Have you been laid off, furloughed, or lost grants due to recent federal cuts and freezes? Have you experienced reductions in social security? 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
April 10, 2025 / 12 Nisan 5785
Volume 23, No. 27
TORAH READING
Tzav
Leviticus 7:11-38
Haftarah
Malachi 3:4-24
Candle Lighting
7:35 p.m.
SERVICE SCHEDULE
EREV SHABBAT SERVICE (multi-access) Friday, April 11, 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 held in the social hall. Additionally, if you could use a box of matzos, a limited number of boxes are available in the rotunda for you to grab prior to services—thank you, Sisterhood!
TORAH STUDY & SHABBAT SERVICE (multi-access) Saturday, April 12, 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.
FIRST DAY OF PASSOVER MORNING SERVICE (multi-access) Sunday, April 13, 10:00 a.m.
Rabbi Gorban and Raymond Zachary will lead an engaging festival morning service for the first day of Passover, which will include Torah and Haftarah readings and selections from Song of Songs. To attend online, click here.
UPCOMING EVENTS
TEMPLE BETH EL BOARD MEETING(multi-access) Tuesday, April 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. The meeting is multi-access and a Zoom link will be emailed to all members before the meeting begins as well.
SPEAKER SERIES: LORI FORTE HARNICK (multi-access) Thursday, April 17, 11:00 a.m.
Join us for an insightful program with Lori Forte Harnick, President and CEO of Goodwill of the Olympics & Rainier Region, as she shares how the organization fosters economic and environmental sustainability while championing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). This engaging talk will take you behind the scenes of Goodwill’s operations, outreach efforts, and the meaningful ways this 123-year-old organization enriches our community. Register here!
YOM HASHOAH FLAG MEMORIAL Sunday, April 20, 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Join TBE in commemorating Yom HaShoah—Holocaust Remembrance Day—through our impactful Yellow Flag Memorial. Each year, we honor the six million Jewish lives lost by placing 6,000 yellow flags on our temple lawn, a powerful tribute seen throughout the Tacoma community. We need your help to make this memorial happen! Volunteers are invited to spend about an hour placing flags. They will remain on display for one week. Choose your shift and sign up today to take part in this important act of memory and community.
PARADE MUSICAL OUTING Sunday, April 20, 1:30–4:00 p.m.
"Parade"tells the heart-wrenching true story of Leo Frank, a Brooklyn-raised Jewish man living in Atlanta, Georgia who was wrongfully convicted of the 1913 rape and murder of his 13-year-old employee, Mary Phagan. This powerful musical highlights a momentous case that drew national attention to antisemitism. Join TBE members in a group outing to see it at the 5th Avenue Theater in Seattle! There are 10 tickets, so reserve your seat soon by emailing Pam at pamloginsky@wavecable.com. Tickets are $79.50 per seat, with a few tickets available at reduced or no cost upon request!
SAVE THE DATE
SECOND ANNUAL BELC FUNDRAISER Saturday, May 3, 5:30–9:00 p.m.
Join us for an unforgettable evening of dinner, dancing, signature cocktails, raffles, a silent auction, and a dessert dash—all while supporting a cause that truly matters. We’re raising $20,000 to support the BELC through classroom material upgrades, staff benefits/pay, and a potential scholarship program. Your attendance will directly impact the future of our children’s learning environment, so read more and register ahead of time by clicking here!
OPPORTUNITIES
VOLUNTEER FOR THE COMMUNITY PASSOVER SEDER
We look forward to seeing those who are celebrating Passover with us! Please consider helping out with clean-up if you're able to. There's no need to register, just come enjoy the evening and stay after the Seder to help. Your generous volunteer efforts make events like these possible and are greatly appreciated.
WORLD ZIONIST CONGRESS ELECTION
We are at a crucial moment in shaping the future of Israel and the Jewish people. The World Zionist Congress elections provide a unique opportunity for you to champion the values you hold dear: equality, democracy, pluralism, justice, and peace. We need you to help ensure religious pluralism, women’s rights, LGBTQ+ inclusion, and a path to peace. Your vote directly impacts funding, recognition, and the future of Reform and progressive Judaism in Israel. Cast your ballot for the Vote Reform slate (#3) today! A vote for this slate is also a vote for Rabbi Gorban to be part of the decision-making process in the World Zionist Congress this October. Voting is open from March 10–May 4.
HFLA STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN
The Hebrew Free Loan Association of Washington State (HFLA) will be offering scholarships for Jewish students in Washington for the 2025–2026 academic year. Scholarships may be used by students pursuing higher education for bachelors, vocational, or technical degrees and run up to $6,500. Scholarship applications are open from April 1–30! You can apply here.
INFORMATION
SUPPORT FOR "MY SOCIAL SECURITY" ACCESS
On March 24, 2025, changes to the Social Security identity rules were announced that may affect you or your family. Each recipient must confirm their identity by setting up a "my Social Security" online account or go into an office physically to prove their identity. The Social Security Administration has said you only need to do this if you want to change information. However, there have been several official releases from SSA putting that assertion into question. The safest option is to set up the "my Social Security" online account. If you would like assistance navigating this website, contact info@tbetacoma.org.
JUDAICA SHOP
Please come visit the shop to purchase your favorite Passover food selections! We have matzah, prepared desserts, mixes, and other "Kosher for Passover" foods.
We accept card transactions only. Our 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.
