We are monitoring the weather forecast closely and will follow up in a separate email if we need to make changes to our scheduled programming for the weekend.
Erev Shabbat Friday, January 12 Shabbat Salon, 6:30 pm In Person Our Shabbat Salon this month features Mayor Dontae Payne. Dinner and prayers will be at 6:30 with our speaker at approximately 7:30 (note earlier time). See more below.
Shabbat 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.
Communal Lunch, 11:30 am In Person
Torah Study, 12:30 Hybrid Prayer and study are equally holy activities. All are invited to join in these highly participatory discussions. No experience is necessary!
Shabbat Salon: Mayor Dontae Payne Friday January 12, 6:30 pm In Person
Join TBH for a presentation by Dontae Payne, the new Mayor of Olympia! Dontae will be presenting on his experience in public service sitting on the Olympia City Council and as a Jew of Color in our community. Read more on the event page.
Our salon includes a dinner at 6:30 pm catered by Nineveh, this month featuring vegetarian sushi and yakisoba! We will gather in the social hall at 6:30 to say Shabbat prayers as a community and enjoy dinner together. Our featured presenter will follow at approximately 7:30 pm (note earlier time).
Limmud Ba'salon @ TBH Saturday January 13, 7:00 pm In Person
This year, for Limmud Seattle 2024, TBH is participating in the Limmud Ba'salon, which is a chance for people to gather in small, informal groups to learn, sing, dance, and create deeper connections with a focus on Shabbat. We will say Havdallah, schmooze, and eat. Participants must register through the Limmud Website. Cost is $18/person. For general information on the Limmud Festival, see below in the community section.
The book group will be meeting online only starting this month until further notice. The Postcard by Anne Berest is a portrait of 20th century Parisian intellectual and artistic life, an enthralling investigation into family secrets, and a poignant tale of a Jewish family devastated by the Holocaust.
Lox Making with Gaute & Erin Thursday, January 18, 5:30 pm In Person
Spend an evening at TBH learning how to make Gaute’s delectable salmon gravlax (aka lox). All ingredients needed, including Salmon will be provided.
Each participant will go home with:
A copy of the recipe
Tips and tricks for buying the best salmon and gravlax-making techniques
A 3-inch section with instructions and friendly text reminders to flip their salmon
Lox ready to eat in 3 days!.
Participants will need to bring their own shallow, non-porous containers with a lid for transport. Think 1 quart pyrex. Cost is $36 per person. 100% of proceeds benefit TBH. A big thank you to Erin and Gaute Syversen for offering this course and donating materials.
Growing Shabbat at Schechter Friday, January 19, 5:30 pm In Person @ Camp Solomon Schechter
Everyone is welcome to join us for dinner and a service at Camp Solomon Schechter. We will gather at 5:30 for dinner and start the service at approximately 6:30 pm. Registration is free, but required for dinner plans and access codes. We'll be in the Chadar Ochel (Dining Hall) again, so there will be more room to move around. Registration closes January 12th.
Two Different Worlds: A Shabbat Dinner for Interfaith Couples post-10/7 Friday, January 19, 5:30 In Person
An invitation from TBH member Victoria Mapson: Calling all Jewish+NonJewish partners! It has been difficult to be a Jew after October 7th, and it has also been difficult to be the non-Jewish partner who loves us. Sometimes it feels like we are living in two separate realities, and it can feel impossible to find connection. Join a young interfaith couple in Olympia for shabbat dinner at their home to combat the isolation Jews are experiencing, and to support each other in the various ways we know how. This event may recur based on interest, so sign up even if seats are full. We don't need to agree on everything, but we do need to be together.
Mussar Torah Study Saturday, January 19, 10:00 am Online
We will take a deep dive into two parashot, Bo—Exodus 10:1 – 13:16 and parashat B’shalach – Exodus 13:17 thru 17:15. The middot or soul traits for these two torah portions are Kavod/Honor: Making an Effort and Bitachon/Trusting the Path. We will study and practice together. Please plan on joining us for an intriguing Mussar discussion of these Torah portions and these important soul traits. Join us on zoom.
