In observance of the Federal holiday, Temple Beth Am's virtual office will be closed from Friday, July 3 through Sunday, July 5. If you need pastoral care during this time, please call the main number at 206.525.0915.
Welcome to Temple Beth Am
Please Note: While we remain in this phase of the global Coronavirus pandemic, Temple Beth Am will continue to uphold the Jewish value of pikuach nefesh/preserving life. We will continue to gather virtually until we can safely be in person for sacred purposes while monitoring the most updated advice from the State of Washington and King County authorities.
Temple Beth Am Statement of Commitment to Anti-Racism (posted June 8, 2020)
Clergy Statement regarding the death of George Floyd and the ensuing protests (posted May 30, 2020)
Coronavirus Community Updates
To help parents in need of childcare, SEED Early Childhood School reopened on Monday, May 18. However, due to state recommendations, we are still unable to open the remainder of Temple Beth Am to the community at this time. As we move through Governor Inslee's phased approach to reopening businesses and sacred spaces, we look forward to welcoming more members of our community back into our sacred home when it is safe to do so!
No matter how unimaginable the circumstances of our world, no matter how much our reality changes day by day, our mission stays the same. We are here to create a sacred community that nourishes and supports each of us. We may have to change the way we design our moments of connection, but—even in the time of the novel Coronavirus—living our mission is still our number one priority.
During these weeks of the pandemic, we have come together as a sacred community in new and unusual ways—our clergy and professionals arrive in your daily inbox with our Video Yomi (message of the day) - to view all of our Video Yomi's click here. Hundreds of you are present for Shabbat services from the comfort of your own Shabbat table - to view all of our Shabbat Services click here. Temple Beth Am’s clergy and professional team are thrilled to launch a new structure for gathering b’yachad/together, designed explicitly to respond to the urgency of this moment: Beth Am Online B’Yachad.
Click here to listen to Rabbi Ruth's newest podcast - "Still I Rise".
We recognize that we cannot simply lift our synagogue programs that took place in our building on NE 80th Street and transfer them online. Instead, we must focus on what matters most, finding new, more relevant ways to connect with each other during this unprecedented time. We will do what Jews have always done—pray, learn, and gather in community—but we will do so a little differently. Click here for our FAQ.
In addition to our Video Yomi and Shabbat services, we are thrilled to host live weekly gathering spots—places where we can connect and interact with each other (see below in the Online Events section). We will also provide web-based resources that can enrich your experience of Temple Beth Am as a beit tefillah, a house of prayer; a beit midrash, a house of learning; and a beit kehillah, a house of communal gathering.
HaShavua: Our Weekly Schedule
This Week's Live Gatherings in Beth Am's Zoom Room and Elsewhere:
Due to increased security procedures, please contact temple@templebetham.org if you need our Zoom access code or password, or if you require other assistance. There could be a short delay before you are welcomed into each event.
(Please note that Beth Am uses multiple Zoom Rooms, so click on the link associated with each event to ensure access to the correct Room.)
Thursday, July 2 at 4 PM in Beth Am's Zoom Room: Tween Hangout
Friday, July 3 and Saturday, July 4 Vimeo (link sent out on Friday): Shabbat evening and morning services with our rabbis, Torah reading, and special musical guests.
In observance of the Federal holiday, Temple Beth Am's virtual office will be closed from Friday, July 3 through Sunday, July 5. If you need pastoral care during this time, please call the main number at 206.525.0915.
Past events:
Friday, June 26, and Saturday, June 27 on Vimeo (link sent out Friday afternoon): Shabbat evening and morning services with our rabbis, Torah reading, and special musical guests.
Saturday, June 27 at 9:15 AM in Beth Am's Zoom Room: Tot Shabbat with Morah Shoshana, Rabbi Jason, and our Beth Am friends. This musical service is geared for our kindergarten and younger friends, with their whole families. Our Zoom Room will open at 9:00 AM for some schmoozing before our virtual pray date.
Tuesday, June 30 at 12:00 PM: Holocaust Center for Humanity Virtual Lunch-and-Learn: Olympic Pride, American Prejudice, with author and director Deborah Riley Draper. Registration here.
Wednesday, July 1 at 6:30 PM in Beth Am's Zoom Room: Town Hall conversation on Learning (Beit Midrash)
Summer B'Yachad Drop-in Lounges
While we’re physically distancing (to observe the mitzvah of protecting a life), our Temple Beth Am community is creating opportunities for you to connect with each other b’yachad. For six weeks, from July 6 through August 16, various lay leaders of our congregation are hosting drop-in lounges over Zoom – low-key gatherings where you can hang out, discuss, craft, learn, and chat. Some of the groups are intergenerational; all of them are informal, so feel free to bring a refreshment and make yourself comfortable. Come to as many or as few as you like – there’s no commitment other than being open to good conversation. To see descriptions of the lounges, dates, and times, please visit our Summer B'Yachad Drop-in Lounges page.
Homeless to Renter (H2R)
For over 15 years Temple Beth Am’s Homeless to Renter (H2R) program, in partnership with Jewish Family Services, has been helping families facing homelessness. In the last few months, H2R has also added eviction prevention grants of up to $1500 for families in need.
With the COVID-19 pandemic, JFS Emergency Services Director, Sandy Lowe tells us that they are now expecting a tsunami of requests for eviction prevention funding, due to job losses, reduced hours and illnesses related to COVID-19.
You can help our those struggling in our community by making a donation to H2R today - click here. 100% of the money raised goes directly to H2R grantees.
