Temple Beth El
5975 South 12th Street
Tacoma, WA 98465
January 2, 2025 / 2 Tevet 5785
Volume 23, No. 13
TORAH READING
Vayigash
Genesis 45:8-18
Haftarah
Ezekiel 37:15-28
Candle Lighting
4:15 p.m.
SERVICE SCHEDULE
EREV SHABBAT SERVICE (multi-access) Friday, January 3, 6:30 p.m.
Everyone is invited to join us online or in person for an Erev Shabbat service. Join us before the service at 5:45 p.m. for for an oneg.
TORAH STUDY & SHABBAT SERVICE (multi-access) Saturday, January 4, 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.
Our Saturday worship experience begins with Torah study, which goes from 9:00–9:45 a.m. This will be followed by services beginning at 10:00 a.m. (online and in person). At the conclusion of the service, the community is invited to join us in the social hall for a potluck pescatarian kiddush luncheon!
TIKKUN OLAM MEETING Sunday, January 12, 10:00 a.m.
Please join us in the social hall to discuss the next year and the issues you are interested in being a part of. We currently provide a food drive, a backpack program food drive for a local school, and other invitations to work with organizations that support our immigrant population. Please show up to share your interests and how we can create a mailing list that includes an opt-in feature to receive emails with opportunities to participate in our community.
BUILDING COMMITTEE MEETING Sunday, January 12, 12:30 p.m.
The TBE Building Committee is gearing up to create a long term plan for capital improvements, and we need you! Join us if you're interested in architecture, interior design, facilities management, or just love Temple Beth El and want our building complex to last for future generations. We look forward to seeing you there. If you have questions or suggestions, contact Jani Doctor, Building Committee chair, at jani@tripsnships.com or text at (253) 223-4705.
DIM SUM AND MAH JONGG Sunday, January 12, 5:00–8:00 p.m.
Sisterhood invites all temple members to a dim sum and mah jongg social! Featuring special drawings, and lots of door prizes, this promises to be a fun evening for all. There will be Asian-inspired fish and vegetarian dim sum, along with Chinese snacks, tea, and desserts. Beginners are welcome! No prior mah jongg experience required. Detailed plans for the night and registration can be found on our website by clicking here.
SISTERHOOD BOARD MEETING Tuesday, January 14, 6:30–8:30 p.m.
The next Sisterhood meeting is just around the corner! If you're a member of the Sisterhood, please keep an eye out for an email with additional information, including the meeting's Zoom link and agenda. Please reach out via emailing sisterhood@tbetacoma.org if you have any questions.
STITCH & KVETCH Wednesday, January 15, 1:00–3:30 p.m.
Join us in the social hall! Stitch & Kvetch is for anybody interested in fiber arts (knitting, crochet, embroidery, sewing, etc.) who would like to do so with company and conversation. Have questions? Please contact Julia Walsh at wisethoughts@live.com.
19TH ANNUAL MLK JR REDEEMING THE PROPHETIC VISION:
THE SPIRIT OF THE WORK: MEETING THE MOMENT Sunday, January 19, 2:00–4:00 p.m.
This inter-generational, multi-ethnic, and participatory event will feature uplifting performances by local artists and musicians, blessings and libations from spiritual leaders, and the presentation of the 2025 Social Justice Awards. Attendees will also learn from local groups providing innovative approaches to creating resilient and diverse communities grounded in equity and justice. This year, the benediction is being given by Rabbi Kadden. Donations for the unhoused are welcome. Held at the Tacoma Campus of the Evergreen State College. For more information, email Judith Kay at judithwkay@gmail.com. The event is free—please register on this site: http://weblink.donorperfect.com/MLK. Co-sponsors include Associated Ministries and The Conversation 253.
OPPORTUNITIES
ADULT EDUCATION
Registration for the Spring semester of adult education here at Temple Beth El is now open! This semester offers a dynamic space for personal growth, meaningful exploration, and deep connection to Jewish tradition. Whether you're looking to study Torah, explore Jewish history, engage in contemporary issues, or enhance your Hebrew skills, our classes are designed to inspire learners of all backgrounds and levels. To view the course catalog and sign up for your favorite classes, please visit the adult education page on our website.
WHAT'S HAPPENING AT AIDNW: DONATE MEN'S COATS
Advocates for Immigrants in Detention, AIDNW, is requesting donations of men’s winter coats (all sizes), men’s winter hats, gloves, and backpacks. Please make sure donated coats are well cared for, without missing buttons or zippers and not ripped. Bring your donations to Temple Beth El on January 10, 11, or 12 (Friday, Saturday or Sunday). Vivian Morrison will be gathering the donations on those dates and taking them to the AIDNW Safe House. A warm thank you goes out from Vivian.
SISTERHOOD MISHLOACH MANOT FUNDRAISER
Let's celebrate 18 years of Sisterhood's Mishloach Manot! In Jewish tradition, 18 symbolizes "chai"–a word meaning life–making this milestone a celebration of community, giving, and glee. Each year, Sisterhood spreads Purim joy with complimentary treat-filled boxes for every TBE member household, fulfilling the mitzvah of giving gifts of food. Join us in this mitzvah by selecting your giving level today! Donors will be recognized on the card included in each box. You can find more information by clicking here.
STAFFING UPDATES
MAZEL TOV, OLIVIA, DIRECTOR OF MEMBERSHIP AND COMMUNICATIONS
We are honored to announce that Oliva Goodwin has been promoted to Director of Membership and Communications. This is a well-deserved promotion that is primarily an acknowledgement of the work that Olivia has been doing for quite a while already. She is responsible for all mass communications to Temple members, including the Bulletin, Shabbat Shalom, High Holy Days related communications, and other community-wide announcements. Olivia also runs our membership database (ShulCloud) which includes member account information, payment processing, event registrations, calendar management, our website and more. With this promotion, Olivia will be expanding her responsibilities to include social media
management, a key area of growth for Temple Beth El.
WELCOME BACK, ANDY, INTERIM RELIGIOUS EDUCATION ADMINISTRATOR
It is with great appreciation that we welcome back Andy Mauer, this time in the role of Interim Religious Education Administrator. Given her deep knowledge of Temple operations, she is a great fit for this position. Rabbi Gorban and Becca are especially grateful to have someone who can hit the ground running in time for the Spring term of our Religious Education program. Meanwhile, the search for our permanent Religious Education Director and Cantorial Soloist is going well! A progress report will be going out to the congregation shortly.
INFORMATION
JUDAICA SHOP HOURS
Our regular hours are as follows:
– Sundays: 9:45 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
– Wednesdays: 4:30–6:30 p.m.
– Fridays: 5:30–6:15 p.m. The shop will be closed on January 19 & 26.
We are still in need of volunteers to ensure the shop can always be open during regular hours. Please email Connie Person or Aubrey Sagalovich to volunteer or to schedule a shopping appointment outside of our regular hours. We look forward to seeing you soon at the shop! Email: judaica@tbetacoma.org.
CONTACT THE CLERGY
If you have a question or concern you would like to share with the clergy, please email Rabbi Gorban at rabbigorban@tbetacoma.org.
TACHLIS
Submitting an event or announcement to Shabbat Shalom
If you have an item you would like included in this weekly bulletin, please email it to frontdesk@tbetacoma.org by noon on Wednesday. Submissions must adhere to the guidelines, which may be found here.
For the URJ's transliteration guidelines, click here. Please note that submissions that do not follow these guidelines may not be accepted.
