March 26 2021 l 13 Nisan 5781
CONGREGATION BEIT T'SHUVAH WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
|
|
Dear Congregants,
It’s here! Passover is here! Z’man cheirutenu! The time of our freedom!
We begin with Shabbat. This Shabbat is called Shabbat haGadol, the Great Shabbat. It is always the Shabbat immediately before Passover.
Then, on Saturday evening, Passover begins at sundown. For your preparation, here are some reminders:
•• Our digital Passover Haggadah has a teshuvah sheet included in it to help you prepare yourself spiritually for Passover. So, I invite you to go to https://beittshuvah.org/passover, register for our Passover events, and download your Haggadah early for you and your family in order to prepare both your outside and your inside as you get ready for Passover.
•• The Music and Film Departments have joined together to create three events so that we can celebrate one of Beit T’Shuvah’s most looked-forward-to holidays.
Event #1 — A First Night Virtual Seder
featuring Residents and the BTS Music Department
Saturday, March 27th on ZOOM
7:00 - 8:30 PM
Event #2 — A Second Night Concert:
Stories & Songs of Liberation
featuring former BTS Residents, BTS Music & Film Departments
Sunday, March 28th on YouTube
7:00 - 8:00 PM
Event #3 — An Eighth Night Gathering
Transform Yourself, Transform the World:
a Teaching and Havdalah
Saturday, April 3rd on ZOOM
7:00 - 7:30 PM
Invite your friends. Prepare early. Register now. Support Beit T’Shuvah!
Shabbat Shalom and chag same’ach v’kasher!
Rabbi Micha'el Akiba
|
|
THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION
By: Rabbi Joseph Shamash
A friend of mine recently asked me, “What’s your 5-year plan?”
I gasped. “Five-year plan?! I don’t think I’ve ever planned for anything beyond a year. Do people actually do that?” It was what seemed to be an innocuous question. A simple question; my friend just wanted to know what my hopes for my future are. Where do I see myself down the road? I laughed off the question and blamed Covid: “Can we really plan anything anymore?” I retorted.
But her question kept me up at night. Not only her question but my own resistance to planning. Why have I always been so reluctant to set long-term goals for myself?
Which brings me to Passover, which starts this Saturday night. There is a very famous line in the Passover Haggadah that, to me, is the quintessential work for us all to reflect on, not only during the seder but...click here to read more.
|
|
Eliza K. for 2 years of sobriety.
Jesse S. for 2 years of sobriety.
Sarah M. in absentia 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.
|
|
Eliza, you are amazing! You are dedicated and loving toward yourself, your family, and your community. Keep up the good work. Yasher Koach! I love you! Mom
|
If you would like to sponsor shabbat at
|
|
Shop, donate and share with your friends.
*Shipping is available upon request*
*50% off this week with coupon code*
|
|
OUR SINCEREST CONDOLENCES |
|
to the family and friends of Martin Kosofsky...
&
to the family and friends of Danielle Molina...
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.
|
|
Tribute donations are a wonderful way of marking life cycle events for your loved ones and friends and supporting Beit T'Shuvah.
Alan Edelman in honor of Harriet and Rabbi Mark's presentation to the Melton community for our "Dynamic Duo" series. Kol hakavod!
Rachel Bovitz in honor of Harriet and Rabbi Mark sharing their stories and wisdom with the learners of the Melton School
Ruth Drexler and Family in memory of Roberta Goldman
Heidi & Albert Praw in memory of Roberta Goldman
Patricia Knight in memory of Geoff Tamayo
Daria Kluender in memory of my beautiful daughter, Hannah Wilson
Susan & Norman Reccius in memory of Ryan Kopald
Lori & Perry Tessel in memory of Ryan Kopald
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
Luis S.
By: Nicole Goodman
Luis was barely a year old when he was placed aboard a boat in Cuba, destined for the shores of the US. He was a marielito, the name given to the thousands of Cuban immigrants that left from the Port of Mariel in 1980—a name that Luis now has tattooed on his arm. After arriving in the States, Luis entered the foster care system and bounced between dangerous homes, where he was subjected to sexual and physical abuse. Thankfully, at five years old, Luis was adopted by a loving family who tried to create the best environment for him, always instilling the importance of discipline, work ethic, and philanthropy. His adoptive parents worked hard to provide a good life for Luis and his siblings. Luis attended private school in Lake Elsinore, went on many family vacations, attended church weekly, played sports, and was an excellent student who always had a large group of friends. After high school, Luis received his Associate’s Degree and even studied abroad in Kent County, England while...click here to continue reading.
|
|
Join us this year at our three very special events and celebrate with us virtually. This is a year you won't want to miss as we share personal stories of redemption and great music from the BTS Music Department!
Saturday March 27th at 7:00pm
Sunday March 28th at 7:00pm
Saturday April 3rd at 7:00pm
|
|
|
Our Spring Adult Education series begins Tuesday April 6th at 7pm with Rabbi Micha'el teaching THIS IS OUR SHABBAT: Learning Jewish Liturgy.
|
|
|
Connections: Lost & Found |
Please join us on May 13th and 14th for Connections: Lost and Found- an interactive conference hosted by the Elaine Breslow Institute at Beit T’Shuvah featuring key note sessions from Johann Hari, Harriet Rossetto, Dr. Timothy Fong, and more. Through Johann Hari’s two New York Times best-selling books and his viral Ted Talk, has taught the world that “the opposite of addiction is not sobriety, the opposite of addiction is connection.” We need connection. All of us.
As we aim to shift from role-based connections to soul-based connections, we are thrilled to host this event and explore the healing power of connection and the integration of science and the spirit. To register or for more information, please click here.
|
|
|
Slingshot Ten to Watch: EBI |
We are pleased to announce that our Elaine Breslow Institute has been recognized by The Slingshot Fund as one of the Ten To Watch for changemaking organizations in the Jewish community! Slingshot mobilizes young Jewish philanthropists as funders and active change agents, who, with their partners, shape the Jewish community to be vibrant and continuously evolving. Our partnership and recognition by Slingshot will place our work in front of an enthusiastic audience of young Jewish leaders, and we are delighted and thrilled at this opportunity to accelerate and extend our message.
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
Friday night services held via zoom at 6:30pm PT.
|
|
|
Beit T’Shuvah Sisterhood T-shirts $30.
Multiple Colors Available!
Contact Dana Gache:
Phone: 3103516408
|
|
|
Beit T’Shuvah Custom Masks |
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
|
|
|
Alumni Process group for residents who have left BTS during the pandemic.
Wednesdays at 12pm.
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
Saturday Morning Services |
Saturday morning Prayer and Meditation at 10:30am PT.
|
|
|
Come learn on Saturday mornings at 9:30am PT with Rabbi Micha'el Akiba.
|
|
|
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. Order online here.
Available flavors: Plain, Chocolate Chip, Salted Caramel or Raisin. Orders need to be placed no later than Wednesday!
|
|
|
We are still celebrating birthdays each week on our Shabbat Zoom.
To sign up to take a cake, please contact Jillian.
|
|
|
Tuesday through Saturday at 9am PT. Join the Facebook group:
|
|
|
Life in Uncertain Times: Coping Strategies Before, During, and After Corona. With Rabbi Joseph. Mondays from 12-1pm PT/3-4pm ET.
|
|
|
BTS community AA meeting: Thursdays at 7pm.
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
