January 8 2021 l 17 Tevet 5781
CONGREGATION BEIT T'SHUVAH WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
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Dear Congregants,
What a way to start the New Year! The Senate runoff in Georgia, unrest at our nation’s capitol, and the number of Coronavirus cases spiking. Certainly, a much different beginning of the year when we compare it to last year.
And in the midst of all of this, Beit T’Shuvah was moved up to Phase 1a of the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine which allowed the frontline workers at Beit T’Shuvah to begin receiving the first of the two inoculations necessary to add another level of protection for our amazing staff. This has given so many of us a moment of much-needed hope.
For the next 11 weeks, we will be reading from the book of Exodus, the story of our exodus from slavery, persecution, and oppression. It is a turning point in our story. It reminds us that there is a way out, a promise of liberation, and a path towards real freedom and hope.
But Exodus is also a book of resistance, resistance to total surrender to G-d’s will and protection. What will be our story this year?
The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous states: “We stood at the turning point. We asked His protection and care with complete abandon.”
May this year be the year that we become willing…and able… to change.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Micha'el Akiba
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THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION
By: Rabbi Miriam Green Potok
I received some exciting news this past Sunday. After a phone call with my parents, in which we all lamented the ongoing sameness of pandemic life, I received an email saying that I was eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. The State of California had adjusted their guidelines so that workers in residential Substance Use Disorder facilities were now in Phase 1, Tier 1 priority. A few minutes later I was registering for an appointment and moments after that I was confirmed to receive my first of two doses of the Moderna vaccine the very next day.
Now, I am no huge fan of receiving shots. Truth be told, I don’t even always like going to the doctor. But when given the opportunity to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, I acted without delay - and even with enthusiasm. I felt it was my chance to contribute to solving this global problem we all face. I thought of the photos I had seen in the news of our President-Elect and sitting Vice President receiving the vaccine, and on social media of my friends and family in Israel and in the US receiving the vaccine, and their leadership gave me courage. When I arrived at the vaccine clinic on Monday the staff made me feel at ease, and the injection itself felt like almost nothing at all. As I write this a couple days later, my arm still a bit tender, I look forward to...click here to read more.
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Cristie S. for one year of sobriety.
Julia D. for 2 years of sobriety.
Riley S. for 3 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.
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If you would like to sponsor shabbat at
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Click here to support our Gala Auction!
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Our Sincerest Condolences |
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...to the family and friends of Medina Perez
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.
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Tribute donations are a wonderful way of marking life cycle events for your loved ones and friends and supporting Beit T'Shuvah.
Lorraine & Gary Abrams in honor of Douglas Rosen from Molly-Anne D's parents
Lorraine & Gary Abrams in honor of Rabbi Kerry for all she's done for our daughter, Molly-Anne D
Ms. Barbara Steiger in honor of Tena Frank's birthday,
Michele & Mario Tamayo in memory of Geoff Tamayo to thank Rabbi Micha'el for his loving and supportive guidance to us in the darkest days of our lives
Jann & Gary Jones in memory of Jeane Elias Jones
Karen & Jay Rosen in memory of Mark Shullen
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.
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THIS WEEK'S SPOTLIGHT
Chaya R.
By: Nathan R.
Chaya R., a resident and development intern here at Beit T’Shuvah, has been busy the last few months as one of the auction chairs for the virtual gala this month. “I started two years ago helping with the auction as an intern a couple hours a week here and there, and last year worked on the auction with the event planners.” This year, because the Beit T’Shuvah gala has gone virtual, the silent auction is exclusively online and already live. “We need more items, but it seems to be going pretty well.”
Chaya had a head start this year with online retail, helping the Beit T’Shuvah Thrift Store feature items for sale on their website. “I was taking, editing and uploading photographs of the items, writing descriptions, and researching prices.” For the past month and a half, focus has shifted to the gala, with help from Judy S., another development intern. “All auction items are donated, and every donation is appreciated and accounted for, whether it’s a trip to Hawaii or a silver necklace.” Anyone can go to the gala’s website, and click on the “Auction” tab to see what’s available...click here to continue reading.
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Please join us on January 31, 2021 at 6:00 pm for our virtual Healing Broken Souls Gala.
Our community will gather for a special evening. Residents --current and past --, our founders and a special musical performance that will be truly inspirational. Additionally, you don’t want to miss a moving video about a woman’s journey to recovery and redemption.
This year we are honored to present Jackie Elkins with our first ever Spirit of Beit T'Shuvah Award. This will be an evening that will be talked about for many years.... please join us!
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Stay Safe This Holiday Season |
2020 has been tough for our communities. Beit T'Shuvah, in partnership with LA County Health, is reminding you to stay safe at home this holiday season by celebrating in person only with people you live with. Our work this month is the key to keeping our communities safe from COVID-19.
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Alumni Process group for residents who have left BTS during the pandemic.
Wednesdays at 12pm.
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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.
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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
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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!
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Friday night services held via zoom at 6:30pm PT.
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Saturday Morning Services |
Saturday morning Prayer and Meditation at 10:30am PT.
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Come learn on Saturday mornings at 9:30am PT with Rabbi Micha'el Akiba.
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**NO CHALLAH WILL BE AVAILABLE UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE**
Baked T'Shuvah's founder Jackie Elkins is licensed by the state and you can 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!
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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.
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Monday through Saturday at 9am PT. Join the Facebook group:
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Life in Uncertain Times: Coping Strategies Before, During, and After Corona. With Rabbi Joseph. Mondays from 12-1pm PT/3-4pm ET.
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#NotMyCorona. Recovery-Minded Spiritual Learning with Beit T’Shuvah and the T’Shuvah Center. Wednesdays. 1pm PT/4pm ET.
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BTS community AA meeting: Thursdays at 7pm.
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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/
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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.
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