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/

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

July

• 3 Shabbat Morning Meditation
• 12 Kugelettes
• 26 Kugelettes

August

• 7 Shabbat Morning Meditation/Potluck
• 9 Kugelettes
• 15 Coordinating Committee Meeting
• 23 Kugelettes
• Shabbat or Havdalah

COMMUNITY

Mazal Tov Mazal Tov to these proud students, parents and grandparents:

• Jon Garfunkel  with two, count them, graduations!  – Maddy from the Port Townsend Massage School and Emily from Columbia University in NYC.  Emily will be moving to Chicago.
• Dee Axelrod on daughter Joanie’s son, Edward, on his elementary school graduation.
• Julie and David Rosenkotz on their daughter Bayla’s graduation from Western University.
• Laurance Price on Cedar’s graduation from Bainbridge High School

Welcome back to the island, Savannah Travis!

All best wishes for continued healing to Leo Fried.

HIGH HOLIDAYS

Ruach is in conversation with several wonderful possibilities for rabbinical leadership for High Holidays. We will most likely know by mid-July who will be leading services.  We are jazzed about some fabulous candidates! A bit of a heads up- High Holidays are very early this year.

• September 6 – Erev Rosh Hashana
• September 7 – Rosh Hashana
• September 15 – Kol Nidre
• September 16 – Yom Kippur

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. Next month (Saturday, August 7th) we will have a special in-person meditation & potluck brunch. Meditation 9:30-10:00am, brunch to follow. Please come join us for a lovely time to tune in and meditate together. Dick and Linda 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.

NEWSLETTER OPPORTUNITY

After many years writing/editing/posting the Shir Hayam newsletter, I am taking a break. This August’s 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

ANNUAL MEETING

A big thank you to Jon Garfunkel, Paul Travis & Jane Greenberg for volunteering to be on the Coordinating Committee. Just as big a thank you to retiring members Nina Rogozen, Dee Axlerod, Mike Orr & Rachel Kerbrat. More details about the Annual Meeting in the next Newsletter.

COORDINATING COMMITTEE

Next CC meeting Sunday August 15th 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.

Happening in CYBERSPACE

From Institute for Jewish Spirituality –

Register here: https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/WebLink.aspx?name=E102272&id=30

We Are What We Remember: The Ever-Evolving Transmission of Jewish History

This 4-session course of the Florence Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning explores the impact of collective memory on our ongoing historical development and our understanding of Judaism today. Participants will encounter in a number of different ways one of the most powerful keys to Jewish survival: the enduring determination to never forget. Date of first class Monday, 7/12 at 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm EDT following classes 7/19, 7/26, 8/2. Register here – https://events.org/ec/9b57e0c5-96b0-45b2-9dd5-00a8c123d172?e=XHVSEUMM#! (choose the $39 option).

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Click here to access the monthly calendar.

June

• 4 Shabbat-Friday Night
• 5 Shabbat Morning Meditation
• 6 Coordinating Committee Meeting
• 14 Kugelettes
• 27 Annual Meeting
• 28 Kugelettes

July

• 3 Shabbat Morning Meditation
• 12 Kugelettes
• Shabbat
• 26 Kugelettes

COMMUNITY

Mazal Tov to Linda and Dick Golden on the recent graduation of their granddaughter Tess from the University of Nebraska.

SHABBAT – Friday Night In-Person

Friday, June 4th at 5:30 PM, Shabbat gathering at the home of Robin Hruska and Mike Orr. An outdoor gathering to welcome in the Sabbath. In person catch up and simple Sabbath service.  We are about to see our unvaccinated grandchildren, so please wear a mask if you are not fully vaccinated. Like with Lag B’Omar, we still think it best that everyone provide their own food and dinnerware/utensils. Hope to see you there! Call Robin for more info.

SHABBAT MORNING MEDITATION 

Dick and Linda will lead their monthly meditation this Saturday June 5, from 9-9:30 am. Please come join us for a lovely time to tune in and meditate together. Dick and Linda 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.

ANNUAL MEETING

Save the date – Sunday, June 27th. We’ll elect new Coordinating Committee members, approve the budget and complete all the other exciting agenda items! In the Shir Hayam Zoom Room. Complete details & agenda going out by email later this month.

COORDINATING COMMITTEE

Next CC meeting Sunday June 6th 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.

Agenda:

• Action Item Review  
• Jewish Community Watch Report (if needed)
• Governance Document Update Plan
• Brainstorm ways that the new SH Wiki can be used by CC
• Annual Meeting Preparation
• Ruach Committee and Cemetery Committee present, detailing activities from this year and budget requests for next year.  

AROUND CYBERSPACE

Open My Heart

Living Jewish Prayer: A Podcast from IJS

Welcome to Open My Heart: Living Jewish Prayer. Each Monday and Friday, a different teacher will offer a new short prayer-practice, inviting you to join them. From one episode to the next, the practice, and the voices will be different. No one presenter, and no one prayer, will necessarily work for everyone. But our hope (and expectation) is that over time, joining in these prayers will lead you to find your own authentic and meaningful prayer practice and open your heart to prayer. Listen to our most recent episode below, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Everyone Leaves a Legacy

Everyone leaves a legacy. How will you be remembered? How do you want to be remembered? Have you documented your wishes for your loved ones? It transcends finances, but that is a part of the process – whether you have significant resources or not. At its core, your legacy is about the lasting mark you leave after you are gone. It can be overwhelming to know where to start. But doing so can be a gift you leave for your family, as well as the way you continue to transmit your values. Join JFS and Bellevue-based attorney Janet Gray, who specializes in estate planning, to learn how and why you can plan your legacy – regardless of the resources you may have at your disposal. Thursday, June 24 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. As part of this virtual event, attendees will receive checklists and materials to make the process of legacy planning a little smoother. Add this event to your calendar today! https://www.jfsseattle.org/event/everyone-leaves-a-legacy/

