CHECK OUT ALL OUR SCHEDULED EVENTS ON THE S-H October Calendar:

https://shirhayam.org/calendar/

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RUACH

Please join us for a Shabbat Meditation on Saturday, January 6 from 9:00 – 9:30 in the Zoom Room.

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TIKKUN OLAM:

Cropwalk took place on October 1 with about 25 walkers participating.

Shir Hayam raised $1,430 (second in total donations to only Eagle Harbor Congregational Church -they raised $4,481), but we were the highest on a per-capita basis. The total raised was $17,552 – substantially less than past years. Thanks to all who contributed, and to Denise who once again coordinated Shir Hayam’s participation and acted as Treasurer for Bainbridge/North Kitsap’s Cropwalk.

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NEWS FROM THE FORWARD:

The FORWARD announces the removal of its paywall!

“All our Forward content is now free and available to everyone everywhere“, though they are seeking donations and memberships.

Founded in New York 1897 as a Yiddish-language daily, the FORWARD soon became a national paper, the most widely read Jewish newspaper anywhere. The English Forward was launched as a weekly in 1990 and moved to fully digital publication in 2019.

The Forward delivers incisive coverage of the issues, ideas and institutions that matter to American Jews. Its rigorous reporting and balanced commentary on politics, arts and culture have won numerous awards year after year and made it the most influential nationwide Jewish media outlet.

Check out The Forward at www.forward.com

COMMUNITY NEWS:

–Mazal Tov Mazal Tov to Steve and Nina on the birth of their first grandchild, Isabel Frances, in November, and to new mother, Mikaela, and aunt Johanna.

–All best wishes to Eric for a swift and full recovery following recent shoulder replacement surgery.

–Our deepest condolences to Susan and Tom and their family on the loss this fall of Susan’s beloved brother.

Our wishes for healing and a smooth recovery to Linda on her upcoming knee surgery.

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HAND in HAND:

During these challenging times, the Jerusalem-based Hand in Hand, the Center for Jewish-Arab Education in Israel, continues to operate 7 schools there, serving 2,100 students.

Hand in Hand is a network of integrated, bilingual schools for Jewish and Arab children in Israel. Hand in Hand was co-founded by Israeli Arab educator Amin Khalaf and Israeli American educator Lee Gordon in 1997 with 50 students at two campuses.^[1]

Hand in Hand’s mission is to create a strong and inclusive shared society in Israel through a network of integrated, bilingual schools and active communities. The organization’s philosophy is that the actual living experience of its students, teachers, parents and others who participate in its schools and communities can inspire broad support for social inclusion and civic equality in Israel.

More than 3,000 parents and other adults, Jews and Arabs alike, currently participate in integrated community activities organized by Hand in Hand. Over the next 10 years, Hand in Hand aims to create a network of 10 to 15 integrated bilingual schools, supported and enhanced by active communities, altogether involving more than 20,000 Israeli citizens.

To learn more, and/or to donate, visit Home – Hand in Hand (handinhandk12.org)

The post JANUARY 2024 appeared first on Shir Hayam.

CHECK OUT ALL OUR SCHEDULED EVENTS ON THE S-H October Calendar:

https://shirhayam.org/calendar/

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RUACH:

HIGH HOLIDAYS 5784:

The High Holidays began in the glory of late summer, radiant, warm, with blue skies as we began Rosh Hashonah services. Perfect weather to compliment the promise of a New Year.

By the time Kol Nidre arrived, we were thrust quickly into Autumn, with rain, winds, cooler temperatures, and shorter, darker days. The weather, like the mood, had become contemplative, reflective, inner-directed, and our services reflected this. The weather outside our Shul resonated with the inner work we were doing in the Shul.

This year, our Chavurah seemed so connected, intensely focused, awake, and aware to others and to the questions our own souls were asking.

Led by Reb Lavey, whose stories and prayers gave us spiritual guidance and inspiration, we sang, played music, prayed, chanted, stood in silence amidah, shared stories and poems, and came together in community to share these very meaningful Days of Awe. Our bodies were activated as well, as Ellen Tobe led us to shape Hebrew letters and words with OTIOT CHAYOT, a movement akin to T’ai Chi.

These high holidays exemplified the purpose, the meaning, and the joy of our Chavurah – a community of connected individuals and families, unified by our commitment and love of our Jewish tradition, and of our engaged and supportive Chavurah.

Rosh Hashonah Day Service

Torah Reading

Otiot Chayyot

Tashlich

Chasidic Story Discussion

Ellen and Reb Lavey are back home safe and sound after their time with us. Reb Lavey left us with a parting request: “We said this inidividually to as many people as we could, but please pass on to every single member our thanks for the wonderful time we’ve had with you all!”

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HARVEST POTLUCK LUNCH:

Saturday, October 7, 12-2pm

Come celebrate the beginning of our new year, 5784, with a delicious potluck lunch at this beautiful, small, sunny Bainbridge park.  We will not build a Sukkah or roll the Torah, but if this glorious weather holds as predicted, we will be able to share a lovely lunch together.

PLEASE BRING:

–a plentiful harvest dish or something you love making, along with serving utensils; –nonalcoholic beverages; –beach or folding chairs or blankets to sit on; –musical instruments – we might sing.

WE WILL PROVIDE:  dishes, cups, utensils, and napkins

QUESTIONS and Location information?  Contact Sharon at 206.393.7300 or sharonrutzick@gmail.com

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CULTURAL EVENTS:

Author Presentation: Zaidy’s War:

Please join us on Sunday, October 15, at 11:00 AM PDT for a fascinating zoom presentation on Zaidy’s War, the memoir of Benzion Malik, a man of remarkable creativity and grit who survived the Holocaust (while eluding poisoning and cannibalism), walked 1,600 miles back to Romania, emigrated to Israel where he endured the Six Day War, and finally settled in the U.S. Whew!

Martin’s presentation will be in the Shir Hayam Zoom Room. Buckle your seatbelt and join us!

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“Kantika”, a Sephardic Novel by Author Elizabeth Graver

For those of you who read “Kantika” (and for those interested in reading it), the Stroum Center for Jewish Studies at the University of WA is presenting, via Zoom, a discussion with the author:

Sunday, December 3, 10:00 am PST – 11:00 am PST

Join Isaac Alhadeff Professor of Sephardic Studies Devin E. Naar in conversation with author Elizabeth Graver as she discusses her moving, multi-generational saga inspired by her grandmother. Rebecca née Cohen Baruch Levy was born into a Sephardic Jewish family from Istanbul in the early 20th century, and her kaleidoscopic journey takes her to Barcelona, Havana, and ultimately New York, exploring themes of displacement, endurance, and family as home.

