TISHREI/CHESHVAN 5775

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

October

3 Kol Nidre

4 Yom Kippur, Yizkor, Neilah

12 JLC followed by All Chavurah Sukkot

17 Simchat Torah Shabbat

20 Coordinating Committee Meeting

26 JLC

27 Super Supper

November

2 All Chavurah General Meeting

9 JLC

15 Havdalah

23 JLC

24 Super Supper

5775 Rocked!

And we’ve gotta thank all the folks that worked so hard making these High Holidays a reality. First of all, to Reb Stephanie, who is such a learned, warm, thoughtful, dynamic, genuine, considerate, and fun collaborator and leader. She chose a theme that provoked and inspired us throughout the services, and went above and beyond, coming here weekly from Pt. Townsend to work with the Kugs preparing this year’s music. Again this year, Brian Rohr’s storytelling moved us and led to a fine, vigorous discussion afterwards, filled with many interesting observations shared by all in addition to Brian’s insights. Thanks to Terry Cowan, Dee Axelrod, and Carol Shakow for their beautiful Kol Nidre melodies, to the Kugelettes for their hard work, stirring melodies, and the wonderful drummers, harmonica players, and guitarists that helped lift our music and chants upward.

Who will ever forget Mira’s Hineini poem, Dick Golden’s glowing storytelling, Sue Steindorf’s moving morning meditation, and our incredibly beautiful children in their bibliodrama ? And then there’s thanks for the nitty gritty necessities: The Ruachers who planned, Denise Brown and Robin Hruska who wrote and collated and mailed, all those who came to turn the hall into our synagogue with their efforts and beautiful flower arrangements, to Julie and David and Denise who really shlepped all the supplies and transported the Torah and Ark, to our bibliodrama directors, and to our clean-up crews. And we mustn’t forget all the hospitality that has been offered us – from Julie and David and the Rosenkotz family who helped lead us off with Selichot at their beautiful farm, to Linda and Dick Golden who led us through a serene meditation and hosted our Yizkor service in their home, and to the island’s Filipino community who are so generous to us, changing several schedules so that we were assured of a home for our Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur services.

We moved through these holidays with a spirited and thoughtful beginning, through reflection and mourning, and ended together with joyous and delicious delight. L’Shana Tova to the entire chavurah!

SUKKOT

Sukkot Sunday, October 12 10 AM

Rebecca Rockefeller’s house 5353 Ruby Pl NE Bainbridge Island, WA
Directions From either Bucklin Hill or Fletcher Bay Rd turn right onto Lynwood Center Road heading south. Go right on NE Emerald Way and first right onto Ruby Pl. It is the second house on the left.

SIMCHAT TORAH

Simchat Torah Friday October 17 6 PM

Rosenkotz’ yurt at 7439 NE Coyote Farm Lane Bainbridge Island, WA
Directions From SR 305 & High School Rd. travel west on High School Rd. Turn right on Sands Rd. Left on New Brooklyn. Right on Mandus Olsen. Left on NE Coyote Farm Lane. Pass mailboxes, continue right, pull into first left (driveway) and park.

CROPWALK 2014

Chavurat Shir Hayam’s Cropwalk fund drive got off to a very slow start this year but donations poured in at the 11th hour. Our online donations alone exceeded $2,000! There’s still an opportunity to donate click here

The event began on Thursday, Sept. 25 with numerous restaurants on the island participating in Restaurant Day. A designated percentage of revenue brought in on that day is turned over to the Bainbridge Island Cropwalk Funds; these funds are included with the anonymous match grant that has been honored for many years past as well as this year.

On Sunday, Sept. 28 a beautiful day drew a number of SH/JLC participants – parents, children & pets along with 100+ walkers from the BI/NK Interfaith Community for the three mile trek. This distance is symbolic to what one may do on a routine basis in some parts of the world to collect water for their household. The BI/NK walk began at Eagle Harbor Congregation Church & ended where music, refreshments, & massages were generously offered & eagerly welcomed by returning walkers.

There’s still time to donate: click here No amount is too small or too BIG! Thank you from fundraisers Denise Brown & Rachel Kerbrat, & to all those who donated. תודה לך

NEW WEBSITE

Your Photos/Ideas for Shir Hayam Website are needed.

The chavurah’s current website was built approximately 8 years ago by Lisa & Sam Weiss and has been hosted by their company. They deserve a lot of appreciation as it helped us enter the 21st century! And, it’s difficult to maintain, photos are outdated, etc.

So Gabe Travis will be doing an overhaul over the next few months, in a system that’s easier to keep updated. Dad Travis’ consultancy will host the new site. They’d like your input:

1) Do you have any photographs from events, meetings, Kugelettes’ practices, outings? As high resolution as possible, for maximum flexibility.