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May

• 1 Shabbat Morning Meditation
• 3 Kugelettes
• 17 Kugelettes
• 23 Coordinating Committee Meeting
• 31 Kugelettes

June

• 5 Shabbat Morning Meditation
• 6 Coordinating Committee Meeting
• 14 Kugelettes
• Shabbat
• 27 Annual Meeting
• 28 Kugelettes

COMMUNITY

We are all wishing refuah shlema, a complete and speedy recovery to Bill Rutzick and Leo Fried.

MAZAL TOV to Molly Stern who is graduating with an RN from nursing school in May.  Such a wonderful accomplishment and gift to the medical community and patients.  

MAZAL TOV also to Jane and Bob Greenberg on their granddaughter’s Bat Mitzvah in Boulder, Colorado.

WELCOME HOME to our beloved Carol Shakow, returning after so many months away.

SHABBAT MORNING MEDITATION 

Dick and Linda will lead their monthly meditation this Saturday May 1, from 9-9:30 am. Please come join us for a lovely time to tune in and meditate together. Dick and Linda 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.

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! 

Education and Culture Committee

This year we went virtual and brought speakers from afar into our zoom room-From Italy, Michaela Pavoncello gave us a fascinating whirlwind tour of the history of the Jews in Rome. Lois Roman joined us from New Jersey to teach us the history of the Czech Torahs and our Shir Hayam Torah preserved by the Memorial Scrolls Trust. 

We also met on zoom to discuss 3 movies, including two from the Seattle Jewish Film Festival. Ideas for the future include a book club, movie nights, speakers, music, dance, crafts and cooking events. We welcome you to share ideas for events, present or coordinate a program or join the committee to plan and produce future programs to help Shir Hayam members learn about our rich cultural heritage. If you have any questions or you think you would like to join the committee, please reach out to culture@shirhayam.org.

 Tikkun Olam Committee

The focus of the Tikkun Olam committee this year has been support for refugees through KIAC (Kitsap Immigrant Assistant Center). Cay Vandervelde, Dee Axelrod & Mike Orr have given many hours to KIAC in Bremerton and we have supported them with donations.  Other non-profit organizations that Shir Hayam has given funds to are Fishline in Poulsbo, Foodline in Bremerton, Helpline on Bainbridge, Kingston Cares & Jewish Family Service in Seattle. We also collected & donated food and winter wear to Helpline & helped serve food at Kingston Cares weekly dinner.

The task of Tikkun Olam is never ending but, it is rewarding.  Please feel free to continue to offer suggestions and ideas to the committee. When Covid is really done we hope to be able to do more in-person volunteer work. If you have any questions or you think you would like to join the committee, please reach out to tikkun.olam@shirhayam.org

COORDINATING COMMITTEE

Upcoming CC meeting Sunday May 23 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.

Agenda:

• Action Item Review  
• Jewish Community Watch Report (if needed)
• Governance Document Update Plan
• Brainstorm ways that the new SH Wiki can be used by CC
• Annual Meeting Preparation
• Ruach Committee and Cemetery Committee present, detailing activities from this year and budget requests for next year.  

Minutes from CC meeting April 18

• Began review of By-Laws. Updated by-laws will not be ready for ratification at the upcoming Annual Meeting.
• Torah loan process work group to complete policy details 5/1
• Presentations from Culture Committee and Tikkun Olam Committee

HAPPENING ONLINE

Institute for Jewish Spirituality

If you have not had an opportunity to tune into the Institute for Jewish Spirituality’s daily meditations, they have been counting the Omer, the period of time between Pesach and Shavout. Each week has had a different kavannah. Here are some links to their weekly intentions.

https://www.jewishspirituality.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Introduction-to-the-Omer.pdf https://www.jewishspirituality.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Omer-Week-2-1.pdf
https://www.jewishspirituality.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Omer-Week-3-1.pdf
https://www.jewishspirituality.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Omer-Week-4-1.pdf

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Click here to access the monthly calendar.

April

• 3 Shabbat Morning Meditation
• 5 Kugelettes
• 11 Barbara Lawrence Presentation
• 16 Shabbat
• 18 Coordinating Committee Meeting
• 19 Kugelettes
• 30 Lag B’Omer

May

• 1 Shabbat Morning Meditation
• 3 Kugelettes
• Shabbat
• Coordinating Committee Meeting
• 17 Kugelettes

COMMUNITY

We wish speedy healing to Bill Rappaport’s new hip and Nina Rogozen’s new knee. May they be up and running around in no time.

SHABBAT MORNING MEDITATION 

Dick Golden will lead us in meditation Saturday, April 3rd 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 April 11 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. 

SHABBAT

Shabbat Evening March 16th at 5:30  Dee Axelrod will lead us in this month’s evening Shabbat in the Zoom Room. April is Poetry Month, and April is a time when we find days lengthening.  So for this Shabbat, we’ll explore “light” in poetry and any other forms of writing. (or music. whatever people want to bring to the table).  Whether it’s the spotlight of social justice shining on this particular moment, or the feeling of literally emerging from our houses back into the light, Wherever the notion of “light” takes you. Each year the month of April is set aside as National Poetry Month, a time to celebrate poets and their craft. 

