Rabbi’s Column . I’m writing this in November, anticipating the rains of 2016.

I’m told that we’re in for quite a ride. It might even rain on our parade. And I’m thinking that we’ll finally have a season different from summer/fall!

I don’t mind the monotony of our weather. It’s like in Hawaii: “Another day in paradise.” And people throughout the rest of America (at least the Northwest and the East Coast) are rightfully jealous.

But El Nino, if it is as big a deal as its press clippings, should be an entire season of torrential downpours. Which means we Angelenos will exper-ience an entire season so very different from almost every one before it!

And we’ll emerge at the end of the season with a newfound appreciation for our monotonous pleasant weather as well as reservoirs filled with water, pools overflowing, and maybe with a front lawn or two washed down the road, coming to a rest on a neighbors newly-developed pre-El Nino desert landscape.

The test will be how Judaism survives the rainy season. Angelenos are notoriously bad rainy-day citizens. A sprinkle snarls all freeways. An hours’ rain produces enough fender benders to delight auto repair shops everywhere. Will people stop attending services? Will adult ed classes suffer? Will family/friend Shabbat dinners be cancelled? What will happen to synagogue programs? Fund-raisers? Concerts?

My friends in New York seem to be able to soldier on despite blizzards and snow storms.

But we’re not used to rain! Our windshield wipers are from the Clinton administration. Our sprinkler system is programmed to water our lawns three times a week, and we won’t know how to turn them off! Our new solar panels won’t see sunshine for months–what will happen then?

So, here’s where this is going: when you wake up on a Saturday morning, rain washing over your neighborhood, eyelids heavy from lack of sleep (after all–thunder, lightning, leaky roof), with thoughts of rolling over in bed for just a few minutes, know this:

Our services will continue, come Hell or high water! Same with our tishes. And all our other programming.

I’ll be there (b’lee neder!). So will Bonnie. And all the other hearty members of our congregation. Our new rainy season will challenge us all. But remember the words of a popular Israeli song: Hayamim holfim, shanah overet, aval hamangina tamid nisheret.

“Seasons change, the year passes, but the melody remains.” As do people who sing the melody!

Have a wonderful Hanukkah, a Happy New Year, and I’ll see you next year. Rabbi David Vorspan

Shabbat services at de Toledo High School

Saturday, December 5 - 10:30 am Birthday Shabbat Saturday, December 19 - 10:30 am Anniversary Shabbat

Annual Congregation Meeting Wednesday, Dec. 2, 8:00 pm

at de Toledo High School All Shir Ami members are encour- aged to attend and participate in the election of officers for 2016.

Around the Rabbi’s Tisch Thursdays, Dec. 3 and 10 7:30 pm at the Vorspans’

Our 5776 season of Rabbi’s weekly discussion continues. Call Rabbi at (818) 888-9817 or see flyer.

Annual Chanukah Dinner Wednesday, Dec. 9, 6:30 pm Temple Ramat Zion See article on page 2 and flyer.

Soc. Action Chanukah Party Friday, Dec. 11, 1:00 pm West Valley Healthcare Center

See article on page 4.

Torah and Shabbat Study Saturday, Dec. 12, 10:30 am Northidge Mobile Home Park Stan Schroeder leads our monthly study and discussion session. See article on page 5 and flyer.

Theatre: Love Letters Sunday, Dec. 20, 2:00 pm Home of Barbara Grubman Barbara and Jack Kutcher present Broadway play. See article on page 9 and flyer.

Shir Notes The Official Newsletter of Congregation Shir Ami Volume 13, Number 10, December 2015. Affiliated with United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism

Events of the Month

Visit our website: www.shirami.com

Chanukah Dinner Wed., December 9 at TRZ by Sherry Dollins, Chairperson Make sure your reserva- tion, payment enclosed, is received by Monday, November 30th. See flyer. Join us at the annual Shir Ami Chanukah Dinner as we celebrate together at 6:30 pm in the Social Hall of Temple Ramat Zion in Northridge. We will once again enjoy a delicious catered holiday dinner of brisket, latkes, applesauce, roasted vegetables, fruit, beverage and dessert. Bring your Chanukiah and candles for the community holiday candle lighting and join us as we sing and celebrate this joyous holiday together. A highlight of the evening will be Rabbi’s presentation of a special Chanukah story. Let’s make this our most memorable Chanukah Dinner yet.