Kantika—meaning “song” in Ladino— is a lush, lyrical novel which celebrates the legacy of language, and the insistence on seizing beauty and grabbing hold of one’s one and only life.

“Far from being a Pollyannaish tale of New World success, Kantika is a meticulous endeavor to preserve the memories of a family, an elegy and a celebration both. — Ayten Tartici, New York Times, April 2023

This event is free and open to the public. Click the button below to register and receive the Zoom meeting link:

REGISTER NOW >

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TIKKUN OLAM:

CROP HUNGER WALK 2023:

There’s still time to contribute https://events.crophungerwalk.org/2023/denise-brown-3 even after the walk on October 1.

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Kitsap Immigrant Assistance Center (KIAC) – is a Shir Hayam beneficiary

Shir Hayam has been supporting KIAC for several years – with its precious personal time by some Chavurah members, and its annual donations…. in addition to the occasional ‘GoGundMe’ request!

The in-person volunteer work is extremely inspiring (and open to anyone interested in either Family Services or Legal Services…!).  Please let Cay Vandervelde know if you would like to hear more!  She volunteers in the legal services area and has had the privilege of working with Asylum, Violence Against Women, Victims of Criminal Activity and Legal Permanent Resident applicants from Afghanistan, Colombia, Spain, Denmark, Mexico and Guatemala. There is room for volunteer time commitments at all different levels…. so please consider whether this would be a fulfilling Tikkun Olam project for you!  

To get a feel for KIAC’s ‘August Numbers’ – and to feel glad for Shir Hayam’s general support for this important work – have a look at the summary, below:

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COMMUNITY EVENT:

From the Bainbridge Island / North Kitsap Interfaith Council:

You are warmly invited to participate in October climate awareness month with a 

community gathering…Celebrating the Web of Life

Date:  Wednesday, October 4, 2023 Time:  7:00-8:30pm

Location: Congregation Kol Shalom, 9010 Miller Rd NE (parking in gravel lot adjacent to the South)

Bring if you wish:

A photo or small token for the collective altar that represents reverence for the interconnected web of life—an idea you or your congregation might offer to build climate change awareness, and a plate of Vegetarian finger foods (eggs OK) to share.

Hosted by BINK/IFC Climate Circle as we kick off a month of activities focused on building awareness of climate change and climate justice.

Please let us know if you will attend by RSVP at  climatecirclebinkifc@gmail.com 

Questions?: Contact Sharon at 206.393.7300 or sharonrutzick@gmail.com

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Update from the town of Chelm:

A Shir Hayam member received this update from the Village of Chelm:

A young scholar of Chelm, innocent in the ways of earthly matters, was stunned one morning recently when his wife gave birth. Quickly he ran to the rabbi.

“Rabbi,” he blurted out, “an extraordinary thing has hap­pened! Please explain it to me. My wife has just given birth although we have been married only three months! How can this be? Everyone knows it takes nine months for a baby to be born!”

The rabbi, a world-renowned sage, put on his silver-rimmed spectacles and furrowed his brow reflectively.

“My son,” he said, “I can see you haven’t the slightest idea about such matters, nor can make the simplest calculation. Let me ask you: Have you lived with your wife three months?”

“Yes.”

“She has lived with you three months?”

“Yes.”

“Together – have you lived three months?”

“Yes.”

“What’s the total then – three months plus three plus three?”

“Nine months, Rabbi!”

“So… what is the problem?”

The post OCTOBER 2023 appeared first on Shir Hayam.

CHECK OUT ALL OUR SCHEDULED EVENTS ON THE S-H July Calendar:

https://shirhayam.org/calendar/

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HIGH HOLIDAYS 5784

Shir Hayam is excited to welcome Rabbi Lavey Derby back for the third year to lead us on our High Holiday 5784 journey.

From Reb Lavey: My desire is to be in community with others who seek a profound spirituality, who wish to explore the mysteries and secrets found in the books of mystics, who would like to celebrate Jewish holy time with utmost joy, who will engage in spiritual practice with courage, curiosity, and compassion, and who seek to know something of the Mystery.

You can read more about him here: https://reblavey.com/about-us/

Tashlich 2021

High Holiday Schedule

• September 15 Erev Rosh Hashanah
• September 16 Rosh Hashanah, Tashlich
• September 24 Kol Nidre
• September 25 Yom Kippur Service, Yizkor, N’eilah

Message from Reb Lavey about the theme for this year’s High Holidays:

Ellen and I are to join you once again for the High Holidays. It’s my hope that with prayer and singing, story-telling and learning, we will together enter the New Year with open hearts and a renewed spirit.

Of course, we know that Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur are days of celebration and joy, as well as invitations for personal and communal inner work. We come to the Days of Awe in contemplation of the past year, attuned to seeing our faults and misdeeds. If we look more deeply, we might remember that we, like all human beings, are imperfect and incomplete. For me, the spiritual essence of these days is seeking not just forgiveness, but shalom – wholeness.

We call this process teshuvah, commonly translated as repentance, or returning. Interestingly, the root of teshuvah – the letters shin and bet – are also the root consonants of the word shabbat. As shabbat is a day on which we return to our natural state of rest, so teshuvah refers to returning to our true nature of wholeness and healing.

It takes courage and effort to do this work. To engage in teshuvah we must face our faults, our brokenness, and all that we have broken by our actions. As we do this work, perhaps we find our hearts breaking as well, with regret and remorse. How will we be able to repair what we have broken? How will we find wholeness again?

The Hasidic master Reb Menachem Mendel of Kotzk (1787-1859), was fond of saying “There is nothing as whole as a broken heart.” What could this mean? Perhaps that the wholeness is already present in the brokenness. Our task is not to erase the misdeeds that lead to brokenness, but to know it, to see deeply into it, and let it guide us on the path to wholeness.

The spiritual path of the Days of Awe invites us to actively explore what we know to be broken within in order to come to a greater inner integration and harmony. Remarkably, we do this work not alone, but in community. The spiritual teachers of the past already understood that we heal ourselves by connecting with and caring for others, and making an impact on our world.

In Jewish wisdom, the emphasis is not on the individual alone. The mitzvah to perform acts of Tikkun Olam — repairing and healing the world – is central to the Jewish world view. We are obligated to see what is broken in our world: the baseless hatred, the extreme divisions, and most certainly, the climate chaos that threatens the living Being we call Earth. These holy Days of Awe are an invitation to contemplate what is broken within and without, and to heal it.

The Hasidic sage Reb Nachman of Breslov taught, “if you believe that it is possible to break, believe that it is possible to repair.” What qualities, what tools, what strengths will we need to discover and to cultivate in order to engage in this process of tikkun – of repair? It is my hope that our prayerful celebration and sharing together will guide us not only to find healing, but to be healers.

