Short Schrift: November 2015 Page 1 Cheshvan - Kislev, 5776
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 [email protected]. 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!
November 2015 Cheshvan - Kislev, 5776
The Short SchriftThe Short Schrift 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
360-754-8519
(Phone)
360-528-2046 (Fax) [email protected]
www.bethhatfiloh.org
201 8th Ave. SE
Olympia WA 98501
Rabbi Seth Goldstein [email protected]
Director of Family
Life and Learning
Catherine Carmel [email protected]
Community
Engagement
Coordinator
Kirsten Williamson
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 2 Cheshvan - Kislev, 5776
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 30 13 Age 30-45 35 Age 46-60 51 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 [email protected].
Short Schrift: November 2015 Page 3 Cheshvan - Kislev, 5776
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 email ([email protected]), 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 [email protected] for more
information.
Short Schrift: November 2015 Page 4 Cheshvan - Kislev, 5776
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 [email protected].
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 2015-2016 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 5 Cheshvan - Kislev, 5776
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,
Family Life and Learning Director Catherine Carmel
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 emailing Leslie at [email protected] or [email protected]. All materials, tools, and snacks provided.
Short Schrift: November 2015 Page 6 Cheshvan - Kislev, 5776
TORAH STUDY
MUSSAR MORNING & SERVICE
TALMUD STUDY
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.
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.
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!
6
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 [email protected].
Shabbat Morning Activities
Erev Shabbat Services at 7:30 p.m.
(except November 27 which starts at 6:00 p.m.)
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.
TOT SHABBAT
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.
Short Schrift: November 2015 Page 7 Cheshvan - Kislev, 5776
Bridge Club
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.
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
Yahrzeits
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
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 [email protected]
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 [email protected] if you have questions or would like to
volunteer.
Thank You Volunteers
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
Michalove, Susan and Norman Randall,
Laura Schrager
Friday Night Oneg Hosts: friends and family of
Albany Nelson, Scott Royer and Julie Frank,
Jim Stevenson
Happy Birthday,
Yom Huledet Sameach
Rabbi 360
Check out Rabbi Seth’s
blog for his weekly
message and other
teachings!
www.rabbi360.wordpress.com
Short Schrift: November 2015 Page 8 Cheshvan - Kislev, 5776
Book Group
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
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 [email protected].