In This Issue:
- JOIN US IN HONORING OUR MANN OF THE YEAR
- OUR SOCIAL HALL KITCHEN NEEDS YOU — THE KITCHEN CHALLENGE
- HELP MOTAS DO ALL WE DO — MOTAS ANNUAL APPEAL
- MARCH 6 SPEAKER: ROSALYN KAHN ON “REDUCING STRESS”
- MRJ NEWS: LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES / MRJ CONVENTION
- PURIM CARNIVAL VOLUNTEERS – MARCH 13
- MENS HANGOUT WITH RABBI LUTZ – MARCH 13
- BASKETBALL MADNESS SQUARES ON SALE
- IN CLOSING
1. JOIN US IN HONORING OUR MANN OF THE YEAR
At the MoTAS Shabbat on January 29th, the leadership of MoTAS announced the 2016 MoTAS Man of the Year: Barry Mann. Barry Mann has served as the chair of the Golf Tournament for the last two years – a task involving lots of time and work. Barry has also served as Treasurer of MoTAS and as a MoTAS Vice President.
Barry will be honored at the MRJ Regional Man of the Year Dinner on Saturday, March 5, 2016 (Note: The Menorah had an incorrect date) at 6:00 PM at Temple Beth Shalom, 2625 N. Tustin Avenue, Santa Ana, California 92705. Let’s show Barry how TAS supports our man of the year by filling up the room. Dinner is $36 per person, with an entrée choice of Chicken, Salmon, or Vegetarian. Reservations are due to MoTAS by Tuesday, February 23. You may email your reservation to president@tasnorthridge-motas.org or reserve online at http://tinyurl.com/motas-2016-moy . Put your meal selection (C, S, or V) as your middle initial. You can also bring your checks to the meeting on February 7. We will contact you to coordinate payment and your meal choice.
P.S.: Barry was announced as the Man of the Year at the MoTAS Shabbat. If you were not able to attend, we’ve posted the following from the Shabbat:
- D’var Torah: The Model of Leadership (Daniel Faigin)
- MoTAS Reflection – What Does Fatherhood Mean to You? (Brian Hatkoff)
2. OUR SOCIAL HALL KITCHEN NEEDS YOU — THE KITCHEN CHALLENGE
Back at the June 2015 Shabbabaque, MoTAS arrived to prepare our usual scrumptious meal. To our dismay, we discovered that the refrigerator we regularly use was not holding a food-safe temperature. We improvised that Shabbabaque by storing food in the Sisterhood refrigerator, while we started to investigate the problem. Since June, a team headed by Frank Soronow and including Scott Yollis, Les Birken, and Aaron Solomon has been investigating the problem. We discovered two primary issues:
- The refrigerators and freezers are limping along and may fail at any time. We were able to temporarily get them working, but recent reports are that they are failing again.
- The cooling system for the kitchen space has not been working for a significant number of years. This has lead to increased heat in the kitchen, which serves to shorten the life of the refrigeration units.
Since then, we’ve learned more about the poor shape of the TAS Social Hall kitchen:
- Repair of the make-up air system the prolongs the life of the equipment (heat exchanges, swamp coolers) is approximately $4,500.
- Replacement of each refrigerator is approximately $3,400 each. One has already failed; the other is working but could have problems in the future. Sisterhood has already replaced their refrigerator.
- Improvements are needed in the fire-prevention systems and the vent hoods. Estimates are in process.
- The freezers are working, but we should budget for their replacement. Each costs around $4,100.
- There is no maintenance contract for the kitchen equipment.
MoTAS recognizes that we are not the primary user of the kitchen; we feel these repairs are so important to the heart of the Temple that we need to make them happen sooner rather than later. MoTAS would like to get this problem resolved before the next Shabbabaque, and build a fund that can keep the kitchen in top maintenance.
To that end, MoTAS allocated $1,100 from the Football Squares funding towards the kitchen. We issued a challenge grant of $1,500 from our reserves. Since doing that, the Temple has offered its own challenge of $1,500, and an anonymous member of MoTAS has joined the challenge and has offered to match all fund raised up to $3,000. This means that every dollar raised will be matched by 1-3 additional dollars! The matches end 4/30/2016.
Anything you donate will help us help TAS improve the kitchen. As with the Annual Appeal, online and printable donation forms are at https://wp.tasnorthridge-motas.org/about/support-motas/2016-kitchen-challenge/ (or just go to http://support.tasnorthridge-motas.org/ and click on the Kitchen Challenge), and donations of $100 or more will be acknowledged on our Wall of Honor. We thank you in advance for your support.
3. HELP MOTAS DO ALL WE DO — MOTAS ANNUAL APPEAL
By now, you should have received your MoTAS Annual Appeal letter. Why do we do an annual appeal? Simple. Unlike many other mens clubs and brotherhoods, MoTAS has no dues. As a male member of Temple Ahavat Shalom, you are automatically a member of the Men of Temple Ahavat Shalom (MoTAS)? In 2012, MoTAS moved to an inclusive model where every man in TAS is part of the Men of Temple Ahavat Shalom. Since we have no dues, every year MoTAS asks you to support our work financially.
