Erev Shabbat Friday, January 23 Shabbat Salon, 6:30 pm In Person Our Shabbat Salon this month features Sheriff Derek Sanders. Dinner and prayers will be at 6:30 with our speaker at approximately 7:30. See more below.
Mussar Torah Study, 10:00 am Online Please join us for Mussar Torah Study on Saturday, January 24, 2026. (Rescheduled from our regular 3rd Saturday of the month) The Parashat for our study will be Bo/ Exodus 10:1-13:16. The middah or soul trait for this parashat is Kavod-Honor; Making an Effort.
“Who is honorable? One who honors others.” Be a part of a lively discussion. Our study is from 10 AM to 11:30 AM on Zoom. We are looking forward to being with you. - Michele & Richard Jackman
Shabbat Salon: Sheriff Sanders Friday, January 23, 6:30 pm In Person
Registration for the dinner closes this evening (Wednesday January 21st). For our January Salon, we welcome Sheriff Derek Sanders. Our salon includes a dinner at 6:30 pm catered by Nineveh! We will gather in the social hall to say Shabbat prayers as a community and enjoy dinner together. Our featured presenter will follow at approximately 7:30 pm. Register for the dinner>>
Board Meeting Wednesday, January 21, 6:00 pm Online
All TBH Members are welcome to join the monthly board meeting as guests.
Modern Mystics Book Discussion Group Sunday gatherings at 1:00 pm, began January 18 In Person
Contemporary authors have brought a new understanding of Jewish mysticism to modern readers.This group will begin by reading Seek My Face; A Jewish Mystical Theology, by Rabbi Arthur Green. We will meet on January 18, February 8 and 22, and March 8 and 22 from 1:00-2:15. (This is during the first session time slot of the winter quarter Darchai Noam children’s program.)
This book explores the possibilities of an inner connection to Divine Oneness, prayer, and Torah. In the introduction Rabbi Green says,
Cautiously, hesitantly, I begin to make the words of tradition once again my own. I hesitate because I know that its story is not quite my story, that it will try to take me along on its journey as I seek to appropriate it in order to express mine. Ultimately…I will enter into its language, celebrate the weekly re-creation of the world, the liberation from bondage in Egypt…I will do so not as a literal “believer,” but rather as one who recognizes that all these “events” are themselves metaphors for a truth whose depth reaches far beyond them.
This book is not available at Timberland Regional Library, but you can find inexpensive new and used copies online. Note: We will be using the 2003 edition. If you are unable to purchase a copy, or if you have any questions, please contact Nancy Snyder at nancy_snyder@comcast.net.
Family Dynamics in Jewish Tradition Registration Sunday Classes at 2:40 pm, began January 18 In Person
The Torah teaches “Honor your mother and father,” but what does that really mean? What does Jewish tradition teach about the obligations of parents to children and children to parents, and how does this change over time? What about sibling relationships? In this class we will explore family dynamics as they are expressed through classic Jewish texts and values.
We will meet on January 18, February 8 and 22, and March 8 and 22 from 2:40-4:00. (This is during the second session time slot of the winter quarter Darchei Noam children’s program.)
Tu BiShvat at Camp Solomon Schechter Sunday, February 1, 2:00 - 7:00 pm In Person
Registration is now closed. Join us at Camp Solomon Schechter for an afternoon of fun and learning as we celebrate the birthday of the trees. We'll wind down our day with a cozy meal before we head home.
Schedule (subject to change): 2 - 2:30 pm Storytelling 2:30 - 4 pm Glass Fusing OR Tot Tu BiShvat 4 - 5:30 pm Kumsitz Sing-a-long (see more below) OR Art 5:30 pm Dinner
Shabbat Shirah Kumsitz (part of Tu Bishvat celebrations) Sunday, February 1, 4:00 - 5:30 pm In Person @ Camp Solomon Schechter
Concert: Zoë Aqua and her Transylvanian String Band Sunday, February 22nd, 4:30 pm In Person
As part of their Western US Tour 2026: Crossing a Sea of Stars, come see Zoë Aqua and her Transylvanian String Band perform at TBH!
Time to release your inner Ryan Reynolds and Scarlett Johansson (or Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman, as the case may be.) Our March Munch and Mystery Fundraiser (Sunday March 8th) includes an original mystery, and we need cast members! Calling four young humans (two of whom should be 10 to 12); and up to four adult humans.
Contact Barnett Kalikow bnklwyr@gmail.com or 360-250-2595 for more information if you are interested; and if you are not interested, leave the poor guy alone.
Neighborhood Shabbat Hosts Needed! Monthly on the 3rd Friday evening, April - June In Person @ Home
While Rabbi Seth is on sabbatical April-July, we are looking to create neighborhood gatherings for Erev Shabbat once a month on the 3rd Friday. We are taking the opportunity while he is away to have Shabbat in members' homes, celebrate together, and get to know our neighbors a bit better.
HOW DOES NEIGHBORHOOD SHABBAT HOSTING WORK?
