Erev Shabbat Friday, August 29 Blessing of the Animals Shabbat, 7:00 pm In Person in the Courtyard Shabbat in the TBH courtyard! And as it is the start of the month of Elul, which is the New Year for the animals, we will invite all courtyard-appropriate pets to join us.
Shabbat Morning Service and Bar Mitzvah, 10:00 am Hybrid Our Shabbat morning service will include the Bar Mitzvah of Harry Steinman. See more information below.
Our September issue of Member Connect will be coming out shortly at the start of the month. Please send your entries to Kayla for inclusion!
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. Please register here to help with planning. For additional information and/or questions regarding this event, please reach out to Avi at abernarddonals@gmail.com or 608-440-5797.
Bar Mitzvah of Harry Steinman Saturday, August 30, 10:00 am Hybrid Hi everyone. My name is Harry Steinman. I am nearly 13 and getting ready for my Bar Mitzvah on August 30th. I live in Aberdeen with my parents and younger sister. I am starting the 7th grade. I enjoy being outdoors and playing soccer and football. I also like Fortnite and Magic the Gathering, and other card games. My mitzvah project is what I call Sweatpants for the Sanctuary. I am collecting sweatpants in men's sizes L or XL for TBH's homeless showering project. I made a collection box in the lobby for donations.
Join the Shofar Corps Workshop: Sunday, August 31, 3:30 p.m. In Person
Are you interested in blowing shofar on Rosh Hashanah this year? Rather than an open call, Rabbi Seth is formalizing our “Shofar Corps”. If you want to blow shofar on Rosh Hashanah, please contact Rabbi Seth at rabbi@bethhatfiloh.org.
Those who wish to blow shofar this year will be expected to know the order of the shofar service and have practiced their blowing skills. For potential and returning shofar blowers, there will be a workshop on Sunday, August 31 at 3:30 p.m. to learn about the mechanics, notes, and the meaning behind the shofar. (If you are an experienced shofar blower knowledgeable about the order and structure of the shofar service, you need not attend the workshop, but you are welcome to!)
Senior Schmooze Tuesday, September 2, 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.There is no dessert host this month--bring something to share if you are able!
COMING UP AT TBH
Darchei Noam Registration and Orientation Sunday, September 7, 1:00 pm/1:30 pm In Person (incorrectly listed previously as online)
Darchei Noam registration and orientation is coming up! Mark your calendars and join us on September 7th. Toddler families are invited to join us at 1pm to go over the new program for the year. All other school-aged and teen families should join us at 1:30 pm. Register your family, meet other families, see your TBH friends, pick up a calendar and learn about the new things Darchei Noam has to offer this year!
Volunteers Needed: Meals for TBH youth and families! Starts Friday, September 12
This year we are asking our TBH community to help us prepare simple meals for our TBH kids, families, and community for our monthly Growing Shabbat. We can provide the food and the kitchen, we just need a small team to prepare it! If you have questions or are interested in signing up, let Kayla know .
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>>
Lulav & Etrog Order
It's not too early to order a Lulav and Etrog for Sukkot! TBH is an affiliate with the Esrog Headquarters and we earn a commission for each set sold if you use our unique link: https://esrogheadquarters.com/?ref=HoptyqBSzyMeK Celebrate Sukkot and support TBH!
Come build homes with TBH and Habitat for Humanity! Friday, October 10, 8:00 am - 2:30 pm In Person
Come celebrate Sukkot by joining TBH to help build houses for those in need. TBH Homeless Task Force invites you to join our second Habitat for Humanity work party for 2025. We are assembling a team to contribute to the Habitat project in Tumwater (Tâlíčn) site at 73rd & Henderson. Our TBH work day is Friday, October 10th 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).
COMMITTEE UPDATES
Immigrant and Refugee Task Force: Help Local Businesses Prepare for Immigration Enforcement
There is an organized effort to reach out to local businesses about what to do if immigration enforcement arrives at their place of business. The TBH Immigrant Support Task Force is forming an Outreach Team. If you would like to join us, there is an Outreach training offered on September 3, from 6:30-8:30. Contact Nancy Snyder at nancy_snyder@comcast.net for the location and sign up information, or if you are interested in being on the Outreach Team, but can’t make the September 3 training.
Tot Families: Invitation for Connection
Families with kids in approximately the Tot Shabbat age range (0-6) have a WhatsApp group for coordinating additional kid-friendly programming, including Shabbat dinners and play dates. It’s open to members and non-members. Expectant families are welcome as are families with slightly older kiddos. Let us know if you’d like to be added to the group. Email Kayla to get connected!
