November 6 2020 l 19 Cheshvan 5781
CONGREGATION BEIT T'SHUVAH WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
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Dear Congregants,
Being away on vacation helps me to put things back into perspective. One of those things is “control”. The official AA literature makes reference to “control” at least 29 times. As I am writing this “Corner”, we still do not have clarity on who our next President will be. Now, I am watching people trying to control the outcome, the narrative, and people’s opinions. So, what can I “control”? Viktor Frankl reminds that there is one thing I can control: my ability to choose my attitude in any given set of circumstances. In this time of uncertainty, may we choose an attitude of compassion, tolerance, and understanding.
And life at Beit T’Shuvah goes on. This Sunday, November 8th is our annual Alumni Picnic at 1:00 PM. On Monday, November 9th at 6:00 PM is our 30-day BTS Memorial for former resident Geoff T. On Tuesday, November 10th at 7:00 PM, we resume our Fall Adult Education program with Rabbi Joseph Shamash teaching his class entitled: “Rabbis Between the Sheets.” All of these offerings will be virtual on ZOOM.
I look forward to seeing all of you when I return!
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Micha'el Akiba
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THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION
By: Rabbi Joseph Shamash
Red states. Blue States. Divided States. United States. Will we have a President-elect by the time this goes out? Unclear.
What’s for certain is that elections are anxiety provoking.
According to a recent poll by the American Psychological Association, “more than two-thirds of adults are finding the 2020 election to be a significant source of stress. This includes 76% of Democrats and 67% of Republicans.”
I wonder what the percentage would be if they polled rabbis? My guess, even higher than two-thirds! Remember, Joseph, breathe!
But transitions of power have always been stressful and uncertain. How do I know this? Well, our Bible teaches us so.
Let’s take a trip back to the Book of Judges. The Israelites entered and conquered the Holy Land under Joshua’s rule, but the succession of power after his death was never clearly defined and caused strife among...click here to read more.
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Jonathan G. for 2 years of sobriety.
Josh S. for 2 years of sobriety.
Brittany R. for 2 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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Josh, you make your family so proud. And we are having so much fun and enjoyment being with TheRealJoshSteinberg! :) Your 2 Year Cake is earned and deserved! Congratulations son! Lots of love, Dad, Lori, and your whole family."
Congratulations Joshie on 2 years of living in sobriety. We are all so proud of you and we delight in seeing you thrive. You are such an incredible person, and we delight in seeing you love, like you do. With so much love, Your family
Josh ~ Happy two years to my best friend! I’m so grateful to have you in my life & I feel so lucky that we get to celebrate these milestones together. I love you! Love, Erin 143
Joshie, we are so very proud of you. The love we feel for you is unlimited; you are a joy and we are honored to be your family. P and G
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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.
Connie & Ivan Goldman in honor of Daniel Goldman's 9th birthday
Marieka & Daniel Schotland in honor of Eitan Schotland's Bar Mitzvah
Mark Carreno in honor of Harriet Rossetto, staff and residents
The Kashper Family in honor of Joey Zallen and in memory of Sam Zallen
Patti Jo Wolfson in honor of Kevin J
Talia Kamenir in honor of our father/grandfather, Michael Kamenir
Tena Frank in honor of Rabbi Kerry's birthday
Tena Frank in honor of the wedding of Sidny Ginsberg and Charlie Oshinsky
Mary O'Brien in memory of Geoff Tamayo
Barbara & Brad Warady in memory of Katie Eisen
Barbara & Ronnie Kahn in memory of Katie Eisen
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
Cole R.
Written By: Nathan R.
Cole R., a resident here at Beit T’Shuvah, recalls not taking religion seriously as a child. “My parents actually sent me Catholic school, even though both my parents are Jewish.” This gave Cole a sense that God and religion weren’t important. “They’re not even instilling it in my life.”
Cole was sent to a military school in third grade, after a series of behavioral issues in elementary school. He would spend the summers with his father in Los Angeles and started smoking pot the summer before seventh grade. “From the beginning, I smoked every single day, because it fulfilled something in me that was lacking. I definitely used it abusively from day one.” After getting expelled from military school for his drug use, he started ninth grade at public school in Texas, where he began smoking heroin.
Soon after, Cole further entrenched himself in an alcohol, drug and crime lifestyle. Eventually, at age 14, he was in an after-school outpatient program, where he was introduced to AA meetings. He robbed a fellow client of that program and ended up incarcerated...click here to continue reading.
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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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Calling all alumni: Join us for our annual picnic, which will be held virtually via Zoom, on Sunday November 8th at 1pm. While there will be no barbeque and no softball game this year, we will still hold our annual gratitude meeting, enjoy some BTS style games, and have a chance to catch up with old friends and meet new friends!
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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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