2) Do you have any specific requests/ideas for our next web site? This is your time to speak up!

Email shirhayam@vivifyllc.com with either/both. (If you have more than 10 megabytes of pictures to contribute, an awesome mitzvah — simply use the free WeTransfer service).

FOUND

Found (on Yom Kippur) : One white table cloth in a large red Teva fabric bag with large white daisy print. Contact Denise @ 780-0931.

WHAT’S A JEWISH GROUP WITHOUT CULTCHA?

Books, movies, theater, discussion, speakers??? It’s been quite a while since we’ve met for book discussions, seeing and discussing films together, gone on field trips to plays, discussed current events of Jewish interest, or brought speakers to the chavurah. We have some wonderful resources in our chavurah and in the community, and we have plenty of talent and wonderful, inquiring minds. I am sure that there are those of us who would love to dive into some or all of the above. If brainstorming to help make this a reality interests you, please contact me at 206.842.8453 or email me at srutzick1@comcast.net. Thanks, Sharon Rutzick

YIDDISH & LADINO TIDBITS

A Shir Hayam High Holidays Tale by Nina Rogozen

Well, Yom Kippur is a few days before us. I am looking forward to seeing everyone’s glowing sheyna punims on Friday evening. It will be a time to settle on our knoben for the year, sort out the ways we are farlondzhet, and define what glik really is for us. If we must, we will attempt to handl with God, in hopes that we start the year off with not so much somuz on our souls. But don’t sit on your tokhes and tell God any bobes. By the time Neilah comes around, we’ll be kind of golem from fasting and having bobkes in our tummy all day long. Not to worry – we will pray, rejoice and eat – then have in our bellies ongepatsht. After our days of prayer together, we will experience nakhes to help carry us through to the next year.

Sheyna punim – pretty face
Knoben – dream
Farblondzhet – mixed up
Glik – happiness
Handl – bargain (verb)
Somuz – dirt
Tokhes – butt
Bobe – a ‘tall’ story
Golem – sluggish
Bobkes – nothing
Ongepatsht – a little too much
Nakhes – joy

Check out a Rosh Hashana sedar in the Ladino tradition. bendichasbendichosmanos.wordpress.com/tag/rosh-hashana/

THE KVETCH REVIEWS BOOKS….

Lest you think that the Kvetch has stopped reading, let me assure you that it isn’t true.
It’s just that the most recent reads haven’t left any lasting impressions or moved the Kvetch to recommend that anyone else plow through the words.

If you haven’t gotten around to reading Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver, or The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker, or A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki…..go ahead….take a chance…..you’re welcome!

ISLAND CAREGIVERS SEEKING VOLUNTEERS

Island Volunteer Caregivers Needs You!!
Are you looking for a new volunteer opportunity as we begin the new year? If so, Island Volunteer Caregivers may be the perfect place to practice a little tikkun olam. Island Volunteer Caregivers (IVC) is growing at a rapid rate and urgently needs volunteers to keep up with our demand! New care receivers are coming on at a rate of three care receivers for every one volunteer. We are looking for volunteers to drive people to medical appointments, handle grocery/errands, visit homebound folks and provide respite care. The best thing about volunteering with IVC is that you do as much or as little as you like, and you choose the area of service which interests you the most. If you are a person who likes to connect with others and help out with tasks which enable them to live as independently as possible, then IVC may be perfect for you. One volunteer called it “the best volunteer gig around!” Interested? Please contact us at 842-4441 or e-mail Robin Gaphni at robin@ivcbainbridge.org

HAPPENING IN SEATTLE

Little Merchants: The Golden Era of Youth Delivering Newspapers

October 14, 2014, 10:30 AM
Imagine a multi-million dollar business entrusted to children! In the 20th century newspaper business, legions of children sold and delivered newspapers to support their families. Author Sandra Walker will discuss the historic significance of the paper carriers.
Tuesday, October 14, 2014 • 10:30 a.m. – noon
Temple De Hirsch Sinai, 1441 16th Avenue, Seattle
For directions, call (206) 323-8486.

RSVP Wendy Warman or Ellen Hendin by Tuesday, October 7,(206) 461-3240.

Letter to Anita (Seattle Lesbian & Gay Film Festival)

October 11, 2014, 7:30 PM
Award-winning filmmaker Andrea Meyerson explores the painful legacy of singer Anita Bryant’s infamous anti-gay campaign of the late 1970s. Narrated by Emmy-winning actress Meredith Baxter, Letter to Anitatells the story of Ronni Sanlo, a married mother of two who came out as a lesbian and divorced her husband, losing custody of her children as a result – an injustice that propelled Ronni into a life of LGBT activism.
Followed by a special appearance and Q&A with
 Ronni and Andrea!
Saturday, October 11, 2014
7:30 p.m.
Northwest Film Forum
1515 12th Avenue, Seattle
Tickets through Stranger Tickets. 
Questions? Leonid Orlov, (206) 861-8784.

