Erev Shabbat Friday, November 29 Singing Circle Shabbat, 6:30 pm In Person Come sing this Shabbat. On the occasional fifth Friday we will have a “Singing Circle Shabbat”—rather than follow the breadth of the liturgy and service, we will focus on depth and focus on a few songs and prayers, letting them reverberate in the room andin our souls. Instruments and percussion welcome!
There is no Shabbat morning programming this week!
THIS WEEK AT TBH
It's Great to Greet! Sunday, December 1, 3:00 - 4:30 pm In Person
The pre-Hanukkah greeter training is coming up and WE NEED MORE GREETERS. You are the perfect person to be a greeter. It’s a fun way to get to know our community. You don’t have to be big and tough to be a greeter. In fact, greeters can be of any size and friendly temperment!
Please join us for a short training on Sunday, December 1 from 3-4:30 pm at TBH. Our facilitator is none other than local historian, stand-up comedian and chair of the TBH Safety Committee, David Scherer Water. Questions? david.scherer.water@gmail.com
Immigration and Refugee Task Force Reconvening Monday, December 2, 6:00 pm In Person
The TBH Immigration and Refugee Task Force is holding an open meeting to discuss possible new projects moving forward. Formed in 2016, the IRTF was instrumental in making TBH a Sanctuary Congregation. Other projects have been supporting people coming out of detention and educational opportunities. Join us on Monday, December 2 at 6:00 p.m., in-person at TBH. All are welcome!
Senior Schmooze Tuesday, December 3, 12:00 pm In Person
Join us on the first Tuesday of every month for a social gathering, occasional short presentations and healthy dose of humor. Definition of "senior" is up to you. All are welcome. Mike Zagorin is our dessert host this month.
FORKids Food Packing Tuesday, December 3, 4:00 pm In Person @ 2260 Mottman Rd SW
TBH was the first faith community to begin the Thurston County Food Bank ForKids program by filling actual backpacks full of food that were handed out at elementary schools in 2007.
TBH will continue to fill bags the first Tuesday of every month throughout the school year when TBH volunteers will gather at the Tumwater Food Bank. We look forward to a good turnout and encourage both parents, grandparents, children, single adults and childless adults who wish to volunteer to come on the first Tuesday of every month. Thanks to all the past volunteers.
December Member Connect Entries Due
Our December issue of Member Connect will be coming out next week. Please send your entries to Kayla for inclusion!
COMING UP AT TBH
Donate Used Judaica for New Homes! For the Hanukkah Bazaar on Sunday, Dec 8
Our "Judai-kitsch Swap" is focused on finding new homes for used Judaica. If you have items that you would like to contribute, bring them by TBH before or on the day!
Help Make the Bazaar Bake Sale a Success!! Sunday, December 8
Do you enjoy baking sweets? Do you want to help support TBH? You can do both at the same time! This year, we need people to bake treats (including pet treats) and to help staff the booth. If you have a favorite recipe you’d like to bake for the sale OR, if you have a couple of hours to help staff the booth, please contact Felicia Hanig at 360-451-1841 or FeliciaHanig@gmail.com.
At last year’s bazaar, the bake sale was one of the most successful elements – we sold out of everything early in the day and raised over $700. This year, we hope to exceed that amount with more goodies for sale and adding a category for pet treats!
If you would like to participate or have any questions, please contact Felicia.
COMMITTEE UPDATES
A Special Gift For Hanukkah - Homelessness Task Force
Are you looking for a gift for a special someone this Hanukkah? The TBH Homelessness Task Force invites you to make a donation in their name to support neighbors experiencing homelessness in Olympia,
The Task Force is raising funds so TBH can sponsor a tiny home in the New Horizons Communities (formerly Quixote Village). To raise the $1.500.00 yearly upkeep on a home, we invite you to purchase a $50 share ($51.50 if paid by credit card) in honor of your friend/spouse/child.
To make your donation, please go to https://www.bethhatfiloh.org/donate.html and indicate the gift is for New Horizons Communities in the comment section.
Immigrant and Refugee Task Force
Read the Jewish Coalition For Immigrant Justice December newsletter to learn about our upcoming legislative priorities, the asylum and legal clinics we help organize, and some recent immigration news.
FROM THE OFFICE
Office Closed Wednesday, November 27 - Friday, November 29
We are Hiring!
TBH is hiring a part-time Administrative Program Assistant! This is a 15 hour per week position with some annual flex time for peak seasons. The Administrative Program Assistant provides on-site administrative support to staff and lay leaders to further TBH’s mission to be a center for Jewish life in the South Sound. See the full job description here. Interested individuals should submit a resume and cover letter to tbh@bethhatfiloh.org.
Mi Sheberach (Healing) List
During Shabbat services, we always include a prayer for healing and maintain a list on behalf of members who want to include names in the healing prayers (as well as offering them verbally during services). We are modifying how we are maintain the list. As of this Friday we will “reset” the list, and if you have names you wish to include, please compete this form. May all be blessed with a refua shleyma, a complete healing of body, mind, and spirit.
Share your Torah Thoughts!
