Bet Alef has won the Jewish Choice Award for small Jewish Non-Profits in the Northwest!

Thank you to everyone who wrote a review...you made it happen!  To read more about the contest and who the other winners are, go to GreatNonprofits.  

Opening to Forgiveness: A Weekend for Healing
You are invited to discover from within the healing possibilities of a day called Shabbat.

Shabbat Service
Welcoming Shabbat: Creating space for the Divine Presence in our lives.
Friday, September 3rd
7:30 PM - Services are held at Unity of Bellevue
Childcare provided $5 per family

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Adult Torah Study with Rabbi Olivier BenHaim
Saturday, September 4th
This Torah Study will be held at Unity of Bellevue
9:30 AM -  Forgiveness Meditation
10:30 AM -  Torah Study - "You stand, this day... in the Presence of the Eternal." (Deut. 29.9)

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Leaving Shabbat, entering the High Holy days:
S'lichot - The Challenge of True Forgiveness
Saturday, September 4th
8:00 PM -  At Unity of Bellevue

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High Holy Days 2010
(Mark your calendar)

Selichot (no ticket necessary for this service)
Labor Day Weekend
Saturday, September 4

Erev Rosh Hashanah
Wednesday, September 8

Rosh Hashanah Day
Thursday, September 9

Kol Nidre
Friday, September 17

Yom Kippur Day
Saturday, September 18

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Our not-so-Basic Judaism classes are open to all who are interested; Click here to register.
Cost for this class is $15 for Members & $20 for Non-Members.

Bet Alef & Friends
Rosh Chodesh -- New Moon Women's Circle
Next Date: Monday, August 23rd, at a Seattle House
6 PM Potluck Dinner
7:15 PM Rosh Chodesh New Moon Ritual Circle

The month of August...we will gather on the FULL MOON!!

While the moon is FULL, this month before the Jewish New Year..let us reflect on the fullness of this past year. The light and the darkness. And perhaps visions of the desired future.

Suggested Donation to Bet Alef of $9 or any multiple
of 18--which represents Chai (Life)
Contact Deborah or call 206-953-7688 for more info and to RSVP.

The Rosh Chodesh Circle meets monthly on various dates and at different locations. Rosh Chodesh is the beginning of the month in the Hebrew calendar.The Hebrew calendar is based on lunar cycles.  Have you ever noticed that most of the Jewish holidays fall on either the Full moon or the New Moon?  Rosh Chodesh  falls at the time of the New Moon..the dark cycle of the  moon when just a sliver of the moon shines in the sky. There is a special sweet, magical and powerful energy created which includes chanting meditation and so much more.  A wonderful time to renew and refresh. Affirm new beginnings and honor this ancient tribal ritual with meditation, learning and sharing.  Historically women have gathered at this time for bonding. This is a heart centered gathering which invites and welcomes your participation.

Conversion Class
By request, Rabbi Olivier is leading a conversion class that meets twice monthly through 2010. If you are interested or may just be considering the possibility of conversion, please contact Rabbi Olivier to discuss what conversion might mean to you in the context of Bet Alef.

Israel Trip
November 23 - December 4, 2010
With Rabbi Olivier & Rafe Pearlman

You are invited whether you have been to Israel before or not! From historical touring to fun in the sun... you'll surely enjoy this trip under the leadership of Rabbi Olivier BenHaim. From the Negev to the Galilee...

Highlights of this trip include:

• Thanksgiving in the desert!
• Shabbat in Jerusalem!
• Three nights of Chanukah!!!

Don't Miss Out...Sign Up Today!   Click here for registration info and more details

Holiness of the Moment: Our Shehechiyanu Banner

The Shehechiyanu blessing is presented in Hebrew & English on a gorgeous hand pieced backdrop. The piece is finished and part of our sacred space at Unity of Bellevue during our Shabbat services.

If you did not previously make a donation while it was being envisioned, it's not too late!   All friends and members are invited to support the blessings that are our community by donating in gratitude for this beautiful creation.

The suggested donation is $100; any amount is appreciated.

For more info or to donate, please email Shellie.

We are more because of what Rabbi Olivier brings to our community and to our world. Please help support the Bet Alef community so that Bet Alef can better support you. You can make a contribution by:

• Becoming a Member or a Friend of Bet Alef.
  
• Clicking the "Make A Donation" button on the lower right side of our Home Page to make a contribution at PayPal.
  
• Mailing a check to:
  
  Bet Alef Meditative Synagogue
  P. O. Box 50201, Bellevue, WA 98015
  
• Calling us at 206-527-9399 to explore membership or to make a contribution with your credit card.
  

Your support is greatly appreciated. Thank you. Contact the office for more info.

Tashlich for Survivors of Intimate Partner Abuse
Wednesday, September 15th, 2010
Confidential Location Sponsored by the Jewish Family Services Project D'VORAH.  This event is open to survivors of intimate partner abuse and women with controlling partners.  All levels of Jewish observance are welcome.
More info..

Supporting Healthy Relationships
JFS is offering several programs targeting different aspects of relationships and different stages in family life.  Contact Marjorie for more info.

Join the 10 Year Campaign for Compassionate Cities,  co-sponsored by NICO and by the Compassionate Action Network (CAN).  To learn more about the campaign, visit this site

The Interfaith Amigos
Rabbi Ted and the Interfaith Amigos www.rabbitedfalcon.com
To keep up with their activities, join the Amigos' Facebook group or visit their Web site.

Shalom Bayit
A program for women leaving a domestic violence situation in King County

Shalom Bayit is Hebrew for Peaceful Home. Ninety-five percent of Shalom Bayit’s clients are not Jewish, and come from a wide variety of ethnic, racial, religious and economic backgrounds. Please find more info on the NCJW Web site.

Jewish Family Services of Seattle
JFS offers a vast array of resources and services to our community, in addition to ongoing education. For details, see their website.

Greater Seattle Jewish Business Network
A Jewish Federation group created on LinkedIn as a response to these difficult economic times. Network online or at monthly meetings. For more information, contact Ben Meyerhoff.

Introducing the Professional Directory to Jewish Washington
A powerful new way to share professional expertise. Online and in print, use the directory to promote your own professional service, and to find and support others in our community who offer services you need. Click here for more info.

Ultimate Peace in the Middle East
A new organization conceived to build bridges of friendship and understanding for youth from different social and cultural backgrounds around the world, through the game of Ultimate. To learn more, click here.

Our Rabbinic Transition
To learn more about Rabbi Olivier, click here to read the messages he sent to the community prior to his ordination.

Read about the rabbinic transition in "Changing of the Guard" in the May 29, 2009 issue of the JT News www.jtnews.net/index.php?/news/item/6098/C22.

More Info About Bet Alef: