We hope you had a wonderful week! As we transition from the recent Tu B'Shvat celebrations, several of our classes continued their learning and projects, diving deeper into the themes of environmental awareness and the New Year for Trees. This extended focus allowed our students to further explore the Jewish calendar and its connections to our modern lives.
ECLC Shabbat Dinner Friday March 7th
We're excited to invite all ECLC families to join us for another special Shabbat Dinner on Friday, March 7th. Following the success of our previous gathering, this event is a perfect opportunity for our community to come together, strengthen bonds, and create cherished memories.
Enjoy a delicious, dairy Italian-style meal at affordable rates
—$12 for children and $25 for adults.
If you'd like to sponsor this dinner please contact Emily.
Last Chance: Sephardi / Mizrachi Cooking Workshop
Also, this is your last chance to participate in our Sephardic/Mizrachi cooking workshop, an exclusive series where you can explore authentic recipes and traditional techniques. See the attached flyer for more details.
Purim and 3rd Annual Mitzvah Day Sunday March 16th
Looking ahead, Purim is just around the corner, and our 3rd Annual Mitzvah Day on Sunday, March 16th is in the works. We encourage you to start setting aside: dry and canned food, old clothes, Jackets, blankets, and travel-sized hygiene products. Your contributions make a real difference and embody the spirit of Tikkun Olam right here in Encino and all products will be donated to New Friends Homeless Center in Encino, helping those in need within our community. We are also drafting an Amazon wish list for those who wish to support our program and donate products directly. In the meantime, feel free to drop of at our office or donate HERE.
Thank you for your continued support. Each of you plays a vital role in enriching our vibrant ECLC community.
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ECLC FAMILY SHABBAT DINNER ON FRIDAY, MARCH 7TH
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We are thrilled to invite all ECLC families to another special Shabbat Dinner, following the success of our previous gathering in December! Join us as we continue to foster and strengthen our vibrant community with an evening of warmth, friendship, and shared traditions. Here's what we have planned for the evening:
- 6:00 PM: Gathering & Schmooze
- 6:30 PM: Family Service with Cantor Rafii and Rabbi Aranoff
- 7:00 PM: Kiddush led by Rabbi Lebovitz, followed by Dinner
It's a perfect opportunity to reconnect with familiar faces and welcome new ones into our circle. Don't miss out on this chance to celebrate Shabbat together, enjoying delicious food and creating cherished memories.
To make this event accessible to everyone, we have set affordable rates at $12 per child and $25 per adult. Please see the below flyer and registration form for details.
We look forward to sharing another special evening with you and your loved ones!
Am Israel Chai - עם ישראל חי
Yifat - יפעת
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SEPHARDIC COOKING WITH YIFAT THIS FEBRUARY
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Join Yifat’s 4-session cooking workshop and experience the rich culinary traditions of Mizrachi and Iraqi cuisine.
Passed down through generations, these cherished family recipes—like Kubbah in sweet & sour soups, fried Kubbah, Sambusak, and hearty comfort food—bring the heart of the Mizrachi culture to life. Each session is more than cooking; it’s a journey through stories, flavors, and history that connect us to our roots.
Only $60 per session, 2/27, 3/6, 3/20 & 3/27.
Classes are conducted at VBS!
Sign up today, HERE!
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ECLC CLASS WEEKLY UPDATES
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Came Home Last Week:
Last week we welcomed home Yair Horn, Sasha Tropenov, and Sagi Dekel Chen after 497 days in captivity by Hamas. Welcome home - we have been waiting for you.
On Wednesday, Hamas agreed to transfer the bodies of the Bibas family—Shiri, her baby Ariel, Kfir and 85-year-old Oded Lifschitz. The whole Jewish world and all of Israel mourned this sad news. However, on Thursday, it was confirmed that the woman's body is not Shiri Bibas. This breach of the agreement is a cruel act by Hamas. As I write these lines on Friday afternoon, it is reported that Hamas has “found” Shiri and has transferred her to the Red Cross. The body is now with the Israeli Army and will be transported for forensic analysis to confirm the identity and an autopsy to check the cause of death. May the memory of Oded, Kfir, and Ariel Be a Blessing.
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Coming Home Tomorrow:
Tomorrow, we are excited to welcome home six hostages after 504 days in brutal captivity: Omri Vankrat, Omer Shem Tov, Eliya Cohen, Tal Shoham, Avra Mangisto, and Hisham A-Sayed. Welcome home - We have been waiting for you.
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With Omer, Tal, Eliya, Avera, Hisham, and Omer home, we still have 63 hostages to bring home.
Please keep them and all hostages in your prayers.
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The Click HERE for the official The Hostage and Missing Families Forum website
Help bring them home.
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TAKE A LOOK AT THE YEAR AHEAD
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This year is jam-packed with fun events for the whole family!
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Enjoyed Your Experience at the ECLC This Year? Help Us Continue to Grow
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We have big dreams! Just like the 7th-grade curriculum was able to grow, we know we can expand the rest of our classes! VR goggles in Tech, Sports Academy tournaments, and ECLC band, and many social programs for both students and parents, just to name a few! Help us accomplish those goals quicker! Every little bit helps!
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STAY IN TOUCH WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
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Stay Connected on Facebook and Instagram
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15739 Ventura Boulevard, Encino CA 91436
(818) 530-4043 | etzchaim@vbs.org
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ECLC | 15739 Ventura Boulevard | Encino, CA 91436 US
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