MAY 2016
A MESSAGE FROM OUR RABBI
When I Was Twelve Years Old I Met Eli Wiesel
By Rabbi Ron Li-Paz
When I was twelve years old, my parents took me to Valley Beth Shalom for a lecture
one evening. The speaker was Eli Wiesel. At age twelve, I knew nothing of Wiesel, nothing of his writings and little about the Holocaust.
I cannot write that I remember a word of what Eli Wiesel said that evening. I have faint
memories of the crowded room, a man and a book signing. I do have a distinct memory
though of the book that Wiesel signed for me. It was Night. It was the book that
changed my worldview. Night led to Dawn which led me to Twilight and then to Day.
Wiesel’s books led me to Chaim Potok and The Chosen, The Promise, In the Beginning,
and a book that touched me deeply, My Name is Asher Lev. In those teenage days, my
Jewishness was nurtured through literature. That was a benefit of not being allowed to
watch television…. I learned through characters and stories that I was part of Europe
and New York’s Lower East Side. I learned that boys like me experienced Judaism as
challenging, tragic, liberating and victorious. Mine was not the only teenage male Jewish
experience and my story and identity were more expansive that I had realized.
A few weeks ago, my daughter, Hannah, had a similar Shoah awakening. She spent a
wonderful afternoon with Carla and Jacob Adivi in the home of a Jewish artist and Holocaust survivor. The connection that Hannah and Eva made in those few hours was powerful. Through art and conversation, their stories converged.
On May 13th, at the Hilton, we will merge our memories, stories and prayers in a special
Shabbat service. The director of the LA Museum of the Holocaust as well as several survivors will speak to us as we commemorate Yom Hashoah, Holocaust Remembrance
Day.
If your children or grandchildren are above the age of ten years old, I invite you to bring
them. If they do not hear directly from survivors of the Holocaust while these remarkable
people are still living, that part of their history will become questionable and even deniable.
If you are a survivor or the family member of a survivor, please join us as we honor your
history as we light candles of Shabbat, history and hope.
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President’s
I have mentioned in previous articles that ,
as of July 2016, VOS is going to be governed by a Board of Directors. The Board
will be made of the president, past president, and seven vice-presidents with two
directors under each of them. In addition,
there will be a treasurer and secretary. It
has taken a year of preparation to get
ready for the Board.
At our January Task Force meeting, I asked the group who
would be interested in running for positions on our new
Board. I had said that it is important that those who have
been on the Task Force need to step up and become involved with the new Board. I didn’t know what response I
would receive. I was surprised with the announcement by
our Nominating Committee that many of our present Task
Force members were going to run for office. This was very
important because we need those people on the new Board
to make sure that those continuing as officers know the culture and history of the synagogue.
I was grateful to hear that news. However, there was a second part to the Nominating Committee’s announcement
which was equally important. I also heard that there are
many people who have not been involved with the Task
Force, are also running for vice-presidents and directors.
This news was probably the most important part of why we
decided to go to a formal Board of Directors. We recognized
that under a Task Force model of governing, we did not attract newer congregants to help govern VOS. As I have said
many times before, the lifeblood of VOS is a continual influx
of newer people to help govern. We need that to ensure
that we remain relevant to all our constituents.
Elections will be held in May and our Board will be officially
sworn in at the June service in the park. As I am coming to
the end of my second two-year term as president, this will
be the second to the last article from me as president . Next
month I will write about my experiences and feelings as
president of VOS for the last four years.
Larry Rudner, President
What can YOU do to help us continue supporting our
deployed Service Members?
Letters from the Front
Greetings from the USS Harry S. Truman, currently deployed. I work in the Reactor Department on-board,
and we received some of the packages that you and
your kind community prepared for service members.
I just wanted to thank you for the time and love you
invested in showing your support. The sailors I work
with and I are always excited when we receive packages like the ones that you sent. We greatly appreciate
what you sent and believe me when I say there were
