November 29, 2017 | 11 Kislev, 5778
This Week

Friday, 12/1
5:30 pm
Tot Shabbat PM

6:30 pm
Family Shabbat Service with Gan and Alef.
Consecration ceremony for all new Gan, Alef and Bet students
Saturday, 12/2
9:00 am
Hevrah Torah

5:00 pm
Shabbat Service celebrating Giovanni Ferrero becoming a Bar Mitzvah

Sunday, 12/3
9:00 am
Religious School
Faithfully Yours: Resilience

We celebrated a special Pink Shabbat Zimrah, learning about resilience in the face of difficulty. Terry Nikkhoo courageously told her story of dealing with breast cancer, and we shared information from Sharsheret, a Jewish breast cancer organization.

Terry’s talk is excerpted below, and you may access the full D’var Torah by clicking on the link below. We thank Terry for modeling for us all the resilience that guides the Jewish people.

Rabbi Feinstein
"My name is Terry Nikkhoo and I'm a breast cancer survivor. I was diagnosed 7 and 1/2 years ago in March of 2010. My story began when I went to my daughter's school to donate blood, which is something that I do as often as I can. Somehow on that day I was not able to donate since they could not get a good blood draw which had never happened before. Little did I know then that not being able to donate was a blessing in disguise . . . "
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Hanukkah
1st Candle: December 12th

Hanukkah means "dedication" in Hebrew, and refers to the joyous eight-day celebration during which Jews commemorate the victory of the Maccabees over the armies of Syria in 165 B.C.E. and the subsequent liberation and "rededication" of the Temple in Jerusalem. The modern home celebration of Hanukkah centers around the lighting of the hanukkiyah, a special menorah for Hanukkah; foods prepared in oil including latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts); and special songs and games.
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Thank you to the Glenn Family for sponsoring dinner for our teen choir on December 1st.  Ein kemach, ein Torah; ein Torah, ein kemach — If there is no food, there is no Torah; if there is no Torah, there is no food. - Avot 3, 21
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Mazal Tov!

Mazal Tov to Bob and Doris Ruvelson on their 50th anniversary! In honor and celebration of this milestone, they will be sponsoring the Oneg Shabbat on December 1st.
Bar Mitzvah Spotlight: Giovanni Ferrero
Giovanni Ethan Ferrero  is the son of  Raul and Edna Ferrero.

School : Paul Revere Middle School

Spiritual Highlight : I have learned that there is so much unknown inside of us that we must explore to grow and only with an open mind, dedication, and hard work are we able to reach within and find our true selves.

Tzedakah Project : Through my passion and love for people and animals, I was fortunate enough to participate in the "Big Sunday" project. I helped many people in need by making handmade crafts and animal blankets; we also assembled food, snacks, and gifts to distribute.
University Synagogue Membership Directory
A membership directory is a wonderful way to reach out, connect and stay in touch. University Synagogue will be creating one within the next few months. We plan to include pictures so people can put faces to names when we see each other around the synagogue.

 Please email your favorite photo to our Engagement Coordinator, Emilie Leder at  Eleder@unisyn.org by Friday, December 22. 

We want to respect your privacy. This directory is for the  private non-commercial use of the members of University Synagogue only.  If you do not wish to have your information listed, please let us know by contacting Emilie at the above email. If we do not hear from you, we will presume it is o.k. to print your information which will include, name, address, phone number and email. We’re looking forward to connecting.  
Follow University Synagogue on Facebook!
Want to stay up to date on all events and activities? Please like and follow us on our Facebook page. Simply click on the button below, sign into your Facebook account, and click like. 
Calling all Greeters!

If you’re interested in welcoming our community at services, we want you. All you need is a smile.

Please contact our Executive Director, Lisabeth Lobenthal at LLobenthal@unisyn.org
 
Join us on December 8th at 7:30pm when R abbi Naomi Levy , founder and spiritual leader of Nashuva, will be speaking at University Synagogue as part of our “People of the Book series on “Einstein and the Rabbi.” She became the first female Conservative rabbi to head a pulpit on the West Coast. Author of three books, she has appeared on NBC's Today Show and on Oprah, and has been featured in Parade, Redbook, Self, The Los Angeles Times, The Boston Globe and Los Angeles magazines. We welcome her return to our congregation!
From a review of Einstein and the Rabbi by Jonathan Kirsch:  The title of the book refers to a kind of mystery story that runs throughout the work. Levy found her way to an obscure letter whose author turned out to be Albert Einstein: “A human being … experiences himself … as something separate from the rest,” the great scientist wrote. “The striving to free oneself from this delusion is the one issue of true religion.” The letter inspired her to play the role of a detective: “Little did I know that this powerful teaching by Einstein about the universe would lead me to the soul of a stranger, and that I would feel compelled to follow the sacred thread of his story.” I won’t give away the ending — or the fascinating and sometimes sorrowful twists and turns — of the story that she tells about Einstein’s letter except to say that it carries a profound irony. For Levy, the words of a famous man of science reveal a path to something every bit as elusive as the theory of relativity — the human soul.
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HOLIDAY TIKKUN OLAM
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University Synagogue is committed to Tikkun Olam. Here's how you can help this holiday season!

