Av/Elul 5781

Click here to access the monthly calendar or call 206-567-9414 for event details.

August

• 2 Kugelettes
• 7 Shabbat Morning Meditation/Potluck
• 9 Kugelettes
• 14 Coordinating Committee Meeting
• 16 Kugelettes
• 23 Kugelettes
• 30 Kugelettes

September

• 4 Shabbat Meditation
• 6 Erev Rosh Hashana
• 7 Rosh Hashana
• 13 Kugelettes
• 15 Kol Nidre
• 16 Yom Kippur
• 16 Yizkor
• 16 Neilah

COMMUNITY

Congratulations to Bill Rutzick on being presented with the Gerhard Letzing Public Justice Award. It is given to an individual or organization whose efforts, courage, litigation or innovative work results in the creation of a more just society.

Mazal Tov, Mazal Tov to Robin Simon and Roger Van Gelder on their new home in CoHousing on BI.

Our deepest condolences to Cindy Taylor, Chris, and Ariana on the recent loss of Cindy’s mother who had moved to Seattle from Woodstock, NY ten years ago.  May memories of her life, and her life with you, be a blessing.

All good wishes and continued recovery to Randy Westreich following his recent surgery.

HIGH HOLIDAYS

Ruach and the Kugelettes are busily preparing for High Holidays. We are in contact with Rabbi Lavey Derby (pronounced Darby) as we are firm up the services. With the Covid picture in constant flux, we will be adhering to CDC/ and Kitsap County Guidelines. Presently, we are looking at potentially starting Erev Rosh Hashanah and Kol Nidre services earlier than normal, so we can meet outside. Since High Holidays are so much earlier in September this year, and since Monday is already Labor Day holiday, hopefully this will be easy to arrange. We will be updating information as we get closer to the days. We are so excited to be working with Rabbi Lavey and we are looking forward to having a meaningful High Holidays this year.  Any questions, you can contact Robin Hruska.

• September 6 – Erev Rosh Hashana
• September 7 – Rosh Hashana Service, Study Session & Tashlich
• September 15 – Kol Nidre
• September 16 – Yom Kippur Service, Yizkor, Neilah Service & Break-the-Fast

Please look for specific details (time/location) in the upcoming HHD mailing.

SPECIAL SHABBAT MORNING MEDITATION/POTLUCK 

Dick and Linda have been leading us in meditation on the first Saturday of the month for the last several months. This month (Saturday, August 7) we’re going to try an outdoor in-person meditation & potluck brunch. We request that you be vaccinated to attend. Meditation 9:30-10:00am, brunch to follow. Please bring a brunch item to share. Dick and Linda will start us off with some guidance followed by a period of silent meditation. It is a lovely centering way to begin the month. Hope to see you there.

TIKKUN OLAM

Project Backpack

With school beginning, please consider contributing to Helpline’s Project Backpack, by contributing financially and/or with school supplies. Especially needed are crayons, pens, reams of paper, and binders. Helpline House accepts donations of materials Monday through Friday, except Wednesday, between 9 and 11 a.m. Students will receive new backpacks and school supplies by grade on August 24 and 26. Helpline House is located at 282 Knechtel Way NE on BI. Questions? Call Helpline at 206.842.7621.

Super Supper

Shir Hayam and Seabold Methodist once again began Super Suppers on Monday, July 26th; we’ve been in hiatus since March 2020. We opted to offer take-out only to 16 diners serving meatloaf, potato salad, marinated green beans, Caesar salad, cookies, and juice. It was a far cry from our usual 35 or so guests, but word of mouth will soon bring those numbers back. Plus Eagle Harbor Congregational Church got themselves a new kitchen – something positive from this Covid thing! Interested in volunteering for Super Supper? Contact Denise Brown.

NEWSLETTER OPPORTUNITY

After many years writing/editing/posting the Shir Hayam newsletter, I am taking a break. This issue will be my last. I’m excited to pass the torch to someone else… could it be you?? This is a great opportunity to keep your finger on the pulse of everything Shir Hayam while doing a great mitzvah for your fellow members. It’s about a 4 hour commitment per month, and you’ll have a lot of help. I am happy to show you the ropes & support you as you get the hang of it. Mike has offered to handle the tech parts (posting and emailing) so you can focus on the real job: the content. Interested? Please email the Community Presence Committee (cpc@shirhayam.org) or just let me know! ~Rachel

COORDINATING COMMITTEE

Upcoming CC meeting Sunday August 14 at 10 AM. As always SH members are most welcome to attend. Join us in the SH Zoom Room. Contact the committee at cc@shirhayam.org.

Tentative Agenda:

• In-process revision of the Governance documents
• Refresh on some of the decisions that were made last year
• Initiatives (read: Action Items) that we have from last year that are still open

HAPPENING ONLINE

An Elul Intensive – A Free Four-Week Online Program from IJS and its Partner Organizations

August 8 – September 6, 2021

As we enter the high holidays this year, society around us is easing into a post-pandemic reality and beginning to re-open. Even as we yearn for normalcy, many of us sense a desire deep within us to do better than just return to things as they were. Perhaps there is a better way to live, one that builds upon the lessons learned this past year and embodies greater compassion and justice. The challenges and opportunities of this moment are many. How can we deepen our awareness and clarify our purpose as we enter this new year?

The Shofar Project 5781 is a free program open to people of all backgrounds who want to make this a year of continued transformation. IJS will provide Jewish teachings and daily practices including Torah study, Jewish mindfulness meditation, and Jewish yoga, to address the longing within our hearts to lead lives of sacred purpose, in right relationship with the land and each other. It takes place during the Hebrew month of Elul, the month preceding the Jewish High Holy Days, a traditional period for intensive spiritual reflection, introspection, and moral accounting (August 8 – September 6, 2021).  Register here: https://ijs.regfox.com/the-shofar-project-5781

Preparing for the High Holidays – What does it mean to “Return”?

August 11, 18, and 25 12:00-12:50 p.m.

A main theme of Elul (the month of preparation for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur) is t’shuvah, usually translated as “repentance” but literally translated as “return.” After more than a year of upheaval on so many levels, we approach the holidays thinking deeply about a “return” to inner honest truths about our lives and our communities. What does it mean to “return” when, in fact, the world has changed dramatically and so have we, each in our own unique ways? Join JFS Jewish educator, Beth Huppin, in an interactive exploration of Jewish texts that explore “return” and what that might mean this year for each of us and for our communities. No previous knowledge is required. Each class stands on its own. All are welcome. No charge. Register here: https://www.jfsseattle.org/event/preparing-for-the-high-holidays/