For more information, sign up for our mailing list. Click here to get started!

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RUACH

SUKKOT & SIMCHAT TORAH—combined! Stay tuned: Tentative date: Sunday 10/7; location and time: TBD. Bring your bowls of harvest fruits and vegetables and your wishes to share for the new year.

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MEMBERSHIP TIME

The Shir Hayam fiscal year starts on July 1^st so it is time once again to fill out and send in your membership form. You can download it here:

https://shirhayam.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/SH-Membership-Form-23-24.pdf

 Shir Hayam dues are always voluntary and confidential.  All that is required for membership is a signed membership form. No stigma attaches to any household making the decision to contribute less than the suggested dues amount in any given year. Voluntary dues paid by members are important: they enable our events, support our presence, outreach, and practice of Tikkun Olam in the greater community and maintain our financial health as an organization. You can mail your form to Chavurat Shir Hayam, P.O. Box 11142, Bainbridge Island, WA  98110 or fill it in, scan it and email it to us at membership@shirhayam.org. Payment can be made via check or by Paypal using the payments@shirhayam.org address.

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The Online Library is Live!

The Online Library, as previewed at our 2023 Annual Meeting, is now live! Please note that this is a resource for Shir Hayam members only: to access it, you’ll need to log in with a recognized username and password. If you’re a member and don’t have or don’t remember your login credentials, please contact the Community Presence Committee, cpc@shirhayam.org. We’ll get you set up right away!

You can reach the Online Library from the MEMBERS ONLY tab of Shir Hayam’s public website, or access it directly using this url: https://wiki.shirhayam.org/.

The Library is already host to a lot of great content of interest to Shir Hayam members; please take a look! Adding material of your own is easy too, and CPC will soon be meeting with committees and individuals to go over how to do it. Please stay tuned!

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COMMUNITY NEWS

There were two wonderful end-of-summer weddings recently:

Our joyous Mazal Tovs to Jon Garfunkel who just arrived home from Chicago after attending his daughter Emily’s wedding.  She and her new husband Jack Sims will make their home there near family while he completes his studies and Emily continues her environmental work.

And another joyous Mazel Tov to Janet and Jerry Hanrahan whose daughter Janelle married Micah Strom, also raised on the Island, where they will continue building their lives with daughter Opal Israel.

Congratulations also to Carol Shakow as her first grandchild, Theo Don, began college at Swarthmore in August.

Our thank yous to the community folks who planned, hosted, and led our summer get-togethers and services on some glorious summer days and evenings – the wonderful Chavurah bagel brunch arranged by Jill Onewein and the Coordinating Committee on a spectacular day on the Goldens deck and in their garden, accompanied by eagle, ospreys and cannon, the Shabbat morning service and discussion led by Jeff and Sharon at Robin and Mike’s beautiful home where we began outside in mists and ended in bright sun, finishing with lunch, and a very interesting book discussion led by Carol Shakow on her deck that moved into a Shabbat welcome followed by delicious potluck and singing into the night.  All of these during such lovely days brought so many of us together with much joy – thank you to all who made these possible.  Now, on to the harvest, ciders, and High Holidays with community, Lavey and Ellen!

FInally, a heartfelt Mishebeirach to Linda Golden with all wishes for a full and speedy recovery from recent hip surgery.

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MEMORIAL SCROLLS TRUST

The Memorial Scrolls Trust, the source of our Chavurah’s own Torah, has just announced the publication of a new book:

Philippa Bernard’s book about the Czech scrolls, Out of the Midst of Fire was written in 2005. Since then not only have many years passed, but a lot more is known about how the scrolls survived the Holocaust and subsequent neglect under the Soviet rule. Rather than publish a second edition, it was decided to write a new book that would also include a history of Jews in the Czech lands as well information about where the scrolls are now and how they are being used.

The MST is proud to be publishing 1564 Scrolls – A Legacy of Jewish Life in Bohemia and Moravia, written by Miles Laddie and printing it in the Czech Republic.

We shall be receiving delivery of the book next week and are taking forward order on our eshop https://mstshop.org/

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TIKKUN OLAM

CropWalk 2023

Shir Hayam will again be participating in Crop Walk, and we’re celebrating Bainbridge Island / North Kitsap’s  29^th year for CropWalk on Sunday, October 1, 2023. It’s been quite a successful endeavor with many years accomplishing Top 20 milestones.

Church World Service (CWS) has been coordinating support with Hurricane Idalia and the Maui Recovery. They’ve sent $40,000 worth of Emergency Buckets to Florida, and although they don’t have a presence on Maui, they offer technical expertise and material aid. This is what they do nationally; an $18 donation can provide a garden starter kit in Central America. But don’t limit your donation to such a small amount. Make it $54, or $108 just for starters!

Thank you!

Donate here https://events.crophungerwalk.org/2023/denise-brown-3

2023 CROP Hunger Walk – Denise Brown Connect with others in your area and raise funds to fight hunger in the United States and around the world. events.crophungerwalk.org

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CULTURAL EVENTS:

Robin Simons will be sponsoring a Zoom presentation on October 15, hosting Martin Bodek, whose new book is Zaidy’s War.

Bodek’s book recounts his grandfather’s story serving four armies under wildly unique circumstances, being present for both the largest land invasion in human history and the final battle of WWII, avoiding cannibalism under pain of death, eluding poisoning, surviving to walk 1,600 miles to his home country of Romania, emigrating to Israel, enduring the pummeling of his new community of Haifa during the Six Day War, finally settling in peace in the U.S. where he served as a chef for 40 years, and finished Shas (Talmud) 14 times while he was doing all that. He passed away 8 years ago at the age of 95.

Save the date – details to follow.

The post SEPTEMBER 2023 appeared first on Shir Hayam.

CHECK OUT ALL OUR SCHEDULED EVENTS ON THE S-H July Calendar:

https://shirhayam.org/calendar/

RUACH

SHABBAT MORNING SERVICE: SATURDAY, JULY 29 at 10:00 a.m.

Please join us gathering at Robin and Mike’s home on their beautiful deck for Shabbat morning Service, followed by a Potluck Lunch.

In this Shabbat’s parsha, VaEtchanan (Deuteronomy 3:23-7:11), Moses, gazing into the promised land, reiterates our powerful movement from slavery to freedom, describes how Jews are to live from then on, passes leadership on to Joshua, and restates two of the most significant Jewish prayers which we recite in every service.  A very powerful foundational Torah portion.

Afterward the Parsha discussion, we’ll have kiddush and potluck lunch together.

