Labor Day has come and gone, so technically summer is over. That means the High Holy Days are right around the corner. Sisterhood wants to usher you into 5781 with a little food, a little fun and a lot of community.

ROSH HASHANAH

Our next meeting will be Sunday, September 13 at 7pm. We will be discussing "preparing for Rosh Hashana" – with recipes, songs, traditions. It will be a fun, revitalizing meeting focused on the Jewish new year. We do have a little business to attend to – we need to approve our Sisterhood budget for the coming year. We will get through that early on though, so the rest of the evening will be more enjoyable. Log in at 6:45 and we will have the proposed budget so you can review it and formulate any questions you may have. The Zoom link will go out via e-mail later this week.

HONEY WISHES

If you want to send sweet honey wishes to the clergy and staff for Rosh Hashana, there's still time to do so. Each clergy and office staff member will receive a jar of honey with a letter saying who is wishing them a sweet new year. If you have not yet sent in your $36 to participate and wish to do so, send an email to honey@tassisterhood.org saying that you want to send sweet honey wishes to the clergy and staff and include how your name should be listed on the letter.
 
To pay for honey wishes, either 1) Send in a check for $36; 2) Pay online using the "Honey" button on the Donate page on the Sisterhood website: (https://www.tassisterhood.org/donate.html); or 3) call Jackie Zev, Honey Chair, at 818-832-9099 and give her your credit card information. (Do not email credit card information!) Questions? Send an email to honey@tassisterhood.org or call Jackie at 818-832-9099. Honey wishes ordering deadline is Tuesday, Sept 15.

Information about our annual Sukkot celebration and the purchase of Lulav and Etrog will be sent out in our next e-mail blast.

Spiritual Thought:
People often avoid making decisions out of fear of making a mistake. Actually the failure to make decisions is one of life's biggest mistakes.   
- Rabbi Noah Weinberg

Have a great week! See you on Sunday.
Take Care and Stay Safe,

SISTERHOOD NEWS – COMING EVENTS
AUGUST 30, 2020

And so it begins . . .
School has started, the High Holy Days are just around the corner, and we are still coping with Covid-19, social distancing, civil unrest, and a hotly contested presidential election. It is a lot to deal with all at one time, and can feel overwhelming. We are so very lucky to be a part of Temple Ahavat Shalom, where activities are planned for almost every day and we have a caring and generous community. Our Sisterhood is moving forward, as well.

LEADERSHIP DAY
As you know, our annual Leadership Day was held on August 16, 2020. Many thanks to the committee responsible for a fun and educational experience: Judy Stehr, Karen Pelmont, Diane Levine, Efrat Yakobi Gafni and Jackie Zev. The activities were fun and the morning moved quickly. It’s hard to believe we spent over three hours together and the time just flew by.

SEPTEMBER EVENT – 09/13/20
Getting Ready for Rosh Hashana – our new Programming Vice Presidents, Dori Hoffman and Karen Jaye have put together a terrific program to get us in the spirit of the High Holy Days. Please join us on 09/13/2020 (Sunday) at 7pm for an evening of song and community to get us in the mind set for Rosh Hashana. Please RSVP to Dori Hoffman at dhoffman10@socal.rr.com by 09/06/20. A flyer will be sent out shortly.

TAS SMALL GROUPS
As you know, TAS began forming small interest groups so that we can all get to know one another a little better. That effort is continuing. If you are interested in joining a small group, please read the following from Laraine Miller:
New Interest Groups are being developed for TAS Members. During our restrictions due to COVID -19, groups are encouraged to get creative with using Zoom to discuss, share, view, and talk more about your topics. Safe in person distancing is allowed per area guidelines. Down the road when more direct contact is allowed, your groups will be able to expand ways of getting together. Groups will determine their own schedule and facilitate personal Zoom accounts. Please contact Laraine Miller at tzlady@socal.rr.com to sign up and receive more information. Ideas for a group with a focus area not suggested are welcome for consideration. Hrre is a list of some of our current and forming groups:

