Rabbi James L. (Jim) Mirel
Dear Friends,

At the heart of our congregation are the foundation stones of Judaism: Torah - authentic Jewish study; Avodah - prayerful devotion to God; and Gemilut Chasadeem - commitment to acts of love and justice. We are deeply committed to authentic Judaism in the Reform style.

What makes Temple B'nai Torah special? Many things. We welcome everyone. Each person is important to us. We make no distinctions based on age, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, or wealth. Many households in our community consist of a Jewish and non-Jewish partner. We welcome both such partners into our midst with open arms.

Rabbi means "teacher". I welcome all questions and concerns about Torah and Jewish knowledge. As Rabbi of the congregation, I am available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. Members can call me at my home study if they cannot reach me at the Synagogue, (206) 323-7674.
Non-members who would like to discuss any questions with me should feel free to call me at the Synagogue. 
I can also be reached by email, Rabbi@TempleBnaiTorah.org.

Let me offer you a brief word of Torah from the Mishnah:
"Do not say 'When I have the time, I will study Torah'. You may never have the time."

The Mishnah is reminding us that study should be part of your daily routine. I can help you to begin or continue. Hope to speak to you soon.
- Rabbi James L. Mirel 

Read Rabbi Mirel's article in the Seattle Times about being civil with each other.


Cantor David Serkin-Poole
Dear Friends,

A word of introduction—I love my work here at Temple B'nai Torah. The biggest downside to my work is that often, I am so busy with individual appointments throughout the day, that I don't have the time or opportunity to just schmooze and get more "connected" with the members of the congregation. Using this forum, perhaps I will be able to better stay in touch with more people. I certainly welcome your thoughts.

Most importantly, know that I serve you, the members of Temple B'nai Torah. I work for you and want to help in any way that I can. I have served as cantor of this holy congregation since 1980, first under the leadership of our founding rabbi, the late Jacob Singer of blessed memory. I have had the privilege to work under the spiritual leadership of Rabbi Jim Mirel since 1985 and together we make a clergy team that cares very deeply about ministering to the needs of our members.

Check the website for news and information about:

• B'nai Mitzvah Information and Updates
  
• Choir Rehearsals
  
• Religious Services
  
• Updates from around the world from other cantors

Please do not hesitate to give me a call at any time. You can call the office at (425) 603-9677. If it is after hours, simply press extension 215. You will get my voice mail and instructions on how to get in touch with me if it is urgent. Otherwise, I will return your call within 36 hours. You can also email me at Cantor@TempleBnaiTorah.org. I always want to be available to our members and welcome your questions and comments.

Warmly,
Your cantor, David Serkin-Poole

Mideast Interfaith Project: Cantor's Journal

Sermon of July 2, 2004 - "A Case for Freedom"


Rabbi Yohanna Kinberg
I am delighted to be serving as the assistant rabbi of this congregation. I grew up in Eugene, Oregon and have been studying to become a rabbi at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in Philadelphia for the past 6 years. It has been a long time dream of mine to return to the glorious greenery of the Pacific Northwest and to have the opportunity to serve the Jews of this part of the United States.

There are many things that I would like to share about myself in this introductory letter: my love for Israel, Jewish music, crafts and folklore, my Mizrachi/Moroccoan ancestry, my excitement around Hebrew and text study and the joy I experience when working with Jews of all ages, especially children.

I'd also like to focus on one symbol found in the Jewish world that is extremely meaningful in my life and defines my rabbinate as I leave rabbinical school and set out to serve this community. This is the symbol of the open hand—also known as a Hamsa.

Psalm 145 speaks of this open hand:
“Open your hand and in overflowing abundance give all that life wills of you.” (Verse 16)

An open hand is symbolic of both giving and receiving. It is this mutuality, this ability to both provide for and be provided for, that I believe defines the vibrant Jewish civilization in which I have been so privileged to grow up and live. It is this symbol that I carry with me as a guiding image as I do holy work of serving Jewish community.

I have been nurtured and provided for by the progressive American Jewish community, I have been taught, cared for, encouraged and uplifted. And so now I seek to open my hands and provide for all those in my community who are in need. It is an open society, an open Judaism, an open civilization that manifests abundance and fulfills needs. I am a product of this “open handed” Judaism. And I seek to encounter this community with an open mind, and open heart and an open hand.

When I open my hand in greeting to each of you I do so with the intention of opening myself to you as a teacher, counselor, facilitator, aid, supporter, co-worker and co-creator of vibrant and life-affirming Jewish community. I look forward to shaking each of your hands over the next few months. I look forward to all the openings and possibility that will result from meeting each of you. I look forward to finding out more about what we can create together using our hands and our commitment to a Judaism that inspires us to both give and receive.

When we encounter each other with an open hand, a giving hand and a receiving hand, we create the openings that lead to connected and intimate community.

B’Shalom,
Rabbi Yohanna Kinberg
RabbiKinberg@TempleBnaiTorah.org

Tragedy Near and Tragedy Far Sermon

Check out Rabbi Kinberg's Blog for Jewish parenting reflections: http://www.rabbimommyrabbi.blogspot.com