Elul 5779 / Tishrei 5780

Call 206-567-9414 for event details or see our online calendar here.

September

• 6 Shabbat & Kaddish for Shelia Eskin
• 21 International Day of Peace
• 22 CROP Hunger Walk
• 29 Erev Rosh Hashanah
• 30 Rosh Hashanah

October

• 5 Yahrzeit for Anne Vandervelde Stern
• 8 Erev Yom Kippur
• 9 Yom Kippur
• 20 Sukkot
• 20 Coordinating Committee Meeting
• 28 Super Supper

SHABBAT & KADDISH FOR SHELIA ESKIN

Shir Hayam extends our deepest condolences to the Brown family on the loss of Jeff’s mother, Shelia Eskin, who passed away Friday, August 23 in Philadelphia. There was a memorial service there, but Denise and Rachel were not able to attend, so the family is hosting a Shabbat in her honor.

The observance will be Friday, Sept 6 at 6:30 pm at the Brown home, 7989 NE Walden Lane Bainbridge Island. Candle lighting will be followed by dinner, after which we will say Kaddish and sing a few songs.

HIGH HOLIDAYS 5780

As the High Holidays approach, Shir Hayam looks forward to having Rabbi Jen Clayman lead us in our time of reflection and prayer. This year’s theme is Resilience, Renewal, and Joy. See Rabbi Jen’s letter in this newsletter for her fuller elaboration of the topic.

Ruach was unable to reserve the Fil-Am Hall this year, but fortunately, the very cozy Seabold Hall was available. With a few exceptions specifically noted in the schedule below, all activities will take place at Seabold. Hope to see you there!

SERVICES AT SEABOLD HALL

14450 Komedal Rd NE, Bainbridge Island

Erev Rosh Hashanah Service: Sunday, September 29 at 6:30 pm, followed by the traditional dessert potluck

Rosh Hashanah Day Service: Monday, September 30 at 9 am. Because of a regularly scheduled activity at Seabold, we must be cleaned up and out by 12 noon. Discussion and Tashlich will follow at other locations.

Brown paper bag lunch / Discussion and Learning: Following the morning service at Carol Shakow and Mel Leiman’s house.

Tashlich: Monday, September 30 at 3:15 at Waterfront Park dock in Winslow

Kol Nidre / Erev Yom Kippur Service: Tuesday, October 8 at 7 pm (at Seabold)

Yom Kippur Morning Service: Wednesday, October 9 at 9 am (at Seabold)

Yiskor Service: at the home of Linda and Dick Golden. Arrive at 2:30 for an optional guided meditation session, or 3 pm for Yiskor.

Neilah Closing Service: Wednesday, October 9 at 6 pm (at Seabold), followed by our traditional Break-the-Fast potluck

MESSAGE FROM RABBI JEN CLAYMAN

Dear Friends,

As I write this, it’s almost Rosh Chodesh Elul, the beginning of the month of preparation leading up to the High Holy Days. I’m looking forward to coming back to beautiful Bainbridge Island and seeing you all again.

For this year’s High Holy Days, Ruach has chosen the theme “Resilience, Renewal and Joy.” Why? Because, as Robin H. said to me, resilience, which we focused on last year, is still relevant given the times we’re living in; renewal encompasses the process of approaching life in these times with intention; and joy is an outcome we’d all like to get to, even as we live with pain and fear. I add the following to this wonderful theme: resilience is the ability to go on in the face of tragedy, loss and fear; renewal is the ability to see, and create, good in the world; and joy is the pleasure we take in that good, created by others and ourselves.

Like many of us, I sometimes find the aspirations of this theme challenging to achieve. Though escape often looks inviting, the challenge has actually been a fruitful one; it has forced me to seek out sources of inspiration, both within and beyond Judaism. I’m looking forward to sharing some of these with you during the holidays.

Please let me know directly if you would like to read Torah, give a talk or share some words of inspiration during the High Holidays. One of the things I’ve enjoyed most about Shir Hayam services the last two years is hearing all of your voices. You can reach me at jclayman18@gmail.com.

Blessings, and Shanah Tovah,

Jen

YAHRZEIT FOR ANNE VANDERVELDE STERN

The Vandervelde Stern family will hold a Yahrzeit remembrance for their beloved daughter and sister Anne at Seabold Cemetery at 1 pm, Saturday October 5.

TIKKUN OLAM

CROP HUNGER WALK – Sunday, September 22, 2 pm at Eagle Harbor Congregational Church. (We will not be holding a Restaurant Day this year.)

Here’s how we are changing lives – through the CROP Hunger Walk!

Locally – 20% of all we raise goes to the Helpline House Food Bank, 5% goes to the Fishline Food Bank in Poulsbo.

Nationally & Internationally – the money is used in partnership with local organizations to support hunger fighting projects, and disaster relief; e.g. Hurricane Harvey.

Church World Services has been very vocal on social media defending immigration and refugee programs.

Join the Shir Hayam CROP Hunger Walk Team today! Click here where you can join the Team or Donate. Contact Denise Brown for more information.

COMMUNITY

Longtime Atlanta Symphony veteran, our own Bill Rappaport, joined gypsy jazz combo Ranger and the Re-Arrangers on clarinet for an August 30 outdoor concert at Bainbridge Performing Arts. The evening was perfect, and quite a few chavurah members were among those enjoying beautiful jazz, swing, and folk on the lawn, or, in some cases, on their feet. (Lookin’ at you, Terry and Leo!)

COORDINATING COMMITTEE

Upcoming Coordinating Committee meetings are as shown below. All members are welcome at CC meetings.

• Sunday 10/20 10 am – Mike’s
• Sunday 12/15 10 am – Sharon’s
• Sunday 2/9 10 am – Carol’s

HAPPENING ON BAINBRIDGE

All are invited to join in Sunrise Prayers for Peace at Fay Bainbridge Park’s Waterside Pavilion, 6:45 – 9 am, Saturday, September 21. This event is sponsored by the Interfaith Council of Bainbridge Island – North Kitsap, and is in celebration of the United Nations International Day of Peace. Bring your prayers and hopes for peace to share with others. Potluck brunch to follow; coffee, tea, and juice will be provided.