Jews Celebrating Together: Creating Community & Finding Joy in Jewish Holidays.
The Business World: Discuss the News of the Day, Big & Small Business, the Who's Who in Business, Mergers, Acquisitions, Investments and more!
Sports as a Window into US History & Society: Women's & Men's Professional Sports, Negro League Baseball, Anti-Semitism in Sports, Olympic Highlights, Sports Gambling & Cheating, Dangers Inherent with Sports and more!
Sporting Book Club: Select sports themed books and engage in discussion.
Pirke Avot: Studying the Wisdom of our Jewish Sages. (Our Clergy will assist with start -up).
The First Act: For families with Toddlers through High School Children: Parenting Styles, Raising Menschs, How to Stay Sane. (Our Clergy will assist with start- up).
The Second Act: The Kids Have Moved Out or Maybe Moved Back Home, Now What? Finding Meaning and Purpose. (Our Clergy will assist with start- up).
The Third Act: Wise Aging & Living Fully in Your Senior Years. (Our Clergy will assist with start- up).
Bubbies & Zaydes: The Joys & Challenges of Grandparenting in today's world.
In Pursuit of Music: Share and discuss music of the Divas, Crooners, Blues, Jazz and Other Genres, Male Groups, Female Groups and Favorite Singles.
Trivial Pursuit: A group just to schmooze and enjoy each other's company.
The Curious Eaters (from a Safe Distance): Virtual and Eventual Dining Experiences! Share favorite places to dine, local and far away. Share photos, YouTubes from around the world and personal food stories.
 Break A Leg: Virtual and Eventual Live Theater Performances! Select a performance to view independently and arrange time for talking points. One play, several Jews, a multitude of opinions and perspectives!
Explore Jewish History Through Historical Fiction Book Club: Select books to read and engage in group discussion
Jewish Cooking Around the World: Share recipes, discuss ingredients and unique ways to cook different foods.
Hiking/Walking: Grab your mask, hat and water, and within safe distancing walk with a few friends in neighborhoods or public access trails.
Movie Club: Select movies to watch independently and meet online or in safe distance to discuss the characters, the plot, the ending, the cinematography, the actors and directors.
Photography Club: Virtually share your photos and discuss the location, the reason for the photo, the techniques and camera used to take the photos. Safely meet at locations to take photos and enjoy the experience.
Current Events: Pick a date, read the headlines, and engage in the talk of a town, state, country, and world.
Travel Bug: Select a travel destination, share its history, its highlights, share photos and stories. Relive your favorite places and inspire others.

INSPIRATION
At Leadership Day it was suggested that we do something spiritual to provide comfort to our members. I will try and come up with a meaningful quote for the end of our Newsletter to share with all of you. If you have a special quote or saying that means something to you, please feel free to share it with me, and you may see it printed in an upcoming newsletter. I believe this first quote says it all:

“The highest form of Wisdom is Kindness”
The Talmud

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REMINDER: A Morning of Sisterhood Leadership is this Sunday - August 16, 2020
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If you haven't RSVP'd yet, please contact Diane Levine at levinedp@gmail.com and you will be given the Zoom code to experience and enter the Re-Imagination Kingdom (or Queendom) from the comfort of your home.

It promises to be an enjoyable morning with much information and Sisterhood.

Can't wait to see you there!

COME JOIN US FOR AN EVENING OF WONDERFUL ENTERTAINMENT TO BENEFIT ECEC AND SISTERHOOD!

Enjoy the talents of Jennifer Bennett, Stephanie Shearer, Les Birken and a whole lot more!

This event is a fundraiser for both organizations. It promises to be a lot of fun and very entertaining.  All proceeds will be split between Sisterhood and ECEC. Come join us for an enjoyable evening - there is no upfront cost to attend; Please log into Zoom with the link below to support our volunteer entertainers with your enthusiasm and our ECEC and Sisterhood with your donations.  See you there! 

