May 21 2021 l 10 Sivan 5781
CONGREGATION BEIT T'SHUVAH WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
|
|
Dear Congregants,
In this week’s parashah, Naso, we encounter the Birkat Kohanim, the Priestly Blessing. Blessings are a huge piece of our Jewish life. The rabbi’s challenge us to make 100 blessings each and every day. In other words, we are to be acknowledging the gifts that G-d is giving us each and every moment. (You can hear that “cuts two ways”, can’t you? G-d is giving us gifts each and every moment and we should also be giving thanks each and every moment).
Every breath of life is something for which we should be grateful. Each and every day, waking up and starting the day new is a blessing. Starting each day sober is a blessing. Starting each day with the opportunity to be our best selves and to be of service is a blessing. Starting each day with the opportunity to make teshuvah is a blessing.
“Blessing”, ברכה, comes from the root that means to “bend the knee”. In other words, to recognize the blessings that G-d has given us is an act of humility. We receive that which G-d has given us in gratefulness. So, we bend our knees. We don’t actually “bless” G-d. Rather, we acknowledge that G-d is the Source of all blessings and all that we receive. ברוך אתה יי Adonai , you are blessed. Adonai, I am bent-kneed.
Last Shabbat in my Saturday drash, I spoke about “hidden blessings”. Even when we have bad things happen to us, the rabbis teach us that we still need to bless G-d because hidden within “the bad” are blessings that, maybe, we don’t see at the moment but will be revealed as time passes and we are able to see more clearly with our heart and soul.
May we see the blessings that G-d gives to us even in this moment and that we might receive them with gratefulness and humility.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Micha'el Akiba
|
|
THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION
By: Chaplain Adam Siegel
For the first time since the pandemic, I was blessed with the opportunity to study together, in person, with a community of learners during last Sunday night’s celebration of Shavuot. Shavuot marks the giving and receiving of the Torah, and we engaged in a tikkun leil Shavuot (an all-night study session) until the break of dawn on Monday morning.
In true Beit T’Shuvah fashion, the occasion featured a line-up comprised of current residents, staff, and Beit T’Shuvah clergy - more than forty teachers. The theme of the evening? Willingness, surrender, and letting go of our attachment to self in order to connect to the Holy. The lessons shared were drawn from a combination of sacred texts and stories of personal struggle and sacred living. And experience ended with the traditional unrolling...click here to read more.
|
|
We are still celebrating birthdays each week on Zoom!
To sign up to take a Sober Birthday cake at Beit T'Shuvah, click here.
|
|
Celebrating my son Adam Rubin's 6 month birthday! So proud of him and so grateful to Beit T'Shuvah. ~ Mimi Flesichman
|
If you would like to sponsor shabbat at
|
|
Shop, donate and share with your friends.
*Shipping is available upon request*
*30% off this week with coupon code*
|
|
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 ONLY at BTS Fridays after 11AM. Must prepay. Order online here.
Available flavors: Plain, Chocolate Chip, Salted Caramel or Raisin.
Orders need to be placed by Wednesday!
|
|
Tribute donations are a wonderful way of marking life cycle events for your loved ones and friends and supporting Beit T'Shuvah.
Elizabeth Alpern in honor of Marc E. Alpern
Lawrence Barth in honor of Leah Pavone
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.
|
|
THIS WEEK'S SPOTLIGHT
Reflections on EBI Connections: Lost & Found
On May 13th and 14th, the Elaine Breslow Institute at Beit T’Shuvah hosted its inaugural virtual conference, Connections: Lost & Found, with keynote speaker and renowned author Johann Hari. This two-day interactive conference highlighted the importance of connection as a path toward recovery and wholeness and included about 200 participants including clinicians, spiritual leaders, community members, and BTS residents. From lectures to immersive breakout rooms, attendees witnessed the healing power of connection as a way to integrate our ‘roles’ and our ‘souls.’ Leading the closing remarks, Josh Fingerhut shared his story with all as a source of ultimate connection. Josh now shares his reflections about Johann Hari’s message and his insights on the healing power of connection:
This is such a trip. Just over three years ago, I was hunched over my desk, poking my arms with dull syringes trying desperately to find a vein so that I could find that sweet taste of escapism and dopamine rush. I was broke and broken. I was a cruel joke. I was a parody of myself, the youthful and bright boy who had all the potential to fulfill his dreams and instead became trapped in the vicious cycle of addiction. I had moved to LA to pursue my dreams as an artist, and I had failed. I wasn’t creating...click here to continue reading.
|
|
Escape Room shares a raw, honest glimpse of social isolation's impact on recovery, the power of community, and the personal search for meaning, strength and hope.
This powerful and heartfelt film is directed by the Creator of Freedom Song, Stuart K. Robinson and produced by Freedom Song's Director, Michael B. Kamenir. Filmed entirely on Zoom, the production is based upon true stories from the Beit T’shuvah recovery community.
There will be two screenings on 5/24.
One at 4pm and one at 7pm.
|
|
|
Our Annual Circle of Majesty, now in its 14th year, will be held virtually once again and will take place on Thursday, June 3rd at 4pm. This will be a warm, informative, and short get-together to support the men and women of Beit T’Shuvah suffering from the devastating effects of addiction.
For more information or to renew your membership please click here.
|
|
|
Jog-a-thon: The Social Distance |
Whether you have been part of our Running 4 Recovery Marathon team in prior years, or have never even thought about running a single mile, now is the perfect time to get started.
Part fundraiser, part community event – one great time!
The Social Distance is Beit T’Shuvah’s approach to ensuring everyone can run/walk as a team while staying safe during the Covid-19 Pandemic and raise money to support Beit T’Shuvah!
There are 3 unique ways to participate this year:
5k, 10k, or Half Marathon.
|
|
|
The Beit T’Shuvah Magazine is now live! Produced by the brilliant minds at Creative Matters, our first-ever digital magazine features stories on the most important issues of our day, and answers questions like what it’s like to lose $125 million, how it feels to be handed a life sentence, and do you have to believe in God to get sober.
Read the magazine by clicking here and follow Creative Matters on IG @creativematters.agency
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
Friday night services held via zoom at 6:30pm PT.
|
|
|
Beit T’Shuvah Sisterhood T-shirts $30.
Multiple Colors Available!
Contact Dana Gache:
Phone: 3103516408
|
|
|
Beit T’Shuvah Custom Masks |
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
|
|
|
Alumni Process group for residents who have left BTS during the pandemic.
Wednesdays at 12pm.
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
Saturday Morning Services |
Saturday morning Prayer and Meditation at 10:30am PT.
|
|
|
Come learn on Saturday mornings at 9:30am PT with Rabbi Micha'el Akiba.
|
|
|
We are still celebrating birthdays each week on our Shabbat Zoom.
To sign up to take a cake, please contact Jillian.
|
|
|
Life in Uncertain Times: Coping Strategies Before, During, and After Corona. With Rabbi Joseph. Mondays from 12-1pm PT/3-4pm ET.
|
|
|
Wednesday through Friday at 9am PT. Join the Facebook group:
|
|
|
BTS community AA meeting: Thursdays at 7pm.
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
