Have you been laid off, furloughed, or lost grants due to recent federal cuts and freezes? Are you concerned about your ability to access or maintain access to food housing, healthcare, employment, etc.?
If so, please let our rabbi know at rabbigorban@tbetacoma.org as soon as you can. We are trying to ascertain the extent of the losses in our TBE community with an eye to convening a session for addressing this uncertainty together and supporting one another in coming weeks. Please be in touch with her directly and confidentially.
Temple Beth El
5975 South 12th Street
Tacoma, WA 98465
March 13, 2025 / 13 Adar 5785
Volume 23, No. 23
TORAH READING
Ki Tisa
Exodus 33:12-16
Haftarah
I Kings 18:1-39
Candle Lighting
6:56 p.m.
SERVICE SCHEDULE
EREV SHABBAT SERVICE (multi-access) Friday, March 14 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!
TORAH STUDY & SHABBAT SERVICE (multi-access) Saturday, March 15, 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.
PURIM CARNIVAL Sunday, March 16, 9:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Join us for an unforgettable Purim celebration featuring a Wizard of Oz themed spiel, and packed with delicious treats, exciting games, and plenty of fun! Enjoy a festive lunch, and don’t forget to come dressed in your favorite costume! New this year is "Pie the Rabbi" where, for a donation of $18, you get to throw a whipped cream pie at Rabbi Gorban! All proceeds benefit the religious school. Carnival tickets are $18/family for non-members and free for members (donations appreciated). Questions: andy@tbetacoma.org. Register now!
MUSIC OF REMEMBRANCE: IDENTITY Sunday, March 16 at 5:00 p.m.
MOR is presenting works by prominent Black American composers Rhiannon Giddens, Carlos Simon, and Jessie Montgomery. Also on the program: a dance choreographed by Donald Byrd of Spectrum Dance Theater, and world-premiere chamber music by award-winning Portuguese composer Luis Tinoco about “Crypto-Jews” forced by the Inquisition to conceal their identity. Get tix!
TEMPLE BETH EL BOARD MEETING(multi-access) Tuesday, March 18, 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. The meeting is multi-access and a Zoom link will be emailed to all members before the meeting begins as well.
SPEAKER SERIES: ANTISEMITISM IN 2025—A LOCAL VIEW (multi-access) Thursday, March 20, 11:00 a.m.
We are thrilled to welcome Randy Kessler, Executive Director of StandWithUs Northwest, as our featured speaker for March. In 2017, Randy took the helm at StandWithUs Northwest, where he leads efforts to educate, inspire, and to combat antisemitism across five states. With a background in corporate technology and education, along with a rich personal history of time spent in Israel, Randy offers invaluable insights to the challenges and triumphs of Jewish communities today. Register for free by clicking here!
VASHTI’S BANQUET & SHUK MARKET Saturday, March 22, 5:00 p.m.
Sisterhood Members—Join us for an enchanting evening at Vashti’s Banquet & Shuk Market, where community, culture, and celebration come together! Enjoy a vibrant marketplace, mesmerizing performances, and a delicious feast—all in the spirit of Purim! Each member may bring one female-identifying, non-member guest. Tickets are $36 for Sisterhood members, $54 for non-members. If you plan to bring a guest, please be sure to include them when you register. Registration deadline is Tuesday, March 18 at midnight! Register while you can!
COMMUNITY PASSOVER SEDER Sunday, April 13, 6:30 p.m.
Experience the warmth of community as we come together to rejoice and celebrate Passover at our Community Passover Seder! As a holy community, we will take part in the mitzvot of the Passover Seder handed down from generation to generation while sharing a delicious Passover meal generously prepared by volunteers. Register here.
OPPORTUNITIES
SISTERHOOD’S MISHLOACH MANOT TREAT BOX PICK-UP
Each TBE member household receives a complimentary Purim Box from Sisterhood and pick up has now begun! Come grab your box on these dates:
– Friday, March 14th 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.–Shabbat services – Saturday, March 15, 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. – Sunday, March 16, during the Purim Carnival
Extras for sale at the Purim Carnival (10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.):
- Bag of 4 hamantaschen: $5 - Extra Purim boxes: $25
Volunteers Needed! Help deliver Purim boxes on March 16. To lend a hand, contact Mady Plumer at madshell33@icloud.com. Your help makes a big difference—let’s spread the joy of Purim together!
MATANOT L'EVYONIM: SISTERHOOD'S EFN FUNDRAISER
From March 1–31, Sisterhood is collecting donations for the Emergency Food Network, honoring Purim’s mitzvah of matanot l’evyonim (gifts for the poor). In addition to mishloach manot, help us fulfill this tradition by sharing our bounty with those in need. Together, we can fight hunger in our community! Click here to donate.
WANT TO LEAD AN IN-HOME PASSOVER SEDER?
A former long-time member, Bob Lipnik, would love to hire someone to lead an in-home Passover Seder for a family of 7, along with providing a little direction when it comes to the cooking. His daughter and grandchild from out-of-state will be having their first Passover Seder experience this year! Bob's home is located in Brown's Point and his schedule is flexible. If this sounds like the opportunity for you, don't hesitate to reach out! You can find him by phone at (253) 973-9008 or by email at rjlipnik@comcast.net.
CONGREGATION KOL SHALOM SCHOLAR-IN-RESIDENCE
Congregation Kol Shalom, located in Bainbridge Island is hosting a musical Scholar-in-Residence Weekend on April 4–5, featuring ethnomusicologist, composer, and musician D. Zisl Slepovitch. The program is sponsored by an Ignition Grant from the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle. If you're interested in attending, you can read more and register by clicking here.
INFORMATION
JUDAICA SHOP HOURS
We accept card transactions only. Our regular hours have been reduced to respect the time availability of our volunteers; our new hours are as follows:
– Sundays: 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
– Wednesdays: 4:30–6:30 p.m.
– Fridays: 5:30–6:30 p.m.
We are still in need of volunteers to ensure the shop can always be open during regular hours. You can get in touch with Connie Person or Aubrey Sagalovich to volunteer or to schedule a shopping appointment outside of our regular hours by sending an email to 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
WANT TO SUBMIT AN ANNOUNCEMENT?
If you have an item you would like included in this weekly newsletter, 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.