MoTAS strives to encourage the men of TAS to be leaders. Leadership comes in many ways, one of which is visible participation and support. MoTAS is stronger when it is supported by all the men of TAS. Wouldn’t it be great if we could say that every man in the congregation has supported us? The amount you contribute is up to you-large or small. Select a meaningful amount that is comfortable and reflects the value of the MoTAS relationship to you. We recognize contributions of $100 or more on our wall of honor at http://wallofhonor.tasnorthridge-motas.org .
So where do the funds raised by MoTAS during this appeal go? Here’s a sample of what they (and the funds raised by the Golf Tournament) support:
- Expenses for MoTAS activities not covered by donations or activity fees. This would cover breakfasts at meetings, expenses for the Sports Squares programs, and similar expenses.
- Expenses for specific TAS needs that were not part of the TAS budget. The Kitchen Challenge is an example of that: the funds for the challenge were raised in past appeals.
- Support for TAS students through Bar/Bat Mitzvah gifts, camperships, and other funding.
- The MoTAS contribution to the Temple’s general fund, either at the annual meeting or through sponsorship of events.
- MoTAS contributions to the regional Men of Reform Judaism and the charitable activities it supports, such as Reform on Campus.
You, the men of TAS, are the ones that make the above possible through your contributions during this appeal. Contribute online by visiting http://support.tasnorthridge-motas.org/: you can either pay online, or print a form and mail it in. Note that MoTAS receives no financial support from the TAS budget; our funds are separate.
4. MARCH 6 SPEAKER: ROSALYN KAHN ON “REDUCING STRESS”
Due to the Purim Carnival, we have moved the March meeting up one week to March 6, 2016. Our speaker in March will be Rosalyn Kahn on “Reducing Stress”. Rosalyn writes: “What if there is way that you could turn stress into your friend vs your enemy. This is not a fantasy ….this is reality. Come out and listen to Rosalyn Kahn sharing the research from Shawn Anchor a leading researcher on Happiness and Kelly McGonigal’s talk Stress is Your Friend as well as her own experience from her book on Random Acts of Kindness are Changing the World.’”
As always, before the speaker, we will have our scrumptions MoTAS breakfast and our review of upcoming activities. Join us at 8:45 AM for Breakfast, with the event review starting at 9:00 AM. The speaker starts at 10AM.
5. MRJ NEWS: LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES / MRJ CONVENTION
The leadership of the Men of Reform Judaism (MRJ) has requested that the following information be passed on to our membership.
Leadership Opportunities with FJMC
MRJ has initiated a collaboration with the Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs (FJMC), building upon our work together with the Yom HaShoah candles. FJMC has invited MRJ members to participate in their Leadership training. Below is the information about two upcoming training opportunities, one in Northern California and one in Southern California. While the event has a Conservative flavor, the learning opportunity is beneficial to MRJ members as well.
Here is the information on the Southern California session:
COME JOIN US!LEARNING! SCHMOOZING! EATING! DAVENING! – HOW MUCH CAN WE PACK INTO ONE DAY? Let’s find out!
FJMC has scheduled the following Sunday Training Days for Western Region FJMC members in Southern California (note that this does overlap with the MoTAS meeting above):
- Sunday March 6, 2016 at Adat Shalom Synagogue, 3030 Westwood Blvd., Los Angeles 90034.
This event is free of charge. We will be covering interesting and relevant topics that will be presented by an incredible team of FJMC trainers and board members, including our current WR FJMC President Steve Silverstone. Activities start at 9:30 AM with a Minyan service. The day should conclude around 3 PM. We plan to have ample discussion time to get feedback on the training and to give everyone a chance to discuss their own clubs’ areas of accomplishment and challenge. And of course there will be FOOD: a continental breakfast, a lunch, and a bissel schnapps. The proposed agenda is as follows:
- Welcome and Introductions
- HMV – Rapid Engagement Format
- Club Development and Operations/programming
- Collaboration between FJMC & MRJ (Men of Reform Judaism)
- Quality Club Awards – how to measure your own club’s success
- Yom HaShoah Yellow Candles
- A few new FJMC programs
- Breakout discussions of FJMC programs/club training requirements/regional events
- Review of www.fjmc.org
Please let Warren Sterling, WR FJMC VP Training, know who from your club will be attending, and at which venue they will attend. To facilitate ordering the appropriate amount of food, let me know as soon as possible but no later than Wednesday March 2.I look forward meeting many of you and hope you will view this as a great opportunity to meet other WR FJMC members, learn from our experts and share your experiences. If you or your club members prefer just to attend and listen to the presentations and discussions that is fine as well. There are no requirements on your participation. If you have prospective members who may want more information on what Men’s Club is all about, feel free to invite them as well. This promises to be a great experience for both new and veteran Men’s Club members alike.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact Warren either by e-mail (WMSter310@gmail.com) or telephone (310-902-4536).
