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HAPPY NEW YEAR
Rabbi's Message
2015 has come to a close. For many of us it is most welcomed. For the news pundits, 2015 ran the gamut from the bizarre - Kardashian-Jenner to the heinous and inhumane - Isis.
For those of us partial to politics, the absurdity continues to flow over to 2016. Think what you will about our future leaders but lovers of Jewish tradition and its comfort zones bordering on delicacies like cholent and Yiddish-isms, the beat, thanks to the ongoing Trump histrionics, continues. For instance, the Jewish connection, notwithstanding Bernie, is not lost on us. Trump's daughter, Ivanka, converted to Judaism and married Jared Kushner, an observant Jew. Hillary's daughter, Chelsea, is also married to a Jewish man, Marc Mezvinsky whose father Edward, a convicted felon, was exonerated by his good friend, "Wild Bill" Clinton before his term as president ended.
So, as far as the family trees are concerned, the Clinton's, thanks to Chelsea, are barely clinging to a branch of Jewish ancestry. Not too shabby - but embarrassing!
And now, Trump, went out on a limb and revived a language long thought to be grandfathered out and replaced by Hebrew. Not so fast, my bilingual friend, thanks to Trump's mangled pronouncement of a Yiddish word, it has returned and caused a brouhaha (not a Yiddish word but it should be) as he attempted to throw another cluster of mud at Hillary. He missed but succeeded in singularly reviving interest in Yiddish. And, in doing so, revived rumors about his sanity.
In fairness to The Donald, he mangled a word that was not an exact rendering of what he thought the word to be. The word gave Hillary, the presidential candidate of the other party and member of our growing mishpucha (Chelsea is pregnant with her second child - Ivanka and Jared are the parents of two kinderlach) another opportunity to attack, Trump.
The only positive element to come out of all this narashkeit is that Yiddish has become the harbinger of political debates. We can only hope that mama loschen, like our mazel, should grow this coming year and bless us all with good health, prosperity and peace.
Amen
Much Love, Rabbi Jerry
Rabbi Jerry Ram Cutler
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For those of you who made a pledge this year, we thank you from the bottom of our collective hearts. If you have yet to send in your commitment, please do so now as our bills are accumulating.
For those of you who haven't made a pledge, please search your hearts and try to give as much as you can. We will even work with you on a payment plan. It will help us tremendously.
Thank you.
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Shabbat Services
When:
7:30 pm on Friday,
January 8, 2016
Extras Turn into the driveway that has the sign "Church Parking" and park on levels P2 or P3. Take the elevator up to P1 (which is also the lobby). Services are in the Town Hall room directly across from the elevator.
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Shabbat Dinner
2379 Westwood Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90064
When: 6:30 pm on Friday,
January 22, 2016
How does that sound? Interested? To make your reservation, call the Temple office at 310-446-1800.
Lenny's
2379 Westwood Blvd.
L.A., CA 9006
Traditional Blessing of the Candles, Challah and Wine followed by Dinner.
No Service or Sermon!
Pertinent Topics concerning our community, Israel and the Kardashians will be discussed by our Rabbi and special guests.
Choice of Starter, Entree and coffee or tea
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Members
$20 Non Members
$24
For more information, please call the Temple office at
310-446-1800
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CAT Designer & Collectibles Flea Market
Coming in May 2016
Are you creative, organized and love thrifting? Volunteer to help coordinate the event! We need your help.
We're also on the hunt for tax deductible donations of clothing, designer clothes, small furniture, tchochkes, and other donations in good condition and gently used. Donate to CAT!
Our drop off is at 1511 Pontius Ave. (just behind the temple office). Please call the office at 310-446-1800 to make an appointment. We've already acquired some interesting donations. You'll be able to view some of the goods on the internet as soon as we have the page set up. Please no books, mattresses or out of date electronics.
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Ralphs Rewards Card
Donate to CAT while you grocery shop
It's that time again!
Every September you must register with Ralphs to donate! We received our first check from Ralphs and it was decidedly much less than usual which means that not everyone has renewed their letter. Please do. Just download and print this letter with the scan bar and take it with you the next time you go grocery shopping. Present it to the cashier as you check out and from that time on, you will be contributing to Creative Arts Temple for this year. It doesn't cost you a penny and helps the temple out exponentially. Thank you!
