January 29 2021 l 16 Sh'vat 5781
CONGREGATION BEIT T'SHUVAH WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
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Dear Congregants,
Every Friday morning, I usually begin Torah study with “Today in Jewish History”so that residents can have a taste of the the amazing and complex history of the Jewish people over the centuries.
This week has also contained its share of events that have been etched into our collective memory:
International Holocaust Remembrance Day 2021
The Liberation of Auschwitz Concentration Camp.
The death of Kobe Bryant and seven others in a fatal crash.
The Challenger Disaster
COVID deaths reach over 420,000 people
It is ironic that in this week’s Torah portion, Beshallach, not only is there the memory of the celebration of the Children of Israel having crossed the Sea of Reeds, but also there is a memory of all of the ones who also lost their lives as part of this great historical drama to which we are the heirs.
In the midst of our freedoms and joyous moments, may we remember all of those souls who have gone before us. May their memories be a blessing.
Yitgaddal v’yitkaddash…
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Micha'el Akiba
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THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION
By: Rabbi Joseph Shamash
I am the daughter of Black writers, who are descended from Freedom Fighters who broke their chains and changed the world. They call me.
- Amanda Gorman, National Youth Poet Laureate
If you missed her during last week’s Presidential Inauguration, Amanda Gorman’s poetry stole the show. What’s amazing to me is that the youngest poet to speak at a presidential inauguration has a speech impediment. And she says the mantra above - which she recites before speaking publicly - is what gives her the strength and courage to use her voice.
What if she didn’t use her voice because of a lisp? What if Moses used the same justification and didn’t stand up to Pharaoh? Would we still be slaves?
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Staci C. for one year of sobriety.
Mason I. for one year of sobriety.
Jeff M. for one year of sobriety.
Micah R. for one year of sobriety.
Sara P. for 3 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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To Staci Cohen, Congratulations to our beautiful daughter on reaching one year of sobriety. You conquered the covid year! Here’s to your bright future...one day at a time. Love you lots, Mom and DB
Dear Jeff, This has been a year of significant personal growth. We are all so proud of you, and most grateful for your commitment to sobriety. You are loved and cherished by us all. On behalf of our family, Mom!
To our Dear Sara, We never doubted your wisdom, your will or your strength. We are every minute of every day proud of the choices you’re making. Congratulations, on all you have achieved and are still achieving on this your third birthday. Mom Dad and Richard
Sara, you have brightened my life. My sense of spirituality and understanding of self has grown exponentially since having you around. Thank you for calling me on my bs and for listening to my struggles. I am so proud of your sobriety, and I feel so privileged to be witnessing this recent spiritual awakening that you are having. I love you. - Jules
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If you would like to sponsor shabbat at
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To Janice Kamenir-Reznik and Ben Reznik on the birth of their granddaughter, Zoe Lillian Reznik Slater
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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Our Sincerest Condolences |
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To Brian Houston and his family on the loss of his father, Robert Houston
and...
To Zach Weinberg and his family on the loss of his father, Irvin Weinberg
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.
Mariela & Leonard Bauer in memory of Nathan Bauer
Alan Shuman in honor of Susan Krevoy and Leo Spiwak
Anonymous in honor of The Webster Family
Sarah & Richard Blum in honor of Kathy Hack's birthday
Nancy & David Grant in honor of Janice and Ben's new granddaughter, Zoe Lillian Reznik Slater
Jeff Holden in honor of Zac Jones
Marjorie Marantz in honor of Jeff Marantz
Reesa & Jerry Niznick in honor of Sue Konheim's birthday. Wishing you many happy and healthy returns!
Marilyn Schulman in honor of Jackie Elkins
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
Beit T'Shuvah's Virtual Gala
By: David Pflaster
Jewish tradition tells us that “whoever saves one life saves the world entire.” This line from The Talmud, which has been studied by rabbis and their students long before you or I were born, is rooted in the idea that one man, or woman, can make a difference. That as long as one good person still exists in the world, there is still good in the world.
So then, what does it mean to save 150 lives? That is what Harriet Rossetto was intent on finding out when she first opened Beit T’Shuvah 35 years ago, and along with her husband Rabbi Mark Borovitz, worked to create a treatment model that does just that.
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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.
Multiple Colors Available!
Contact Dana Gache:
Phone: 3103516408
E-Mail: Ohmygache@gmail.com
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Purim is coming! Join us on Thursday, February 25th at 7pm (on zoom.) 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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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. Order online here.
Available flavors: Plain, Chocolate Chip, Salted Caramel or Raisin. 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.
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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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