What are Interest Groups?

At TBT, one of the ways that we help people connect to their community is through shared intrests. There are so many ways to get involved with fellow congregants, as you study Torah or Jewish History and culture, grow beautiful produce for Hopelink in our garden, play games in our Mah Jongg or “Chosen Meeple” groups, sing with the choir, or find another way to get people engaged with each other. If you’re interested in something – and you don’t see it here – feel free to get in touch below and we’ll help you get it going!

Skiing Winter 2018

Who wants to ski this season? Join us at Stevens Pass for the 2017-18 ski season. Neil and Loretta ski

every week —usually on Sundays and sometimes on Thursdays — once the season starts. They have

room in their car for passengers. If interested, contact Loretta Lopez at 425 443-9012 or send an email at

llopez@mstarlabs.com

Walk and Talk

Interested in walking with others? Want to connect people who want to walk together? Seeking speedy

walkers, moderate paced walkers or casual paced walkers. Could meet at TBT, at the Bellevue downtown

park or in your neighborhood — either weekly or monthly—whatever the group decides. If interested,

contact Loretta Lopez at llopez@mstarlabs.com

Hiking

Need motivation to get outside? Come hiking with us. We’ll explore local trails and parks (<1 hour drive)

and enjoy the outdoors together. Contact: Cliff.Cantor@outlook.com

TBT Garden Club

The TBT garden club meets throughout the year to tour gardens, attend the Flower and Garden Show,

have garden discussions and do garden projects. Each event is coordinated by a member. In addition, we

have an annual Chanukah luncheon with a garden gift exchange. Contact

tbtconnects@templebnaitorah.org

Knitting and Crafts

Please join us for creative comradery. Bring your knitting, crochet, embroidery, etc. projects and spend

time together working on them and sharing ideas. We will also be available to teach knitting to anyone

interested in learning. The group can decide how often to meet and date/time. There will be plenty of

time to schmooze and get to know each other better, too. Robin Plotnik, organizer. Contact: tbtconnects@templebnaitorah.org

French Speakers Group

This group invites all those wishing to practice their French conversation skills, whether just starting out,

polishing rusty memories or enjoying a certain competence. All are welcome to come and share this

lovely language. Contact Jennifer Stock at jlmstock@comcast.net.

Sisterhood

The mission of the Sisterhood of Temple B’nai Torah is to build connections between the women of Sisterhood to each other and, in turn, the Temple, our community and the world-at-large, as part of Women of Reform Judaism. We achieve this goal by providing opportunities for spiritual, social and intellectual growth. Contact: Sarah Rose at sarahshoshanarose@gmail.com

Lay-Led Torah Study

Meets at 9:00 a.m. in the youth room every Saturday year-round to discuss the Torah portion being read

at services that day. The choice of a translation and commentary is up to each participant. Clergy from

TBT and other synagogues near and far occasionally join us and are always welcome, but there is never a

designated leader. The discussion emerges organically. For more information, contact

tbtconnects@templebnaitorah.org

Clergy Led TaNakh Study

The many layers of Biblical text are filled with stories and images both challenging and inspirational. Join

Rabbi Lipper on Shabbat morning in the Library at TBT as he leads us on an exploration of the Books of

the TaNaKh. We are moving book by book through the pages of the Hebrew Bible in hopes of

uncovering the deeper messages of a text we call our own.

Contact: Rabbi Lipper at rabbilipper@templebnaitorah.org

Jewish History Chavurah

The History Chavurah is a self-organized study group focusing on Jewish history and cultural aspects of

our Jewish journey. We examine education, economics, governance, women’s role, religious beliefs and

rituals and culture throughout key historical events. We primarily use histories written around the time

of an event we are studying and archeological texts, with the Tanach as a supplement. Each topic is

self-contained so people joining now can jump right in. We try to make available selected overview

material or potential sources to review prior to each discussion. While individuals do step forward and

lead selected sessions, we ask that all participants prepare and bring their own perspectives to each

study session. We generally meet on weekday evenings at 7:00 PM at TBT. Contact: Jeannie Moskowitz at jwmoskowitz@yahoo.com.

Lilith Salon

Join other women of all ages at TBT’s Lilith salon. Held quarterly, each salon starts with topics taken from “Lilith” magazine, but the conversation moves in whatever direction the participants take it: new women’s rituals and celebrations, gender and employment laws, food, love, ideas of beauty. Contact Lee Weissman at weisslyw@aol.com.

