Jun 22, 2021 | Adult Education
TWO Classes:
Introduction to Kabbalah
Wednesday evenings, July 14th, 21st, and 28th at 7:00 p.m.
Children of Abraham: Comparing Judaism, Christianity, and Islam
Wednesday evenings, August 4th, 11th, 18th, and 25th at 7:00 p.m.
Via Zoom: Rabbi Lotker’s Zoom Room – https://zoom.us/j/8190896166
“Introduction to Kabbalah” (July 14, 21, 28)
A three-week exploration of the world of Kabbalah we will explore the simple (is it kabb-a-LAH or ka-BAL-ah?) to the deep (how does the interpretation of word echad in the Shema affect our understanding of God’s nature and our relationship with God). Learn about the history and practices of Kabbalah. There will be time for questions and discussions. CLASS ONE: An Introduction to some of the key ideas about Kabbalah and its interesting history. CLASS 2: Introduction to the central text of Kabbalah, The Zohar which is a work of pseudepigrapha (don’t know what that means? Come and find out!). Discuss the 10 Sefirot, the world of Gematria, the mystical names of God and more. CLASS THREE: Explore Lurrianic Kabbalah, the Soul, Angels, Hasidim and focus on enhancing Jewish spirituality.
Children of Abraham: Comparing Judaism, Christianity and Islam.(August 4, 11, 18, 25)
About half the people of the world worship the God of Abraham as members of faith traditions that trace themselves back 4000 years to this inspired individual. In four classes, Rabbi Lotker will introduce these three faiths with a special emphasis on their similarities and differences. Read texts from the Hebrew Bible, the Christian Scripture and the Koran relating to the Garden of Eden, Abraham, Moses, and others to help understand the fascinating history and theology that shape our worlds to this day. Explore differences in beliefs, historical origins and the reasons behind historical and current conflicts. Take a detailed look at Holy Neighborhood of Jerusalem and the sacred sites to be found there.
Will the sessions be recorded? Yes and they will be sent to you by email and also posted on my YouTube channel.
Is There a Fee? No, the classes are sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Ventura County and Joel & Barbara Aaronson & The Affordable Living Choices Trust in my role as Community Rabbi. You can donate to them here at https://www.jewishventuracounty.org/ways-to-give.
How do I register? Simply Email Rabbi Lotker lotker@aol.com (you will get class reminders and alerts of changes -if any)
Can Bring a Friend? Sure! Just pass along this e-mail
Many Jews are surprised to learn that Judaism has always held that there is something beyond the grave – a life in the “world to come.” We just don’t know (or teach) the details because no one has come back to tell us and because Judaism’s focus is on this life. In this class, we will explore the wide range of authentic Jewish beliefs about the afterlife and how these beliefs have affected Jewish traditions of burial and mourning. In our sessions we will examine what the Bible has to say, the Rabbinic and Talmudic thoughts and commentaries, the amazing world of medieval commentary, mystical and kabbalistic insights and well as what modern thinkers contribute. We will also explore the world of Jewish funeral and mourning customs and their origins.
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Jun 15, 2021 | ECC Event
How to Register:
Temple Adat Elohim, Early Childhood Center, or Infant Center Current Members:
Follow these simple steps!
- Go to www.adatelohim.org and select “login” (even if you forgot/don’t know your password – the email address is the one we have on file)
- If you know your email and password combo enter the information. If you forgot/don’t know your password select “forgot password” and follow the prompts.
- After you login, select the “My Enrollments” box.
- Then, find “Early Childhood Center 2021-2022 Open for Enrollments.”
- Select “Enroll Now” and follow the prompts to complete the enrollment information.
- Last, remember to select “Complete Enrollment.”
- Check your email for and automated message confirming your enrollment.
- Click here to complete a New Student Packet.
NEW FAMILIES:
Email Donna Becker for a tour or to receive the Registration Forms.
Jun 9, 2021 | Uncategorized
DRUG ADDICTION IS A FAMILY DISEASE
While our nation is in the midst of an epidemic of drug addiction, the addict’s family and friends are also victims as their lives are encompassed with the question of “What To Do?”
As there are recovery programs for the addicts, there are also programs for the families and friends as well. The Nar-Anon Family Group is a worldwide non-profit organization with a program designed for those who have known a feeling of desperation concerning the addiction problem of a loved one. When you join a Nar-Anon Family Group, you are no longer alone, but among true friends who understand your problem as few others could.
