The Short Schrift. Member Engagement Initiative Update. TBH Board

Transcription

1 The Short Schrift November 2015 Cheshvan - Kislev, 5776 TBH Board President Julie Frank Vice President Laura Schrager Treasurer Gary Schneider Secretary Erin Syversen Members at Large Judith Barnes Allyson Brooks Tikva Glantz Mike Krasnokutsky Harriet Strasberg Len Trabka Youth Ed Rep Bat-Sheva Stein Contact Us (Phone) (Fax) tbh@bethhatfiloh.org th Ave. SE Olympia WA Rabbi Seth Goldstein rabbi@bethhatfiloh.org Director of Family Life and Learning Catherine Carmel beitsefer@bethhatfiloh.org Community Engagement Coordinator Kirsten Williamson tbh@bethhatfiloh.org Member Engagement Initiative Update Courtesy of Charles Shelan I want to thank all 104 TBH members and friends for completing the recent Member Engagement survey. We were very pleased with the breadth and scope of activities that our Jewish community offers and the survey results reinforce active participation. We had many survey respondents offer to step forward to help organize an activity for this year. The most prevalent new activities that survey respondents wanted to participate in include: Going on an outing such as an art museum, baseball game or bowling Having a dinner and attending a play together Attending a lecture or discussion at TBH Participating in an outdoor activity Attending an arts and crafts class or a game night Listed on the next page are the survey results. Please peruse them and if a particular activity inspires you, please feel free to volunteer to either organize or assist in organizing a specified activity by responding to me, Charles Shelan, at cshelan@comcast.net. I will try to help you and I'll put you in touch with other people that indicated interest in the activity. And, I look forward to having you join me on a TBH ski trip this winter! Host baskets for the October Shabbat at Home dinner. Turn to page 3 for more information on the program. Photo by Rabbi Seth Goldstein. Short Schrift: November 2015 Page 1 Cheshvan - Kislev, 5776

2 Member Engagement Initiative Update (cont d) Survey Results 1. First, tell us some things you are already participating in at TBH: 69 High Holiday Services 19 Film Series 8 Tot Shabbat/PJ Library 49 Friday night services 14 Beit Sefer/Ivreet 8 Talmud Study 45 Summer picnic 13 Torah Study 7 Book Group 40 Blintzapolooza 13 Senior Schmooze 7 Adult Hebrew classes 30 Community Passover Seder 12 Tikkun Olam Activities 6 Stars of David Softball team 20 Hanukkah party 10 Jewish with Meaning 2. Next, check the activities that you are interested in attending: 73 Going to a lecture or discussion at TBH 48 Eating out and seeing a play or movie with other TBHers a few times a year 43 Going on an outing with other TBHers (18 Bowling, 25 Art Museum, 25 Baseball game) 43 Going to a TBHer's house for Shabbat dinner 35 Attending an arts and crafts class 34 Attending a social gathering at TBH with music, dancing, cash bar 29 Attending a game night or Bingo 25 Outdoor activities with TBHers (35 Hiking; 17 Bike Ride; 25 Kayaking; 17 Skiing, snowshoeing or cross-country) 14 Gathering for empty nesters 13 Participating in an adult bar/bat mitzvah class 2 Gathering for young adults 3. In the coming year, we need volunteers in many areas. Please check those things that you might be able to help with: 36 Helping with Blintzapalooza 22 Volunteering in the office 22 Cataloging books in the adult and children's libraries 21 Hosting a Shabbat dinner in your home 19 Hosting a dinner for a new or prospective chaver in your home 15 Helping plan the Northwest regional Shabbaton 12 Being on-site for the occasional rental of the TBH building 16 Helping with the Film Series (set-up, take-down, refreshments) 9 Giving a d'var Torah at services 4. We would like to know who you are so that we can follow up with you. Are you currently a chaver (member) of TBH? 75 Yes 27 No What is your age? 3 Under Age Age Over 60 Do you have children under 18? 23 Yes 77 No Want to help organize an activity for this year? Please contact Charles Shelan at cshelan@comcast.net. Short Schrift: November 2015 Page 2 Cheshvan - Kislev, 5776