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Arne's Corner
January 2016
A Democratic Party that has been largely captured by the "left-of-left" is a party that will be increasingly disdainful of Israel. In 2015, a critical mass of them in Congress and around the country were not willing to challenge the head of their party on an issue that put Israel's interest and security at stake. Nor is it likely that they would do so if, in the coming year, the administration decided to abandon Israel at the U.N., even as a wave of Palestinian terror spreads. In Barack Obama's Democratic Party, pro-Israel voices have been marginalized.
That situation might not be permanent. The next generation of Democrats might come to understand that Obama's foreign policy - a set of actions that have led to the rise of ISIS, the growing strength of Iran, and the "daylight" between the U.S. and Israel - has made this country and the world more unstable and more dangerous.
In American politics, the centrifugal pull of the center ultimately shifts both parties back to moderation (Trump aside) on key issues. That dynamic is maybe, the last best hope we have for a pathway back to support for Israel on the part of the Democratic Party, that has lost its way.
Arnold Charitan
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Rebuttal to Arne's Corner
In response to Arne's recent piece in TEMPLETALK, I would like to offer an opposing view more representative of the progressive wing of CAT.
Donald Trump is a frightening proposition as a candidate for the highest elected office in our land. He preys upon the most vulnerable in our society to advance his own agenda, which is primarily feeding his insatiable ego. His views on immigration are repugnant. These days there are many people, mostly from the Mideast who find themselves trapped in an intolerable situation. Their homeland is being destroyed and they're looking for refuge. We're talking about men, women, and children who are seeking a better life than what they have now. They're no different than many of our forebears who came to the United States over the last century.
Anybody who cannot have compassion for these folks is beyond me.
If it weren't for the openness and tolerance of America, I and many others wouldn't be here today enjoying the liberties and opportunities that are available in this great country of ours. The inscription on the Statue of Liberty says it all, "Give me your poor, your huddled masses, yearning to breathe free..." My grandfather and grandmother, coming from Palestine and Minsk, respectively, were welcomed in this spirit when they arrived at Ellis Island. I have no fear of what may come by accepting these people, but I'm afraid of what the bigotry and narrow mindedness of politicians like Trump will do to the fabric of our society. Having a database for the Muslim minority, or only allowing Christians into America, which is being put forth by other politicians as well as Trump, is nothing short of reprehensible.
Finally, taking a position that Palestinians can do no right and Israelis can do no wrong is utter nonsense. These views will absolutely ensure that there will never be peace in the Middle East.
Dan Paulson
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Monthly Events
Services and Flea Market
Fri, January. 8, 7:30pm
Shabbat Service
Belmont Village
Fri. January 22, 6:30pm
Shabbat Dinner
Lenny's Deli
May 2016 Date TBD
Art, Designer & Collectibles
Flea Market
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January
Anniversaries
Mazel Tov to our CAT lovebirds!
Sherwyn & Edythe Horwitz |
1/4/2016 |
Louis Milkowski & Gloria Jennings |
1/6/2016 |
Joseph & Roberta Siegman |
1/14/2016 |
Marty & Ronnie Trugman |
1/24/2016 |
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January Birthdays
And many happy returns!
Cathy Anderson |
1/1/2016 |
Sanford Kaplan |
1/2/2016 |
Hope Schechter |
1/4/2016 |
Cleo Fraser |
1/5/2016 |
Karen Lewis |
1/6/2016 |
Barbara Mayer Harris |
1/7/2016 |
Nicole-Marie Slayton |
1/7/2016 |
Barbara Weinger |
1/9/2016 |
Ron Fields |
1/11/2016 |
Sharon Shaw |
1/12/2016 |
Sharon Weisleder |
1/12/2016 |
Chelsey Sobel |
1/13/2016 |
Nicole Rosenthal |
1/14/2016 |
Phyllis Spear |
1/14/2016 |
Alan DuFine |
1/15/2016 |
Julie Gold |
1/15/2016 |
Larry Crestol |
1/16/2016 |
Deena Young |
1/17/2016 |
Steve Siegman |
1/20/2016 |
Mallory Sobel |
1/22/2016 |
Arnold Kogen |
1/23/2016 |
Allan Rotman |
1/25/2016 |
Stacy Ingber |
1/27/2016 |
Steven Matlin |
1/27/2016 |
Barry Smith |
1/27/2016 |
Lucas Richman |
1/31/2016 |
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December Onegs
Thank you to our sponsors!