President’s Report Shalom and Happy Chanukah, Before we get into the Chanukah season, we must pause to give a yasher koach to everyone who contributed to our successful Mitzvah Day. When we piled the backpacks we had filled, we had a veritable Mount Sinai. We filled enough back-packs for School-on-Wheels to make the Day a rousing success. As always, the combined efforts of our Social Action Committee, as well as our congregation members continue to establish that Congregation Shir Ami is “the little schul that does.” The first order of business for December is our annual members meeting on December 2. And, we’re moving again! That is, we are moving our annual members meeting from the Farber Lounge at de Toledo High School to the Judaica library where we conduct our Shabbat Services. The various committee vice-presidents will be recapping our past year and keep you clued in on what’s coming up. We will also be electing a new Board of Directors and Officers and there is always room for YOU (and you know who you are) on the Board. If you’ve always wanted to show off your creative writing streak, the board is still looking to fill the office of Secretary, with benefits! Speaking of what’s coming up, we will be celebrating Chaunukah with our annual Chanukah Dinner at Temple Ramat Zion on December 9. Since the deadline for reservations is November 30, I’m sure you have all made your reservations. But no reservations are needed for our Shabbat Services! And you’re always welcome at our adult education program, “Around the Rabbi’s Tisch (and on the Rebbitzen’s Chairs).” Even as 2015 begins to wind down, our Congregation activities go on and on. Come along for the ride! Again, a Happy Chanukah as we go forward into 2016 As always, if you have any questions or want to provide your input, please feel free to email me at JDPistol@aol.com. Thank you. Jordan Pistol, President

page 2 December 2015

2016 Shir Ami Officers and Board Nominees President: Jordan Pistol Executive Vice President: Ken Bereny Treasurer: Mike Easley Secretary: [Your name could be here.] Program VPs: Sherry Dollins Ellen Fremed Membership VP: Helga Unkeless Ritual VP: Stan Schroeder Social Action VP: Fran Kobulnick Ways & Means VPs: Sherry Dollins Ellen Fremed Board of Directors: Owen Delman Barbara Grubman Sheilah Hart Esther Perez

Mailbox Congregation Shir Ami Leon Nachenberg, How fortunate we are to have supporters like you. We are honored that once again, you have given so generously of your time and spirit in providing 180 brand new backpacks for our homeless students. All the backpacks, wonderfully filled to the brim and donated by congregrants of Shir Ami, are in the process of being distributed to our students. We featured Congregation Shir Ami in our October newsletter and currently on our website blog: www.schoolonwheels.org/yom-kippur-joyful-thanks/ Thank you for your ongoing support and caring so much about School on Wheels and the homeless students we serve. With deep appreciation, Catherine Meek Executive Director

Congregational News Get well wishes rafuah schleimah to: Ann Potell Stan Schroeder May they be blessed with a complete recovery in body and spirit. Note: Frank Locascio and Lee Dollins are examples of the success of this column and your prayers.

Congregation Shir Ami Tribute Cards Thanks to Phyllis Schroeder for sending your cards celebrating simchas and conveying your get- well and condolence messages. She is creative with individualized, artistic cards that include a message and color graphics. Call her at (818) 718-7466. Minimum donation of $5 per card is appreciated.

