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Please join us on Monday, November 13th at 6 pm

Santa Ynez Valley’s Interfaith Thanksgiving Service

Bethania Lutheran Church

On this one special night, we can learn about each other’s traditions and begin to bridge the gap to attain a deeper understanding of our backgrounds and rituals.

And to add to the sweetness, there will be coffee and pies to enjoy after the service.

If possible, please drop off a pie in the Social Hall before the service, homemade or store bought; it’s the thought that counts.

From the President…..

Dear Community,

It’s been a tough few weeks as the horrors of October 7th continue to resonate in our minds and hearts and the war rages on. We were so fortunate to have Steve Zipperstein as our first speaker in our new, Contemporary Conversations in Jewish Thought series. The event was well attended with 65 attendees from three churches and our own SYVJC community. Supervisor Joan Hartmann and Solvang City Council Mayor Pro-temp, Liz Orona were in attendance. Steve Zipperstein helped give us perspective on the events leading up to October 7 and ways to combat the incredible amount of misinformation in both social media and mainstream media. See some comments from attendees below. A link to view the presentation is below.

Perhaps this year more than any other year, our annual Interfaith Thanksgiving is critical. We need the support and comfort of other faith communities as we navigate this new (but ancient) reality of antisemitism. Please calendar Monday, November 13th at Bethania @6:00 p.m. (flyer is above). There will be a pie and coffee social – please bring a homemade or store-bought pie to share and together with our larger community, we can break bread together (or in this case, pie).

On Tuesday, November 7th, the Board of Supervisors presented a resolution in Support of Israel’s Right to Security, Peace, and Commitment to Combating Antisemitism and Islamophobia. The resolution is below.

As many are aware, my son lives in Israel. I’m so appreciative of those who have reached out to me personally. I recite Tehillim (psalms) daily as my way of asking Gd to support both Israeli citizens, the IDF and those innocent Palestinians who also suffer under Hamas terror. My heart is indeed heavy.

Wishing for Shalom,

Susie Margolis Pierson

The following are comments made by some of those attending the Steve Zipperstein event on October 29th……

I found Steve’s presentation one of the most enlightening and truthfully accurate accounting of history and events leading up to October 7th that I have heard. Steve’s knowledge of the Middle East and all of its geo-politics was incredible. I found his ability to concisely communicate the issues at play both historically and currently provided me with tremendous insight that I can use to communicate with others. Steve is also clearly a very passionate and committed Jewish leader and historian and yet he was able to educate us all in a very balanced way, keeping biases in check. I for one, would love to hear him speak again, I will be ordering his new book.

Jeff Winter

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The presentation that Steve Zipperstein made to the Santa Ynez Jewish Community and other interested local guests on 10.29.23 was illuminating to say the least. I could have easily listened to him for a much longer and even more in depth talk.

As someone with a "blended" ethnicity and cultural background, being raised in an Eastern Orthodox family and yet having identified with the Jewish Community much of my life, perspective is everything. Particularly as the vast majority of the US population is woefully undereducated in so many matters of historic significance.

We suffer from a form of cultural narcissism that is unfortunate. This is why understanding the history of the Middle East, going back to ancient civilizations is valuable and necessary and why Prof. Zipperstein's presentation was so valuable.

While he simply didn't have time for full explanations of the nexus of the current crisis, he was remarkably facile at bringing a group of rather anxious and frightened attendees up to speed. I am sincerely grateful for the opportunity to have been there.

Michael Nicola

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It is a confusing and unhappy time; there is pain and uncertainty for all. To get clear, concise information on historical and current events helped clarify the context of the events in Israel and Gaza. It is only through knowledge and facts that we can clearly evaluate the events and our reactions to them. Thank you, Steve Zippperstein for your illuminating talk.

Janet Rogers

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A concise and clear history of Israel and the Mideast.  Scholarly and mesmerizing and a poignant roadmap from where Israel began and what could happen in these very dangerous times.  It was important to see both the turnout and equally important to be connected to the SYVJC community.

Neil Goodman

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I could have listened to Steve Zipperstein for hours. It was a powerful afternoon of sobering education and community. I look forward toother great lectures planned.

Susan Silverberg

The Date for the Annual Hanukkah Party has been Changed to
Saturday, December 9th starting at 6 pm

RSVP details will be in the next email blast, but save the new date for a fun evening, which will include latkes, dreidels, gelt, candles and music.  So, polish up your hanukkiah (menorah) to bring to be part of the group candle lighting.

The location will be shared upon receipt of your paid reservation; the deadline to pay is December 6th. ‘

With your reservation you will have the opportunity to make a voluntary donation to the 2023 emergency campaign for the FIDF (Friends of the Israeli Defense Forces), which is a nonpolitical, nonmilitary organization that provides for the well being of the soldiers of the IDF, veterans and family members. 100 % of your contribution contribution will go to meet the emergency humanitarian needs of the IDF soldiers on the front lines of the War with Hamas.

Established in 1981 by a group of Holocaust survivors, FIDF is a 501c3 not for profit corporation headquartered in New York City with 26 regional offices in this country.

After making your reservation with or without a donation to the FIDF, you will be able to communicate directly with Shoshanah who is taking the reservations, to let her know the full names of everyone in your party and what you will be bringing to the potluck.

Please label anything you bring with gluten or any common allergens such as peanuts and other nuts, avocadoes, dairy etc., and, of course, no pork or shellfish dishes.

SYVJC Member and a member of the Santa Ynez Valley Wind Ensemble Sid Goldstein Invites Everyone to their Fall Concert Sunday November 12th at 2 pm at Bethania Lutheran Church

Admission is free, and refreshments will be served. Come and enjoy!

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Thanks,

Shoshanah

• November 13th – Interfaith Thanksgiving Service

• December 9th – NOTE NEW DATE: Hanukkah Party – details in an upcoming newsletter

• January 27th – Tu B’Shevat Shabbat

• February 3rd – Movie Kehillah Shabbat

• February 16th or 17th – Welcome Shabbat – DATE TBA

• May 4th – “Bluegrass in the Vineyard” – watch for more details in future emails

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