LAG B’OMER

Save the Date – April 30th. Lag B’Omer, traditionally a picnic to commemorate the passing of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, Lag B’Omer is also a celebration of the end of the plague in the time of Rabbi Akiva. We are planning to meet masked and in person in Caroline and Eric Steven’s garden. More details to follow.

COORDINATING COMMITTEE

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 

NEWS FROM USCIS

Hello Shir Hayam Friends,
On Feb 22, 2021, US Customs and Immigration Service (USCIS) reversed its decision to significantly increase the difficulty of the Citizenship Exam for new US naturalization candidates….. thanks to many of you.
As you may know, Shir Hayam has put many volunteer hours and much heart in supporting the Kitsap Immigrant Assistance Center (KIAC).  Through our association with KIAC we became aware of USCIS’s intention to change the 2008 Citizenship Exam in ways that would not be reasonable, even for a native-born US citizen!  ….ways that would obstruct a legitimate path for immigrants to become citizens of our USA and make good contributions to the quality of all our lives. We held an on-line Zoom event for Shir Hayam members to try taking the new 2020 test. Then we put out a call for Shir Hayam members to comment on the proposed change via Federal regulation change input processes.   Many of you did….  and you had effect. We can take pride in helping this just cause.

If you would like to read the USCIS Policy Alert – send an email to newsletter@shirhayam.org and we will send it out to you.

Thank you.
Dee, Mike and Cay – KIAC Volunteers

From the RECIPE file

Jibn – Syrian Frittata (aka crustless quiche!) submitted by Cay Vandervelde

This EASY recipe comes from My Jewish Learning and is now on an almost weekly rotation in the Vandervelde-Stern household, especially since Molly has become a Keto person.  The recipe is plain but perfect for setting proportions of the main ingredients – while still wide open for inspiration with flavors (dill? oregano? cumin? your favorite) and whatever’s still in the fridge (onions? fennel? kale? leftovers from the Indian restaurant?).   I usually put some pumpkin seeds on the top, and/or parmesan or feta, for crunch.  You could also put toasted Psyliium Husks for a Keto-friendly bread-crumb kind of topping (or crumble some non-Keto leftover Matzah!).  What’s not to like?

Ingredients

• 1 lb frozen chopped spinach, thawed
• 3 eggs
• 1 8 oz container cottage cheese
• 1 cup shredded Muenster or mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 tsp salt

Directions

• Preheat oven to 350º and grease a 9” pie pan, or similar.
• Squeeze as much water as possible out of the spinach.
• In a large bowl, mix spinach, eggs, cheese, and salt.
• Transfer the mixture into the prepared baking dish(es) and bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until the top is golden brown and the inside is cooked through.

HAPPENING ONLINE

Town Hall on Ending Homelessness

Break the Cycle: Preventing is Ending Homelessness – Monday, April 5 – 6:00 to 7:30pm PT

Sponsored by: REACH (Renton Ecumenical Association of Churches), WA Poor People’s Campaign, Local WFSE 843, Legacy of Equality & Leadership Organizing (LELO), Seattle Indivisible, and more. Join us in a panel discussion moderated by Rev. Bianca Davis-Lovelace (WaPPC Chair & ED of REACH) around ending and preventing homelessness. Topics will include:

• Rent relief
• $15 minimum wage
• Governmental response to houselessness
• Housing insecurity during a pandemic
• and  more!

YOU MUST REGISTER HERE TO GET THE ZOOM LINK (limited to 500 registrants): https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUkf-6srD8jHd3AlrpcA4UAPccnYHZC0ioF

Panelists Include: Shukri Olow is a mother, a community organizer, a doctoral candidate, King County employee, and a candidate for King County District 5 (covering the cities of Kent, SeaTac, Tukwila, Burien, Normandy Park, Des Moines and Renton). Chris Franco is the Director of Military & Veterans Affairs for Truman National Security Project, Army Military Veteran, & candidate for King County Council District 9. Sharon Lee is Executive Director of the Low Income Housing Institute. Iris Guzman is a Highline Public School Social Worker & candidate for SeaTac City Council. Dawn Bennett is the Co-Founder & Executive Director of Multicultural Education Rights Alliance & Candidate for Mayor of Kent. Violet Lavatai is the Executive Director of Tenants Union of Washington. Joseph Todd is the Deputy Chief Technology Officer at King County, WA & Candidate for Renton City Council.

Rabbi Shefa Gold, April 18 – May 14, 2021

By cultivating a personal practice of chant, we are receiving the holy texts that we have inherited by making them wholly our own. Through daily practice supported by teachings, processing and reflection we will learn and explore the power of the sacred phrase as a tool of healing and transformation. Through experiential classes we’ll discover what makes a chant different from a song, by exploring the power of intention, repetition, focus, awareness of states, and the silence that follows a chant. We’ll learn to use chant to build the mishkan (sanctuary) of heart, body, relationship, community, and world, so that God’s Presence can be invited into our lives. We’ll study the process of cultivating a middah (internal quality or characteristic) through the embodiment of a sacred phrase while meeting our obstacles and resistances with compassion and wisdom. Together we will work at becoming whole-hearted before God through deep devotional practice, so that when it is time to serve, our service will be the overflow of our own evolving and vital chant practice.

Course Overview

This 30-day prayer intensive is designed to help you focus on cultivating a specific modality of prayer practice. Each Sunday, you will receive an email with a half-hour video teaching, recorded by Rabbi Shefa Gold. These video teachings accompany a written lesson, which may include links to Jewish texts, secular writings, poems, music, videos, and other references to supplement your learning. You can choose the best time in your schedule to watch the half-hour video teaching and read the written lesson, as well as to log onto the community forums to post your questions and reflections. Throughout the week, you will receive daily emails, which will encourage you to keep up with your own internal work with twenty to thirty minutes of daily practice.

