March 12 2021 l 28 Adar 5781
CONGREGATION BEIT T'SHUVAH WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
Dear Congregants,

I was reminded that this coming Sunday is when we change to Daylight Savings Time. We “spring forward” one hour. In the words of Harriet Rossetto, this would be the perfect example of a “both-and” — we lose an hour of sleep but we gain a little more sunlight in the evening.
 
We have also begun promoting our upcoming Passover celebration and events. Please make sure you sign up early and invite your friends. (Click here to sign up)
 
This week was also the anniversary of the violent attack on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, back on March 7, 1965 when then-25-year-old activist John Lewis was almost killed. 
 
As we move closer and closer to Passover, we are called by history to remember what has happened to Jews and other peoples that there is still work to be done so that all peoples might live together and be emancipated from the slavery of tyrants and the self-serving ego and truly be free at last. Indeed, thank G-d Almighty, free at last.

Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Micha'el Akiba
THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION
By: Rabbi Miriam Green Potok

There is a LOT going on in the Jewish calendar right now. On Sunday, we will celebrate Rosh Hodesh, the beginning of a new month. Passover is fast approaching – it’s only a couple of weeks away. And this Shabbat, we will read the conclusion of the book of Exodus, as this week’s parashah is a combined Torah portion: Vayakhel-Pekudei. (What’s more, Daylight Savings time begins on Sunday as well – remember to set your clocks forward!)

At the beginning of this week’s Torah portion we receive a commandment that feels as unexpected as Daylight Savings time does when it arrives every year. As Moses calls the people together to instruct them concerning their parts in the construction of the Tabernacle, he opens with God’s commandment to the people to keep Shabbat. “On six days work may be done,” Moses reminds them, “but on the seventh day you shall have a Sabbath of complete rest, holy to the Lord.” Not long ago, Moses had received and passed on to them this commandment to keep Shabbat as the fourth of the Ten Commandments; one would think that the people would be well aware of this requirement to rest on the seventh day. Why does...click here to read more.
SHABBAT THIS WEEK
SOBER BIRTHDAYS
Bret R. for one year 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.
SHABBAT SPONSORS
Happy Birthday to the best sister in the world! Thank you for your love and support.
Eileen Sossin-Johnson
If you would like to sponsor shabbat at
Beit T'Shuvah, click here.
BTS THRIFT STORE CORNER
Shop, donate and share with your friends.
*Shipping is available upon request*
 
OUR SINCEREST CONDOLENCES
to the family and friends of Amy Palubicki...
&
to the family and friends of Ned Lerman...
&
to Lise Applebaum and her family on the loss of her mother, Roberta Goldman

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. 
TRIBUTE DONATIONS
Tribute donations are a wonderful way of marking life cycle events for your loved ones and friends and supporting Beit T'Shuvah. 

Nina Jo Shapiro in honor of Nancy Grant
Herb Schwartz in honor of The Fingerhut Family
Jackie & Keith Elkins in memory of Amy Palubicki
Beth Shader in memory of Ari Benjamin Osteen
Steve Firestone in memory of Kelly Vincent
Susan & Perry Simon in memory of Kristine Stinson
Norman Scharf in memory of Lillian Scharf
Anne & David Ruderman in memory of Roberta Goldman
Janice Kamenir-Reznik & Ben Reznik in memory of Roberta Goldman
Evan Kopald in memory of Ryan Kopald
Jana Wernor in memory of Ryan Kopald
Joy Wolf in memory of Ryan Kopald
Lynn Shapiro in memory of Ryan Kopald for his relentless energy to help others
Carrie & Scott Newman in memory of Steven Pollock
Carrie & Scott Newman in memory of Wolf Helmreich
Carrie & Scott Newman in memory of Zachary Wohlman

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. 
BEIT T'SHUVAH GOES VIRTUAL
To stay up to date on all virtual programming and for more information go to www.beittshuvah.org/bts-events/virtual 
Stepping into Liberation
A Pre-Passover Jewish Recovery Retreat
March 13-14, 2021
 
A Pre-Passover Jewish Recovery Retreat: March 13-14, 2021. Residents, alumni, BTS community members and friends are welcome to join us for a pre-Passover online retreat. This free event is offered in collaboration with OC Jewish Collaborative, Our Jewish Recovery, T'Shuvah Center, and many more partners in the field of Jewish Recovery. Speakers include Rabbi Mark Borovitz, who will be giving a keynote address and Harriet Rossetto who will speak on a panel addressing visionary work in recovery. To RSVP and for more info, please click here.

To RSVP and for more info, please click here.
Passover 2021
Join us this year at our three very special events and celebrate with us virtually. This is a year you won't want to miss as we share personal stories of redemption and great music from the BTS Music Department!

Saturday March 27th at 7:00pm
Sunday March 28th at 7:00pm
Saturday April 3rd at 7:00pm

To RSVP and for more info, please click here.
Spring Adult Education
Our Spring Adult Education series begins Tuesday April 6th at 7pm with Rabbi Micha'el teaching THIS IS OUR SHABBAT: Learning Jewish Liturgy.

For Zoom link and more info, please click here.
Connections: Lost & Found
Please join us on May 13th and 14th for Connections: Lost and Found- an interactive conference hosted by the Elaine Breslow Institute at Beit T’Shuvah featuring key note sessions from Johann Hari, Harriet Rossetto, Dr. Timothy Fong, and more. Through Johann Hari’s two New York Times best-selling books and his viral Ted Talk, has taught the world that “the opposite of addiction is not sobriety, the opposite of addiction is connection.” We need connection. All of us.  

As we aim to shift from role-based connections to soul-based connections, we are thrilled to host this event and explore the healing power of connection and the integration of science and the spirit. To register or for more information, please click here.
Slingshot Ten to Watch: EBI
We are pleased to announce that our Elaine Breslow Institute has been recognized by The Slingshot Fund as one of the Ten To Watch for changemaking organizations in the Jewish community! Slingshot mobilizes young Jewish philanthropists as funders and active change agents, who, with their partners, shape the Jewish community to be vibrant and continuously evolving. Our partnership and recognition by Slingshot will place our work in front of an enthusiastic audience of young Jewish leaders, and we are delighted and thrilled at this opportunity to accelerate and extend our message.
Amazon Smile
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
Friday night services held via zoom at 6:30pm PT.

For Zoom link and more info, please click here.
BTS Sisterhood T-Shirts
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

Click HERE to order!
Alumni Process Group
Alumni Process group for residents who have left BTS during the pandemic.

Wednesdays at 12pm.


For Zoom link and more info, click here.
Pandemic Parenting
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.

For Zoom link and more info, please click here.
Saturday Morning Services
Saturday morning Prayer and Meditation at 10:30am PT.

For Zoom link and more info, please click here.
Spiritual Class
Come learn on Saturday mornings at 9:30am PT with Rabbi Micha'el Akiba.

For Zoom link and more info, please click here.
CHALLAH IS BACK!
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!
Sober Birthdays
We are still celebrating birthdays each week on our Shabbat Zoom.

To sign up to take a cake, please contact Jillian.
CoVital
Monday through Saturday at 9am PT. Join the Facebook group:

Life In Uncertain Times
Life in Uncertain Times: Coping Strategies Before, During, and After Corona. With Rabbi Joseph. Mondays from 12-1pm PT/3-4pm ET.

For Zoom link and more info, please click here.
To Life
BTS community AA meeting: Thursdays at 7pm.

For Zoom link and more info, please click here.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
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.

Direct line to make monetary donations is 310-280-3699 or visit our website