In This Issue:
- MOTAS DINING OUT – CORNER BAKERY – WED MAR 21
- NCAA BASKETBALL SQUARES ON SALE
- SUPPORT THE MOTAS ANNUAL APPEAL
- APRIL MEMBERSHIP MEETING – VALLEY HISTORY – SUN APR 15
- YOM HASHOAH SPEAKERS WANTED – SUN APR 8
- MoTRZ: MANKIND PROJECT – MON APR 16
- MOTAS ELECTION SEASON
- NEXT YEAR IN NORTHRIDGE – L’SHANAH HABA’AH B’NORTHRIDGE
- IN CLOSING
1. MOTAS DINING OUT – CORNER BAKERY – WED MAR 21
The MoTAS “Dining Does Good” have returned, and this year they support MoTAS 100%! Our March “Dining Does Good” will be Wednesday, March 21 at Corner Bakery in Northridge (in the same center with Western Bagel and Super King). You can find a flyer for the event at https://wp.tasnorthridge-motas.org/activities/dining/. We really encourage you to come and support these events: we raise a little extra funds for our work, but more importantly, we come together and break bread as a Temple family on a regular basis. It is a real joy to walk into a neighborhood restaurant and see your Temple friends, to sit down and share a table and talk. This is the heart and goal of MoTAS: Building Relationships.
2. NCAA BASKETBALL SQUARES ON SALE
NCAA/Basketball Squares are on Sale! The NCAA finals are rapidly approaching — have you created your brackets. Within MoTAS, the NCAA Basketball championships mean it is time for Basketball Squares. This year, we’ve added something new: We’re “Squaring” both the Men’s and the Women’s Semi-Final and Final Games. You’ll have six games, meaning 12 opportunities to win, for only $36 a square! The procedure is very similar to the Superbowl Squares. Basketball Squares cover the last three games in each of the Men’s and Women’s NCAA championships: the Women’s semifinal and final games on March 31 and April 2, and the Men’s semifinal and final games on April 1 and April 3, 2017. Squares are $36, 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.
Note: Eventbee fees have gone up for tickets that ask additional questions, so we’ve opted to start adding that nominal amount for squares purchased online. But fear not: you can avoid the fee by printing out the form and paying by check, coordinating payment via Zelle or Venmo (or contact us for Paypal), or even paying offline via Credit Card. You can get a copy of the form off the Squares website.
Squares must be purchased by March 28, 2018. 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, $1800 will be available to support specific temple activities, organizations, and projects.
3. SUPPORT THE MOTAS ANNUAL APPEAL
In 2012, the Men of TAS eliminated the dues requirement for membership. We moved to an inclusive model where every man in TAS is part of the Men of Temple Ahavat Shalom. Since we don’t have dues, we don’t have steady revenue. So, every year Men of TAS asks you to support our work financially.
The Annual Appeal mailing is out, and hopefully you have received your envelope. You can also find the message on our support page at http://support.tasnorthridge-motas.org/. On that page, you can find a printable donation form that you can mail in, as well as a link to contribute online. It is through your contributions that MoTAS is able to do that work that we do for the congregation. Please think about how much MoTAS means to the congregation, and how much the relationships you have with MoTAS mean to you. Then add 20%, and make a donation :-). Seriously, the MoTAS leadership works hard to make MoTAS valuable to you and the congregation. This is your chance to let us know what we mean to you.
See your friends and fellow congregants that have really stepped up to support us on our website’s Wall of Honor at http://wallofhonor.tasnorthridge-motas.org/. Join the Wall of Honor yourself by donating $100 or more. Your generous gift will provide fun events for all Temple members, kids to adults, teachers and staff. Continue to repair and improve our facilities. Most importantly, it will help us continue teaching and living the Jewish values that guide and enrich all our lives.
