Providing Meals for the Homeless at Bellevue Emergency Winter Shelter
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Herzl-Ner Tamid EDITORIAL PROOF 3700 East Mercer Way Mercer Island, WA PRINTED 11/1/17 98040 December 2017 H HaKol is aKolthe newsletter of Herzl-Ner Tamid Kislev / Tevet 5778 Please see page 5 for Social Action Providing Meals for the Opportunities & Homeless at Bellevue Updates Emergency Winter Shelter How you can help: This is a great activity for families, friends, your book group,or chavurah, and HNT will provide organizational support. It’s all done potluck-style with food you can buy or make at home. You can drop off your food or stay to help serve and talk with the residents. You choose the date that works for your group. Please email [email protected] to volunteer to organize a group of friends to take a meal, or to bring a dish yourself. 206-232-8555 • [email protected] • www.h-nt.org A MESSAGE FROM RABBI ROSENBAUM B'NAI MITZVAH Everyone is invited to share services and Chanukah People the kiddush following the B'nai Mitzvah DECEMBER 9 There is a Talmudic argument about the proper way to light Chanukah candles. Samantha Tarlowe is the daughter of Dafna and The decision was to light one candle on Michael Tarlowe of Sammamish and older sister the first night and add a candle each to Erica. Her grandparents are Tamara and Leo night. Why? Speckman of Plano, TX and Bonnie and Robert Tarlowe of Palm Beach Gardens, FL. Samantha Maalin ba’kodesh, we increase in sanctity, not decrease. is a 7th grader at Beaver Lake Middle School. She is passionate Translate this into the language of Positive Psychology, and about gymnastics and has been part of a competitive team for 5 we read: “We build on our strengths. If we want to improve years. She enjoys playing basketball, assembling jigsaw puzzles, ourselves and the world, instead of asking what’s wrong with baking and spending time with her friends. For her mitzvah us that needs fixing, ask: what’s right with us that we can project, she has been volunteering at Food Lifeline by sorting build on?” and packing food. She donated 100 Power Packs to the Issaquah Food and Clothing Bank, to meet the needs of less fortunate Maybe that’s why when we prepare the Chanukiyah, we students in the school district. put in the candles from left to right, starting with the oldest candle and building up to the newest. Each candle adds light January 6 (Minchah/Havdallah Service) to existing light. When we light the candles, we start with the newest candle and then go backwards. In this way, we Samuel Leahy is the son of Lauren and Will and acknowledge that the light of our own soul is rooted in the the younger brother of Hannah Leahy. Sam beauty created by previous souls. was born in Seattle, Washington. A 7th grader at Islander Middle School, he loves to play Chanukah itself is a source of strength. It’s a reminder to us baseball and will play with City Baseball this of the courage and faith that already exists within the Jewish year. In school, Sam enjoys band and plays the French horn. people. Each of us is that little jar of oil that contains within it Sam loves playing computer games. He built a computer this more wisdom, love and bravery than we give ourselves past summer by himself. He has two dogs and lots of family and credit for. friends who support him. We welcome his family from all over Chanukah reminds us to look around at the people around the country to Seattle to celebrate with Sam. us and ask whether we have underestimated the light they contain, the way that first jar of oil was misjudged. COMMUNITY-WIDE CHANUKAH PAJAMA JAM When we get discouraged, Chanukah comes to lift us. No Saturday, December 16 • 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM at SJCC matter what the circumstances of the world or our lives, don’t Co-Sponsored by SJCC & HNT give up! We are Chanukah people! And, we contain within us the miracle of a light that outperforms all expectations. Join us for our coziest community Chanukah celebration yet! Put on your pjs and enjoy live music performed by Josh & Janine, David, Miri, Daniella, Shani and I wish all of our friends Chava, a live presentation of a special Chanukah story, food at HNT a Chanukah of light and joy. trucks, arts and crafts, gift bags, and more! Rabbi Jay Rosenbaum We’re collecting donations of new and gently used pajamas (size 2T-12) for Amara, an organization that works to ensure HaKol is published monthly, except June/July/ every child in foster care has the love and support of a August. Production by HNT staff. The deadline for HaKol is the first of the month preceding committed family as quickly as possible and for as long as the month of publication. the child needs. Please help us out! This event is free with 3700 E. Mercer Way