It’s a fact: Jewish people are funny, and a large portion of America's comedians have been Jews. Jewish women have a proud history in comedy, a business that, like so many others, has been dominated by men. Come celebrate our funny sisters and help ensure Lev Eisha's continued success.
On Sunday, March 14, 1:30 pm, Lev Eisha will host "Laugh with Lev," a program with a screening of the delightful documentary film, Making Trouble, followed by a discussion with distinguished panelists. The film features the stories of six well-known Jewish women comedians who, through their stories, reveal our rich heritage of Jewish women in comedy from Fanny Brice to Gilda Radner. A panel discussion about the film and the phenomenon of being Jewish, female and funny will follow the screening.
Panelists include Ellen Sandler, co-executive producer of the CBS hit series, Everybody Loves Raymond, and writer for many TV comedies; actor/stand-up comedian Betsy Salkin, who was also a staff writer for Saturday Night Special and Roseanne; and comedian Cathy Ladman, who is also a writer and film, TV and stage actor who appeared many times on The Tonight Show and had her own HBO comedy special.
Bring your friends and relatives to this fun Lev Eisha fundraiser. More information to come. Save the date, Sunday, March 14, 1:30 pm. The event will be held in West Hollywood.
Did you get your awesome new Lev Eisha nametag? Don't forget to wear it at the service so people will know who you are! If you missed the December service, see Sandy in January to pick up your membership premiums. If you haven't become a member and gotten a nametag, it's never too late! There are other great gifts for people who join at higher levels as well. Please email Sandy Terranova, our membership chair, for more information.
Our gratitude goes to our members and donors for their support of Lev Eisha:
Tributes
- Toni Glick sends wishes of healing to Francine Teitelbaum
- Marilyn Strumwasser honors Susie Yuré's birthday
Donations
- Shirley and Joel Belinfante in honor of their anniversary and Shirley's birthday
- Toni Glick in memory of her wonderful husband, Mike Glick
- Bernice Kahan
- Leon and Sylvia Shapiro in honor of Sandy Terranova
- Sandi Williams
In our message about the documentary filming which took place in December, we mistakenly listed Ronda Spinak as the director. She, in fact, is one of three producers. The director is Jon Zimmerman. Our thanks to the production company for their interest in our service, and to our congregants for their patience with whatever disruption they may have felt. Please keep an eye out for the finished film. It promises to be very interesting.
Further follow-ups: Lev Eisha cares! At the December service, our congregants filled a SOVA barrel to overflowing with donations of food, toiletries, and other necessities. Thank you to all who contributed to this collection. We are grateful for the opportunity to do a mitzvah, making an impact on the lives of those less fortunate than ourselves.
We shopped... and Chico's dropped! Dropped money, that is, into Lev Eisha. On Sunday, December 13, Chico's in Marina Del Rey hosted a special morning just for us. As we enhanced our wardrobes with fashionable attire, Chico's donated a percentage of their profits to Lev Eisha. Many thanks to Chico's and to those whose purchases supported our organization.
Happy New Year!
Since we arrived at the 21st millennium, I feel as if I am living in a science fiction novel, still incredulous that we are now entering the year 2010. Do any of you share this wonder with me?
An old saying, "another day another dollar" - is one way at looking at the passage of time. And we all know that time is passing more quickly!
Yet with this new secular year, let me share a teaching from Rabbi David Wolpe which I read in his "Musings" column. He wonders at the words in the Torah when Abraham tells Sarah, "Now I know you are beautiful."
Sarah is already at an advanced age. "Was she not beautiful before?" Wolpe asks.
Likewise, Moses notices the burning bush, and the Torah teaches it has always been burning. Had no one seen it before?
Wolpe's answer: The world does not always change with knowledge. The world always changes when we acknowledge. Suddenly a phenomenon, a person, a feature of the world, becomes real. It existed before, of course, but we had not eyes to see. Revelations are less about new information than about renewed appreciation.
Ahead of us is the year 2010 waiting to be lived, discovered, reveled in and explored. And yet, in so many ways, it is...another day another...
Wolpe's teaching is the approach which can make this year unique. Fresh eyes, an open heart, ears that really hear, are the ways to live each day.
Sometimes I take a book off my shelf, which sat barely noticed for years, and it is exactly what I need to read, or music that sits in an unopened CD just ready to flow into my heart. There are people who are waiting to share stories with us over coffee, phone visits, walks and other adventures. There are opportunities for us to care for others with acts of kindness and love.
What are we waiting for?
Wolpe reminds us that Sarah had always been beautiful. Abraham shifted his gaze and re-experienced his love differently, seeing her as if for the first time.
The burning bush that was not consumed had been there, but it was Moses who made the effort to pause long enough to see the miracle.
Let us live this year with the words of the Modim prayer, the prayer of gratitude, and thank God for the miracles that are with us daily, and the blessing to open ourselves to the gifts of these wonders!
Amen, May it be so!
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Condolences to Lev Eisha congregant and founding board member Naomi Lichtman on the passing of her beloved husband, Andrew, in December.
A big mazel tov to Shirley Belinfante who is celebrating her birthday was well as her and Joel's 51st anniversary.
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.
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FACEBOOK
Are you on Facebook? You can help us grow. Become a fan of Lev Eisha of Los
Angeles and invite your friends to become fans as well. Our unique URL is
www.facebook.com/losangeles.jewish.spirituality. If you need help finding
the site or understanding how to invite your Facebook friends, e-mail
Lynda@leveisha.org for further instructions.
INVOLVEMENT OPPORTUNITES
Lev Eisha isn't a show that we put on for you--it's a service that we all put on for each other. The more you get involved and participate, the richer your experience will be. There are so many different things you can do to broaden your Lev Eisha experience: Go up for an aliyah. Accept an honor such as opening the ark or carrying the Torah. Lend a hand in setting up or cleaning up the kiddush. Greet people at the door and help them get into the feel of Lev Eisha. Want to do more? Assume a leadership role and become a board member. Lev Eisha has the nicest board you'll find. It's true! It's an organization where people look forward to attending board meetings! And there's nothing more satisfying than working during the month to make sure that our very special service continues.
WAGNER WEEKEND
The Wagner Women's Weekend provided the rich soil from which the seed of Lev Eisha grew. It's a once-a-year retreat, at Brandeis (AJU campus), for women to create a Shabbat sacred space all their own. It's not too late to sign up for the upcoming retreat: January 8-10, 2010. For information, e-mail Judy Uhrman, or call (310)440-1566.
FLYER AND ANNOUNCEMENT POLICY
Many women in the Lev Eisha community are involved with wonderful activities and causes. We simply cannot announce and promote them all. So, we must limit our announcements to activities specifically tied to Lev Eisha. If you have flyers, cards or materials pertaining to other events, please feel free to leave them on the table in our foyer and/or speak about them during Kiddush. Thanks for your understanding!
CATERING
Let's come together as a community to sponsor a Breakfast or a Kiddush. Think about celebrating your milestone with other Lev Eisha members also honoring a significant event. Contributions of $18, $25 or $36 can add up to hosting a specific month. Celebrate the good in your life such as a birthday, an anniversary, a special friend, memory of a loved one, a promotion or reaching your goal weight. What would you like to commemorate at Lev Eisha? Get a group together and sponsor a party! Please contact catering@leveisha.org to make arrangements.
MAP
Click Map for a larger image and directions
Many women have expressed an interest in carpooling to Lev Eisha services. If you need a ride, or can offer one (especially from distant neighborhoods), please contact us at info@leveisha.org or leave a message on our phone line, (310) 575-0985.
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