In This Issue:
- FR JAN 22: 2021 MOTAS SHABBAT SERVICE
- WE JAN 27:TU B’SHEVAT TIME
- SHARE YOUR SIMCHAS FOR FEBRUARY
- TU FEB 02: SUPER BOWL SQUARES NOW AVAILABLE
- SU FEB 21: MOTAS MEMBERSHIP MEETING – AL LAPIDES on ADVERTISING
- JANUARY MEMBERSHIP MEETING MINUTES
- IN CLOSING
1. FR JAN 22: 2021 MOTAS SHABBAT SERVICE
As you are aware, every year MoTAS has an opportunity to lead the congregation in prayer. We also give the temple our unofficial “State of MoTAS” address, and announce our Man of the Year. This year, our service will be held on Friday, January 22, 2021, 6:30 PM, via Zoom. If you are participating in the service, you should have already received an email from Bob Levine. Those participating should log into the zoom meeting by 6:15 so we can do a sound check, practice unmuting/muting, and have general announcements related to the service itself. The service will begin at approximately 6:30. Open the Service and scroll down to find your name on the slides, which indicates how you will participate.
We know we’re going to have a great, meaningful service, as MoTAS shares with the community inspiration and news of our continued work for the temple. And, by the way, Howard will announce our newest Man of the Year. He will not be accepting contributions to MoTAS for you to get advance information.
Here’s the information on the Zoom service:
- Click to join: Contact the Temple for Zoom Information
2. WE JAN 27:TU B’SHEVAT TIME
Tu B’Shevat, which celebrates the birthday of the trees, starts on the evening of Wednesday, January 27. This year, we’re not hosting the MoTAS Tu B’Shevat service for the congregation or the school due to COVID, but that doesn’t mean the holiday isn’t here. If you would like to celebrate Tu B’Shevat with our service and your family, visit our Tu B’Shevat Seder page. Ignore the date and the flyer, and scroll to the bottom. There you will find a link to our Tu B’Shevat Seder. You can also go directly to https://app.box.com/s/8m3gd5mro3z91k53o53j1a4v8hx6p9pb and download a copy for yourself.
3. SHARE YOUR SIMCHAS FOR FEBRUARY
If you have a Simcha you want to share, click here for the link to submit your Simcha. Submissions will be due no later than the last day of the month prior to the month of publication. We are now taking January submissions to be listed on February 10, 2021. For more details or questions contact Bob Levine. If you are interested in making a donation to TAS in honor of your Simcha, click here. A donation is not required to submit your Simcha.
4. TU FEB 02: SUPER BOWL SQUARES NOW AVAILABLE
The Monday Night Football season is over, and now is the time to buy a Superbowl Square. The cost is only $25 per square, and you can help Temple Ahavat Shalom while potentially rewarding yourself. The price is the same as last year, although on-line registrations now have a small handling fee from TicketLeap that we used to absorb — this allows reduces the cost to MoTAS and allows us to do more for TAS. Payouts are the same: $230 for each quarter, and $460 for the final score. A full board of 91 squares pays out $1150 to players, and $1125 to MoTAS. You can find the rules of the game, register and pay online, or find a form that you can print and mail in, at http://squares.tasnorthridge-motas.org/. Squares must be purchased by the Tuesday before the Super Bowl.
5. SU FEB 21: MOTAS MEMBERSHIP MEETING – AL LAPIDES on ADVERTISING
Our February 21 MoTAS Meeting will feature our own Al Lapides speaking on The History of Advertising and its Effect on Society. The presentation will cover the early roots and history of advertising to the 21st century. Much of advertising can be applied to discussions on the ideas and ideals we believe in. The key is to identify your target, and engage and motivate the people or groups you desire to help your cause or buy your product. The debate includes whether advertising should entertain and/or irritate (yes that too) your audience, as well as inform them. Al will also cover the 5 different types of advertising:
- Product or service direct to consumer
- Institutional / corporate
- Targeted business or trade advertising
- Political advertising
- Lobbying advertising focused on or to consumers
Zoom details will be in a future weekly.