The post October 2014 appeared first on Shir Hayam.

ELUL 5774/TISHRI 5775

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

September

24 Erev Rosh Hashanna 5775

25 Rosh Hashanna 5775

25 CROP Hunger Walk Restaurant Day

28 CROP Hunger Walk

October

3 Kol Nidre

4 Yom Kippur, Yizkor, Neilah

12 Sukkot with the JLC

17 Shabbat Simchas Torah

November

14 Shabbat

HIGH HOLIDAY SCHEDULE

Rev Tivona Reith leads our services this year – click here to read her letter

Saturday, September 20

Havdalah Slichot dinner potluck at the Rosenkotz’ yurt
Potluck Dinner 6:00 pm Service 6:30 pm

Wednesday, September 24

Erev Rosh Hashanah at 7:00 pm Fil-Am Hall
A dessert potluck follows services.
Please bring food donations for Helpline.

Thursday, September 25

Rosh Hashanah Morning Service 9:30 am Fil-Am Hall
Break for lunch – please bring your own
Learning with Reb Tivona 12:30 pm Fil-Am Hall
Based on the theme on Henani “Here I am”

Two choices for Tashlich this year:
Tashlich 4:30 PM Waterfront Park on Bainbridge Island
Tashlich 5:00 Enshede’s Stairs in Indianola

Friday, October 3

Kol Nidre -Erev Yom Kippur 7 PM Fil-Am Hall
(*We start a half hour later than in past years to allow time for you to welcome Shabbat in your own home/way, and for your Shabbat and pre-fast meal.)

Saturday, October 4

Yom Kippur Day 9:15 am Meet and schmooze
Service 9:30am
This year we will start with chanting and drumming, followed by an Amidah. Reb Tivona and Sue Steindorf will lead a meditation on attentive listening, being present to others- Henani.
Meditation 2:00 pm Dick and Linda Golden’s home
Yizkor 2:30 pm Dick and Linda Golden’s home
Bibliodrama practice 3:45 pm Fil-Am Hall
Bibliodrama (all invited!) 5:30 pm Fil-Am Hall
Neilah/Havdalah service 6:00 pm Fil-Am Hall
– “The Gates are Closing”
Break-the-Fast Pot Luck 7:00 pm Fil-Am Hall – Please bring lots and lots!

TIKKUN OLAM

CROP HUNGER WALK – Sunday, September 28 2:00 pm at Eagle Harbor Congregational Church
CROP Hunger Walk Restaurant Day – Thursday, September 25 ALL DAY (list of restaurants will be coming later this month)

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
Internationally – the money is used in partnership with local organizations to support hunger fighting projects.
• $24 1-year supply of Vitalita nutrition packets for 20 children – to promote healthy development and prevent lifelong health problems.
• $50 seeds and tools to help a family grow their own healthy food to eat and to sell at market.
• $110 emergency food package – locally purchased and culturally appropriate – enough for a family of five for one month.
• $140 pigs in a pair – soon providing a piglet to share with another family in need of a great source of food and income.
• $300 10 meters of a shallow borehole well for a community desperate for clean, safe water and sustainable food security.
• $1,000 pump and maintenance training – allows women and girls to grow food and attend school, instead of carrying water long distances daily.

Join the Shir Hayam CROP Hunger Walk Team today! Click here to get to our CROP Hunger Walk page where you can Join the Team or Donate. Contact Denise Brown(debrown33@msn.com) or Rachel Kerbrat (kerbfam1@comcast.net) for more information.

JESSE MITTLEMAN

We are sad to report that long-time Shir Hayam member Jesse Mittleman died on Wednesday, September 3, 2014 in Saratoga Springs, NY. He was a month short of his 95th birthday.

Born October 7, 1919 to Ada and Harry Mittleman, Jesse spent his early years growing up in New Jersey and Long Island. At 16 he graduated high school and attended Bowling Green University on a full scholarship. During World War II he served in the merchant marines which helped to match his philosophy as a pacifist.

His early career included being an editor for Newsday, but mostly he was what we call today, an entrepreneur. He owned and operated both printing and typesetting businesses. He taught at CCNY and also found time during this period to attend Columbia University and earn his Master’s degree in Political Science. Jesse was a published short story writer.