Yahrzeits Doris Beck for Evelyn Silverman Ben Bloom for Linda Bloom Rose Chaplan for Abraham Chaplan Ellen Fremed for Red Sosso Sam and Gerry Hochberg for Chaim Hochberg and Gertrude Salle Edwin and Lorraine Orens for Vera Orens Edward and Roz Schackman for Ruth Levine Ed and Fay Schneier for Roz Abrams Irving Strassner for Fannie Strassner Fiona Taylor for Sheena Mendoza Armand and Rae Wazana for Messoda Wazana Ann and Seymour Potell for Herb Potell Birthdays Lew Silverman Dan Simansky Armand Wazana

page 3 December 2015

DONATIONS Congregation Shir Ami wishes to acknowledge the following donations:

Birthdays & Anniversaries Birthdays Jordan Pistol................................. (omitted last month). Harvey Tapper............................... Davida Tydings............................. Rae Wazana................................. Rabbi David Vorspan.................... Becky Finlay.................................. Steve Spetner............................... Andrea Nachenberg....................... Fran Friedman.............................. Mark Hyman................................. Laura Simon.................................

Anniversaries Ellie and Jerry Zatz........................ Ann and Seymour Potell................ Mariana and Lee Stark.................. Barbara and Neil Hattem...............

11/8 12/2 12/8 12/8 12/9 12/14 12/20 12/24 12/25 12/25 12/25 12/6 55th 12/9 64th 12/10 36th 12/29 40th

$

We need a new Tribute Card Chair Please call Phyllis at (818) 718-7466 if you are interested.

Operation Gratitude and Project MOT by Charlene Kazel Thanks to everyone for your generosity in donating all the books and writing all the beautiful cards. Our count for the year so far is: Operation Gratitude Project MOT: 462 books 9 books 232 cards 123 cards 106 magazines We have a request from Project MOT for LARGE PRINT crosswotd puzzle, Sudoku puzzle, and word search books. I wish everyone a very Happy Chanu- kah and a wonderful New Year.

page 4 December 2015

Social Action Committee Our thanks go to Rabbi Vorspan and Congregation Shir Ami, family, and friends for their emotional and financial support in making Mitzvah Day so success-ful. Behind every success story are the people who truly worked hard at making our dream become a reality. To Leon Nachenberg and Mike Easley, our Co-chairs, go thanks for their commitment to helping with this special day. Several on our Committee did the shopping and schlepping necessary for the project. To our entire Committee and our families, go thanks for their support of this important community mitzvah project. 65 people attended our Mitzvah Day this year. We donated 180 filled-to-the-brim new backpacks, stacked beautifully by Armand Wazana for our group picture [See pictures on page 8] to School on Wheels. One of their coordinators spoke about their many projects. And thanks to Michael Opell of Temple Judea who again arranged for us to have our own space in the Social Hall with free coffee and muffins. Rae Wazana led us in a new art project for Jewish World Watch to be displayed at the annual JWW Walk on Sunday, March 13. Around 100 uniquely designed hands were created at Mitzvah Day. Sam Kobulnick arranged for Mr. Shin, Store Manager of Tarzana Walgreens to provide a Free Flu Shot Program for both Shir Ami and Temple Judea on Mitzvah Day. At last count 40-50 shots were given that day. You can still come into the Tarzana Walgreen's on Ventura Blvd, one block west of Reseda, to get your free flu shot. Please mention Sam when going there. Thanks to Lisa Hart (Sheilah’s daughter) who brought many beautiful cards to be written and sent to our military. We write cards all year for Operation Gratitude and Project MOT, as well as collect new and gently used books for our military. Charlene Kazel is our coordinator for these projects. Our Committee is now collecting Target $10 gift cards for the women and child- ren in the Domestic Violence shelters we help sponsor for the holidays. Be as generous as possible because we want to give each woman and each child their own card to purchase something they need or want. Many of the residents in the Shelters left their violent situation with only the clothes on their backs. Please mail the cards to Fran

