Shabbat Shalom from Temple Beth El

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Shabbat Shalom from Temple Beth El

02/01/2024 04:58:25 PM

Feb1

Shabbat Shalom!

Temple Beth El • 5975 S. 12th St. • Tacoma, WA 98465
www.tbetacoma.org

February 1, 2024/22 Sh'vat 5784

Volume 22, Number 5

Torah Reading:

Yitro
Exodus 18:13–23

Haftarah
Isaiah 6:1–13, 7:1–6

Shabbat Candle Lighting:
4:55 p.m.

Celebrate Shabbat with Us:

Friday Erev Shabbat Service:
6:30 p.m. (multi-access)

Saturday Torah Study:
9:00 a.m. (multi-access)

Saturday Shabbat Service:
10:00 a.m. (multi-access)

What's happening at TBE?

Friday: Erev Shabbat Service (Multi-access)
Friday, February 2, 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 5:30 p.m. with the Tacoma Refugee choir, who will be performing during the service. The oneg is sponsored by Josh and Amanda Weinberg, in honor of Elijah Weinberg's Bar Mitzvah.

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, February 3, 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.)

Link to Shabbat morning Torah study and Shabbat service Zoom meeting: https://bit.ly/sat-torah-study.

Upcoming Events

Erev Shabbat Service Featuring Tacoma Refugee Choir

Friday, February 2, 6:30 p.m.
The Jewish community across North America comes together for the sixth annual HIAS National Refugee Shabbat on Friday, February 2, 2024. Temple Beth El is delighted to have invited the Tacoma Refugee Choir to our Shabbat service. Join us as we take the opportunity to deepen our compassion for the refugee crisis and draw inspiration through song, story, and prayer.

Gaga Learn-and-Play Tournament (Rescheduled from Sunday, January 28)
Sunday, February 4, 11:45 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Join the Sagalovich brothers in the Bet Wing yard for an overview of Gaga rules and safety for maximum fun! For questions, contact Madi at madi@tbetacoma.org.

Jewish Book Club
Tuesday, February 6, 11:00 a.m.
Join us in the temple board room, next to the sanctuary, as we discuss Künstlers in Paradise by Cathleen Schine. Do you like to read good books about Jewish subjects or by Jewish authors? Join the book club on the first Tuesday of each month. Please contact Carol Umbehocker at (253) 719-8040 or carolumbe@comcast.net to RSVP, get more information, or to be put on the Temple Beth El Jewish book club email list. The next meeting will be on Tuesday, March 5, and the book discussed be The Wind Knows My Name by Isabel Allende.

BETY Shabbat Dinner and Scout Shabbat
Friday, February 9, 5:30 p.m.
Join us for a special family Shabbat dinner hosted by our Beth El Temple Youth! Best of all? It's free! Registration is required. The menu theme is Super Bowl Shabbat, featuring sliders, nachos, tailgate tots, seven-layer dip, potato skin bites, spinach artichoke football challah, and veggie cups. This event is open to all members of the congregation. Please register here. The deadline to register is Wednesday, February 7 at 12:00 p.m. Be sure to stay after the dinner for a special Scout Shabbat service. Any Jewish scouts are encouraged to wear their uniforms. Questions? Contact Madi at madi@tbetacoma.org.

Sisterhood UFO Work Session
Saturday, February 10, 5:00–8:00 p.m.
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No! It's Sisterhood's upcoming UFO work session! Join us in the TBE social hall and bring your UnFinished craft Objects (UFOs) to work on. Get help, inspiration, and design advice from your sisters and friends. Please bring potluck snacks to share. Pescatarian or vegetarian food is great! Questions? Please call or text Bunny Peters at (408) 757-5671.

Volunteer Service Project
Sunday, February 11, 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Working collaboratively with Diane Reineman, a dedicated volunteer with a heart for service, we aim to make a significant impact on our local food bank. Diane has ingeniously repurposed discarded rice bags into reusable shopping
bags, addressing a critical need for clients who often arrive without their own bags. To support this initiative, we are organizing a volunteer work party. We envision a day where volunteers, spanning various generations, come together to measure, cut, fold, and sew grocery bags from the repurposed rice bags. Please contact Madi at madi@tbetacoma.org with any questions.

Belong Partners: Building Equitable Learning Opportunities and Nurturing Growth (Zoom)
Monday, February 12, 4:30–6:30 p.m. (Multiple Sessions)
Belong Partners, located in Puget Sound, is offering a series of workshops on resilience. Part I of this series, Using a Trauma Lens, focuses on helping children feel safe, connected and develop quality learning skills. This same workshop is also being offered on the Mondays of February 26, May 7, and May 14 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. For more information and to register, click here.

