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Dear Friend,
5780 is nearly complete. Rosh Hashanah, our New Year and new beginning will be ushered in this coming Friday night. There is no doubt that this year has included severe challenges for us personally and communally. We began the year dealing with Nechama's breast cancer and subsequent surgery, went on to grapple with coronavirus (which we are still battling), experienced civil unrest, and are still fighting unprecedented wild fires.
The politically motivated finger pointing has been a constant, driving wedges between friends, families, and communities alike. People have stopped seeing other people and instead see political allies or enemies. We are viewing others as walking ideologies instead of fellow human beings. There will be NO politics from our pulpit! Shul is meant to be in a sanctuary, a place where we come to connect with G-d and each other.
What has been our response to these numerous challenges?
THANKS TO YOU, our amazing friends and supporters, we have fought the darkness in the most effective way possible, by adding light! Following is a short list of what we have done and/or what we are doing to make our corner of this world a brighter place.
Tuition-free Hebrew School! The Jewish education of our youth MUST continue! The economic situation is tough, but we are tougher. If you know of a Jewish child who needs Hebrew school (in person or via Zoom) LET US KNOW. We thank our amazing visionaries whose dedication and generosity allow us to take this unprecedented step of fully subsidized tuition in educating our youth!
Challos and Chicken Soup. Over the last six months we have distributed THOUSANDS of Challos and Chicken Soups bringing the beauty and spirit of Shabbat into homes throughout North County. Special thank you to Channah Hale and many others, including our incredible corps of volunteers, who have made this possible! If you want some just let us know!
Safe & Secure In-Person High Holiday Services. If you wish to join us for safe and secure High Holiday services simply log onto www.ChabadatLaCosta.com/hhrsvp and reserve your spot. No tickets. Donate what you feel comfortable giving. We do have a very limited number of seats available and therefore reservations are required. We will not only be exceeding all recommended protocols regarding coronavirus, we will also have a professional, uniformed security guard.
DIY (Do It Yourself) Care Packages. For Passover it was 'Seder in a Box' for hundreds. Then Shavuot came and we made sure hundreds of gift bags went out filled with delicious food, profound Torah thoughts, and a guide for holiday observance. Now it is the High Holidays and we are in the midst of delivering hundreds more gift bags, including a special effort to reach our local Jewish seniors - letting them know they are not forgotten during this crisis. Honey Cakes, Israeli Honey, Fresh-Baked Challos, an informative Holiday Guide, a Yizkor Memorial Prayer Book, even a Children's Activity book and gift, and much more are all included! We are determined to help YOU celebrate the High Holidays in the most meaningful way possible. We will NOT allow coronavirus to get us down. If you are local and want a holiday gift bag all you have to do is let us know.
Lulav & Esrog Sets for EVERYONE (regardless of ability to pay). An anonymous donor has stepped forward to subsidize Lulav and Esrog sets for everyone who wants one. If you are local and commit to using it during the holiday of Sukkot we will provide one to you, free of charge (additional sponsors GREATLY appreciated). Simply respond to this message. MANY THANKS to our incredible donor and to Esrogino for making this happen!
Pay-What-You-Can-Membership. We want the membership experience to be positive. We want you to feel GOOD about giving. Yes, we have suggested donations, but you should give what you feel you can afford. If you cannot comfortably give the suggested amount THAT IS OK. If you can give more than the suggested amount, THANK YOU, IT IS APPRECIATED! We love and appreciate your participation, and that is that. Please fill out our Membership form online by logging onto: www.ChabadatLaCosta.com/Membership.
Daily & Weekly Classes. Join us, at no cost, on Facebook Live (must friend request Yeruchem Eilfort if you are not already my friend) and be a member of the Chabad at La Costa Facebook page for ongoing classes in Chasidic Philosophy, Caffeine for the Soul, Torah Portion of the Week, Positivity Bias, Holiday Overviews, and much more. Torah study is THE way to keep the soul charged!
Thousands of Dollars Given in Direct Financial Grants. Our profound thanks go out to Gordon Levinson, and others, for their generous grants that have been distributed through the synagogue to dozens of needy families and individuals! We have helped people with their rent and other bills on an emergency basis. Tens of thousands of dollars have been distributed based upon the needs of people, real people, who are in difficult situations.
Safe & Secure Shabbat & Holiday Services. We are meeting and exceeding recommended safety protocols as we conduct our services. In this regard there will be no compromises. If your doctor says it is ok and you are comfortable we want to see you here! Every Saturday at 10am and on holidays at indicated times.
Heartfelt Appeal.
We are here to enhance/empower your Jewish experience. That is our unshakeable commitment to you. We are able to do this because of our generous donors, without whom we would be nowhere. Can we possibly convince you to make a monthly gift to the community? Every donor counts! Every donation counts! Please add your name to our growing list of supporters. The added expenses of this year are presenting a special opportunity for our friends to step forward and make a difference. Please do what you can: www.ChabadatLaCosta.com/donate.
Thank you! G-d bless you! May you and your family be written and sealed in the Book of Life!
Sincerely,
Rabbi Eilfort
Chabad at La Costa
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