By Nancy B. Greer
President & CEO
As hot as it’s been these past few days—this month could be Seattle’s hottest July ever according to the experts who keep track of those things—it may seem hard to believe that these long, lazy summer days will be giving way to rainy fall days before we know it. Summer is nearly half over, so now is the time to get outside, get to know your neighbors better, and build stronger community ties at the neighborhood level.
A great way to do that is to come to one of our Pop-Up Shabbats! Pop-Ups are meaningful Shabbat experiences in an informal setting where all are welcome. Our next Pop-Up Shabbat is just around the corner. A week from today we will be gathering at Sunset Hill Community Club in Ballard with our partner Panim Hadashot for what promises to be an uplifting and musical Shabbat experience. We invite you to join us on Friday evening, August 3. Bring the kids and tell your friends!
For families with small children, the Federation is teaming up with Temple Beth Am for the temple’s upcoming Tot Shabbat, which will introduce preschoolers to the joys of Shabbat with a story, dancing, and a mini-Torah reading. We’ll be getting together on Saturday, August 25 at beautiful Matthews Beach – an ideal venue for a low-key, family-friendly gathering.
Our partnerships with Jewish organizations in sponsoring Pop-Ups are a key ingredient in our success helping people connect with Jewish life. We thank Panim Hadashot, Temple Beth Am, and every other organization with which Federation has collaborated on Pop-Ups: Congregation Beth Shalom, Congregation Eitz Or, Congregation Kol Ami, Kol HaNeshamah, the Secular Jewish Circle of Puget Sound, Temple B’nai Torah, and Temple De Hirsch Sinai.
Pop-Up Shabbats bring Jewish life to you, where you are. They’re a great way to explore what Jewish life has to offer and create new Jewish experiences. Join us!
And, if you’re looking for another fun way to spend time with your Jewish friends and neighbors, come out to Safeco Field on Tuesday evening, July 31, for Jewish Community Night at the ballpark. It will be a great night for schmoozing, noshing, and cheering the Mariners as they take on the Astros. We’ll be seated together in the 300 section behind home plate. There is still plenty of time to get your tickets. Hope to see you there!
