Erev Shabbat Friday, August 8 Courtyard Shabbat, 7:00 pm In Person Our Shabbat services, in the courtyard! We will be spending most of our Shabbats together outside to make the most of summer. Join us to light candles and gather in community to celebrate Shabbat.
There is no Shabbat morning programming this week.
THIS WEEK AT TBH
Unity Commons Meal Preparation and Sponsorship Sunday, August 10 In Person
TBH prepares a monthly meal for 60 at the Unity Commons Shelter on Martin Way. Unity Commons is a supported housing apartment operated by Interfaith Works. For more information: https://www.iwshelter.org
Funding for our meals is currently only partially covered under the TBH budget. It would be wonderful if this effort was funded by community donations. We hope that community members might wish to donate a meal in honor of a loved one, or simcha. The cost to put on a meal is approximately $250. This includes the food, as well as the disposable pans for transporting food to the shelter.
To sign up to be a cooking volunteer, email kiverson@bethhatfiloh.org.
TBH Poetry Meet-Up Wednesday, August 13, 1:00 pm In Person
The TBH poetry group meets 1 - 2.30 p.m. Wednesday August 13 in the upstairs chapel.
Bring six copies of a poem you have written to share with the your fellow poets, and that you are open to having feedback on. Newcomers are welcome! We come together in this supportive environment to further our own practice, enjoyment and understanding of poetry, and how it applies to our individual and collective lives, and the world today. Appropriate for all levels of poets. Questions? Contact Suzanne Simons, paradise.com@comcast.net
COMING UP AT TBH
Planning for the Future of TBH
For the last 6 months, a TBH strategic planning group has been gathering information about the history of the temple, its existing programs and services, and known challenges that lie ahead. During August and September, a series of community membership meetings will take place both online and at the temple, to inform members about what the strategic planners have come up with so far and to reach out and ask TBH members about their hopes for the future. TBH members should expect to receive in the coming days (through both mail and email) information about these meetings and other ways to engage in this planning effort. If you wish to participate, but are not able to attend upcoming meetings, please contact either Kayla at the front office or President Daniel ( dbenfarber@gmail.com or 360-402-9983) to ask questions, share opinions, or find other ways to be involved.
Shabbat in the Park Friday, August 15, 6:00 pm In Person
We will gather at Squaxin Park Shelter #4 (near the playground) for food, fun and friendship. This version of Shabbat in the Park will be POTLUCK ONLY--please bring a dairy or vegetarian dish (fish ok) to share and a lawn chair or picnic blanket.
After eating we will have a short service, then feel free to explore!
Mussar Torah Study Saturday, August 16, 10:00 am Online
Please join us for Mussar Torah Study on Saturday, August 16, 2025. The Parashat for our study will be Eikev – Deuteronomy 7:12 to 11:25. The middah or soul trait for this Parashat is N’divut/Generosity. The message of this torah portion is the inseparability of Generosity from Gratitude.Be a part of a lively discussion. Our study is from 10 AM to 11:30 AM on Zoom. Please join us. We are looking forward to being with you. - Michele & Richard Jackman.
Walk for Immigrant Justice Saturday, August 23, 6:30 pm In Person
RBIs with the Rabbi Sunday, August 24, 1:35 pm In Person @ Cheney Stadium
Join TBH for a summer afternoon of minor league baseball in an outing to see the Tacoma Rainiers take on the Oklahoma City Comets on Sunday, August 24th at 1:35 p.m.!
Tickets are $16 each and include a seat and concessions. TBH has a total 40 tickets available and will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis.
2SLGBTQ+ Scheduling, Snacks, and Schmoozing Wednesday, August 27, 6:30 pm In Person
Are you Jewish and a member of the 2SLGBTQ+ community? Are you questioning whether you are part of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, or do you love someone who is LGBTQ+? If so, we hope to see you at our end-of-summer potluck and planning meeting. This event is open to all ages. Join us for a night of community, collaboration, food, and fun! If you are able, please bring a potluck dish to share with the group. ( Potluck sign-up sheet .) This meeting will center around uplifting and expanding the queer Jewish community at TBH via icebreakers, conversations, and future event planning. For additional information and/or questions regarding this event, please reach out to Avi at abernarddonals@gmail.com or 608-440-5797.