As an optional supplement to the course, you may also choose to participate in a weekly practice group with Shefa Gold on Fridays, from 12-1pm ET. This group is available on a first-come, first-serve basis for an additional fee of $75. It offers the opportunity to engage with your teacher and other participants in a “live” environment, using Zoom video conferencing technology. Pricing Month-Long Prayer Intensive: $100 Month-Long Prayer Intensive PLUS Weekly Live Practice Group: $175 The live practice group is limited to 35 participants.

What if there was a simple solution that could help balance our climate, replenish our freshwater supplies, and feed the world? That solution is right under our feet.           

Registration is now open to view this year’s featured film, Kiss the Ground,as part of your events for Faith Climate Action Week’s theme of “Sacred Ground: Cultivating Connections Between our Faith, our Food, and the Climate” (April 16 – 25).

Register to view the film here.

Kiss the Ground is a new film how about how regenerating the world’s soils has the potential to rapidly stabilize Earth’s climate, restore lost ecosystems, and create abundant food supplies. This film explains why transitioning to regenerative agriculture could be key in rehabilitating the planet, while simultaneously invigorating a new sense of hope and inspiration in viewers.

Thanks to a special arrangement with Kiss the Ground and Ro*co films, IPL will offer a free online viewing period for home viewing from April 10 through April 26. All viewers must register with IPL. Once you register you will receive a link-to-view for three different versions—the full-length film (84 minutes), a grower version (45 minutes), and an educational version for schools (45 minutes.)

The post April 2021 appeared first on Shir Hayam.

Click here to access the monthly calendar.

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.

The post March 2021 appeared first on Shir Hayam.

Click here to access the monthly calendar.

February (all virtual Zoom Room gatherings)

• 6 Shabbat Morning Meditation
• 7 Memorial Scrolls Trust Presentation
• 8 Kugelettes
• 20 Coordinating Committee Meeting
• 22 Kugelettes
• 27 Purim Party

March (all virtual Zoom Room gatherings)

• 6 Shabbat Morning Meditation
• 8 Kugelettes
• 19 Shabbat
• 22 Kugelettes
• 27 First Night of Passover

COMMUNITY

A huge Mazal Tov to Janet and Jerry Hanrahan on the birth of their new granddaughter, Carter, to son Justin and Hope in Boulder, Colorado on Thanksgiving day.  All the joy on her wonderful arrival and beginnings.

Double Mazal Tovs to the Vandervelde-Stern household onsome upcoming, major adventures, starting this February.  Cay will begin her new job with FEMA this week and, amazingly, will be based at home.  Nathan, on the other hand, will be moving across the country to Towson, Maryland to begin a new job there focusing on physical therapy for runners.  We wish them both all the best – Nathan in his new home, and in both of their new, challenging endeavors.

Yesher Koach to Carol Rappaport in her volunteer efforts helping Kitsap residents get their COVID vaccinations.

MEDITATION SHABBAT

Dick and Linda will once again lead us in meditation Saturday, February 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.

CULTURAL EVENTS

Join us for a presentation about the Memorial Scrolls Trust (MST) and the history of our Shir Hayam Torah by MST Trustee and US representative Lois Roman. Sunday, February 7th at 10 am in the Shir Hayam Zoom Room.

The Memorial Scrolls Trust is a London based nonprofit dedicated to the preserving the legacy of  1,564  Torahs taken from from synagogues in Bohemia and Moravia during the Shoah. Our Torah has been on loan to us from MST since 1990.

PURIM

Zooming into Purim February 27th at 4 pm.

We are planning for Purim and it takes us all to throw a proper party!

We are looking for folks to help perform the megillah, perhaps sing a tune, play an instrument to entertain us and poets to recite their Purim themed poems for the occasion. (Perhaps bowing down to false idols is a pertinent topic for some of you). Contact ruach@shirhayam.org to volunteer.

Even if you are just planning on attending, think about wearing a hat or crown to celebrate!

TIKKUN OLAM

How fortunate we, the community of Shir Hayam, are to be able to support worthy local nonprofits who are doing so much for so many people during this time.  

With 5% of our annual budget dedicated to Tikkun Olam plus all the donations to the Tikkun Olam Fund this year, we had $1,000 to distribute. The Tikkun Olam Committee voted to divide the funds between the following organizations:

