November 20 2020 l 4 Kislev 5781
CONGREGATION BEIT T'SHUVAH WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
Dear Congregants,

We are already into the Hebrew month of Kislev so the holiday season is also well-underway. (Chanukah, as you know, is the 25th of the month of Kislev). At the same time, we are beginning to see new COVID restrictions and “tightenings”. How is that going to impact our holiday season?

Let me suggest that we see an opportunity in front of us. Rather than focusing on the absence of large gatherings at Thanksgiving and disappointment, we plan to focus on our own individual families. Truly a blessing is right in front of us.

This particular time of the year also calls on us to remember our obligation to care for those that live alone or have no family. How about if we all choose, at least, one person with whom we can Facetime or ZOOM on Thanksgiving and, for that matter, even throughout the entire holiday season?

We build community by building community. May we each in this month of Kislev bring the miracle of the Light to those who are in need of receiving this Light…to our families and to those who we need to not forget.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Micha'el Akiba
THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION
By: Rabbi Miriam Green Potok

Mitzvah gedolah lihyot b’simcha tamid.”
“It is a great mitzvah to always be happy.”
-Rebbe Nachman of Breslov
 
Earlier this week, I was speaking with a colleague who shared a story about a person who is on a quest to be happy. This person is reading books, reflecting on what is important to them, and working hard to discern what life choices will maximize their happiness. Listening to my colleague speak, this person’s quest for happiness seemed like a lot of effort. I found myself wondering if it would be successful.
 
Then I remembered the famous teaching of Rebbe Nachman, its words captured in a popular Hebrew song: it is a great mitzvah to always be happy. I wondered what exactly Rebbe Nachman was trying to say when he shared this teaching. 
 
Rebbe Nachman encouraged his followers to sing, to dance, to be silly, and to celebrate each day. While many people have resonated with this idea over the years, it brought him some criticism from his peers at the time. Some saw this way of life as frivolous, even irresponsible. How can a person take Judaism seriously while living this way?
 
As I consider an authentic life in recovery, I too question...click here to read more.
SHABBAT THIS WEEK
SOBER BIRTHDAYS
Jason G. for 1 year of sobriety.
Devon K. for 2 years of sobriety.
Ryan K. for 15 years of sobriety.

We are still celebrating birthdays each week on Zoom!
To sign up to take a Sober Birthday cake at Beit T'Shuvah, click here.
SHABBAT SPONSORS
If you would like to sponsor shabbat at
Beit T'Shuvah, click here.
BTS THRIFT STORE CORNER
Shop, donate and share with your friends.
*Shipping is available upon request*


*30% off this week with coupon code*
TRIBUTE DONATIONS
Tribute donations are a wonderful way of marking life cycle events for your loved ones and friends and supporting Beit T'Shuvah.

Rachel Straus in honor of Andi and Paul Bergman
Reesa & Jerry Niznick in honor of Bruce Konheim's birthday
Patti Jo Wolfson in honor of Jackie Elkins
Jessica Gorelick in honor of my brother, Jonathan Gropman's two year birthday
Amy Reichbach in honor of Samantha Henschel's 4-year birthday
Elyse & Sanford Friedman in memory of Benjamin Anderson
Sandra Russell in memory of Bruce Loeb
Tena Frank in memory of Dan Steiger
Tena Frank in memory of Diane Schott
James Szustecki in memory of Geoff Tamayo
Richel Thaler in memory of Geoff Tamayo
Sara Tully in memory of Sam Spitz

If you are interested in sending a beautiful tribute, please contact Development . You can also send a tribute online by Clicking Here. Beit T'Shuvah will promptly send a card to the family or friend you are recognizing. 
THIS WEEK'S SPOTLIGHT
Kyle Pullan

Written By: Nathan R.

Kyle P, a recent resident who is now an employee at Beit T’Shuvah, found himself at a crossroads this time last year. He was living in Israel and was recently estranged from his wife and young son. His father had seemingly recovered from being in a coma, only to pass away just days after awakening. “Experiencing that really fucked with me, so I used pretty heavily for the next few days,” says Kyle. His brother flew out from Los Angeles for their father’s funeral, and Kyle was loaded the entire time. “A week after my dad died, I signed divorce papers. Two days later I gave up custody of my son. A week later I became homeless.”
 
