Temple Beth El
5975 South 12th Street Tacoma, WA 98465
December 19, 2024 / 18 Kislev 5785
Volume 23, No. 11
TORAH READING
Vayeishev
Genesis 37:23-36
Haftarah
Amos 2:6-3:8
Candle Lighting
4:04 p.m.
SERVICE SCHEDULE
EREV SHABBAT SERVICE (multi-access) Friday, December 20, 6:30 p.m.
Everyone is invited to join us online or in person for an Erev Shabbat service. Join us before the service at 5:45 p.m. for an oneg sponsored by Pam Loginsky in honor of her 67th birthday. Mazel tov!
TORAH STUDY & SHABBAT SERVICE (multi-access) Saturday, December 21, 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.
Our Saturday worship experience begins with Torah study, which goes 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!
SISTERHOOD FOCACCIA ART CLASS Sunday, December 22, 10:30 a.m.
Take a break from holiday preparation to relax and be creative! Take your bread home or donate it for future Shabbat noshes. This event is free and open to all female-identifying temple members. RSVP to sisterhood@tbetacoma.org by Wednesday, December 18.
JCONNECT—LATKEPALOOZA! Tuesday, December 24, 8:00–11:00 p.m.
Join Jconnect Seattle for a joyous and bright pre-Hanukkah party. With a latke bar, DJ, and a bar with alcoholic and non-alcoholic options available, it's the place for Jewish 20-30 somethings to be for the night! Everyone is invited to get dressed in their finest; black tie is optional, you can also wear your most fun and festive Hanukkah apparel. TBE has one more free ticket available, so email becca@tbetacoma.org to claim it while you still can! Otherwise, tickets are $25 per person through December 16—prices will increase to $36 the next day. The first 50 Jconnectors who RSVP to will be entered into a raffle for a $40 gift card (to a location of the winner's choice)! Details and registration can be found here. Co-sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle and TBE!
COMMUNITY HANUKKAH DINNER & MENORAH LIGHTING Friday, December 27, 5:00 p.m.
Please join us for our Community Hanukkah Dinner and Menorah Lighting hosted by our very own Beth El Temple Youth. The menu includes latkes (provided by Sisterhood) and a topping bar. This event is free to attend. Donations made for this event will go directly towards Beth El Temple Youth activities and programming. Please RSVP on our website by December 23.
BABY NAMING OF TALIARASKASKY Friday, December 27, at Erev Shabbat Service
Please join Sarah and Stan Rumbaugh for a baby naming of their first granddaughter, Talia Laura Raskasky, that will take place during Erev Shabbat service next Friday, December 27. Talia is the child of Matt and Miri Raskasky.
DIM SUM AND MAH JONGG Sunday, January 12, 5:00–8:00 p.m.
Sisterhood invites all temple members to a dim sum and mah jongg social! Featuring special drawings, and lots of door prizes, this promises to be a fun evening for all. There will be Asian-inspired fish and vegetarian dim sum, along with Chinese snacks, tea, and desserts. Beginners are welcome! No prior mah jongg experience required. Detailed plans for the night and registration can be found on our website by clicking here. Please note that this event is for those ages 13 and up.If you would like to volunteer to help with set up or clean up, please contact Bunny at bunnypeters128@gmail.com.
OPPORTUNITIES
WHAT'S HAPPENING AT AIDNW: DONATE MEN'S COATS
Advocates for Immigrants in Detention, AIDNW, is requesting donations of men’s winter coats (all sizes), men’s winter hats, gloves, and backpacks. Please make sure donated coats are well cared for, without missing buttons or zippers and not ripped. Bring your donations to Temple Beth El on January 10, 11, or 12 (Friday, Saturday or Sunday). Vivian Morrison will be gathering the donations on those dates and taking them to the AIDNW Safe House. A warm thank you goes out from Vivian.
A REQUEST, PLEASE
While you are likely immersed in Chanukah plans, Temple Beth El’s Sisterhood has begun planning for Purim 5785, March 2025. Each TBE member family and BELC family will receive a free Purim package filled with donated treats, both homemade and locally sourced. This gift box project, called Mishloach Manot, is Sisterhood’s only fundraising event and is now in its 18th year (this has a special meaning in Judaism, as 18 is the numerical value of the letters in the word 'Chai', meaning life). What were your favorite items last year? Is there something you could make or buy in bulk to make the boxes more festive? Are you able to assist with a monetary donation to offset production costs? Our goal is to confirm the treat list by the end of January and have all non-perishable items delivered by the end of February. If you have input or would like to donate, please contact Procurement co-chairs Jani Doctor at (253) 223-4705 or jani@tripsnships.com, or Deb Freedman at (253) 377-4157.
Most importantly, thank you for your help in the past. We continue to hear from members about the positive impact of receiving these boxes.
INFORMATION
JUDAICA SHOP HOURS
Our regular hours are as follows:
– Sundays: 9:45 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
– Wednesdays: 4:30–6:30 p.m.
– Fridays: 5:30–6:15 p.m. The shop will be closed on December 22, 25, and 29.
We are still in need of volunteers to ensure the shop can always be open during regular hours. Please email Connie Person or Aubrey Sagalovich to volunteer or to schedule a shopping appointment outside of our regular hours. We look forward to seeing you soon at the shop! Email: judaica@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
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 frontdesk@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.