Winter Trimester of Darchei Noam is Starting! Starts January 21 In Person
School age children have the option to enroll in various Sunday afternoon programs. Options include "Cooking the Jewish Calendar," "Jewish Folklife Tradition," Hebrew Instruction, "The Middot of Farm Life" and more. Contact Catherine for the full list, course descriptions and registration link.
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. Registration deadline is Friday, June 12.
Shabbat Shirah "Kumsitz" Saturday, January 27, 4:00 pm In Person
The TBH choir, Kol Neshama, invites you to attend the 7th Shabbat Shirah “Kumsitz.” “Kum-what?” you may ask. A kumsitz (from the Yiddish “come sit”) describes gathering to sing and socialize, either on the floor, in chairs, or around a campfire. (We’ll provide the chair option!)
This year’s theme is -- appropriately -- Peace Songs. We’ll start with Jewish liturgical music and see where the group goes from there. What’s your favorite version of Oseh Shalom? Lo Yisa Goy? Shalom Aleichem? Read more on the event page>>
Tu B'Shevat at Camp Solomon Schechter Sunday, January 28, 2:00 - 6:00 pm In Person
Join us at Camp Solomon Schechter for an afternoon with Josh Lake and others as we celebrate the birthday of the trees. This event is free but registration is required for gate code and supply preparations. Registration closes January 19th.
WCR: Survey Class on Israel & Zionism Starts Sunday, February 4, 5:00 pm Online
The Washington Coalition of Rabbis (of which Rabbi Seth is on the Board!) is offering a 6-session, online course in Israel and Zionism. This is an opportunity to learn from a diverse set of Washington State rabbis about about the history and ideology of Zionism and Israel, including how they intersect with Jewish thought, history, and identity. Class meets on Sundays at 5:00 p.m., beginning February 4. Sliding scale tuition, no one is turned away. More info and register>>
FROM THE OFFICE
Israel Updates & Opportunities for Support
As the fighting between Israel and Hamas continues, here are some links from our affiliate organizations:
NEW! The Washington Coalition of Rabbis is offering a 6-session, online course in Israel and Zionism. See more above.
Reconstructing Judaism hosted a "Shared Values and Multiple Opinions" Presentation on December 17. See the recording here.
Many thanks to all who contributed to the TBH warm clothing drive. And thanks also to Rabbi Seth who coordinated the donations on Christmas during the Theater sing along. We collected more items this year than usual- two full carloads in fact that were delivered to St. Michael's clothing bank. Here is the rundown! Adult coats-38, Adult sweatshirts-8, Adult sweaters-4, vests-5, kid coats-19, kids sweatshirts-48, kids sweaters-9, pants-22, adult shirts-13, socks-28 pairs, ties-2, shoes-3, leggings-1, underwear-5, blankets-26, sleeping bags-3, hats-12, scarfs-4, gloves-4.
Our 5784 Fall Giving Campaign has closed. Thanks to our amazing community, we have raised over $37,000!
