Soundly Jewish

By Herb Levine, Soundly Jewish Editor

On a recent Sunday, Rabbi Zalman Heber of Chabad of Pierce County greeted some 400 guests gathered in brilliant sunshine to celebrate the opening of the new Chabad Jewish Center — the first new synagogue building in Tacoma and Pierce County since Temple Beth El (Reform) opened its doors in 1968.

"How long has it been?" Rabbi Heber asked his audience rhetorically. The struggle to build the new shul, he admitted, has given him some "sleepless nights and white hairs." But it was clearly worth it. By building a new synagogue, he said, we proclaim to God, "We are your partners in creation."

By Herb Levine, Soundly Jewish Editor

"I'm going to surprise you," Michael Oren, former IDF officer, historian, political analyst and Israel's ambassador to the United States, told the large crowd at Seattle's Temple de Hirsch Sinai. He then revealed — to general laughter — that he confronts "a number of challenges" in his job.

The evening with Oren was arranged by Akiva Tor, departing consul general of Israel in the Pacific Northwest, and several Jewish organizations (see below). Tor asked the audience to consider it his "farewell gift" to our regional Jewish community.

By Herb Levine, Soundly Jewish Editor

On a Saturday evening in June, nothing goes together like baseball and Havdalah. And that's why more than 20 members of Tacoma's Temple Beth El gathered at the temple recently to light and douse the braided candle and pass the spice box.

And then it was off to Cheney Stadium and a chance to root for the hometown Rainiers (the Triple-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners), in their game with the Salt Lake City Bees.

By Wendy Marcus, Special to Soundly Jewish

Surely summer will be here soon. The new issue of Drash: Northwest Mosaic makes an excellent companion to take to the beach or on that idyllic picnic. Volume VI includes a memoir from one of the Flying Karamasov Brothers, Howard Jay Patterson of Portland, as well as a serene essay, "Meditation with Pebble," by Michael Fontana of Arkansas.

Poetry, from contributors around the country, touches on such topics as Debbie Phelps (mother of Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps), salmon, Elberta peaches, and Torah instruction by phone.

By Robert Gluck, JNS.org

Maurice Sendak (זייל) was widely considered the most important children's book artist of the 20th century, known for more than a dozen picture books he wrote and illustrated himself, most notably Where the Wild Things Are.

But Richard Egielski, another award-winning illustrator, is one of many who knew Sendak — a son of Polish Jewish immigrants who died May 8 at age 83 — as a mentor and a friend. In his New Jersey studio, surrounded by framed illustrations of his work and that of his teacher, Egielski credited Sendak with helping him establish his mindset for picture books.

By Herb Levine, Soundly Jewish Editor

Two conservative Protestant pastors, two liberals, and a Reform rabbi, with a moderator, had an engaged and friendly conversation at the Tacoma Art Museum about "art, faith and sexuality." The program, "Seeking Common Ground," was linked to TAM's exhibit HIDE/SEEK: Difference and Desire in American Portraiture, which ends June 10.

Courtney Vowels, the museum's director of education, explained that TAM, as a community museum, was not looking for debates as much as reflections. She thanked the participants for "being brave enough" to leave most people's "comfort zone for public speaking."