✡ גְּמַר חֲתִימָה טוֹבָה ✡ G'mar Chatima Tova! May you be inscribed in the Book of Life.
A Special Thursday Edition! September 25, 2025 | 3 Tishrei 5786
SHABBAT SHALOM!
Erev Shabbat Friday, September 26 Shabbat Shuvah, 7:00 pm In Person Services are an opportunity to reflect, sing, study, discuss and be together in community. Avi Bernard-Donals will be giving the d'var Torah.
Morning Service, 10:00 am In Person The service will be both a community Shabbat experience and a learning opportunity for our b'nai mitzvah families.
Communal Lunch, 12:00 pm In Person Talmud Study, 1:30 pm In Person The Talmud is a compendium of law and lore that is the basis on which biblical interpretation and contemporary Jewish practice rest. Rabbi Seth will lead us as we dive deep into this complex and fascinating text.
THIS WEEK AT TBH
Yom Kippur Childcare and Youth Programs Registration Due Sunday, September 28
It’s time for our annual High Holiday Food Drive! All non-perishable food is welcome. Foods in high demand include: high protein foods such as Peanut Butter, Pasta, Grains, rice and beans, Cereal, Canned fruits in natural juices, Low salt canned vegetables, Mac and cheese, and Canned proteins (chili, fish, chicken, stew). Donations can be left in the old foyer, and checks made out to the Thurston County Food Bank can be left in the TBH mailbox.
COMING UP AT TBH
Yom Kippur at TBH Wednesday, October 1 - Thursday, October 2
Erev Yom Kippur: October 1 6:30 pm - Evening Service (childcare available) | Hybrid
Yom Kippur: October 2 9:30 am - Morning Service | Hybrid 9:30 am - Youth Programs ( registration required ) 1:45 pm - Yizkor Service at the TBH Cemetery | Hybrid 4:00 pm - Healing Service 5:00 pm - Mincha Workshops: Text Study, Yoga, Meditation 6:00 pm - Neilah | Hybrid 7:30 pm - Havdalah 8:00 pm - Break fast (potluck!)
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!
Talmud Exposed Registration Sunday Classes at 2:40 pm starting October 5th In Person
The Talmud is a compendium of Jewish lore, law and ethics published in 600 CE that is the major work of Jewish literature following the Bible and is the foundation for much of modern Jewish thought and practice.
This class will be both an introductory overview to this text as well as a deep dive into some of Rabbi favorite passages—including folk tales, strange theology, Torah fanfiction and more!
This class meets during the second block of the Darchei Noam youth education program. Dates: 10/5 & 19, 11/2 & 9, 12/7. Cost: free for members, $18 for non-members. Register here>>
Parenting-Themed Book Club Starts Sunday, October 5, 1:05 pm In Person
Looking for a chance to connect with fellow TBH parents, or to consider the ways various Jewish values may (or may not) influence your parenting? Me too! Come join Michelle Kagan Gaines for a discussion of “ The Blessing of a Skinned Knee: Using Jewish Teachings to Raise Self-Reliant Children " by Wendy Mogel in the 2nd floor Adult Library.
This group will meet during Darchei Noam 1:05-2:15pm on the dates below. Oct 5: Chapters 1-2 Oct 19: Chapters 3-4 Nov 2: Chapters 5-6 Nov 9: Chapters 7-8 Dec 7: Chapters 9-10
Please reach out to the TBH office if you would like to participate and need help sourcing a book.
Decorating the Sukkah and Pizza in the Hut Monday, October 6, 6:00 pm In Person
Come prepare the TBH sukkah with decorations and crafts to make our communal space festive and ready for the holiday. Pizza will be provided.
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 ).
Coming out of the Sukkah! Satuday, October 11, 6:00 pm In Person
Join Beit Ha'Keshet as we merge our Queer and Jewish identities for some National Coming Out Day/Sukkot Havdalah festivities. Saturday, Oct. 11, gates open at 6:00pm, Havdalah at 6:30pm. Food, smores, campfire, and merriment in and around the sukkah following until 10:00pm. Bring your cis-hetero family and friends along! All ages welcome! RSVP here
We are Beit Ha'Keshet! TBH's own community for Olympia's Queer Jews! Engage in planning events, or just attend our parties, activities, walks, talks, and walk and talks. Fill out a contact form to get connected.
Register for Adult Hebrew Tuesday Evenings, 6:00 pm, October 21 - December 23 Online
Want to learn how to read Hebrew? This class starts from the very beginning, learning how to “decode” Hebrew texts. Beginning with the letters and vowels, we will also examine some vocabulary, basic grammar, how Hebrew “works,” and more. This class is online only, all materials including text book will be provided. Cost: $0 members, $72 non-members
We are looking for a few additional artists and craftspeople to for TBH's 3rd annual Hanukkah Bazaar. We have had artists and makers ranging from makers of soaps and essential oils, woodworkers, fiber artists glass artists, print artists, jewelers and painters. The Bazaar is Sunday November 16th from 11 to 4. The table fee is $75. A Hanukkah shop and bake sale add to the festivities.
For more information please contact Leslie Goldstein by email at lagoldstein@comcast.net or by text or phone at (360) 791-9759.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Looking for Torah Readers
After a summer hiatus, our Shabbat morning services have resumed. 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.
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 Karen and Alan Goldstein in memory of William Goldstein Mark Kaufman
Fall Giving Campaign Mark Kaufman Denise Goldberg Claire Fite Meadow & Daniel Amster
Stars of David Bernie Friedman and Emily Chadwick
Building Strength Maintenance Endowment Judith Stefchak
Darchei Noam Scholarships Judith Stefchak
Volunteers
Rosh Hashanah Volunteers Thank you to the dozens of folks who put in their time and energy for our Rosh Hashanah observance. After the High Holidays, we will send out a special note of thanks to honor your contributions!
Daniel Asher Millie Matis Sol Sherson Nathan Lidman Audrey Jackman Fannie Altman Nadine Cannon Selma Shill David Wolfson Molly Rubenstein Jacob Rubenstein Sam Rome Eleanor Brant Rome Jerry Rome Leslie Homer Lillian Brant Abe Finegold Samuel Greenblatt Jerry Robinson Ben Rome Bluma Freed William Albert Sheldon Hoffman Benjamin Robinson Don Finkel Tillie Bean Malinda Lamm Tillie Bean Jay Miram Sheldon Frank Gail Martin Julio Blandino Conti Abe Robinson Morris Kamenetzky Lena Berebitsky Rita Markman Lia Lynn Rosen Clarence Pollock Roland Barnes Dale Boesky
Happy Birthday!
24 Lev Raitses 24 Isaac Jennings 26 Doug Parker 28 Stephen Bean
30 Mae Kessler
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.
COMMUNITY EVENTS/RESOURCES: Note: These are not 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: Public Policy Priorities Survey
The public policy priorities survey guides our advocacy and will shape our 2026 legislative agenda. Take the survey>>
Hope Over Hate Summit Sunday, October 19, 1:00 pm In Person in downtown Seattle
Join the Anti-Defamation League’s Pacific Northwest Office for the inaugural Hope Over Hate Summit hosted in partnership with the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle! This half day program, on Sunday, October 19 from 1-5pm in downtown Seattle, is for Jewish and non-Jewish allies to join together for education, community building, and activation. You can expect inspiring speakers and workshops, a chance to meet and collaborate with people of impact and practical tools to help you effectively use your voice to promote change. Register today! Tickets are $40 and free for students.
