This is a favorite from past TAE auctions. Enjoy a progressive dinner for six TAE adults with our esteemed Temple Adat Elohim clergy. May include transportation TBD.

How does it work?

Stop # 1 - Visit the residence of Cantor Shukiar for appetizers.

Stop # 2 - Visit the residence of Rabbi Riter for the main course.

Stop # 3 - Visit the residence of Rabbi Dubowe for dessert.

About Rabbi Riter

Rabbi Ted Riter joined the Temple Adat Elohim community as Senior Rabbi in the summer of 2005. He brought with him an excitement and dedication to progressive Judaism, spiritual growth and social justice. Rabbi Riter is involved in every aspect of synagogue life. He is a great advocate for life-long learning and treasures time spent with students from pre-school through senior adults.

Rabbi Riter views the synagogue as a living laboratory in which individuals continually explore ways to celebrate Judaism. He believes that community should be nurturing, embracing and inspiring. He understands Reform Judaism as ever-evolving, constantly redefining a balance between tradition and the modern world.

Rabbi Riter is a native of Texas and grew up in the Reform Movement's summer camp, youth group and Israel programs. It is through these experiences that he developed his interest in and passion for Tikkun Olam (healing the world). Rabbi Riter’s commitment to Tikkun Olam continued through his Rabbinical training at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati, OH. During this time, his focus on repairing the world broadened with his participation in a Clinical Pastoral Education program (CPE). In CPE, he served as a chaplain on the oncology and the rehabilitation floors of a local hospital. Rabbi Riter often notes: “It was here, sitting with patients, holding their hands, listening, praying, being silent, that I realized that Tikkun Olam, can have a different face. I learned that Tikkun Olam can also be practiced on a small scale, on an individual level, changing one person’s world at a time.”

Years after ordination, Rabbi Riter realized that he had experienced a “God Gap” in his upbringing and even in his rabbinical training and it was time for him to embark on his own spiritual journey. Through his search, he discovered a mystical world that transcended the rationalism taught in most Reform settings. Rabbi Riter experienced such fulfillment and transformation during this process that it inspired him to pursue advanced training in the field of spiritual direction under the auspices of ALEPH: Alliance for Jewish Renewal. In January 2012, Rabbi Riter completed his studies and was certified as a Spiritual Director and ordained as a Mashpia Ruchani.

Rabbi Riter earned his undergraduate degree in Political Economics from Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana. Following this, he served as a Legislative Assistant for the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism and later worked for Americans for Peace Now, both in Washington, D.C. Rabbi Riter earned his Master of Arts in Hebrew Letters and later his smicha (ordination) from the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in 1997. Prior to joining TAE, Rabbi Riter served the Jewish community of San Diego's North County at Temple Solel in Encinitas for eight years.

Rabbi Riter, his wife, Corey Rubin, and their daughter, Orli, live in Thousand Oaks.

About Rabbi Dubowe

Rabbi Rebecca L. Dubowe joined Temple Adat Elohim in 1997, following her tenure at Anshe Emeth Memorial Temple in New Brunswick, N.J., where she served as Associate Rabbi for four years. A native of Los Angeles, Rabbi Dubowe was ordained by Hebrew Union College – Cincinnati, Ohio. She holds a B.A. in Jewish Studies from the University of Judaism and an M.A. in Hebrew Letters from HUC. Currently, Rabbi Dubowe serves on the board of the Women’s Rabbinic Network, the national Reform women rabbis’ organization. Previously, she served on the board of the RAIN Project, the transitional shelter for homeless families, in Camarillo. Rabbi Dubowe is deeply committed to serving the spiritual and educational needs of this congregation. In addition to her rabbinic responsibilities and dedication to the entire Temple family, Rabbi Dubowe focuses her attention on overseeing the Temple’s youth programs, coordinating its adult education programs, and teaching B’Nai Mitzvah students. Rabbi Dubowe is married to Michael Dubowe and they have two lovely daughters, Rachel and Arielle.

About Cantor Shukiar

David Shukiar is thrilled to serve as the cantor at TAE. He brings his love for music, Judaism, and children to bear on his Cantorial responsibilities. He is a magna cum laude graduate of UCLA, where he developed both his vocal and musical composition skills. The Guild of Temple Musicians has twice selected him as the best young composer--only three other composers have been so honored during the three decades the international award has been granted. His music is published by Transcontinental Music Publications, the largest publisher of Jewish music, and can be heard in concert halls and synagogues around the country. He has often visited communities as a Composer-in-Residence and has enjoyed compositional commissions from synagogues all over the world. He also writes for the stage. One of his many musicals is “Benjamin and Judah,” a modern play based on the Chanukah story. “Benjamin and Judah” has enjoyed productions in New York, Los Angeles, and San Diego.

At TAE, Cantor Shukiar is proud to interact with congregants of every age. He serves the needs of our community through bikur cholim, counseling and being there for the highs and lows of the cycle of life. Cantor Shukiar’s involvement in the Early Childhood Center (ECC) helps to connect the children to TAE and give them a pride in their newly forming Jewish identities. He also teaches in our religious school and  oversees the B’nai Mitzvah Program, working with each candidate to not only master the Torah, Haftarah, and liturgy, but to also to gain a deeper personal understanding of our traditions and writings. Cantor Shukiar also supports the activities of our Youth Groups, especially those activities dealing with Tikkun Olam, the healing of our world. He loves to see our newest young adults organize and carry out Tikkun Olam projects, working to build a stronger world for future generations, and thereby reinforcing our teens’ Jewish identities. Cantor Shukiar oversees and facilitates all aspects of TAE's music program. He works directly with the Junior Choir, giving our children an outlet to explore Jewish music on a personal level. The choir is not only a fixture at our monthly Family Shabbat Celebrations, but they also enhance the celebrations of Chanukah and Pesach at local retirement communities. He also works directly with TAE’s Adult Choir and the Band of Milk and Honey to help enhance our spiritual experiences through music.