Adar/Nissan 5781

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March (all virtual Zoom Room gatherings)

• 6 Shabbat Morning Meditation
• 8 Kugelettes
• 14 Suquamish Elder Barbara Lawrence
• 14 SJFF Movie Discussion “The Crossing”
• 19 Shabbat
• 20 SJFF Movie Discussion “Winter Journey”
• 22 Kugelettes
• 27 Zoom Passover Seder

April (all virtual Zoom Room gatherings)

• 3 Shabbat Morning Meditation
• 5 Kugelettes
• Shabbat
• 18 Coordinating Committee Meeting
• 19 Kugelettes

WEBSITE CHANGES

You might have noticed that the Shir Hayam website looks a little different. The Community Presence Committee is in the process of installing a new theme, updating the pages, and making some other changes. It’s a work in progress and we will let you know as new areas are completed.

COMMUNITY

Many of us remember Steven Weinberg and his wife Sheila Broatch and daughter Ari from the early days of the chavurah.  Steven taught English in several Seattle schools, always had a sparkle, and was a wonderful, enthusiastic, unique, kind man who was a joy to meet on the ferry or in Winslow.  He died here at home on February 13, way too young, and will be missed by all of us who knew him.  May memories of him and his life always be a blessing.

SHABBAT MORNING MEDITATION

Dick and Linda will once again lead us in meditation Saturday, March 6th 9-9:30 am. It is a wonderful, intimate gathering and a lovely way to start your morning & your month. In the Shir Hayam Zoom Room.

WE WELCOME SUQUAMISH ELDER BARBARA LAWRENCE

At a time when white nationalism is on the rise, Shir Hayam is ramping up engagement with issues of social justice and diversity at the ground level. One effort underway is outreach to strengthen ties with the Suquamish Tribe, our Indigenous neighbors.

On Sunday March 14 at 11 AM Shir Hayam welcomes Suquamish Tribal elder Barbara Lawrence. Barbara was for years the Suquamish Museum’s official story-teller and is currently the Tribe’s Outreach Coordinator. Her talk will feature Suquamish history, geography, art and herbal lore. She will share Suquamish stories, and speak to her Tribe’s deep and abiding connection to their ancestral land. 

The Shir Hayam community has offered support to the bereaved family of Stonechild Chiefstick in the form of a donation to help underwrite a memorial the family plans to build. Chiefstick, an enrolled Chippewa Cree and cherished member of the extended Suquamish Tribal community, was killed by a Poulsbo police officer on July 3, 2019.  Chiefstick is buried in Seabold Cemetery, and so his gravesite is adjacent to Shir Hayam’s plots there. 

CULTURAL EVENTS

 Dinner and a Movie (Discussion) 

We are setting up two zoom discussions for films from the upcoming 
Seattle Jewish Film Festival. Purchase tickets here: https://seattlejewishfilmfestival.org/festival/tickets-box-office

1. The Crossing –  Adventurous 10-year-old Gerda and brother Otto discover two Jewish children hiding in their basement and embark on a courageous journey to reunite them with their parents. Sunday, March 14 watch the movie at 5 pm and join the discussion at 7 pm in the Shir Hayam Zoom Room.

  2. Winter Journey – An intimate story of family secrets and a father-son interview, remarkably illustrated through archival images, footage, and actual conversations. Bruno Ganz (WINGS OF DESIRE) delivers a sublime and vulnerable performance as the father in his final role. Watch anytime between March 17 7 pm – March 20 7 pm. Discussion Saturday March 20 at 7 pm in the Shir Hayam Zoom Room. For more information and to register see link to Seattle Jewish Film Festival below. 

SHABBAT

Shabbat Evening March 19th at 5:30  On the edge of Spring, Jill Onewein will lead us in this month’s Shabbat. Look forward to kiddush and a discussion  based on this week’s parsha, Vayikra. 

We will send out 2 readings prior to the service from Rabbi Jonathan Sachs and also from Shefa Gold’s book, Torah Journeys. Rabbi Gold brings a modern and relevant interpretation of Vayikra, which is traditionally about sacrifice.  Jonathan Sacks commentary about Hope and Optimism is also quite illuminating. Reading these two articles ahead of time will help you jump right in to the discussion. The 2 photographs you see here will allow us to enter into the spirit of spring and rebirth. Hope to see you there in the Shir Hayam Zoom Room.