Strung out on opiates, Kyle was finally finished. “I made a commitment to myself. I don’t want to live like this anymore. I literally lost everything.” He called Beit T’Shuvah, started the intake process over the phone, and was soon on a flight back to Los Angeles to be admitted.
 
Kyle’s introduction to opiates is a familiar...click here to continue reading.
BEIT T'SHUVAH GOES VIRTUAL
To stay up to date on all virtual programming and for more information go to www.beittshuvah.org/bts-events/virtual 
Fall Adult Education
Join the BTS clergy Tuesdays at 7pm beginning October 27 as we indulge the senses and the mind.


For Zoom link and more info, click here.
Amazon Smile
Beit T’Shuvah has raised nearly 3,000 through the Amazon Smile program to help save the lives of those suffering from addiction. Be a part of the movement and choose Beit T’Shuvah as your set featured charity on Amazon Smile by clicking the link below for all of your amazon purchases! Click here to shop through amazon smile.
Beit T’Shuvah Custom Masks are Here!
Stay safe while supporting Beit T’Shuvah with masks custom made by Creative Matters. Perfect gifts for alumni, staff, residents, people in recovery or community members!

$10 per mask

Designs:
One Day At A Time
In This Together

Click HERE to order!
Pandemic Parenting
BTS Zoom Family Support Group! Whether your loved one is still in treatment or they have already moved on to the next chapter of their journey, we would like to provide a platform in which families get to talk about their shared experiences and wisdom.

This group is for families of our current and former residents, no need to RSVP, just drop in!

For Zoom link and more info, please click here.
Friday Night Services
Friday night services held via zoom at 6:30pm PT.

For Zoom link and more info, please click here.
Saturday Morning Services
Saturday morning Prayer and Meditation at 10:30am PT.

For Zoom link and more info, please click here.
Spiritual Class
Come learn on Saturday mornings at 9:30am PT with Rabbi Micha'el Akiba.

For Zoom link and more info, please click here.
CHALLAH IS BACK!
Baked T'Shuvah's founder Jackie Elkins is licensed by the state and you can now order the Baked T'Shuvah challah you know and love!
 
Pick up at BTS. Must prepay.
 
Available flavors: Plain, Chocolate Chip, Salted Caramel or Raisin. Contact Amy Abrams to place your order - orders need to be placed no later than Wednesday! 
Sober Birthdays
We are still celebrating birthdays each week on our Shabbat Zoom.

To sign up to take a cake, please contact Jillian.

If you missed celebrating your birthday this year and would still like to take a cake via Zoom, contact Jillian.
CoVital
Daily at 9am PT. Join the Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/539925563317229
Life In Uncertain Times
Life in Uncertain Times: Coping Strategies Before, During, and After Corona. With Rabbi Joseph. Mondays from 12-1pm PT/3-4pm ET.

For Zoom link and more info, please click here.
#NotMyCorona
#NotMyCorona. Recovery-Minded Spiritual Learning with Beit T’Shuvah and the T’Shuvah Center. Wednesdays. 1pm PT/4pm ET.

For Zoom link and more info, please click here.
To Life
BTS community AA meeting: Thursdays at 7pm.

For Zoom link and more info, please click here.
100 Blessings
Beit T’Shuvah and the Elaine Breslow Institute invite you participate in this spiritual challenge!

Virtual Kaddish Calls
Thursdays. 9-9:30am PT/12-12:30pm ET.

A powerful kaddish experience led by the Lab/Shul community. They have invited our Beit T’Shuvah community to join them.

https://labshul.org/event/virtual-mourners-kaddish-call/2019-08-29/

ANNOUNCEMENTS
Past newsletters are now available online. Please click here to view.

For anyone that shops at Ralphs, please consider registering your phone with their community care program and select Beit T'Shuvah as your charity. 

For anyone that purchases items on Amazon, all you have to do is go to Amazon Smile and choose Beit T'Shuvah as your charity and a percentage of each purchase will be given back to us.

Direct line to make monetary donations is 310-280-3699 or visit our website