1. Fishline – https://fishlinehelps.org/
   • Fishline serves the North Kitsap Community by providing food, emergency services and resources to transform lives. Our vision is a community where a safety net exists for all people, which includes adequate food, shelter, healthcare and employment.
2. Jewish Family Service of Seattle – https://www.jfsseattle.org/
   • Services. JFS, located in Seattle, has been providing a wide range of social services for both the Jewish and non-Jewish community since 1892. The mission statement is succinct “JFS helps vulnerable individuals and families in the Puget Sound region achieve well-being, health and stability.” Their programs include counseling and addiction service, emergency housing support, older adult services, (including meal delivery) outreach and education, refugee support and services, and support living services for people with disabilities. They also have a support program called Project Dvorah for victims of domestic violence as well as running the Polack Food Bank. They were also instrumental in responding to the food insecurity of students and veterans who attend Seattle Central CC by helping establish and stock a campus food pantry. For the newly arrived immigrant, JFS works with HIAS to resettle immigrants assigned by the US Dept. of State. In addition to the required 90-day resettlement services, JFS continues to support its immigrant clientele by providing assistance in their applications for low-cost housing, translation services for school, medical and legal needs, assistance with citizenship applications, classes, and support and referral services. They employ members of the immigrant’s ethnic community to work with them on their integration needs. In addition to mental health services for people with cognitive disabilities, they work with members of the Seattle rabbinic community to provide holiday activities and services catering to those with special needs. They were plaintiffs in a lawsuit against the Trump administration ‘s ban on the reunification of families of already arrived refugees who were caught up in the Muslim ban. A link to their website describes their winning suit. https://www.jfsseattle.org/press-publications/settlement/
3. Bremerton Foodline – https://www.bremertonfoodline.org/
   • This is the only non religious-affiliated Foodbank in Bremerton, serving primarily people who live within the Bremerton School District, as well as folks attending Olympic College, work in Bremerton, or are homeless.  They now serve about 600 families (about 1800 people – including 415 new households), providing 3-4 days of nutritious groceries for each person in each household, per month.  In addition, people may come in weekly for government-supplied commodities such as dairy, eggs, meat, and fish products.   A week’s worth of bag lunches for school-age children is also available (60% of children in this school district live below the poverty level).  The Foodline does all this with great flexibility, being sure that as few barriers as possible arise for people seeking food assistance.

In addition, the money that was budgeted for Super Suppers this year will be donated to Kingston Cares (https://kingstoncares.org/) since Super Suppers are suspended due to the pandemic. Kingston Cares give out free boxed dinners twice a month.  For the March 12^th distribution, we have the chance to send two volunteers to help to hand out dinners and manage traffic as the diners pick up their meals from 4:15 to 5:30. Kol Shalom is donating their Super Supper funds & sending 2 volunteers, too.

Keep safe and keep on giving, The Tikkun Olam Committee

COORDINATING COMMITTEE

Shir Hayam’s Coordinating Committee (CC) met January 17, 2021. Among the topics covered:

• A financial review of the preceding year’s financial records will be completed prior to May 15, as specified by SH’s updated bylaw 6.3. The Coordinating Committee will designate one person within the Chavurah to review the financial records with the Treasurer.
• The Community Presence Committee (CPC) demonstrated how a proposed Shir Hayam Wiki could work.
• Further discussion of what defines membership in Shir Hayam and what definition of “member” will qualify one to access the proposed members-only website/Wiki area. Possible extension of membership from 1 to 2 years.
• As part of the drive to build membership SH will create a video library of Yiddish folktales and stories read by SH members. The recordings will be available to the community at large.  
• SH will stage a Purim talent show.
• Shir Hayam will continue to track antisemitism and other topics of interest to the larger Jewish community.

Upcoming CC meetings   

February 20th at 10 am and tentatively April 4th at 10 am in the Shir Hayam Zoom Room – Shir Hayam members are welcome to attend. 

2/20/2021 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 committees total over next few meetings)
• CPC Status – current/planned 2020-2021 & budget request/plans 2021-2022

Around the Virtual World

Open My Heart: Living Jewish Prayer.

Each Monday and Friday, a different teacher will offer a new short prayer-practice, inviting you to join them. From one episode to the next, the practice, and the voices will be different. No one presenter, and no one prayer, will necessarily work for everyone. But our hope (and expectation) is that over time, joining in these prayers will lead you to find your own authentic and meaningful prayer practice and open your heart to prayer. Hosted by Rabbi Jonathan Slater, Senior Program Director of the Institute for Jewish Spirituality. Listen to our most recent episode below, or wherever you get your podcasts. https://www.jewishspirituality.org/go-deeper/prayer-project/open-my-heart/

Finding Our Voices: Laughing at the Dark

Presented by Jewish Family Service. At face value, the story of Esther, the centerpiece of the Purim holiday, is no laughing matter. There is trauma or the threat of trauma on just about every scale you can imagine. Far from being a funny story to tuck children up with, at a closer reveal, the tale intricately describes scenes of immense loss, heartbreak, violence and death. Hardly a rip-roaring comedy then. And yet, for centuries, this is exactly what has happened when the Megillah, the Scroll of Esther, is unfurled: Children appear in fancy dress, the atmosphere is carnival-esque, feasting, drinking and merriment abound. Why? In our learning together, we will explore Jewish teachings about how especially at this time, when the world’s traumas can destroy happiness—and lead to deep sorrow, confusion, and fear, the response from the tradition is precisely to laugh and celebrate together. Laughter can give power back to those who experience the trauma. It can allow them to say to their trauma: ‘You don’t get to oppress me, you don’t get to destroy me; I am still alive, I can still laugh…” Thursday, February 11 Noon – 1:00 pm Please register here. We hope to see you there! Your Presenters: Beth Huppin (Jewish Family Service) & Rabbi Samuel Klein (Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle), featuring musical artist Chava Mirel.

Coming in March – Seattle Jewish Film Festival

The post February 2021 appeared first on Shir Hayam.

Click here to access the monthly calendar.

January (all virtual Zoom Room gatherings)

• 2 Shabbat Morning Meditation
• 10 Journey to Jewish Rome
• 11 Kugelettes
• 17 Coordinating Committee Meeting
• 22 Shabbat
• 25 Kugelettes

February (all virtual Zoom Room gatherings)

• 6 Shabbat Morning Meditation
• 7 Memorial Scrolls Trust Presentation
• 8 Kugelettes
• 14 Coordinating Committee Meeting
• Shabbat/Havdalah-tbd
• 22 Kugelettes

COMMUNITY

All wishes for continued healing to Michele Lyons’ daughter Allison.