Jesse was an avid dancer until he died. He was known throughout the Seattle area for his Lindy Hop. Take a look: (Jesse comes in at :56 sec)

He had a great sense of humor and fully enjoyed life. Jesse ran the NYCMarathon twice in his 60’s and rode a motor cycle until he was 88. Entertaining and throwing parties was what he became famous for. He and Evelyn traveled the world seeing places many of us only read about. He was a resident of Laurel Hollow, NY for nearly 50 years and Bainbridge Island, WA for 14. He was a brilliant man and we will miss him dearly.

Survivors include his wife, Evelyn of Saratoga; his children and grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation in Jesse’s memory to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation of NE New York Chapter, 6 Greenwood Dr., East Greenbush, NY 12061.

Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com

The post September 2014 appeared first on Shir Hayam.

To Cindy Taylor and Chris Stanley on the marriage of their incredible daughter Arianna to Adrian Sampson, who also grew up on Bainbridge and has just finished his graduate work at UW where Arianna is about to begin her graduate studies. We wish the newlyweds great joy and many blessings in the years to come.

LETTER FROM REV TIVONA REITH

Dear Shir Hayam members,

What a mechaya (Yiddish for life-affirming joy) to again be invited by Shir Hayam to co-create sacred kavvanah/intention for this year’s High Holy Day season! Conversation and collaboration with the Ruach Committee and the Kugelettes have already begun. You are invited to join in.

The Yamim Noraim/Days of Awe/High Holy Days are not just a set of prayer services. They comprise a journey into ourselves, a coming together of time and consciousness for the purpose of healing and transformation. They are a time to say Hineini—Here I Am.

The word Hineini (הנני ) occurs 14 times in Tanach (Hebrew scripture) as a stand-alone response unconnected to a specific action. Abraham, Isaac, Esau, Jacob, and Joseph all answer Hineini at pivotal points in their lives. Moses affirms Hineini when God speaks to him from the Burning Bush. And it occurs twice in the Book of Samuel and three times in the Book of Isaiah when God calls out to the people of Israel—Hineini.

In all of these instances, Hineini implies a deep-rooted willingness to be fully present, to offer the complete attention and essence of one’s self. Saying Hineini means: I have stopped and I am listening . . . truly deeply listening . . . truly, deeply being. Discerning how and when we say, or don’t say, Hineini is an important element of teshuvah/turning/repentance.

Rabbi Norman J. Cohen’s book Hineini in Our Lives examines these 14 texts as ways of learning how to respond to others, to ourselves, and to God. Other contributors also reflect on this theme, including our beloved Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi (z”l), who died on July 3 (the 5th of Tammuz). Reb Zalman wrote:

The numerical equivalent of hineini in Hebrew is 115, which is also the value of the letters in the words anachnu—we, aliyah—ascent, and ha’am—the people. By being counted in hineini, we become part of the larger “we,” anachnu; we experience an ascent, an aliyah of awareness that frees us from the narrow I-ness; and thus we become part of ha’am, the people.

Over the course of the High Holy Day services, we will explore what “being counted in hineini” means as we strive to fulfill Reb Zalman’s vision of elevating our awareness together:

1. On Rosh Hashanah Day, we will explore the Akedah/Binding of Isaac story (traditionally read on Rosh Hashanah) in which Abraham three times says Hineini. Using Hineini as the focal point, Teller Brian Rohr will bring the story alive, based both on Biblical text and incorporating interpretations and midrashim/stories from a variety of other Jewish sources. Brian will bring upmost sensitivity to his telling of this difficult story; however, parents should be aware that it may not be suitable for young children.

2. During the afternoon study time following the Rosh Hashanah service, we will then have an opportunity (as last year) to engage in what Brian calls community midrashim—What does the story mean to each of us? What have been our Hineini moments? How do we understand our own life experiences in saying, or not saying, Hineini?

3. As is the Shir Hayam tradition, we also invite YOU to contribute YOUR own deepest thoughts on Hineini—Here I Am. These can be, for example, personal sharings of your own life experience, poetry or creative writing around the Hineini theme, teachings on Hineini drawn from Jewish tradition, or reflections on some of the Hineini texts referenced in Rabbi Cohen’s book.*

If you are drawn to sharing your thoughts during one of the High Holy Day Services, please send me your written offering or detailed notes no later than Sunday, August 31. Recommended length is 3-5 minutes, and I will let you know where in each service your offering best fits. My e-mail is sjreith@gmail.com. If you have questions, or want to talk privately about an idea, feel free to give me a call at 360-379-0386.

4. We also send out a general call for all musicians. If you play an instrument or drum, have some improvisational skills, and have the time to attend a handful of rehearsals over the next few weeks, please e-mail Cay Vandervelde or me as soon as possible.

5. As last year, Yom Kippur morning will not be a formal service. The focus will include contemplative chant and further exploration of Hineini, ideally through stories/skits appropriate for families and children. Creative ideas on how to engage children with this theme are invited—please contact me at 360-379-0386 if you are interested in co-creating this service.