nothing but smiles all around as we opened the boxes
to reveal the treasures inside. You never know what
one person or another is running low on or something
that someone could use and the variety of items you
gave were very helpful.
Have a great day and keep on rockin….
Supplies are dwindling down to bare shelves and
postage donations are scarce. Can you help?
Bring donations to our next service and drop them in
the bin for Operation Interdependence, or call and
we will arrange a pick-up if needed.
As always, we will fulfill our commitments to our
military each month with your help.
If your group or organization would like to volunteer
or make a donation of goods, please contact Sheri or
Reva to make arrangements. Join us; donate; contribute; write NOTES, and keep the supply lines going.
Many thanks from our Team Leaders and Quality
Team!
The need is growing – not
shrinking.
Sheri Albala, Co-chairperson
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Sisterhood News
Men’s Club
With May already here and June just
around the corner, the Sisterhood has
many important decisions to make before we break for the summer. I look
forward to seeing you at our May
meeting where we will have elections
of our new board and discuss the future of the Sisterhood, plus our hospitality committee sign up. Of course, the End of the
Year Dinner will be lots of fun, so see you all there!
The Men’s Club annual dinner on October 23 is 75% sold
out! In addition to good food, fun and laughter, we will
have live entertainment. Contact Bob Brandt at 818535-0067 for more information.
Below is our calendar of meetings and events. I look
forward to seeing you at our monthly meetings. Look
for the flyer from Judy Handelman in this Outreach .
Thursday, May 5th - 6:30 P.M. Eat & Schmooze
General Meeting and elections of our 2016- 2018 board
members
Guest Speaker: Scott Abrams, Deputy Director
For Brad Sherman $5 for guests
Thursday, June 2 —End of the Year Dinner (Members
Only)
You’ll find the flyer in this month’s Outreach.
We hope to form a hospitality committee for our
monthly meetings. At the moment the burden has fallen on just two people—and they need help. Please
consider signing up for this important service.
The monthly meetings are held at Kaiser Permanente,
Woodland Hills. We meet at 6:30 and provide coffee.
Be sure to bring your dinner and beverage. It is important that you R.S.V.P. to Debbie Duval
Have a wonderful month, and I hope to see you at the
many wonderful Sisterhood and Temple events.
Marlene Frierson, Sisterhood President
Last month, our special guest, Rabbi Li-Paz, had to
postpone being with us due to a lingering cold. We
wished him a speedy recovery.
Our guest speaker on July 7, 2016, will be Victor
CarrNahmias’ son, Elliott, an active member of AIPAC.
He will give us an in-depth view of that important organization.
For information regarding our Men’s Club, contact
George Quint.
Bob Resnick
VOS Men’s Club Representative
Bereavement Committee
“Those we love don’t go away; they walk beside us
everyday… unseen, unheard, but always near. Still
loved, still missed, and very dear.” Author Unknown.
These last few months have been very difficult for
many of our VOS families. May our thoughts and prayers be with those who have lost a loved one.
Many of our members have reached out to help when
the need was requested, and I thank everyone who
could volunteer. If you would like to become a member of our Bereavement Committee, just email me,
and I will add you to my eblast list.
Marlene Frierson, Bereavement Chairperson
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SISTERHOOD MEMBERS’ END OF THE YEAR DINNER
JUNE 2, 2016
Macaroni Grill
19400 Plummer Street, Northridge
6:00 P.M.
Hello Ladies,
Thank you for a wonderful year! To celebrate, please join us for our
annual End of the year Dinner. This is a way to get to see all our sisters
and enjoy one another’s company. We will schmooze and dine and
not have to bring our own food!
Dinner will include three courses, and a menu will be provided with
several choices for your special tastes. Dinner cost: $30.00 per person.
Please make checks out to VOS, and on the memo line write “dinner”.
Mail checks to Barbara Barackman. Looking forward to seeing many
of you there.
Judy Handelman
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YOUR MITZVAH
COMMITTEE AT WORK
The list below outlines some of our Mitzvah Committee activities this past year. Our committee is made up
of amazing volunteers who have unselfishly and extensively given of their time and efforts. They are: Al and
Barbara Swedelson, Barbara Granowitz, Bunni and
Marshall Hoffman, Renee and Bob Resnick, Eileen
Malis, Emily Kaplan, Judy Handelman, Karen Jacobs,
Laurie Alban, Linda Mike, Marlene Frierson, Richard
Rice, Stella Rogers, Randie Rosenberg and Donna
Sheanin.

