Good company + good works + good times … it all adds up to Brotherhood, the dynamic Temple B’nai Torah men’s auxiliary. And we know how to create great activities for Temple men of all ages—plus their families and extended families. Whenever "manpower" is needed within our Temple and the Jewish community, you’ll find Brotherhood.

Our Goal: To develop a structure, programs and continuing opportunities
for the men in our group to better connect with
each other, our Temple and Community.

We believe that building relationships, promoting friendships and instilling feelings of connectedness among our members should be our primary Brotherhood objective.

Brotherhood 2009 is Underway!

In 2009, Brotherhood will continue to create social connections among our members, promote Temple involvement and outreach to the Jewish community. Our activities and events will offer a balance of social action, tzedakah, Temple service, religious education and fun!

Thanks to David Aucsmith, Phil Gerson, Stu Rosen, Marty Glass, Joe Dover, Steve Kaplan and Gary Kornbluh for their creativity and energy in planning the working calendar below. However, no calendar could be complete without your input. If there is a cause or topic you want us to offer, let me know so we can consider adding it.

In addition to our major annual activities, we’ve planned several third Thursday evenings of the month guest speaker/dinner get-togethers to address timely topics that affect all our lives. Attending a Brotherhood activity does not obligate you to join – but it’s a great way to find out why belonging is so rewarding.

Brotherhood Activity Calendar - December 2008 through July 2009
December 2008
3 Experts on "Surviving the Economic Crisis"
Thursday, December 18
6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Brotherhood brings a local/national economic forecaster, an economist, and a certified financial planner to provide fresh insights into how the crisis will affect you, your family, and your future. Special emphasis on the outlook for the Pacific Northwest. Dinner and refreshments. 
All Temple members are welcome. Click here for more details.

Thursday, December 25 - Brotherhood’s Annual ”Christmas Day Mitzvah” will again spread cheer to the less fortunate. In Christmas days past we’ve volunteered at Ronald McDonald House and served food at a shelter so gentile staff members could spend the holiday with their families. Watch for details about this year’s Tzadakah program, not finalized at press time.

January 2009
Sunday, January 18 - Deli/Comedy Night is our most popular event. It will be a great evening of gourmet Jewish deli (prime corned beef and pastrami, real Jewish rye, kosher pickles, Dr. Brown’s sodas, and home-made kuggel to die for), combined with hilarious professional and open-mike comedy entertainment. It's a great way for non-members to get to know Brotherhood. Click here for details or to reserve your plate.

February 2009
Sunday, February 1 -Annual Super Bowl Party/Penny-Ante Poker Fest is the perfect combination of sports, food and fun. A large screen TV at a member’s comfortable condo clubhouse is the backdrop for mountains of munchies and cold cuts, outrageous bluffing at the low-stakes poker table and a football pool with lots of winners. Come with a friend or a child 12 or over. It’s an easy way for attendees to make new friends. Click here for more details.

Thursday, February 19 - Guest Speaker/Dinner Topic: The “Just Congregations Listening Campaign” will provide an opportunity for men to discuss what social issues “keep them up at night,” to tell their story, to share common concerns and learn what our Temple and other faith-based groups can do together to lobby for social justice and social change.

April 2009
Thursday, April 16 -Guest Speaker/Dinner Topic: “Great Hops-Beer Fest “will discuss why the simple combination of water, yeast and hops have made beer the world’s most common and popular beverage. You’ll also be able to taste the range of beer types from pale, sparkling yellow to dark, rich reddish brown and savor the differences. Our speaker will also tell you how to make it yourself, if you are so inclined.

May 2009
Friday, May 15 -Annual Brotherhood Shabbat is the privilege and honor we enjoy each year in leading the congregation in prayer. We will play spiritually uplifting music, chant traditional Hebrew prayers and read contemporary passages in English from our own specially created siddur. Please join us with your family and attend the congregational dinner that precedes the service.
Click here for more information.

June 2009
TBT Brotherhood Beer Fest
Thursday, June 4
6:30 pm - 9:30 pm at TBT
Please join us for a fun evening as we learn about beer!
A representative from Malt and Vine Craft Beers will guide us through a tasting of Pilsners, Ales, Porters, Hefeweizen, and others. We'll learn how beer is made and discuss beer and food pairings.
A dinner of "Pub-fare" will be served.
Cost: $10 per person
RSVP: by June 1 to Dan Zimberoff.
Download the flyer.

Thursday, June 18 - Guest Speaker/Dinner Topic: “Internet Security/Fraud, Identity Theft” will harness the expertise of a nationally recognized internet security authority to help you protect both your computer and personal data. You’ll learn how to evaluate the sites you visit, transmit sensitive financial data in a secure way, limit annoying spam, avoid downloading spyware and how to not to fall victim to identity theft, one of the fastest growing crimes in America.

July 2009
Sunday, July 19 - Brotherhood “Hackers & Golfers Open” will be the ultimate golf outing, a day specifically designed so golfers of every skill level can a really great time. We’ll organize into teams by the golfer’s/hacker’s ability and follow a scramble format. Within each skill level we’ll award prizes for lowest score, longest drive and closest to the pin. One modest amount will cover a golf range warm-up, a group lesson, greens fees, golf cart, lunch and prizes.

I want to encourage you to join Brotherhood and take part in the camaraderie. Your $36 membership fee helps to underwrite the cost of the events. You can send your payment directly to the Temple C/O “Brotherhood” or enclose your payment with the monthly Temple statement.

Get involved! In the coming year I look forward to returning members renewing their memberships and having new members join for the first time.

B’shalom,
Monte Zwang
Brotherhood President