Kobulnick or give them to a Committee member at Shabbat services and temple events. You may also arrange for a member to buy cards with advance payment. We will give them to the Domestic Violence shelters during Hanukkah. Our Committee will be going to West Valley Healthcare Center, 7057 Shoup Ave. in West Hills, for our annual Shabbat and Hanukkah latke celebration on Friday, December 11 at 1:00 pm. Besides the Shabbat blessings, we will light the Hanukkah candles, spin dreidls, have a latke party, share dessert and then give each resident a special holiday gift. Claire Silverman will lead us in a sing-along. Everyone is welcome to join us in this special Mitzvah project. We are blessed to be able to visit the residents and bring them so much happiness with our visits. Our annual Linen Shabbat will be at de Toledo High School Saturday, Jan. 23 at 10:15 am to benefit the Domestic Violence shelters we help sponsor. See flyer with this Shir Notes. On a personal note, I thank you for your support and get well wishes. As you know, doing mitzvah projects with you is just what the doctor ordered. I look forward to seeing you very soon. Fran Kobulnick, Social Action Vice President

page 5 December 2015

Jewish World Watch by Rae Wazana On Mitzvah Day this past November 1st, many of our Shir Ami members partici- pated in a Jewish World Watch art project to bring awareness to a very serious problem concerning Darfuri suvivors living in refugee camps in Chad. We cut out hands from card-stock paper and decorated them to show HELP AND NOURISHMENT FOR DARFURI SURVIVORS (“HANDS”). We made about 80 of these “HANDS” for a JWW program called “Restore 2100”. This is a movement to bring attention to a critical situation taking place in the refugee camps in Chad where Darfuri survivors, men, women, and children have had their food rations severely cut to well below 2100 calories per person, per day. Some refugees are surviving for an entire day on 500-800. The decorated Hands and messages of support will be displayed at 2016 Walks to End Genocide. Congregation Shir Ami has a Walk Team registered on-line to participate at one of these Walks in the Conejo Valley( Thousand Oaks) on Sunday, March 13, 2016. We encourage you to join our Team as a walker or to make a donation to JWW to help support our Team efforts. Fiona Taylor and Rae Wazana are co-captains for the 2016 Shir Ami Walk Team. If you have any questions, please call me at (818) 881-5549 or the JWW office at (818) 501-1836. The website to register for our Shir Ami Walk team or make a donation is: www.conejovalley.walktoendgenocide.org Thank you for your continuing support of Jewish World Watch and for not standing idly by!

Ritual Committee As 2015 comes to a close (where has the year gone?) it is time, as a congregation, to count our blessings. Here is my list: Shabbat services: Our twice monthly Contemporary service led by Rabbi David Vorspan and featuring Torah Reader Rebbetzin Bonnie Vorspan, includes sharing what we are thankful for before the Amidah prayer. I have the privilege of ending the sharing by telling of some Jewish event or person that has enriched our lives. Rabbi’s commentary on the Torah portion leads to a lesson and discussion of how it can be applied to our lives. We conclude with an upbeat Adon Olam and a Kiddush for shmoozing. Everyone is invited to sing and pray with us. Thanks to Claire Silverman, Jacquie Gordon, Sheilah Hart, Helga Unkeless, and Judy Eisikowitz for setting up and cleaning up and Jerry Gort and Phyllis Schroeder for making and bringing coffee. Around the Rabbi’s Tisch (and on the Rebbetzin’s chairs): We spend 20 Thursday nights per year in the Vorspan dining room discussing the Rabbi’s selected Jewish wisdom and writings and viewing current events from a Jewish perspective. It is an hour of learning, humor, and comraderie. All members are invited to participate and enjoy. See flyer for more details. Torah/Shabbat Study with Stan Schroeder: We spend one Saturday morning per month discussing the weekly Torah portion, the Shabbat prayers that are included in our Contemporary service, and various subjects relevant to Conservative Judaism. Our small group reads a synopsis of the parshah of the week and commentaries by rabbis and scholars to help us understand how the timeless Torah can lead to a more meaningful Jewish life in our time. See flyer for more details. Shir Notes, our monthly newsletter: You are reading Shir Ami’s Sollie gold medal award-winning newsletter that I have been editing, publishing, and writing articles for eight years. I hope it keeps you abreast of our services and events and provides interesting and entertaining reading. Thanks to Rabbi Vorspan, Jordan Pistol, Owen Delman, Fiona Taylor, Fran Kobulnick, Charlene Kazel, Rae Wazana, Sherry Dollins, and Mike Easley for their contributions through the years. Hag Sameach Chanukah, Stan Schroeder, Ritual Vice President

