TBT Blog

As Hanukkah approaches, we reflect on the power of light to bring warmth and connection, even during the darkest times. In this spirit, we’re sharing this heartfelt reflection from long-time TBT member Jeff Pearl to illuminate the enduring bonds of our community. We hope it inspires you to reflect on the light and meaning TBT brings to your life.

First off, I appreciate you taking a moment to read this reflection that I felt compelled to share. I have been a member of TBT for over 34 years, and many of you might remember my family, especially from a time when our synagogue lives were significantly different. My wife Erica and I joined TBT in 1990 because we were seeking a place to name and bless our second daughter and provide both of our daughters with a meaningful religious experience—one that would hopefully lead them to becoming B'nai Mitzvah. We wanted to create a vibrant Jewish Temple life for our family, and TBT became the foundation. What we didn’t anticipate was how deeply we would become involved. I served on the Temple Board for 12 years, even becoming Temple President, and Erica, who didn’t grow up affiliated with a synagogue, eventually became Sisterhood President.

However, as time went on, our involvement naturally shifted. Our daughters grew up and moved away, and we found ourselves attending services and participating in Temple life far less often. As we entered a new phase of our lives, we started to question the role TBT would play moving forward. With fewer responsibilities in lay leadership and less day-to-day engagement, we began to wonder whether maintaining that connection still mattered. These thoughts, I realize now, are ones that many of us encounter as our personal lives naturally evolve over time.

There were profound moments of connection—like carrying our four sacred Torah scrolls the 10-mile trek through Mercer Island and across the I-90 bridge to our new Bellevue building 26 years ago. But there were also challenges that tested us, such as navigating the complexities of securing a clergy team to guide us into the future. These pivotal moments of change within the congregation influenced how we felt about continuing our commitment to Temple life. Erica often asked me, “If we’re not feeling connected to Temple life anymore, why are we still members?” Ultimately, I found myself needing to know that, even in the smallest way (like maintaining our membership), we were keeping a connection. I didn’t know then how much that choice would mean later.

Everything changed this past September when Erica passed away unexpectedly, bringing my connection to the community into sharp focus. One moment stands out vividly: during Erica’s funeral service, Rabbi Mirel invited those in attendance who were current or past TBT members to stand. As my daughters and I turned, we were met with a sea of familiar faces—those who had played both small and significant roles in our lives over the years.

After 34 years, it was the most profound and heartfelt connection I had ever felt to my Temple. In that moment, I wondered what it would have felt like if I didn’t have this community’s support.

Rabbi Molly and Rabbi Dusty, though relatively new to TBT, supported my family and me with profound kindness and care. The Mitzvah Corps provided nourishing meals, and I was deeply moved by reconnecting with TBT friends I hadn’t seen in years and receiving heartfelt cards and letters. These messages shared what Erica meant to them and reflected on the meaningful connections we had built as members of TBT.

Even with our lack of involvement at the Temple in recent years, the foundation we had established so many years earlier was now paying dividends in the most meaningful ways.

This experience has rekindled my connection to TBT. While I’m still discovering what shape that connection will take moving forward, it has sparked deep reflection on my Jewish journey—where I’ve been and where I might go as part of TBT and this vibrant community. I have faith in our Rabbis—their vision, their leadership, and their ability to guide and inspire us—and I feel hopeful and excited about the journey ahead for both myself, and our congregation.

By sharing my journey, I hope to inspire others—whether you’re a longtime member who has stepped away, a new individual or family just starting to explore connections, or someone unsure about TBT’s role in your life. I encourage you to give yourself the opportunity to reimagine your relationship with our Temple—and what it means to be part of a community.

Our sincere gratitude to Jeff for offering to share his story with our community.