Cheshvan/Kislev 5780

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

November

• 16 Havdalah & Movie Night
• 25 Super Supper

December

• 15 Coordinating Committee Meeting
• 22 Chanukah Party
• 30 Super Supper

COMMUNITY

Mazal Tov Mazal Tov

• to Terry Cohen and Leo Fried on the engagement of their artist daughter Misty who lives in Ballard.
• to Marilyn Gottlieb who is again showing her striking artwork at the Florence Biennale this fall, and then visiting, with Dan, their daughter Becky who is pursuing Environmental graduate studies at a George Soros university program in Budapest, Hungary.
• to Jill and Greg Onewein on the birth of new granddaughter, Laina Rose, in October, and to their son Harte and his wife Maggie.

A Mishebeirach, with continued prayers for strength and healing to Collyer & Joanna Church

HIGH HOLIDAYS

A heartfelt thank you to all those who helped make our High Holiday services so wonderful this year.

• Rabbi Jen who worked hard to prepare and lead services with our theme of “Renewal, Resilience, and Joy” making them truly meaningful and inspiring
• Robin Hruska who worked with her so thoughtfully and seamlessly
• Dee Axelrod and Terry Cohen who worked with heart and dedication with the Kugelettes
• Kugs themselves for their many hours of practice, and their instrumental accompanists, Jon Garfunkel and Paul Travis
• those who read poems or readings or shared their personal experiences and insights
• our marvelous chanters of Kol Nidre, Carol Shakow and Dee Axelrod, and instrumental “chanter” Bill Rappaport

• our shofar blowers Jeff Brown and Dan Gottlieb
• those who helped create sacred spaces for our services at Seabold Hall
• Carol Shakow and Mel Leiman who hosted a vibrant discussion in their home
• Linda and Dick Golden who led a sweet Meditation and moving Yizkor in their home along with Jen
• Jon Garfunkle, Michele Lyons and Sharon Rutzick for the photographs
• all who pitched in with set-up, clean up, rousing participation, bountiful desserts and Break-Fast deliciousness. 

We look forward to continuing this theme throughout the year ahead and are very grateful to Jen for helping inspire us to continue this conversation.

Rabbi Jen had many wonderful references to books, podcasts, etc. in her services this High Holidays. She has kindly written us a quick synopsis of some of her talking points and given us reference sheet so you can explore some of her readings and materials on your own. Following is her letter.

Resources from Rabbi Jen on Resilience, Renewal and Joy from My Yom Kippur Remarks

The question for all of us is: how do we ensure that we make ourselves into people who care about more than money, who see and know the people and the world around us? How do we ensure that we do not become the Pharaohs of our time?

There are many possible answers, but I’ll reiterate the ones we’ve touched on during these High Holy Days:

Cultivate resilience. Practice gratitude. See the good in the world. Be delighted by something every day—because when the world, and the people in it, give you joy, it’s harder to write them off.

Know the difference between shame and guilt. Shame paralyzes us in pain and resentment. If you often feel shame, find a way to work on it, because none of us—none of us—deserves to be shamed. Read books, journal, meditate, go to therapy. Work on it, so that when you actually do something wrong—as we all do—your teshuvah will bring you closer to the people around you.

Own your brokenness—and your humanity. The quest for perfection is destructive, to ourselves and to others. The more perfect we think we are, the more we judge others as unworthy. When we judge others as unworthy, we stop seeing them.

Cultivate renewal. Make art and music and beautiful things, give expression to your humanity. Seek intimacy and connection, as Moses did when he sojourned in Midian.

Cultivate joy. Enjoy the art, the music, the beauty, the comedy. Laugh, feel wonder, be moved. Feel pleasure in moments of connection with others. feel the pleasure of seeing and being seen, of knowing and being known. If you can, take pleasure in caring for others who cannot care for themselves.

In all these ways (and I’m sure there are many more), we build that reserve of light within us that we can draw upon when life challenges us. These are the ways we don’t become Pharaoh. These are the ways we make ourselves into people who choose good. And these are the ways that we bring healing and holiness into the world.

SUKKOT & SIMCHAT TORAH – thanks to Robin & Mike for hosting!

HAVDALAH & MOVIE NIGHT

Please join us for Havdalah and Movie night at the home of Carol Shakow and Mel Leiman on Saturday, November 16th at 5:30. There will be a Havdalah followed by a potluck and movie. The movie is slated to be Orchestra of Exiles,  the suspenseful chronicle of how one man helped save Europe’s premier Jewish musicians from obliteration by the Nazis during World II. Call 206-567-9414 for event details.

