Friday: Erev Shabbat Service (Multi-access) Friday, December 1, 6:30 p.m. Everyone is invited to join us online or in person for an Erev Shabbat service. Join us before the service for an oneg at 5:45 p.m.
Live streaming services: – The Erev Shabbat Facebook event can be found here. – You can watch services on the TBE YouTube channel here. – The streaming player for online services can be found on our website here (click "play" and this feature will work after services begin).
Saturday: Torah Study and Shabbat Service (Multi-access) Saturday, December 2, 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. Our Saturday worship experience begins with Torah study from 9:00–9:45 a.m. This will be followed by services beginning at 10:00 a.m. (online and in person). All are invited! At the conclusion of the service, all are invited to join in for a potluck kiddush luncheon! (Dishes can be pescatarian.)
Community Latke Fry (Sponsored by Sisterhood) Sunday, December 3, 12:30–2:30 p.m. Why have your house smell like latkes for days when you can join together with Sisterhood and the community for a latke fry in the temple kitchen? This event is open to all, and Sisterhood will provide the ingredients! If you have an electric frying pan or a food processor, please bring those as well. For questions, please contact Barbara Aqua at barbaraaqua5757@outlook.com. Please register here so that we can have the appropriate amount of ingredients.
BETY: Shrek Watch Party Sunday, December 3, 1:30–4:00 p.m. Is Shrek a mensch? Ages 11–18 are encouraged to join us in answering the timeless question by watching the movie Shrek in the teen lounge at Temple Beth El. Snacks will include a nacho bar and ice cream! Please contact Lana at lanamprager@gmail.com with any questions.
Associated Ministries Open House Wednesday, December 6, 11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. Associated Ministries invites you to join them at their upcoming Open House at their office (901 S 13th Street, Tacoma, WA 98405). The Associated Ministries team is excited to provide guided tours of their office, offering you an exclusive glimpse into the heart of their organization. Whether you’re a long-time supporter or a curious newcomer, Associated Ministries would love to show you their newly remodeled building and share more about their critical direct service programs. Questions? Feel free to contact Michele Cotton at michelec@associatedministries.org.
Jewish Family Service: Navigating Family Mental Health in the Aftermath of October 7 (Zoom) Wednesday, December 6, 6:00–7:00 p.m. In this webinar, led by experts in trauma, mental health, and parenting, learn strategies to manage your and your families’ mental health during this difficult time for the Jewish people. Explore ways talk with your children about the conflict, safety, handling peer interactions; recognize the signs of stress and trauma reactions in adults and children; and understand the impact of collective and intergenerational trauma. Register here to receive the zoom link.
Hanukkah Dinner Friday, December 8, 5:00 p.m. Join us before services for a special Hanukkah dinner! The menu will feature tomato soup, salad, latkes and toppings, and fruit and donuts for dessert. Doors open at 5:00 p.m., and the blessing will be at 5:30 p.m. Cost: $8/person or $20/family. RSVPhere.
Keshet Q Members Annual Hanukkah Party Saturday, December 9, 5:30 p.m. Keshet Q members (LGBTQ+ Identifying Members of the Community) are invited to gather for our annual “Chanukah at the Chazzan’s (Cantor’s) House.” Bring an appetizer (latkes, sufganiyot/fried donuts, cheese and crackers, foods from many countries) or some spirits, wine, seltzer, or colas. Please contact Cantor Fine at cantorfine@tbetacoma.org to RSVP and let him know what dish you’ll be bringing.
Community Hanukkah Party Sunday, December 10, 12:00–2:00 p.m. Join us for the celebration of lights! There will be a latke contest (bring them from home and vie for the honor of the golden snail!) and a hanukkiyah contest (make one at home and wow us with your creativity!) along with sufganiyot, games, music, and dancing. There will also be a community candle lighting so bring a hanukkiyah from home. Please RSVP here.
Sufganiyot-Making Class Thursday, December 14, 5:00–7:00 p.m. Join us for a sufganiyot-making class taught by our very own Solomon Selkin here at Temple Beth El on Thursday, December 14, from 5:00–7:00 p.m. Ages 13+ only. Youth ages 13–18 are encouraged to attend. RSVP to Lana at frontdesk@tbetacoma.org. For those who are 19 or older, we will have 15 available slots.
Opportunities
Tacoma Jewish Community Fund:Israel Urgently Needs Your Help Thanks to generous and concerned donors, Tacoma Jewish Community Fund has sent close to $25,000 to Israel this month. These funds immediately go to the victims of terror for desperately needed emergency medical services, trauma care, food and financial assistance, and to evacuees for temporary housing, children's activities, and increased security.
