Have you been laid off, furloughed, or lost grants due to recent federal cuts and freezes? Have you experienced reductions in social security? Are you concerned about your ability to access or maintain access to food housing, healthcare, employment, etc.?
If so, please let our rabbi know at rabbigorban@tbetacoma.org as soon as you can. We are trying to ascertain the extent of the losses in our TBE community with an eye to convening a session for addressing this uncertainty together and supporting one another in coming weeks.
Please be in touch with her directly and confidentially.
Temple Beth El
5975 South 12th Street
Tacoma, WA 98465
May 8, 2025 / 10 Iyar 5785
Volume 23, No. 31
TORAH READING
Acharei Mot-K'doshim
Leviticus 17:8-18:21
Haftarah
Ezekiel 22:1-19
Candle Lighting
8:14 p.m.
SERVICE SCHEDULE
EREV SHABBAT SERVICE (multi-access) Friday, May 9, 6:30 p.m.
Everyone is invited to join us online or in person for an Erev Shabbat service. Join us at 5:45 p.m., before the service, for an oneg held in the social hall.
TORAH STUDY AND SHABBAT SERVICE (multi-access) Saturday, May 10, 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 is followed by Shabbat 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.
MEETING INFORMATION (note Sunday date)
Sunday, May 18, 1:30 p.m.
We encourage all our members, who are able and willing, to attend and engage in congregational decision making. You will meet and vote on our newest potential board members, and hear select committee and staff/officer reports. We will need a quorum (minimum of 50 adult members) as stated in our bylaws to vote on any decisions. Note that this is 50 individual members and not member families. Anyone attending online is counted toward the needed quorum. Further information has been emailed to all members, including supplemental materials. These are available any time in your member portal.
If you plan to attend and will need childcare, please use the following link to register by Sunday, May 11. For those who plan to attend but do not need childcare, registration is appreciated but not required. Register by clicking here.
Please note that absentee ballots will not be offered this year. If you are unable to attend in person, please follow the instructions to attend via Zoom that have been emailed to all members. Registration for Zoom is required and has a deadline of 5:00 p.m. on Friday, May 16.
UPCOMING EVENTS
TACOMA SACRED SPACES TOUR Saturday, May 10, 1:00–4:00 p.m.
If you've ever wanted to tour temple or if you're interested in other sacred religious spaces, this is for you! This free event organized by Urban Grace celebrates Tacoma's diverse religious history by inviting people to view and learn about our spaces. Participants will enjoy building tours and exhibits, each unique in their own way. You can read more about the participating locations you can go to and what you might see by clicking here.
TEMPLE BETH EL BBQ Sunday, May 18, 12:00 p.m.
TBE members are invited to our Community BBQ! Temple is bringing the food so join us for an afternoon of great food, fun, and community connection. We'll be celebrating the last day of religious school and also coming together as a community after the BBQ for our annual congregational meeting. Members are invited to stay and engage in congregational decision making.
STANDWITHUS NORTHWEST'S COMMUNITY RECEPTION Sunday, May 18, 5:30 p.m.
StandWithUs invites the community to join them for their Community Reception 2025, located at the Town Hall in Seattle. Enjoy delicious food and Israeli wines with other members of our regional community! You won't want to miss out on the keynote speaker, Haviv Rettig Gur, a veteran Israeli journalist who serves as senior analyst for The Times of Israel. Click here to read more about this event and reserve your seats today!
SISTERHOOD'S ENGLISH HIGH TEA AND RAFFLE Sunday, May 25, 1:00–4:00 p.m.
Sisterhood members are invited to an English High Tea & Raffle hosted by Carol and Bunny! This delightful gathering is open to all female-identifying individuals age 13 and up. Enjoy classic high tea treats, warm company, and the chance to win fabulous raffle prizes. You're invited to dress up in your best thrifted or vintage attire, and if you have a favorite teapot, bring it along! If you'd like to volunteer, please make your selection when you register. You can register by clicking here to register—RSVP by May 12 in order to reserve your spot!
SISTERHOOD GENERAL MEETING Tuesday, May 27, 5:45 p.m.
All female-identifying members are invited. There will be a pizza party, followed by a short hour-long meeting to talk about the great work Sisterhood accomplished this board year, and then a fun schmooze after the meeting! Sisterhood will send out a reminder before the event and Zoom link for those who can't attend in person.
SAVE THE DATE
THE KESSELGARDEN KLEZMER DUO Sunday, June 8, 2:00–4:00 p.m.
Join us at TBE for an afternoon of instrumental Jewish Folk music from Ukraine, Poland, Romania, Moldova, and beyond! This lovely concert is free to attend thanks to the generous sponsorship of the Reutlinger Music Fund.
OPPORTUNITIES
HFLA STUDENT ACCESS FUND LOAN APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN
The Hebrew Free Loan Association of Washington State (HFLA) is offering Student Access Fund (SAF) loans for students aged 18 and above. These are interest-free, no-fee loans of up to $7,500 that can be used by those pursuing higher education, including graduate programs. Applications will be open until May 31, so check your eligibility and apply now!
INFORMATION
JUDAICA SHOP
The shop accepts card transactions only, and will be open on the following days over the course of May:
– Wednesdays, May 7 and 14, from 4:30–6:30 p.m.
– Fridays, May 2, 9, 16, and 30, from 5:30–6:30 p.m.
– Sunday, May 4, from 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
We are still in need of volunteers to ensure the shop can always be open during regular hours. You can get in touch with Connie Person or Aubrey Sagalovich to volunteer or to schedule a shopping appointment outside of our regular hours by sending an email to 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
WANT TO SUBMIT AN ANNOUNCEMENT?
If you have an item you would like included in this weekly newsletter, 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.