COORDINATING COMMITTEE

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

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

FROM THE IFC

Climate Change and Faith: What can we do?

Climate crisis news is all around us. What does it mean? How should people of faith respond? You may find answers in this series of three events, to be held in November at two different locations on Bainbridge Island. This is your opportunity to interact with experts on this timely topic and hopefully take away practical ideas for action to address climate change. For more information contact Bruce McCain, bbmccain@comcast.net.

 Sunday, November 10, 11 a.m. – Bethany Lutheran – Doug Olson, retired Woodward Middle School science teacher and Bethany member, will introduce the topic of “Climate Change and Faith.”  He, along with retired NOAA scientist Bruce McCain, will focus on the ELCA faith position on climate change. They will also present some basics about what climate change is to set the stage. Bethany Lutheran location –  7968 Finch Road NE, Bainbridge Island

Sunday, November 17, 11 am – Bethany Lutheran – Merry Cockroft, a North Kitsap High School senior and member of Grace Church, has attended the Gore Climate Reality Leadership Corps. She will present a shortened version of that experience, how climate change impacts poor communities and communities of color, as well as speaking about why she is so committed to this, and what actions she has taken in her school. She will share tips on how adults can be allies to the youth movement and support climate activism.

Sunday, November 24, 7 p.m. – Grace Church – Speakers will be Dr. Gary Lagerloef of Bainbridge Island, physical oceanographer and founder of Earth and Space Research, and Dr. Robert Bindschadler of Quilcene, retired NASA glaciologist, whose career focused on understanding behavior of glaciers and ice sheets in Earth’s environment. Their talks will focus on recent findings in their respective environmental specialties—glaciers and ice sheet melt (Robert) and oceans (Gary). Both speakers will also share their experience and recommendations from local activism, including the Citizens’ Climate Advisory Committee for the City of Bainbridge Island (Gary). Gary can also speak to how to discuss this topic with people of a very different mindset.   Grace Episcopal location – 8595 NE Day Rd., Bainbridge Island

HAPPENING IN SEATTLE

A HISTORIC EVENING WITH EVA SCHLOSS, STEPSISTER OF ANNE FRANK

Survivors of the Holocaust will all soon be gone… but will their stories of tolerance, diversity, and triumph live on?

Hillel is partnering with Chabad UW to host a historic event: An opportunity for the UW community to hear the story of noted speaker and author, Eva Schloss, a Holocaust survivor and stepsister of Anne Frank.

Eva will be joined on stage by University of Washington President, Ana Mari Cauce, who will lead the conversation.

A young 90-year-old woman, Eva Schloss will be traveling here from London to give the crowd a real face-to-face encounter with someone who represents courage in the face of all odds, fortitude, positivity and so many more values that are priceless in today’s society.

This event marks a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for students, staff, faculty and community members to hear firsthand from a Holocaust survivor.

Eva Schloss will speak at 7 p.m. Nov. 5 in the Husky Union Building at the University of Washington. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. There will be a VIP reception at 6 p.m. Tickets: $25 for general admission; $50 for general admission and a presigned book; $180 for preferred seating; $360 for VIP seating. Tickets are free for UW students. Information: https://www.evaschlossuw.com/

LECH LECHA, GO FORTH: FIGHT FOR IMMIGRANTS’ FREEDOM

Immigrant Bond Fundraiser
When: November 16, 2019, 6:30-9pm
Where: Bet Alef Meditative Synagogue at Seattle First Baptist Church
1111 Harvard Ave. Seattle 98122
Event Information contact: goforth@jcijnw.org

When ICE detains immigrants, they’re held in prison-like conditions for months unless they can post a bond for as much as $25,000 or more. This creates a hardship for families and communities. Many detained immigrants just give up and allow themselves to be deported, even if they have a good chance to win their cases.

Your tax deductible donation to Fair Fight Immigrant Bond Fund gives them a fighting chance. Individuals have an estimated 70% increased chance of winning their case if they are bonded out of detention. Your help will enable detained immigrants to be freed from the horrendous conditions in detention, go back to their lives and be reunited with their families while their cases are pending.

Prefer to donate by Check? Please make checks payable to WAISN, write Fair Fight Bond Fund/JCIJNW in the memo and mail to:

WAISN
13838 1st Ave S
Burien WA 98168
For any donation-related questions please email info@waisn.org.