Congratulations to Eric Stevens: After 8 years as Executive Director of the Kitsap Humane Society, Eric Stevens just announced his retirement. Well, not total retirement. He’s stepping down as Executive Director and transitioning to a part-time role as Capital Campaign/Project Director. In this role, he’ll oversee the shelter’s creation of a major new veterinary center which will expand the capacity of their remarkable, life-saving veterinary practice.

Eric’s tenure as ED of the shelter was transformative in every way. He inherited an organization in financial and cultural crisis and stewarded it into an organization that is a model for shelters nationwide. Today the shelter adopts out nearly 6,000 animals each year, including thousands of at-risk animals from other shelters where they have not been adoptable. In the last few years they’ve built new, state-of-the-art dog and cat kennels, a new adoption center, and a canine behavior training center. Eric also increased the stability and professionalism of the shelter’s staff and large corps of dedicated volunteers.

Eric started at the shelter in 2012 with the idea that he would stabilize an organization in crisis and then turn the job over to a permanent director. What he wasn’t expecting was to fall in love with the shelter, its mission, its people, and its animals. He certainly wasn’t expecting to take an animal home. But in 2013, when kennel staff invited managers to take at-risk dogs into their offices during the day to help the dogs socialize, Eric volunteered to take Mork, a young, nervous pit bull mix who was not at all sure about his relationship with people. Almost immediately, Eric and Mork became inseparable, and within a few months, Eric and Caroline had adopted Mork and taken him home. He is there today, quite certain that he is the one who has adopted these two loving people. Maybe this is what the kennel staff had in mind all along!

We congratulate Eric on an amazing tenure at KHS and wish him continued joy and satisfaction in his new job.

SHABBAT MEDITATION

A Golden Meditation – Join us for the first Saturday of the month meditation with Dick and Linda Golden. This Saturday, January 2, 9-9:30 am. In the Shir Hayam Zoom Room.

SHABBAT

Shabbat Friday, Jan 22, 5:30 pm. Candle lighting, Kiddush and perhaps some discussion. Hope to see you there! In the Shir Hayam Zoom Room.

CULTURAL EVENTS

LONGING TO TRAVEL? Journey to Jewish Rome with Micaela Pavoncello.

Live from Italy on Sunday January 10 2021  10 am – 12 noon

Micaela’s Jewish family in Rome goes back 2000 years. A sought after walking tour guide recommended by Rick Steves, she will share her extensive knowledge, interesting stories, and beautiful photographs in a fun and engaging way during this tour of twenty two centuries of Jewish life in Rome.

Please RSVP to jjr10RSVP@gmail.com to receive the zoom link for this event. (It’s different from the Shir Hayam Zoom Room)

TIKKUN OLAM

Thank you to everyone who donated warm jackets, food, and money to Helpline for distribution to people in need. The need continues, so please feel free to give Helpline food and money as you are able. Foods that are especially appreciated include cereals, granola bars, and hearty soup cans with pop tops.  Helpline has only limited space for clothing, so please hold on to your extra warm coats until they advise us that they can accept them. Helpline is open for drop off from 9- 11 a.m. M – Fri, except Wednesday.  Their phone number is 206-842-7621.

The Kitsap Immigration Assistance Center (KIAC) is based in Bremerton and received a donation from Shir Hayam earlier this year. Cay Vandervelde and Dee Axelrod have both volunteered and worked many hours on an online course to become Accredited Representatives; not an easy task! Their accreditation allows them to help process applicants’ requests for status adjustment, e.g., green card and naturalization. They have also helped by delivering food donations. Michael Orr has given his time and expertise to help KIAC choose and migrate to a new legal software system to replace one they’ve outgrown.

I’ve asked Cay and Dee what motivated them to take on this time and energy commitment to KIAC.  Their  responses below will help you get to know more about these admirable women.  

Cay’s response… Volunteering with KIAC appealed to me for 3 reasons – I had helped tutoring and housing assistance for an immigrant advocacy group in college and loved every bit of the work and the people, I have always been interested in how legal systems work, and finally, Dee (our former Shir Hayam chairperson) asked me to!   I am especially happy to be part of Shir Hayam’s participation in the wider community because I think our collective experience and kindness has so much good to offer our neighbors.  The pure pleasure for me is getting to do something important that combines work with other Chavurah members, other immigration advocates (all of them interesting and dedicated) and KIAC’s immigration clients as a joined force for compassion and justice.

Dee’s response… At my age it’s unusual to be offered the chance to learn and to apply a new skill at the level of becoming an Accredited Representative.  Grappling with the intricacies of immigration law was an attractive and scary challenge. Rage was another motivation, as in anger at the current administration….Helping immigrants obtain legal status and (maybe) becoming skilled enough to help them fight removal in court are ways to resist.  I’m motivated by the memory of immigrant grandparents and a desire to honor the Jewish immigrants who came here and, the ones who were turned away. Jewish roots and values are the framework for this project. Justice, justice.

Coordinating Committee Meeting

Report from the Coordinating Committee

Shir Hayam’s Coordinating Committee (CC) met December 6.