Brotherhood Meeting
Tuesday, February 13, 6:30 p.m.
All this cold and gray have you wanting to wear flannel and grab your axe? We won’t be splitting logs, but we will be demolishing old wooden tables as part of our next meet up. Join us (tools & PPE provided) for a little destruction followed by some building of bonds at Loose Wheel Pizza. This event is being coordinated by our very own John Barnes. If you have questions please reach out to brotherhood@tbetacoma.org. TBE Brotherhood is open to all genders. If you need transportation to events, please contact us so we can help coordinate with you.

Speaker Series: Stand With Us
Thursday, February 15, 11:00 a.m.
Join us online or in person for the February session of TBE’s Speaker Series. This month, we will be joined by Randy Kessler, Regional Director of
StandWithUs Northwest. StandWithUs is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that educates about Israel and fights antisemitism. In his visit to TBE, Randy will share stories from his work that illustrate how our world has changed since October 7. If you’d like to contact the Speaker Series program, please reach out to program members: Carol Umbehocker, carolumbe@comcast.net, (253) 719-8040, or Trish McCloy-Ross, pmccloyross@gmail.com, (253) 691-6294. Please RSVP to Lana at frontdesk@tbetacoma.org. This is a free event, sponsored by Lamed Vav. Donations are appreciated.

JCRC: Jewish Community Lobby Day
Friday, February 15, 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Join the Jewish Community Relations Council and your Jewish community as we gather for Lobby Day. Whether you're a first-time advocate or an experienced lobbyist, this is your chance to actively participate in the democratic process. Advocacy focus: combating antisemitism and hate crimes; protecting and supporting immigrants and refugees; ensuring the safety of our Jewish community institutions, and more. Come hear from influential legislators, gain insights into key community issues, and meet with Representatives and Senators to influence change. Contact Aliza Mossman at alizam@jewishinseattle.org with any questions.

Save the Date
HFLA's Champagne Brunch
Sunday, March 3, 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Come to HFLA's Champagne Brunch and enjoy mimosas, bagels, and warm blintzes at the Mercer Island Community Center. You can enter a raffle for exciting prizes, bid on getaway experiences, enter an auction for a dinner at Canlis restaurant, or just enjoy good company and good food, catered by Leah's Kosher Cooking. This event will include Rabbi Jay Levine as its keynote speaker. This is a ticketed event, fundraising in support of the programs that help our Jewish community across the state. Space is limited; buy tickets here.

Sisterhood Hamantaschen Bake
Tuesday, March 10, 12:00–3:00 p.m.
Join us in the social hall for Sisterhood's annual hamantaschen bake. The hamantaschen that you make will be added to Sisterhood's Purim boxes, which are sold in support of our community! Many volunteers are needed; this event is open to all adults of the TBE community. If you have any questions and/or would like to volunteer, contact Kerry Geffen at kgeffen@gmail.com or at (253) 228-4105.

Canter Fine's Retirement Weekend
Friday May 3, 5:30 p.m. and Saturday May 4, 5:00 p.m.
Save the dates for Cantor Geoffrey Fine’s retirement celebration weekend.
There will be a Friday evening family Shabbat with a Pre-Oneg sponsored by the Shir Simcha choir, and a retirement Dinner Gala at TBE Saturday evening. More information to come soon. For questions, contact Alice Greenwood at mom.greenwood@gmail.com or Sue Burget at sueburget@gmail.com.

Opportunities

Congregational Survey—Tell us your thoughts about the future of Temple Beth El!
As we prepare for the next fiscal year, July 2024–June 2025, we would love to know your ideas for the future of our temple. What is shared in this survey will help inform our budget planning for the coming year and onward. Please answer the three-question survey here by Wednesday, February 7, 2024. If you prefer to share your thoughts via phone or in person, please call: (253) 564-7101 x102 to schedule a meeting with Becca.

Leaders Needed for Purim and Passover Events
Both the Adult Purim Costume Party & Cocktails event on Saturday, March 23 at 5:30 p.m. (M’gillah Reading & Purim Spiel at 7:00 p.m.) and the Community Passover Seder on Tuesday, April 24 at 6 p.m. need the leaders from the community to manage overall event planning. You could be the one! Are you really excited about costumes? Do you love to sing "Frogs Here, Frogs There" with all your TBE friends? Then answer the call to make one or both of these events happen. Staff has prior event information to make planning easy and are ready to help take things from plan to production. Contact Becca at becca@tbetacoma.org or (253) 564-7101 x102.

Sisterhood's Mishloach Manot Fundraiser
Participate in Sisterhood's only fundraiser by purchasing Mishloach Manot, gifts of food and more to friends to celebrate Purim. Each box purchased gives back to the community in so many ways, from Break-the-Fast to the Latke Fry for the Hanukkah Party, from reestablishing the Children's Library to supporting the Religious School and more. Purchase your boxes here and participate today! The deadline to order is March 8th. If you have questions, please contact Mady Plumer at madshell33@icloud.com.

