Temple Beth El

5975 South 12th Street

Tacoma, WA 98465

August 7, 2025 / 13 Av 5785

Volume 23, No. 44

TORAH READING

Va-et'chanan
Deuteronomy 4:41-49

Haftarah
Isaiah 40:1-26

Candle Lighting
8:15 p.m.
 

SERVICE SCHEDULE

EREV SHABBAT SERVICE (multi-access)
Friday, August 8, 6:30 p.m.
Everyone is invited to join us online or in person for an Erev Shabbat service, where we'll welcome Dr. Leah Cassorla in co-leading services with Rabbi Gorban! Join us in the social hall at 5:45 p.m., before the service, for an oneg sponsored by Melissa Medved, Mady Plumer, and Sarah Rumbaugh in honor of Stacey Soltoff's conversion. Mazel tov!

Live streaming options: 
– Facebook Live
– YouTube
– TBE Website (click play and this feature will work once services begin)
 
TORAH STUDY AND SHABBAT SERVICE (multi-access)
Saturday, August 9, 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.

Live streaming options:
– Morning Torah Study  
– Shabbat Service

UPCOMING EVENTS

ANNUAL HOME OF PEACE CEMETERY CLEAN-UP
Sunday, August 10, 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
The Home of Peace Cemetery Association invites the entire community to participate in our annual clean-up day. Please plan to come for an hour or two to perform the mitzvah of washing headstones. All supplies will be provided. Contact Dave Aqua at (253) 753-3134 or aclassicmustang@yahoo.com to sign up, or for further information. 

SUMMER SPIFF-IT-UP DAY
Sunday, August 17, 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Your help is needed to spiff up our temple home! Help TBE shine for study and prayer before High Holy Days. All ages are welcome to join in our tidying efforts, both inside and out. Staining the fence along 12th St. is our major summer project to improve our 'face' towards the street as well as the BELC playground. Please come for an hour or two, or come to stay! An array of snacks will be provided. Please RSVP so we can plan for materials, stain, and snacks by contacting Jani at (253) 223-4705  or jani@tripsnships.com.

COMMUNITY ICE CREAM SOCIAL
Sunday, August 17, 2:00 p.m.
Come one, come all... enjoy meeting with your temple friends and some new folks as well! This multi-generational ice cream social will be hosted at temple by the Membership Committee. What ice cream and toppings will you choose? You can RSVP by clicking here. The deadline is Monday, August 11. Registration is not required, but helps us in planning the event!

ASSOCIATED MINISTRIES INTERFAITH DIALOGUE
Monday, August 18, 7:00–9:00 p.m.
No registration required! Come together with people of various faiths for A.M.'s Interfaith Dialogue, held at United Church in University Place. This discussion features Rabbi Keren Gorban, Father Mike McDermott, and Imam Amir Abdul-Matin as presenters. The question at hand is, "What do our faiths direct us to do when we have wronged someone, or someone has wronged us?" Refreshments will follow the discussion—don't miss out! 

BAR MITZVAH OF MARSHALL LUNDBERG
Saturday, August 23, 10:00 a.m.
Temple Beth El cordially invites you to attend the bar mitzvah of Marshall Lundberg—mazel tov! Following the service, the community is warmly welcomed to join the family for a kiddush luncheon in the social hall.

MEET-AND-GREETS WITH DR. LEAH CASSORLA
Wednesday, August 27, 7:00 p.m. and Thursday, August 28, 5:00 p.m.
Religious School families, and those interested in the Religious School, are invited to come by temple on these two days to meet Dr. Cassorla. These are great opportunities to get to know her and ask questions! Light refreshments will be provided. 

OPPORTUNITIES

REGISTRATION FOR ADULT EDUCATION NOW OPEN
From ancient texts to modern parenting, from the depths of Jewish history to the flavors of Jewish kitchens around the world, our courses are designed to help you connect more deeply with Jewish life, community, and wisdom. Whether you're new to Jewish learning or a seasoned student, check out our course catalog to find full class descriptions and get registered—just click here!

COME ENROLL IN RELIGIOUS SCHOOL

We are excited to announce that registration is open for the 5786 (2025–2026) Religious School year! We’re also pleased to welcome Dr. Leah Cassorla as our new Religious Education Director and Cantorial Intern. To register and learn more, click here. Full tuition and program details have been emailed to families and are available on the Religious School page.

CAMP SOLOMON SCHECHTER'S SINGLE PARENT FAMILY CAMP

From Friday, October 10–Sunday, October 12, come spend a relaxing, meaningful weekend celebrating Sukkot with other single-parent families at your favorite Jewish camp. This is a joyful retreat where single-parent families can step away from daily demands, connect deeply with each other, and build lifelong friendships within a warm, supportive camp community. Let’s gather under the canopy of peace—our sukkah—and make beautiful memories together this Sukkot. Camp Solomon Schechter can’t wait to welcome you! Visit their website to learn more and register.

LOOKING FOR A PRIVATE CAREGIVER?

If you are looking for a private caregiver, temple member Irene Amster has a recommendation of a caregiver she knows directly. For more information, please reach out to Irene at ireneamster@gmail.com.

INFORMATION

BOARD MEETING REMINDER: NO AUGUST MEETING
Please note that there will be no temple board meeting in the month of August. We look forward to seeing everyone at the next board meeting, which takes place Tuesday, September 16 at 6:30 p.m..

JUDAICA SHOP
Over the summer months, the shop will only be open on Friday evenings. You can visit the shop on August 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29 from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m., or by scheduling an appointment. To schedule, please get in touch with judaica@tbetacoma.org! Note that the shop accepts card transactions only. 

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.