It is an honor and privilege to be able to serve and journey with each of you over the next weeks.

For all of us, may this be a rich time of repair, renewal, and re-connection in all 4 worlds of body, heart, mind, and spirit. And may there be peace. Rav brachot (abundant blessings),

Reb Tivona (Stephanie) Reith
360-379-0386 sjreith@gmail.com

P.S. Please see companion piece about self-reflection practices during the 40-day period between Rosh Chodesh Elul and Yom Kippur!

*Here are the text citations from Hineini in Our Lives: Learning How to Respond to Others Using 14 Biblical Texts and Personal Stories, by Rabbi Norman J. Cohen:

Bereishit/Genesis 22:1-2 Shemot/Exodus 3:2-6
Bereishit/Genesis 22:6-8 Shmuel Aleph/1 Samuel 3:1-10
Bereishit/Genesis 22:9-12 Shmuel Bet/2 Samuel 1:1-16
Bereishit/Genesis 27:1-4 Yeshayahu/Isaiah 52:1-6
Bereishit /Genesis 27:15-19 Yeshayahu/Isaiah 58:1-9
Bereishit /Genesis 31:1-13 Yeshayahu/Isaiah 65:1-2
Bereishit /Genesis 37:11-14
Bereishit /Genesis 46:1-4

THE MONTH OF ELUL AS A TIME OF PREPARATION

Hineini—Here I Am
from Reb Tivona (Stephanie) Reith

Rosh Chodesh Elul (Tuesday evening, August 26) marks the start of a 40-day journey to Yom Kippur. From ancient days, this has been a time of intense self-reflection and examination, discerning what teshuvah—what turning—is needed in our lives.

This year’s theme is Hineini—Here I Am (see introductory letter), which invites us to reflect on how and when we are called to say Here I Am to our families, our community, our selves, and to HaShem. By engaging any or all of the following practices, you are declaring “Here I Am—ready to turn, ready to be present to my life, ready to begin again.”

There are several customs that Jewish tradition considers helpful in this process:

1) Blowing shofar at home every morning of Elul (except on Shabbat or the last day of Elul)—awakening the soul. (Listening to a recording on You Tube, while not quite the same, can still be a meaningful practice if done with commitment and intention.

2) Reading Psalm 27 every day during Elul—a “plea for help in dealing with the enemies within us,” as Rabbi Arthur Waskow puts it.

3) Giving tzedakah (charity) to those in need.

4)Visiting family graves, or if this is not possible, creatively remembering those from our past who have said Hineni to life in ways that inspire us to live more fully in the future.

5) Blessing others through greetings that are traditional during Elul until Rosh Hashanah. Here are a few: Shanah tovah—“a good year.” L’shanah tovah tikatevu—“May you be inscribed for a good year [in the Book of Life].” L’shanah tovah umetukah tikatevu—“May you be inscribed for a good and sweet year.” (The response is “the same to you”—[to men] Gam lecha; [to women] Gam lach.)

Rabbi Alan Lew z”l, in his book This is Real and You are Completely Unprepared, refers to the month of Elul as a time for beginning to “wake up,” as “a time to gaze upon the inner mountains, to devote serious attention to bringing our lives into focus.” He suggests several practices, all of which can also be seen as Hineini practices:

1) Prayer/tefilah: not as a way to ask for things, but as a way we come to know ourselves.

2) Meditation/mindfulness: seeing ourselves more clearly by bearing witness to our thoughts and what carries our awareness away.

3) Focus on one thing: choose one simple and fundamental aspect of your life and commit yourself to being totally conscious and honest about it for the 30 days of Elul.

4) Keep an Elul journal: note daily what arises for you out of your intentional practice.

Hineini. Whatever you choose to engage during the month of Elul, may you be able to say with commitment and purpose: Here I Am, and may this attention and intention bring insightful and healing discovery. Biv’racha (in blessing), Reb Tivona Reith

SHABBAT IN THE TIME OF FIRE

Rabbi Joshua Lesser, of Congregation Bet Haverim in Atlanta, GA, arrived in Israel late last week. He sends this reflection on his first 24 hours in Tel Aviv. This is the third of T’ruah’s weekly Letters from Jerusalem, rabbinic windows into Israel in crisis.

July 16, 2014/18 Tammuz, 5774

When I arrived at the apartment, my colleague and dear friend Jason Klein was waiting for me. Jason, having arrived 12 hours earlier, shopped, and I could smell something delicious coming from the small kitchen. A tasty leek and potato soup was simmering. We sat and caught up.