Anonymous Donors Marcela Abadi Sierra Abrams Lynne Alfasso & George Chappell Bret Anderson Sam Armour Jim Bamberger & Nancy Eastham Jennifer Barber Patricia Bartley in memory of Batia Levy Edie Bean Thomas & Karen Bean Noa Bechtle in gratitude for Book Club Mitch Becker Dahlia Bernal Ericka & Jeff Birkenstein in honor of Bob Birkenstein Susan & Larry Bitow in support of the Jewish people and TBH Susan Rosen & Michael Blum Linda Blustein in memory of Shirley Putzer Denise & James Brennan Toby Brown Nelsa Brodie & Doug Parker Adrienne Buntain in honor of Dalya Mira Trebatch Molly Carmody Thomas Carr & Wren Wolf Magdalena Cristo-Frank Rachel Dagovitz Diane Dakin & Stephen Bray Katherine Davis-Delaney David Deitz & Donna Landry Kathy Dixon Jill & William Dole James Dolliver with the hope for world peace during someone's lifetime Beth Dubey Cheryl Duryea Daniel Farber Susan Finkel Karen Fitzgerald Sylvia Fox Ann Frankel Janice Friebaum Bernie Friedman in memory of Phyllis Greenspan William Gallin Doreen & Nicolas Garcia Leslie Gates Leopold Gendelman Randee Gibbons in honor of Rabbi Seth Marilyn Gisser Tikva & Cliff Glantz in memory of Marv Reiner Cathy & Cliff Godwin in honor of Mary-Lynne Reiner and in memory of Marvin Reiner Robert Godwin Jody Goldman Lisa Goldschmidt Leslie Goldstein
Yohanna Kinberg & Seth Goldstein Jill Rosenkrantz & Jay Goldstein Sue Goldstein Karen & Alan Goldstein Ellen Grant Joanne Green in memory of Sadie Morrison Joy Greenberg Susan Gresia Abby Gross in honor of Rabbi Seth Lydia Grossman Ronnie Hacken & Joceile Moore Elie & Beth Halpern David & Felicia Hanig Aryeh Harif Ann & Timothy Hartman Hilarie Hauptman Robert Haynes Charlene Healy Frank Herman Evan & Stacy Hirsch in memory of Alfred Hirsch Michael Hirsch Stephen Hodes & Harriet Strasberg Sheldon Hoffman Diane & Laurence Istvan Kayla and Andrew Iverson Susan Iverson Michele & Richard Jackman Katie Johnson Jessica Josephs Ricki Kahn Rebecca Kamen in memory of Alan Kamen Ezra Katz Mark Kaufman James Kaydus & Phyllis Neff Juli Kelen Lori Kishimoto & Craig Wallace Victor Kogan in memory of Faina Kogan Valerie Kolarik Kassie Koledin Michael & Ricki Koppel Nancy Koppelman in honor of Jean Mandeberg & Laura Citrin Jack & Carole Kowitt Michael Krasnokutsky in memory of Julie Frank Esther and Warren Kronenberg Diane Kurzyna & Alan Reichman Roberta Lamb Bonnie Lambert Tish Levee Joel Levin & Esther Warkov Yana Levina Audrey Levine & Nels Johnson Cindy Levy Russell Lidman Andrea Lipper in honor of the IDF
Deborah Loomis Robert Lovitt Keith Mars Ronald Maybruck Nicklaus McHendry Carol McLaughlin Ezekiel Melquist Carla Michalove Diane Miller in memory of Bronwyn Vincent Nicole & Greg Moulton in memory of Fritz Timian Zoe Myers Courtney Nevitt & Bruce Silverman Nathan Niederhauser & Mariana Rosenthal Maya North Naomi & Ed Obie Margaret Okamoto Mark Peckler in celebration of the B'nai Mitzvah of Barbara & Oscar Soule Marilyn Piper & Craig Costello Susan & Larry Poplack Isabella Rogol Janet Roller Steve Romance & Sherry Riesner Scott Royer Yelena & Grigoriy Rozenfeld Linda Rubin Edith Rutel Linda Sanda Angela Santamaria & Howard Schwartz Gary Schneider & Nancy Snyder Randall Schoch Laura & Sam Schrager Sara Shapiro in memory of Roger Trafton Debra Shapiro Schwent & Vincent Schwent Nina Shecter in memory of Morton Shecter Charles & Norma Shelan Mark Sherman Anjali Silva Theresa Silva in honor of Anjali Silva Jane Skinner Oscar and Barbara Soule Cynthia Spencer Justin Stern in memory of Paulette and David Stern Mary Stevenson in memory of Jim Stevenson Ahna Stoller Susan Strange Debra Taylor Adam Tenenbaum Len Trabka Raphael Venegas Sharon & Steven Weinberg Leanne Weiss Mark and Meg Weiss Nancy West Jackie Wolf Ellen & Carl Wolfhagen Frank & Ellen Young
AROUND THE CONGREGATION
Yahrzeits
Bill Stockwell Abraham Shats George Bamberger Rachel Kogan Maurice Rubenstein Jacob Goldberg Coleman Gershuny Edward M. Reiner Adele Youdin Max Bach Paul Lazovick Sophie Scheier Irving Hanig Dorothy Ebner Jacob Weiss Mark Kogan Ralf Herman Stanley Blum Cindy Zita Lorrance Brandon Chaim Leib Maurice L. Halpern Wava Hollingsworth Esther Robinson John B. Vincent
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.
