By , JTNews Correspondent
Hamantaschen for Haiti
As a celebration of Purim and to help in the Haitian relief effort, Leah’s Catering and the Stroum Jewish Community Center have teamed up to offer Hamantaschen for Haiti.
The effort will donate 100 percent of the profits from pastry sales to benefit the Chabad House of the Dominican Republic in its Haitian relief effort. Pre-orders will be available and can be picked up at either SJCC location in Seattle’s Northend or on Mercer Island. The hamantaschen will also be available at both locations starting Feb. 15. Sales will conclude at the JCC Purim party, which will be held on Sun., Feb. 28 from noon to 3 p.m. For orders, contact Adena Riemer at 206-527-3360 or ariemer@earthlink.net. For more information about the carnival or site pick-up, contact Katherine Lloyd at 206-388-1997 or katherinel@sjcc.org. Information on Chabad of the Dominican Republic can be found at
www.chabadominican.com.
“55 Alive” driver safety course
The Stroum Jewish Community Center will host a two-session AARP course on driver safety for motorists ages 50 and up. The class will focus on defensive, accident-free driving. Those who complete the class will be eligible for auto insurance discounts. For more information or to register, contact Herb Kotkins at 425-653-5958. Feb. 16 and 23, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. At the SJCC, 3801 E Mercer Way, Mercer Island.
“What Tools Can End the Israeli Occupation?”
Neve Gordon, a professor at Ben Gurion University in Israel, and Gad Barzilai, chair of the Jewish Studies department at the University of Washington, will debate the best way to bring Israel’s conflict with the Palestinians to an end. Gordon will argue that sanctions ought to be brought against Israel, which Barzilai believes would be a step backward in finding a peaceful resolution. For more information, contact 206-547-3914 or
info@kadima.org. Thurs., Feb. 18 at 7:30 p.m. at the Prospect UCC, 1919 E Prospect St., Seattle.
Scholar-in-residence
Temple Beth Am will host Anat Hoffman, leader of the Israel Religious Action Center, as its scholar-in-residence from the weekend of Feb. 19-21. She will give talks on Israeli politics, the growth in popularity of the Reform movement in Israel, and feminist perceptions of Israeli society. For exact times and costs of each event, contact Alysa Rosen at 206-525-0915 or
rsvp@templebetham.org. At Temple Beth Am, 2632 NE 80th St., Seattle.
“Feasting, Fasting and Faith”
Educator Barbara Binder Kadden will present a lecture about Purim for adults. This event will explore the relationship between food and faith, the role that food has played in Judaism, and the significance of fasting in Jewish tradition as well as some “X-rated” information about the kings, queens, and evildoers of the Purim story. For more information, contact Roni Antebi at 206-232-7115, ext. 269. Mon., Feb. 22 at 12 p.m. at the Stroum JCC, 3801 E Mercer Way, Mercer Island.
Circus Purim
On Sat., Feb. 27, Jconnect and The Tribe at Temple De Hirsch Sinai will host a circus-themed Purim party at Emerald City Trapeze, 2702 6th Ave. S, Seattle. This event will feature trapeze and aerial performances, music by DJ Piha, and drinks provided by the Baltic Room. All proceeds will go toward Haiti earthquake relief. There will be a Megillah reading at 8 p.m. with music and entertainment beginning at 9:30 p.m. For more information, contact Josh at joshf@hilleluw.org.
Yom HaZicharon project to honor Israel’s fallen
The Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle is creating a traveling art exhibition for Yom
HaZicharon to honor the memory of Israel’s fallen heroes. If you have lost a loved one in military service to Israel or in an act of terrorism, you can contribute to this project by sending in a meaningful item that commemorates your loved one’s life. For more information or to send in scanned documents, contact Rachel Schachter at 206-774-2236 or
rachels@jewishinseattle.org by March 1, 2010. More information is available at www.jewishinseattle.org/yomhazikaron.