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Historical Society meeting
The Washington State Jewish Historical Society will hold its annual meeting on Sun., Nov. 11 at Congregation Beth Shalom. The event will include recognition of outstanding volunteers, as well as an address by Prof. Paul Burstein, Pruzan Chair of the University of Washington’s Jewish Studies program. Refreshments will be served and reservations are requested. Congregation Beth Shalom is located at 6800 35th Ave. NE, Seattle. To make a reservation, call 206-774-2277.
Veteran’s Day ceremony
Students at the Seattle Hebrew Academy will honor local veterans and active duty members of the U.S. Armed Services at their annual Veteran’s Day ceremony on Thurs., Nov. 8 at 1 p.m. This event is open to the public, and local community members are encouraged to attend. Seattle Hebrew Academy is located at 1617 Interlaken Dr. E, Seattle.
Starting a conversation
Starting on Wed., Nov. 14, the Chai Center of Greater Seattle will present “A Jewish Conversation.” This bi-monthly program will cover a variety of Jewish topics spanning the breadth of Jewish interest and belief. The first conversation is titled “Halachah in the 21st Century” and will be hosted by Rabbi Elazar Bogomilsky of the Chai Center of the Northwest with co-host Rabbi JamesMirel of Temple B’nai Torah. The conversation starts at 7 p.m. and takes place at the Mercer Island Community Center, 8236 SE 24th St., Mercer Island.
Humanitarian service in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Christopher Bragdon, CEO of BILD-BIH (Bosnia Initiatives for Local Development), will speak at Temple Beth Am on Sunday, Nov. 11th about his organization’s quest to improve the quality of life for citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Founded in 2002, BILD has organized a variety of humanitarian service projects in the region, including renovating city parks, planting trees and building a computer center for students. Several members of the Temple Beth Am congregation have recently traveled to the region to see BILD’s work in action. Bragdon’s talk begins at 1 p.m. Temple Beth Am is located at 2632 NE 80th St., Seattle.
Winter trip to Israel
Looking to travel to Israel, but too old for birthright? Lev Shalom is offering a 12-day excursion (December 18-30) to introduce adventurers of all ages to the Holy Land. Tour highlights include camel rides, sightseeing in Jerusalem, a visit to David Ben Gurion’s grave in Sde Boker and an archaeological dig at Bet Guvrin. The trip can accommodate 14 participants and will be led by Olivier BenHaim, Bet Alef Meditative Synagogue’s rabbinic intern, who spent eight years living in Israel. For more information, including prices and a complete itinerary, visit www.levshalom.org.
Practical spirituality intensive
Author, teacher and radio talk show host Rabbi Ted Falcon will lead a three-day practical spirituality intensive at Bastyr University that asks participants: “What do you really want?” “What would that get you?” and “What is in the way?” The course runs from November 9-11. For more information, visit www.rabbitedonline.com.
New course from the Jewish Learning Institute
In an effort to spur an interest in Israel among young Jewish adults, the Jewish Learning Institute, a worldwide Jewish educational organization, is offering a new course entitled “Israel: The Land and the Spirit.” The six-week-long class will focus not on the history and politics of Israel, but rather on “the nature of the deep spiritual bond that has existed between the Jewish people and the land of Israel throughout the ages,” according to the course syllabus. The course is free to anyone under the age of 30. Locally, “Israel: The Land and the Spirit” is being offered at Congregation Shaarei Tefilah, 6250 43rd Ave. NE, in Seattle, (206-527-1411), and at Mercer Island Community Center, 8236 SE 24th St., Seattle, 206-290-6301. For more information, visit www.myjli.com.