As always, thank you to our annual Oneg sponsors:
Arnold & Gladys Charitan
June Miller
Sandy Benson |
In honor of Sandy's birthday |
Paul & Lee Bernstein |
In honor of Lee and Paul's 60th wedding anniversary |
Julie Gold |
In memory of Jerry Gold and in honor of Julie moving to the desert |
Sherwyn & Edythe Horwitz |
In honor of Edie's birthday |
Louis & Fran Zigman |
In honor of Fran's birthday |
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December Tributes
CAT Member Shout-Outs
Joe Ingber |
Happy Birthday and Good Health to Gladys Charitan |
Norman Kantor
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Happy Birthday to Howard Krupnick and Steven Crestol |
Norman Kantor
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Fran Zigman and Sandy Benson |
Norman Kantor |
Happy Anniversary to Nat and Elaine Stern |
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Get Wells
Refuah Shleima
CAT wishes a speedy recovery to:
Alexis Crestol, Rocky Kalish, Spencer Kantor, Allan Diamond, Bridget Drake, Leslie Ellman , Marvin Markowitz, Peter Mark Richman, Phyllis Slayton and Robert Slayton, and Barry Smith.
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December Yahrzeits
Thank you for your donation and may you be comforted by the mourners of Zion
Fern Field Brooks |
In memory of Norman Brooks |
Florence Davis |
In memory of Morton Goldberg |
Herb Freed |
In memory of Marion Freed |
Godfrey & Barbara Harris |
In memory of Eddie Davidson |
Richard Harris |
In memory of Florence Eger |
Harry & Leann Harris |
In memory of Millie Polakov |
Maria Jacobs |
In memory of Simmy Jacobs |
Leo Kagan |
In memory of Leo Kagan |
Alice Michelson |
In memory of Joel Russel Michelson |
Rosalie Shulman |
In memory of Charles Rifkin |
Phyllis Spear & Irwin Schwartzman |
In memory of Rebecca Gomberg |
Andrew Stevens |
In memory of Charlotte Stevens |
Emory & Lucy Weltsch |
In memory of Ron Weltsch |
Louis & Fran Zigman |
In memory of Beverly and Charles Newman |
Louis & Fran Zigman |
In memory of Regina and Joseph Zigman |
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A Special Hanukkah Message from one of our members.
To my dear friends at CAT, let me apologize for not getting off my annual Hanukkah cards to you this year. In lieu of sending out cards, let me wish you a belated happy Hanukkah. Hope to see you at the Friday Night Services soon.
Love,
Norman Kantor
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REVIEW FROM THE PEW
BY Rabbi Jerry Ram Cutler
The Big Short
The Big Short
Truth be told - all I know about finances is figuring what a 20% tip of the amount of my check is after I've eaten. I'm not good with anything relating to stocks and bonds nor do I understand what happens on Wall Street following the ringing of the bell by some smiling and giddy people.
I am aware of the housing mortgages catastrophic collapse and the devastation to iconic Wall Street institutions but do not understand the intricate details.
(My wife and I decided to enter the mercurial world of high finances when we succumbed to the enticing penny stock offers. We thought, how much can we lose - after all - it's only a penny? Don't ask.)
Director Adam McKay and his co-writer, Charles Randolph, have accomplished the unimaginable. I actually enjoyed watching "The Big Short" starring Christian Bale, Ryan Gossling, Brad Pitt and the incredible acting chameleon, Steve Carrell, who seems to conquer every role regardless of the challenge. All of the actors are wonderful and the script - the parts I understood - caustically, humorously and brilliantly written.
McKay's decision to use the forbidden fourth wall technique and having actors speak directly to the theatre patrons, works splendidly. Bravo.
1 to 3 and a half Bagels out of 4
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C.A.T. is now on yelp!
Please share the Love!!
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njoy our Holiday Services ?? Let the world know! Please click on the link to view our page and simply hit the 'write a review button'. We Appreciate it!
CAT Yelp Page.
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Creative Arts Temple
P.O. Box 241831
Los Angeles, CA 90024
(310) 446-1800
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