Introduction to Judaism Registration Open! Sundays starting September 7 Online
Join Rabbi Seth and 30+ other rabbis from across Washington in this comprehensive, 36-session introduction to Judaism. Open to all! Suitable for those pursuing conversion, Jews looking to deepen their Jewish knowledge, those who are part of Jewish families, and anyone who wants to learn more about Judaism. Tuition is sliding scale. Register here>>
Committee Updates
Library Committee
Come take a look at the Washington State Jewish Historical Society book and website, while relaxing on the library's comfy couch!
Our adult library has two new books. They are listed below:
To Be a Jew Today, by Noah Feldman generated a great discussion at last year’s TBH Book Club.
Immigrant and Refugee Task Force: Immigration Support and Advocacy
Read the August Newsletter from the Jewish Coalition for Immigrant Justice.
We know that many of you are looking for how best to support our immigrant neighbors at this perilous time. We want to help by highlighting local and statewide organizations that are doing this important work. Periodically, we will highlight one that we feel is worthy of both your time and financial support. We encourage you to visit the organization web sites.
This week we highlight AIDNW --- Advocates for Immigrants in Detention Northwest. Focusing its activities on the Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma, the AIDNW website defines as its vision "a welcoming community that affirms the dignity of all immigrants" and as its mission "AIDNW Supports immigrants in detention and welcomes them upon their release."
One of AIDNW's most important services is its visitation program, where volunteers receive training and support to visit immigrants waiting for court dates inside the detention center.
Another fundamental service to help immigrants inside the facility is its pen-pal program. Immigrants write letters to AIDNW, and volunteers respond, offering companionship, encouragement, and a reminder that they are not alone.
AIDNW volunteers also collect, assemble, and deliver care packages of books and puzzles to detainees fighting boredom as they wait for months and sometimes years while their case is pending.
AIDNW volunteers also put together a care package whenever an immigrant notifies us that they are scheduled for deportation. These backpacks full of items to help them travel in a bit more comfort is a way to let immigrants know that Americans care.
Of course, in addition to volunteering, financial donations are also needed.
To learn more, visit the AIDNW website: www.aidnw.org .
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Looking for Torah Readers
After a summer hiatus, our Shabbat morning services will resume in September and ou. We need Torah readers! If you are interested in reading Torah during a Saturday morning service over the course of next year, please fill in your name on this form.We are also looking for Torah readers for the upcoming High Holidays: sign up here .
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.
THANK YOU!
Contributions
Sustaining Fund Sara Shapiro in memory of Roger Trafton Sara Shapiro in memory of Constance Shapiro Cynthia & Gary Stratiner in honor of Edie Bean's birthday
Building Maintenance Endowment Linda Blustein
Rabbi's Discretionary Fund Linda Blustein
Volunteers
Greeter Roberta Lamb
We need greeters to sign up for the 25-26 membership year! Email Kayla if you didn't receive the new sign up sheet.
Elaine Boesky Frank Barlow Samuel Packer Bessie Franklin Lawrence Markman Lou Hauptman Morris Burnett William (Bill) Jolly J.J. Mattson Roger Trafton Alan Wallace Nancy Koppel David Goodman Shirley Goldberg Albert Annette Goldberg Constance Shapiro James Davis Les Brodie Dorothy Bamberger Ingeborg Asher-Pepper Jerome Parker Ann Ostrer Jacob Bean
Happy Birthday!
6 Sara Finkle 6 Ezra Goodman 7 Jean Mandeberg 7 Ria Mapson 8 Tim Cole 10 Richard Jackman 10 Tyler Graham 10 Scott Royer 10 Brad Smith 12 Shannon Beigert
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 kiverson@bethhatfiloh.org.
Mi Sheberach Updates
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). Fill out this form to add a name to the list. May all be blessed with a refua shleyma, a complete healing of body, mind, and spirit.
Temple Beth Hatfiloh, 201 8th Ave SE, Olympia, WA 98501
