Haftarah for Ashkenazim: Hosea 12:13-14:10 Haftarah for Sephardim: Hosea 11:7-12:12
Shabbat Morning Saturday, December 7 Tot Shabbat, 10:00 am In Person All kids ages 0-6 and their grown-ups and families are invited to share in song, story, movement, music and prayer as we celebrate Shabbat together! Our Tot Shabbat will be held at TBH. Followed by crafts and snack in the Social Hall.
THIS WEEK AT TBH
Teva Sharing Circles Saturday, December 7, 3:00 pm In Person
The word tevah is used in the Torah to refer to Noah’s ark as well as the basket that Moses was placed in. Our circle will be a safe and confidential space to express what’s on your hearts and minds, both about our Jewish world and about our wider world so rife with hatred and conflict. At the outset we’ll agree to some basic ground rules to give us structure and safety. Each participant will have an opportunity to speak while holding the talking stick (actually a silver sugar bowl).
Evan Ferber and Eliana Stockwell-Ferber will facilitate. They both have training and experience in small group facilitation. No registration is required. Please come, including those of you who’ve come to past teva circles. We’ll be meeting at three pm upstairs in the Temple chapel on the first Shabbat, the next three months.
Dates: Shabbat, December 7th, Shabbat January 4th, Shabbat February 1st
Where: the Temple chapel, from 3pm to 4:30 pm
For more information, please email Evan or Eliana at evanpferber@gmail.com or elianasf1@gmail.com
Melaveh Malka Canceled for December Saturday, December 7
We will not meet the first Saturday of the month in the evening for TBH social time this month to allow for adequate set-up for the Sunday Hanukkah Bazaar!
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.
COMING UP AT TBH
2nd Friday Service Instead of Salon in December Friday, December 13, 6:30 pm In Person
Our second Friday salon in December has been rescheduled. Instead we will have a lay-led in-person Shabbat service at TBH.
Shabbat Morning Service and Torah Study Cancellation Saturday, December 14
Our Shabbat morning service on the 14th and Torah Study have been cancelled. Morning services will resume on December 28th and Torah Study will resume in January.
Growing Shabbat! Registration is Open Friday, December 20, 5:30 pm In Person at Camp Solomon Schechter
Our December Growing Shabbat! will be held at Camp Solomon Schechter. Join us for dinner at 5:30 and a service at 6:30. Attendance is free but advance registration is required for catering numbers and access codes. Registration closes December 12. Register here>>
Fiddler on the Roof at OFS Wednesday, December 25, 4:00 pm In Person @ Capitol Theatre
Ticket sales coming soon! 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
Save the Date: Hanukkah Party Sunday, December 29, 6:00 pm In Person
Hanukkah Sameach! We are celebrating with our annual party, including latkes, crafts for the kids and menorah lighting with songs. Latke makers, craft helpers, and set-up volunteers need: no experience is necessary, just a willingness to help. Reach out to Catherine at beitseifer@bethhatfiloh.org if you are available! Remember to bring your menorah and candles to light.
Winter Darchei Noam Trimester Registration is Open Sundays, starting January 5 In Person
Register your kids for the Winter Trimester of our Darchei Noam program. This trimester includes course options like Weaving Connections, Like a Prayer, Living the Parsha, and more! Register here>>
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
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 $20,000!
Anonymous Donors Marcela Abadi Joseph K Aptaker Ava Asher and Daniel Gruber Jim Bamberger and Nancy Eastham Brandon Barnes in honor of Kris Barnes Patricia Bartley Edie Bean Mitch Becker Jeff, Ericka, Madeline Birkenstein
Simone Boe Denise & James Brennan in honor Celia, Eugene, and Cheryl Blonder Lisa Brodoff & Lynn Grotsky in memory of Raven Lidman Toby Brown Frances Caplan George Chappell & Lynne Alfasso David Deitz & Donna Landry James Dolliver Maxine Dunkelman & Raymond Philen Cheryl Duryea Larry Dzieza Daniel & Jean Farber Sylvia Fox Ann Frankel Bernie Friedman & Emily Chadwick Leopold Gendelman Karen Gibson Jay Goldstein & Jill Rosenkrantz Karen & Alan Goldstein Rabbi Seth Goldstein & Rabbi Yohanna Kinberg Jessi & Donna Goodman in memory of Ron David Goodman (Eliezer David Ben Yitzhak) Rick Hahn Ann & Timothy Hartman Charlene Healy Frank Herman Diane & Laurence Istvan Richard & Michele Jackman Katie Johnson Maggie Jekel-Penn & William Penn Ricki Kahn Rebecca Kamen in memory of Alan R. Kamen
Mark Kaufman Juli Kelen Lori Kishimoto & Craig Wallace Michael & Ricki Koppel Diane Kurzyna & Alan Reichman Bonnie Lambert in honor of Morris Schertz Andy Levitt Russell Lidman in honor of Daniel Farber Deborah Loomis Robert Lovitt Susan Mayer in honor of Sarah Feldman Nicklaus McHendry Zoe Myers Margaret Okamoto Nicholas & Sandra Parker Helene & Paul Paroff in honor of Rabbi Seth Amy Posner Stephen Posner Nancy Powell & Paul Kirschner Jeffery Reiner & Susanne White in memory of Marvin Reiner Janet Roller Suzanne Rose Linda Rubin Gary Schneider & Nancy Snyder Diana Schwartz in honor of Donald Schwartz Charles & Norma Shelan Theresa Silva Suzanne Simons Brad Smith in honor of Rabbi Seth and Lydia Beth Leimbach Cynthia Spencer Sarah Weiss & Gordon Pabst Nancy West Dana Wilcox Daniel Zeitlin
Sustaining Fund Gary Schneider & Nancy Snyder in honor of Hannah
Rabbi's Discretionary Fund Michele and Richard Jackman in memory of Henry Matis
Volunteers
Greeters Josh Manning Michael Koppel
AIDNW George Chappell Nancy Snyder Robert Perretz-Rosales
AROUND THE CONGREGATION
Yahrzeits
George Neff Bill Kolker Selma Soule Artie Browning Jody Rosenkrantz Earl Bean Dallas Cline Ruth Jaffe Farber Elizabeth Solomon Karen "Rosemary" Snyder Harry Robinson Gregory John Neff Emil Korolik Rose Packer Minnie Cohn Charles Friedman Lenore Greene Esther Reiner Kathryn Dole Sidney Shapiro
Happy Birthday!
7 Laura Hurtado-Webb 9 Carl Wolfhagen 9 Judith Rubin 10 Susan Poplack
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.
