If you are a Temple member and do not have a login, 
contact Mike Bender (bender.family@gmail.com) 
or Carol Sandusky (carol.sandusky@gmail.com) 

If you want to update any of your personal information,
please contact Carol Sandusky.

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Who are we?

The Reform Temple of Laguna Woods has been serving the Village’s Jewish community since 1996. It was founded on the principles of inclusive Jewish worship and social values. Our members come from diverse backgrounds and are united in a community which provides friendship, support and participation in a spiritual, communal experience.

 We hold Shabbat Services and High Holy Day Services. The Shabbat Services take place every Friday night at 7:30 PM in Clubhouse 1.  Services are led by our Rabbi, Joe Mendelsohn; our music director, Juanita Tsu; and our Cantor Stacey Morse. There is an oneg following the service.

All guests are welcome to participate in our Shabbat services. Guests may also participate by joining our zoom at: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84780450674?pwd=M2xiMkhsN05rWTNubE9lbk1MamdnZz09

Reform Temple of Laguna Woods   HABBAT HONORS:  Torah Shabbat Service April 4, 2025, 7:30pm. Leading our service will be Rabbi Joe Mendelsohn.  Juania Tsu will lead the choir. ZOOM LINK FOR SERVICES: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84780450674?pwd=M2xiMkhsN05rWTNubE9lbk1MamdnZz09 Please make note of website:  https://reformtempleoflagunawoods.wildapricot.org SHABBAT HONORS:    Carol Bowler & Bob Lotto are sponsoring the oneg, and will light the Shabbat candles in honor of their birthdays. Carol will read from the Torah. Bob Lotto & Warren Walker will hold and dress the Torah. Jerry Schur, Susi Levin, & Jeff & Sue Kaspin will open the Ark.  Rebecca Weinstein will say Motzi. 2nd Night Passover Seder Sunday, April 13, 6 pm Club House 2 $65 for members, $75 for non-members Payment by check only to Carol Sandusky.   Reservations need to be made no later than Monday. Catered by Panache In-Depth Estate Planning Seminar Beginning April 16th and for 6 consecutive Wednesdays,  Financial & Estate Literacy, Inc, will provide seminars on estate planning. Rec Room, 2393 Via Mariposa West 10 – 11:30 a.m.  Reservations required to carol.sandusky@gmail.com. Jewish Musical Influence Through the Ages Presented by Cantor Stacey April 22, 1:30 to 3:00 pm Club House 2 Cantor Stacey will do present a fascinating discussion on the influences on Jewish Music through history. RSVP carol.sandusky@gmail.com. Eat & Greet Enjoy a meal (lunch or dinner) at CA Fish Grill on El Toro Road April 23.  Present your server with a flyer which will be available at the Shalom Table, in the bulletin & Wild Apricot, and will be mailed as an eblast.  The restaurant will donate 20% of your bill to Temple Jewish Food Festival The Jewish Food Festival needs gift cards for the silent auction which is an integral part of the June 22 event. Please consider donating gift cards or asking the restaurants, hairdresser, barber, manicurist, auto service and anyone else with whom you do business. There is a form on the Shalom Table that you can use for solicitations. For information, call Lynne Rosenstein, 562-773-5107 Join the Celebration honoring Juanita Tsu Pizza on the Patio Friday, May 30 6 PM  Club House 1 Shabbat service to follow celebration with a special presentation. Oneg to follow service. Reservations requested to Carol.sandusky@gmai.com **Designate Your Donations and Tributes** You are now able to designate your donation and tributes to the area of temple life that is most meaningful to you.  The General Fund, the Unsponsored Oneg Fund, the and the Security Fund.  These categories are shown on our website under the donations tab. Membership Assistance Fund There are temple members, who, because of special circumstances are unable to pay full dues. You have the opportunity to contribute to a Membership Assistance Fund to help them meet their financial obligation. The bereavement group is on hiatus. We will inform you when the meetings resume. “Change for Change” – Bring your change! This month we will be supporting Israel Parasport Center. The Bereavement Group is on hiatus.  We will advise when it resumes.

CONNECTIONS COMMITTEE: If you would like a monthly phone call to stay connected or you know someone who would, contact Lisa Bender at 949-200-7083.

HAVUROT:  Dine Out Havurah, Jan Salberg, Jean Richland. Contact Jan at 949-525-0123.

