A LETTER
FROM DEBE BLOOM,
PRESIDENT
JCO BOARD OF DIRECTORS
May 2025
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I remember in elementary school celebrating May Day wearing a flowered headband and having a school wide parade; all the girls in their pretty little summer dresses and the boys in their jeans and plaid shirts—at least that’s what my siblings wore. We celebrated spring. But my curiosity got to me and I now realize that there’s so much more to May 1: The roots of May Day go all the way back to ancient world. For the Romans, the first of May stood at the heart of the Floralia, a weeklong festival to honor Flora, goddess of youth, spring, and flowers. When the Romans reached the British Isles, their Floralia festival collided with the Celtic holiday of Beltane, also held on May 1. And, May Day, also called Workers’ Day or International Workers’ Day, is the day that commemorates the struggles and gains made by workers and the labor movement. There’s more, too…Thank goodness for Professor Google!!
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However, Professor Google did not indicate something very important to JCO….May Day starts the count of 12 days before the annual ballot (to fill the upcoming Board of Directors seats) is due back. For several weeks now, we have had a posting in our weekly eNewsletter asking for anyone interested in serving on our Board to let those desires be known. And now, dear Membership, it’s up to you to let us know your thoughts on the candidates. If you have not received your mailed envelope with the ballots, please contact me promptly. This year’s ballot also has a by-laws policy change incorporated that needs your vote, too.
Our annual meeting is scheduled for May 22nd at 7pm. Please plan on joining the Board of Directors to hear what has been accomplished for JCO during the past 2024-2025 year and the outcoming of the voting!
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This month’s Red Tent, hosted by Debbie Rubenstein on May 4th , is going to be so interesting, alongside of being yummy! A bit of Cinco-de-Mayo mixed in with Jewish history as we find out how and why Jews settled in Mexico as a safe haven. Ladies, if you haven’t registered yet, time is incredibly short! Do it now….
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May 7th JCO is once again partnering with Performances to Grow On as a one-woman stage performance will bring in friends, family, and neighbors. Tickets are still available at . Don’t forget if you’re a JCO member to put in the code JCO2025 for a JCO discount.
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Our Rabbi Lisa will be with us on Wednesday evening, May 14th at 6:30pm for this month’s Speaker Series. Rabbi recently went to Israel along with rabbi’s from across America and Canada and saw Israel from a different perspective. Rabbi Lisa will share what she learned, and the pictures she took, with us. I highly encourage you to come and learn about Israel from a different view. Please register online.
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Our Torah School teacher, Hayley Silvers, is simply amazing. The kids in class are totally enjoying their Thursday afternoon lessons and they are learning!! They know Hebrew; they read Hebrew; they speak Hebrew!! Hayley is teaching them traditions and they are learning of our holidays. I’m soo exciting for each of them because when it comes time to be prepare for their Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, they will be ready!! Toda, Hayley, Toda!!
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Looking ahead, in June we will be welcoming August Tarmy to the bimah on the 7th as he shares his Bar Mitzvah with family, friends and our congregation. We are so proud of August for the studying he has done and wish him and his family much mazel.
As a side note, we will not be having first Saturday morning services in May, however, we will resume in July. More on that in upcoming eNewsletters.
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Such a simple game, Bunco is. Maybe that’s why everyone keeps coming back. We gather, we eat, we catch up on each other’s lives and hear about what’s happening in Ojai, all while playing a fun and quick game together. This month, we are adding another table and it’s almost already full! If you want to play, I suggest you get onto our website and reserve your spot now.
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Our fourth Friday, the 23rd, is our Family Service which will be led by Cantor Mitzi. This service will be an abbreviated one but designed for all ages. Please be sure to be with us…it’s going to be delightful!
Men, be on the lookout in our weekly eNewsletter for details on the next Men’s Group event. It’s slated for the 15th, exactly one week before the Book Club meets to discuss this month’s selection, Road Walkers by Shirley Ann Grau.
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Did you notice our new landscaping? Our Facilities committee has spent time in beautifying our property. Kudos to Rick Bloom, Mike Swimmer, Mark Rubenstein, for all their efforts and time they’ve invested to make our JCO a welcoming place. And they have plans for more to come. When you see any of these gentlemen, give them a high-five! The deserve it. Perhaps this is our contribution to May Day…?
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b’Shalom
