L’Shanah tovah tikateivu! May you be inscribed for a good year. Our High Holy Day services are right around the corner, and we're excited for our community to come together!
S'lichot service will be this Saturday, September 28. We are thrilled to present "Old-sach" and Nusach, a concert with cantorial soloist Raymond Zachary, following the 7:00 p.m. service.
Erev Rosh HaShanah is coming up on Wednesday, October 2. If you are not currently a member of TBE and haven't gotten passes, there is still time to mark your calendar and register! At this time, you must pick up your pass during office hours or when you arrive for service. Please register here.
If you are a member of Temple Beth El, you should have received your pass in the mail—if you have not yet received the High Holy Day booklet containing your pass, please contact the office. If you have family members in town that would also like to attend services, or if you are a member of another synagogue, please contact Olivia at olivia@tbetacoma.org about passes.
For the full schedule of services, non-member registration, Book of Remembrance submissions, and more information about the High Holy Day Food Drive, please visit the High Holy Day page of the TBE website.
What's happening at TBE?
Friday: Erev Shabbat Service (Multi-access) Friday, September 27, 6:30 p.m. Everyone is invited to join us online or in person for an Erev Shabbat service. Join us at 5:45 p.m., before the service, for an oneg sponsored by Josh and Judy Kay in honor of their 52nd wedding anniversary on August 27.
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, September 28, 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). At the conclusion of the service, the community is invited to join us in the social hall for a potluck pescatarian kiddush luncheon!
Saturday: S’lichot Program and Service (Multi-access) Saturday, September 28, 7:00 p.m. In order to do something important, we need preparation, practice, and focus. S’lichot provides an inspirational and aspirational way to begin the High Holy Day season and get us ready for Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur. It gives us an opportunity to reflect, discuss, and reacquaint ourselves with the melodies and message of the Holy Days.
This year, our S'lichot program will be held on Saturday, September 28, at 7:00 p.m. As part of our program, we will be hosting "Old-sach" and Nusach, a concert featuring cantorial soloist Raymond Zachary. We will conclude with changing our colorful Torah covers and decorations to their Holy Day whites.
Upcoming Events
In Memory and in Hope:
A Global Reform Movement Commemoration of October 7 Sunday, September 29, 10:00 a.m. Join the Reform Movement around the world as we come together to commemorate one year since October 7, 2023. This event marks the beginning of our season of memory, a time for reflection and renewal as we approach the High Holy Days. Through shared stories, inspiring messages, and communal ritual, we will honor the experiences of the past year and set our intentions for the future. This online gathering will offer a space for connection and solidarity, featuring content and texts that you may also use during the upcoming month of holidays and remembrance. Register here.
Talmud Torah/Sinai Temple Plaque Dedication Sunday, October 6, 1:00 p.m. Rabbi Emeritus Bruce Kadden will dedicate a historical plaque to commemorate the former location of the Shul (originally Talmud Torah, later Sinai Temple), one of the two congregations from which Temple Beth El was formed in 1960. The dedication will take place at South 4th and I Street (now the Rainier Tower of Tacoma General Hospital) on the west side of Wright Park. The plaque is sponsored by Tacoma native Harold Friedman, with thanks to MultiCare for placement permission. The congregation is invited to mark this historic dedication. For more information, please contact Deb Freedman at (253) 377-4157.
Home of Peace Cemetery Annual Pilgrimage Sunday, October 6, 3:00–4:00 p.m. It is traditional to visit the graves of relatives during the High Holy Days. Temple Beth El clergy will be on hand to meet graveside with family members. Directions to the cemetery are available here. For more information, contact cemetery president Harvey Rosen at hrosen24@hotmail.com.
Walking Through the Shadow of October 7 Sunday, October 6, 7:15–9:15 p.m. Limmud Seattle is hosting community-wide event in the form of several small gatherings in people's homes. As we approach the 1-year anniversary of October 7, we confront the tragedy while also confronting ourselves during the Yamim Nora-im (High Holy Days). How do we acknowledge the suffering of our history while moving forward through Yom Kippur toward hope and light on the other side? We hope these community-wide Limmud gatherings will create deeper connections with others and allow us to share our griefs and hopes. If you are interested, please click here to register.