Questions?:  contact Sharon (206.393.7300 or sharonrutzick@gmail.com

On Saturday, August 12 at 6:30 PM, please join us for a Havdalah Service and Potluck at Carol Shakow’s home. Meal and Service will be conducted outdoors.

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CULTURAL EVENT

On Saturday, August 12, Carol Shakow will be hosting a Book Discussion of In An Antique Land, by Amitov Ghosh. The book tells the story of a young anthropologist from India who goes to Egypt to investigate the books and documents in the Geniza of an ancient synagogue in Cairo. (A geniza is the storehouse for sacred books which, according to Orthodox Jewish law, cannot be destroyed). This ancient geniza  contains  many other documents, some of which   reveal the life of  a 12th century member of the community. In addition, the anthropologist tells the often humorous story of his life in the village as he is doing this work.  This story dovetails with our earlier reads about Egyptian Jewry.

The discussion will begin at 5:00 PM. Stay for the Havdalah dinner and service, immediately following the Book Discussion.

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SUMMER GATHERING:

Shir Hayam’s Community Gathering to eat, drink and be schmoozy in our lovely summer time will be on Sunday, July 23 from 10:30-12:30’ish at the home of Dick and Linda Golden. Brunch provided. 

Please RSVP to Jill Onewein at: freshair827@yahoo.com

If you can, please carpool due to limited parking, and do bring a camping-style chair for seating.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Mazel Tov to Molly and Mario on the purchase of their new home in Poulsbo – between the two of you and so many of the renovations made at Cay’s, we know it will become a wondrous home, expressive of your new lives together.  What a great step after your joyous wedding last summer!

Chavurah Past:

Mazel Tov this month to Wendy Marshall and Tom Juhasz on the marriage of their oldest son, Jeff, in Rhode Island. Mazel Tov to Laurance Price and family on the Bat Mitzvah of his youngest daughter, Lily.  How time has flown!

To Julie Rosenblatt, David Kotz, Mira and Bayla, our deep condolences on the recent loss of Julie’s beloved mother Arlene, who spent many High Holidays, Shabbats, and celebrations with our chavurah.  May all memories of Arlene be a blessing.

And Welcome home, Cay!  After a sojourn of many long months in Florida, assisting flood victims through FEMA, Cay has decided to return to Boeing and do work similar to her previous job there.  We and your beautiful garden are glad to have you back!

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MEMBERSHIP TIME

The Shir Hayam fiscal year starts on July 1^st so it is time once again to fill out and send in your membership form. You can download it here:

https://shirhayam.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/SH-Membership-Form-23-24.pdf

 Shir Hayam dues are always voluntary and confidential.  All that is required for membership is a signed membership form. No stigma attaches to any household making the decision to contribute less than the suggested dues amount in any given year. Voluntary dues paid by members are important: they enable our events, support our presence, outreach, and practice of Tikkun Olam in the greater community and maintain our financial health as an organization. You can mail your form to Chavurat Shir Hayam, P.O. Box 11142, Bainbridge Island, WA  98110 or fill it in, scan it and email it to us at membership@shirhayam.org. Payment can be made via check or by Paypal using the payments@shirhayam.org address.

The post JULY 2023 appeared first on Shir Hayam.

RUACH:

Please join us for Shabbat Service and Potluck at Carol Shakow’s on Friday, June 16th at 6PM. Event will be held outdoors, with a short Shabbat Service, singing, and a potluck. Hope to see you there!

Shabbat morning meditation offered via Zoom on July 1st, 9-9:30. Great way to set the mind and spirit for celebrating the sacred space that observing Shabbat provides.  

SHABBAT MORNING SERVICE IN JULY ON THE GLORIOUS DECK AT ROBIN AND MIKE’S HOUSE with potluck lunch following. July date TBA – look for announcement on “nu”

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COMMUNITY NEWS:

Mazal Tov to Carol Shakow, and to her daughter and son-in-law Miriam and Rob McGreevey, on the high school graduation of Carol’s first grandchild, Theo Don, in Philadelphia.  This fall, Theo will begin studies at Swarthmore.

Welcome home to Dee who has just performed in the Berkshire Chorale near Tanglewood, MA, singing an amazing, diverse program ranging from gospel to Mozart.

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INTERFAITH COUNCIL:

If you would consider representing our Chavurah at the Interfaith Council next year, please contact Sharon Rutzick. The members are a warm group, and meetings have interesting community leaders and guest speakers each month, and the organization has become increasingly progressive over the years.  They have intentionally forged relations with or begun connecting with neighboring diverse communities, especially over issues of justice, inclusion, equality, housing and poverty, for example, as well as taken on leadership on issues of climate change and how we can approach this personally and communally.  

Sharon can be reached at:

sharonrutzick@gmail.com or 206.393.7300

Upcoming IFC Events:

July 28-29:  Suquamish Tribe Canoe Journey.  Volunteers needed.

August 28-30:  Chief Seattle Days. Volunteers needed.

Please contact Reverend Zackrie at minister@cedarsuuchurch.org.

The tribe is looking for our Interfaith community support. 

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CULTURAL EVENTS:

ONLINE COURSES FROM The Institute for Jewish Sprituality:

About – Institute for Jewish Spirituality.

Courses offered in Meditation, Jewish Mindfulness, Awareness in Action, Jewish Education, and Chasidism, among many other topics.

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SUMMARY OF ANNUAL MEETING:

Summary Notes from Shir Hayam Annual Meeting

May 28, 2023, 10a-12:30p, Via Zoom

At our Chavurah’s Annual Meeting, a full consensus was reached by those in attendance for the following three items of Annual Meeting business, with no changes made to the pre-review package distributed for member review with the May 19 formal Annual Meeting invitation:

1) 2023-2024 Annual Budget

2) Coordinating Committee Slate for 2024: Jon Garfunkel, Jane Greenberg, Jill Onewein, Randy Rotter, Cay Vandervelde

3) Tikkun Olam Committee proposal to drop its automatic percentage of the forecasted budget from 10% to 5%

Thanks to everyone who has already, or that intends to, support our Chavurah and its business in the coming year!  Now, we are all looking forward to the Summer Social on July 23 that is in the works — when we can all see each other under the beautiful blue skies of the Pacific Northwest!

Your Coordinating Committee

One of the readings from the meeting is excerpted below, from an essay titled “How the Jews Invented Hope, ” by the late Orthodox Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, who served as the Chief Rabbi of the United Hebew Congregations of the Commonwealth from 1991 to 2013. 

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SUMMER GATHERING:

Come out to enjoy our Northwest Summer, and the company of your Chavurah friends, on Sunday, July 23 from 10:30 – 12:30 at the Goldens’. Since parking is limited, please consider car-pooling.

