October 2022
TISHREI – CHESHVAN 5783
RUACH
Our deep gratitude to Reb Lavey for all his planning and thoughtfulness in leading us through this High Holiday season. His collaborative efforts beforehand, appreciation for the words of our speakers and of all our community’s work was obvious. His inspiring tales, provocative teaching, the powerful poetry he selected, enthusiastic chants, and his wisdom and incredibly large heart carried us throughout to Yom Kippur’s conclusion under the stars. Thanks also to Ellen for teaching us the Otiot for “Mayim/Water” at Tashlich and Reading during Kol Nidre.
It’s not too late to continue reflecting on this year’s theme: “Who – or what – is calling you?”, and “Where does the call originate?”
An incredibly heartfelt “Thank You” to all of Shir Hayam. Almost every member participated in a significant way or ways that contributed to our wonderful High Holidays this year – be it designing ads for our services and publishing them in local newspapers, designing, copying, and mailing the High Holiday flyers to us that announced these services, arranging for use of Fil-Am Hall, providing sound and zoom equipment, Fil-Am Hall set-up, decoration, and clean-up, carrying Torah and Ark From home to Hall, providing Shir Hayam information, challah, wine, juice, candles, lanterns, and flowers – all provided a lovely framework for our High Holiday home this year. Led by Terry and Dee, the Kugs, guitarist Jon, and drummer Dick, put in much time preparing, as did our incredible trio, Bill Rappaport on clarinet, and vocalists Carol Shakow, and Dee Axelrod whose three Kol Nidre renditions were so stirring. Our Speakers – Dick Golden, Caroline Stevens, Jeff Brown, and Eric Stevens – gave much of themselves, and we deeply appreciate their forethought, insights, and courage. Poetry Readers were able to make each poem feel personal. Whether it was lighting candles, opening and closing the Ark, carrying and dresssing the Torah, blowing the Shofar, or playing guitar and harmonica, members participated in meaningful ways throughout, and we are thankful for all.
Robin and Dee spent countless hours readying Machzors for each service, chant sheets, Poetry booklets and Service guides for the Kugelettes, as Robin kept track of myriad details. Terry and Dee also spent much time teaching and preparing music for the Kugelettes. And finally, a most heartfelt Thank You to Robin and Mike for offering their incredibly gracious hospitality to Lavey and Ellen from Rosh Hashanah through Yom Kippur. So again, thanks and L’Shana Tova to all in 5783, and now, on to the rest of the High Holidays – our Sukkot/Simchat Torah combo!
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MONTHLY SHABBAT MEDITATION:
Hosted by Linda and Dick Golden in the Zoom Room. Saturday, November 5 @ 9:00 AM
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SUKKOT:
Sunday, October 16th 1-3 PM. We will be celebrating Sukkot at the home of Mike Orr and Robin Hruska. We are hoping for lovely weather so we can be outside. (71 degrees is predicted ☀). Think if you have something you might be willing to share about what or who is calling. I am sure there will be a craft area, but what that will be is even going to surprise me! We would love an RSVP if you think you are coming so we can be prepared. Masking will be required. Bring a nosh!
ADULT EDUCATION / CULTURAL EVENTS:
BOOK DISCUSSION:
The stunning debut of a brilliant nonfiction writer whose vivid account of his grandparents’ lives in Egypt, Tunisia, Palestine, and Los Angeles reclaims his family’s Jewish Arab identity.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6 @ 11:00 AM at Robin Simons’ house. Also available via Zoom – contact Robin at robin.a.simons@gmail.com for the link
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UW Stroum Center For Jewish Studies:
Jews of Arab Lands — Speaker Series Fall 2022 – UW Stroum Center for Jewish Studies (washington.edu)
The Center is offering a 4-session series via Zoom, starting Wednesday, Oct 19. Registration at the link above.
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NEWS
FROM THE MEMORIAL SCROLLS TRUST:
Shana Tovah U’metukah
Thanks to the generosity of Ralph Yablon z’l, 1,564 Torah and other scrolls that had survived the Shoah were saved from further destruction under Communism by being brought to London.
The Westminster Synagogue held a service in 1965 to remember the lives of those Czech Jews who had died in the Shoah, and to assure that their memory would continue in your use of the Czech Survivor Torah Scrolls. Chief Rabbi Israel Brody led the people in saying kaddish. This was the first of many Czech scroll-gatherings that continue to take place around the world.
The Holocaust and Human Rights Education Center in White Plains NY organized a scroll gathering in White Plains NY on Yom HaShoah. As we prepare ourselves for the New Year, looking forward to the future, we also remember our family and friends who have passed away, as well as the Jews and Jewish life so tragically destroyed in the Shoah.
With our best wishes for 5783.
Trustees & Volunteers
Memorial Scrolls Trust
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Local Seattle woman knighted for helping Sephardic Jews gain Spanish citizenship: