It’s hard to believe Purim is here and Passover is right around the corner. Hopefully, you have seen the announcement for the Purim Megillah reading, the Complete Unknown Purim Schpiel, and the 2nd night Community Pesach Seder. We also have our monthly Shabbat dinners with Shir Shabbat services before with thanks to the Klezmer Creek band. And we started a monthly Friday night potluck on top of that. Rabbi Koas offers a variety of classes and events too. Please check out the CBA online calendar for dates and times. There are paper copies in the lobby and office. Don’t see something you would like offered? Please let me or Rabbi Koas know.
Speaking of Rabbi Koas, it is hard to believe he has been with us for only a little over 8 months. I am happy to report we have signed a contract with him to continue as our Rabbi. His installation will be on Sunday, May 18th in the afternoon. We will also be celebrating Lag B’Omer with a Shabbat Under the Stars dinner and service on the preceding Friday, May 16th. It should be a fun weekend. Please save the dates. More information will be available mid April. To help plan or help day of, send a note to me at barbmcgee@comcast.net or the office.
Back to Purim. Two of the Purim mitzvot are giving gifts to family and friends (Shalach Manos) and giving to those in need (Matanot L’evyonim). Please order Shalach Manos by March 5th. And you can fulfill the Matanot L’evyonim mitzvah by donating to our annual Purim Shekel sale. The Religious Practice Committee started this tradition a few years ago. This year for Purim, your CBA board of directors has designated the Shekel sale proceeds to go to the Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center which burned down during the LA fires last month. Whether you come to the Megillah reading, the annual Schpiel or order Shalach Manos, please donate to the Shekel sale. We will accept money donations through Friday, April 3rd and I will report the total collected in cybershul before Pesach.
I want to thank the Teddy Bear makers lead by Esther Baruch. Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected by the Israel-Gaza war especially the children. Please call Esther Baruch or call the office for ways to help even if you cannot craft a bear. Funds are needed for shipping and supplies.
And I don’t want to forget to thank the Advocates for Social Justice committee and supporters for bringing Benjamin Mertz back to Beth Ami for the Martin Luther King holiday weekend. It was a Shabbat full of love, grace and hope. I also want to thank the Social Action committee for their continued support of the Palms with food and warm clothing donations from our community.
For our cherished second home, Beth Ami, we are having Solar panels installed in mid March, weather permitting. We finally got to a point where we could afford the investment that should significantly lower our electric bill. Thank you, facilities chair, Richard Kahn for all your efforts on this project. By Pesach, the project should be done and we will have seen our first lower bill. We also are having our Torahs inspected and repaired. The Sofer is in southern California. If you would like to donate for travel and repair expenses, call the office and make a donation to the Torah Restoration fund.
And finally, I want to announce we will be having a brunch on Tuesday, April 22nd in honor of Elizabeth Jarlsberg Appreciation day. Elizabeth has been with us over 18 years. It’s chai time to celebrate. Want to help? Email me or give me a call.
Be well, enjoy the month of Adar and a Kosher L’Pesach