Each week we have the opportunity to share thoughts and teachings about the weekly Torah portion as part of our services. And we want to hear your wisdom! Rabbi Seth invites you to deliver a d’var Torah at an upcoming service, no experience necessary—and he can help you craft your message. (Also look for a d’var Torah workshop over the summer). If you are interested, sign up here.
5785 Fall Giving Campaign
Your gift today ensures a bright year for our Jewish community in Olympia in 5785.
Our Fall Giving Campaign will close December 31st. Our goal is to raise $36,000—double chai!
Thanks to our generous donors, we have already raised $16,000!
Anonymous Donors Marcela Abadi Brandon Barnes in honor of Kris Barnes Edie Bean Jeff, Ericka, Madeline Birkenstein Denise & James Brennan in honor Celia, Eugene, and Cheryl Blonder Frances Caplan David Deitz & Donna Landy James Dolliver Maxine Dunkelman & Raymond Philen Cheryl Duryea Larry Dzieza Daniel & Jean Farber Sylvia Fox Leopold Gendelman Karen Gibson Karen & Alan Goldstein Jessi & Donna Goodman in memory of Ron David Goodman (Eliezer David Ben Yitzhak) Rick Hahn Ann & Timothy Hartman Charlene Healy Diane & Laurence Istvan Richard & Michele Jackman
Maggie Jekel-Penn & William Penn Ricki Kahn Rebecca Kamen Mark Kaufman Juli Kelen Michael & Ricki Koppel Bonnie Lambert in honor of Morris Schertz Deborah Loomis Robert Lovitt Susan Mayer in honor of Sarah Feldman Nicklaus McHendry Zoe Myers Margaret Okamoto Stephen Posner Nancy Powell & Paul Kirschner Jeffery Reiner & Susanne White in memory of Marvin Reiner Janet Roller Suzanne Rose Linda Rubin Theresa Silva Brad Smith in honor of Rabbi Seth and Lydia Beth Leimbach Cynthia Spencer Nancy West Dana Wilcox Daniel Zeitlin
Lilly Klein Bessie Klotz Judith Rose Koral Roslyn Cohen Marcheta Bean Ann Baldwin Edward Duthweiler Adlaide Bamberger Rose Robinson Margolis Bill Kolker George Neff Selma Soule Artie Browning Jody Rosenkrantz Earl Bean Dallas Cline Elizabeth Solomon Karen "Rosemary" Snyder Harry Robinson Ruth Jaffe Farber
Happy Birthday!
29 Stan Shore 30 Marissa Schuhlein 2 Daniel Zeitlin 3 Stephen Hodes 3 Martin Bard
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 necessarily officially sponsored or endorsed by TBH, but they are listed as they have Jewish content and/or may be of interest to our community.
Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle: Jewish Community Advocacy Email List
Join the Jewish Community Advocacy Email List to receive opportunities to get engaged or take action to support our Jewish community and Jewish communal priorities! Advocacy work can be time-sensitive and this list is the best way to ensure you receive all action alerts from the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle. Sign up now, ahead of January’s start of the legislative session, to ensure your voice is heard and be a critical leader in our community’s advocacy!
Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle: Applications Now Open! Camp Scholarships & First-Time Camper Grants Apply by January 17
Camp fosters independence, lifelong friendships, and a deep connection to Jewish life. Through songs, sports, and outdoor adventures, campers discover what Judaism means to them. Invest in your child’s future today! Children who attend Jewish summer camp are more likely to join synagogues, support Jewish causes, and become future community leaders. Learn more>>
“All of the People Israel are Responsible for One Another”: Reconstructionist Values That Shape Our Relationships with Israelis and Palestinians Sunday, December 15, 10:00 am Online
Join a movement-wide virtual convening to explore the shared values that shape our connection to Israel and response to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as well as our connection to the Jews of Israel and ahavat yoshvei ha’aretz — a loving connection to all the inhabitants of the land. Together, we will take a close and nuanced look at what binds us in covenantal community, even during this time of deep crisis.
The hallmark of a Reconstructionist approach has always been our commitment to ethical, respectful discussion grounded in our shared values, even about the most difficult issues. More opportunities for learning and discussion will follow in the weeks and months to come.
The War in Israel: What’s Next for the Jewish People with Tal Becker Monday, December 16 at 7:00pm In Person at Temple De Hirsch Sinai, Seattle
In this lecture, Tal Becker will examine the current struggle Israel faces and its profound implications for Jewish peoplehood. As Israel grapples with internal and external challenges, Jewish communities worldwide are feeling the impact. Becker will explore how these dynamics are reshaping Jewish identity, solidarity, and the evolving relationship between Israeli and Diaspora Jews. Through insightful analysis, he will address the difficult questions that arise for Jews everywhere: How does this fight define who we are as a people? What does it demand of us in terms of values, commitment, and collective responsibility? Join us for a thought-provoking exploration of Israel’s battle and its lasting impact on the future of Jewish peoplehood. Tal Becker is the Vice President and Senior Faculty of the Kogod Research Center at the Shalom Hartman Institute. Until recently, Dr. Becker served as the Legal Adviser of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs and has been a senior member of the Israeli peace negotiation team in successive rounds of peace negotiations.
