Much to our dismay, due to the coronavirus, we had to cancel our Sisterhood Seder. Being as it was to be a seder, appropriate only to Passover, we believe it doesn't lend itself to postponing the event until a few months from now. We are therefore offering you the opportunity to ask for a refund. For those who wish to donate that amount to Sisterhood, we won't say no, but please feel no obligation to do so.

We are not offering the option of a credit to next year's seder.

Please contact Laurie Scher at (818) 360-4836 or by email at lscher@socal.rr.com to convey your preference. We will get the refunds out as soon as we can.

A friend sent this beautiful poem that we want to share with you:

Poem by Fr. Richard Hendrick, OFM
March 13th 2020.

“Lockdown”

Yes there is fear.
Yes there is isolation.
Yes there is panic buying.
Yes there is sickness.
Yes there is even death.
But,
They say that in Wuhan after so many years of noise
You can hear the birds again.

They say that after just a few weeks of quiet
The sky is no longer thick with fumes
But blue and grey and clear.
They say that in the streets of Assisi
People are singing to each other
across the empty squares,
keeping their windows open

so that those who are alone
may hear the sounds of family around them.
They say that a hotel in the West of Ireland
Is offering free meals and delivery to the housebound.
Today a young woman I know
is busy spreading fliers with her number
through the neighbourhood

So that the elders may have someone to call on.
Today Churches, Synagogues, Mosques and Temples
are preparing to welcome
and shelter the homeless, the sick, the weary

All over the world people are slowing down and reflecting
All over the world people are looking at their neighbours in a new way
All over the world people are waking up to a new reality
To how big we really are.
To how little control we really have.
To what really matters
To Love

So we pray and we remember that
Yes there is fear
But there does not have to be hate.
Yes there is isolation
But there does not have to be loneliness
Yes there is panic buying
But there does not have to be meanness

Yes there is sickness
But there does not have to be disease of the soul
Yes there is even death
But there can always be a rebirth of love
Wake to the choices you make as to how to live now
Today, breathe
Listen, behind the factory noises of your panic
The birds are singing again

The sky is clearing,
Spring is coming,
And we are always encompassed by Love.
Open the windows of your soul
And though you may not be able
to touch across the empty square,
Sing.
​

​The health and well-being of our Sisterhood and all members of TAS is of paramount concern to all of us. As a result, and even though we have been very excited about our upcoming programs, we are postponing all Sisterhood events through April. We will be looking to reschedule these events in the hope that the current global health crisis will abate over the next few months.

We value your participation and commitment to Sisterhood and we are saddened at this unexpected development. However, we value your health and safety more, and believe this to be the most responsible course of action.

Please note that if you already have tickets for any of these events, you will be hearing from us further regarding the rescheduling.

Thank you to our hard working committees for all they do and have done to create these wonderful events. Your hard work and dedication are greatly appreciated.
Please take care of yourselves and stay healthy.

Please forward this email to your friends or relatives who have tickets to or were planning to attend any of these Sisterhood events.

​Spring is just around the corner, and we have a lot of amazing events coming up.

Violins of Hope – the much-anticipated Violins of Hope will be at TAS on March 19, 2020. The event starts at 7pm in the Sanctuary, followed by a lovely dessert reception. Hurry and get your tickets now! Cost is $20 for Sisterhood members and friends, $25 for all others. Tickets can be purchased on the TAS Sisterhood web site. Click here for more information or to purchase your tickets.

Bingotini is scheduled for March 28, 2020 at 7:30 in the Social Hall. Cost is $30 if paid before March 22, 2020 and $36 at the door. Contact Carol Bizar-Morton at carolthebizar@yahoo.com with any questions. Checks should be made payable to TAS Sisterhood and sent to Sue Cohen at 22349 James Alan Circle, Chatsworth, CA 91311

Sisterhood Seder is always a sell-out. This year the Seder is on April 2, 2020 at 6pm in the Social Hall. Cost to Sisterhood members and friends is $40, all guests are $48. Make checks payable to TAS Sisterhood and send to Laurie Scher at 18432 Kingsbury Street, Northridge, CA 91326.  You can also contact Laurie with any questions at 818-360-4836.

We are also encouraging our members to attend the ECEC Brunch and Boutique scheduled for March 15, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. This annual event helps support our ECEC and is a great source for new TAS members.

We cannot wait to see everyone at each of these events – it’s a great time to be a Sisterhood Member!

Thursday, February 20, 2020 7pm Social Hall - monthly meeting and event featuring Jasimine Tehrani, forensic psychologist, as guest speaker. Jasmine is a forensic psychologist with the Board of Parole Hearings, Forensic Assessment Division, and she will be sharing some real-life stories from the world of forensic psychology. The evening is guaranteed to be interesting. $5 for guests, free to Sisterhood Members and Friends of Sisterhood. Please come and bring with you an food item for SOVA. This month SOVA is requesting canned tomato products (sauce, paste, whole, diced, etc. A collection bin will be inside the Social Hall near the registration table.

