Temple Beth El
5975 South 12th Street
Tacoma, WA 98465
January 9, 2025 / 2 Tevet 5785
Volume 23, No. 14
TORAH READING
Vayechi
Genesis 48:17-22
Haftarah
I Kings 2:1-12
Candle Lighting
4:23 p.m.
SERVICE SCHEDULE
EREV SHABBAT SERVICE (multi-access) Friday, January 10, 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.
TORAH STUDY & SHABBAT SERVICE (multi-access) Saturday, January 11, 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!
TIKKUN OLAM MEETING Sunday, January 12, 10:00 a.m.
Please join us in the social hall to discuss the next year and the issues you are interested in being a part of. We currently provide a food drive, a backpack program food drive for a local school, and other invitations to work with organizations that support our immigrant population. Please show up to share your interests and how we can create a mailing list that includes an opt-in feature to receive emails with opportunities to participate in our community.
DIM SUM AND MAH JONGG REMINDER Sunday, January 12, 5:00–8:00 p.m.
Sisterhood's dim sum and mah jongg social is happening this Sunday! Registration is now closed, but those who have RSVP'd can look forward to plenty of fun, prizes and food on this evening. If you're interested in joining the raffle, remember to bring cash! Raffle tickets are $2 a piece.
BUILDING COMMITTEE MEETING Sunday, January 12, 12:30 p.m.
The Building Committee is gearing up to create a long term plan for capital improvements, and your ideas and concerns are needed! All temple members are invited to participate in envisioning Temple Beth El for the future. Join us if you're interested in architecture, interior design, facilities management, or just love Temple Beth El and want our building complex to last for future generations. We look forward to seeing you there! If you have questions or suggestions, contact Jani Doctor, Building Committee chair, at jani@tripsnships.com or text at (253) 223-4705.
SISTERHOOD BOARD MEETING Tuesday, January 14, 6:30–8:30 p.m.
The next Sisterhood meeting is just around the corner! If you're a member of the Sisterhood, please keep an eye out for an email with additional information, including the meeting's Zoom link and agenda. Please reach out via emailing sisterhood@tbetacoma.org if you have any questions.
STITCH & KVETCH Wednesday, January 15, 1:00–3:30 p.m.
Join us in the social hall! Stitch & Kvetch is for anybody interested in fiber arts (knitting, crochet, embroidery, sewing, etc.) who would like to do so with company and conversation. Have questions? Please contact Julia Walsh at wisethoughts@live.com.
19TH ANNUAL MLK JR REDEEMING THE PROPHETIC VISION:
THE SPIRIT OF THE WORK: MEETING THE MOMENT Sunday, January 19, 2:00–4:00 p.m.
This inter-generational, multi-ethnic, and participatory event will feature uplifting performances by local artists and musicians, blessings and libations from spiritual leaders, and the presentation of the 2025 Social Justice Awards. Attendees will also learn from local groups providing innovative approaches to creating resilient and diverse communities grounded in equity and justice. This year, the benediction is being given by Rabbi Kadden. Donations for the unhoused are welcome. Held at the Tacoma Campus of the Evergreen State College. For more information, email Judith Kay at judithwkay@gmail.com. The event is free—please register on this site: http://weblink.donorperfect.com/MLK. Co-sponsors include Associated Ministries and The Conversation 253.
OPPORTUNITIES
ADULT EDUCATION
Registration for the Spring semester of adult education here at Temple Beth El is now open! This semester offers a dynamic space for personal growth, meaningful exploration, and deep connection to Jewish tradition. Whether you're looking to study Torah, explore Jewish history, engage in contemporary issues, or enhance your Hebrew skills, our classes are designed to inspire learners of all backgrounds and levels. To view the course catalog and sign up for your favorite classes, please visit the adult education page on our website.
SISTERHOOD MISHLOACH MANOT FUNDRAISER
Please help us celebrate 18 years of Sisterhood's Mishloach Manot! (in Jewish tradition, 18 symbolizes "chai"–a word meaning life). Sisterhood helps spread Purim joy each year with complimentary treat-filled boxes for every TBE member household, part of the mitzvah of giving gifts of food. Those who contribute to the fundraiser will have their name recognized on the card included in each box. You can select a level of giving and find more information by clicking here or using the paper form in the January bulletin. Even if you don’t make a donation, please complete the planning questions regarding gluten-free needs or opting out.
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.
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 January 19 & 26.
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.
