The Schmooze

In this special edition episode of The Schmooze, Alison welcomes Randy Lehrman, a familiar face around the temple from Bar and Bat Mitzvah parties and TAE social events. Randy injects fun and festive vibes with his DJ and event production company, Real Genius Entertainment. Hear about the creative business plans he's turned to during the pandemic and get excited for the unique way he's helping TAE celebrate Purim this year with his innovative platform to keep TAE having fun. Alison and Randy demonstrate a trivia game show just like the one that *you* can be part of on February 27th at the TAE Purim PJ Party! They also dish about the Purim Car-nival happening the next morning, February 28th, where families can enjoy a drive-thru Purim carnival experience. And it wouldn't be an episode of The Schmooze without a game of "Two Truths and a Lie" along with the usual James Lipton questions, where even Randy, ever the comedian, is forced to get deep. Enjoy an enlightening episode that has it all, from interactive games to thought-provoking conversation. Real Genius Entertainment: http://www.realgeniusdjs.com/ TAE 2021 Purim Pajama Party: https://www.adatelohim.org/purim2021/purimparty2021/ TAE 2021 Purim Car-nival: https://www.adatelohim.org/purim2021/carnival2021/ Royalty Free Music from Bensound (https://www.bensound.com/)

You might know her for her poetry, her knitting, her generous spirit of giving, or her love of community. But no matter how you know her, you'll learn something new about Suzanne Gallant in this enlightening episode of The Schmooze. Alison talks to Suzanne about her Jewish journey beginning in her hometown of Columbus, Ohio, how she ended up helping to build a temple in New Haven, Connecticut, and what eventually brought her to the Conejo Valley and Temple Adat Elohim. And don't worry, she tackles the Jewish-ified James Lipton questions too! Royalty Free Music from Bensound

Even though Chanukah is over, there's one more present to share. Deb Clark is on The Schmooze! She tells Alison about her Jewish journey and how she ended up not only sending her son to preschool at TAE, but actually teaching there! Deli order talk gets serious as Deb emphasizes the importance of Russian dressing, and she and Alison then play a pretty silly round of "Drawbject" together before ending by getting deep with the Jewish James Lipton questions. Royalty Free Music from Bensound

The Schmooze is back with Alan Glazer joining Alison to talk about his job where he works to improve the Amgen's manufacturing process and also his job as Kadima Chair to improve Temple Adat Elohim's future. Alison and Alan discuss his time in TAE Chorale and his love of music, then they play a devious game of "Two Truths and a Lie" before diving into the traditional Jewish-ified James Lipton questions. Royalty Free Music from Bensound

In this super-sized episode, Caitlin Rauchwarger talks to Alison about her work in senior care during the pandemic, her very personal Jewish journey starting with her embracing of the culture all the way to her eventual conversion to Judaism, and the story of building how she and her wife built their family. And it's not an episode of The Schmooze without some mention of deli orders and the usual James Lipton questions. Royalty Free Music from Bensound

Alison welcomes Doreen Austad, TAE Communications Coordinator and ECC Assistant. They talk about Doreen's Jewish journey, how she came to Temple Adat Elohim, and what it's like being a mom while working at the Temple. After discussing Doreen's favorite deli order, they play a fun little round of "Mad Libs" together, and then as usual, Alison solicits answers to the James Lipton questions. Royalty Free Music from Bensound

Alison is joined by the always entertaining Dan Kuperberg, 24-year TAE member and former Agoura Hills Mayor. They have a fascinating discussion about the importance of local politics and participating in your hometown elections. Dan also talks about his experiences as a Deputy Public Defender in Los Angeles County. And of course, Alison finds out Dan's favorite deli order and gets his answers to her version of James Lipton's questions. Royalty Free Music from Bensound

Reesa Shaw teaches 3rd and 7th grade in the TAE Religious School. She explains to Alison how she found herself at Adat Elohim and also shares stories of her time in Israel and her favorite places there. And it's not an episode of The Schmooze without a round of Jewish-ified James Lipton questions. Royalty Free Music from Bensound

Here's a toast to the dads of TAE! In this episode, Alison is joined by Lonney Gordon, temple member and organizer of the TAE Dads Group. They chat about the importance of community, especially during the pandemic, and also cover another important topic on The Schmooze - favorite deli orders. They play "Two Truths and a Lie" (or is it "Two Lies and a Truth"?) and, of course, Lonney answers the James Lipton questions. Royalty Free Music from Bensound

It's a very camp-y episode! This week, Alison schmoozes with Joel Charnick, Director of Camp JCA Shalom and a 7-year TAE member. They bond over a shared love of camp life and talk about how camp is persevering even through a fire that burnt it down and a pandemic that kept campers at home. Plus, Joel spills his secrets for baking great challah and they play a quick game of "Mad Libs" before ending with the usual James Lipton-inspired questions. Camp JCA Shalom on Facebook: facebook.com/campjcashalom/ The Circle Game Podcast: buzzsprout.com/1322596 Tour De Summer Camps: tourdesummercamps.org/joel Royalty Free Music from Bensound

Lisa Hillman, TAE Membership Chair, chats with Alison this week about how she found herself at Adat Elohim in Thousand Oaks after originally growing up in Maryland and moving to California to be an actress. Starting with a little game of "Two Truths and a Lie", Lisa then lays out her perfect deli order, discusses pandemic life, maps out her journey into temple leadership, and opines on what it means to be a temple member. They end, of course, with the usual Jewish version of the James Lipton questions. The meaning of "Israel": myjewishlearning.com/article/israel-means-to-struggle-with-god/ "Adonai S'fatai": adatelohim.org/worship/prayers-and-songs/adonai-sfatai/ Royalty Free Music from Bensound

Right before the High Holy Days, Alison talks to TAE's fabulous Chorale Director, Stephanie Streja, who shares how she discovered her passion for bringing music and Judaism together. In this amazing discussion, Stephanie covers the incredible High Holy Days music program at TAE and how they've adapted to the pandemic. Alison and Stephanie then play a game of "Drawbject" together and Stephanie is also subjected to the [now regular] tribute to James Lipton with a dose of "Inside the Temple Member's Studio" questions. The TAE HHD music program was recently featured in the Jewish Journal! jewishjournal.com/cover_story/320800/preparing-for-the-high-holy-days-in-pandemic-times/ Royalty Free Music from Bensound

This time, Alison is joined by Cary Ginell, flute player in TAE's Band of Milk and Honey and local theatre reviewer for The Acorn. They talk about the importance of music in Judaism, seeing the same community theatre shows over and over again, and the amazing tale of the SS Volturno. And of course, Alison again asks the Jewishified version of James Lipton's "Inside the Actor's Studio" questions. Articles about the SS Volturno: - jewishjournal.com/old_stories/912/ - homepages.rootsweb.com/~daamen1/volturno/saga.htm Royalty Free Music from Bensound

In the premier episode, Alison welcomes Juli Rycus, President of Temple Adat Elohim, to discuss temple life in the wake of a pandemic, the perfect deli order, and how we should all find Judaism wherever we can. Juli also answers a series of questions inspired by James Lipton's "Inside the Actor's Studio". Royalty Free Music from Bensound