August 13 2021 l 5 Elul 5781
CONGREGATION BEIT T'SHUVAH WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
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High Holidays are fast approaching- click here, to register for our virtual services, to become a member of Congregation Beit T'Shuvah, or for more information!
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THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION
By: Rabbi Miriam Green-Potok
In life, and in recovery, we encounter moments that pull us back to basics. Sometimes we make a conscious choice to review the things that are foundational to us, and sometimes we are forced to revisit these principles when we are shown that we’ve gotten distracted. In recovery we are always grateful to the newcomer for giving us the opportunity to review the foundations of our own recovery, and to remember where we once were. And in our Beit T’Shuvah community, we are always grateful for the new residents that have just arrived in our house, as they give those of us already here the opportunity to lead by example, and to co-create the welcoming community that has been so healing for us.
This week I had the opportunity to review, and to teach new residents, some of the fundamentals of Beit T’Shuvah’s spiritual treatment program. I explained Torah Study: our practice of beginning each weekday together as a community to study the week’s Torah portion. For us, this is a practice of waking up, of showing up, of being on time, of following through with our commitments. It is also a practice of connecting with Jewish tradition and Jewish learning and placing these priorities at our forefront. After all, of all the things we do in the day, this is the one we do first.
I explained spiritual counseling: our practice of having, as part of every resident’s treatment team, a Rabbi or Jewish Chaplain to provide a unique form of guidance, support, and individual learning. We focus on recovery, we focus on experience, we study texts as is our traditional Jewish practice - and we never force dogma, empowering each resident to make her own religious choices, Jewish or otherwise. We do this following the teachings and example of Rabbi Mark Borovitz,...click here to continue reading.
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Nicole H. for 4 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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If you would like to sponsor shabbat at
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Our thrift store location on Washington Blvd. is now permanently closed. We will be sure to inform the community once we secure a new location for our thrift store. In the meantime, please support our BTS Thrift Store by shopping on our website (click here).
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Shop, donate and share with your friends.
*Shipping available upon request*
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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.
Barbara Adler in honor of Alissa Adler. I am so proud of you!
Barbara & Ronnie Kahn in honor of Gordon Hubbard on your 100th birthday. Many many more, Barbara and Ronnie Kahn
Marjorie Marantz in honor of the marriage of Diane Klein and Doc Kemper
Marcia Stancu in memory of Aaron Chodor
Elaine Caplow in memory of Elliott Caplow
Zoya Van Every in memory of Geoffrey Tamayo
Loreen Jacobson in memory of Herbert Jacobson
Val Andler in memory of Max Andler
Dahlia Bernal in memory of Shawn Ansite
Sondra Rykoff in memory of Thomas Rykoff
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
Written by: Randall S.
“When I went to prison for the first time in 2011, experiencing the bus ride there, seeing the huge and menacing correctional officers with guns and viewing the guard tower was a scary and humbling experience. It showed me really how small I was in the grand scheme of life,” explains Mark S. It was his first and only time in prison, but it left an indelible mark on his psyche. “Had I not met my fiancée following that first stint, I probably would have gone back pretty soon. She saved me,” he recounts on Shirley’s Patio at Beit T’Shuvah.
But let’s rewind a bit. Born in Modesto, CA, Mark was part of a very strict evangelical Christian upbringing. “I was born on Saturday and in church on Sunday,” he laughingly recalls. But all humor aside, it was a stifling and isolating childhood. “Yeah, I was in church three days a week, and it was an intense experience; speaking tongues, testifying, dancing in the aisles, the whole deal,” Mark describes. Having difficulty making friends, Mark missed out on many of the activities most children take for granted during their upbringing. “I’ve never had a Halloween in my life. That was a big thing for me,” he recalls....click here to continue reading.
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The High Holidays are a time to draw near: to community, to tradition, and to spiritual living. Our services combine prayer, music, and personal stories of hope and redemption. When we gather together this year, virtually, you will be drawn into the sacred bonds that hold this community together.
For more information about registering for this year’s virtual service(s) or becoming a member of Congreagation Beit T’Shuvah, click here.
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Elul T'Shuvah Groups for EBI & BTS Community |
We invite you to participate in virtual t’shuvah groups- Beit T’Shuvah’s core spiritual curriculum-every Monday during the month of Elul- Monday, August 16 through Monday, August 31 - Gather with your community to take a personal inventory from the past year and prepare to move into the new year with intention, authenticity and connection. Groups will be offered on Mondays: August 16 (9:00am - 10:30am), August 23 (7:00pm - 8:30pm), and August 30 (9:00am - 10:30am).
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Join us for our alumni picnic on Sunday, August 22nd from 10am to 2pm at Veteran's Memorial Park!
4117 Overland Avenue
Culver City, CA
Gratitude meeting led by Harriet Rossetto at 1pm.
Softball game TBD.
if you are interested in making a donation or bringing a dish, please contact Jillian.
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Gather for our first community High Holy Day ritual of the season under the stars on Saturday, August 28 at 8:15 PM. Experience transformation through music, prayer, and self-reflection with the Beit T’Shuvah and IKAR communities. The event will be outside and masked. Vaccination required.
Shalhevet School Rooftop 910 S. Fairfax
Park on side streets. Accessible parking available.
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Saturday Morning Services |
WE REALLY MEAN IT THIS TIME!
Saturday morning Prayer and Meditation will start at 10:15 am PT.
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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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Friday night services held via zoom at 6:30pm PT.
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Beit T’Shuvah Sisterhood T-shirts $30.
Multiple Colors Available!
Contact Dana Gache:
Phone: 3103516408
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Alumni Process group for residents who have left BTS during the pandemic.
Wednesdays at 12pm.
*please note there is a NEW zoom link*
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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.
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Come learn with our dynamic clergy team on Saturday mornings at 9:30am PT.
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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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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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Wednesdays at 9am PT. Join the Facebook group:
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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 shops on Amazon, 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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