We are fortunate to have a Nar-Anon Family group in Thousand Oaks, CA. It meets every Thursday evening at 7:30 to 9:00 pm on Zoom due to Covid. (previously at Temple Adat Elohim). There are no dues or fees.
Not only will you find comfort being with people who share their own experiences strength and hope, but you will be introduced to literature that will help guide you in this journey with addiction.
There are no professionals or experts in our meetings. There are only other members who have struggled with the addiction problem of someone they love. All members are treated with respect, confidence, and anonymity. What you hear stays within the walls of the meeting rooms
Please join us at Nar-Anon on a Thursday evening of your choice if a friend or family member is experiencing a problem with addiction. For further information and our Zoom Link please contact Jack at (805) 852-5333, Michelle at (818) 620-0566, or Jannice at (818) 522-6259
Jun 3, 2021 | Social Action
May 4, 2021 | Social Action
Did you know that in addition to low-income housing, Many Mansions provides many great services such as summer camp for their residents?
This year summer camp will be held virtually to keep their children and teens engaged and connected. The children will be engaged in arts, crafts, and more!
“Due to the current circumstances, Children Services will not be able to hold in-person Summer Camp this year. Instead, they are working diligently to create a virtual Summer Camp to keep our children and teens engaged and to ensure we are staying connected and supporting them as much as possible during this time. They will be sending home weekly packets for arts, crafts, and activities that we have prepared and that we will be demonstrating with them online. There are seven themed weeks planned that the children are very excited for.”
They also provide theme-based raffle prize baskets for participating children.
Apr 29, 2021 | Uncategorized
JAETY & AETY (6th-12th graders)
Jurassic World at AMC, Thousand Oaks
Saturday, March 20th, from 7:15-10:00 p.m.
- Cost: $5.00 members and $15.00 non-members (includes a movie ticket, popcorn, and a drink).
- Mask required at all times except when eating.
- Space is limited in the theater so RSVP before we run out of room!
- RSVP HERE by May 14th.
- Questions? Email Carolyn, Youth Advisor, here.
MAETY & JAETY (4th-8th grades)
Trolls World Tour at AMC, Thousand Oaks
Saturday, May 22nd, from 7:15 – 9:30 p.m.
- Cost: $5.00 members and $15.00 non-members (includes a movie ticket, popcorn, and a drink).
- Mask required at all times except when eating.
- Space is limited in the theater so RSVP before we run out of room!
- RSVP HERE by May 21st.
- Questions? Email Carolyn, Youth Advisor, here.
Apr 26, 2021 | Adult Education
What Happens After I Die? – Jewish Views of the Afterlife
When: Wednesday evenings, May 26th, June 2nd, and June 9th at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Rabbi Lotker’s Zoom Room – https://zoom.us/j/8190896166
Will the sessions be recorded? Yes and they will be sent to you by email and also posted on my YouTube channel.
Is There a Fee? No, the classes are sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Ventura County and Joel & Barbara Aaronson & The Affordable Living Choices Trust in my role as Community Rabbi. You can donate to them here at https://www.jewishventuracounty.org/ways-to-give.
How do I register? Simply Email Rabbi Lotker lotker@aol.com (you will get class reminders and alerts of changes -if any)
Can Bring a Friend? Sure! Just pass along this e-mail
Many Jews are surprised to learn that Judaism has always held that there is something beyond the grave – a life in the “world to come.” We just don’t know (or teach) the details because no one has come back to tell us and because Judaism’s focus is on this life. In this class, we will explore the wide range of authentic Jewish beliefs about the afterlife and how these beliefs have affected Jewish traditions of burial and mourning. In our sessions we will examine what the Bible has to say, the Rabbinic and Talmudic thoughts and commentaries, the amazing world of medieval commentary, mystical and kabbalistic insights and well as what modern thinkers contribute. We will also explore the world of Jewish funeral and mourning customs and their origins.
.
Apr 20, 2021 | Uncategorized
This recipe is intended to make about 20 ¼ matzah spring rolls. All the filling and spices are suggestions, so please experiment and season to taste.
Ingredient List:
5 whole matzah
¼ green cabbage
¼ onion
1½ carrots
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon Yoshida sauce
2 eggs
Ginger root – 15 to 20 grams
Directions:
1. One hour before starting, take the whole matzah and wet them liberally on both sides.
2. Make a pile of the wet matzah and wrap them in a dish towel. Check the matzah after about 30 minutes and see that they are getting soft. If needed, wet them again.