2016 MRJ Meeting in New Orleans
Here is some information on the upcoming MRJ meeting in New Orleans. If a MoTAS member is interested in attending, we may have limited funds to cover registration (alas, not the travel). Go to the home page at http://www.menrj.org/ for details about the June meeting along with the agenda.
Tentative Agenda
- Friday, June 24th
- 2-4 – EC meeting
- 4-5 – “MRJ Leadership and you: An open forum,what do you want/need from us?”
- 5-6 Happy Hour6:30–Lay led services and dinner in Hotel. Featured Guest speaker–Rabbi Charles Simon, Exec Dir. FJMC
- After Dinner back to bar or outside for cigars, etc.
- Saturday, June 25th
- Breakfast buffet in hotel included
- 9:00-10:00–Torah Study with local Rabbi
- 10:15-12:00–Tefillah with a local Rabbi
- 12:30-1:30–Lunch in Hotel
- 1:30 – 3:00 A Panel presentationCory Sparks, Director,Louisiana Ass’n of Nonprofit Organizations(Update: Roselle Ungar will join Cory Sparks for our discussion of not-for-profits and fundraising. Roselle is the current President of the New Orleans Chapter of the Association of Fund Raising Professionals. http://www.strategicnonprofitconsulting.com/ )
- 1:30 – 3:00 Where might we be going with this?Possible Paths between MRJ &FJMC – with Rabbi Charles Simon(Update: Allan Gottesman, International President of FJMC will join Rabbi Chuck Simon for a forum on what a collaboration between MRJ and FJMC could look like)
- 2:45 – 3:45 Jerry FenningProgressive Judaism in Poland – Publication of a new Siddur – The first since World War ISnap Shot of Polish Jewish Life.(Update: If you recall, Jerry spoke to our group in early 2015)
- 4-6:30–Free time in N.O.
- 6:45–Havdallah in Hotel
- 7:30–Dinner on your own – enjoy New Orleans
- Sunday, June 26th
- 8:30-9:15–Breakfast in Hotel
- 9:30-10:00–Business meeting and G&W;
- 11:30—Adjourn
Registration includes all meals except Saturday evening. We have a link to our hotel in New Orleans for those of you who like to be early birds!https://resweb.passkey.com/go/MenofReformJudaism.Registration, through URJ, will be available mid-February.
6. PURIM CARNIVAL VOLUNTEERS – MARCH 13
The Purim Carnival is scheduled for Sunday, March 13th, if El Nino cooperates. This year, the Purim Carnival Committee has asked MoTAS to cook burgers and hot dogs, in our addition to the food we normally pick up. We’re going to need volunteers to help shop, to help cook, to help at the front of the booth, and to deliver to workers. We’re also going to need a volunteer to coordinate our Mitzvah Volunteers (students working towards campership and similar credits). If you are available and willing to volunteer to help, please sign up at http://tinyurl.com/motas-purim16
7. MENS HANGOUT WITH RABBI LUTZ – MARCH 13
On Sunday, March 13th 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 encourage the men in the congregation to come and discuss issues that are unique to men. 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. Space is limited, so RSVP at http://tinyurl.com/motas-2016-rabbi-hangout or directly to Dave Friedman (at 818/970-7701 or vp2@tasnorthridge-motas.org) and mail your check for $15 (made payable to Dave Friedman) 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. This is a Mens Only event.
8. BASKETBALL MADNESS SQUARES ON SALE
NCAA/Basketball Squares are on Sale! Now that we are past the Superbowl (congratulations to all our winners), it’s time to think about the NCAA Men’s Basketball championships. They are rapidly approaching, and that means it is time for Basketball Squares. The procedure is very similar to the Superbowl Squares. Basketball Squares cover the last four games in the NCAA championship: the semifinal and final games on April 2-4, 2016. Squares are $18, and adults may purchase up to 3 squares for themselves, and 3 squares for their partner. Payouts are $150 for both the halftime and final scores of each game. You can win once or twice in a game. If the board is not fully subscribed, the payout is proportional based on the number of subscribed squares. To address the possibility that all 100 squares might not be subscribed, the following is the procedure for empty squares that win: each player will make a guess as to what the total number of points will be (i.e., you add the final scores of both teams). This number will be used to settle all cases, for all games. If you purchase more than one square your “number” will apply for all your squares. Closest to actual score wins (payouts divided with ties). If there is no halftime winner, the final score prediction will still be used.
Squares must be purchased by March 30, 2016. Forms will soon be available in the Temple Foyer. You can also print the registration form — or register online — at the usual online home of the Squares program: http://squares.tasnorthridge-motas.org/. Remember that the real winner is Temple Ahavat Shalom. With a fully subscribed board, $900 will be available to support specific temple activities, organizations, and projects.
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. Sign up for our action alert list at http://tinyurl.com/motas-action-alert. 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 