November 27 2020 l 11 Kislev 5781
CONGREGATION BEIT T'SHUVAH WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
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Dear Congregants,
Some days, I have to sit and think about what I’m going to write for the Rabbi’s Corner. This week, however, it is easy.
Hodu ladonai ki tov, ki l’olam chasdo.
Give thanks to Adonai for He is good, for his loving-kindness is forever.
We have spent so much of this year with COVID or politics as the core of our daily narrative. I’m here to tell you that, in spite of everything upon which we have been focusing, G-d still fills this world daily with abundant blessings. Thanksgiving is one day on which we, as a nation, can give thanks for everything that we have and acknowledge that it, ultimately, comes from G-d.
Yes, there are and will still continue to be bad things that happen in this world, but living in an “attitude of gratitude” will help us to work through the tough times as they come.
As Jews, we begin the day in gratitude:
Modeh ani ….. I am grateful…..
In the Twelve and Twelve of Alcoholics Anonymous we read:
An honest regret for harms done, a genuine gratitude for blessings received, and a willingness to try for better things tomorrow will be the permanent assets that we shall seek.
May we live this Thanksgiving Day, as individuals and as a nation, in humble gratitude and with the hope and desire that we can build a better country and a better world.
A happy and blessed Thanksgiving to all of you and, of course,
Shabbat Shalom!
Rabbi Micha'el Akiba
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THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION
By: Rabbi Kerry Chaplin
We all have moments of desperation, dark nights of the soul, in which we less call out to God than God reaches into us and pulls out a cry for help.
In this week’s parashah, Jacob has a terrifying, lonely night in which God enters his dreams and comforts him, offering him hope for his future. What a gift to be given! And what a gift to actually receive.
But what is a moment like this one if we don’t stay loyal to it? Many of us come into Beit T’Shuvah because we’re desperate. But desperation isn’t enough to keep us here. What keeps us here is a Covenant - with this community, with ourselves, with a Higher Power, Universe, God (whatever you call that Something Bigger Than Me). We stay because in a Covenant, we matter; and oh, how we long to matter!
Below, Jacob pleads with his future self to stay loyal to his desperate and holy experience.
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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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Shop, donate and share with your friends.
*Shipping is available upon request*
*30% off this week with coupon code*
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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.
Jane & Lawrence Cohen in honor of Janice Kamenir-Reznik
Janet & Bobby Rosenblum in honor of Jillian and Chaya
Fanya & Harold Delchamps in honor of Lorraine Baron
Carol & Bob Oleesky in memory of Stephanie Michelle Mikes
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
Ryder B.
When Ryder B. started his freshman year at Cal State Long Beach, he wasn’t planning on joining a fraternity. But a girl he liked joined a sorority and told him that if he didn’t join a frat, then they wouldn’t be able to hang out. The rest was history.
“Some people could separate school and partying, and I couldn’t,” says Ryder, reflecting on how his drinking and drugging career turned from youthful thrill-seeking into a full-blown problem. By junior year, Ryder had dropped out. “It morphed into something I could no longer control. Doing drugs and drinking became more important than my education, and I just gave up,” he says.
After he dropped out, Ryder started working as a bartender—the perfect gig for any budding alcoholic. He’d drink heavily during his shifts but was mostly able to at least give the appearance of being a functioning adult. Things got worse when he...click here to continue reading.
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Join us December 10th through 17th at 6pm to light the Hanukkah lights, rededicating ourselves to recovery and community.
*except Friday December 11th
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Join the BTS clergy Tuesdays at 7pm beginning October 27 as we indulge the senses and the mind.
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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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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!
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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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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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Beit T’Shuvah and the Elaine Breslow Institute invite you participate in this spiritual challenge!
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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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