A LETTER
FROM DEBE BLOOM,
PRESIDENT
JCO BOARD OF DIRECTORS
April 2024
Three and one half! Almost 4 months have been experienced by us since Chanukah. That’s so hard for me to wrap my head around. We have enjoyed our community for so many events during that time. Starting our Mishpacha Family Service on the fourth Friday of the month has been so joyful: those sweet smiling faces knowing that a service by our warm and welcoming Rabbi Lisa has been created just for them: Priceless. The parents appreciating sharing dinner together and with members of our congregation---heartwarming. If you haven’t been a part of this new phase of JCO’s growth, I’m inviting you now to do so. April’s Family Service falls on the 26th and Cantor Mitzi will be on the pulpit, joined by our new Torah School teacher, Hayley and Maya of the Jewish Federation of Ventura. Trust me; this is blissful!
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March was the restart of our Bi-Monthly Movie Night at JCO. We will be offering a special night out for our members of carefully chosen movies on the last Saturday of the odd number months (March, May, July, September, November). This is a free event for our members with a very nominal fee for non-members. Thank you to Pearl Malos for starting this program back up.
On the even numbered months (April, June, August, October, December) we will continue with our special programming events that will offer a variety of activities. The fun thing about the programming events that are being created is they will either appeal to things you already like to do or give you a chance to explore something new. Jade Lang Tippo is doing a great job at finding interesting & fun things for us to do.
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Thanks to Barbara Nelson for keeping Our Speaker Series going, which is based in the educational arena…giving us food for thought. Our guest speakers range from our clergy, to guest clergy, to local artists and even our community members who have specialized talents. April 4th we will be welcoming Rabbi Mike Lotker who is going to delve deeper into Fiddler on the Roof clearing the way to the Lessons and Insights that it has to offer. The time to register for this informative evening is now….
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Please be sure to read our weekly eNewsletter for all the activities that we are offering. This is a great way to be with other members of our community…to enjoy doing things you may not do on your own…And let me add to all of this that after all of our Friday night services, we enjoy dinner together, whether that be when we go out about town to one of our Ojai restruarants, bring in our own personal dinner or contribute to a potluck. It’s all about being together with our community.
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And now to a more somber topic: Since October 7th, the Board of Directors have been very focused on your security, especially when you are at JCO. To that end we have contracted with our security guard, Jeff, to be armed at all times. This, of course, is an extra expense that we did not have to consider prior to the events in Israel. That said, our very dedicated member, Marion Scire’ (along with her daughter) has taken on the role of Fundraising Chair to help raise funds, right now specifically for security; for your security. Did you get your virtual Tea Party invite? Just one of the ingenious ways Marion has put together to raise funds. Of course, we can’t stop with one fundraiser; this will be an ongoing need. Please contribute as much as you can with the return of the Tea Party’s rsvp card. If you didn’t get the invite, please let us know and we will get one to you quickly!
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There are so many people who make our Jewish Community of Ojai work seamlessly. We have committee chairs and committee members that move our temple forward. To being with, I need to take this moment to give kudos to our technology team for our website and eNewsletter: Major thanks to Ira Levin and Leah Hecker. Sherrill Kushner sends out weekly notices to the Ojai Valley Newspaper. Our services and special events require Audio/Visual technology; applause for Rick Bloom. With the energy of a bunny that just does not stop, Sheila Cohn is always available to help others and help in all of our events. Stephanie Goldie-Brasacchio does not know the word ‘no’ and is always available to help. And these people also do not know the word ‘no’ when asked to help around the temple: Ira Levin, Larry Steingold, Mark Rubinstein., Rick Bloom. It’s amazing to have so many wonderful people in our village willing to help as needed. Thank you to all, those mentioned and those not yet mentioned.
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Passover begins the week of April 22 with the first seder. As traditional, JCO will be sharing 2nd seder together. This year we will be in community at Soule Park on the 23rd. As of this writing, we were more than ½ way booked. If you haven’t reserved your spot for seder dinner with us, now is the time to do it before we are all sold out. Once we are full, we are full: we cannot add any more space in the banquet room so don’t delay!!
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And one last thing: On April 28th our Men’s Group (which is like our Brotherhood) will be cooking us a matzo brei brunch at JCO. Reservations are a must….because food and seating is limited. So, when you see the information spring up on the eNewsletter, be sure to register so you have a space and get treated like the royalty you are by our Men’s Group.
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There’s more happening---and our online calendar, eNewsletter and website will have the details of ‘what else’. What a full life we are leading at your JCO. I hope you are taking advantage of everything that’s being offered. We do it for you….our community!
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b’Shalom
