In This Issue:

1. A NOTE FROM HOWARD
2. TAS Food and Clothing Drive
3. SUPPORT/JOIN TAS SMALL INTEREST GROUPS
4. Sukkah Building UPDATE
5. OCTOBER MONTHLY MEETING: MISSIONS TO MARS on OCT 11
6. IN CLOSING

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1. A NOTE FROM HOWARD

To my friends in The Men of TAS and our temple,

Every year we celebrate our Jewish and secular new year’s holidays with gratitude for the past year and hopes and dreams for a happy and healthy coming year.  This Rosh Hashana is no different but it is completely unique.  While it has been very difficult for many, we finish the last year knowing that our friends and family have successfully met the challenges life has brought us.  One of the things that have made it easier has been the online gatherings we have enjoyed together through MoTAS and temple activities.  Whether we like to Zoom or not, we enjoy seeing the faces of our friends.  The coming year may bring more of the same, at least for a while, but we can look forward to our frequent comradery via our interaction online.  We know that we are there for each other and there are so many we call our friends who wish us well.  I hope that the coming year is good to you and your families and that it is not too long before we can enjoy each other’s company together again. La Shana Tova!

Howard Miller
President, The Men of Temple Ahavat Shalom

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2. TAS Food and Clothing Drive

Our temple’s Social Action committee, led by Judy Stehr, is asking everyone to help collect food and gently used clothing for those in need.  Herea are all the instructions necessary to help our community.  The date to deliver these items to the temple is Sunday September 27 between 2-4pm. [Sorry this is in all caps — that’s how the folks that made the flyer had it.]

TAS HIGH HOLIDAY
“DRIVE UP” FOOD & CLOTHING COLLECTION & POST CARDS
SEPTEMBER 27TH BETWEEN 2 AND 4 PM IN THE TAS PARKING LOT

• FOOD FOR SOVA – FILL YOUR GROCERY BAGS WITH NON-PERISHABLES
• CASUAL CLOTHING & SHOES FOR MEND (Meet Each Need with Dignity): ONLY WASHED CLOTHING AND USABLE SHOES FOR MEN, WOMEN, CHILDREN & INFANTS
• BUSINESS CLOTHING & SHOES FOR LA FAMILY HOUSING:  ONLY CLEAN, DRY CLEANED OR WASHED ITEMS FOR MEN AND WOMEN

LEAVE YOUR DONATIONS AND PICK UP POST CARDS – HELP GET OUT THE VOTE!

COVID 19 requirements for clothes (& shoes):

1. All items must be folded and placed in a sealed box or tied plastic bag (pull string kitchen trash bag preferred)
2. Dress items packed separately in a sealed box or tied plastic bag and LABELED “Dress Clothes”

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3. SUPPORT/JOIN TAS SMALL INTEREST GROUPS

New Interest Groups are being developed for TAS Members. During our restrictions due to COVID -19, groups are encouraged to get creative with using Zoom to discuss, share, view, and talk more about your topics. Safe in person distancing is allowed per area guidelines. Down the road when more direct contact is allowed, your groups will be able to expand ways of getting together. Groups will determine their own schedule and facilitate personal Zoom accounts. Please contact Laraine Miller at tzlady@socal.rr.com to sign up and receive more information. Ideas for a group with a focus area not suggested are welcome for consideration.

• Gardening: Some of us are avid gardeners, both vegetable and ornamental. Some of us need a little more help. This group could also involve photography, “safe trips” to Gardens, like the Huntington, LA Arboretum, Descanso Gardens, areas in the Valley and City. Compare notes, articles on gardening, tips and trips. Help may also be needed to maintain our TAS Garden.
• Jews Celebrating Together: Creating Community & Finding Joy in Jewish Holidays.
• The Business World: Discuss the News of the Day, Big & Small Business, the Who’s Who in Business, Mergers, Acquisitions, Investments and more!
• Sports as a Window into US History & Society: Women’s & Men’s Professional Sports, Negro League Baseball, Anti-Semitism in Sports, Olympic Highlights, Sports Gambling & Cheating, Dangers Inherent with Sports and more!
• Sporting Book Club: Select sports themed books and engage in discussion.
• Pirke Avot: Studying the Wisdom of our Jewish Sages. (Our Clergy will assist with start -up).
• The First Act: For families with Toddlers through High School Children: Parenting Styles, Raising Menschs, How to Stay Sane. (Our Clergy will assist with start- up).
• The Second Act: The Kids Have Moved Out or Maybe Moved Back Home, Now What? Finding Meaning and Purpose. (Our Clergy will assist with start- up).
• The Third Act: Wise Aging & Living Fully in Your Senior Years. (Our Clergy will assist with start- up).
• Bubbies & Zaydes: The Joys & Challenges of Grandparenting in today’s world.
• In Pursuit of Music: Share and discuss music of the Divas, Crooners, Blues, Jazz and Other Genres, Male Groups, Female Groups and Favorite Singles.
• Trivial Pursuit: A group just to schmooze and enjoy each other’s company.
• The Curious Eaters (from a Safe Distance): Virtual and Eventual Dining Experiences! Share favorite places to dine, local and far away. Share photos, YouTubes from around the world and personal food stories.
• Break A Leg: Virtual and Eventual Live Theater Performances! Select a performance to view independently and arrange time for talking points. One play, several Jews, a multitude of opinions and perspectives!
• Explore Jewish History Through Historical Fiction Book Club: Select books to read and engage in group discussion
• Jewish Cooking Around the World: Share recipes, discuss ingredients and unique ways to cook different foods.
• Hiking/Walking: Grab your mask, hat and water, and within safe distancing walk with a few friends in neighborhoods or public access trails.
• Movie Club: Select movies to watch independently and meet online or in safe distance to discuss the characters, the plot, the ending, the cinematography, the actors and directors.
• Photography Club: Virtually share your photos and discuss the location, the reason for the photo, the techniques and camera used to take the photos. Safely meet at locations to take photos and enjoy the experience.
• Current Events: Pick a date, read the headlines, and engage in the talk of a town, state, country, and world.
• Travel Bug: Select a travel destination, share its history, its highlights, share photos and stories. Relive your favorite places and inspire others.

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4. Sukkah Building UPDATE

MoTAS offered to build the Sukkah this year, even with masks and gloves. However, we could not get the necessary permits without adding air conditioning, air scrubbers, water fountains and Covid19 inspection stations. We were willing to try but it was pointed out that the Torah explicitly forbids the use of electrical power. After all, Moses never stayed in the same place long enough to pay his water and power bills.

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5. OCTOBER MONTHLY MEETING: MISSIONS TO MARS on OCT 11

Our October meeting will be very special as we are in for a real treat. TAS’s own space scientist from Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Scott Gore, will be presenting a talk on the mission to Mars, including the Perseverance Rover and the Mars Helicopter. Scott’s presentation will be held at 9:45 sharp so that anyone interested one of the most visible space programs can participate at that time.

Scott’s career has been in electrical, electro-mechanical, and electronic parts. His work was mostly in radar, missile, and communications systems until he came to JPL in 2017, when he started applying his  experience to space components.

Since starting at JPL, a big part of his work has been on the Mars 2020 program, which recently resulted in the launch of the Perseverance Rover which is now on its way to Mars. He will talk about the flight – distance, speed, duration, and where Perseverance is going on Mars. He will also talk about the Perseverance Rover, the instruments on it, and the science goals for the mission. If there is time, he will talk about some of the challenges for robotic exploration of the solar system, and future missions planned.

Zoom info will be provided after the High Holidays.

Perseverance Rover with Mars Helicopter

Europa mission visualization

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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!

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