2015 Shir Ami Walk Team

international level in Israel every four years, the year following the Olympic Games. Most traditional Olympic sports are included. Some additional “sports” include bridge, chess, golf, and bowling. There is also competition in junior (15 – 18 year-old), masters (35 or 40 and over, depending on event), and para-olympic categories.

The first Maccabiah was held in the spring of 1932, in Tel Aviv, a city of 50,000 residents. Israel’s first sport stadium was completed there, barely in time for the Games. The Maccabiah was opened by a colorful parade through the streets of Tel Aviv led by Mayor Meir Dizengoff riding a white horse. 390 athletes from 18 countries attend, including 69 participants from Egypt and Syria. The U.S. delegation was the smallest – only ten participants. Poland, Austria and the United States finishes 1-2-3 in team medals won. The Maccabiah stirred an athletic spirit throughout Palestine and inspired the development of sports in the Holy Land. The 19th Maccabiah took place July 18 to 30, 2013. The 19th Maccabiah games brought together 7500 athletes, making it the third largest inter- national sporting event in the worldafter the Olympic Games and FIFA World Cup. The Maccabiah held competitions in 42 disci-plines in 34 sports. A number of new sports were introduced or brought back including Archery, Eques-trian and Handball; Ice Hockey was brought back for the first time since 1997. Israel won the most medals, 855 (285 gold), followed by the U.S., 317 (103 gold).

In keeping with its Mission to perpetuate and preserve the American Jewish community by encouraging Jewish pride, strengthening Jewish bonds, and by creating a heightened awareness of Israel and Jewish identity, Maccabi USA established a Pre-Camp in Israel in 1989, including B'nai Mitzvah and touring of Israel. The organization has used the athletic competition to promote Judaism and Israel with American youth.

We see the evolution of the miracle in the examples of Modi'in-Maccabim-Re'ut and the Maccabi movement. Whereas the biblical/historical holiday teaches us miracles performed by God to protect and perpetuate the Jewish people, the miracles of modern Israel and Jews everywhere teach us the process is ongoing, and we must do our part.

See my Hanukkah poem on page 7.

page 6 December 2015 Modi’in and the Maccabees: Then and Now by Stan Schroeder As we enter the Hanukkah season, I reflect on the stories of miracles we tell as we celebrate the holiday and the reality of the miracle of the Jewish State of Israel. We read from the first Book of Maccabees about the Jewish revolt against Antiochus IV Epiphanes, ruler of the Seleucid Empire, who issued decrees in 167 BCE banning Jewish practices such as sacrifice and circumcision. When Antiochus’ emissaries went to Modi’in to enforce the decrees, Mattathias, a high priest, killed a Hellenistic Jew who stepped forward to offer a sacrifice to an idol. Mattathias and his five sons fled to the wilderness. The short version of the story is that Mattathias died the following year, and Judah, one of his sons, led a small army of Jewish dissidents to victory, over the vastly larger Syrian army of the Seleucid dynasty, using guerrilla warfare. Judah and his followers became known as the Maccabees, derived from the Aramaic word for hammer. After the victory, the Maccabees entered Jerusalem in triumph in 164 BCE and ritually cleansed the Temple, reestablishing traditional Jewish worship there, and installing Jonathan Maccabee as high priest. More than 400 years later the rabbis of the Talmud elaborated on the story to state that one small cruse of oil lasted eight days, enabling the menorah to stay lit while more ritually pure oil could be obtained. Today Modi'in-Maccabim-Re'ut is a city in the Center District of Israel; it is located roughly halfway between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. It was formed by the merger of Modi'in and Maccabim-Re'ut in 2003. According to the Israel Central Bureau of Statistics the city's 2009 population was 72,700. It is a modern planned city, and the highest standards of urban planning, environmental concern, and planning for future growth were taken into consideration during its design. Large green spaces were incorporated into the city's layout and comprise half of the area within the city limits. The long term projection of the Ministry of Housing is for the city to be home to 240,000 residents, thus becoming one of the largest localities in Israel. The name “Maccabee” has been adapted to become the Maccabi or Maccabiah Games, an Olympic style competition for Jewish athletes. (This is ironic since the Olympic Games originated in Greece, and glorified the very culture the revolting Jews opposed.) It is held at an