The post JUNE 2023 appeared first on Shir Hayam.

ANNUAL MEETING !!

SAVE THE DATE!!

SHIR HAYAM’S ANNUAL MEETING

Sunday, May 28, 2023, 10:00 to 12:30 PM

We will gather on Zoom (no in-person meeting this year) to:

• Hear from our committees – their activities from this past year, as well as plans for next year.

• Vote on the budget for 2023-2024 and new Coordinating committee members.

Please come to participate and to support our very special community.

Agenda and review materials will be emailed to all members before the meeting.

An in-person Community Meeting is being planned – stay tuned for the date!

Your Coordinating Committee,

Cay Vandervelde, Paul Travis, Jill Onewein, Jon Garfunkel, Jane Greenberg

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RUACH

SHABBAT MEDITATION:

In the Zoom Room, Saturday, June 3, 9:00 – 9:30.

All are invited to participate in this great way to practice Shabbat.

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COMMUNITY NEWS:

Our deepest condolences to Renata Lac, Randy Rotter, and Max Rotter on the death of Renata’s beloved father, Anton, age 97, who resided in Florida. May all memories of him be a blessing to you, Renata.

Mazel Tov to Jane and Bob Greenberg on the Bar Mitzvah of their youngest grandson, in Colorado.

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TIKKUN OLAM:

The Tikun Olam Committe would like to thank the anonymous donor for their generous gift to Tikkun Olam.  That was a wonderful, generous, surprise.  We thank you and we know the organizations we give it to will appreciate this donation from our Chavurah .

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KUGS UPDATE:

The Kugellettes have been gathering at Linda Golden’s home to sing almost every Tuesday evening for the last few months.  We love gathering there to make music together.  Our group of singing women have been singing at Fieldstone Memory Care on Bainbridge for the last 3 months. The Kugs have been  practicing some oldies to sing for the residents there.  One resident just enjoyed our singing so much that she came up and joined us, keeping time by clapping her hands and swinging her body.  One resident who had been clapping, keeping time with our tunes, used to be a drummer in a band. Carol Shakow is now back on Bainbridge after spending the winter with her family on the East Coast. She’ll be using her wonderful musical talents by playing a grand piano  at Fieldstone.  We all will sing along with her piano and she may even play a classical number or two!

If you would like to sing some great oldies with us at Fieldstone, please contact Linda.

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IT’S JEWISH AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH!

Bet you didn’t know that! Emily Alhaldeff at The Cholent newsletter did, and she has a few suggestions about how to celebrate it:

Tolliver Temple, the former site of Sephardic Bikur Holim, in the Central District. Photo: Joe Mabel “May is Jewish American Heritage Month. Missed the memo? I usually miss it too. Here are 10 ways to get your Jewish history appreciation on—this month and beyond: Attend a local Jewish community event. Check out the Federation’s calendar for tons of events around the Sound, like a concert with the Seattle Jewish Chorale or join other Jews for an urban hike with the Stroum JCC. May is looking more like Israel month, actually. Want to grapple with our relationship to the Holy Land? Sign up to hear from historian, activist and author Gil Troy at the StandWithUs NW reception May 23, or go deep at the inventive new Z3 initiative at the Stroum JCC on May 21. Support local Jewish history. Walk around the Central District and look for the stars of David in the architecture, especially at the Tolliver Temple (see above), a church that was the original home of Sephardic Bikur Holim. Tolliver Temple has been nominated for City of Seattle Landmark status and will undergo consideration on May 17 at 3:30. You can write a letter of support or attend the hearing and give public comment. Other landmarks include LANGSTON, originally the Bikur Cholim Ashkenazi synagogue, and the former Cherry Street Mosque, which was the Talmud Torah and now functions as an interfaith social justice center. Browse our amazing archives. Start with the Washington State Jewish Historical Society’s digital Jewish museum. Queue up an oral history, and learn about what life was like for Jews in Washington going back several generations. Learn about American Jewish history. Maybe this sounds obvious, but how much do you really know about Jewish history in this country? Start with George Washington’s letter to the Jews of Newport in 1790. Support Jewish food. This one shouldn’t be hard. From Eltana to Zylberschtein’s to Dingfelder’s to the new Ben & Esther’s Vegan Jewish Deli, this is pretty low hanging fruit. Read a Jewish book. This is another pretty easy one. But I’m constantly amazed at how much I don’t know about Jewish history and I went to school for it. I truly think lack of historical knowledge is the biggest problem for American Jews. I recommend Dara Horn’s People Love Dead Jews and Bari Weiss’s How to Fight Anti-Semitism. Take on a new mitzvah. Whether you take mitzvah to mean commandment or good deed, try establishing a new one. Gossip less. Light Shabbat candles. Find out what Jewish Family Service needs help with. Something. Honor Shabbat. However that may be. Set aside dedicated technology-free time with family or friends. Share a meal. Talk. Study the parsha. Take a walk. Take a nap. Brunch and shopping can happen on Sunday. Your brain and nervous system will thank you. Be proud to be Jewish. We have a habit of keeping our heads down and even apologizing for our existence. Embrace your heritage and don’t let anyone make you check it at the door. Know your own story and practice your Jewish identity elevator pitch.” By Emily Alhadeff

FROM THE MEMORIAL SCROLLS TRUST:

Planning to visit London next year? Consider attending the 60th Anniversary of the Czech Scrolls (of which our own Torah is one) in London.

Westminster Synagogue & The Memorial Scrolls Trust invite you to join us as we celebrate The 60th Anniversary of the 1,564 Czech Scrolls Arriving at Westminster Synagogue.

The 1,564 Czech Scrolls arrived at Westminster Synagogue in February 1964. To celebrate the 60th Anniversary of their being saved from further loss under the communist regime, and the remarkable work of the Memorial Scrolls Trust, Westminster Synagogue will be hosting a Celebratory Service & Reception on Sunday 4th February 2024.

We hope you, together with your Czech Scroll, will be able to join us for this important milestone event as the Scrolls are reunited in Kent House once more.Please do let us know whether you can attend by clicking here.

As the service will also be streamed, kindly let us know if you would prefer to join in person or online.For those joining in person, we would be delighted to offer opportunities to connect further with our community over Shabbat , and we will be in touch nearer the time with more details, along with advice for those travelling with a Scroll.

If you have any questions about the weekend, please do not hesitate to be in touch.

Warm wishes,Rabbi Benji Stanley &Monica Lanyado, Chair of Scrolls 60th Team.

The post MAY 2023 appeared first on Shir Hayam.

ANNUAL MEETING

SAVE THE DATE!!