Mitzvah Corps

Mitzvah Corps of Temple B’nai Torah is an all volunteer group made up of fabulous folks from the Temple community!

We help our fellow members and their families in all sorts of wonderful ways. We may visit a home-bound senior

or pick up groceries for an ailing member. We might call a member who is recovering from surgery or drive someone to

services. We sometimes even provide a couple of hours of childcare for a family in need. Some of us have driven a TBT member to a medical appointment because they were not well enough to drive themselves. There are all kinds of ways to help out, and you can give a little or give a lot. It’s up to you. A little help can make a big difference in someone’s life.

Furthermore, if you need help yourself, be sure to call us so we can connect you with the help you need. Contact

mitzvahcorps@templebnaitorah.org or phone the Temple office, (425) 603-9677.

Tikun Olam Task Force (Social Action)

Temple B’nai Torah has a strong tradition of social action and social justice work. We offer regular

programs and special initiatives selected each year by members of the Task Force. These regular

programs include Hunger and homelessness, TBT’s own Garden for Good, Hearts and Hammers

Community-Wide Service Day, Together We Build: Interfaith with Habitat for Humanity and the monthly

community dinner for those in need at the Salvation Army. To learn about how you can get involved

please contact tbtconnects@templebnaitorah.org.

Mah Jongg

The mah jongg group usually meets every Monday from 1-3 pm at Crossroads. The focus is on enjoying

the game and each other’s company. Players attend as available, and the group is coordinated by email.

To be placed on the elist (as dates may vary depending on people’s schedules), contact: Barby Cohen at

Cohenhead1@mac.com

Beginners Mah Jongg

Interested in learning mah jongg? A beginners’ class in American mah jongg will be held on

Sunday mornings at TBT, when Religious School is in session, at 10 am, starting on January 7.

This game is fun and challenging and has brought people together in friendship for generations.

This group will meet together for about 4 sessions. At that time, you will have the skills and

confidence to “launch” your own game with new and old friends. Contact Dora Lipper at

thelippers@yahoo.com

"Chosen Meeple" Board and Table Games

Chosen Meeple is a group for adults to sit down, unwind, and connect with other adults around board

games and nosh. From novices to more advanced players, we play games you are sure to enjoy. Join us

on specified Sunday mornings in the Berg Lounge at TBT or specified Tuesday evenings at Mox Boarding

House. Watch for announcements in the religious school newsletter and weekly email, and/or get on the

email list to know when we are playing. Contact Matthew Titelbaum at mtitelbaum@gmail.com.

Adult Education Committee

At Temple B’nai Torah, we offer a variety of opportunities to engage with the community through guest

speakers, classes, trips, movies, and books through Adult Education. Interested in “behind the scenes” of

Adult Education programming? Then join the Adult Education Committee! The Adult Education

Committee is seeking additional members to help with generating ideas and designing the programs and

classes, assisting with outreach and educational event logistics. Contact Randy Hyde at

randyhyde1980@gmail.com (or can use TBTConnects@templebnairtorah.org).

Shabbat Dinner Club

Share Shabbat with dinner, challah, wine and conversation with up to seven other members of the TBT

community. Sign up and we will match individuals, couples and families for a Shabbat dinner at a

member’s home. Depending on the number of Shabbat Dinner Club members, you may dine with a

different grouping each meal. The Shabbat Dinner Club is a delightfully relaxed way to share Shabbat,

broaden friendships at TBT, and deepen your sense of community. Contact

TBTConnects@templebnaitorah.org.

Choir

Do you like to sing? Please consider giving of yourself, your time and your good energy to enhance our TBT services by joining the choir. Share in the joy of Shabbat through singing sacred music and make new friendships too. If you can hold your pitch and are available most Sunday afternoons – you’re in. Contact: Marianne at mvasquez@templebnaitorah.org.

Interested in Starting an Interest Group?

Do you have a passion you’d like to share with others in our Temple community? All it takes is a good idea and your willingness to coordinate. Every group is different. Some meet in homes, some at the Temple, and some out and about. They meet at times convenient to the coordinator and participants in the group. Let us know your interest and we’ll be glad to help with initial organization and publicity. Contact: Matt Titelbaum at mtitelbaum@gmail.com