3. Dice the onion and cabbage and set aside.
4. Peel and grate the carrots and ginger root and set aside.
5. Combine all vegetable ingredients in pan and sauté in oil until soft.
6. Add salt, pepper, soy sauce, and Yoshida sauce while sautéing and mix the vegetables.
7. Taste as you go along and season to your liking.
8. Once sautéed, remove from pan and let cool for a few minutes. This will be the spring roll filling.
9. Heat another pan and fill with about ½” of oil.
10. Cut soft matzah carefully into ¼ pieces.
11. Wisk two eggs in a bowl. Add a tablespoon of water to dilute it slightly. You can also add a teaspoon of salt or lightly season to taste. The egg will be used as a binder to keep the spring rolls together.
12. Place some filling on a ¼ piece of matzah and roll it. It is best to go with the grain to make it easier to roll.
13. Dip the spring roll in the egg and place it with the seam side down in the pan with oil.
14. Flip the spring roll when it is browned.
15. Once both sides are browned evenly, take out and put on a plate with a paper towel to absorb the excess oil
Apr 20, 2021 | Uncategorized
INGREDIENTS:
4 large apples, Granny Smith or any tart apple, cored and cut into medium dice
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1/4 cup orange juice
6 plain matzahs
8 eggs
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup (8 tablespoons) butter or margarine, melted
1 cup golden raisins
1 cup dried apricots, medium, chopped
4 tablespoons butter or margarine, cut into small pieces, for casserole topping
PREPARATION:
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. Toss the apples with the brown sugar and orange juice, set aside in a medium bowl.
3. Break the matzoh into 2- to 3-inch pieces and soak in 1 cup of warm water until soft but not mushy.
4. Set aside.
5. While the matzoh soaks, beat the eggs with a wire whisk in a large bowl until blended. Add the
6. salt, sugar, cinnamon, melted butter, raisins, and apricots.
7. Squeeze the liquid from the softened matzoh and add the matzoh to the egg mixture with the
8. apples. Stir the kugel well and pour into a lightly greased 2 1/2-quart casserole dish or a 10×14-inch pan. Dot the top of the kugel with the 4 tablespoons of butter.
9. Bake the kugel for 1 hour. Cover the top with foil if the top begins to become too brown early in the baking. Remove the kugel from the oven and cool to room temperature.
Apr 20, 2021 | Temple Event
Join Lois Roman, trustee of the Memorial Scrolls Trust, as she discusses the history of the Czech Scroll, the most ancient Torah scroll in our temple’s ark.
Sunday, May 16th, at 7:00 p.m.
Followed by a Yizkor (memorial) service led by
Rabbi Diamond and Cantor Shukiar
7:00 p.m. – Lois Roman of the Memorial Scroll Trust will speak, followed by a Q&A
8:00/8:15 p.m. – (immediately following) – Yizkor Click here to join the Zoom room
About Lois Roman
Lois Roman is a Trustee of the Memorial Scrolls Trust (MST), and serves as the US Representative based on the East Coast. The Memorial Scrolls Trust is a London based non-profit which oversees the legacy of 1,564 Czech Torah scrolls that survived the Shoah. After a miraculous story of survival, these scrolls arrived in London and were dispersed on permanent loan to caring communities around the world. Lois began her involvement with MST several years ago following a long career on Wall Street as a money manager. She has a degree from Brandeis University and an MBA from Columbia Business School.
The Czech Scroll Story: from WWII to the Diaspora
A series of miracles allowed a huge hoard of Czech Torah scrolls to survive the devastation of the Shoah and stand as a testament to the communities that perished. The Memorial Scrolls Trust is committed to maintaining the legacy of these scrolls by dispersing 1400 of them around the world on permanent loan from our collection. To those who were entrusted with the scrolls, they are a symbol of hope as well as sorrow. The hope pushed forward an ongoing mission. We believe these Czech scrolls should be reinstituted in Jewish life as a memorial to the vanished communities which once treasured them. The Memorial Scrolls Trust bears witness to the fulfillment of this hope. Let us teach our children about the world of miracles and let us use the scrolls to remind people about what binds them together everyday.
Read about the holiday of Shavuot here.