PASSOVER

PASSOVER IS COMING! Save the date – Saturday, March 27th.
This March, just like last year, we will celebrate Passover in our Shir Hayam Zoom room. The Ruach Committee is putting together a Passover evening as lovely as we all shared last year. Shir Hayam’s seder will be on the first night, Saturday, March 27. Time:  4-4:30 p.m. Shmooze and catch up with friends. Seder starts at 4:30 p.m. Stay tuned, more information will be coming soon.

PURIM PARTY WRAP UP

What a wonderful Purim Party. Funny, silly, crazy, and true to the spirit of Purim. Not one Megillah, not two Megillahs but 3 Megillahs. Wonderful music, poems & readings from across the country.

Jeff was our stellar MC & Jessica stared us off with a song. Then came the first Megillah with all parts superbly(??!) acted by Paul T., Dick, Linda, Rachel & Jeff.

Music included Jon’s beautiful version of “What’s so Funny About Peace, Love and Understanding?”, Carol’s grandson Theo’s piano solo Tchaikovsky’s “Season’s Suite” (kvelling by all), Cay & Dee’s hysterical “Duetto Buffo di Due Gatti” by Rossini & the talented Rappaport Family’s rendition of “Sunny Side of the Street”.

Robin Simons read her perfect short poem – Ahasuerus, Paul presented a Nelson Mandela reading, & Cay performed her original poem on the writing of Flavius Josephus.

YIDDISHKEIT included “This Land is Your Land” (by the Forverts via YouTube) and a fabulous story called Jek an der Benstuk by Jessica.

We finished up with two Megillah Poems read by Nina Rogozen & Robin Hruska. Thanks to everyone who planned the party, added their talents and to all those who attended.

COORDINATING COMMITTEE

Report from the Coordinating Committee

Shir Hayam’s Coordinating Committee (CC) met February 21, 2021. Among the topics covered:

• The Torah loan policy work group has established “conditions of loan,” and now turns to work on the loan process. 
• A Financial Review to be completed before the Annual Meeting. Michele Lyons will work with the Treasurer to conduct the review.  
• Annual membership invitation package to be mailed right after June Annual Meeting. Goal is to publish roster/committee membership by end of the calendar year. 
• Ongoing Jewish Community Watch will track & report antisemitism and other topics of interest
• Each committee will come to CC to talk about activities over the past year and present plans/budget request for the year upcoming.      

Upcoming CC meeting   

April 18 at 10 am – SH members are most welcome to attend. Join us in the SH Zoom Room. Agenda:

• Action Item Review  
• Jewish Community Watch Report (if needed)
• Governance Document Update Plan
• Financial Guidelines Scope 
• Member Categories/Definition Input results
• Annual Mtg Prep (5 comms total over next few meetings)
• Ruach Committee and Cemetery Committee present 

COMMITTEE COMMUNICATIONS CORNER

To keep everyone aware of the good work being done by our chavurah’s Standing Committees, and help us all be more informed when we hear from them at the Annual Meeting in June, each committee will provide a short summary of its accomplishments and plans in the newsletter in the next couple of months. This month we hear from the Community Presence Committee! 

Community Presence Committee 

The Community Presence Committee (CPC) has been very busy this year; the CPC members include Denise Brown, Rachel Kerbrat, Michael Orr & Paul Travis. Among the items we’ve undertaken are:  setting up a Zoom account and facilitating access for all Shir Hayam Zoom Room events, designing a new & improved website, updating our Facebook page, setting up a PayPal account, undertaking a social media survey, placing advertising in local papers for High Holidays, and creating a new logo with talented help from Roscoe Rappaport. Next year, once the website overhaul is complete, we are looking to redesign our printed brochures, complete the task of setting up a new online members-only area, working with committees & the membership to introduce the new online area, help with event advertising, maintaining  Shir Hayam’s online presence and increasing our presence in the community where possible. If you have any questions or you think you would like to join the committee, please reach out to cpc@shirhayam.org.

HAPPENING ONLINE

WHAT YOU DO MATTERS

The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum cordially invites you to attend the 2021 Western Region Virtual Event on Thursday, March 11th at 7 pm pst. Learn more about the Museum’s role in these challenging times of rising antisemitism, racism and neo-Nazism. Join supporters from the western states in reaffirming our resolve to ensure the lessons of the Holocaust shape the way forward. RSVP online at ushmm.org/events/2021-west.