SHIR HAYAM’S ANNUAL MEETING

 Sunday, May 28, 2023, 10:00 to 12:30 PM

We will gather to shmooze and nosh on bagels with shmeers, enjoy coffee and tea, and to hear from our committees – their activities from this past year, as well as plans for next year.

We will vote on the budget for 2023-2024 and new Coordinating committee members.

Please come to participate  and to support our very special community.

Your Coordinating Committee,

Cay Vandervelde, Paul Travis, Jill Onewein, Jon Garfunkel, Jane Greenberg

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REQUEST FOR RECIPES FOR SHIR HAYAM RECIPE BOOK:

Who likes to eat?

What better form of hospitality is there — than cooking for others, or eating what others have prepared for you?   Mmmmm….

Please help us prepare a recipe ‘book’  with one or more of your favorite Jewish and/or Jewish-adjacent recipes (things you and your family just plain like) included.

We have already received contributions that will make this recipe’ book’  as much a memory book as a resource for some great eating.  Delicious-looking recipes, photos and family stories!

Please do share a recipe or two (or three!) of your own — and note that they do NOT have to be particularly Jewish – think ‘pot-luck’ favorites!   If you could add a few words about where the recipe came from, something about why it’s important to you and/or an image that ties in with such good eating that would be even better!  

For technical reasons, the release of our ‘first edition’ is a bit delayed.  Please send your contribution by April 30 – in the format that is easiest for you (email, Word document, photo… whatever!).  We’ll package the set up in a nice document with a Table of Contents, and send it back out to the Chavurah (and any other contributors you may like to involve, like that cousin you might have from somewhere on the east coast!) as soon as we’ve compiled them.  

Materials should be sent to:  cay.vandervelde@gmail.com

It’ll be fun, and a real keepsake!

Thanks, everyone!

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DISPATCH FROM FLORIDA

Our correspondent in Florida, Cay Vandervelde, reports the following:

Shir Hayam has a sister island congregation with a Memorial Scrolls Trust Torah, like ours!

Last month the newsletter had a map of congregations around the world that have benefitted from the Memorial Scrolls Trust loan of Torahs to small congregations, like ours.  By strong coincidence, one of those congregations is on Sanibel Island, Florida — very close to Cay Vandervelde’s current assignment with FEMA (helping with Hurricane Ian recovery).  In contacting that congregation, Cay discovered a story on their website about the harrowing experience Temple Bat Yam’s Torah experienced during Hurricane Ian that you might enjoy!

THE RESCUE OF TEMPLE BAT YAM’S TORAHS

Hurricane Ian, a once-in-a-100-year storm, surprised everyone in Southwest Florida. What seemed like the typical Emergency Plan precautions of storing Temple Bat Yam Torahs turned out to be a life-saving measure.

After the Rosh Hashanah luncheon, the Plan was followed.  The Torahs were put in the vault of a jewelery store belonging to Bat Yam congregants that evening along with the inventory from the store. The Torahs were placed on top of the baker racks in the vault, and the store owners felt as in years past that this would protect the scrolls from harm’s way. Instead, the harsh weather was NOT as in years past — the wind and surge of Hurricane Ian — none like we’ve seen in our lifetime — almost floated Periwinkle Place (the location of the jewelry store) away.

The day after the Hurricane, on Tuesday, September 29, the store owners went back to the jewelry store to make sure the vault and the sacred scrolls were still in place . . . and they were.  But most of the congregation was not, having evacuated to the mainland in a hurry in advance of Ian.

On Sunday night, October 2, Bat Yam’s president was contacted by NBC Nightly News after they heard about Bat Yam’s Torahs being stranded on Sanibel Island.  They wondered if they could help rescue them. The answer was a quick YES!!

Monday morning a call came in from an NBC reporter, asking if we knew a way back onto the islands since the Causeway was impassible. The NBC crew could only travel via a Sheriff boat. We were able to coordinate the mission with the help of the County Commissioner, local law enforcement heads in Lee and Sanibel Island, and the escort of the Sanibel Police Department.

Upon arriving on the island the national NBC reporters were told they could not leave the boat ramp area since no other national news organizations had access to Sanibel Island. This left  the mission to three of our congregants.

Within 15 minutes they were at the back of Periwinkle Place taking the plywood off the back door to gain access. Upon walking in, the smell of standing water from receded flood waters was evident everywhere. The waterline was at 41”, high enough to seep inside the vault. They also saw a hole in the roof of the store. Everything was wet and damp, like the inside of a cave.

The plastic bags and placement of the scrolls turned out to be a blessing. While 1/3 of the vault was wet, the two Torahs survived unscathed.

To be part of this rescue and witness the devastation of our beloved islands gave the entire congregation much to be thankful for in the way of Hope. Having the Torahs then be part of the Yom Kippur Service, and mentioned at Temple Beth El in Ft. Myers and Temple Shalom in Naples, gives us much pride in  our own Bat Yam family and causes us to cherish even more our SW Florida community of congregations.

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CULTURAL EVENTS

This is an event put on by the Tenement Museum in NYC:

When: Monday, April 24, 2023 at 6:30PM ET
Where: YouTube Live
Cost: Free, Suggested Donation

Back by popular demand! We’re partnering up again with the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research for a night exploring Jewish immigrant New York City of yesteryear through musical performances from inside the recreated 1890s parlor of the Levine family, immigrants from Eastern Europe.

At once a “golden land” of opportunity and joy and a place full of the challenges of immigrant life, New York held a myriad of experiences for new Americans. From songs about leaving one’s homeland and arriving in Ellis Island, to anthems of the everyday difficulties of sweatshop labor, to hit songs of the Yiddish theater that exemplify leisure time activities, this concert uses music to bring the bustling world of the Jewish Lower East Side to life.

The concert will feature introduction and historical commentary by Pulitzer prize-finalist Alex Weiser in conversation with Tenement Museum President Annie Polland, and musical performances by singer Eliza Bagg and pianist Paul Kerekes.

REGISTER:

RUACH

COUNTING THE OMER:

Omer 5783

April 6-May25

“The custom of counting each day between Passover and Shavuot is of biblical origin… Over generations, “counting the Omer” has been embraced as a period of inner work and spiritual preparation for receiving the Torah anew.  Our mystics associated each week and each day of the week with a particular spiritual quality, or middah – a way to experience transcendence in our lives, and express our desire to live in Godly ways…this musical rendition (is) of the kavanah (intention) and blessing for counting the Omer, composed by Rabbi Shir Ya’akov Feit, Rabbi Zach Fredman, and Rabbi Yosef  Goldman, and sung by Rabbi Goldman, Rabbi Deborah Sacks Mintz, (Seattle-raised) Chava Mirel, and Joey Weisenberg of the Rising Song Institute Institute for Jewish Spirituality

https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FS8hCiPI1tMQ&data=05%7C01%7C%7Ca8ff509663684ee4c17f08db364d7d04%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638163478661391927%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=t6FgDQ7ijzpQEThCGazRiR1bDBLHJAzuIWc1983GVkU%3D&reserved=0

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Mishabeirach to Nina Rogozen who is recovering from back surgery.

Our deep condolences to Marjorie Rubin on the loss of her beloved father.

Mishabeirach to Chris Stanley

The post APRIL 2023 appeared first on Shir Hayam.

RUACH:

Please join us for a Shabbat service on Friday, March 17 at 7:00 PM.

We will welcome the Sabbath and honor the Anniversary of Ukraine’s Struggle for Freedom through song, literature, and words of Ukrainian Jews living through these difficult days.

In the Zoom Room

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Start the day in calm reflection at our Shabbat Meditation, Saturday, April 1, 9:00-9:30 AM.

In the Zoom Room

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CULTURAL EVENTS:

BOOK CLUB:

Continuing our tour of Jews in seemingly unlikely places. . .

Join us on Sunday, March 19 at 11:00 for a Zoom book discussion about Jews in India. Read either (or both) of the books below, then meet in the Zoom Room at 11:00. 

The Book of Esther by Esther David

The Book of Esther recreates in detail the lives of the Bene Israel community in a small village on the south India coast. It begins in the 19th century and continues through five generations until recent times.

The Walled City by Esther David

The Walled City is set in Ahmedabad and is a coming-of-age story about a young Bene Israeli girl growing up in the walled city, attempting to preserve her Jewish roots without understanding them. As violence engulfs the city, the concept of walls takes on a new layered epiphany.

Here’s some  background on the Jews of India:

The Jewish community has been living in India since 75 CE. 

Many Jews settled in India after fleeing coastal areas of what is now Israel after the fall of King Solomon’s second temple. They sought to avoid persecution from the Greeks. 

There are five Indian Jewish communities — the Bene Israelis of western India, the Bnei Menashe Jews of Northeast India, the Bene Ephraims of Andhra Pradesh, the Baghdadi Jews of West Bengal and the Cochin Jews of Kerala. 

Despite living in different corners of India, they are still bound by the common thread of food and religion. Over the years, members have stuck to the dietary laws and integrated Indian habits with their customs, leading to some unique ceremonies and rituals that have been passed down from one generation to another.

At its height in the 1940s, there were about 20,000 Jews in India. There are now about 5,000.

NEWS FROM THE FORWARD:

And closer to home, an article about Holocaust survivors arriving in New Jersey and starting chicken farms there:

https://forward.com/forverts-in-english/532026/speaking-yiddish-to-chickens-holocaust-survivors-on-south-jersey-chicken-farms/?utm_source=Iterable&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=afternoonedition_6240476

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NEWS ABOUT OUR TORAH:

Our Torah is one of 1,564 which were rescued from the Czech Republic after World War II. Ever wonder where the others are?

From the Memorial Scrolls Trust website, here is an interactive map which shows where about 500 of them live today. See if you can find Chavurat Shir Hayam:

Find our Scrolls (memorialscrollstrust.org)

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FROM THE STROUM CENTER:

4/3 TALK | Sarah Zaides Rosen on “Tevye’s Ottoman Daughter”

Monday, April 3, 4:00 pm PDT – 5:00 pm PDT

REGISTER NOW >

This talk will introduce listeners not only to a fascinating Jewish community where Sephardic Jews were the majority (and Ashkenazi Jews the minority), but also to the ways in which Sephardic Jews responded to a refugee crisis, and in turn how they contended with contemporary political ideas, including Zionism.

In this talk, historian and Stroum Center for Jewish Studies’ Assistant Director Sarah Zaides Rosen will trace the story of 19th- and 20th-century Russian Jews who left the Pale of Settlement, crossed the Black Sea and arrived in Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul), all in the twilight years of the Russian and Ottoman Empires.

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BIMA FILM SERIES FEATURING FILMS BY LEE GRANT:

From the curator of the Series:

Dear Shir Hayam:

My name is Tova and I am curating an upcoming film series at BIMA Friday March 17th & Saturday March 18th. I’m wondering if you would be interested in letting your congregants know about this series. We would be honored and delighted to be in your newsletter!

Lee Grant was a pioneer documentarian. She won an oscar for Shampoo directed by Hal Ahby in 1977 and then left Hollywood! She wanted to direct films about the injustices she saw and heard about in America. Think how documentaries on social issues are par for the course now on Netflix and other channels. When Ms. Grant started out there were next to none. She pitched ideas to HBO and they sent her out to the field. I had the pleasure of speaking with her daughter Dinah Manoff via zoom. At 97 Ms. Grant is of sharp mind and wit. She is very excited we are playing her documentaries which she calls her spiritual films on our very special Island.

There will be two screenings each day. A matinee starting at 2 pm and an evening screening beginning at 7 pm. Dinah will be in conversation with me before the evening screenings. BIMA and I are so grateful for the generous sponsorship by Moskin & Vitale Real Estate of Bainbridge Island, without which we wouldn’t be able to screen this series.

Sincerely,
Tova Gannana

https://www.biartmuseum.org/event/lee-grant-film-festival-day-one/
https://www.biartmuseum.org/event/lee-grant-film-festival-day-two/
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COMMUNITY NEWS:

Our mishabeirach wishes for full health recoveries to Collyer Church and Jessica Hanford.

The post MARCH 2023 appeared first on Shir Hayam.

RUACH

Tu B’Shevat: Sunday, February 5 @ 1:00 PM

Robin and Mike are hosting a Tu B’Shevat Celebration, the New Year of the Trees. We may be outside for a bit, so be sure to dress warmly. We willl be planting a cedar seedling to replace a hemlock lost to the last two years of hot summer weather. Also, Robin has two rubber plant starts that need homes. Start your own tree indoors! They are already getting roots! Let Robin know if you want one!

We will be doing a short Tu B’ Shevat seder. If you are coming, please email me as to what you want to bring, or what is still needed.

The categories are 

1. Fruit with shells- things like almonds, cashews, etc

2 Fruits with soft outside and pits,- apricots, (dried are fine), dates, olives

3. Fruits that are entirely edible –  figs, carob, grapes

Also, white wine, red wine, and white grape juice

Please RSVP to Robin at:  robinhruska@gmail.com

Also, here is a short article from The Forward about the historical and agricultural reasons why certain fruits and grains were traditional for the holiday

https://forward.com/food/330692/why-we-eat-the-7-fruits-on-tu-bshvat/

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SHABBAT MEDITATION: Sat, Feb 4, 9:00 – 9:30.

