December 18 2020 l 3 Tevet 5781
CONGREGATION BEIT T'SHUVAH WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
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Dear Congregants,
Last week, I began the Rabbi’s Corner with: “It’s here! Chanukah!” This week, I’m beginning with: “It’s here! The COVID vaccine!” More than anything I can point to in recent history, our waiting for the vaccine has helped us all understand the meaning of “hope”—that feeling of expectation for relief from our current situation. G-d willing, the arrival of this vaccine will help save lives and be a catalyst for bringing us back to a greater sense of normalcy.
In the meantime, let’s not forget the words of the Prophet Isaiah:
“Do you not know? Have you not heard? Adonai is the everlasting G-d, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary….He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak….and those who hope in Adonai will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not be faint.”
May this season be a season of hope for all of us.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Micha'el Akiba
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THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION
By: Rabbi Miriam Green Potok
Near the beginning of this week’s parashah, we read the story of Joseph being released from prison. He had been jailed unjustly, having offended the master of his household. While in prison, he gained recognition for his ability to interpret dreams. Word of Joseph’s abilities spread beyond the prison walls. And when Pharaoh needed a dream of his interpreted, he called upon Joseph, expediting Joseph’s release and returning him to the outside world.
The story of Joseph’s release from prison is not told in detail. We don’t know how Joseph felt when he first got word he was finally getting out. We don’t know whether he said goodbye or good riddance to his fellow inmates. The only thing we do know is that after he is released and before he sees Pharaoh he goes through an important transition: he gets a haircut and new clothes. He changes his external appearance, making sure he presents himself appropriately when he goes to meet Pharaoh.
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Julian B. for 4 years of sobriety.
Mark B. for 32 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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Julian, we're so proud of you!!! You surrendered yourself 4 years ago to all your craziness and you have been on an uphill trajectory ever since. Giving yourself a new life!!! We love you like crazy, Mom, Dad, Sher, Alivia, and Rosie
Thanks to Mark Borovitz I have fulfilled all of my dreams, to love my work and work with my love. Your optimism and dedication to truth and t'shuvah inspire me every day. Love, Harriet
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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*
*50% off this week with coupon code FLASH*
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OUR SINCEREST CONDOLENCES |
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...to the family and friends of Joshua Bloom,
....to the family and friends of Mark Shullen,
&
....to the family and friends of Aida Portillo
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.
Jon Cooper in honor of "The Shuv" for saving my life, as in Rabbi Mark!!
Shari Sack in honor of Adam Kopulsky
Ashlee & Greg Berard in honor of Dan and Lori Steinberg
Judy & Rand Holston in honor of Dr. Joseph Sugerman
Roberta Kudish in honor of Dr. Joseph Sugerman
Lisa Curtis in honor of Hattie Gutkin
Margaret & David Mgrublian in honor of Jackie Elkins
Faye & George Pickell in honor of Jackie Elkins
Beth Fox in honor of my 24th birthday
Linda Siegel in honor of my granddaughter
Belle Tuckerman in honor of my grandson Joshua Chortkoff
Sharon Rosenbaum in honor of our daughter, Alexandra Rosenbaum for Chanukah
Francine & Michael Ostrow in memory of Barry Keyes
2Connect / Diane West in memory of Geoffrey Tamayo
Barbara & Ira Polisky in memory of Jay Lewin
Mila & Yuri Shullen in memory of Mark Jason Shullen
Daniel Krotin in memory of Mark Jason Shullen
Nancy & Jerry Lahman in memory of Noah Lahman on Hanukkah
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
Judy S.
By: Nathan R.
Many of us, as addicts, can look back and see when we hit rock bottom. Judy S., a resident and intern here at Beit T’Shuvah, has more than one. Eleven years ago, she was driving drunk in Sonoma County, traveling 85mph on a road signed for 35mph, and crashed head-on into another vehicle. The other driver was killed instantly and that car’s other passenger, the driver’s daughter, was thrown from the car and gravely injured. Judy’s Jeep rolled three times and hit a tree, crushing her legs.
For the entirety of her adult life, Judy was high. “I was high one way or another. If it was there, I’d try it.” It started when she was 18, with pills stolen from her father. “The first time I took one of the pills, it was amazing. I was on the phone. I was social. I was always happy—things I had...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.
We are excited to share with you an amazing evening: a special musical performance, an inspiring video about a woman’s journey to recovery and redemption, a fabulous silent auction, and so much more.
This year we are honored to present Jackie Elkins with our first ever Spirit of Beit T’Shuvah Award. More will be revealed...You don't want to miss it!
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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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THERE WILL BE NO CHALLAH AVAILABLE FOR ORDER FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR.
CHALLAH WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE AGAIN FOR FRIDAY, JANUARY 8TH 2021.
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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