In This Issue:
- HOLD THE DATE – MAY 16 MEMBERSHIP MEETING
- NOMINATED OFFICERS FOR 2021-2022
- HELP US DO WHAT WE DO: SUPPORT THE MOTAS APPEAL
- SHARE YOUR SIMCHAS FOR MAY
- APRIL MEETING MINUTES
- IN CLOSING
1. HOLD THE DATE – MAY 16 MEMBERSHIP MEETING
Join MoTAS on Sunday, May 16 for our MoTAS Monthly Meeting. We’ve shifted the meeting a week later due to Mother’s Day. The topic is still to be announced.
Additionally, at our meeting, we’ll be voting on our slate of officers for the 2021-2022 programming year.
2. NOMINATED OFFICERS FOR 2021-2022
The MoTAS Nominating Committee presented the following slate of potential officers at the April meeting:
- President: Larry Pfefer
- Vice Presidents: Scott Gore, Ed Lapporte
- Secretary: Hal Bass
- Treasurer: Roger Lowe
We will be voting on this slate at the May meeting. Please attend and show your support for these fine men as they move MoTAS forward.
3. HELP US DO WHAT WE DO: SUPPORT THE MOTAS APPEAL
By now, you have received your MoTAS Appeal Letter. You’ve read about all MoTAS has done to support TAS over the past year, and how the COVID environment has limited our fund raising options. You know that our appeal is even more important this year for us to do what we do. Luckily, it is easy to support MoTAS. Just visit our support webpage: http://support.tasnorthridge-motas.org/. There you can read the appeal letter, make your donation online, or download a form to mail with your check to Roger. Without all of our usual activities, MoTAS needs your support even more to be able to support the temple and its needs during these extraordinary times. MoTAS does not charge dues to its members; we depend on your donations to be able to do what we do.
Just visit http://support.tasnorthridge-motas.org/ to donate.
4. SHARE YOUR SIMCHAS FOR MAY
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 April submissions to be listed in May 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.
5. APRIL MEETING MINUTES
Date: Sunday, April 11, 2021 via Zoom due to the pandemic
Presiding: President Howard Miller
Members Present: Howard Miller (President), Hal Bass (Secretary), Les Birken, Yale Doberne, Daniel Faigin (Past President), Ken Feldman, Scott Gore, Brian Hatkoff, Larry Hoffman, Al Lapides, Ed Lapporte, Bob Levine, Roger Lowe (Treasurer), Joel Lowell, Fabian Malinovitz, Barry Mann, Chuck Mondrus, Mark Moskowitz, Jeff Neiman, Larry Pfefer (VP), Russ Rapoport (VP), Bill Shapiro, Bernie Singer, Sandy Stern, Mike Thornhill, Ken Wolf, Scott Yollis
Guests: Ellen Lowe, Elaine Pfefferman, Kathy Pullman, Judy Stehr
President’s Report:
Howard began the meeting by asking members what family or temple event was most impactful over the years.
2020-21 Sports Squares supported the temple’s WiFi upgrade ($5,000) and William Rosen’s Eagle Scout project in which he planted decorative tree boxes near the parking lot ($350).
The Annual Appeal is ahead of its fundraising goal ($6,740 vs. $3,600 projected). It is hoped that 100% of active MoTAS members will participate.
TAS Campus Pride has raised $931 vs. $600 projected. David Silverman and the Beautification Committee are looking into using the funds to spruce up and improve the area in front of the office windows and planter area outside the main doors.
Howard announced that Joel Lowell is a candidate for the Northridge West Neighborhood Council, and asked Joel to describe the council’s responsibilities and goals.
Bob Levine publishes simchas in the temple’s Wednesday and Friday eblasts. Email your simchas to Bob at tasboblevine@gmail.com. April 30 is this month’s deadline for publication on May 5.
The playground on the temple grounds can be reserved for one family at a time.
The Board of Trustees has adopted dietary rules for temple members and caterers, which include avoidance of pork products and shellfish and require separate dishes for meat and dairy products at temple functions. However, individuals can still make their own cheeseburgers, for example, and add butter or sour cream to bread or potatoes when meat is served. Our kitchen is not kosher, and groups meeting outside the temple (e.g., havurot) are not required to apply these rules.
An online poker tournament may take place in June, with a minimum top prize of $500. Anticipated income would be $3,600 as compared to $5,000 with a live tournament.
The Annual Gala will be held Saturday, May 15. Our 2021 honorees are members of the Caring Community. Arlene Stone chairs the planning committee, and Mark Gottesman is arranging the entertainment. MoTAS has contributed $1,000 toward advertising and $250 for special activities in conjunction with the Gala.
High Holy Day plans currently anticipate virtual services. If we were to hold live services in the future, Larry Pfefer said they could also be broadcast using strategically placed cameras.
Nominating Committee Report: Bob Levine and Mike Thornhill introduced the slate of officers for 2021-22. Nominees are Larry Pfefer, president; Scott Gore and Ed Lapporte, vice presidents; Roger Lowe, treasurer; Hal Bass, secretary. Voting will take place at the May 16 general meeting. Anyone else interested in running should contact Bob or Mike.
Treasurer’s Report, as of 04/08/21:
Income:
- Annual Appeal $6,740; TAS Campus Pride $931; Fees <$112>; Two miscellaneous donations $54; Net $7,613
- Yom HaShoah candles (including 2 payments from 2020) $1,393; Expenses (postage, supplies, credit card fees) <$956>; Net $437
Expenses: $0
Sports Squares:
- Prior Years Sports Squares Balance: $5,145
- 2020-21 Football Squares:
- Income $4,828; Winners <$1,925>; Donated winnings $125; Net $3,028
- 2021 Super Bowl
- Income $2,275; Winners <$1,150>; Donated winnings $100; Net $1,225
- 2021 March Madness:
- Income $3,276; Winners <$1,632>; Net $1,644
- Total Sports Squares Funds Available for Distribution: $11,042 ($5,145+$3,028+$1,225+$1,644)
New Business:
Motion to Contribute $1,500 from Sports Squares to Sisterhood for Kitchen and Closet Repainting and Floor Repair: Howard introduced the motion and Chuck Mondrus seconded. In the discussion, Howard explained that the Sisterhood has budgeted $4,500 and the vendor will charge $5,380 for painting, while floor repair will be extra. The motion carried.
Educational Presentation by Laraine Miller: Time Travel – Been There, Undone That; Looking Ahead, Selfish Motives?
Laraine’s talk stimulated a lively discussion about the time-space continuum and time travel. She began her presentation by showing a YouTube video about the possibility of building a time machine. The video was made by an emeritus professor of theoretical physics at the University of Connecticut, Ron Mallett.
Laraine then reviewed concepts advanced by different religious traditions, with particular emphasis on what the Talmud, rabbis and various Jewish sages have had to say.
Many of those in attendance shared their own views about reliving the past or gazing into the future. Laraine’s presentation was greatly appreciated for the time, effort and thought she put into it.
Adjournment and Next MoTAS Meeting: The next meeting will be held by Zoom, Sunday, May 16, 2021, at 9:00 am.
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 