAT – FRIDAY, JANUARY 23
The Men of TAS Community Dinner and Shabbat IS THIS FRIDAY. Final dinner number are due to the caterer THURSDAY, so dinner registrations MUST BE in by THURSDAY AT 3PM.* You can register by calling the temple office at (818) 360-2258 and leaving your name and number in the party (pay at the door), or you can register online (either pay at the door or pay online) at http://shabbat.tasnorthridge-motas.org/.
Dinner before the service starts PROMPTLY at 6:15 PM (so tell yourselves 6:00 PM), and will be catered by our friends at Silver Spoons catering (which is run by a Past President of the Temple Beth Hillel Brotherhood). The cost is $15 for adults, $10 for children. The menu will feature Israeli Salad w/Lemon Vinaigrette Dressing, Chicken Kabobs w/Tzatziki Sauce, Basmati Rice, Ratatouille, Pita Breads and Hummus, Fresh Fruit, and the usual Shabbat treats. [*: a limited number of late registrations can be accomodated, but the price goes up $3 for adults and children at 3:00PM Thursday]
The MoTAS Shabbat service starts at 7:30 PM, and will be led by Rabbi Shawna, Cantor Jen, and the Men of Temple Ahavat Shalom. It will feature reflections by MoTAS members on the value of MoTAS to their relationship with TAS, a special D’var Torah, and the announcement of the Man of the Year. We will also be recognizing all of our past Men of the Year. This is always a special service; even if you can’t join us for dinner we encourage you to be there for the service. A big thank you to Bob Levine for coordinating the service.
2. TEMPLE AHAVAT SHALOM 50th ANNIVERSARY NEWS
2015 is a very special year — it is the 50th anniversary of the creation of Temple Ahavat Shalom through the merger of North Valley Reform and Temple Beth Torah of San Fernando Valley. The big TAS celebrations will start in August 2015, and from what I hear they are going to be spectacular. Keep watching the Menorah for details. In support of the 50th Anniversary planning effort, MoTAS is looking for a MoTAS member who is willing to be a liasion between MoTAS and the planning committee. You would attend planning committee meetings, and report back to MoTAS leadership on the activity and how to integrate MoTAS. If you would like to volunteer for this position, please drop me a note at president@tasnorthridge-motas.org.
Additionally, We’re looking for a Confirmation class student who is interested in history to research the history of the Men’s organization at TAS, which over the years has gone by the names “Brotherhood”, “Men’s Club”, and the current MoTAS. We have some information going back to the mid-1990s, but nothing before. The task would involve finding the temple’s archives (especially newsletter archives), and reviewing them to rebuld the history. The student would be invited to present their research at a future MoTAS meeting, and would earn Avodah credit. If you would like to volunteer for this position, or know of someone who would like to do it, please drop me a note at president@tasnorthridge-motas.org. This task is open to either gender.
Lastly, MoTAS is getting a head start on the celebration with our February speaker. Recall that I indicated that TAS was the merger of North Valley Reform (founded in 1962 as a split from Temple Beth Torah) and Temple Beth Torah (founded in 1951 as a split from Temple Beth Hillel; TBT later split back out in 1968). Back in 2001, for TBT, I worked with their historian Shirley Berg to develop a history of the congregation. Through that effort, we identified the rabbis of North Valley Reform — and our February speaker is the fellow who was the student rabbi for NVR when they started, Hal Daum. Since then, Hal has had a long and varied career, including working in real estate, as a parole officer, and as the Executive Director for a number of congregations. We invite you to join MoTAS on Sunday, February 8th (8:45 AM – Breakfast; 9:00 AM – Activity Review; 10:00 AM – Speaker) to learn about TAS in the days before it was TAS.
3. FOOTBALL SQUARES GRANTS
The Fall Football Squares activity is over. For those unfamiliar with the process, although some proceeds go back to players, the bulk of the proceeds are awarded as grants to the congregation. For Sports Squares grants, MoTAS likes to fund specific activities — in particular activities that benefit our younger generation. MoTAS is pleased to announce the following grants from the Fall Football Squares. Leadership and staff behind the indicated programs should contact our treasurer, Roger Lowe, to coordinate funding:
- L’Taken Scholarships – $900
- TASTY Support – $400
- Avodah-ships for Songleaders Bootcamp – $400
- Professional Combo of Musicians for an upcoming Shabbat – $600
- Youth Choir Shirts – $700
4. SUPERBOWL XLIX: SEATTLE VS NEW ENGLAND – GET YOUR SQUARES NOW
The final conference championships have been fought. We know the teams: The Seattle Seahawks vs. the New England Patriots. We know the date: February 1, 2015. Now all we need is YOU. There are just a few squares left in our Superbowl Squares activity. With a fully-subscribed board, payouts to winners are $180 for each of the first quarters, and $360 for final score, resulting in $900 available to fund special TAS needs which have not been budgeted by the temple. The cost is only $18 per square, and each individual can buy up to 3 squares (plus 3 squares for your spouse/partner). 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/. You can also sign up at the MoTAS shabbat.
5. IT’S NEARLY TIME TO HANG OUT WITH RABBI LUTZ
On Sunday, February 22 at 6:00 PM we’re going to be having a very special Mens Only Hang Out and Discussion Group — we’ll be hanging out and talking with Rabbi Lutz. We thank Rabbi Lutz for providing this opportunity, and we’re pleased to say that MoTAS has responded — the event is already at capacity. Dave Friedman, our event coordinator, is working up some special discussion topics for the evening — and remember, everything said during the meeting stays in the meeting. Additionally, we’re going to be joining the Rabbi for dinner before the meeting with a Barbeque dinner from Stonefire Grill. Those who have registered: please remember to get your checks for $15 to Dave Friedman at 19707 Buckeye Meadow Lane, Porter Ranch CA 91326. Dave will provide you the location of the hang out once your reservation is confirmed. For those that missed this event and want to participate, we’ll be working with the Rabbi to schedule another date in the future. This is a Mens Only event.
6. SUPPORT OUR MAN OF THE YEAR
During the MoTAS Shabbat, we’ll be announcing the MoTAS Man of the Year. This is just the start of the festivities for our honoree. On Saturday, March 7, 2015, our honoree will be recognized at the MRJ Regional Man of the Year dinner, hosted at Temple Beth David in Westminster, CA. We hope you can be there to support our honoree, so mark your calendar now. The cost will be $36.00 per person. You can RSVP online at http://moydinner.tasnorthridge-motas.org/; a signup sheet will be available at the MoTAS Meeting. Send you check for $36, indicating your dinner choice (Brisket, Salmon, or Vegetarian) to Roger Lowe in care of the Temple at 18200 Rinaldi Place, Northridge CA 91326. Make the check payable to “MoTAS | TAS Mens Club” .
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 