I am participating in the first Reconstructionist Rabbinic Study Mission to Israel. Then, in my last three days, I will be on an Encounter program that will take us to meet and stay with Palestinian residents of Bethlehem and Hebron as we listen to each other’s narratives. Unless it changes, because things can easily change.

It felt good that Shabbat was beginning. We lit candles, said kiddush and motzi, and began to eat a fine meal of soup, Mediterranean salads, and some kebab for me. I mentioned the nice connection that T’ruah made in their statement that connected the brit shalom, the covenant of peace from the parshah, to their call for peace. Read their Statement: Praying for a Covenant of Peace.

I went to the kitchen to refill the pitcher of water and returned, just about to sit when Jason calmly said, “That’s the siren, Josh. Let’s go.” And sure enough, it was. We quickly walked down the stairs and into the room, our shelter. It smelled like dank mildew and was thick with dust. With the siren still bleating, I breathed and uttered Shalom Aleichem under my breath. I finished and I looked down. There I was, standing in my socks.

I ache a bit. Not for me, I will return to Atlanta shortly. There is a cycle of violence that must be broken. Children grow up with these sirens and with the destruction in Israel, in the West Bank, and in Gaza. There are over 180 Palestinians dead. There are many Israelis injured. 4 murdered teens. There is as much fear as there is blame to go around.

We finished our interrupted meal (a privilege, I am aware), and I feel the need to at least see the sea before I go to bed.

Jason and I walked to the Mediterranean Sea. There were a few others out, which reassured us. Just to the south was the city of Jaffa, all lit up and gleaming as if it were reflecting the stars that twinkled above us. Ufros Aleinu Sukkat Shlomecha. Spread over us your canopy of peace.

Can one dream of peace here? How can one not? Who wants to live in a world where God calls to Abraham/Ibrahim to bring Isaac/Ishmael to be sacrificed every day? Especially when in this world there are no more rams left, just our children caught in the thickets of our cycles of violence and justifications. The sea laps at the shore as if a lullaby rocking us in comfort. The moon pulls the sea like a bed sheet to tuck us in under the stars. Sea. Stars. Earth. Dust. We return to dust soon enough, why must we hasten it? My silent prayers go out to the sea, witnessed by the stars.

It’s 5 am now. A new day begins in the time of fire. Shabbat shalom.

T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights 
http://www.truah.org

HAPPNING ON BAINBRIDGE

Saturday, August 16th, 7:00 p.m. at Bainbridge Performing Arts theater, Northwest Actors Lab and Fields End Writers Community will be presenting

An Evening of Raymond Carver performed by some of the best talent on Bainbridge and directed by Dinah Manoff.

Special guest Tess Gallagher, the celebrated poet and widow of Mr. Carver, will also be joining us to share some of her amazing work.

This is a one time performance so get your tickets early at the BPA box office and spread the word. Tickets are priced at only $25.00 and all funds will go to benefit Fields End.

For more information you can go to the Fields End Website
http://www.fieldsend.org/raymond-carver.aspx

THE KVETCH REVIEWS BOOKS….

A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki

This book interweaves life on a Pacific Northwest Island (in British Columbia) with a Zen Buddhist nun (104 years old), a Japanese teenager, the 2011 tsunami, World War II, and Schrodinger’s cat….and that’s not all! It is an inventive work featuring fact, fantasy and characters who live interesting and, sometimes, mysterious lives.

It was an intriguing book on many levels…..some published comments:

“An exquisite novel: funny, tragic, hard-edged, and ethereal at once….held together by the exuberance of Ozeki’s writing and the engaging nature of her characters” (Los Angeles Times)

“……Dualities, overlaps, time shifts, and coincidences are the currents that move A Tale for the Time Being along……..”(New York Times)

“A fascinating multigenerational tapestry of long ago, recent past, and present…The writing resonates with an immediacy and rawness that is believable and touching.” (Boston Globe)

I hope that you’re curious…it’s truly an entertaining read!

YIDDISH & LADINO TIDBITS

Let’s Get to Know and Keep Our Languages Alive

Schlimazl
What a capable fellow!
He falls on his back
and breaks his nose.

A Few Cs of Yiddish

chalisch: literally, fainting. “I was chalishing from hunger.”) Sometimes used as a term of desperate desire for something or someone. “After working for 11 hours, I was chalishing to go home already.”

Chazerei: (Yiddish, חזירײַ khazerai ) filth—more literally, piggery.

chesid: good deed or favor. “Do me a chesid and clean your room.”

chiddush: the point, upshot, or reason, of a discussion or
argument; the conclusion drawn from two or more premises; more generally, innovation. “I don’t get it; what’s the chiddush?”