Our Hope Is Not Yet Lost:
Prayers of Memory and Strength after a Year of War Monday, October 7, 7:00-8:00 p.m. Rabbi Gorban will lead us in prayer as we mark one year since the devastation of October 7, 2023. Come together with the TBE congregation to grieve and find a pathway to hope again.
Break the Fast Saturday, October 12, following services The Sisterhood of TBE warmly extends an invitation to the community to join us for Break the Fast. This event will be held in the social hall immediately following Yom Kippur N'ilah and Yizkor services. Share in community while we have a reprieve from fasting. We are accepting side dishes and desserts for the event. Please have these items dropped off by 5:00 p.m. Friday, October 11, in the kitchen with instructions for reheating/serving. We kindly ask that our cooks refrain from using meat products in their offerings. All dishes must be dairy or pareve and must not contain peanuts or peanut oil. If you have questions or concerns please contact Erica Shirk at eoshirk@gmail.com. Temple Beth El Board Meeting Tuesday, October 15, 6:30 p.m. The Temple Beth El Board of Trustees welcomes all members to attend the monthly board meeting. The agenda will be emailed to all TBE members prior to the meeting along with a Zoom link. The agenda includes a public/congregant forum at the beginning of each meeting. To allow everyone a chance to speak, please follow these guidelines: Individuals are free to talk about any subject affecting TBE and the TBE community; comments should be concise and limited to three minutes; for anything longer than three minutes, please provide a written comment to the board president; the members of the board of trustees will not immediately engage in debate or discussion about what was presented. The meeting is multi-access and a Zoom link will be emailed to all members prior to the meeting.
Soup in the Sukkah Wednesday, October 16, 5:30 p.m. Join us for our annual dinner, hosted by Brotherhood, to welcome Sukkot. We'll begin with a hearty dinner at 5:30 p.m. and conclude with an Erev Sukkot service in the sukkah at 6:30 p.m. Cost: $10/adult (ages 13+) and $7/child. Reservations are required; register here. Simchat Torah and Consecration Dinner Wednesday, October 23, 5:00 p.m. Celebrate our new religious education students and welcome them to the wonderful, lifelong journey of Jewish learning. We'll begin with a festive meal, followed by Consecration and a service at 6:30 p.m. At the end of the service we'll unroll the Torah scroll and have our recent b-mitzvah chant their maftir portions. Cost: $18/adult (ages 13+) and $12/child. RSVP required. You can register by following this link.
Opportunities
High Holy Day Food Drive Food security is a huge concern in our community, with 1 in 10 Pierce County individuals wondering where their next meal will come from. We encourage everyone to come together in raising donations for the Emergency Food Network (EFN), a Pierce County program that supports those struggling to find food. At our Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur services, and during September, you can collect a bag to fill with items the EFN has listed as most crucial (including non-perishables, feminine products, and baby care items). Alternatively, you can participate by making a monetary donation–every $1 you donate allows EFN to distribute 2 meals to neighbors in need. We aim to raise $5,000 for our community, and you can contribute through this page.
Donate to the Hebrew Free Loan Assocation The rising cost of living is impacting everyone; higher grocery bills, gas prices, housing shortages, and layoffs have left many Jewish families struggling to make ends meet. Families who once had enough are now facing choices they never imagined. HFLA provides a critical lifeline offering $6,000 in cash that gives families the means to regain financial stability and breathe freely again. Their assistance is repaid in small sums that dignify the purpose and the person. This year they have provided over $350,000 to local Jewish families, more than all of last year. Resources are dwindling and they don't want to turn anyone away—make a difference by donating today.
Information
Judaica Shop Hours Reminder that the shop is still currently closed. The opening date will be announced sometime later in the fall. If you have any inquiries surrounding the Judaica Shop, please contact sisterhood@tbetacoma.org.
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.
Tachlis (the bottom line)
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