Havurah Update Dec 5

HAVURAT EE SHALOM

December 5 - 11, 2018
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Hanukkah Party!
6 - 9 pm
Saturday, December 8

Cohousing Common House
10421 SW Bank Rd.

Julie Shannon and family will provide a mountain of latkes!

Bring a potluck dish to share.
Bring your menorah, dreidel, and hanukkah songs.
Friends and family welcome.
Note: Parking is limited. Please park along Bank Road.
The driveway is dark; bring a flashlight. Thanks!

Torah Study
9:30 am
Sat. Dec. 8, 2018
Parashat Miketz • פרשת מקץ
Genesis 43:16 - 44:17 (triennial portion 39:1 - 44:17)

Cows and Corn
Joseph interprets Pharoah's disturbing dreams about seven fat cows and seven skinny cows, seven fat ears of corn and seven skinny ears of corn: a remarkable prophecy of years of plenty followed by years of famine. This bold conjecture elevates Joseph's status from prisoner to prince. It's also a remarkable lesson in civics, the idea that we can cooperatively prepare for natural cycles, in service of social order and mitigation of suffering.

Joseph is less assured in the emotional realm of encountering his brothers, who had sold him into slavery, and who had no inkling of his ascendency in Pharaoh's court. The brothers fail to recognize Joseph, but he knows who they are, treats them erratically, and weeps in private. Joseph delays revealing the truth while he tests his brothers' good faith, and his own.

Everyone is welcome to join these ruminating discussions -
no preparation required!

Learn more about the Havurah Torah study group on our website

Tikkun Olam:
Havurah-Sponsored
Community Christmas Dinner

Wednesday, December 19, 2018

Carolina Nurik & May Gerstle will host the Wednesday night community Christmas dinner at Holy Spirit Episcopal Church.
We still need a few essentials:

A volunteer to make mashed potatoes - white, yam or sweet - for 25 people.
A vounteer to make a green veggie for 25 people.

These food items can be prepared in the church kitchen, or you can cook at home and bring to the dinner.

Donations of small wrapped gifts like gloves or warm socks or warm caps are always welcomed.

To help, please contact May: 206-463-0974 • jamger@comcast.net

Ginny, coordinator of the regular 3rd Wednesday community dinner, wrote to express her gratitude for this generous effort: "Please convey to the Havurah volunteers the thanks of all our regular volunteers for the gift of time off."

Support the Havurah with
Amazon Smile
The Havurah is now eligible for Amazon Smile benefits. If you add Vashon Havurah as your Amazon Smile recipient, we will receive a quarterly payment equal to .5% of your purchases at no extra cost. A simple way to support our community. Here is the unique link:

CLICK to begin shopping smile.amazon.com

Look for "Supporting Vashon Island Havurah" below the search bar.

INSPIRATIONS

Light One Candle for the Rohingya People,
a special prayer offered by the American Jewish World Service, to be said around the world on the 6th night of Hanukkah:

“Tonight, as we light our candles in the relative safety and warmth of our homes, we bear witness to all those who yearn for safety and comfort. We know that all should have the right to live free from persecution and fear. No one should be forced to flee because of who they are or what they believe.

We dedicate this candle to the Rohingya people, and to all who seek shelter from persecution today.
To the refugees living a daily struggle for food, water, shelter and survival.
To the brave activists who are fighting for equality, dignity and peace.
To the children hoping for a life without fear.

May the light that we kindle tonight shine bright, illuminating our pursuit of justice. May it remind us that each of us has the capacity to dispel darkness and bring light and hope.”

Link to the full reading: Light One Candle

APPRECIATIONS

Thanks to Amy Greenberg for volunteering to help with fund-raising!

LOOKING AHEAD...

Save the date! Details will be posted a week or two in advance.

Wed. Dec. 19:   Havurah-Sponsored Christmas Dinner
Friday Jan 11: 2nd Shabbat Potluck with May and John Gerstle
Sat-Sun Jan 19-20:   Limmud Festival at Bellevue College
Sunday Jan. 20:   Tu b'Shevat Seder at the Havurah
Monday Feb 4: Irish Music & Dance Violinist Frankie Gavin
Sunday Feb 17: Dancer-Musician Nic Gareiss

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