February 26 2021 l 14 Adar 5781
CONGREGATION BEIT T'SHUVAH WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
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Dear Congregants,
With this sundown, Purim comes to an end and brings us to Shabbat. This means that we now turn the corner on the Jewish calendar and move very quickly toward Passover. All of the Torah portions that we have been reading these past weeks have already been reminding us of the Passover story details. However, the stories we read do not focus on the ones who were unable to make it and were lost along the way on the difficult journey to the Promised Land.
These have been very difficult weeks for many of us at Beit T’Shuvah, reeling from the loss of former residents who have been unable to continue on this journey with the rest of us as we travel on our journey towards recovery. Behind tear-filled eyes, we remember the good times we had with them with smiles and, at the same time, we are also reminded that the journey in recovery is, indeed, very difficult and often filled with raw emotion, profound sadness, and loss.
But just like the Children of Israel in the desert, we continue moving forward toward the Promised Land with the help of G-d, the support of each other who are trudging on this road, and with the memories of our loved ones in our hearts.
Indeed, may the memories of all those who have travelled with us be a blessing.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Micha'el Akiba
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THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION
By: Rabbi Joseph Shamash
There is a wonderful story in the Talmud about Rabbi Elazar ben Azariah. After the rabbis depose Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel of his leadership role, Rabbi Elazar ben Azaria is selected to lead the Jewish people. Before accepting the position, he says, “I need to check with my wife.” That night as they discuss his future, his wife asks him, “Perhaps they’ll get rid of you too?” In response, he holds up a fancy goblet and says, “Better to use an expensive goblet once lest it breaks tomorrow” (Berachot 28a).
Life is precious. Life is a fancy goblet that is not meant to be stored away in our cabinets or showcased on our mantles. It is meant to be used; even if that means the end result will be a broken or even a shattered vessel.
As a kid when I heard this story, it taught me that everything is temporary. No-thing lasts forever. I remember thinking: I better take advantage of what I have because eventually, everything comes...click here to read more.
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Richie K. for 7 years of sobriety.
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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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Thank you Rabbi Mark, Harriet, and all of Beit T'Shuvah for giving me a life worth leading. -- Richie Kulchar
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If you would like to sponsor shabbat at
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Don't miss a chance to shop the items we still have available from our amazing 2021 Gala Auction...This auction closes March 1st so make sure you get your bids in before then!
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Shop, donate and share with your friends.
*Shipping is available upon request*
*50% off this week with coupon code*
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OUR SINCEREST CONDOLENCES |
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To the family and friends of Ryan Kopald...
To the family and friends of Al "Chicago" Unger...
To the family and friends of Melissa Gallagher...
To the family and friends of Stephanie Colman...
To the family and friends of Steven Pollock...
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.
Karen & Joel Zeldin in honor of Paul and Andy Bergman
Rhona & Raymond Fink in memory of Albie Unger
Lindsay & Jeremy Pool in memory of Joseph Stabler
Lauren Scharf in memory of Lillian Scharf
Cookie Miller in memory of Ryan Kopald
Shirleen Nunn in memory of Ryan Kopald
Jo & Sandy White in memory of Sam Spitz
Sharon Rosett in memory of Zack Wohlman
The Rosett Family in memory of Zack Wohlman
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
Emanuela Sophia Rostovstev
“Something always felt wrong,” Emanuela remembers. “Ever since I was a very small child, I had pain and fear inside that I couldn’t quite articulate. Some of that came from my parents and the fears that they had.”
As a baby, Emanuela had been diagnosed with a rare childhood cancer called neuroblastoma, and despite successful treatment, there was always the possibility of relapse. “My parents were so scared it would come back, and I absorbed that fear,” says Emanuela. The only way her parents knew how to navigate pain and discomfort was with alcohol, and by nine, Emanuela’s parents were both functioning alcoholics. “As I got older, my mom stopped functioning, and she started going in and out of treatment starting around the age of 11,” she remembers.
Emanuela first stepped foot inside Beit T’Shuvah at fifteen years old, to visit her mom who was there for a long-term stay. “My mom was really nervous,” Emanuela says. “She thought I’d feel scared walking into a big treatment center, surrounded by addicts and alcoholics. But I remember...click here to continue reading.
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Please join us on Tuesday March 2nd at 7pm for the world premiere of Escape Room, a new musical film directed and created by the creator of Freedom Song, Stuart K. Robinson and performed by Beit T’Shuvah alumni.
This film address pressing topics such as loneliness, isolation, addiction, recovery, loss and connection during the pandemic. Escape Room features stories and vignettes by the Beit T’Shuvah community. The film will be followed by a Q&A led by Harriet Rossetto, Stuart K. Robinson and Rabbi Joseph Shamash.
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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 Sisterhood T-shirts $30.
Multiple Colors Available!
Contact Dana Gache:
Phone: 3103516408
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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 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!
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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.
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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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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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