Video Message from Rabbi Kalfus
As the impact of the Coronavirus continues to be felt, we are steadfast in staying connected and being a support in whatever way possible for our members. You are not alone, and be assured that our clergy and members of our Caring Community are here for you by phone, email , video chat, and our staff will function during this period to accommodate life cycle and critical family needs.


Our next Erev Shabbat Service is on
Friday, March 20 at 6:15PM via ZOOM.

To ensure that all stay healthy and safe, we are excited to be having a Virtual Erev Shabbat Service led by
Rabbi Kalfus and Cantor Cohen via Zoom.


If you are unable to connect from a computer or electronic device you can call in and listen to the service.
Dial 1-669-900-9128 and enter the meeting
ID: 881 322 2271.

We continue to encourage you to limit your own and your family's interactions, avoid group surroundings, and follow health services recommendations from the CDC, state, and local governmental agencies.
Reminders of the Temporary Operational Changes at
Temple Ahavat Shalom

Early Childhood Education Center:
The "on campus" ECEC will be closed through Friday, April 3, 2020. We will be reevaluating the status at the end of March, and hope to re-open for our Mini-Camp starting Monday, April 6, 2020. 

Religious School:
Our onsite Religious School at TAS is closed through Sunday, March 29, 2020. We will be having RS teachers conduct 25 minute individual sessions with their students on the days that the onsite program is not happening. Additionally, the Religious School will be closed Sunday, April 5, 2020, and April 12, 2020 for Spring Break. Prior to the end of Spring Break an update will be provided on the status of whether Religious School will re-open at TAS. Additionally, TAS Chai and Confirmation are cancelled onsite and will be conducted via Zoom meeting starting next week. 

Adult Learning:
Our weekly Tuesday morning, 9:30AM Torah Study will continue to be held via a Zoom meeting. Click here to log into the class for Tuesday, March 24, 2020. All other classes are being postponed or scheduled via Zoom.

Committee Meetings:
If the meeting attendance is no more than 10 (and another meeting is being held that evening), you can have the meeting at TAS but utilize social distancing during the meeting. All other temple meetings will be conducted by Zoom meeting. The organizers can obtain the necessary Zoom set up and log in credentials from Aaron in the Main Office.
 
All the temple's administrative functions will continue, through physical presence at TAS or periodic remote access. If you need us, we are here. During this period, we will continue to engage in deep cleaning, and maintaining an exceptionally hygienic campus.
Messages from the TAS Caring Community

If you need assistance from the Caring Community during this difficult time, please call the temple office at 818-360-2258 or email us at the Caring Community's confidential email, caringcommunity@tasnorthridge.org .


Stores with Exclusive Morning Hours for Seniors
and Vulnerable Shoppers:

Vallarta Supermarkets: 7AM - 8AM
Northgate Gonzalez Markets: 7AM - 8AM
Super A Foods: 7AM - 8AM
Gelson's and Whole Foods: 7AM - 8AM
Albertson's 7AM - 9AM on Tuesdays and Thursdays
Dollar General: First hour of operation is dedicated to senior customers


Talking to Your Kids about Coronavirus


How to Talk to Your Child about the Coronavirus , NY Times article featuring Dr. Madeline Levine, Clinical Psychologist and Author

Zoom to Commune!

Last week at our Lunch and Learn, Cantor Cohen facilitated a discussion on Choosing Love Over Fear . With all that is happening in our world, Cantor Cohen, with the help of Sandy Robinson, Karen Jaye, and Sue Issler would like to deepen the conversation and encourage everyone available to Zoom in .

Please join our first Zoom to Commune ! hour on Thursday, March 26 at 12PM and together we will explore the following questions:

In these trying times, how do we accept our struggles and see them as opportunities for growth and change? 

How do we choose to savor the precious moments of living, and be grateful for all we’ve been given? 

How can we laugh and find humor in the middle of going through these challenging times?

Social distancing can create a myriad of issues, such as boredom and the inability to see our family and friends (not to mention the unintended desire to want to go ballistic on those you're quarantined with.)

    How are you handling the pressure of tight quarters?

    How are you keeping busy? 

    What projects have you decided to undertake at this time? 

Finally, what does our tradition say with respect to facing our fears and our mortality? What spiritual practices can we use to inspire us to keep moving forward and not fall prey to fear?  
Be Aware of Possible COVID-19 Scams

We have been advised of an incident that occurred in San Francisco and has also been reported in other areas of the US, where individuals went to a home, knocked on the door and said they needed access to the home to test for the Novel Corona Virus (COVID-19). They were wearing jackets with CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) patches on them. Fortunately the home owner knew that this was not real and did not let them in the home. The police were contacted, a report filed, and the officers told the home owner that there have been multiple incidents of bad actors trying to impersonate officials.

Please know that the CDC, World Health Organization, Law Enforcement or other medical personnel or authorities would not come to your home and ask to test it or you.  

Also, The U.S. Secret Service last week issued a bulletin warning that criminals have been employing email “phishing” scams against consumers. IBM’s “X-Force” cybersecurity unit recently discovered one such campaign against businesses “in which the outbreak of a biological virus is used as a means to distribute a computer virus” by “urging its victims into opening an attached Word document, described as a supposed notice regarding infection-prevention measures.”
Be sure that you know who is sending you an email before you open it or click a link in the email.
CALLING ALL TAS SMALL GROUPS

We would love to receive pictures of your activities. Send a picture or two to Aaron Solomon.

We encourage our Small Groups and Havurot to stay connected, you can get a free Zoom account, support each other and stay connected.
SAVE THE DATES

ECEC Boutique and Brunch postponed to Sunday, May 17, 2020. The Boutique opens to ALL at 10AM and Brunch begins at 11:15AM .
********************
Our Annual TAS Gala is being held on Saturday, June 20, 2020. Mark your calendars, more details coming soon!
Thank You!!


TAS Blood Donors Come Through Again!!!

The following donors helped to save up to 63 lives!!!

Frankie Belos, Bob Brostoff, Marilyn Burman, Noah Burman, Larry Clark, David Goldstein, Brian Hatkoff, Stan Hendrickson, Daniel Irvin, Raquel Kovler, Barry Krowne, Cathleen Meyers, Jennifer Nava, Mike Saltsman, Elwin Silverstein, Karen Silverstein, Judy Stehr, Mike Thornhill, Randy Wasoff, Aaron Weissman, Jaqueline Zev, and Marc Zev

Special thanks to our great coordinators and volunteers: Sue Issler,
Becky Breuer, Kathy Pullman, and Cindy Tenn. 
Looking for other TAS events?
Check out our complete calendar or read about our last general update .