Adopted 3 Families w/JFS in December 600 dollars—
donated scrip and purchased items,

Bereavement Committee – helping families with
post funeral reception at home,


Crafters – knitted items for children in hospitals,

Donations: Magen David Adom 500 dollars, Hadassah Hospital 500 dollars,
Feeding the Hungry bi-monthly in Conejo Valley and
have added a location in the San Fernando Valley,

Koreh LA - volunteering to read with elementary
children,

Mitzvah Day: OI-write letters to troops; Crop Hunger Walk; SOVA food bank; singing at the Jewish
Home,

Operation Interdependence - Purchased Costco
scrip and wrote letters of thanks to our troops,

Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund – donated 200 dollars in
scrip,

Shoes That Fit 700 dollars donation of shoes for
needy school children (per JFS),
Sunshine Committee - Trained by Chaplain Jennifer
in best ways to cheer others through phone calls,
notes and visits; updated Prayer’s List,

Tools for Schools through Jewish Family Services
donated 300 dollars and helped at event,

Walk to End Genocide and $500 donation to Jewish World Watch,

Volunteered at Passover Seder thru Jewish Family
Services,

Attended Jewish Family Services brainstorming
mitzvah meetings with other Valley synagogues,
Chanukah Toy and Book Drive – Jewish Family Services,



