In This Issue:
- MOTAS SHABBAT – FR 1/20
- HONORING OUR MEN OF THE YEAR – SU 1/29
- SUPERBOWL SQUARES
- MOTAS POKER TOURNAMENT – SUN 2/19/23
- JANUARY MEMBERSHIP MEETING MINUTES
- IN CLOSING
From the Editor: The goal of the Weekly is to get MoTAS members the information they need on upcoming activities, and then get out of the way. If you have any information on MoTAS activities you need to get out to the membership, please contact the Weekly Editor at cybermaven@tasnorthridge-motas.org.
1. MOTAS SHABBAT – FR 1/20
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. In past years, interested men were able to participate in the service, by reading sections in English, prayers in Hebrew, singing in our “choir,” or making brief reflections on their experiences with MoTAS.
This year, our service will be held on Friday, January 20, 2023, 7:00 PM. Although it will be streaming, it will NOT be on Zoom. You must be present to participate.
Please contact Bob Levine, at tasboblevine@gmail.com if you are able to join in, and what you would like to do. If you are unable/unwilling/not available, please let Bob know as well.
More information regarding what you would be doing will be sent out as soon as the service is put together.
2. HONORING OUR MEN OF THE YEAR – SU 1/29
We are finally taking some time to celebrate our Men of the Year for the past years with a special Men of the Year Dinner: Covid was a real X#@$! and it has kept us from celebrating our honorees when we should have. Please join MoTAS on January 29th for a long overdue celebration these men so justly deserve. We will be sitting down with family and friends at The Olive Garden Restaurant – 19724 Nordhoff Place – Chatsworth 91311 at 5:30pm for the festivities. This is a no host dinner and reservations are required. Your choice of entrées and all dinners include Soup or Salad – Bread-sticks, beverage, taxes and tip. Specialty Drinks and Alcoholic Beverages are not included. Cost $40 per person + Desert Optional $11.
To reserve, visit https://tasmotas.ticketleap.com/23-01-motas-moy-dinner/ . Reservations close at noon on January 25, 2023.
Menu (see https://www.olivegarden.com/menu/classic-entrees for descriptions): Chicken Alfredo, Chicken Parmigiana, Chicken Marsala Fettuccine, Ravioli Veg Carbonara, Lasagna Classico, Spaghetti with Meatballs, Fettuccine Alfredo, Five Cheese Ziti al Forno, Chicken Scampi, Eggplant Parmigiana, Grilled Chicken Margherita. Desert if desired (see https://www.olivegarden.com/menu/desserts): Black Tie Mousse Cake, Tiramisu, Sicilian Cheesecake, Chocolate Brownie Lasagna, Strawberry Cream Cake, Warm Italian Donuts.
3. SUPERBOWL SQUARES
The Monday Night Football season is nearly over, and now is the time to buy a Superbowl Square. The cost is only $36 per square, and you can help Temple Ahavat Shalom while potentially rewarding yourself. The price slightly higher, but so are the payouts. 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: $330 for each quarter, and $650 for the final score. A full board of 91 squares pays out $1640 to players, and $1636 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 Thursday, February 2, 2023 before the Super Bowl.
4. MOTAS POKER TOURNAMENT – SUN 2/19/23
SAVE THE DATE – WE’RE BACK! – MoTAS’ Annual Poker Tournament 2023 is scheduled for February 19, 2023. Open to all, we are planning for a great, fun filled evening. GREAT Prizes – Raffles – 50/50 and Highest Hand of the Night. Space will be limited – Online Registration opens mid-December… or possibly sooner (a birdie — wait, this isn’t a golf tournament — tells me you could probably test the registration system on the website).
Volunteers will be needed to help. Sign up at https://volunteersignup.org/XBD3M .
5. JANUARY MEMBERSHIP MEETING MINUTES
Date: Sunday, January 8, 2023, at TAS
Presiding: President Larry Pfefer
Members Present: Larry Pfefer (President), Hal Bass (Secretary), Les Birken, Steve Cole, Daniel Faigin, Scott Gore (VP), Brian Hatkoff, Larry Hoffman (VP), Al Lapides, Bob Levine, Roger Lowe (Treasurer), Joel Lowell, Barry Mann, Howard Miller (Past President), Chuck Mondrus, Jeff Neiman, Russ Rapoport, Bill Shapiro, Mike Thornhill, Scott Yollis
Coffee & Breakfast: Bob Levine, Roger Lowe, Mike Thornhill, Scott Yollis
Questions of the Day: New Year’s resolutions. Favorite ways to unwind. What warning label would you give to others about yourself?
President’s Report:
Larry shared notes of appreciation from several of the December 17 Adult B’nai Mitzvot for their gifts of tallit clips from MoTAS and Sisterhood.
The MoTAS Annual Appeal is now accepting contributions. [To get a head start, visit http://support.tasnorthridge-motas.org/]
Bob Levine reminded people to purchase Super Bowl squares. Payment to MoTAS can be made by Zelle, Venmo, credit card or check.
The sanctuary streaming system is being leased from an outside firm for $18,000 per annum. Two-year contract. Goes online on January 13 with three functioning cameras and two additional cameras planned. MoTAS has agreed to contribute $1,500 to $2,000 toward the new system.
Five A/C units of the 31 on campus are in immediate need of replacement.
Access control will go into effect within the next 60 days.
Al Lapides said a monitor will be placed in the foyer for announcements.
DWP will replace at no charge multiple lighting sources around the campus with LED bulbs.
Barry Mann said we have no Dining Does Good eatery for January, but he welcomes suggestions for future venues.
Larry Hoffman reminded attendees about this afternoon’s Game Day. About 10 people have signed up.
Roger Lowe’s Treasurer’s Report as of 1/4/2023
- (see emailed Weekly)
New Business:
Alzheimer’s & Memory Loss, Part 2: “Healthy Brain Habits: Reducing the Risk of Alzheimer’s,” Wednesday, January 18, noon-1:30 pm.
The Annual Men’s Shabbat will take place Friday evening, January 20. Bob Levine is handling the arrangements. It is at this service that our 2023 MoTAS Man of the Year will be introduced.
Men of the Year Dinner at the Olive Garden in Northridge, Sunday, January 29, 5:30 pm. Honorees are MoTAS Men of the Year for 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023: Les Birken, Hal Bass, Mike Rayfield, and our 2023 Man of the Year to be named at the January 20 Men’s Shabbat.
TAS Mitzvah Day: Sunday, February 5. Interested in participating? Contact Education Director Chelsea Rabinovitz.
A sign-up sheet was distributed for volunteers to assist at the Annual Texas Hold’em Poker Tournament, Sunday evening, February 19, at TAS.
Brian Hatkoff said the MRJ dinner to honor Men of the Year from Reform congregations throughout Southern California will take place at Temple Beth David of Westminster, Saturday evening, March 18.
Men of Reform Judaism 2023 Meeting: Per MRJ VP Brian Hatkoff, plans are shaping up for an exciting and spiritually uplifting gathering in Providence, RI, from Thursday, June 22 till noon Sunday, June 25. Among the guest speakers will be Rhode Island Rep. David Cicilline, one of the leaders of the House Democratic Caucus and member of a Reform temple in Providence.
Adjournment and Next MoTAS Meeting: The next MoTAS membership meeting will take place at the temple, Sunday, February 12, 2023, at 9 am. To attend in person, everyone must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 and boosted.
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. Join the MoTAS Google Group at https://groups.google.com/g/tas-motas (you may need to be logged into your Google account, if you have one). Come be part of the Men of Temple Ahavat Shalom!
Men of Temple Ahavat Shalom 