Amanda and Brett Marz

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Amanda and Brett Marz

It should come as no surprise that two people raised in families that surrounded them with Yiddishkeit would choose Valley Beth Shalom as their synagogue.  So a little over five years ago, when Amanda and Brett Marz moved to Encino, that’s exactly what they did.

“Judaism was an important part of our lives,” Amanda said. “And we both love being Jewish and the history, culture, celebrations and life-cycle events that come with it.”

“We were looking for a community that offered us an opportunity to provide a place for a family to feel connected and grow,” Brett said.  “A place where our children could be educated and one that reinforced the Jewish traditions we grew up with and practice in our own home.”

Amanda added that they had heard great things about VBS before they joined, specifically what a warm community it was. “So we felt it was just the kind of synagogue we were looking for. And I can tell you we haven’t been disappointed.”

The couple met 14 years ago at a mutual friend’s birthday party. Brett runs a company that manufactures and provides promotional items to large corporations.  Amanda worked as a litigation attorney before retiring two-and-a-half years ago after the birth of their second child, Iris. The couple also has a son, Michael, 5.

Amanda praised the Early Childhood Center’s Parent and Me program, which she joined shortly after they became members. “I met such wonderful people and the teachers are great,” she said. “Michael began singing Bim Bam and learned the Ha Motzie at 18 months.  And at his sister’s baby naming, when he was three, he picked up the microphone and sang it in front of our 100 guests. You’re never too young to start learning about and practicing Judaism.”

Amanda currently serves on the board and is co-president of the Early Childhood Center’s Parent Association. Brett is active in the general community and is on the board of United Harmony, a group that provides summer and winter camp opportunities for homeless children, and also offers year-round activities such as holiday celebrations and trips to sporting events.

Both Amanda and Brett say they and their children feel at home at VBS. “There is a true sense of comfort when you walk through the doors,” Brett said. “I’m so happy to know that the people we’ve met are going to be our community for the rest of our lives.”

Amanda added: “It’s very important for us to instill our love for Judaism in our children, because Jewish continuity is very meaningful to us. And we know that being members of VBS helps us to do just that. “

Interviewed conducted by and story written by Jay Schuster