We’re counting down the days until we raise the (virtual) curtain on the 26th Seattle Jewish Film Festival! Opening weekend has it all: comedy, romance, history, and sports — plus Zoom conversations and delicious food pairings. Get your tickets today!
Congregation Beth Israel, centered in Bellingham, Washington, stands with Jews all over the world in affirming the principles of equal justice and equal respect underlying the declaration that Black Lives Matter. Believing in the dignity of every individual, we deplore the structural racism that has denied people of color the rights and opportunities enjoyed by their fellow citizens. We strongly support the Constitutional right to peaceful assembly and condemn all forms of violence against peaceful protestors.
Our Bible and our sages, our liturgy and our vision of a just society, teach us the value of every human being. The centuries of defamation and oppression Jews have suffered help us understand the suffering people of color have endured in the United States from the founding of our country to the present day.
Those of us who are white Americans may have wittingly or unwittingly contributed to that suffering. We will work to eradicate any traces of racism in our lives as a congregation and as individuals, and will take any steps within our power to promote the equality our founding documents proclaim as the right of all people.
— Approved by CBI Board of Directors, Nov. 10, 2020
Join with thousands of Jews from across North America and around the world to learn, pray, share ideas, dance and sing, hear from inspiring speakers and the leaders of our Movement; reunite with old friends, create new connections, and make decisions about the policies of the Reform Movement.
URJ Biennial 2019 is over, but you can still view videos of the experience — 5,000 Jews from across North America and around the world gathered to learn, pray, share ideas, dance and sing, heard from inspiring speakers and the leaders of our Movement; reunited with old friends, created new connections, and made decisions about the policies of the Reform Movement.
Make sure to watch the Friday morning plenary session where the URJ and the RAC launched our 2020 Civic Engagement Campaign and vote on social justice resolutions, including one on reparations for U.S. slavery and ongoing racism.
Make plans to join us at the next URJ Biennial, December 8-11, 2021 in Washington D.C. (National Harbor)!
Reform Jewish Leaders on Capitol Insurrection and White Supremacy (click image):
Central Conference of American Rabbis Statement condemning assaults on American Democracy (click image):
Get started with aleph-bet! Learn the shapes and sounds of the Hebrew alphabet, with a warm and supportive educator to guide you and a group of classmates for practicing together. With a commitment to class attendance and review between class sessions, you can expect to recognize and understand the common Hebrew words and phrases that are often heard in Reform congregations and in Jewish prayer. Familiarity with Hebrew can be a key to feeling at home in the Jewish community.
Perfect for Introduction to Judaism alumni and other adults, this course assumes no prior Hebrew experience. This course has been developed specifically for online learning, and is taught by experienced educators.
Live sessions meet weekly over video conferencing. Participants are given access to online course materials and a link to purchase workbook.
Click here for registration information.
The Capital Campaign Committee has launched an ambitious campaign to raise $700,000 — the total of funds needed to complete the final phase of our New Synagogue project. Thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor, all donations to the New Synagogue fund received through March 31, 2021 will be matched dollar for dollar, meaning that our actual fundraising goal is $350,000. Click this link to read our November 20th letter that has all the campaign details.
Dates: Six Sundays – Jan 10, 24, 31; Feb 14, 21, 28
Time: 3-5 p.m. on Zoom
Tuition: $180
In this six-part series, we will explore the concept of righteousness with readings by activists, scholars, and creative writers, as well as through our own writing and sharing. This generative writing class is mindfully designed for all levels – from the novice to the experienced, all are welcome! All you need to bring – in addition to your journal/notebook/keyboard and pen – is an open mind and the desire to create in community! As the utmost challenging 2020 ends and we start 2021 with hopes for change and connection, let’s explore what is “righteous” as we discover what wants to “write us.”
CBI member Jay S. Nahani (Braunstein) is an experienced facilitator, writer, and editor with a Masters in Social Work and training in the expressive arts. Jay’s poetry and prose have appeared in numerous anthologies, and she is passionate about helping others to connect to their truths and transform through expression.
*If cost is prohibitive, contact the CBI office for assistance.
View a recording of CBI’s panel discussion, “Exploring Jewish topics in They Ain’t Ready For Me,” a documentary film:
The film was shown as part of Pickford Film Center’s Doctober festival, which has been extended through November 30, 2020.
Panel participants: Rabbi Josh Samuels, Cantorial Soloist Andrea Shupack, Bryant Heinzelman, and Chanan Suarez (moderated by Emily Weiner).
THEY AIN’T READY FOR ME
dir. Brad Rothschild, 2020
NR, 89 min, USA, in English
The film is about Tamar Manasseh—who is Black and Jewish—and the organization she founded: MASK (Mothers and Men Against Senseless Killings). MASK members show up every day to sit on the corner of 75th street and South Stewart on Chicago’s South Side—an area plagued by poverty, unemployment, addiction, and violence— to prevent violence by building community. Rothschild explores the powers of showing up as viewers get to experience the members of MASK providing music, games, food, and conversation to their neighbors in need. In the film, Tamar describes how Judaism motivates her, we see MASK celebrations of Sukkot and Passover, and Tamar takes us inside Beth Shalom – B’Nai Zaken Ethiopian Hebrew Congregation.
For information about the film, to watch a trailer, and to purchase a ticket to watch online, click here.
