As we begin September we enter the season of return and renewal.  The month of Elul and into the first ten days of Tishrei, ending on Yom Kippur, are known as the Forty Days of Repentance. 

This is a time of forgiveness.  Asking for forgiveness, and giving it in return.  But are there limits to forgiveness?  Are there individuals, situations or circumstances that make forgiveness impossible?

When Kim Goldman was just 22, her older brother, Ron, was brutally killed by O.J. Simpson. Ron and Kim were very close, and her devastation was compounded by the shocking not guilty verdict that allowed a smirking Simpson to leave as a free man. 

Kim, a member of Temple Beth Ami, has chronicled her two decade long battle for justice, and the effect it has had on her, and her family.  She will be discussing her recently published book, Can’t Forgive, and help us during this period of selichot/forgiveness.  Join us Sunday evening, September 28th at 6:00 pm at Temple Beth Ami.

Kim’s beautifully written account is available at:

www.amazon.com/Cant-Forgive-20-Year-Battle-Simpson-ebook/dp/B00IQY3E0A

www.barnesandnoble.com/w/cant-forgive-kim-goldman/1118876299?ean=9781940363141

www.ebooks.com/1643197/can-t-forgive/goldman-kim/

This is a very special opportunity, open to members and non-members alike.  We look forward to seeing you for this exciting and informative evening during Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.  See flyer below.



Also, beginning this month, TBA will offer several opportunities in this election cycle to help us to become better informed and meet our political leaders.  Over the next weeks we will have both candidates for California’s 25th Congressional districts as guests.

We welcome:

State Senator Steve Knight, (R) represents the 21st District, covering much of Santa Clarita, will be with us for Shabbat in Meadows Park on September 12th at 7 pm.  http://steveknight.org


Former State Senator Tony Strickland, (R) who represented the 19th District from 2008-12, will be with us for Shabbat Services on October 17th at 8 pm.  http://tonystrickland.com

LE-SHANAH TOVAH TIKATEVU -- MAY YOU BE INSCRIBED FOR A GOOD YEAR!

Tisha B'Av begins tonight at sundown.  

With the birth of modern Israel, is it necessary to grieve over the Second Temple's destruction, which forced our ancestors out of our land for nearly 2,000 years?  The guide below gives you readings and insights into why, now, more than ever we need to commemorate our holiday.

Watching events in Israel over these last weeks has been so difficult.  And it extends beyond even your waking hours, because there is the dread knowing that when you wake up there probably was more devastation as you were sleeping. This compounded with a feeling that we have no control over what happens.

To help us through these days, and to help us put our energy into something positive and constructive, all of SCV’s synagogues are joining together for an Israel Solidarity Action Event, Sunday, August 3 at 10:00 am at Chabad of the SCV, 23120 W. Lyons Avenue #19, Newhall, CA 91321 CBS, Chabad of the SCV and Temple Beth Ami. The rabbis from the above mentioned organizations will all be in attendance to address the current situation in Israel, and to organize an advocacy and social action effort on Israel's behalf here in the Santa Clarita Valley.  We will be announcing on an upcoming speakers bureau, rotating between the congregations.

There are other real things we can do to help. Volunteers for Israel offers programs for those who have the time and/or ability to volunteer on an IDF base: www.vfi-usa.org.   TBA’s own Rob Hershenson will be returning this month from his time volunteering on a base through VFI.   In the coming weeks he will share his experiences with us and hopefully encourage others to perform an awesome act of support for Israel.

You can also show your appreciation to the men and women protecting Israel by sending them packages assembled by volunteers. Items needed include toiletries, clothing and electronics. Temple Beth Ami will be collecting donations, Mon. - Thurs. 9 am - 3 pm.  Monetary donations can be sent online to Yashar Lachayal, www.helpingisraelsoldiers.com. You can also send food to Israeli soldiers by having burgers and pizzas delivered to soldiers in the field to show your support and concern, visit www.pizzaidf.org, which started food deliveries in 2002 during Operation Protective Shield.

As we pray for an end to conflict and a lasting peace, we encourage our community to keep informed and play a role in supporting the hope of the Jewish people in their home, the land of Israel.

B’Shalom,

Rabbi Mark Blazer