March
Thursday, March 19, 2020 7pm in the Sanctuary - Violins of Hope will be here at TAS. Cost is $20 for Sisterhood Members and Friends; $25 for guests. Please click here to purchase tickets online, or drop off your check at the Temple office. Sponsorships are available. This will be a once in a life-time event. You will hear the story of Violins, listen to some beautiful music and enjoy a lovely dessert reception after the performance.
Note: The book, Violins of Hope by James A Grymes, will be available for sale in the Judaica shop and at the March 19 program. The price will be $15 (including tax). If you would like to reserve a copy, please email Diane Levine at levinedp@gmail.com. ( You can pay for it when you pick it up. )

Saturday, March 28, 2020 7:30pm in the Social Hall - Bingotini. An evening with friends, bingo and a little libation always makes for a great time.  Cost is $30 per person if paid by March 22, 2020 - $36 at the door. You can purchase Bingotini tickets online at tassisterhood.org or again, drop off a check at the Temple office. For more information click here or contact Carol Bizar Morton at carolthebizar@yahoo.com.

April
Thursday, April 2, 2020 at 6pm in the Social Hall - Women’s Seder. This year's theme is Celebrating Passover through the Evolution of Cookbooks. Cost is $40 for Sisterhood Members and Friends, $48 for Guests. This event sells out so be sure to get your reservation in quickly. You can mail your check to Laurie Sher at 18432 Kingsbury Street, Northridge, CA 91326. Please click here to see the flyer or go to the Sisterhood website at tassisterhood.org for additional information.

Well January has gone by in the blink of an eye, and here we are in February. We would like to thank our Programming Vice Presidents, Efrat Yakobi and Karen Jaye for bringing such great programming to us this year. In January, Rhonda Mayer was wonderful with her program on Growing Old Gracefully, and we are eagerly looking forward to the next events.

Our February event will be held on the 20th and is a bit of a departure for Sisterhood. Are you a fan of CSI, Criminal Minds or NCIS? Well, we are going to have our very own forensic psychologist, Jasmine Tehrani speak to us about what it’s really like in her field. She works with the Board of Parole Hearings, Forensic Assessment Division, and will be sharing with us some real-life stories about challenges she faces in the world of forensic psychology. It should be a fascinating evening. The event is February 20, 2020 at 7pm in the Social Hall. Free to Sisterhood Members and Friends. $5 for Guests. Click here to view the flyer.

Then get ready for March!

Violins of Hope will be coming to TAS on March 19. 2020. Cost is $20 for Sisterhood Members and Friends; $25 for guests. Please click here to purchase tickets online, or drop off your check at the Temple office. Sponsorships are available.

Don’t forget Bingotini. An evening with friends, bingo and a little libation always makes for a great time. March 28, 2020, 7:30pm in the Social Hall. Cost is $30 per person if paid by March 22, 2020 - $36 at the door. You can purchase Bingotini tickets online at tassisterhood.org or again, drop off a check at the Temple office. For more information click here or contact Carol Bizar Morton at carolthebizar@yahoo.com.

Then we roll straight into April with our Annual Women’s Seder on April 2, 2020 at 6pm. The theme this year is Celebrating Passover through the Evolution of Cookbooks. Cost is $40 for Sisterhood Members and Friends, $48 for Guests. This event sells out so be sure to get your reservation in quickly. You can mail your check to Laurie Sher at 18432 Kingsbury Street, Northridge, CA 91326. Please click here to see the flyer or go to the Sisterhood website at tassisterhood.org for additional information.

Other dates to highlight on your calendar:
Thursday February 13, 2020 The Kesher committee is hosting its monthly Lunch and Learn event. The topic is “Voting: How, When, Where and What” facilitated by our own Fran Lapides. For more information click here.

Friday February 14, 2020 Andy and Barry Mann are sponsoring the Oneg Shabbat in celebration of their 40th wedding anniversary.  Let’s help Andy and Barry celebrate by attending services on February 14.

• Who hosts a free pancake breakfast for students and parents on the first day of religious school each year?
• Who purchased a power washer for the school's playground equipment?
• Who helps fund the Avodah and campership programs?
• Who helps families send their confirmation students on the Washington DC L'Taken trip?
• Who purchased new microphones to help improve the sound system on the bema?
• Who is always the first to help TAS with money and manpower when unexpected expenditures occur?
• Who hosts, cooks and serves the TAS Summer Shabbabaques?
• Who (at risk to life and limb) constructs the TAS Sukkah each year?

If you answered "The Men of TAS" to these questions, you would be correct!
Yes, MoTAS contributes much to TAS and is a great supporter of our Sisterhood, its programs and events.

Let's show our support of MoTAS by attending the MoTAS Shabbat, Friday 7:30 pm, January 10, 2020!

We have a lot of exciting things happening this year.