Mercer Island, WA 98040 donation of pajamas. OFFICE Monday - Thursday ..................9:00 AM - 5:00 PM HOURS Friday ......................................9:00 AM - 2:00 PM 2 206-232-8555 • [email protected] • www.h-nt.org Audrey Covner, While much of what Audrey does for HNT is done behind the scenes, such as leading the team creating a strategic plan 2018 recipient for our future and fundraising, her focus is always aimed at of the ensuring HNT continues to be a strong congregation that will be Bob Zimmerman there for her kids and kids of the next generation. Community Leadership Award Audrey was born in Brooklyn, NY, but moved to California when she was very young. Audrey lived in Israel for a year in the 1970s working as a nurse in Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem. Friends often compare her Following her return to California, she worked as a nurse while to the Energizer Bunny, attending law school at night. Using both her nursing and law because when it comes to degrees, Audrey has worked to support her many non-profit doing things for others, Audrey Covner just keeps going and volunteer activities. going and going… Active in the gay rights and AIDS/HIV rights movements for Since coming to the Northwest in 2001, Audrey has been more than 15 years, Audrey assisted in writing and lobbying generous – with both her time and money – to Herzl-Ner Tamid for many antidiscrimination laws, ultimately being awarded and other non-profit groups in our community. Audrey served recognition by the ACLU of California for her efforts. Audrey as HNT’s President from 2010 - 2012. As president, Audrey also created and served as the lead attorney for a pro bono always tried to ensure that the voices of all congregants were legal panel providing free legal services to people with AIDS/HIV. heard. During her stints on the bima, Audrey presented what you might call a “relaxed” demeanor: smiling and waving to Speaking to HNT’s 7th graders recently, Audrey shared her congregants, shaking hands and welcoming everyone, and we passion for tzedakah. She explained how she and Dianne both certainly never had problems hearing her announce the Torah grew up in loving families who did not enjoy economic stability. portions from the pulpit. With this in mind, they have always striven to ensure their children understand that everyone is not as fortunate as they A number of years ago, Audrey created the first Legacy Brunch, are and we all need to give back in this world. an HNT fundraiser designed to foster a warm community atmosphere. While she clearly understands the need to raise Giving to others has been a strong value in their household. funds to maintain HNT's operations, Audrey strongly believes One example: their tradition for Chanukah is four nights of these annual events should also serve as a solidifying force for giving and four nights of getting – ensuring that half the nights our congregants to connect with each other and see how much are celebrated by donating to others. good work HNT does all year long. Community is important to Audrey, her spouse, Dianne Dougherty, and their two Audrey and Dianne have been together since 1984 and kids, Claire and Michaela. Both daughters worked in the HNT were married by Rabbi Rosenbaum in 2013, after the state religious school, served as Torah tutors, and often read Torah of Washington legalized gay marriage. While being a non- and Haftorah for services. Michaela continues her involvement traditional family has not always been easy in many Jewish serving as HNT’s USY advisor. environments, Audrey and Dianne feel so blessed to be part of the HNT community where they have always felt welcome Audrey spends a lot of time at HNT. She’s a regular at services, and connected. including morning minyan. She fondly remembers that her childhood synagogue felt like a “home” and she hopes her Once again this year, Audrey and Dianne are providing financial children and other young people will feel that way about HNT. support to the Legacy Brunch by helping to underwrite the Audrey believes a synagogue is not only a place for prayer, but event with an extremely generous donation. Please join us in a place for community, mitzvot, socializing, and finding ways to honoring Audrey and sharing the community that makes HNT incorporate Jewish values into our lives. so special on Sunday, February 11. Photo courtesy of Eric Radman: www.RadmanPhotography.com 206-232-8555 • [email protected] • www.h-nt.org 3 Daily Minyan: Weekdays 7:00 AM DISASTER RELIEF: HOMEGROWN HELP T'FILOT Sundays and Secular Holidays 9:00 AM PreShabbat Oneg: Fridays 5:30 PM Yasher koach and todah rabbah to Debra Mailman, who has donated weeks of her time working for Jewish Family Service Friday, December 1 and Nechama Jewish Disaster Relief in Houston.