Blog
2024 News & Planned Services
City Council Proclamation Update:
As some of you know, The Port Angeles City Council had a proclamation on the table that was very negative towards Israel. Several board members have communicated with the Port Angeles City Council members including the sponsoring individual, Lindsey Schromen-Wawrin. On Tuesday (1/16/24), Gary Kriedberg, Suzanne DeBey and Robert Skolnik met with the Councilmember Schromen-Wawrin and several other community representatives, as a pre-planning step. Our goal was to help the council understand that taking this step is fraught, and can only lead to problems for the council. This preliminry meeting went well. The proclamation has been set aside for now, with future planning going forward to create a community that cares for one another and opposes discrimination of all sorts. Some of you volunteered to be involved. This looks to be a longer term and potentially positive experience for our community over time. To look at the City Council meeting information and medertings, click on this link: Port Angeles City Council. You can read more and watch meeting viideos by selecting meetingh agendas and following tthe prompts for audio recordings.
Union of Reformed Judaism work with Small Congregations
On 1/15/24 the board met with Emma Osborn from URJ to talk about resources that are available to our congregation. We are excited to access these resources, and begin developing some creative programs, member engagement and succession planning for our aging board.
January/February Services
Friday Evening Serrvice, January 26⋅6:30 –9:00 pm
Since October, we have been mourning and living in this very uncomfortable Jewish period. Several members had asked for a gathering / service time, which the board previously set for 1/12, unrelated to the recent proposed proclamation issue. Below are details from Suzanne regarding the service next Friday.
Directions: 112 Old Black Diamond Road, just off Black Diamond Road. From the East, take 101 to Race, left on Race and right on 8th Street; turn left at Pine Street across the fist new 8th Street bridge; Pine Street will become Black Diamond; follow Black Diamond on bridge across 101 and up the hill; at the first intersection (right turns only) take the 2nd or left Y – this is Old Black Diamond; if you miss that turn, the next right is also Old Black Diamond. Call if you get lost – 452-2471 or 360-460-6003.
What: Shabbat Pot-Luck Dinner & Program
When: Friday, January 12th, 6:30 pm
Where: Call for location: 360-460-6003
Why: With the increase in antisemitism and hate directed at Jews, especially during the Israel-Hamas war, several of us have felt a need just to “be together”, to gather and just share our thoughts and feelings about the current situation. We’ll have dinner, bring in Shabbat with a few words on that week’s Torah portion, Va’era, and then have time to just chat about the volatile climate against Jews and Jewish institutions.
Because there are bound to be a variety of opinions expressed, in order to keep things calm and informative, please adhere to the following guidelines:
1) Only one person speaks at a time.
2) No interrupting.
3) Be respectful of opinions differing from yours.
4) Try to stick to known facts.
5) Keep your voice calm and resist getting argumentative.
If necessary, we could choose a moderator to make sure everyone’s voice is heard. We could also use an item for whoever’s speaking to hold while they’re talking.
Adult Education, Evolution of Religion, Sunday, February 4, 10:30 – 12:30pm
Location: We need a location – Any volunteers? Topic presented by Rich Sherman, Potluck brunch
Movie Day – Golda, Saturday, February 17⋅2:00 – 5:00pm
Location:Olympic Unitarian Universalist Fellowship1033 N Barr Rd, Port Angeles, WA 98362, USAnotesDescription:Come join us for a late potluck lunch and movie – Golda, starring Helen Mirren, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golda_(film)
Friday Evening gathering to talk about the Torah portion – The Ten Commandments, Friday, March 1⋅6:30 – 9:00pm
Potluck dinner followed by a Torah talk on the Ten Commandments
Location: Call 360-460-6003 for information
COBS Community Seder, Saturday, April 27⋅3:15 – 9:00pm
Location: Olympic Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 1033 N Barr Rd, Port Angeles, WA 98362. Join us for a Community Seder Service and a Potluck Meal.
