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 17, 2025 / 19 Nisan 5785
Volume 23, No. 28
TORAH READING
Pesach VII
Exodus 14:1-4; 15:1-21
Maftir
Numbers 28:19-25
Haftarah
II Samuel 22:1-51
Candle Lighting
7:45 p.m.
SERVICE SCHEDULE
EREV SHABBAT & LAST NIGHT PASSOVER SERVICE (multi-access) Friday, April 18, 6:30 p.m.
Everyone is invited to join us online or in person for an Erev Shabbat and last night Passover service led by Rabbi Gorban and Raymond Zachary. Join us at 5:45 p.m., before the service, for an oneg held in the social hall!
TORAH STUDY, SEVENTH DAY PASSOVER SERVICE & YIZKOR (multi-access) Saturday, April 19, 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 is followed by our festival morning service for the Seventh Day of Passover, beginning at 10:00 a.m. The service will include the festival prayers, Torah and Haftarah readings, and prayers for Yizkor when we remember our loved ones. At the conclusion of the service, the community is invited to join us in the social hall for a potluck pescatarian kiddush luncheon.
YOM HASHOAH SERVICE Wednesday, April 23, 7:00 p.m.
Join us next Wednesday for a Yom HaShoah service led by Rabbi Gorban.
UPCOMING EVENTS
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.
BUILDING COMMITTEE MEETING Sunday, April 20, 12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.
All temple members are invited to attend. If you have an interest in architecture, interior design, or facilities management—or just want to ensure our beloved temple serves our community for generations—please join in to share your views and ideas! The committee has begun a list of varying capital projects for the integrity and enhancement of our building and has started looking into contractors and possible costs. For further information, contact Jani Doctor, committee chair, at (253) 223-4705 or jani@tripsnships.com.
INTERFAITH DIALOGUE ON THE POWER OF SPEECH Thursday, May 1, 7:00 p.m.
Our local faith communities are coming together in the spirit of relationship-building to strengthen both our congregations and the Greater Tacoma community. All are invited to temple's social hall for an evening of short presentations, table conversations, and group discussions on the power of speech. In a time when public discourse can often divide, we’ll reflect on the power of speech for us both as individuals and as communities of faith. The presenters will be Rabbi Keren Gorban (Temple Beth El), Imam Abdulhakim Mohamed (The Islamic Center of Tacoma), and Rev. Briana Merkle (St. Mark’s by the Narrows). Coffee, tea, and light desserts will be provided. We hope you join us for this important and ever-relevant conversation! If you have any questions, get in touch with Rabbi Gorban at rabbi@tbetacoma.org.
SECOND ANNUAL BELC FUNDRAISER Saturday, May 3, 5:30–9:00 p.m.
Join us for an unforgettable Great Gatsby-themed 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 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! RSVP before April 23 to take part in this glamorous night—grab a ticket for yourself or reserve a table for friends at a discounted rate by clicking here!
ASSOCIATED MINISTRIES' LEAD THE WAY HOME BREAKFAST Wednesday, May 7, 7:30–8:30 a.m.
Please join Rabbi Gorban at our 13th Lead the Way Home fundraising breakfast! Come gather with great people, eat yummy food, and support Associated Ministries' efforts to provide resources necessary to house Pierce County families. Register at this link. When you register, type Rabbi Gorban’s name or Temple Beth El in the "seat me with" prompt. We hope to see you there!
OPPORTUNITIES
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
JUDAICA SHOP
The shop accepts card transactions only, and will be open on the following days for the remainder of April:
– Friday, April 18, 5:30–6:30 p.m.
– Wednesday, April 23, 4:30–6:30 p.m.
– Friday, April 25, 5:30–6:30 p.m.
– Sunday, April 27, 11:30 a.m.–12:30 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.