You pick the date(s) that work for you and fill out the form below. (April 17, May 15, June 19)
TBH community members will be asked to sign up to attend through the TBH website--coming soon! Staff will be grouping attendees by map location/neighborhood.
All dinners are potluck. Hosting does not require providing a full meal for your guests.
We will connect our hosts with their attendees via email. Hosts are encouraged to send follow-up instructions and final details (i.e. time adjustments, directions, food instructions)
We will send a few digital resources for you to use as desired, including Shabbat instructions, prayers, and conversation starters.
There is also the possibility that we may not need all the hosts that sign up--we will be in touch if so!
Hosts may submit reimbursement requests of up to $75 for costs incurred for hosting.
Volunteer with the Annual Thurston County Homelessness Census
It’s time for the annual Point-In-Time (PIT) Census Count . In Thurston County, trained volunteers assist with this important survey which provides critical data that guides strategic response efforts. Volunteers also help with a winter clothing drive and assemble hygiene kits to distribute to persons in need. TBH members who volunteered in past PIT Counts state the experience as impactful.
There are volunteer opportunities from January 16 through February 5 sorting clothing, assembling hygiene kids, and assisting with the survey. Training is provided for survey volunteers. For more information and to sign up, go to https://www.unitedway-thurston.org/pit-count .
Immigrant and Refugee Task Force
We are once again collecting donations for immigrants. A collection box is labeled and in the front entry area at TBH. Below is a list of specific needs. Thank you for your consideration!
Household items: - specifically paper towels, toilet paper are in need Personal care product: - specifically feminine hygiene products are in need Food: - canned goods (specifically: diced or whole tomatoes; green beans; corn; fruit; hominy; tuna) - Masa (5lb bags max please) - Tostados - Onions - Vegetable oil - Tortillas (shelf stable)
Here's the JCIJ January newsletter for sharing with the Temple Beth Hatfilohl community. Sign up to be part of the JCIJ Community Response list; register for the JCIJ Advocacy Training and learn about JCIJ's legislative priorities; read recent local and national news, and more.
Library Committee: From the Youth Library
The Time Tunnel #2 The Dreyfus Affair
Dan and Sharon time travel again, but this time, Dan's older brother, Eran, tags along. The time tunnel takes them back to France in 1894 to witness the Dreyfus Affair- learn why this was so important to the founding of modern Israel!
FROM THE OFFICE
Event and Shabbat Volunteer Sign-Up Sheet
Here is a short description of TBH volunteer roles, and here is the sign-up for Shabbat volunteers (with other volunteer opportunities on additional tabs). Contact Kayla with any questions!
THANK YOU!
Contributions
Sustaining Fund Diane & Laurence Istvan Mark Kaufman
Rabbi's Discretionary Fund Michael Blum & Susan Rosen Ria & Theo Uzzielli - in honor of Boaz Uzzielli
Volunteers
Greeters Anjali Silva Tikva Glantz Sarah Weiss Laura Hurtado-Webb Debra Taylor
Hybrid Host Andy Levitt
AROUND THE CONGREGATION
Yahrzeits
Herb Kadden Adele Youdin Max Bach Maurice L. Halpern Irving Hanig Chaim Leib Paul Lazovick John B. Vincent Mark Kogan Sol Dzieza Wilma Timian Ralf Herman Gregory Gilbert Nina Grauer Jacqueline Silva Dena Bank Bob Perretz Esther Robinson George Stout Walter Furman
Happy Birthday!
21 Richard Court 22 Meg Weiss 22 Alder Cole-Waldinger 23 Anshel Friedlander 24 Tim Ramos 24 Rebecca Kamen 24 Lisa David 26 Nathaniel Proffitt 26 Kirsten Nelsen
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.
Dispute Resolution Center: Nominations Sought for 2026 Peacemaker Award
Do you know someone who deserves recognition for promoting peace and civility in our community?
The Dispute Resolution Center of Thurston County (DRC) is seeking nominations for the 2026 Evan Ferber Peacemaker Leadership Award.
Established in honor of Founding Executive Director Evan Ferber, this annual award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary leadership in strengthening civil discourse, and promoting peaceful dispute resolution and civility.
Members of the community are encouraged to submit nominations for this award, which will be presented later this year at the DRC’s Celebration of Peacemakers event.
The deadline for submitting nominations is March 1st, 2026.
The Dispute Resolution Center serves residents of Thurston and south Mason Counties through a wide range of resources to prevent and resolve conflict, and improve communication, including mediation, conflict coaching, training, group facilitation and youth services.
Some of our Community Resources
TBH frequently tries to share news and events from partner organizations and other items of interest for our community. We encourage you to explore some of these organizations and sign up for their newsletters if you are interested:
Growing Shabbat! at TBH Friday, Feb 13th 5:30p to 8:00p Everyone is welcome to join us for family friendly dinner and a service.
Registration is free but required for planning.
Please put any dietary requirements in the notes when registering.