I’m proud of you all and cannot thank you enough
for all you have done to improve the lives of others.
Barbara Getzoff Huff
V.P. Mitzvah Committee
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A note from your
Youth Choirs Director
Wasn’t it exciting and delightful to see and hear all that young
energy coming through the voices of so many of our young
people at the recent Passover-Prep Shabbat service? I know it
was for me.
If a child or teen in your life came up and joined us during that
service and is considering doing it again, this is his or her
chance to try our choir! Maybe he/she wasn’t present, but you
know they have been itching to try it! The Youth Choir and
YAVE (teen choir) join forces this June 10 to bring you great
music selections for the first summer Shabbat in the Park.
There will be two Sunday afternoon rehearsals to prepare (not
in conflict with Oliver rehearsals).
How do you find out when and where, you ask? Just email Alice Goldsobel she will add your email to our growing list and
keep you in the loop. See you at choir!
Lisa Wall-Urgero
Celebrating Shabbat the
JEWELS Way
While most religions observe a handful of holidays throughout the year, we Jews are blessed
with celebrating a special “holiday” each week.
For the past two months, JEWELS families have
been experiencing Shabbat together as a JEM.
From the children leading the blessings over
the candles, wine and challah, to the traditional
foods that each family contributes to the meal,
JEM Shabbat dinners provide families with a
perfect opportunity to gather together to socialize outside of their hectic daily lives while
welcoming in the day of rest.
Whether gathering in a park, at a private home,
or (G-d willing) our new VOS home in the near
future, JEM Shabbat dinners will always be a
treasured feature of the
JEWELS program.
B’ShalomCarla Adivi
JEWELS Program Director
Tot Shabbat
cadivi@vosla.org
We have a special Tot Shabbat coming up for you and
your family! If you have children or grandchildren ages
birth to 10, please join us on Friday, May 13th in
Woodland Hills from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. for a fun and
engaging experience. This month we'll be celebrating
Israel Independence Day, Yom Ha'atzmaut, and we'll
take a pretend trip on an airplane to Israel and make
Israeli flags. Of course, we'll learn all about Shabbat
with fun games, stories and songs, and we'll also have a
Shabbat celebration with blessings, grape juice, challah
and lots of music with Wendy on the guitar.
In case you missed us last month, we made beautiful
afikomen bags to take home for Passover. We can't wait
to see you this month. We'll meet in the Apollo Room
of the Hilton Hotel. Come enjoy a meaningful and
fun experience with your kids and grandkids. Everyone
is invited. New families are welcome. We look forward
to seeing you there!
Wendy Levenson
Yahrzeit Board
It is time to make sure that your loved ones are on our
Yahrzeit board when the new synagogue welcomes us.
Please call or email me for an agreement form, and I
will be glad to take care of your request.
Marcia Gould ,Yahrzeit Chair
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HELP IS ON THE WAY!
Do you need someone to pet or house sit,
walk your dog? Someone to help with mail,
bills, meds, errands or shopping?
A person who can answer phones, type,
file, work on the computer?
A Karaoke Hostess?
If the answer is “yes” contact Teri Gamson
at terioke1@yahoo.com or
call 818-967-8305.
Task Force Meeting
May 15
CALABASAS TENNIS
AND SWIM CENTER
5:30 p.m.
23400 Park Sorrento
Calabasas, CA 91302-1743
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Glendale Centre Theatre
DONATION BOXES
Boxes near our Shalom Desk may be filled with food,
used ink/toner cartridges, cell phones or eyeglasses.
How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying—
AID TO ISRAEL DONATIONS
Richard Rice
June 20—8:00 p.m.
J. Pierpont Finch is a lowly window cleaner with
dreams of making it big in the business world. After
finding a copy of the book, “How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying”, Finch decides to apply
the tactics in the book to his own life. Soon he is
working as a mail-room clerk at the World Wide Wicket Company and quickly fighting his way up the corporate ladder. A huge Broadway hit musical.
TRIBUTE CARDS
Beverly Nisenson
KOREH L.A.
Bob and Renee Resnick
SUNSHINE COMMITTEE
Harvey Magidow
Sue Magidow
The Wizard of OZ— July 29—8:00 p.m.
“Follow the Yellow Brick Road” to GCT to see Dorothy and her little dog, Toto, join the Scarecrow, Tin
Man, and Cowardly Lion as they journey through the
magical Land of Oz to meet the wonderful Wizard.
Rediscover the real story of Oz in this fantastic musical treat for the entire family. A premiere for the
