A LETTER
FROM DEBE BLOOM,
PRESIDENT
JCO BOARD OF DIRECTORS
November 2024
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Well here we are, welcoming November and Fall…I know why my months seem to coming flying at me at such speed….I’m always looking ahead to let you know what our Jewish community has in store for you in upcoming months, allowing you to wallow in the present and enjoy each activity. For example, on November 10th, Performances to Grow On will be at our synagogue with a presentation of MacBeth at 4pm. These performances have not disappointed so I encourage you to go to your eNewsletter or our website and order your tickets. Here’s a special: Put the code of JCO at checkout in and get a discount only for recipients of our eNewsletter!
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Did you know that part of being a member of JCO was to donate 2 hours a year in service? It’s true, I promise.
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We continue with our Speaker Series with our own Laurel Felice leading us in a unique relaxing and healing experience of Scalar Energy Enhancement. I’m all about technology; I’m all about natural healing—I’m excited to hear of the two combined. This is happening at 7pm on Wednesday, November 6th. Mark your calendars to come and become balanced! Click here to register:
And, Ladies of All Generations, our Red Tent event this month will be on Sunday, November 24th hosted by Sheila Cohn. Sheila leads us in walking several times each week (no wonder she’s so spry!!) so I’m guessing we will need to get our walking shoes ready---but don’t hold me to that: there are 24 days between now and then and who knows what will happen, especially with Mr. Weather. So, Ladies, reserve the day and stay tuned! There will be more details in upcoming eNewsletters so you can register.
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The other events of the month happen each month and are really very fun and well attended (with room for more). Rummiku is on November 14 at 7pm: Bunco is on November 20th at 6pm with a potluck dinner. We do have a waitlist for this game; if we get 4 more people wanting to play, we can add another table and everyone can play!! At noon on November 21st is the meeting of the Book Club (A Pigeon and a Boy is this month’s choice) and in the evening of the 21st is the Mens Group. We have intentionally left the week of November 25th open for prepping and enjoying the Thanksgiving holiday with family and friends. Like I’ve been saying….we do things with you in mind & heart.
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I feel the need to reiterate that there will be NO Friday night services on November 1 or December 6. There will, however, be Saturday morning services at 10AM on both November 2 and December 7, followed by a brunch potluck. Honestly, this is a trial. We are hoping by offering a Saturday morning service, we can accommodate and serve more members. So if you can’t make a Friday night service, if you want to be refreshed on what a morning Shabbat service is like, if you just want to be closer to Torah, join us on Saturday, November 2 and December 7.
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Sheila and I are already making plans for Passover. Can you believe that? We always want to make Our Jewish holidays special, probably because they are. We also are working on our Hanukah party. It’s a mitzvah to do for others. But, it’s getting to be time for us to share the information and guidelines, so we are looking for two people to join us on our Planning Committee. This doesn’t take much time; only vision and a desire to party, with others! Please contact me at
I promise you a good time…And of course this would qualify for those 2 hours of volunteered time I mentioned above.
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Know what else would qualify? Being with us at Torah School on Thursday afternoons at 4pm. There’s not much to do there except be ready to help morah (teacher) Hayley if she needs anything and to prepare the snacks for the students. It’s really quite fun to see these kids soak up the Jewish education that they are lucky enough to be getting. I wasn’t as lucky—I did not get much of a Jewish education when I was young. Even though both of my brothers were educated at Wilshire Boulevard Temple, the twins didn’t get to be (yes, I’m a twin). It wasn’t fair, as I say looking in my own rear view mirror. Everything I’ve learned about being a Jew mostly has come since being an adult. So if you’re still reading this and if you have children between the ages of 5-12 (whether they be your own, your grands, your nieces/nephews, your neighbors) who could benefit from a Jewish education, save those kids the struggle that I had and send their parents our Torah School link:
One last thing: Our High Holydays were amazing. I want to thank every one who participated in making them so. It totally takes teamwork to create the loving and welcoming atmosphere that JCO offered members and non-members alike. We are blessed to have Rabbi Lisa and Cantor Mitzi who care so much about our community and it shows in their preparations to make our Holydays perfect. It was amazing how Miles Lang’s strings allowed us to pray and meditate so purely and Christine Snipes warms our shul with her annual playing on Kol Nidre. All of this…and YOU…added so much.
From my heart, Toda Rabah…
B’Shalom