Apples and Honey

Why do we dip apples in honey on Rosh Hashanah?

When we pray on the High Holy Days, we repeatedly ask God to grant us a good, sweet year. By dipping the (already) sweet apple in honey, we create a tangible ritual that expresses our hopes and wishes. If you google "apples and honey" you will find a variety of mystical and esoteric explanations for the choice of an apple, but one obvious reason is that apples are coming into season right about now.

Here in the Pacific Northwest, we are blessed with many local sources of this most popular fruit. This season, why not treat yourself to a trip to one of our local orchards, where you can pick your own apples? This supports our local farmers, saves energy, and gets you the freshest fruit possible. Not only that; it is FUN!

Here is a list of nearby picking orchards and apple farms:
High Meadow Orchards
16003 High Bridge Rd.
Monroe, WA 98272
Snomohish County, Washington

Lattin's Country Cider Mill & Farm
9402 Rich Road SE
Olympia, WA 98516
Thurston County, Washington
Phone: (360) 491-7328
http://www.lattinscider.com/

Rosabella's Garden Bakery
8933 Farm to Market Road
Bow, WA 98232
Skagit County, Washington
Phone: (360) 766-6360
www.rosabellasgarden.com

Wishing you a very sweet and good New Year 5769.
Shanah Tovah u'm'tukah.

Honoring our Ancestors

Dress for working outside, and join us, rain or shine, as we beautify the Home of Peace Cemetery. Discover a new mitzvah, make new friends and see how easy it is to make a difference. Date: Sunday, September 28th, 2008 Time: 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Location: 5421 Steilacoom Boulevard SW, Tacoma, WA. Need more information? Call the Temple office at 253-564-7101. Sponsored by Temple Beth El's Temple Teens in collaboration with the Jewish Student Organization of University of Puget Sounds. All ages welcome! Snack provided.

Wow! We had Fun!

Members of all ages came, ate, played and geared up for the new year at our Open House. The morning began with bagels and live music from the debut performance of the "Beth El Klezmer Orchestra". By the afternoon kids were playing, making tye-dye shirts and enjoying a barbecue hosted by Sisterhood. In between, more than 100 students attended religious school and adult education classes.

We had perfect weather, and welcomed quite a few new faces to our community. If you were there, please share your comments. If you weren't there, we're sorry we missed you. Share a comment anyway.

Getting Ready for 5769

With Rosh Hashanah fast approaching, Temple Beth El is gearing up for the holidays with an OPEN HOUSE.

When: Sunday, September 14th, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Where: Temple Beth El, 5975 South 12th Street, Tacoma WA

What: Fun, friends, live music, free snacks and bagels, plus a barbecue at noon!

Rabbi Kadden, Trustees and members will be on hand to greet you and share our excitement about upcoming events and activities. For more information, please call 253-564-7101 or email info@templebethel18.org