THE MIRACLES OF HANUKKAH For well over a century The culture in Israel was Greek. The Jews adapted to a way of life, Form and beauty to seek.

For many years it wasn’t hard To follow the Torah laws. But then an edict was issued That caused some Jews to pause

In the Temple Antiochus IV, An altar to Zeus erected. Jewish worship was forbidden, And many Jews defected. Soldiers went to the town of Modin, And forced the Jews to bow. Though many decided to obey, Mattathius said, “No way, No how!”

He killed one Jew for bowing down And the soldier who gave the order. Then fled to the hills with his sons, To the other side of the border

There they launched swift attacks; The Syrians were in disarray. Mattathius died the following year, And his sons continued the fray.

page 7 December 2015

Fran Friedman, Our Sunshine Lady We are indeed blessed to have Fran Friedman to brighten the lives of those of us in need of healing or just a cheery voice at the other end of the phone line. She calls us to offer her prayers and encouragement and let us know there is someone who cares about us. If you want to be on her list, or know someone who needs her healing energy, call her at (818) 514-6994. Fran is also in touch with former members and family of Temple Beth Ami. One such person is Barbara Moses, widow of Cantor Tibor Moses z”l, who was hazzan at Beth Ami for 16 years. Many people remember the Moseses fondly from those years. Fran says that Barbara would like to be in touch with Beth Ami-ites. She can be reached at 12324 North Golf Drive Her phone is Mequon, WI 53092 (212) 236-0126

The next year, 165 BCE The battle had been won. And in Jerusalem the Cleansing of the Temple begun.

Then came the celebration, Eight days of sacrifice and song. The Holy Lamp burned anew, A symbol of right over wrong.

Some 600 years later The rabbis of the Talmud said Oil that should last a single day Burned for eight days instead.

A miracle straight from God Enabled the rededication. A manifestation of the Light That He formed at His Creation.

So now we have two miracles, And we are free to choose Whether the Maccabeean victory or Menorah is more important as Jews.

I think they’re both important, Each miracle in its place. The victory is the province of man, The Menorah from God’s Grace.

Stan Schroeder

Hannukah in Jerusalem

page 8 December 2015

Pictures from Mitzvah Day at Temple Judea Sunday, November 1

Congregation Shir Ami Memorial Board

If you would like to honor the memory of your loved ones by dedicating plaques on our new Memorial Board, please call Sherry Dollins at (818) 886-7590 so she may mail you an order form. The cost of each plaque is $36. Each plaque may contain up to three lines of engraving: English name, Hebrew name, and the years of birth and death. Both of our Memorial Boards are displayed at all our services.

page 9 December 2015

TREE OF LIFE

This beautiful Tree of Life, with leaves priced at $100 and rocks at $250 (one remaining), makes a perfect way to celebrate family occasions and support Congregation Shir Ami. The Tree is on a rosewood background and consists of gold-colored leaves and rocks. It is displayed at all Congregation Shir Ami services and events. For more information or to place an order, call Sherry Dollins at (818) 886-7590.