6. JANUARY MEMBERSHIP MEETING MINUTES
Date: Sunday, January 10, 2021 via Zoom due to social isolation related to the pandemic
Presiding: President Howard Miller
Members Present: Howard Miller (President), Hal Bass (Secretary), Les Birken, Daniel Faigin (Past President), Ken Feldman, Scott Gore, Brian Hatkoff, Fred Kimmel, Al Lapides, Ed Lapporte, Bob Levine, Roger Lowe (Treasurer), Joel Lowell, Chuck Mondrus, Mark Moskowitz, Jeff Neiman, Russ Rapoport (VP), Bill Shapiro, Bernie Singer, Alan Stepakoff, Sandy Stern, Ben Tenn, Mike Thornhill, Ken Wolf, Scott Yollis
Guests: Rabbi Becky Hoffman, Mel Birken, Karen Davis, Cheryl Hatkoff, Gloria Katcher, Fran Lapides, Laurie Mondrus, Kathy Pullman, Sheila Reback, Debbie Schwartz, Tammy Singer, Cindy Tenn, Tyree Wieder, Sandy Zonnis
President’s Report:
Howard began the meeting by asking members what they wish to happen to them and their families in 2021.
Howard thanked Hal Bass for last month’s presentation on the Armenian Genocide.
MoTAS provided $500 in support for two families in serious financial straits. Howard informed the group that as a result of hearing this, two other individuals have donated to TAS to help such families.
Howard encouraged members to purchase Super Bowl Squares, explaining that income from Sports Squares helps finance special projects and other activities not funded by the temple. Prior examples include an emergency water heater replacement, synthetic turf for the ECEC playground, foyer restroom upgrades, and WiFi enhancements.
Bob Levine announced that 29 Super Bowl squares are still open. Squares are available for $25 each–up to two squares per person or four squares when a spouse or partner is included.
The annual MoTAS Men’s Shabbat is in the planning stage. It will take place on January 22. Members were asked to notify Bob Levine by email at tasboblevine@gmail.com if they wish to participate in the service. It is at the Men’s Shabbat that our MoTAS Man of the Year is announced.
Our 2020 Man of the Year, Les Birken, was presented with a plaque by Howard in a ceremony recorded on video at the Birkens’ home, since the annual regional awards dinner could not be held last year due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Bob Levine will publish simchas in the temple’s Wednesday and Friday eblasts. Email your simchas to Bob at tasboblevine@gmail.com. January 31 is this month’s deadline for publication on February 9.
The 2021 MoTAS Annual Appeal will be announced shortly. This activity provides funds for Avodah, camperships, b’nai mitzvah and confirmation gifts, and our annual commitment to TAS.
Howard’s mid-year MoTAS budget review anticipated total income of $8,800 and expenses of $9,392. Hopefully, the Annual Appeal will erase the $592 shortfall.
Treasurer’s Report, as of 01/06/21:
Income: $0
Expenses:
Sports Squares Distributions:
- Exit sign lighting upgrades not covered by DWP: $1,500 (funds not yet allocated)
- Support for two TAS member families: $500
Sports Squares:
Prior Years Sports Squares Balance: $5,145
2020-21 Football Squares:
Income $4,828; Winners paid out <$1,925>; Winnings donated back $125; Net $3,028
2021 Super Bowl
Income $425; Winners paid out $0; Net $425
Total Sports Squares Funds Available for Distribution: $8,598 ($5,145+$3,028+425)
Rabbi Becky’s Presentation:
Rabbi Becky began by asking the men and women present to list what they considered to be the temple’s greatest strength. Many of the responses touched upon camaraderie, innovative programming and rabbinic leadership. She said TAS is poised to be the most vibrant Jewish force in the North Valley and directed people to the Mission Statement on the TAS website’s home page.
Rabbi Becky enumerated the temple’s myriad strengths: MoTAS, Sisterhood, small groups, havurot, Caring Community, Melton program participation, online Shabbat services via Zoom and on Facebook, Meditation & Music, Religious School, weekly Torah study, Zoom to Commune, Social Action Committee, High Holy Days food collection, and voter information.
Our challenges provide multiple opportunities. Many young families with children in school or even younger are struggling, and the temple leadership is working to form small groups of these young families based on the ages of their children or their grades in school. We strive to provide dynamic services, obtain outside speakers, engage in social justice, and develop a new paradigm for services and other activities once the pandemic has been brought under control.
Rabbi Becky’s presentation was very well attended and greatly appreciated by all who listened to her and asked follow-up questions.
Adjournment and Next MoTAS Meeting: The next meeting will be held by Zoom, Sunday, February 21, 2021, at 9:00 am. Al Lapides will do an educational presentation entitled, “History of Advertising and Its Effect on Society.”
Respectfully submitted,
Hal Bass/Secretary
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 