Hanukkah Sameach! Temple Beth Hatfiloh wishes you a Happy Hanukkah! Hanukkah Begins Thursday Night!
The synagogue will be closed this week, December 4 - 8 (with the exception of the D'var Workshop). Regular operations resume with Erev Shabbat on December 8th.
Wednesday, December 6, 2023 | 24 Kislev 5784
SHABBAT SHALOM!
Erev Shabbat Friday, December 8 Shabbat Service, 6:30 pm In Person Join us to light candles and gather in community to celebrate Shabbat. As this service takes the place of the regular salon week, it will be in person only.
Morning Service, 10:00 am In Person The service will be both a community Shabbat experience and a learning opportunity for our b'nai mitzvah families. The service will be followed by a communal lunch at 11:30 am.
Torah Study, 12:30 pm Hybrid Prayer and study are equally holy activities. All are invited to join in these highly participatory discussions. No experience is necessary!
We Want to Hear Your Torah! & "How to Give a D'var Torah" workshop Thursday, December 7, 7:00 pm Online
Are you interested in giving a d’var Torah at an upcoming Shabbat service? Share your interpretation, ideas, teachings about the weekly Torah portion? If you are comfortable doing so and want to jump right in, sign up for an upcoming opportunity on this form.
If you want to but you are not sure how, Rabbi Seth will teach you! Come to the “How to Give a D’var Torah” workshop. We will learn how to begin, prepare, research, and deliver a d’var Torah. Thursday, December 7 at 7:00 p.m. Online only. Free. Please register in advance for planning purposes.
Remember: Torah is for all! There is no one “right” interpretation! We are all learners and we are all teachers! Zoom Information: Register>>
TBH Hanukkah Party & Community Candle Lighting Sunday, December 10, 6:00 pm In Person
This year's Hanukkah Party will take place at TBH on the 4th night. We will need latke makers this year. Please contact Catherine if you are able to help.
New this year: fill your own donut bar! TBH will provide latkes and donuts, please bring a potluck vegetarian dish to share if you are able. Don't forget to bring your menorahs and candles!
We will also have an informal gathering to light our new 12-foot-tall electric menorah in our courtyard! Join us on Thursday, December 7 from 4:15-4:45!
A Collective Inquiry into the Israel/Hamas War Tuesday, December 12, 7:00 pm In Person
As events continue to unfold in the Mideast, join Nancy Koppelman as we create another opportunity to help each other live with and process this war. This is an evening of asking questions and sharing feelings, driven by curiosity rather than conclusions. Nancy is a member of TBH and a professor at The Evergreen State College. She spoke last year on Israel in her capacity as a speaker through Humanities Washington, and she taught a 6-part series on Israel at TBH. If you have questions about what is happening that you want to share in advance, please enter them on this form
COMING UP AT TBH
Warm Clothing Drive December
The TBH Homeless Task Force is collecting warm clothing during the month of December. The items will be donated to St. Michaels clothing bank. Please consider donating gently used coats, sweaters, hats, scarves, socks- or any other cold weather clothing. There are collection bins placed in the foyer and by the entrance to the social hall. Thank you in advance for your generosity.
Growing Shabbat - Dinner Only Friday, December 15, 5:30 pm In Person
We will have a special Growing Shabbat! this week with NO service. Instead, we will come together for Shabbat dinner at 6 pm as if we are at home, including songs and a learning discussion about this week's parashah. There is no fee for the dinner.
Fiddler on the Roof @ OFS Monday, December 25, 4:00 pm In Person @ Capitol Theater
$12 GA & $9 OFS Directed by Norman Jewison, the critically acclaimed screen adaptation of the international stage sensation tells the life-affirming story of Tevye (Topol), a poor milkman whose love, pride and faith help him face the oppression of turn-of-the-century czarist Russia. Come in costume! TBH will be holding a warm coat and blanket drive, so bring your donations to the theater the day of the movie!
Beginning Hebrew for Adults Starts January 21, 2:45 pm In Person
Want to learn the aleph-bet? Want to be able to pick up a prayerbook or Torah and be able to read through? Time to learn Hebrew! At the end of this class students will be able to read and decode Hebrew with some introduction to vocabulary, grammar and the meaning behind our sacred language. Class meets for 10 Sundays, 2:45-4:00 beginning in January: Jan 21, Feb 4, 11, 25, Mar 10, Apr 7, 14, 28, May 19, June 2. (Note: the timing and schedule of the class coincides with the second session of the Darchei Noam youth program) All materials provided. Free for TBH Members, $72 for non-members.
Now that we are bringing back Shabbat morning services twice a month, we are looking for Torah readers. Are you interested in reading Torah? Sign up on this Google Sheet , the services for the next few months are listed.
Are you interested in giving a d’var Torah at an upcoming Shabbat service? Share your interpretation, ideas, teachings about the weekly Torah portion? If you are comfortable doing so and want to jump right in, sign up for an upcoming opportunity on this form. See workshop information above.
Contact Rabbi Seth with any questions
Hanukkah Shop is Open! Plus Books and Judaica
The TBH self-serve pop up shop is open in the TBH Social Hall. Pick up your gelt, candles, decor and more anytime you are in the building!
We have some used Judaica and books left after the Hanukkah Bazaar that are available for take home in the TBH Old Foyer. Donations accepted but not required for rehoming!
Israel Updates & Opportunities for Support
As the fighting between Israel and Hamas continues, here are some links from our affiliate organizations:
Earl Bean Dallas Cline Earl Bean C. William Chappell Michael Brocha Elizabeth Solomon Karen "Rosemary" Snyder Harry Robinson Minnie Cohn Gregory John Neff Albert Tenenbaum Beatrice Kalikow Lenore Greene Roberta Nelson Esther Oksengorn Esther Reiner Joanne Royer Sidney Shapiro Kathryn Dole Sidney Schwartz Robert Madlem William Schrager Richard Schneider Billie Wolf Hanig
Happy Birthday!
7 Laura Hurtado-Webb 9 Carl Wolfhagen 10 Susan Poplack 10 Daniel Asher 12 Karen Janowitz
Yahrtzeit Updates & Additions
Members are able to view, edit, and add Yahrtzeits on the member portal of the TBH website here (requires log in). If you need assistance, please feel free to send any updates to tbh@bethhatfiloh.org.
COMMUNITY EVENTS/RESOURCES: Note: These are not officially sponsored or endorsed by TBH, but they are listed as they have Jewish content and/or may be of interest to our community.
Books Available
Bob Godwin has generously offered his extensive library to members of the congregation who would like acquire new books for their collections. Please see the two attached documents cataloging his collection-- Judaica & General.
Camp Solomon Schechter Scholarships
At CSS, our campers are immersed in Judaism, make lifelong friends, experience growth in their social skills, and, of course, have a TON of fun! We have a large amount of scholarship funds available to ensure that every camper can come to camp for Summer 2024.
The priority application deadline for all scholarships is Friday, March 8, 2024. The second round deadline is Friday, April 19, 2024.
Stroum Jewish Community Center: 2024 JCC Maccabi Games
The J is putting together a team of 15 Jewish teens to travel to the 2024 JCC Maccabi Games, an Olympics-style competition, in Detroit. We are hoping to form a basketball or soccer team; spots are also open for individual athletes in sports such as swimming, golf, dance, table tennis, star reporter, and more.