Join us on-line for a silent meditation, led by the Goldens. A sweet way to start Shabbat. In the Zoom Room.

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FEBRUARY SHABBAT OR HAVDALAH:

Need a host for Shabbat (Feb 24) or Havdalah (Feb 25). Contact ruach@shirhayam.org

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CULTURAL EVENTS

Jews in India:

Continuing our tour of Jews in seemingly unlikely places. . .

In December and January we read books and listened to lectures about Jews in China. It was fascinating. In February and March we’re moving on to Jews in India.

We’ll be reading one (or both, for those of who are feeling ambitious) of the books below. We’ll meet by Zoom on March 19 at 11:00 to discuss what we’ve learned.

The book(s) to read are:

The Book of Esther by Esther David

The Book of Esther recreates in detail the lives of the Bene Israel in a small village on the Konkan coast, Danda, and charts their journeys. Beginning in the 19th century with Bathsheba, who awaits her husband’s return, Book of Esther tells the story of her adored grandson, David, a healer of great repute, whose eccentric animal-obsessed son, Joshua, is the author’s father. The fifth generation’s retelling of the clan’s tale goes back to the story of the origins of the community, and the last part about herself and her father’s zoo is as funny as it is moving.

The Walled City by Esther David

The Walled City is set in Ahmedabad and is a coming-of-age story about a young Bene Israeli girl growing up in the walled city, attempting to preserve her Jewish roots without understanding them. As violence engulfs the city, the concept of walls takes on a new layered epiphany.

Here’s some  background on the Jews of India:

The Jewish community has been living in India since 75 CE. 

Many Jews settled in India after fleeing coastal areas of what is now Israel after the fall of King Solomon’s second temple. They sought to avoid persecution from the Greeks. 

There are five Indian Jewish communities — the Bene Israelis of western India, the Bnei Menashe Jews of Northeast India, the Bene Ephraims of Andhra Pradesh, the Baghdadi Jews of West Bengal and the Cochin Jews of Kerala. 

Despite living in different corners of India, they are still bound by the common thread of food and religion. Over the years, members have stuck to the dietary laws and integrated Indian habits with their customs, leading to some unique ceremonies and rituals that have been passed down from one generation to another.

At its height in the 1940s, there were about 20,000 Jews in India. There are now about 5,000.

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From the Memorial Scrolls Trust:

View a short documentary – 15 minutes -in a New video about a “Mezuzah Trail” in Krakow, Poland, that focuses attention on the still visible traces where mezuzahs were affixed before WW2. Worth a view: https://jewish-heritage-europe.eu/2023/01/19/poland-mezuza/?fbclid=IwAR20PQdAKR0V-_Wxa6k_0PYdTHDEFnbTTgTK2v4BIKcfZdoHJdOZaPpn-5M

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From Music of Remembrance:

Tune in to hear a newly commissioned work availabile for a special free streaming of composer Lori Laitman’s Wertheim Park, a a hauntingly beautiful elegy to those who were lost and a profound tribute to the power of memory: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oh5NGxFsQO0

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COMMUNITY NEWS:

Thank you to Sharon and BIll Rutzick who made a donation to the Tikkun Olam Fund, in honor of Denise Brown

The post FEBRUARY 2023 appeared first on Shir Hayam.

RUACH

SHABBAT POTLUCK and CELEBRATION: FRIDAY, JANUARY 20 @ 6:00 PM.

Location: TBD. If you are interested in hosting please contact Robin Hruska @robinhruska@gmail.com

TU B’SHEVAT: Sunday, February 5 @ 1:00 PM. Come to share the “Celebration of the Trees”, and the Four Worlds embodied by four different kinds of fruits:

Four Worlds, their characteristics, and symbolic Fruit:
Assiyah: Action. Fruit with hard, outside shell or peel, and soft inside. Example: Banana
Yetzirah: Formation. Fruit with a soft outside, hard inside (such as a pit). Example: Date
Briyah: Creation. Fruit that is all soft. Example: Raisin
Atzilut: Spirit. Fruit: None

RSVP to Robin Hruska at robinhruska@gmail.com

CULTURAL EVENTS

Did you know there were four significant waves of Jewish migration to China, starting with the Silk Road around 1000 CE and ending during WWII? Each wave settled in a different part of China and some of those communities are still active.

In January, we’ll be continuing our exploration of the history and experiences of Jews in China through books, and a video lecture.

Video lecture, Rabbi Anton Laytner, “The Jews of Kaifeng”: The Jews of Kaifeng: Yesterday and Today–A Lecture by Rabbi Anson Laytner – YouTube

Jews have lived in Kaifeng in central China for over 1,000 years. Rabbi Laytner, a scholar of this population, discusses what brought them to Kaifeng, what their lives were like, and the community today. (Watch anytime.)

Book discussion, Sunday, Jan. 22, 11:00 via Zoom

Pick a book and join the discussion! There are many interesting books about Jews in China, so rather than pick one book for everyone to read, we’ve come up with a list of books to pick from. Pick one (or more!) and then join us for a discussion where we’ll share what we’ve learned.

Here’s a list of books to pick from. (If you find others that look interesting, if you find others that look interesting, let us know at robin.a.simons@gmail.com

Peony by Pearl S. Buck: set in the 1850s in Kaifeng, the novel follows Peony, a Chinese bondmaid of a prominent Jewish family, and shows through her eyes how the Jewish community was regarded in Kaifeng at a time when most of the Jews had come to think of themselves as Chinese.

Escape to Shanghai by Alex Ross: the true story of four Jewish families who escaped from Germany to Shanghai during WWII.

Farewell, Shanghai by Angel Wagen­stein: a novel based on real people that tells the stories of Jewish refugees in Shanghai during WWII.

More books about Jews in Shanghai during WWII:

https://www.jewishbookcouncil.org/books/reading-lists/chinese-jewish-experiences

The Last Kings of Shanghai, The Rival Jewish Dynasties That Helped Create Modern China, by Jonathan Kaufman: the story of two powerful Jewish families who dominated trade in Asia for 150 years until shortly before WWII. This is also available as a YouTube lecture by Jonathan Kaufman.

To do:

• Read about Jews in China during this month.
• Watch your email for the Zoom link for the book discussion on Sunday, Jan. 22 at 11:00 am.

We look forward to seeing you at these events!

For more information, contact Robin Simons at robin.a.simons@gmail.com

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BAGELS AND COFFEE

Jane and Bob Greenberg are hosting a Coffee, Bagels, and Conversation event at their home on Sunday, January 29 @ 10:30 AM. To reserve your spot, please RSVP Jane at jwren7@gmail.com

The post JANUARY 2023 appeared first on Shir Hayam.