The mailing packets for the holidays were sent out last week. Please email kiverson@bethhatfiloh.org if you did not receive one.
High Holiday Volunteer Opportunities
Each year, the High Holidays happen because dozens of volunteers pitch in to make our communal holidays meaningful. This year we are looking for: torah readers (see below), ushers, greeters, oneg sponsors, oneg preparation, and A/V assistants. Please email kiverson@bethhatfiloh.org to be sent the volunteer sign up sheet.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Looking for Torah Readers
After a summer hiatus, our Shabbat morning services will resume in September and on. 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
Shower Project Mark Kaufman
Rabbi's Discretionary Fund Matt & Lindsey Kennelly
Sustaining Fund Katherine Davis Delaney in memory of James Davis
Volunteers
Mailing Pat Bartley Michele Jackman Richard Jackman Beth Dubey Judith Barnes Lynne Alfasso
Ann Ostrer Jacob Bean Howard Greenberg Sam Shapiro Victoria Cohen John Weiner Ingeborg Carola Asher Pepper Doris Gershuny Edward Ferber Marianne Neff Colleen A. Schumann Lum Jay Goldstein Bunya Rosenfeld Max Esfeld Jim Stevenson Eva Carr Lawrence J Bornstein Arnold Goldstein Kenneth Wilfred Strange Donald Stedman Beverly Godwin Nate Cooper Marianna Dapello Mitchell L Cohen Ben Rome
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.
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.
The Shofar Project: Getting Real (Again) for the New Year
Believe it or not, Rosh Hashanah is right around the corner, and we’re thrilled to invite you to join our annual Shofar Project Program! This free course is a highlight of our annual calendar and is a powerful way to prepare our inner lives for the Days of Awe.
The Shofar Project will have two tracks—one for the general community and one for our 20s and 30s community as part of our weekly Shevet meditation sit. Back by popular demand, this year’s program will be grounded in teachings from the contemporary classic book, This Is Real and You Are Completely Unprepared, by Rabbi Alan Lew, z”l. Throughout the month of Elul leading up to the High Holidays, we’ll delve into the book’s transformative teachings together through weekly source sheets, guided practices, and live practice sessions on Zoom.
Community Track: A FREE Four-Week Online Program from IJS for the Hebrew month of Elul: August 27 – September 17, 2025 Four Live Zoom Sessions: Wednesdays, 8:00 – 9:00 PM ET Learn More & Register >>
20's & 30's Track: A FREE 4-week program led by Kohenet Keshira haLev Fife and Rebecca Schisler: August 25 – September 15, 2025 Four Live Zoom Sessions: Mondays, 8:00 – 9:15 PM ET *(Please note: the second session will take place on Tuesday, September 2) Learn More & Register >>
Ritualwell Elul Journey Towards Yizkor Wednesdays, August 13, 20 & 27 and September 3, 2025 12-1:30 p.m. EDT / $180 Online
As we welcome the month of Elul, our thoughts naturally shift towards spiritual introspection. This year, many of us carry not only our personal grief but also the collective sorrows of the world.
Elul offers us the opportunity to explore the traditions surrounding the Mourner’s Kaddish and the Yizkor service. Join liturgist Trisha Arlin to a meaningful journey that includes conversation, meditation, and creative writing. Together, we will delve into various aspects of the Kaddish, connecting it to your personal grief journey and the wider state of the world. For those attending the Yizkor service, this session will enhance your experience and participation.
All sessions will be recorded and sent to participants. We encourage live attendance for you to get the most out of the experience. Learn More & Register >>
Camp Solomon Schechter: Single Parent Family Camp October 10-12 In Person @ Camp Solomon Schechter
From Friday, October 10 through Sunday, October 12, come spend a relaxing, meaningful weekend celebrating Sukkot with other single-parent families at your favorite Jewish camp. Facilitated by Rabbi C.B. Souther, Single Parent Family Camp is a joyful retreat where single-parent families can step away from daily demands, connect deeply with each other, and build lifelong friendships within our community.
Together, we will explore questions such as: What makes our family unique? What do we appreciate about being single parents? What challenges are unique to single parenting in the Jewish community? Which Jewish tools can we use as single parents?
The early-bird cost is $175 per person, and kids 2 and under join free. Let’s gather under the canopy of peace — our sukkah — and make beautiful memories together.
