November Notes from Lev Eisha (2014)

• Shirley Belinfante
• Batya Malick
• Norma Garber dedicated two bookplates “in memory of the Freeman Family.”

Formerly called “the Wagner Weekend,” Dancing With My Soul is a weekend retreat for women to explore their soul through Shabbat, mind and body connections, prayer, dance, song, discussions, nature and camaraderie.

When and where does this magical weekend happen?

January 23-25, 2015, on the beautiful campus of Brandeis-Bardin in Simi Valley.

Cost is $300/person double occupancy; $425/person single occupancy.

Invite your friends, sisters, mothers and daughters to share this uplifting experience.  We must have a group of 60 to go forward.

For more information and to RSVP, please contact Linda Zweig at 805-518-1818 or lindaleezweig@gmail.com.  Flyers will be available on the Community Table at services on Nov. 1.  Linda will also be at the November service to give you more details about this exciting opportunity. If you already have a reservation form, please fill it out now and bring it to services on Nov. 1. 

Photography Joy Krauthammer

Atlantic Magazine, “religious people report more satisfaction with their love lives, and regular attendance at a house of worship has been associated with ‘lower rates of smoking and drinking, a greater tendency to exercise and improved cardiovascular health’.”* 

Citing scientific studies, including “Religion and Spirituality: Linkages to Physical Health,”** the writers state that when we attend regular temple or church services, we are engaged in quiet reflection and experience positive emotions. There are opportunities to observe and model hopeful and compassionate behaviors, and moral support is offered for such virtues as forgiveness, “which are highly conducive to living a healthy lifestyle.”

Besides extensive research on the influence that belonging to a supportive, community can have on our lives, there are also your own anecdotal accounts.

Lev Eisha is an evocative service! We share great highs with laughter, dancing and great joy. We also share challenging moments of tears, sadness and recognition of loss and pain. There is always a hug and a shoulder to cry on. Most importantly, we are there to connect and just knowing we are not alone also supports a healthy lifestyle. We were told last month by a woman joining us for the first time, that Lev Eisha is a “well kept secret.” Well, the secret is out.

Participating in a Lev Eisha service allows each of us to begin the month with open hearts and positive attitudes. We all need this, and it is a gift we give one another. Lastly, the study cited evidence which suggests that for healthy people, attendance at services can “protect against death.”  

What is this conclusion based on? The authors found that regular church/temple attendance may “encourage meaningful social roles that provide a sense of self-worth and purpose through the act of helping. Helping others appears to bolster feelings of personal control and to lower feelings of depression. Volunteerism…has been shown to reduce mortality.”

My dear women of Lev Eisha: know that we are here for one another sharing each others’ joys and sorrows. Participate monthly in our amazing Lev Eisha experience! It’s good for your body, good for your “lev/heart” and good for your soul!

*Nov 2014, The Atlantic p. 32: “Keeping the Faith”

**American Psychologist, Jan. 2003

“SOVA” is Hebrew for “eat and be satisfied. ” As we conduct our fourth annual SOVA Drive, we again have the opportunity to help the SOVA food pantry through Jewish Family Services.  SOVA provides free groceries to over 12,000 individuals each month.  The mission of SOVA is to ensure that no one is forced to go to bed hungry because he or she lacks access to a healthy meal.

How can we of Lev Eisha help?  

1.  When we come together for services on December 6th, please bring your bagged donations.  The foods can be kosher or non-kosher.  As you prepare your bags of food, remember to toss items that have passed their expiration dates, and be sure that no donation is packed in glass.  Especially needed items: soup, peanut butter, boxes of pasta, canned fruits and vegetables, canned meat and tuna, and whole grain cereals.

2.  Toiletry items are needed.  Suggested items are bars of soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, and deodorant.

3.  Monetary gifts actually go further than food donations, because SOVA can buy in bulk at significant discounts.  For every $1 you are able to donate, SOVA can buy $5 worth of groceries!  You can access SOVA online at HERE. Follow the website to a donation page.

 As our mission statement says, we are “a joyous community,” and we understand the joy of giving.  When you arrive for Shabbat services on December 6^th we will assist you with your bags. With our effort, it is our hope that this holiday season be fulfilling for all.  Thank you so much. 

Carole Easton, Deena Goldenberg Gordon, Sherrill Kushner, Debra Michels, Susie Yure´ and everyone who has a November birthday.

Welcome to Lev Eisha, a spiritual prayer service by and for women.  B’ruchot Ha’baot – we invite you to join us with great blessing.  We provide a joyous environment with opportunities for soulful prayer, energetic song and dance, deep Jewish study, and meditation.  Each person, in their own way, finds what they need for their personal and spiritual growth at Lev Eisha.

What makes our community so unique? The answer is reflected in our name. “Lev” means heart, and “Eisha” means woman.  When women come together with open hearts, we figuratively hold each others’ hearts in profound acceptance, understanding and love.