Shabbat Morning Saturday, December 14 There is no Shabbat morning programming this week. Our regular Shabbat morning service and Torah Study have been cancelled. Morning services will resume on December 28th and Torah Study will resume in January.
THIS WEEK AT TBH
Growing Shabbat! Registration Closes Tomorrow 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, story time at 6:15 and a service at 6:30. Attendance is free but advance registration is required for catering numbers and access codes. Registration closes tomorrow, December 12. Register here>>
Immigrant and Refugee Task Force Meeting Tuesday, December 17, 6:00 pm Hybrid
If you would like to join the Task Force contact Rabbi Seth to be put on the email list. The next meeting will be December 17 at 6:00. It will be hybrid. Let Rabbi Seth know if you want the link to attend by zoom. See the full committee update below!
COMING UP AT TBH
Board Meeting Wednesday, December 18, 6:00 pm Online
All TBH members are invited to attend monthly board meetings as guests. If you would like to request to be put on a board meeting agenda, please be in touch with your board representative or the board president in advance of the meeting.
Annual Warm Clothing Drive at TBH Through the end of December
Tis the season for the TBH annual warm clothing drive! We will collect warm winter clothing and blankets throughout the month of December. There are bins located in the hallway outside the social hall.
Our donations will be taken to the Saint Michael's Church clothing bank in January. We will also be accepting donations at the Fiddler On The Roof singalong on Christmas Day at the Olympia Film Society.
"Living Jewishly with Tzedakah" Canned Tuna Drive Through January
Bernie Friedman's fall Darchei Noam youth class "Living Jewishly with Tzedakah" is collecting cans of tuna for Thurston County Food Bank. Help us by bringing Tuna next time you come to TBH. Let's line our walls and window sills with Tuna. Tzedakah=Righteous.
Fiddler on the Roof at OFS Wednesday, December 25, 4:00 pm In Person @ Capitol Theatre
Temple Beth Hatfiloh and OFS present: Fiddler on the Roof + Coat and Blanket Drive + Costume Contest! The film 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! Temple Beth Hatfiloh will be holding a warm coat and blanket drive, so bring your donations to the theater the day of the movie!
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>>
Winter Trimester Adult Education Registration is Open! Learn Torah Trope with Rabbi Seth Starts Sunday, January 5, 2:40 pm (6 sessions through March) In Person
The course is offered over in-person 6 sessions. Meeting Dates: January 5, 12 & 26, February 2 & 23, March 2
Do you want to learn how the chant from the Torah? It is a wonderful way to deepen your relationship with our sacred text while also developing the skills to serve the community as a ba’al koreh (“Torah reader”). Over six sessions you will learn the system of cantillation. Basic reading knowledge of Hebrew (decoding—not necessarily understanding) required. Register>>
Trampled Manuscripts: The Lost Klezmer Music of the An-ski Expeditions Tuesday, January 14, 7:00 pm In Person
A chance encounter in Tokyo in 2017 led to the sharing of a unique corpus of klezmer music manuscripts from the Vernadsky National Library of Ukraine that haven’t seen the light of day in about a century.
Over the last five years, volunteers around the world have worked together to digitally notate and translate these manuscripts. This concert is an adventure in creative engagement with this previously unknown treasure trove of Ashkenazic musical heritage.
The program is co-created by Christina Crowder in collaboration with Shpilkis trombonist Jimmy Austin, Violinist Mae Kessler, and additional featured guests from the Seattle klezmer world. Together we’re exploring S. An-ski’s radical vision that the folklore of the Jewish people is an oral Torah as important as the Talmud of the sages, which inspired his ethnographic expeditions between 1912-1914 and created the backdrop for An-ski’s most famous work, The Dybbuk. An-ski hoped that the Jewish people would become Zamlers (collectors) who would continue to engage with Ashkenazic folklore as a living, breathing legacy. We invite you to join our “community expedition” into this extraordinary discovery!
The TBH Immigrant and Refugee Support Task Force met for the first time in several years to begin planning for upcoming challenges to the immigrant community. If you would like to join the Task Force contact Rabbi Seth to be put on the email list. The next meeting will be December 17 at 6:00. It will be hybrid. Let Rabbi Seth know if you want the link to attend by zoom.
You don’t have to join the Task Force to get involved. You can also join the TBH Immigration Justice Action Alert email list by contacting Nancy Snyder at nancy_snyder@comcast.net Occasional emails are sent out when there is a call for taking action: from contacting public officials to contributing to projects or organizations, to showing up for a rally.
The Jewish Coalition for Immigrant Justice is one source for information and action. JCIJ builds a Jewish voice in the Pacific Northwest advancing immigrant justice and domestic policy, following the leadership of the impacted communities.
You can sign up to receive the Jewish Coalition for Immigrant Justice monthly newsletter by email by going to their website https://www.jewishcoalition.org/ (Scroll down to the bottom to find the sign up). You can also read it once a month in the TBH weekly email. There are opportunities to volunteer with JCIJ as well.
FROM THE OFFICE
Member Post-Op Meals Requested
A new member to TBH, Andy, is having surgery at the end of this month and has requested meal support as they go through their recovery! Since they live in Grays Harbor, we will be collecting frozen meals at TBH through the next few weeks, and that way they can transport them all at once. From Andy: "I would absolutely love it if someone would be willing to make matzo ball soup as that is my most favorite comfort food." Since TBH is the collection site, the synagogue's food policies for vegetarian food (and some fish dishes) will be followed. Please reach out to Kayla to arrange drop off!
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.
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 $24,000!
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 Dahlia Bernal 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 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 Will Gallin Leopold Gendelman Karen Gibson Marilyn Gisser Robert Godwin 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 Michael Krasnokutsky & Mariya Raginsky in honor of Eugenia 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 Edith Rutel 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 Oscar & Barbara Soule in memory of Michael D. Moore Leif Syversen Len Trabka Sarah Weiss & Gordon Pabst Nancy West Dana Wilcox Joan Wirth Daniel Zeitlin
Sustaining Fund Janet Roller in memory of her parents
Volunteers
Greeters Michael Koppel Vanessa Malaope
Hanukkah Bazaar Committee Leslie Goldstein Siri Okamoto Ria Mapson Felicia Hanig Rachael Jamison David Hanig
Hanukkah Bazaar Volunteers Shane Lidman David Scherer Water Rae Michaelson Michele Jackman Dan Zeitlin Michael Dennis Gary Schneider Zena Stusser Danny Stusser Shannon Beigert Kathryn Cholakian Linda Rubin Rachel Dagovitz Lynne Alfasso Evan Mapson
AROUND THE CONGREGATION
Yahrzeits
Earl Bean Dallas Cline Earl Bean Karen "Rosemary" Snyder Elizabeth Solomon Harry Robinson Ruth Jaffe Farber Gregory John Neff Rose Packer Minnie Cohn Emil Korolik Charles Friedman Lenore Greene Esther Reiner Kathryn Dole Sidney Shapiro Diana Connors Schilling Richard Schneider Robert Madlem Sidney Schwartz George Hoffman Evelyn Bean Bercovitz Edward Granville "Ted" Strange Arlene Glantz Steve Charak Rosemary Coufal
Happy Birthday!
12 Karen Janowitz 14 Sara Eve Sarliker 14 Ruby Stein-Citrin 15 Frank Herman 16 Gary Franklin
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.
