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Writings about Rabbi Arnold Kopikis

-1999-
January 29, 1999
Donald H. Harrison, "Mazel tov! 'Shtetl wedding' celebrates synagogue merger," San Diego Jewish Press-Heritage

-2001-
April 20, 2001Donald H. Harrison, "Last draw for preachy B.C.?" San Diego Jewish Press-Heritage

-2003-
January 17, 2003
Betsy Baranov and Linda Bennett, "Our Town," San Diego Jewish Press-Heritage, in which one item mentions Rabbi Kopikis.

March 7, 2003
Donald H. Harrison, "Community bids farewell to Cantor Simon Bermanis," San Diego Jewish Press-Heritage

-2005-

Undated—American Jewish Committee, The Who, What, Where And Why of the American Jewish Committee: San Diego Chapter, pamphlet, page 5: San Diego Chapter: President, Tad Seth Parzen; Vice President, Alan Nevin; Immediate Past President, Joan Dean; Interim Executive Director: Paula Jacobs.  Board of Directors: Penny J. Adler, Hon. Marty Block, Fay Crevoshay, Hon. Bonnie Dumanis, Phyllis Epstein, Dr. Bernardo M. Ferdman, Heidi Gantwerk, Judith L. Hahn, Marciaq Hazan, Scott Himelstein, Robert Kaplan, Rabbi Aronold Kopikis, Mathew Kostrinsky, Hylton Lonstein, Phyllis Magerman, Paul I. Meyer, Paul A. Nierman, David L. Osias, Miyo Reff, Faye Rose, Fred Schenk, Sidney Schuman, Sandra Silverstein, Norman Smith, Greg Stein, Art Stromberg, Tracy Sundlun, Susan Siesinger Ulevitch, Hon. Howard Wayne, Edward Weiner, Marc Wolfsheimer.  Board of Trustees: Dr. Lawrence Baron, Alan Bersin, Hon. Bob Filner, Murray  Galinson, William Gerelick, Muriel Goldhammer, Lucy Goldman, Jean and Herman Gordon, Diana and Norman Hahn, Iris and Howard Harris, Deborah G. Horwitz, Jerome Katzin. Hon. William Kolender, Dr. Abraham and Lenore Krems, Helene K. Kruger, Art Letter, Richard C. Levi, Bernys and Richard H. Levin, Hamilton Loeb, Sr., Ann Ratner, Nadine Savitch, Hon. Lynn Schenk, Paula Siegel, Abbe Stutz, Louis M. Wolfsehimer, Charles and Leah Zibbell.   Office Administrator: Marissa de Luna.

Fall 2005, Agency for Jewish Education of San Diego, Annual Report 2004-2005, "Todah Rabbah to all our generous Donors!," page 12: ..Bonim...Builders...Rabbi Arnold and Ruth Kopikis...

September 20, 2005—Ismar Schorsch, chancellor of the Jewish Theological Seminary, New York City,  to Marlene Markus, president of Ner Tamid Synagogue, Poway, California: Dear Ms. Markus: It is my honor to inform you that the Faculty Committee on Honorary Degrees and the Board of Trustees of the Jewish Theological Seminary have unanimously voted to confer upon rabbi Arnold Kopikis the degree of doctor of divinity, honoris causa. By so doing, we mean publicly to recognize his active career in the rabbinate, a career which has brought honor to your synagogue, JTS, the Rabbinical Assembly, and the Conservative Movement, and blessing to the Jewish people. We will confer this degree at a special convocation which will take place at JTS on Thursday, November 17, 2005, 3:30-5:45 p.m. The ceremony will be followed by a dessert reception. A formal invitation will be sent to you under separate cover. We would be honored if you would join us for what will be a most festive and memorable occasion. It would be our privilege to welcome you to JTS.

September 29, 2005—Rabbi Arnold Kopikis is honored by Morey and Jeanne Feldman on the website of the Louis Rose Society for the Preservation of Jewish History.