Among the topics covered:

SH support of race equity, religious tolerance and Tikkun Olam:

• A BISD teacher’s scheduled a test on Yom Kippur. Members of CC drafted and sent a letter of protest to BISD leadership and made a presentation to the Multicultural Advisory Council (MAC). CC will reinforce the message at Jan school board meeting.
• CC decided to send reps to the City of Bainbridge Island (COBI ) Race Equity meeting Dec 8.
• Connect with the people who track hate groups in Kitsap County
• Consider contribution to Stonechild Chiefstick Memorial

Brainstorming ways to enlarge and reinforce SH membership

• Possible Yiddish storytelling on YouTube by SH members
• Reinventing the Sunday school
•  Sending out annual membership invitation package by mail right after the June annual meeting

Lending our Torah

• Can we do so, under the terms of the loan of the Torah to SH?
• If we can, what ought the guidelines be to ensure respect for and safety of our precious scroll and ark.

Upcoming CC meetings 

January 17 at 10 am & February 14 at 10 am – SH members are most welcome to attend. Join us in the SH Zoom Room.

1/17/20201 agenda

• Proposed guidelines for use of the SH financial reserve funds
• Presentation of a plan for a financial review of SH
• Discussion of the “Shalom Bayit” function – what is it, do we need it?
• Possible SH Wiki
• Enlarging SH membership: ideas for a “multi-year, multi-tier” membership
• Ongoing discussion of at-large community projects: i.e., ways SH community can help address alleviating poverty and homelessness in Kitsap County

From the Holocaust Center

For more information or to register for these events you can visit the Holocaust Center website – https://www.holocaustcenterseattle.org/

 “THE FAMILY” Three Roads – How One Family Embodied The Sweep of 20th Century Jewish History

Tuesday, January 5, 2021 12:00-1:00pm REGISTER NOW Seattle author David Laskin draws on his award-winning book The Family to recount the story of the three branches of his mother’s Russian-Jewish family:  one branch immigrated to the United States and went into business, founding the fabulous Maidenform Bra Company; one branch journeyed to Palestine and made the desert bloom as idealistic Zionist pioneers; the third branch remained behind and perished in the Holocaust. Laskin illustrates the talk with vivid slides not only of his relatives but of the historic events they experienced.  

Born in Brooklyn, David Laskin grew up on Long Island hearing stories of struggle and survival told by his Russian-Jewish immigrant grandparents.  Settling in Seattle with his wife and three daughters in 1993, Laskin has won wide acclaim for his journalism and his narrative nonfiction books recounting the lives of ordinary people caught up in the great movements of history.  Four of his recent books, including The Family, have won the Washington State Books Award. Laskin’s first novel, What Sammy Knew, will be published by Penguin in March, 2021.  You can purchase The Family from our community partner and local bookseller, Madison Books!

The Power of Personal Stories: UW Students Grapple with Stories of Survival and Loss

Tuesday, January 12, 2021 12:00-1:00 pm REGISTER NOW When students signed up for Professor Rawan Arar’s “Genocide and Law” class at the UW, they quickly learned that this class was going to tackle more than text – it was going to challenge their emotions and their human understanding.  The situations they would be studying were not just events, but were real people’s lives. Working with the Holocaust Center for Humanity, students were assigned to interview survivors of genocide and their descendants. In this special program, students will join with the survivors to provide a candid view of interviewing, being interviewed, and the lessons learned.

Holocaust Survivor Charlotte Wollheim

Tuesday, January 19, 2021 12:00-1:00pm. Born in Germany, Charlotte Wollheim remembers a happy childhood. All of this began to change when the Nazi party came to power in 1933. As Jewish people’s lives became increasingly threatened, her parents sent Charlotte and her sister to the Esslingen Jewish Orphanage while they tried to find a way out of Germany. Not even 10 years old, it was a frightening experience. Charlotte’s family would make it to the United States, but not before her father would be arrested multiple times, her grandfather’s home would be vandalized, and their lives would be endangered. 

In 1988, Charlotte teamed up with Holocaust survivor Vladka Meed to organize summer trips to Poland for teachers to learn about the Holocaust. These trips became a turning point for hundreds of educators in their understanding and commitment to Holocaust education. Charlotte is a member of the Holocaust Center’s Speakers Bureau. Registration Coming Soon

Choices Matter: Complicity and Action During the Holocaust

Thursday, January 21, 2021 3:30-5:30 pm. REGISTER NOW Presented by Melissa Mott, Echoes & Reflections. An examination of the range of choices and decisions made by individuals, communities and nations during the Holocaust is a powerful lens through which to study this period of history. This approach encourages deep critical thinking and analysis, and also serves as a catalyst to compel students to work toward making change in their own lives and the larger society. This learning opportunity examines the consequences of inaction and highlights the courage and difficult choices of those who rescued and resisted during the Holocaust. Educators will gain the tools to support students to implement an action-oriented project influenced by the lessons of this history, as well as how these lessons and more may be adapted to remote instruction.

Dear Erich: A Jazz Opera by Ted Rosenthal – Commemorating International Holocaust Remembrance Day

Wednesday, January 27, 2021 6:00 pm. REGISTER AND LEARN MORE. Join the Holocaust Center for Humanity for a special one of a kind virtual performance to commemorate International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

Ted Rosenthal, composer and jazz pianist, will perform excerpts from his jazz opera, Dear Erich, with two Seattle area opera singers.

The event is free to attend, or, support the Center by becoming a Patron with a $180 donation. Your donation will support virtual programming for students, teachers, and the community in 2021. Patrons will be recognized on the event page and during the program.

From Endless Opportunities

Endless Opportunities is a Jewish community-wide social & education program sponsored by Temples De Hirsch Sinai & B’nai Torah, Jewish Family Service and Congregations Beth Shalom & Kol Ami. Please visit the Endless Opportunities webpage for additional information or contact Rabbi Kate Speizer, EO Coordinator, (206) 693-3046.