Reconstructionists Expanding Our Conversation on Israel-Palestine: Occupation 101 Thursday Evenings, January 11 – March 7, 5:00-6:30 pm Online
Join us on Zoom for an 8-week course taught by Joel Beinin, Donald J. McLachlan Professor of History and Professor of Middle East History, Emeritus at Stanford University. This will be an opportunity to grapple with the history and current realities of the Israeli occupation, engage with difficult ideas, and process complex questions in a respectful environment. Read more about the course description on the registration page.
Registration is required. The course fee is sliding scale $36-$72 for the series. Please email office@shamayim.org if you need scholarship assistance.
Reconstructionists Expanding Our Conversation on Israel-Palestine is an independent project organized by rabbis and laypeople and co-sponsored by several Reconstructionist congregations. We embrace the Reconstructionist movement’s values of justice (tzedek), compassion (chesed), and the dignity of all human life (b’tselem Elohim). Our embrace of these values leads us to oppose Israel’s domination of the Palestinian people. We hope this series will expand our understanding of historical and present-day conditions in Israel/Palestine and strengthen our commitment to a just future. All are welcome to join us in learning and listening with open hearts and minds.
Limmud Seattle 2024: Seattle’s Jewish Learning & Culture Festival January 7-14, 2023 Hybrid
With over 50 amazing presenters and musicians from our region and around the world.
E-Festival: January 7, 2024, Zoom
Ba’Salon (Intimate Gatherings): January 13, 2024, Various Home Locations
MAIN FESTIVAL EVENT & ISRAEL BENEFIT CONCERT: January 14, 2024, Univ of WA H.U.B.
A Jewish Gathering of Discovery, Connection and Growth - Join Us!
To Learn More & Register: www.limmudseattle.org
Limmud Seattle 2024: Strings of Solidarity Sunday, January 14, 6:00 pm In Person @ UW
Join us for a benefit concert supporting victims in Israel with an uplifting experience through diverse musical genres. All proceeds go to One Family Togehter, promoting the rights and rehabilitation of terrorism victims in Israel.
Dayenu's Spiritual Grief and Resiliency Workshop Sunday, January 21, 3:00 pm In Person at UW Hillel
Join Dayenu: A Jewish Call to Climate Action for a Seattle climate grief and resilience workshop on Sunday, January 2st, 2024 hosted by Hillel at the University of Washington and co-sponsored by Kavana and Earth Ministry/Washington Interfaith Power & Light.
We will take a journey together through four stages, rooted in Jewish wisdom. We start in (1) gratitude then we (2) honor our pain for the world by making space to process our climate emotions. We then move into (3) opening to new possibilities by imagining a just and livable future on planet earth and finally arriving at theories of change and (4) taking action.
Camp Solomon Schechter Women's Getaway March 1-3 In Person at Camp Solomon Schechter
This weekend will be filled with unique programming dedicated to meeting with old friends and new, experiencing the magic of Shabbat at camp, and relaxing and having fun.
Habitat for Humanity Volunteering Friday, Jun 13th 8:00a to 2:30p TBH Homeless Task Force invites you to join our second annual Habitat for Humanity work party. We are assembling a team to contribute to the Habitat project in Tumwater (Tâlíčn) site at 73rd & Henderson. Our TBH work day is Friday, June 13th from 8:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m. No construction experience needed! Habitat can accommodate a group of up to 15 volunteers, so if you are interested please create an account with Habitat to register. https://www.spshabitat.org/ Also, please email Kayla to let us know that you have signed up (kiverson@bethhatfiloh.org).