October-November 2005—1) "From the President (Marlene Markus), Orot (newsletter of Ner Tamid Synagogue, Poway), page 1: ...As Rosh Hashanah approaches I also feel as if our congregation is beginning anew. I sense this feeling among our congregants. There is a spirit of cooperation and renewed enthusiasm. There are new programs and exciting ideas beginning to take shape. Community members are showing an interest in our congregation. The word is getting out—Ner Tamid is the place to be! The efforts of Rabbi Kopikis, the Board, and many congregants are responsible for this change. Over the past few months I have been impressed with the behind the scenes work of these people...As we begin the High Holiday season with Selihot, we are also having a Channukat Habaity, a dedication of our new home. I believe it will be a proper time for us to recite neis gadol hayah poh, a great miracle happened here. The date is September 34 at 7:00 p.m. We are planning a beautiful service and ceremony....

2) "Tributes," Orot, page 7:  ... Rabbi & Ruth Kopikis in your honor from Myla Stokes-Kelly.

3) "Board of Directors," Orot, page 8: Rabbi Arnold Kopikis, President Marlene Markus, Executive VP Murray Kuritsky, Fiscal Affairs VP Irv Newman, Treasurer Irving Sherman, Recording Secretary Rima Rabb; Membership VP Diana Lerner; Fundraising VP Robyn Gonen; Education VP Shirin Chauvin; Religious Affairs VP Stuart Gallant, Professional Personnel Director Jerry Markus, House and Grounds Director Stewart Burke; Sisterhood Co-Presidents Molly Cohen (and) Flora Kuritsky; Serving Past Presidents Gerry Burstain (and) Murray Kuritsky, Education Director Sandy Raben, Music Director Ruth Lopez-Yanez. 

October 19, 2005Donald H. Harrison, "The 'Eternal Light' in Poway," San Diego Jewish Times, page 11

December 2, 2005—"Rabbi Kopikis Honored," San Diego Jewish Times, December 2, 2005, page 5: Ismar Schorsch, chancellor of the Jewish Theological Seminary, New York City, informed Ner Tamid Synagogue that the Faculty Committee on Honorary Degrees and the Baord of Trustees of the Jewish Theological Seminary had unanimously voted to confer upon Rabbi Arnold Kopikis the degree of doctor of divinity, honoris causa.  Rabbi Kopikes received the honorary degree at a special convocation on Nov. 17.

-2006-
January 13, 2006—
"Rabbi Kopikis Receives Honorary Degree," San Diego Jewish Times, page 6: The spiritual journey that took Rabbi Kopikis from Argentina to San Diego via Jerusalem and Mexico City earned him an honorary degree last November. Citing his innovative and outstanding use of music in religious services and programs, the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York City bestowed the honorary Doctor of Divinity degree at a ceremony attended by Rabbi Kopikis' family and peers. Through the use of visual art, music and dance originating in many countries around the world, Rabbi Kopikis promotes a global view of Jewish traditions and values. Emerging artists have been introduced and promoted through his synagogue programs to provide both traditional and contemporary approaches to Jewish culture and prayer. Ner Tamid is located at 15318 Pomerado Road in Poway. Rabbi Kopikis conducts weekly services at 7 p.m. on Fridays and 9:30 a.m. on Saturdays.

January 27, 2006—Eileen Wingard, "Yale Strom Comes Home," San Diego Jewish Times, mentioning Kopikis as emcee.

2006-02-11Donald H. Harrison, "Ner Tamid Synagogue surprises its rabbi doctor," jewishsightseeing.com 

2006-07-15Donald H. Harrison, "Our San Diego Alef Bet," jewishsightseeing.com 

2008-08-07Donald H. Harrison, "Rabbi Arnold Kopikis parts company with Ner Tamid Synagogue of Poway," jewishsightseeing.com

2006-08-13—Donald H. Harrison, "Our San Diego Alef Bet: News of Jews of San Diego County," jewishsightseeing.com