Theater Havurah, email Mike Bender at bender.family@gmail.com

New Members – If you are a new member, we have several groups forming. Call Steve Heit – 949-767-6842.

Junior Seniors – To keep the Temple young at heart – Call Debbie Spangenthal – 419-344-1241.

Temple Book Club – 3^rd Tuesday @ 10 a.m. 2404 Rec Room. Contact Harriet Schwartz – 248-766-5290.

Foreign Intrigue Book Club – For mystery lovers - 2^nd Tuesday @12:30 in members’ homes. Contact Lynne Rosenstein – 562-773-5107.

ONEG SHABBAT SERVERS:  It is an easy and rewarding mitzvah to pour coffee and tea at the Oneg Shabbat.

ONEG SHABBAT SPONSORS:  Consider hosting an Oneg in honor of a birthday, anniversary, simcha, or “just because.” Call Barbara Zell for further information, (949)362-8908.

MEALS-ON-WHEELS VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:  Responsible for delivering meals to Village residents once a month. You and a partner will drive a short route to bring meals to shut-ins. Call Barbara Goldberg (949) 470-0312.

TREE of LIFE: Purchase leaves for our Temple's Tree of Life in honor or in memory of friends and family. Leaves are $360 for Gold, $180 for Silver, and $90 for Bronze. Please use the form in our monthly newsletter. Send your check payable to RTLW; mail it to Susan Gaile-Bain at 5518 Paseo Del Lago East 2H, Laguna Woods, CA 92637. Questions? Call Susan at (281)732-4068.

ENDOW OUR TEMPLE- Become a Legacy Society Member by agreeing to include the Temple in your will.  This will assure our Temple will flourish and be here for future generations of Jewish residents of Laguna woods. Contact Stuart Hack for information. 949-212-7028

MI SHEBEIRACH CHAIR: Solange Pullman Fisch is our Mi Shebeirach chair. If you are ill, know of a temple member who is ill, or want to add a friend or relative to the weekly Mi Shebeirach list, please contact Solange, who will ensure that the person stays on the list the appropriate amount of time. Her phone number is 949-458-3656; email solpul35@gmail.com.

The Bereavement Group will meet twice a month.  The next dates are Monday March 3rd and March 17th in the rec room at 2393 Via Mariposa W., from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm.  Please contact or Ken Levin 714-767-4236, or Harriet Schwartz 949-454-9211 for information.

JEWISH NATIONAL FUND TREES FOR ISRAEL:  To purchase a tree in honor or memory of someone, please complete the form in the newsletter. The cost is $18 per tree. Call Marilyn Gross (949)380-0812.

YAHRZEIT CONTRIBUTIONS: To make a Yahrzeit contribution or get info about making Yahrzeit contributions, contact Marlene Barkley, 310-838-3010. Send the check to RTLW, PO Box 2833. Laguna Hills, 92654 or go to website:  https://reformtempleoflagunawoods.wildapricot.org.  For YAHRZEIT UPDATES AND/OR CHANGES: contact Larry Lipton at (973) 768-1149 or lawrencelipton@yahoo.com . All yahrzeits announced reflect the Yahrzeits that occur from the current to the upcoming Thursday.

TEMPLE TRIBUTES: TO HONOR OR REMEMBER SOMEONE   Fill out a Tzedakah envelope and mail with your check payable to Reform Temple of Laguna Woods, PO Box 2833, Laguna Hills, CA 92654. Envelopes are available on the Shalom Table. Or go to our website: https://reformtempleoflagunawoods.wildapricot.org.

DEATH OF CONGREGATION MEMBER:  Please inform Rabbi Mendelsohn at 949-309-1564. All funeral arrangements and compensation are between the member and the Rabbi. 

Meal of Condolence: The congregation offers a meal of condolence for mourners returning from the cemetery.

CEMETERY PLOTS If you are interested in pre-planning the purchase of funeral arrangements, the Reform Temple offers cemetery plots through Dignity Memorial at Harbor Lawn .Renay Teper will be visiting us in the near future to discuss the process and pricing of plots. Please let Eileen know if you are interested in attending, rtlwpres@gmail.com.  To receive the Temple discount contact Renay Teper at 949-939-6751. If interested in mortuary services contact Eric Rothman, Malinow and Silverman at 800-710-7100.