Free Performance of Love Letters Dec. 20 Our own Barbara Grubman and former member Jack Kutcher will present their rendition of the Broadway play Love Letters at Barbara’s home Sunday afternoon, December 20. A unique and imaginative theatre piece which, in the words of the author A. R. Gurney, "needs no theatre, no lengthy rehearsal, no special set, no memorization of lines, and no commitment from its two actors beyond the night of performance." The piece is comprised of letters exchanged over a lifetime between two people who grew up together, went their separate ways, but continued to share confidences. As the actors read the letters aloud, what is created is an

evocative, touching, frequently funny but always telling pair of character studies in which what is implied is as revealing and meaningful as what is actually written down. Andrew Makepeace Ladd III and Melissa Gardner, both born to wealth and position, are childhood friends whose lifelong correspondence begins with birthday party thank-you notes and summer camp postcards. Romantically attached, they continue to exchange letters through the boarding school and college years—where Andy goes on to excel at Yale and law school, while Melissa flunks out of a series of "good schools." You won’t want to miss the surprising ending. Seee the flyer with this Shir Notes for more details and to make reservations.

Shop at Ralphs - Earn Money for Shir Ami by Maralyn Soifer Here is an easy way to earn money for our Temple. We are now officially a Ralphs’ community agency. All you have to do is follow these simple instructions to help earn money for Congregation Shir Ami. 1. If you don’t have a Ralph’s rewards card already,

go to the store or go to website www.ralphs.com and select Order a Ralphs reward card.

2. Once you have your card, go to the website: www.ralphs.com and select Create an account

3. If you have an account, your email address is your account ID. If you forgot your password, select Forgot your password? and you will receive an email with instructions to reset it. Follow the instructions to enter your email address and create a new password.

4. If you already have a Ralph’s reward card and an account, you will see Account Summary when you login. You can change to our Temple by clicking on Edit within Community Rewards.

Congregation Shir Ami P.O. Box 6353 Woodland Hills, CA 91365

page 10 December 2015

You can do a search for Congregation Shir Ami by putting in the number 92785. Our congrega-tion will pop up and click on the button next to the name. Click on the button that saves the changes.

5. You should also check the bottom of your receipt when you shop. It should say “At your request, Ralph’s is donating to CONGREGATION SHIR AMI”.

6. If all else fails, call me in the evening at (818) 704-0306. I’ll be happy to walk you through it.

7. Start Shopping! Make sure that the clerk swipes your card each time you shop. Verify that your receipt shows a contribution to Congregation Shir Ami at the bottom. Important Note: All participants must confirm their selection annually starting in September. On or after September 1, sign into your account and reconfirm Community Rewards selection.

Congregation Shir Ami Annual Chanukah Dinner Wednesday, December 9th at 6:30 pm

In the Social Hall at Temple Ramat Zion in Northridge

Enjoy delectable Brisket Luscious LATKES and APPLE SAUCE

ROASTED VEGETABLES FRUIT

BROWNIES and JELLY DOUGHNUTS

Come and share in a wonderful evening that will include great food (catered by the TRZ Men’s Club), songs and a

Chanukah story told by our own Rabbi Vorspan.

Bring your Chanukiah and candles for the community candle lighting

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chanukah Dinner Must R.S.V.P., with your enclosed check, by Monday, November 30th to

(Please note; reservations must be received by the R.S.V.P. date) Congregation Shir Ami

PO Box 6353, Woodland Hills, CA 91365 Adult(s) @ $21.00 ______ Sponsor(s) @ $25.00 _____

TOTAL ENCLOSED $ ______________ NAME___________________________________________ PHONE NUMBER___________________________________

Don't you just Love Letters by Barbara Joan Grubman

Forget the tweets, forget the twitters, ignore Facebook, the texting and the snapchat.

Experience the old fashioned joy of holding a real piece of paper with handwritten words on it. Complete words...... not L.O.L, or I.D.K.

Hurry and mark your calendars...by hand, that is! On Sunday, Dec. 20 at 2:00 pm (curtain at 2:30) Jack Kutcher and Barbara Joan Grubman will present a reading of the hit Broadway show, LOVE LETTERS, written by A. R. Gurney.

