January 22 2021 l 9 Sh'vat 5781
CONGREGATION BEIT T'SHUVAH WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
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Dear Congregants,
On Wednesday, January 20th, Joseph R. Biden became the 46th President of the United States. In this week’s Torah portion, Pharoah finally says: “Go!” and Moses says to the Children of Israel: “Get up and go!” It was a time of great change for the entirety of the Children of Israel. A long-awaited promise on the cusp of being fulfilled.
This week marks a time of great change for us today, too.
In his Inaugural Address, President Biden said: “I have just taken the sacred oath each of these patriots took — an oath first sworn by George Washington. But the American story depends not on any one of us, not on some of us, but on all of us. On “We the People” who seek a more perfect Union. This is a great nation and we are a good people. Over the centuries through storm and strife, in peace and in war, we have come so far. But we still have far to go. We will press forward with speed and urgency for we have much to do in this winter of peril and possibility. Much to repair. Much to restore. Much to heal. Much to build. And much to gain.”
These words reminded me of a February 1958 speech of then Senator John Kennedy:
"Let us not despair but act. Let us not seek the Republican answer or the Democratic answer, but the right answer. Let us not seek to fix the blame for the past - let us accept our own responsibility for the future."
Finally, writer Johann Hari writes: “Be connected with everyone around you. Be part of the whole. Don’t strive to be the guy addressing the crowd. Strive to be the crowd…..The collective struggle is the solution, or, at least, the essential foundation for it.”
Let us be reminded that we are in the struggle of both recovery and life together. We need each other. May we be both be responsible for and accountable to this community of broken souls. We have much to repair. Much to build. And much to gain...together.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Micha'el Akiba
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THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION
By: Rabbi Kerry Chaplin
I imagine that the Israelites were not so different from us now. They witnessed (in last week’s parashah) signs and wonders and destruction: the main water source turning to blood, overwhelming frogs and lice and flies, sick livestock, boils, and hail. Some of it may have affected them, some the Egyptians only. With all this chaos, the Israelites must have been aware that they were on the precipice of something - uncertain what that something was, but certain that they were living in a historic moment. So too us. Our plagues are different, but we also know change is here.
In Parashat Bo, more plagues wreak chaos: locusts devouring crops, immoveable darkness, and ultimately, the killing of the first born. And hasn’t this latest chapter of American life been chaotic: profound divisiveness and dismissal of human dignity. Exposure of cruel racism. And a plague of our own.
The plagues of Egypt culminate in the death of the first born. And while COVID-19 has mostly - and sadly not entirely - spared our children, have we not also faced unprecedented death this year? More Americans have...click here to read more.
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Savannah S. for one year of sobriety.
Michael A. for 23 years of sobriety.
Terry C. for 28 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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We are so proud of you Savannah. You have worked so very hard. Dad and I love you more than you will ever know. Keep going, you are such light and love in this world. Love, Mom & Dad
In gratefulness from Rabbi Micha'el and Tala
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If you would like to sponsor shabbat at
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Our Sincerest Condolences |
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To Rick Chanin and his family on the loss of his father, Marvin Chanin.
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.
Marjorie Marantz in memory of Alan Schwab
Susan & Neal Epstein in memory of Florence Harris
Phyllis S. Fisher in memory of Sara Rosenberg
Evelyn Whitehill in memory of Sheldon Silverstein
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
Sarah J.
By: Nathan R.
Sarah J, an extended-care resident and work-therapy intern here at Beit T’Shuvah, is excited to have her year-long journey of redemption featured at this year’s virtual gala. “My role in this gala was to tell my story and show how Beit T’Shuvah has helped me stay sober and change my life.”
The video of Sarah’s life-changing experience in this community, which will be shown during the gala on January 31st, had its start with a request from the development department for residents’ stories. After interviewing with event coordinator Avia Rosen and video production company Junk Films, Sarah’s story was chosen.
Having arrived last January just before the 2020 gala, Sarah remembers the excitement leading up to that event. “I saw everybody dressing up and putting on beautiful gowns last year. I was looking forward to...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.
Our community will gather for a special evening. Residents --current and past --, our founders and a special musical performance that will be truly inspirational. Additionally, you don’t want to miss a moving video about a woman’s journey to recovery and redemption.
This year we are honored to present Jackie Elkins with our first ever Spirit of Beit T'Shuvah Award. This will be an evening that will be talked about for many years.... please join us!
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Stay Safe This Holiday Season |
2020 has been tough for our communities. Beit T'Shuvah, in partnership with LA County Health, is reminding you to stay safe at home this holiday season by celebrating in person only with people you live with. Our work this month is the key to keeping our communities safe from COVID-19.
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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.
Back of shirt: "Be The Light That Helps Others See"
Multiple Colors Available!
Contact Dana Gache:
Phone: 3103516408
E-Mail: Ohmygache@gmail.com
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Purim is coming! A holiday of hat-shaped cookies, heroes, evildoers, masks, and unmasking, Purim is like a funhouse mirror that distorts reality to show us who we really are - much like 2020. And much like early recovery, you can’t make this ish up.
Join our Beit T'Shuvah community for a mini-schpiel, Purim games, and a mask contest - all via zoom!
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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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**NO CHALLAH WILL BE AVAILABLE UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE**
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.
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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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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