Cholent (Yiddish: טשאָלנט, tsholnt or tshoolnt) A traditional Jewish stew. It is usually simmered overnight for 12 hours or more, and eaten for lunch on Shabbat. Cholent was developed over the centuries to conform to Jewish laws that prohibit cooking on the Sabbath. The pot is brought to boil on Friday before the Sabbath begins, and kept on a blech (metal sheet that covers stovetop burners, and sometimes, the stove’s knobs and dials as well) or a hotplate, or placed in a slow oven or electric slow cooker until the following day.
There are many variations of the dish, but the basic ingredients are meat, potatoes, beans and barley. Sephardi-style hamin uses rice instead of beans and barley, and chicken instead of beef. A traditional Sephardic addition is whole eggs in the shell (huevos haminados), which turn brown overnight. Ashkenazi cholent often contains kishke (sausage casing) or helzel (a chicken neck skin stuffed with a flour-based mixture). Slow overnight cooking allows the flavors of the various ingredients to blend and produce the wonderful taste of cholent. (Adapted from Wikipedia. The site must be Jewish; who knew!)

REB ZALMAN z”l

As many of you know, Reb Zalman was incredibly inspirational to our chavurah’s basic approach to Judaism and the values underlying our practices. We read about him in The Jew and the Lotus, and recognized a global thinker and compassionate soul who strove to restore ancient powerful Jewish customs as well as incorporate gender equality, a strong connection to the earth, and responsibility for Tikkun Olam, much as we were trying to do.
He helped teach and inspire Larry Gerstenhaber, Hanna Tiferet and Daniel Siegel, David Seidenberg, Stephanie Tivona Reith, and Arik Labowitz through Aleph and Jewish Renewal, and they have all brought their many gifts to us over the years.
His memory is surely a blessing which continues in our hearts and minds.

THE CLUBHOUSE

Terry Cowen is renting her 900 sq. ft. one bedroom apartment above her garage on Air B&B to short term guests. It’s a very cute space. To check it out go to www.airbnb.com/rooms/2011958. You can book directly with Air B&B or you can contact her and book with her directly (360-697-1581). That will save you some extra fees. If you have out-of-town guests and need a place to put them, this might be a great option! Call or check on line for current rates. tcee@comcast.netкредитная карта газпромбанка

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A huge Mazal Tov to all our graduates and their families. We have watched with great joy as they have grown from very young children, beginning elementary school, celebrating their B’nai Mitzvot with their families and community, and now moving into a new and exciting time in their lives and in the lives of their families. Each of them has brought a unique voice to our island community, has demonstrated strength and creativity in meeting challenges, and we know will bring our chavurah and their families great joy and nachis as we say, “Mazal Tov!” to —Ben Cowan and Mitchell Stahl who both graduated from Bainbridge High School and will be attending Pitzer College and University of Southern California respectively;

• to Sam Jabloner, who will be continuing his studies at the University of Washington;
• to Hallie Rosner, who just completed her Bachelor’s Degree at the University of Oregon in Eugene;
• to Talia Weiss, who just completed her BA at Dartmouth and will be moving to New York City to work at a life sciences consulting firm.

And “Mazal Tov!” to Sue Steindorf and David Cowan, Robyn and Eric Stahl, Ellen Brown and Matt Jabloner, Robin Simons, and Sam and Lisa Weiss for raising such wonderful kids and for all you and they have accomplished.

Also to Bill and Sharon Rutzick on the arrival of TWO grandchildren Joseph (parents Rebecca & Jason) and Uri (parents Daniel & Shuli). What wonderful additions to the family.

Congratulations to Chavurim Nancy Travis on opening her restaurant inside fellow Chavurim Sue Steindorf-Cowan’s yoga studio! Sukhi Kitchen is open Monday through Friday and offers soup, salad, and snacks — all vegetarian, all wonderful, almost all organic. Soup is served hot over lunchtime (11:30 – 1:30) and food is available “grab and go” on the honor system anytime the yoga studio is open. Click www.sukhikitchen.com to get on her mailing list for specials.

JLC GRADUATION

What a beautiful setting for the JLC graduation & shabbat this year.

[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”4″ gal_title=”JLC Graduation 2014″]

ANNUAL MEETING REPORT

To be posted soon.

TIKKUN OLAM ANNUAL REPORT

5% of our budget plus donations to the Tikkun Olam Fund.

This year we continued with many of our recurring projects –

• #1 being Super Supper. Working with a budget of $25 – $30 per Super Supper event (the last Monday of each month), Denise Brown with occasional help from others works with Seabold Methodist church and Port Madison Lutheran to make & serve supper at Eagle Harbor Congregational church for whoever would like to attend. The budget is funded through generous donations from our members. This year’s 2013 – 2014 membership application included a footnote to the optional Super Supper contribution line noting that funding is self-supporting (not membership funded). The program received over a third more in donations from prior years. A portion of excess funds will be forwarded to InterFaith Council Super Supper fund to cover costs for compostable plateware. The program now uses stainless flatware supplied by Eagle Harbor Congregational Church (host site for the meals).