Jack and Barbara will be reading letters that were sent between Melissa and Andy, starting in the second grade at about 7 years old and continuing till they are both in their fifties. You'll laugh, you'll cry as you hear the words they wrote to one another, reminisce and catch up on news of their present lives. You will be touched by their sentiments and amused by their humor.

There will be a light repast after the show. And just for the fun of it, we are asking that you bring an object (any size is fine), that has something to do with love in your life. Looking foward to entertaining you on this grand journey we will be taking together.

Since the show will be presented in my Woodland Hills ranch home, there will be limited and comfortable seating for 50 people. Reservation deadline has been extended to December 13th. Now for the details.

PLACE: Home of Barbara Joan Grubman 4960 Winnetka Ave. Woodland Hills

To REPLY

CALL Barbara (818) 884-6236 or E-MAIL her at bgrubman@sbcglobal.net

Thursdays December 3 and 10, 7:30 - 8:30 pm “Around the Rabbi’s Tisch” at the Vorspans’

This popular Shir Ami educational series continues its 5776 season. Come join us for our weekly discussion of Rabbi Vorspan’s selected topics of Jewish interest. We discuss Jewish texts and current events as they relate to Jewish values and our lives as Jews. This is a unique opportunity to learn and share in an informal format around the Vorspans’ dining room table. The Vorspans’ home is located at 22320 Philiprimm St. in Woodland Hills. Call Rabbi Vorspan at (818) 888-9817 for more information.

Saturday December 12, 10:30 am: Torah/Shabbat Study at Northridge Mobile Home Park Stan Schroeder leads a Shabbat study session one Saturday morning a month at 10:30 at the Northridge Mobile Home Park Rec Room, 19120 Nordhoff St. We discuss the weekly Torah portion, the Shabbat prayers that are included in our Contemporary service, and various subjects relevant to Conservative Judaism. Our next session will be December 13. The Torah reading will be parsha Miketz (Genesis 41:1 - 44:17), the story of Joseph’s interpretation of Pharaoh’s dreams and his reunion with his brothers. We are commanded “la asok b’divrei torah” (to engage in the study of Torah). Join us and fulfill the mitzvah. Call Stan at (818) 718-7466 for more information.

Please join Congregation Shir Ami on Saturday, January 23 at 10:15 am

(Service starts at 10:30 am)

at de Toledo High School for a special Linen Shabbat.

Please bring NEW twin, full, or queen size blankets or quilts, NEW full or twin size sheet sets, NEW full or twin size waterproof mattress pads, NEW pillow cases, and NEW bath towels and washcloths to Shabbat services on Saturday, January 23rd. They will be given to moms and their children in domestic violence shelters.There will be a speaker to discuss the shelters and ongoing projects. We look forward to seeing you and your family at this special community mitzvah project Shabbat. Please bring your non-perishable food donation to the service.

For more information, please call

Fran Kobulnick at (818) 345-2405 or Laura Simon at (818) 883-1765.

Congregation Shir Ami Schedule of Shabbat Services 2016 Conducted by Rabbi David Vorspan at

de Toledo High School, 22622 Vanowen St., West Hills Services held in library near the front entrance

Saturday 10:30 am (unless otherwise noted)

December 2015 Saturday, December 5 - Birthday Saturday, December 19 - Anniversary

January 2016 Saturday, January 9 - Birthday Consecration of Officers Saturday, January 23 - Anniversary Social Action Linen Shabbat

February 2016 Saturday, February 6 - Birthday Saturday, February 20 - Anniversary

March 2016 Saturday, March 5 - Birthday Saturday, March 19 - Anniversary

April 2016 Saturday, April 2 - Birthday Saturday, April 16 - Anniversary May 2016 Saturday, May 7 - Birthday Saturday, May 21 - Anniversary

June 2016 Saturday, June 4 - Birthday Saturday, June 18 - Anniversary

If you would like more information about our congregation please visit our website at www.shirami.com

David Vorspan Rabbi

Jordan Pistol President