In This Issue

• Warm Thanks to Temple Akiba!
• Shavuot Program at Brandeis with Rabbi August
• How to Find the "Between" - Join Us at Lev Eisha! by Rabbi Toba August
• Milestones

Warm Thanks to Temple Akiba!

We enjoyed a generous welcome at Temple Akiba in April. We're so happy to have such a nice home for the rest of the year. Lev Eisha Services in May and June will be held at:

Temple Akiba
5249 S. Sepulveda Blvd.
Culver City 90230

You can park along Sepulveda and on the side streets to the south of the pet store. Do not park at the pet store.

Our own Rabbi August announces a program for the chag:

Did you love attending the Wagner Weekend and want more?

Or did you miss Wagner but want to try it sometime?

Here is an opportunity to attend a spiritual weekend. Rabbi August will join with other fabulous Los Angeles teachers for a Shavuot retreat at Brandeis-Bardin: Thurs. Eve. May 28 -- Sat. May 30 2009.

Topic: Uniting Heaven and Earth: How Revelation and Mystical Experience Are Lived in The Details of Our Lives.

What a great service we had in April! So many of our Lev Eisha women came together to be present and let us know that Lev is important and needed in our lives. Todah -- Thank You. We will continue to thrive with such enthusiastic support and continued commitment.

Lev Eisha is more important now then ever before because we are in tough times that are not going away quickly. What are we doing to cope? How are other women finding ways to work through the changes in their lives?

According to an appealing article in the May issue of "O," Oprah's magazine, a fascinating phenomenon has been developing over the last six months. In response to our dismal economic downturn, people are looking for deeper and more meaningful connections to find the "uplift" they need.

To get the lift, according to the article, there has to be a biochemical response in our bodies. Our vagus nerves work to help release oxytocin which is the hormone of human trust and devotion; it helps raise our moods.

One psychologist explained that "human happiness derives from neither external validation, nor solely from within, but from 'between': through the relationships created by love, work, and 'something larger than yourself'--whether it's a religious group, a volunteer organization, or a political campaign. If happiness comes from between," the psychologist explained, "then oxytocin is the hormone of between. It's the catalyst that helps bond people together."

One way to find the "between" and relate more to other people is through romantic intimacy. There is a 16% rise in January 2009 compared to last year in memberships at the online dating sites, and a new site, plentyoffish.com, saw a 94% rise in traffic over the previous year!

Exercise is another way to connect. Gym memberships are up 18%, and yoga classes are turning people away.

A third way to relate to other people is to give of oneself. One organization, "New York Cares," reported a 30% increase in prospective volunteers attending a recent January 2009 orientation session and a 75% increase in the February session compared to last year! So volunteer work is a way to connect and is on the rise. People have reported they are performing more acts of kindness now than ever before. These activities help to offset the challenging times and to feel the "between." We connect to one another, feel vicarious joy and empathy, which releases the oyctocin and elevates our souls.

Increased intimacy, exercise, and service to others are all ways to bond. Meditation, prayer and study are other ways to find the "between," and participate in what truly matters.

We can see Oprah's article as basically one big ad for attending Lev Eisha services and events! We join with study, dance, prayer and shared stories. This lifts our moods as we spend time in the "between" - in relationship with one another. Our biochemical selves are humming with oxytocin and all the hormones needed for pure love and joy, and feelings of hope and courage.

Lev Eisha works. You make it work. Let us be there for one another on May 2, at Temple Akiba, to bless and care for one another in sublime and awesome ways. Amen!

Milestones Mazal tov to Joy Krauthammer's son-in-law, Brett Freedman. He finished the Boston Marathon!!! He organized and ran for the Susan G. Komen Cancer Cure team. If you have a milestone to share please send it to: editor@leveisha.org. Our newsletter gets printed about a week before each service. Please send the info ASAP.