3 A note from the President Proactive Shabbat Dinners Yum and I had no idea. Many of us who attended the Friday night services on the 23rd might have been amazed at how fulfilling a one-hour service could be. It was pretty good. A one-hour service you say? We had and will continue to have services from 6-7pm on the 4th Friday of the month so folks can gather together afterwards for a nice Shabbat dinner. In October, to introduce the idea, Nancy Snyder worked her magic and organized people, challah, wine and useful ritual options for a seamless experience. At our house we ended up with 10 around the table and not only was it a delicious potluck, I enjoyed getting to know folks who are both new and seasoned TBH members. How do we keep this up? Well, we need to be proactive. Our new Community Engagement Coordinator (CEC for short) Kirsten Williamson, is collecting names of people who want to host and be hosted for 4th Friday Shabbat at Home evenings. Feel free to let her know of your interest by (tbh@bethhatfiloh.org), phone or in person if you are at TBH. And don't be shy about reaching out to others you would like to know better and organizing a dinner on your own. Thanks to everyone who participated in the October evening, and to the other hosts Robert Perretz- Rosales, Melinda Holman and Barnett Kalikow, Erin Syversen, Catherine Carmel, Julie Kinn, and Tikva Glantz. A big thanks to the Ritual Committee members for their thoughtfulness and to Nancy Snyder for all of her planning and doing to grow our community's connectedness. L shalom, Julie Hanukkah Shop Opening Soon Opening on Wednesday, November 11 Hanukkah is fast approaching and TBH has everything you will need to celebrate! We will be selling several different types of candles, dreidels, and gelt. This year we are featuring a new product: beeswax candles! Contact the TBH office at tbh@bethhatfiloh.org for more information. Short Schrift: November 2015 Page 3 Cheshvan - Kislev, 5776

4 Tikkun Olam 2015 Winter Clothing and Blanket Drive November 1 - December 25 Even though the weather has been warmer than usual, people on the streets need warmth. Please donate: jackets, hats, gloves, socks, scarves, sweaters, fleece, and blankets. Bring clean, gently used items from home or from the Goodwill/Value Village or buy new items to donate. Drop your donations off in the containers in the TBH sanctuary lobby. These items will be donated to the St. Michel s Parish/St. Vincent de Paul Clothing Bank. The Bank is open to everyone on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 9:00-11:30 a.m. and on Thursdays from 6:30-8:00 p.m. High Holiday Food Drive Update We received an additional $350 in monetary donations to the Thurston County Food Bank. Thank you! Volunteer Opportunity: FORKids Packing Tuesday, November 10, 3:30-5:30 p.m. Throughout the school calendar year, we will be filling bag lunches for the Food Bank s FORKids Program. In October we increased the number of TBH volunteers from only two members in September to seven but we still need more volunteers! Please bring family members, children, siblings, and friends with you. We are now packing at the Tumwater Food Bank Warehouse located at 2260 Mottman Rd. SW. If you have any questions, contact Elie Halpern at ehalpern@aol.com. Film Series: Never Forget Sunday, November 1, 7:00 p.m. In the 1991 film Never Forget, Leonard Nimoy stars as Mel Mermelstein, a Nazi death camp survivor who wages a court battle against the revisionist Institute for Historical Review over their claims that the Holocaust never occurred. Noted at the time of Nimoy s death in 2015 as one of his most powerful performances. Also stars Dabney Coleman and Blythe Danner. (94 minutes) Free admission, donations encouraged. This screening is part of our ongoing Film Series. On December 5 we will be showing The Matchmaker (2010). You can find the complete list of upcoming films on our website. Short Schrift: November 2015 Page 4 Cheshvan - Kislev, 5776