Upcoming Events
Our first event is an evening on How to Age Gracefully, on January 16, 2020 at 7pm in the Social Hall.  The evening will be led by Rhonda Mayer. Rhonda’s company, Community Training Connection helps families and individuals deal with issues of aging, and she will be speaking to us about what to expect as we get older, and how to make the best of it. Admission is free to Sisterhood Members and Friends, and $5 for Guests.

We have a surprise at the January event from our Seder Committee. Since we are always speculating about the theme of the Sisterhood Seder, the Committee has decided on a little game. There will be a 50/50 drawing at the January event and whoever guesses the theme of the Seder will win half the pot of money collected. The other half will go to help with the cost of the Seder. So come early and submit your entry. You never know how much you could win!

Don’t forget to save the date of March 19 for the fabulous Violins of Hope. More information will be provided soon, along with how to purchase tickets for this wonderful one-of-a-kind event. If you have questions, please contact Diane Levine at levinedp@gmail.com.
​
Volunteers Needed
Our Administrative VPs, Judy Stehr and Karen Pelmont are about to begin planning for our Sisterhood Shabbat, which is scheduled for May 8. They are forming a committee to help organize and execute the event, and volunteers are needed. There will be no more than three meetings, starting in March. So, if you’re new to Sisterhood or simply want to be more involved, this is a great way to help make a difference. Please contact Judy at jesterjudy@gmail.com or Karen at pelmontes1@aol.com for any questions or to volunteer to help out.

Spotlight on Sisterhood
It’s been awhile since we highlighted any of our wonderful members, and we wanted to start the new year out by honoring the wonderful Phyllis Bigelson.

Phyllis and her husband Bill have been TAS members since approximately 2004, and she has been a Sisterhood member all that time. She loves volunteering her time and participating in Torah study. Phyllis currently serves as our co-Vice –President of Ways and Means and has been busy coming up with fundraisers to help increase our revenues. She has held numerous positions in other sisterhoods, and has also served on the Board of the Women of Reform Judaism – Pacific District as Treasurer, Area Director, Vice-President and President. She has been a huge presence at WRJ-PD which has only made TAS Sisterhood even more well-known.

Phyllis works as the office manager and bookkeeper at her husband’s CPA firm. She has been married to Bill for 49 years, and they have two daughters and four grandchildren ranging in age from 10-18. Her grandchildren are in San Diego and Sacramento, so she and Bill spend a lot of time traveling to both ends of the State. She has been writing her life story to include in a family history, and stresses that her family is her number one priority.

We are just very glad that she is a part of our TAS Sisterhood family!

SAVE THE DATE – MARCH 19, 2020
We are so thrilled and honored to be the only Temple in the San Fernando Valley to host the Violins of Hope, thanks to Sisterhood’s own Efrat Yakobi and her wonderful committee. Our regular March meeting is being superseded by a concert and dessert reception featuring Violins of Hope that will be performing in the sanctuary.
​
For those who do not know, Violins of Hope are 60 violins that were played in the concentration camps during WWII while our people were enslaved. Sometimes, that music was the only bright spot in the daily lives of those captured. The violins have been restored and are touring various venues to share their beautiful music and their history with the world. Our event will be a story of how music is incorporated into Jewish life. Tickets will be on sale after the first of the year.

HANUKKAH PARTY – Thursday, 12/12/19
Don’t forget our annual Hanukkah Party on Thursday. If interested, please bring a new, wrapped gift of not more than $15-$20 for our gift exchange. We are also collecting food for SOVA. The food of the month is tuna. So, be at the Social Hall at 7pm this Thursday, for a fun-filled evening of latkes, sufganyot, and surprises! Please confirm with Robyn Blachman if you are bringing latkes (blachmanj@yahoo.com).

TUPPERWARE PARTY – Thursday, 12/19/19
While this is not specifically a Sisterhood event, it is a fundraiser. Mel Birken and Arlene Stone are hosting at Mel’s house at 7pm. There is a $5 admission which will be returned to you on the purchase of any Tupperware.  This is a unique and very fun Tupperware party, not like any you’ve been to before.

December is here and we're looking forward to two Sisterhood events this month:

• first is the Sisterhood gift exchange and Chanukah party on Thursday, December 12 at 7pm in the Social Hall. Those wanting to participate in the gift exchange please bring a wrapped gift (new) of $15 value (max of $20). If you're willing and able to bring some of your home-made latkes to the party, please coordinate with Robyn Blachman at blachmanj@yahoo.com And while you're thinking about presents and latkes, please take a minute to pick up an item of food for SOVA and bring it to the Chanukah event. SOVA's food of the month for December is canned tuna.
• then on Thursday, December 19 at 7pm there is a Tupperware Party fundraiser sponsored by Mel Birken and Arlene Stone. Mel is hosting the party at her house. Mel and Arlene have booked the amazing Kay Sedia, who makes this a hugely entertaining event. Cost is $5.00 per person, which will be credited toward any Tupperware purchase you make. This is a fundraiser for Sisterhood and should be amazing!