GCT—we promise a magical, amazing production
that you’ll want to see again and again!
OPERATION INTERDEPENDENCE
Old cellphones and used ink/toner cartridges
Sheri Albala
CRAFTERS’ CLUB
Knit and crochet for charity
Laurie Alban and Jean Cord
For tickets contact Sheri Albala
Profits from Glendale Centre Theatre ticket sales are
earmarked for our VOS Choir and have been so for
more than twenty years. This is one way to enjoy
yourself and, as a bonus, help VOS and our choir to
thrive.
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Scrip
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IMPORTANT CONTACT
VOS OFFICERS AND
INFORMATION
COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Office—21818 Craggyview St., Suite 100
Chatsworth, CA 91311-2952
FAX: 818-882-0868
WEBSITE: www.VOSLA.org
E-mail: VOSLA@socal.rr.com
818-879-8087
28035 Dorothy Drive, Suite 230
Agoura Hills, CA 91301
Rabbi
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Simchas — Gladness & Joy
May days, fun days, all around the spring days. Wonderful weather for celebrations and vacations, and so many
things! Folks, we’ll have articles in the newsletter when we receive at least two (hopefully more) simchas to
share. Please share your gladness and joy!
Jacqueline Callen is going to be a grandmother in September! Shannon and Brian Targon are having a boy.
and—on March 13th, Jacqueline went to a bridal show at Calabasas Country Club for her soon-to–be granddaughter-in-law, Paige, who is engaged to Eric Targon.
Remember when we were all praying and sending good wishes to Eric when he was in the Marines. He’s attending school now, and blessed with finding his soul mate, Paige. Congratulations Grandma, and Mazel tov to all!
Chag Sameach, Linda
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Jeff Edelstein
SOS Survival Products
15705 Strathern Street, #11
Van Nuys, CA 91006-1307
Phone: 1-800-079-7998
Fax: 1-818-909-0360
Web: www.sosproducts.com
Email: jeff@sosproducts.com
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June 10 and July 8
WHERE:
OAK CANYON COMMUNITY PARK
5600 HOLLYTREE DRIVE
OAK PARK, CA 91377
TIME:
5:30 P.M. BRING YOUR OWN PICNIC DINNER AND
BEVERAGE
7:00 P.M. SHABBAT SERVICE
PLEASE BRING A FLASHLIGHT AND CHAIR!
DIRECTIONS:
FROM THE WEST VALLEY TAKE THE 101 VENTURA
FREEWAY NORTH. EXIT AT KANAN ROAD.
TURN RIGHT AT END OF RAMP AND GO NORTH 2.9
MILES TO HOLLYTREE DRIVE.
TURN RIGHT ON HOLLYTREE DRIVE AND MAKE A
LEFT TURN INTO THE PARK
STREET PARKNG IS AVAILABLE ON HOLLYTREE DRIVE. WE RECOMMEND THAT
YOU PARK THERE AND WALK INTO THE PARK.
TO EASE THE PARKING SITUATION AT THE PARK, A DESIGNATED “DROP-OFF ONLY” AREA FOR DISCHARGING
PASSENGERS AND PICNIC ITEMS WILL BE AVAILABLE NEAR THE PICNIC PAVILION. SOMEONE WILL BE THERE TO
WATCH YOUR BELONGINGS WHILE YOU PARK IN THE AMPLE STREET PARKING AROUND THE PARK. THIS WILL
HELP BURN OFF THOSE PICNIC CALORIES FOR THOSE WILLING AND CAPABLE OF THE SHORT WALK—GOOD EXERCISE AND A GOOD DEED! THE UPPER LOT WILL BE AVAILABLE (UNTIL 6:15 P.M.) FOR THOSE WHO NEED EASIER ACCESS. WITHOUT EXCEPTION, PETS MUST BE ON A LEASH. THAT IS THE PARK RULE AND IT MUST BE
OBSERVED.
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May 13 - 7:00 p.m.
May 5
Men’s Club
6:00 p.m.
Bob Brandt residence
May 5
Sisterhood Eat and Schmooze
6:30 p.m.
Kaiser Permanente W.H.
May 7
On the Town Gala
6:30 p.m.
CBS Radford Studios
May 15
Task Force
5:30 p.m.
Calabasas Tennis and Swim Ctr.
May 15
Project Caring
10:30 to 11: 30 a.m.
West Valley Healthcare Center
May 22
Jewelry Boutique
1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Barbara Van Sluyters residence
Tot Shabbat at 6:30 p.m.
Israel Independence Day
Holocaust Memorial Day
June 10 - 7:00 p.m.
Oak Canyon Community Park
Traditions
July 8 - 7:00 p.m.
Oak Canyon Community Park
Celebrating Our Country
August 12 -7:00 p.m.
Tot Shabbat 6:30 p.m.
VOS—Who and What We ARE
May and August services are at
Hilton Hotel, 6360 Canoga Avenue,
Woodland Hills, CA 91367
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IMPORTANT NOTICE – PLEASE READ
VALLEY OUTREACH SYNAGOGUE (VOS) WILL NO LONGER ACCEPT FOR REIMBURSEMENT ANY RECEIPTS OVER 90 DAYS FROM DATE OF PURCHASE. IF YOU ARE PLACING AN ORDER ON BEHALF OF VOS AND WOULD LIKE TO USE THE VOS CREDIT
CARD PLEASE CONTACT JAN ROTH IN THE TEMPLE OFFICE. SHE WILL BE HAPPY
TO HELP YOU WITH YOUR ORDER. IF YOU CHOOSE TO MAKE A PAYMENT AND GET
REIMBURSEMENT PLEASE FORWARD YOUR RECEIPTS TO JAN AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. DO NOT HOLD FOR OVER 90 DAYS.
Dated Material, Please Expedite
Chatsworth, CA 91311-2952
21818 Craggyview St., Suite 100
Valley Outreach Synagogue
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