5 Family Life and Learning Director Catherine Carmel As we hear heartbreaking stories of escalating violence in Israel, our Torah cycle draws us closer to the story of brothers Jacob and Esau. Rather than recap the story entirely, I want to fast forward to parashah Vayishlach. After 20 years, Jacob prepares to return home and face his estranged brother, Esau. They had not parted on good terms. Esau vowed to kill his brother for stealing their father's blessing. On his journey messengers inform him that Esau approaches, "accompanied by four hundred men" (Genesis 32:7), with motives unknown to Jacob. Thus, "Jacob was terrified. So anxious was he," (Genesis 32:8), scared for his safety in the face of what Esau might do. The emotion of fear is a healthy response to a dangerous situation, but how we choose to act on our fear can make all the difference in our lives. The Hebrew word yirah means both to fear and to see. They represent opposite sides of a situation, we fear what we cannot see. Our fears turn people into monsters. When we face those fears, we can see the monsters are actually more human. Jacob is afraid as he returns home. When he left, he was a young man. He returns as an adult, not knowing if or how these past twenty years have changed his brother. He cannot see if his life is still in danger so he feels fear. We are told that by facing his fear of his brother, Jacob is able to return home and live a peaceful life side-by-side with the one he feared most. Fear made him run away, but facing that fear allowed him to return home. Esau also chose a difficult path though. He welcomed his brother and forgave him for stealing their father's blessing. An act of forgiveness that powerful has to be equally terrifying. Forgiveness requires us to set aside our pain and our sense that justice requires a reciprocal action. It requires the wisdom and courage to value something greater than ourselves and act for the benefit of community. These two acts of bravery allowed brothers to live together in peace. I hope their example will inspire those in Israel to have the courage to face each other with forgiveness in the interest of peace. L shalom, Mezuzah Workshop Thursday, November 19, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Make gifts for Hanukkah! The workshop fee is $18, payable to TBH. Class size limited to 15, adults and kids welcome. Rabbi Seth will teach about the mezuzah and TBH member and glass artist Leslie Goldstein will show how to make your own fused glass mezuzah case. After the workshop, Leslie will fuse and slump the mezuzah cases in her kiln, and they will be ready before Hanukkah. Please register in advance by ing Leslie at lagoldstein@comcast.net or tbh@bethhatfiloh.org. All materials, tools, and snacks provided. Short Schrift: November 2015 Page 5 Cheshvan - Kislev, 5776

6 Erev Shabbat Services at 7:30 p.m. (except November 27 which starts at 6:00 p.m.) CHOIR SERVICE 1st Friday, November 6 7:30 p.m. Join us in celebrating Shabbat and the return of the choir! Beginning November 6, the choir will resume their regular 1st Friday Shabbat service schedule. EARLY SERVICE 4th Friday, November 27 6:00-7:30 p.m. There will not be an oneg following this service to allow for a Shabbat at Home dinner. If you d like to host or be hosted, please contact the office. Shabbat Morning Activities TOT SHABBAT 1st Saturday, November 7 9:30-10:30 a.m. All tots (ages 0-6) and their grown-ups, friends, and families are invited to celebrate Shabbat together with song, story, movement, and prayer. Tot Shabbat usually runs about 45 minutes, with snack following. JEWISH WITH MEANING 1st Saturday, November 7 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Join us to explore, expand, and develop your connection with spirituality within the Jewish tradition. Bring something to share for the potluck brunch if you are able. All are welcome. For more information contact Nancy Snyder at snyderoly@aol.com. TORAH STUDY 2nd Saturday, November 14 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. (Meditation at 9:15 a.m.) Prayer and study are equally holy activities and we will do both. We ll share a Shabbat brunch and study the Torah together. Food is provided. All are invited. No experience is necessary! MUSSAR MORNING & SERVICE 3rd Saturday, November 21 Mussar 9:30-10:30 a.m. Mussar is the Jewish school of thought which seeks to root personal character development and right behavior in Jewish tradition and text. We meet monthly to share some food and learn more about this tradition and how it may benefit our lives. Service 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Following Mussar study, we hold Shabbat morning services with Torah reading and discussion. This service is often lay-led. Contact Rabbi Seth if you would like a role in the service. TALMUD STUDY 4th Saturday, November 28 9:30-11:30 a.m. The Talmud is a compendium of law and lore that is the basis on which biblical interpretation and contemporary Jewish practice rest. Rabbi Seth will lead us as we dive deep into this complex text. No background required. Short Schrift: November 2015 Page 6 Cheshvan - Kislev, 57766

