News & Announcements

First: A HUGE THANK YOU to the PJTC community for the extraordinary outpouring of support in getting the process of welcoming an Afghan refugee family to Pasadena. PJTC’s application is the first to pass muster in the Los Angeles area. This rapid, successful  completion of the complex task took research and strategizing by everyone in the core group coordinated by Susan Auerbach. We are looking for one or two...Read more...

During its January 10 meeting, the board received an update on the Afghan refugee project from Susan Auerbach of the Social Justice Committee. She discussed efforts to furnish an apartment for the family, expected to arrive as soon as late January. She said that the team is looking for additional "core group" members as well as other volunteers, including those with skills in the areas of social work, Farsi language, and employment...Read more...

We are lucky to not only have clergy who can wax philosophical and provoke new thoughts about our Jewish lives, but to also have many community members who have interesting ideas to share. Our goal is to highlight your peers each month by publishing articles written by them on our Flame news page. Our first contributor is Carl Selkin…

A Meditation on The Song of the Sea

I am troubled by the...Read more...

There are a number of Torah passages that we wrestle with as modern Jews reading back on this ancient text and one of them is from this week’s parashah, Bo. After the 10 plagues, Pharaoh finally decides to let the Israelites go from slavery and tells them that they may take their livestock with them. Pharaoh also does something surprising and asks for the Israelites to bless him as they leave. At this moment, God...Read more...

Out of an abundance of caution and concern for our community's health and welfare, we have decided to turn our originally planned in-person Into the Mitzvah Day celebration into an at-home celebration of mitzvot and Tu B'Shvat.

Our "mitzvah team" is pulling together the fullest (and fully free) take-home kit of goodies we can imagine, so you can have a very special Into the Mitzvah...Read more...

A wonderful Hanukkah with your PJTC community! We had opportunities to celebrate whether in person or online, whether you preferred an intimate gathering or a big party.

Congregants hosted eight different Hanukkah parties in their backyards/courtyards in neighborhoods across the San Gabriel Valley. A follow up to our backyard Sukkot potlucks, this was a wonderful opportunity in groups averaging 15-20 people to get to know others in...Read more...

Hello Everyone!

I can’t believe we’re almost halfway through the school year already! This year, our teens have already created and executed so many programs for USY (like our Test Kitchens and Museum Staff Meetings for the Pop-Up Cafe and Museum at the end of January, Puppy Party, and Israel & Antisemitism Program) and Kadima (such as the Game Show Galore and Juggling Judaism Movie Night). We’ve had a great engagement...Read more...

As you may know, Sisterhood has a variety of income sources.  To name a few, membership dues, the New Year Greeting Book greetings and business ads, Tribute cards and Happy Purim Mishloach Manot greetings finance Sisterhood’s ability to support PJTC operating expenses, youth activities and local community needs. Additionally, we are always pleased to receive unsolicited donations...Read more...

At the board meeting of November 30, the board unanimously approved gift and fundraising policies developed by Barbara and Ray Bushnell, and Richard Rosenbaum. After receiving a briefing and written materials regarding the Social Justice Committee’s proposed initiative to sponsor an Afghan refugee family, the board unanimously voted to express confidence in the project. The board also heard a presentation by Todd Levine, which included...Read more...

Ella Moss Bat Mitzvah

Ella Murphy Moss, daughter of Noah and Emily Moss, will be called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah on December 11, 2021. Ella attended B'nai Simcha Preschool along with two of her current Hebrew school classmates. She attends Washington STEAM Magnet Academy Middle School as a 7th grader and has been in the Dual Language Immersion Program for Spanish since Kindergarten.

A passionate animal lover, Ella takes...Read more...

Who Would You Like To Recognize, and Why?

Tis the season of gratitude! Your fellow PJTC members wish to recognize:

Why are outreach and care packages important? We like to believe they say something beyond words. It can be hard to articulate how much we care for someone, especially during difficult times. Perhaps they haven't been feeling well, they lost a loved one, or in general have just hit a rough patch in life. In those times, it's so important to know that there is support, care, love, and sunshine around you. Sisterhood created a Caring Community...Read more...

I was thrilled to see over 140 of your smiling faces on November 13 for our Havdalah Honoring New Members! I was amazed and so moved by the diversity of congregants in attendance--from the newest of new members to those who have been members for over 50 years, all schmoozing and sharing their stories with each other. Many thanks to Men's Club and Sisterhood for cooking and serving us a delicious kosher BBQ dinner, and to so many who donated...Read more...

During the meeting of October 25, the board received a report from treasurer Joseph Johnson regarding the synagogue's financial situation. The board also discussed a proposed gift policy, which was developed by Barbara and Ray Bushnell, and Richard Rosenbaum. No motion was made as to the policy. Andrea Mark updated the board on her efforts to develop a strategic plan for our synagogue. Several upcoming events were briefly discussed, and an...Read more...

November's first parashah, Toldot, always fills me with dread. Throughout Genesis, there are instances of sibling rivalry - and fratricide! - but the interaction described between Esau and Jacob makes me so, so sad.

Jacob, under the direction of his mother, steals Esau’s birthright and first born blessing. When Esau discovers that he’s "been had," he cries out, “Do you only have one blessing, my father? Bless me too, my...Read more...