December 11 2020 l 25 Kislev 5781
CONGREGATION BEIT T'SHUVAH WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
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Dear Congregants,
It’s here! Chanukah! Maybe, there will be a moment or two when it is mentioned on the news or, maybe, we will see a brocades of blue in the window of a store in a now-desolate shopping mall and we will have our eyes brighten up for a moment when we see the holiday being recognized in the midst of an online Christmas commercialized crush. (The pandemic has not affected this!)
Our task as Jews in the holiday is not only to remember to light the chanukiyah, but to also do the “pirsumei nisa”, to “advertise the miracle.” So, we put the menorah in the window and let the light of the candles shine and grow over the next few days, but is this enough?
In this time of the year when the longest, darkest night of the year is yet to come and COVID is still running rampant in our communities, it is so important that we share the Light of Chanukah with our words and our actions.
“BE THE LIGHT THAT HELPS OTHERS TO SEE”
May this be our call throughout this holiday and beyond
Shabbat Shalom and Chag Urim Same’ach,
Rabbi Micha'el Akiba
Join Beit T’Shuvah for candlelighting every night at 6:00 PM (except Friday): CLICK HERE FOR ZOOM INFO.
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THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION
By: Chaplain Adam Siegel
Before the pandemic it was common practice for the residents, upon arriving at Beit T’Shuvah, to be without their phones and other electronic devices for about a month or two. One of the comments I heard frequently was a request for more clocks around the building. Entering into residential treatment (and early recovery) had left them feeling dis-oriented, out of sync, and unsure as they struggled to adopt and adapt to new rhythms and routines. I began to understand their comments about the clocks as a statement about their longings for normalcy. (For the record, we’ve always had plenty of clocks at 8831 Venice Blvd.)
I’ve been reminded of their clock comments throughout the ever-unfolding realities of life during a pandemic. And now even more so with the “holiday surge,” where our anxiety, frustrations, and fatigue levels seem to parallel the exponential increases in the local daily infections rates. Much has been written about the major and minor mental health crisis, as well the expanding epidemic of substance abuse and subsequent overdoses. At times, our energy levels sputter, our spirits are dimmed, and it can be difficult to engage in even the basic aspects of healthy living. When every day seems like a Tuesday, it can be such a challenge to stay focused and accomplish the goals we set for ourselves, both big and small. The voice of “why bother” constantly...click here to read more.
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Austin A. in absentia for one year of sobriety.
Bob S. for one year of sobriety.
Beth L-F. for 24 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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Adam, we are so proud of you! Mom & Mark
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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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Tribute donations are a wonderful way of marking life cycle events for your loved ones and friends and supporting Beit T'Shuvah.
Vanessa Schilling in memory of Kathryn Eisen
Robert Freeman in memory of Eleanor Levitt Lubert
Jennifer Hechtman Rosen in memory of Daniel Lipschultz
Jewish Child and Family Service in honor of Yael Landa
William Brosnan in honor of Harriet Rossetto
Ruth Eliel in honor of Pat Gage
Judith Franchini in honor of Jonathan Rosenthal
Lisa Motel in honor of Rabbi Mark Borovitz & the great Harriet Rossetto
Mark Carreno in memory of Bella Finestone
Margaret & David Mgrublian in honor of Jackie Elkins for her being chosen as the Spirit of Beit T'Shuvah Award
Karen Martinez, Norine Spellmier and Morleen Golub in memory of Jeremy Zager
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
Earlier this summer, Jamie S., a resident at Beit T’Shuvah, found herself in a motel room in Tulsa, Oklahoma, at the end of a years-long fentanyl and methamphetamine run. The Florida native had finally been “found out” by her family after she had gone into withdrawals while helping out her brother and sister-in-law care for her nieces in Texas. Luckily for her, she was only a few degrees of separation from Beit T’Shuvah. Jamie’s brother had reached out to their parents, who had contacted their congregation’s rabbi, who had gone to rabbinical school with the brother of our founding rabbi, Mark Borovitz. Her parent’s rabbi enthusiastically recommended Beit T’Shuvah as an opportunity for Jamie to start her road to recovery.
Jamie grew up on the west coast of Florida, in the Tampa Bay area. “I started smoking weed when I was 14 with my best girlfriend and some of the guys in my school.” She soon noticed that her affinity for marijuana was different from her peers when none of the other girls in her class wanted to smoke weed. “They thought it was gross and like unladylike.” She then added mushrooms to her menu. “I thought I was expanding my mind.” Whenever she drank alcohol, she would drink to excess, much like her usage of pot and shrooms. “I really don’t think there was ever a time I was using substances where...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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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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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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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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