• The Shir Hayam CROP Hunger Walk Team raised $1910 – the total for the walk was approximately $38,000, (20% going to the Helpline Food Bank)

• We also partnered Helpline to support their Project Wishbone Thanksgiving project. We donated boxes overflowing with Thanksgiving dinner supplies for families including grocery gift cards to buy turkeys.

With the balance of the Tikkun Olam fund ($696) was divided & donated to each of the following organizations:

• Island Time Activities – A Bainbridge Island organization whose mission is to promote independence and empowerment for people with intellectual disabilities through social networking, community involvement, and personal skill development.  www.islandtimeactivities.org

• The International Rescue Committee (IRC) – they respond to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and help people to survive and rebuild their lives. At work in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities to restore safety, dignity and hope, the IRC leads the way from harm to home. www.rescue.org

• The Holocaust Museum – A living memorial to the Holocaust, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum inspires citizens and leaders worldwide to confront hatred, prevent genocide, and promote human dignity. It’s educational programs and global impact are made possible by generous donors. The Museum provides a powerful lesson in the fragility of freedom and the need for vigilance in preserving democratic values. With unique power and authenticity, the Museum teaches millions of people each year about the dangers of unchecked hatred and the need to prevent genocide. www.ushmm.org

KUGLETTES GETTING READY FOR HIGH HOLIDAYS

Dearest Kugels and Kugels-to-be!

We’re going to try and get a ‘jump’ on High Holidays this year! We will be learning new-ish songs (many we heard from Stephanie last year and kind of hummed along). There will certainly be some repeats from last year and prior years, like our dear Leonard Cohen set. One special new addition, suggested by our own Sharon Rutzick, is Matisyahu’s ‘One Day’. You’ll like it, I know….

Our first meeting will be at Linda Golden’s house on Tuesday, July 8th at 7:00 p.m. For copies of the music or more information about joining Kugelettes please contact Cay Vandervelde at cay.vandervelde@gmail.com.

THE KVETCH REVIEWS BOOKS

Barbara Kingsolver has written quite a few books, some I’ve enjoyed and some I didn’t wish to finish…Flight Behavior is an exceptional tale, blending environmental concerns and family interactions with a sympathetic depiction of the life in the Appalachian region of Tennessee.The environmental issues involve the migration of Monarch butterflies, and the changes in climate that affect the butterflies and also the entire mountain area (and the planet). This is a compelling weaving of topics done with a deft touch…a very satisfying read.

A very different read is The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker….yes, it’s fantasy; however, it’s based in the lower east side of Manhattan in the early part of the 20th century and plunks the reader right in the middle of all that energy and history. Here’s a quote from the New York Times review:
“Impressive….Combines the narrative magic of The Arabian Nights with the kind of emotional depth, philosophical seriousness, and good, old-fashioned storytelling found in the stories of Isaac Bashevis Singer….history, magic, and religion braid together in old New York’s tenements.” There…..they’ve said it all!

NOW GO READ!

YIDDISH & LADINO TIDBITS

Let’s Get to Know and Keep Alive Our Languages

We all know that Yiddish (the language many of our parents spoke when issues were “Nicht for the Kinder”) is a hybrid of Hebrew and medieval German, and was at one time the international language of Ashkenazi Jews (our ancestors from Central and Eastern Europe).

LADINO (also known as Judeo-Spanish Judezmo, Dzhudezmo or Spaniolit) however, is the spoken and written Hispanic language of Jews of Spanish origin. Ladino did not become a specifically Jewish language until after the Jews were expelled from Spain and Portugal in 1492. They continued to speak Ladino in the communities and countries to which they emigrated. Though reflecting the grammar and vocabulary of 14th and 15th century Castilian Spanish, Ladino folded in words from other languages, such as Hebrew, Turkish, Persian, and Balkan dialects, and in the 19th century, Italian and French.

July’s Ladino Words to Keep Alive:
asetuna – olive tree
beraxa – blessing
Abastado – almighty, omnipotent, God
chay – tea
din – religious law
kal – synagogue
kavo – honor
mazalozo – happy
karpus – watermelon

Reading idea: Ladino Reveries, Tales of the Sephardic Experience in America, Hank Halio. Published by the FASSA

Thanks to: www.sephardicstudies.org/quickladino.html and www.orbilat.com/Languages/Spanish-Ladino/Ladino-Vocabulary.htm

JUST FOR FUN

Youtube video of a beautiful Italian Jewish wedding

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