  • Gift Cards for Hurricane Victims: National chains only, please! Gift cards will be going out to Texas, Florida, and Puerto Rico, so recipients must be able to use them. Walmart, Target, Subway, and Trader Joe's Gift Cards are all accepted national chains!

  • New Towel Sets: For the residents at the Ocean Park Community Center (OPCC) Homeless Shelter. Sets include two bath towels, two hand towels, and two wash cloths. Added toiletries such as shampoo, toothpaste, soap, deodorant, and mouthwash are welcome and encouraged!

  • Donate to Baby2Baby: New and like-new items are accepted for low-income children, ages 0 - 12! All clothing, backpacks and school supplies, toys, bottles, baby food, formula, and more would be greatly appreciated by those in need. For a full list of donation items, please visit baby2baby.org/donate.
Thank you for your kind contribution to those in need!
Please have all donations delivered to University Synagogue by:

December 18th
Welcome, New University Synagogue Staff Members!
Courtnie Schwartz
Administrative Assistant

Hi everyone, my name is Courtnie Schwartz, and I am very happy to be at University Synagogue. Throughout the past years, I have worked as a preschool teacher and in administrative support positions. When I am not working I enjoy arts and crafts and baking. Also, I have been Israeli dancing for years and love listening to Israeli music. Thank you for welcoming me into your community, and I look forward to meeting each of you soon!
Chantelle Sundeen
Web Content and Online Communications Associate

Hello! Pleased to meet you, everyone. My name is Chantelle Sundeen, and I’m a University of Southern California graduate in English and Animation/Digital Arts. In addition to crafting stories and creating documentary animation to excite and educate, I enjoy working with children on the weekends as a martial arts instructor. Thank you for the warm welcome!
Welcome to the University Synagogue family, Courtnie and Chantelle!
SYNAGOGUE EVENTS



FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1
5:30pm - Tot Shabbat

6:30pm - Family Shabbat Service with Gan and Alef.
Consecration ceremony for all new Gan, Alef and Bet students


THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7
6:30 PM - Sisterhood Hanukkah Dinner 


FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8
7:30 PM - Human Rights Shabbat, "People of the Book" featuring Rabbi Naomi Levy. Einstein and the Rabbi .


SATURDAY, DECEMBER 9
9:00am - Tot Shabbat


FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15
7:30pm - Shabbat Hanukkah Zimrah


SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16
10:30am - Shabbat Hanukkah Service celebrating Frances Spencer-Shapiro becoming a Bat Mitzvah




Mitzvah Corps: We're Here For You!
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The University Synagogue Mitzvah Corps wants you to know that we're here, and we care!   Dedicated to serving our fellow congregants as they encounter major life cycle events, we will gladly send a welcome gift to a new baby, and provide support for ill or mourning congregants and their families (delivering a hot meal, completing a minyan, running an errand, etc.).  

If you’re in need of some TLC from the Mitzvah Corps, please just inform any clergy member or the synagogue office.    We’d also love to have you join us as a volunteer — the demands are few and the rewards are plentiful!
Please contact Susan Wieder at sdwieder@mac.com .
Know of Anyone...?

We rely on our University Synagogue families , th eir friends and relatives, to alert us when someone is hospitalized or suffering any illness or bereavement. The Clergy would also be delighted to learn about happy events such as celebrating a birth, or any Simchah. Local hospitals do not release patient information; kindly call Sue Share, Assistant to the Clergy, at 310-472-1255, ext. 120, or email her at SShare@unisyn.org , so that our Rabbis and Cantors can better serve our congregation.
Oneg Shabbat Sponsorships

Share your special life cycle event with the congregation on Friday night!
Birthday, Anniversary, Engagement, Aufruf or Baby Naming

Click here to see the sponsorships. 

For more information, please contact Bonnie Kebre at BKebre@unisyn.org .
Lucy Greenbaum: Sing Your Strength

University Synagogue (through the Cantor's Discretionary fund) helped to fund this emerging Jewish recording artist. To purchase the music, click here