Join us to celebrate Shabbat and our theme of "Hopes & Dreams", Hilton Ballrooms, Canoga Avenue, Woodland Hills, 8:00.

Tot Shabbat begins at 6:30 in the Apollo Room.

When the American Jewish University studied the success of Valley Outreach Synagogue, one of the strengths that it found in our congregation was our strong network of havurot, friendship groups. We have havurot for all ages and most interests. If you would like to join a havurah or to start a new one, please contact Emily Kaplan at emkapn@hotmail.com or Judy Livingston at judy11660@aol.com.

For more information, click on the Outreach, our monthly newsletter.

A Program of Empowerment and Outreach for Jewish Teens

from Valley Outreach Synagogue

Ani v"Atah

“You and I will change the world”

IF I AM NOT FOR MYSELF, WHO WILL BE FOR ME? IF I AM ONLY FOR MYSELF, WHAT AM I? IF NOT NOW, WHEN?

Using Rabbi Hillel's renowned maxim, the students in this program

will examine their values, their morals and their actions in relation to themselves, their peers, their families, their community and the world around them. Through discussion, music, drama, readings, speakers and films, students will tackle the tough topics that make up modern teenage life, developing a philosophy and moral code that will help them navigate their teen years and beyond.

The year will be divided into 3 six week sessions, each culminating in a group activity in which all the classes will join together for a social or social action event based on the theme of the session.

Classes will be held in a private home on a weekday evening every other week for 2 hours and will include dinner. If you are interested in hosting Ani v’Atah in your home for a semester or for the year, please let us know.

PART 1 - If I Am Not For Myself,

Who Will Be for Me? Subjects covered will include: Who Am I? Self-Image and Self-Esteem What am I? Resisting Peer Pressure Making Wise Choices

Knowing My Personal Code of Ethics

The Challenge of These Years: Independence vs. Parental Control

My Jewish Values

PART 2 - If I Am Only for Myself,

What Am I? Subjects covered will include: Using and Abusing: Texting, Sex-ting and Facebook

Bullying

The Damages of Gossiping

Choosing Not to Cheat

Power Struggles with Parents and Siblings

Am I a good friend?

What is my purpose?

Can I make a difference?

How do I become my best self?

My Jewish Values

PART 3 - If Not Now, When?

Each class will study the meaning of the Jewish value of “Tikkun Olam – Repairing the World” and then select, organize and perform a community service project for one or more organizations in Los Angeles. This might be a fund raiser, a musical or dramatic performance, a photo or art exhibit, visits to senior centers, orphanages, hospitals, soup kitchens, etc.

Come join us for an informational meeting on May 10th, 6:15PM, in Agoura Hills.

For more information, please contact Carla Adivi at cadivi@vosla.org

or call 818-870-0459.

Cantor Li-Paz led a small delegation to the AIPAC Policy Summit in 2009. Twenty went in 2010. More than 50 are registered to go in May 2011.

For more information on the vital work that AIPAC does on behalf of Israel in the United States, please visit AIPAC.ORG, or contact our VOS AIPAC liaison, Steven Raft at sraftcpa@gmail.com.

Join us at 6:30, prior to Shabbat services for stories, music, crafts and Shabbat fun!

Enrollment is now open for our home-based Jewish education program's third year! Join us for a wonderful experience of Hebrew School in homes throughout the San Fernando and Conejo Valleys.

For information, please email Carla Adivi, JEWELS Director, cadivi@vosla.org or call 818-870-0459.

We are celebrating our 23rd anniversary in style - Hollywood style! Join us for a wonderful evening of entertainment, great food, dancing, auctions and fun!

We honor Sherrie Garelick, Woman of the Year, Don & Aaron Bilsky, Men of the Year - L'dor Vador, William & Wilma Hitchins, Couple of the Year, Al & Barbara Swedelson, Etz Chayim Couple, and Dr. Laurie Eisenberg-Levinson, Shamash "Caretaker of Our Future".

For more information, please contact the synagogue office.

We are excited about our third VOS trip to Israel on Feb. 28th. Plan to join us one a future Israel adventure with Cantor Li-Paz.

A family trip for the winter school vacation of 2010 is now scheduled for December 19 - 30. Contact Badonna Retin at Northridge Travel (818-886-2000 or badonna@northridgetravel.com) for details of this very exciting adventure.

Join us as our community honors Cantor Li-Paz at El Caballero Country Club on September 20, 2010. It will be a day of spectacular golf, food, prizes (a new car for a hole in one!), delicious food and celebration.

Become a sponsor, a golfer or an enthusiastic supporter!

Register: www.golfdigestplanner.com/16289-VOS/

or email Bob Charles 818-521-0361

Cantor Ron, Laurie Levinson, Pablo Kupersmid and Ken Gootnick led a dozen teens from our community to Cantel, a poor Mayan community in the mountains of Guatemala. The experience was extraordinary and taught all at VOS that outreach not only impacts the recipients but profoundly impacts the givers as well. Read articles in the Jewish Journal, Tribe Magazine and the Acorn to learn more about this experience.

We are delighted to welcome Carla Adivi, our new program director. Carla comes to VOS - JEWELS with a strong background in leadership, education and community building. She has been on board since the start of the school year and has been welcomed with open arms.

Cantor Li-Paz's High Holiday sermons are on our website. This year's sermons from Rosh Hashanah will be added prior to Yom Kippur.

Videos are also available with wonderful music from all of our services.

Our program is tripling in size this year with new students and wonderful new teachers. Visit the JEWELS page on this site for more information.

Classes are forming in Encino, West Hills, Woodland Hills, Agoura Hills, and Westlake Village