4. APRIL MEMBERSHIP MEETING – VALLEY HISTORY – SUN APR 15
The next monthly meeting will be Sunday, April 15, 2018 at 8:45am in the Activity Center (yes, the third Sunday, for some reason). Join us at 8:45am for our traditional breakfast, followed by a summary of upcoming events. This will be a speakers meeting. We’re in the final stages of coordination, but our topic will be the history of the San Fernando Valley, and our speaker will be Michel (Michael) Stevens, President of the Museum of the San Fernando Valley (who is a member of the TBH Brotherhood). We’ll also be coordinating a tour of their facility at some point in the future. More details next week, when I have an abstract from Michel.
Michel also let me know of two events occurring at the museum before our meeting:
- Artist Jodi Bonassi studies the rewards of San Fernando Valley life – from conversations that occur in the public settings of barbershops and cafes to the ongoing freneticism of college lifestyles in malls and on the CSUN campus. This series of Jodi Bonassi paintings from 1998 to the present, which will be exhibited at The Museum of the San Fernando Valley beginning March 1, 2018 through June 30, 2018, reflects Jodi’s on-going study of shared moments in sites around the San Fernando Valley. Free admission. Gallery hours are Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays (beginning 3/17) from 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm.
- On Saturday, March 31, from 2pm to 4pm, Author Chris Lukather will discuss book examining life and work of southern California builder William Mellenthin and his ranch style “Birdhouse” Homes. He spent three years researching in order to create this terrific book. In the 1940s, ’50s and ’60s housing developments began peppering the available land outside of Los Angeles. Affordable, family-friendly communities like the San Fernando Valley initiated an exodus to the suburbs. It was in the Valley that designer-builder William Mellenthin developed his singular brand of cozy, charming home which became known as the Mellenthin Birdhouse ranch home—so called because they featured a cupola or dovecote built prominently into the roof. The cost is $10/pp; please RSVP and pay in advance via EventBrite. Walk-in attendees welcome, but we would appreciate advance notice by calling 818-347-9665 or info@TheMuseumSFV.org and let us know you will be attending.
5. YOM HASHOAH SPEAKERS WANTED – SUN APR 8
Alberto Hananel, President of TRZ Men’s Club has invited any Men of TAS members that would like reading during the upcoming joint TAS/TRZ Yom Hashoah service to do so. This service is Sunday, April 8 at 4pm at Temple Ramat Zion. You can download a flyer for the service here. If you are interested, please contact Frank at president@tasnorthridge-motas.org.
6. MoTRZ: MANKIND PROJECT – MON APR 16
Alberto Hananel of the Men of TRZ has also invited MoTAS to join their men’s club to learn about the Mankind Project on Monday, April 16. Alberto has invited a member of the ManKind Project (https://mankindproject.org) to come speak to Men of TRZ on Monday, April 16. The ManKind Project is men’s community for the 21st Century. MKP is a nonprofit training and education organization with three decades of proven success hosting life-changing experiential personal development programs for men. MKP supports a global network of free peer-facilitated men’s groups and supports men in leading lives of integrity, authenticity, and service. More details when they are available.
7. MOTAS ELECTION SEASON
We’re rapidly coming up to the MoTAS elections. The nominating committee has been formed, and we are actively recruiting members to run. If you would be interested in running for a MoTAS Leadership position, please contact Past President Daniel Faigin at faigin@cahighways.org.
8. NEXT YEAR IN NORTHRIDGE – L’SHANAH HABA’AH B’NORTHRIDGE
Last Sunday was our first joint Men’s Seder with the Temple Beth Hillel Brotherhood. There were about 35 men in attendance, split evenly between the two groups. Beth Hillel used the TBH Passover Hagadah as a base (because, like us, a few years ago they misplaced their box of MRJ hagadot), with numerous diversions to discuss Sephardic traditions. Music was provided by Joshua Goldberg, a cantorial intern at TBH. Food was provided by long-time TBH Brotherhood member, Scott Tessler of Silver Spoon Catering.
A great evening was had by all, and the general concensus was: Next year in Northridge!. It was a great bunch of guys with lots of sharing. We will coordinate for next year, and beginning planning, and we will be honored to host our brothers from Beth Hillel in our social hall in 2019! As soon as we get some pictures from Beth Hillel, I’ll forward them to Aaron to put in a photo galley on the website.
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 