Israel's crucial needs are now and will continue. Please donate to the Tacoma Jewish Community Fund's special appeal for Israel. It is quick and easy to donate. Just visit our safe and secure web site: tacomajcf.org. Just use the tab Donate, then Select Fund, and choose Israeli Social Services and Disaster Relief from the drop-down option.
Tacoma Jewish Community Fund P.O. Box 64831 University Place, WA 98464
Or you can call Judith Florence at (253) 752-3621 to donate by credit card, if you prefer.
Advocates for Immigrants in Detention: Donations Needed Advocates for Immigrants in Detention (AIDNW) needs new or nicely used men’s shoes, sizes 7–10. All sizes of men’s coats hats and gloves are also needed, along with backpacks and/or duffle bags. The AIDNW Office has moved to 6445 S. Montgomery St., Tacoma 98405. If you have items to donate, to receive the AIDNW monthly newsletter, and/or receive information about volunteering, contact the office volunteer at office.volunteer@aidnw.org.
Habitat for Humanity (Tacoma/Pierce County) Starting on November 29, Habitat for Humanity will open volunteer opportunities in Gig Harbor, at their Canterwood development. (No affiliation with the country club.) Active volunteers, as well as those associated with our church partners, are welcome to sign up for shifts here. If you have not volunteered with Habitat for Humanity yet, you are encouraged to attend a New Volunteer Orientation prior to coming out. Please note that on-site parking is NOT available at Canterwood. Volunteers will need to catch the shuttle from the nearby fire station.
Other volunteer opportunities includeCars for Homes: you donate a car, truck, motorcycle or RV and net proceeds from its sale are returned to help build homes for local families in Pierce County, and Women Build: a women-led, women-focused day on a Habitat for Humanity construction site.
Registration Opens for Camp Kalsman With all that we have witnessed these past few weeks, having a place where our children and young adults can experience a true sense of belonging is more important than ever! URJ Camp Kalsman is where every child is welcomed home, whether it's their first or tenth summer. At Kalsman, everyone comes just as they are to be part of a warm, tight-knit Jewish community. Summer can't come soon enough: registration opened Sunday, November 5 for new families that are members at URJ congregations. Check out session dates and be sure to secure your spot at camp!
Information
End of the Semester for Religious School The last day of Hebrew class for this semester will be Wednesday, December 6, and the last day of Religious School will be Sunday, December 10. We will return from winter break for Hebrew on Wednesday, January 3, and we will resume Religious School the following Sunday, January 7.
Temple Board Meeting Date Changes (November and December) Due to a conflict with the 35th Annual Interfaith Celebration of Gratitude, the Temple Beth El Board Meeting originally scheduled for Tuesday, November 21 at 6:30 p.m. is now rescheduled for Tuesday, December 5 at 6:30 p.m. This meeting will count for both November and December's board meetings; there will be no meeting on Tuesday, December 19.
Hillel International: Campus Antisemitism Legal Hotline Hillel International joined other leading national Jewish organizations and world-renowned law firms to create a dedicated, free legal helpline for Jewish students and faculty impacted by antisemitism on campus, named the Campus Antisemitism Legal Line (CALL). With antisemitism in the U.S. and on campus reaching all-time highs in the wake of the October 7 terrorist attack on Israel, this new resource comes at a critical moment for the Jewish community, and for Jewish college students and families.Requests for legal assistance can be submitted through their website at legal-protection.org, or by texting “CALLhelp” to 51555 to receive free, 24/7 support.
If you attend Saturday services online and wish to purchase your own copy of the Mishkan T'filah (the prayer book used at our Shabbat services), the Judaica Shop has them in stock. Come and check out our new Pride items and sale table. The Judaica Hanukkah shop will be open on November 29–December 3. Many Hanukkah items will be available for purchase prior November 29—please come browse and shop for all your holiday needs.
Masks are not required but are highly recommended for all.
To keep our community healthy and avoid any service closures, we strongly recommend wearing a mask while at the temple.
Tachlis (the bottom line)
Submitting an event or announcement to Shabbat Shalom
If you have an item you would like included in this weekly bulletin, please email it to olivia@tbetacoma.orgby noon on Wednesday. Submissions must adhere to the guidelines, which may be found here.
For the URJ's transliteration guidelines,click here. Please note that submissions that do not follow these guidelines may not be accepted.
To have a copy of the guidelines emailed to you, simply reply to this email with a message to that effect.