Mishloach Manot Volunteers Needed
Many hands make light work, so please help Sisterhood put together and distribute Mishloach Manot. Join us for one or more of the upcoming volunteer opportunities:

March 10: Hamantaschen Bake (see the Upcoming Events for more info)
March 14–19: Fill the Purim boxes with wonderful, donated treats. Contact Alice Greenwood at mom.greenwood@gmail.com.
March 22–24: Distribute boxes at TBE and/or deliver boxes to those who can't come in, contact Jacqueline Kleiner at JacquelineKleiner@gmail.com.

Take Action Against Hate: Contact the Senate Ways and Means Committee (ADL)
Last week, advocates from across the state joined together in Olympia to advocate for Washington Senate Bill 5427, which would establish the Washington Hate Crime and Bias Incident Helpline. As hate crimes grow to new levels in Washington State, victims often do not know where to turn. SB 5427 creates a state-run helpline staffed by trained victim advocates who can guide victims of hate to services and support. Now following months of diligent work to improve the bill while building community consensus, the legislation is on the cusp of moving toward a full Senate vote. If your Senator sits on the Ways and Means Committee, NOW is the time to make your voice heard. We are asking you to send a message to your Senator asking them to pass SB 5427 through committee. To contact your Senator, click here.

Teen Leadership Council
Teen Leadership Council (TLC) brings students together online to grow their knowledge of Israel, learn how to effectively combat antisemitism, and develop leadership skills. It is open to all high school students and the next session begins on Sunday, February 4. The TLC members meet virtually five times during the semester with StandWithUs professional staff to cover various educational topics and to engage with their peers. At the end of the program, TLC helps participants create an educational program for their peers in their schools and communities. Interested teens should apply here.

Volunteering Opportunity (Jewish Coalition for Immigrant Justice)
The Jewish Coalition for Immigrant Justice (JCIJ) provides funds and volunteerism exclusively for immigrant and refugee needs. The JCIJ is putting together a fundraiser and is seeking volunteers to work on planning committees for the event, which will be held on the evening of Sunday, May 19, at Temple Beth Am in Seattle. Planning committees include the following interests: food/drinks, program, logistics, art/décor, fundraising and more. For questions or to become a volunteer, contact Dina Burstein, dinaburstein@gmail.com, or Andrea Soroko Naar, andrea.soroko@gmail.com.

Advocacy Training (Jewish Coalition for Immigrant Justice)
For members of Temple Beth El who are interested in becoming involved with the work of the Jewish Coalition for Immigrant Justice (JCIJ), information is available, including a tape of last year's advocacy training, for their lobby day in Olympia on February 7th. Email Vivian Morrison at viviansm@earthlink.net if you would like a copy of this information. The focus of work for the Jewish Coalition for Immigrant Justice is solely on issues pertaining to immigrant and refugee issues in the State of Washington, working closely with WAISN, Washington Immigration Solidarity Network.

Need help paying for college? HFLA can help!
The Hebrew Free Loan Association (HFLA) offers interest-free, no-fee loans of up to $7,500 for postsecondary education and need-based scholarships. Scholarship applications open April 1st, Loan applications open May 1st. Informational webinars Mar 20th at 7pm and April 16th at 7pm. Put it on your calendar. For qustions, contact the HLFA at office@hflawa.org or (206) 397-0005.

Volunteers Needed for Youth Cooking Classes
Do you have a passion for cooking? Looking for members of the TBE community to lead our students in learning to cook the foods of our people. Email Madeline Pimentel Diaz at madi@tbetacoma.org for additional information.

Tacoma Jewish Community Fund: Israel Urgently Needs Your Help
Join with those who have already given more than $30,000 to the Tacoma Jewish Community Fund’s special appeal for Israel. Your donation will provide trauma relief and psychological support, medical care, emergency services, housing, as well as other needs. Donate online at www.tacomajcf.org. Just use the tab “Donate,” then “Select Fund,” and choose “Israeli Social Services and Disaster Relief” from the drop-down options. You can also call Judith Florence at (253) 752-3621 to donate via phone. To donate with a check, just send your donation, with Israel Special Appeal in the memo line, to:
Tacoma Jewish Community Fund
P.O. Box 64831
University Place, WA 98464

Information

Reminder: Temple Board Meeting
The next board meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 20, at 6:30 p.m. See the Bulletin for more information.

Judaica Shop Hours

Sundays: 10:00 a.m.–12:15 p.m.
Wednesdays: 4:30–6:30 p.m.
Fridays: 5:45–6:25 p.m.
By appointment by emailing judaica@tbetacoma.org.

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. Jewelry Sale: all items are 20% off.

Contact the Clergy
If you have a question or concern you would like to share with the clergy, please email Rabbi Gorban at rabbigorban@tbetacoma.org or Cantor Fine at cantorfine@tbetacoma.org.

Community Level—Low

Current Protocol:

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.org by 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.