A Rabbi’s Journey to Jewish East Africa

Thursday, January 7, 2021 • 10:30 am Join Congregation Herzl Ner Tamid’s Senior Rabbi, Jacob Herber, as he discusses his remarkable trip to the Abayudaya community of Nabagoya Hill, Uganda, his experience helping to convert over 200 members of the community, his participation in the installation of Subsaharan Africa’s first native-born, Black rabbi, and his adventures while on safari. Please register in advance for this virtual meeting by clicking here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAqdO6hqT4vGdSSLcdaS4AppZqUy-ZlVqbC 

Unveiling Leonardo with Artist Miha Sarani

Thursday, January 14, 2021  • 10:30 am This presentation will focus on a closer look at one of the greatest creative minds in human achievement, Leonardo da Vinci. By exploring political, scientific, religious and artistic reflections of the period known as the Renaissance, we will look at the contribution da Vinci brought to the “rebirth” of the humanities. Together, we will unveil the trajectory of his career and aim to gain a clearer understanding of why his interests extended beyond artistic practice. Please register in advance for this virtual meeting by clicking here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYkdu-pqTgjHtYxGkwpF2zK3gIBNRs19F9n 

Surviving the Holocaust in Hiding: Peter Metzelaar’s Story

Tuesday, January 19, 2021 • 10:30 am From time in hiding on the farm of a non-Jewish couple, to going to school posing as a Christian boy, to a daring escape on a Nazi truck with his mother dressed as a Red Cross nurse, Peter Metzelaar’s harrowing journey of survival started in Amsterdam in 1942. At the age of just seven years old, Pete and his mother, Elli, were the only two from their family not to be seized by the Nazis. A longtime member of the Holocaust Center for Humanity Speakers Bureau, Pete has paved the way for testimonials to be told and legacies to live on. Please register in advance for this virtual meeting by clicking here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcpcuCtrj8vGNBjDQaHsEGDNl6N8ZFQ7KzC 

The post January 2021 appeared first on Shir Hayam.

Click here to access the monthly calendar.

December(all virtual Zoom Room gatherings)

• 5 Shabbat Morning Meditation
• 6 Coordinating Committee Meeting
• 10 First Night of Chanukah
• 14 Kugelettes
• 18 Chanukah Party
• 28 Kugelettes

January (all virtual Zoom Room gatherings)

• 2 Shabbat Morning Meditation
• Shabbat/Havdalah-tbd
• Kugelettes-tbd

COMMUNITY

Our deepest condolences on the passing of Mel Leiman (z”l) to Carol Shakow, her family and Mel’s daughters and their families. Mel was a wonderful member of our Shir Hayam family since his marriage to Carol 20 years ago. We will all miss him dearly, his generous nature and his memorable contribution to every conversation.

SHABBAT MEDITATION

Meditation with the Goldens– Dick and Linda Golden are generously continuing to lead us in a silent meditation the first Saturday of the month. This month’s date and time is Saturday, December 5th from 9-9:30am. It’s been a lovely way to get together. Hope to see you there. Shir Hayam Zoom Room.

CHANUKAH PARTY/SHABBAT

Join us in the Shir Hayam Zoom Room for a Chanukah Party on the last night of Chanukah, Thursday, Dec 17th at 5:30 pm. We will light menorahs together and play some games. Robin Hruska has a downloaded Chanukkah Bingo game we can play together that has 32 individual boards. Plenty for all. To help things go smoothly, if you can email her ahead of time, she can send you a board before the party. Again sorry for the confusion!

KUGELETTES

Kugelettes will be meeting in the Shir Hayam Zoom Room every other Monday at 5:30pm – this month December 14 & 28.

TIKKUN OLAM

Helpline Kids’ Holiday Program & Senior Giving Tree

Recreated for 2020, the Kids’ Holiday and Senior Giving Tree Programs collect and distribute $25 merchant gift cards to Helpline House households.

What There are very few gifts, if any, when a household is trying to make ends meet. We hope this holiday gift program gives clients the freedom to choose and spark imagination. As you can tell, this year’s holiday program is designed to support our local merchants, keep everyone safe, and ignite curiosity in the eyes of those who need it the most. 

When These upcoming special winter programs will be distributing your in-kind donations to children and seniors visiting the curbside food bank starting the second week of December for two weeks. Donations are gratefully accepted weekday mornings from 9 to 11 am, except Wednesdays. Find a list of suggestions at helplinehouse.org/kids-holiday-program

Why Your holiday donation from local merchants will support local businesses, local children, and seniors 65+ years young that need it the most! If you can, please donate a holiday in-kind $25 gift card(s) from a local business. We will distribute them to children under 18 years old and seniors 65+ years young. 

Ready? Get set. Go! Visit an Island business: Calico Cat, Eagle Harbor Book Store, Ace Hardware, Rite Aid, or local grocery stores to pick up a $25 gift card and deliver to Helpline House during donation mornings; weekday mornings 9 to 11 am, except Wednesdays.

https://www.helplinehouse.org/post/kids-holiday-program-senior-giving-tree

NEW FACEBOOK PAGE

Shir Hayam has a new Facebook page. We will be updating it with upcoming events. Click here to take a look.

COORDINATING COMMITTEE MEETING

Sunday, December 6th at 1:00 pm in the Shir Hayam Zoom Room. All members welcome.

HAPPENING ONLINE

Ladino Day is going virtual. The 8th annual Ladino Day at the University of Washington will explore the intersection of Ladino and technology over the last century, and how revolutions in print and on the web have impacted the language over time.

Interesting Reading from the Jewish Telegraphic Agency

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