Topic: Sisterhood-ECEC Talent Show
Time: Jul 16, 2020 07:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88094013669
Meeting ID: 880 9401 3669
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TAS Sisterhood and ECEC have combined forces to produce an amazing show on Thursday, July 16 at 7pm via Zoom.

This event is a fundraiser for both organizations. It promises to be a lot of fun and very entertaining. Performers include: the amazing Jennifer Bennett, the incredible Stephanie Shearer, the fabulous Les Birken, and others you will not want to miss! All proceeds will be split between Sisterhood and ECEC. Come join us for an enjoyable evening - there is no upfront cost to attend; we hope you will support our volunteer entertainers with your enthusiasm and our ECEC and Sisterhood with your donations.  See you there! 

Topic: Sisterhood-ECEC Talent Show
Time: Jul 16, 2020 07:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
See Temple email or Sisterhood email for Zoom link​

Welcome to a brand new Sisterhood year! We are starting off with a July event, which we hardly ever have . . . but more of that a bit later.
 
Sisterhood Board Installation - June 18, 2020
Our installation was held on June 18, 2020 and was a beautiful event even if we couldn't all be together in person. Many thanks to Sue Sculler for putting it all together, and to our WRJ Area Director Tracy Poirier who conducted the installation ceremony.

We also want to thank Rabbi Becky for joining us and for her lovely words. We are looking forward to a new and exciting year with her as our Rabbi.

Sisterhood Membership
Please be sure to renew your Sisterhood membership today! Just visit our website at www.tassisterhood.org for the Membership Application. You can fill it in, pay your dues and submit all at one time. No muss, no fuss! A membership packet will be e-mailed to all the women of TAS in the next few weeks. And don't forget to include your spouses and non-TAS friends and family as "Friends of Sisterhood."
 
WRJ-PD Area Day - July 12, 2020 via ZOOM
 If you have not signed up for Area Day yet, you need to hurry. Membership registration closes on July 8, and the event is on July 12 via Zoom. There is no charge for the event, but donations are requested.

 A copy of the registration flyer is attached, This event is always fun and interesting, and there are numerous workshops to choose from. If you have never been to Area Day, please note that our own Phyllis Bigelson is hosting a “First Timers” event prior to Area Day, which should also be a lot of fun and will help you get to know some of your WRJ-PD Sisters.

Talent Show Fundraiser July 16 via Zoom
This event promises to be a lot of fun, with some amazing entertainment. All proceeds will be split between Sisterhood and ECEC, We willl also be treated to some amazing talent from our ECEC parents. The event will begin at 7pm. Please log in to the Zoom event (link will be sent out prior to the program) and help support ECEC and Sisterhood with your donations and enthusiasm.

It's That Time Honey!
Our Rosh Hashanah Honey Fundraiser is accepting orders now! YOu can send a jar of honey to friends and/or family within the US for just $12 per jar. Shipping is free until July 17 ($5.50 if ordered after that.) Each jar is delivered just before Rosh Hashanah with your personal wishes for a Sweet and Joyous NewYear.  The free shipping deadline is coming up fast, so order today!

You can also send the clergy or member of the TAS professional staff good wishes for a Sweet and Happy New Year for just $6 per person or $36 for honey wishes to all the clergy and office staff. One honey jar will be sent to each clergy or office staff member and your name will be listed on a greeting as a contributor of wishes for a Sweet and Joyous New Year.

As you know, we are having our Sisterhood Installation tomorrow evening, Thursday June 18, 2020 at 7pm via ZOOM. We are asking for your support in welcoming our Board for the 2020-2021 fiscal year, and saying our good-byes to the 2019-2020 Board. Usually our installation is part of our end-of-the-year luncheon, but unfortunately due to the current state of the world, we are unable to host that event. It is a great way to say hello to your Sisterhood friends, and cheer us on to another productive year.

Thank you so much for all you do!​