7 Senior Schmooze Tuesday, November 3, 12:00 p.m. Seniors (define yourself!) are invited to meet at noon in the Social Hall on the first Tuesday of each month. Steve Leavitt will present on The Olympics, Jewish Athletes, Maccabean Games and Israel. Dessert will be provided. Please get in touch with Elie Halpern at if you have questions or would like to volunteer. Happy Birthday, Yom Huledet Sameach November 1 Andrea Lipper 2 Maxine Dunkelman 3 Erin Syversen 5 Evan Ferber 9 Gail Wish 9 Steven Wish 13 Mona Hahn 15 Nita Posner 16 Marv Reiner 18 Raven Lidman 18 Cobie Whitten 26 Elizabeth Siegel 27 Yohanna Kinberg 28 Paul Paroff 29 Stan Shore Rabbi 360 Check out Rabbi Seth s blog for his weekly message and other teachings! November 1 Ronald Brooks 1 Dolores Franco- Hurtado 2 Esther Schwartz 2 Richard Stusser 4 Arthur Bacon 4 Joseph Rosenblum 5 Eleazar Brown 7 Esther Pollack 8 Rose Robinson Margolis 10 Leroy Hittle 10 Mary Parker 11 Walter Benjamin Reichman 12 Artie Browning 12 Zelda Sarah Nudelman 12 Charlotte Grotsky Reichman Yahrzeits These names will be read from the bimah at Shabbat services before and after the yahrzeit. Bold type denotes those inscribed on a plaque on our Memorial Wall. Bridge Club 14 David Soule 15 Selma Soule 17 Ruth Jaffe Farber 18 Benjamin Rome 19 Charles Friedman 20 Mitchell Mogal 21 Bernard Shelan 21 Jack Snyder 22 Donald Heptner 23 Rose Packer 23 Etta Stern 24 Besse Klotz 25 Marcheta Bean 25 Esther Blustein 27 Adlaide Bamberger 27 Esther Silverman 27 Judith Lyon Smith 29 Margaret Urstadt 29 Meir Lotate 30 Harry Robinson 2nd & 4th Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m. Players of all experience levels welcome! For more information, contact Jane Blustein at mjhh2000@comcast.net Database: Judith Barnes Finances: Judith Barnes, Gary Schneider Oneg Coordination: Gail Pollock Torah Study Oneg Host: Leslie Goldstein Senior Schmooze Presenter: Tikva Glantz FORKids Volunteers: Beth Dubey, Bernie Friedman, Jessi and Reina Goodman, Carla Thank You Volunteers Michalove, Susan and Norman Randall, Laura Schrager Friday Night Oneg Hosts: friends and family of Albany Nelson, Scott Royer and Julie Frank, Jim Stevenson Short Schrift: November 2015 Page 7 Cheshvan - Kislev, 5776

8 Book Group Tuesday, November 17, 7:00 p.m. This month we are discussing A Backpack, A Bear, and Eight Crates of Vodka by Lev Golinkin. The author left the Ukraine at the age of 9. This book is his memoir, a hilarious and heartbreaking story of a Jewish family s escape from oppression.whose drama, hope and heartache Mr. Golinkin captures brilliantly (NYT: William Grimes). The Book Group meets the third Tuesday of the month. If you have questions, contact Laura Schrager at shilanski@aol.com. Thank You for Your Contributions Sustaining Fund Edith Rutel Jill Rosenkrantz and Jay Goldstein Sam Rayor Tali Waterman Rabbi s Discretionary Fund Ariel Waxman Lori Katz Nancy Koppelman Rich Kalman Stephen Bean High Holidays Aaron Wolfman Camille Kettel Dana Wilcox Deborah Greenwood Donna Mayer Esther Kronenberg James Dolliver Karelina Resnick Nicholas Parker Pamela and John Zyck Sandra Elliot Memorial Fund Carolyn Lakewold and Fred Goldberg Corinne McGrady Edie and Ben Bean Marcia David and Howard Goldberg Raven and Russell Lidman Ronda Friedman Tivka and Cliff Glantz Goldberg Fund Marcia David and Howard Goldberg Mary de Jesus Nicholas Parker Stacy and Evan Hirsch PJ Library Fund Sara Eve Sarliker Short Schrift: November 2015 Page 8 Cheshvan - Kislev, 5776