By JTNews Staff, other
Yiddish volunteers
Volunteers with fluency in Yiddish are needed to facilitate a group of elders at The Summit at First Hill, 1200 University St., Seattle. Participants have varying levels of Yiddish knowledge. Group meets weekly, but a once-a-month commitment is all that’s asked of volunteers. Those interested should contact Charlene Kahn at 206-652-4444 or charlenek@summitatfirsthill.org.
Scholar in Residence
Rabbi Steven Greenberg is the 2010 Alfred and Tillie Shemanski Scholar in Residence for Herzl-Ner Tamid. He will offer a series of lectures from Jan. 27–30 on Jewish perspective of morality, gender, and gay rights. Rabbi Greenberg is an Orthodox rabbi, environmentalist, gay rights activist, and the author of the book Wrestling with God and Men. For times and costs of lectures, visit www.h-nt.org. At Herzl-Ner Tamid Conservative Congregation, 3700 E Mercer Way, Mercer Island.
Parenting Mindfully
Jewish Family Service presents a four-session class aimed at exploring how parents can express their emotions and beliefs in
balanced and healthy ways. The class will draw from Mussar, traditional Jewish writings focused on improving one’s character, and from contemporary research and literature. Facilitated by Rabbi Yohanna Kinberg and Marjorie Schnyder, M.S.W. Suitable for parents of children up to 12 years old. Free. For more information, or to register, contact Marjorie Schnyder at 206-861-3146 or familylife@jfsseattle.org. Class meets Sundays from Jan. 31–May 16 at 11 a.m.
At Temple B’nai Torah, 15727 NE 4th St., Bellevue.
Habitat restoration
Jconnect, Kavana, and the Ravenna Kibbutz will partner with EarthCorps for a habitat restoration project at the Northeast Queen Anne Greenbelt in honor of Tu B’Shevat. Participants will learn a brief history of the Northeast Queen Anne Greenbelt and an overview of Seattle’s urban forests. Restoration tasks may include removing English ivy and other invasive plants as well as slope stabilization and planting site preparation. Sun., Jan. 31 from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Contact Rabbi Jacob Fine at jacob@jconnectseattle.com for more information or to sign up. Meeting location provided upon RSVP.
Dare to Dream: Connections 2010
The Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle will host its annual Connections brunch fundraising event for women. This year’s speaker, Alina Gerlovin Spaulding, will share her tale of triumph as a young Soviet émigré now living in the U.S. The cost to attend Connections is $60. RSVP to Rebecca at 206-774-2272. Sun., Jan. 31 at 10:30 a.m. At the Hyatt Regency Bellevue, 900 Bellevue Way NE Bellevue.
Portraits in Leadership
This February, the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute will launch its winter course, “Portraits in Leadership: Timeless Tales for Inspired Living.” Portraits in Leadership is a study of the life story of six figures whose courage and determination helped Judaism weather its darkest hours. Lessons will examine a range of classic Jewish sources, drawing extensively from the stories of the Talmud and modern commentaries. Led by Rabbi Sholom Ber Elishevitz of the Eastside Torah Center. Class begins Feb. 2. Call 425-957-7860 for more information or to register. At the Eastside Torah Center, 1837 156th Ave. NE, Bellevue.