High Holy Day Services:
Erev Rosh Hashanah, Wednesday, October 2, 2024⋅6:00 – 8:45pm
Location: Olympic Unitarian Universalist Fellowship1033 N Barr Rd, Port Angeles, WA 98362. Potluck Dinner followed by Erev Rosh Hashanah Services.
Sunrise Rosh HaShanah Service, Thursday, October 3, 2024⋅6:45 – 7:45am
Location: Port Angeles City Pier, Port Angeles, WA 98362. Start Rosh HaShanah with a beautiful brief service and Shofar blast at sunrise at the Port Angeles City Pier, followed by breakfast out for those interested.
Rosh HaShanah Morning Services, Thursday, October 3, 2024⋅10:00am – 1:00pm
Location: Olympic Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 1033 N Barr Rd, Port Angeles, WA 98362, Morning Services followed by an Oneg of Lox and Bagels provided by the Board.
Taschlich Services, Thursday, October 3, 2024⋅2:30 – 3:15pm
Location: Railroad Bridge Park, Sequim, WA 98382. Bring bread crumbs to the Railroad Park Bridge for a short Taschlich Service
Dinner out with COBS before the Yom Kippur Fast, Friday, October 11, 2024⋅4:30 – 6:30pm
Location:TBD
Kol Nidre Services, Friday, October 11, 2024⋅7:00 – 9:00pm
Location: Olympic Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 1033 N Barr Rd, Port Angeles, WA 98362,
Yom Kippur Morning ServicesSaturday, October 12, 2024⋅10:00am – 12:00pm
Location: Olympic Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 1033 N Barr Rd, Port Angeles, WA 98362.
Torah Study, Saturday, October 12, 2024⋅2:00 – 3:30pm
Location: Olympic Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 1033 N Barr Rd, Port Angeles, WA 98362.
Afternoon, Neilah and Yizkor Services followed by Havdalah & and a Break the Fast Dairy Potluck, Saturday, October 12, 2024⋅3:30 – 8:00pm
Location: Olympic Unitarian Universalist Fellowship1033 N Barr Rd, Port Angeles, WA 98362
Sukkot Service and Potluck, Saturday, October 19, 2024⋅2:00 – 6:00pm
Location: 112 Old Black Diamond Rd, Port Angeles, WA 98362.
Hanukah PartySaturday, December 28, 2024⋅4:00 – 9:00pm
Location: Four Seasons Ranch Club House, 673 Strait View Dr, Port Angeles, WA
Location: Olympic Unitarian Universalist Fellowship1033 N Barr Rd, Port Angeles, WA 98362. Potluck Dinner followed by Erev Rosh Hashanah Services.
High Holy Days 5783 / 2022
5783/2022 High Holy Days for Congregation Olympic B’nai Shalom(Click for details)
Rosh HaShanah Services led by Suzanne DeBey
Sunday, September 25:
6:00 – 7:00 pm – Dinner Potluck
7:15 pm: Erev Rosh HaShanah service, OUUF*
Monday, September 26:
6:30 am: Sunrise Service at Port Angeles City Pier – Sunrise is at 7:06
10:00 am: Morning Torah Service, OUUF*
Followed by brunch of lox & bagels and previous night’s leftovers
2:30 pm: Tashlich at Railroad Bridge Park
Yom Kippur – Service es led by Rabbi Rumpf (All services at OUUF*)
Tuesday, October 4th
4:30 pm: Dinner before the fast at Downriggers
7:00 pm: Kol Nidre Service
Thursday, September 16
10:00 am: Morning Torah Service
2:00 pm: Torah study
3:30 pm: Afternoon, Yizkor and Neilah services
followed by Dairy potluck break-the-fast usually around 6:30 pm.
Sukkot Services & Potluck – October 15th, 2:00 pm at Suzanne DeBey’s, Call 360-452-2471 for information on location, Our wonderful friend, Susan Stombaugh will lead the service.
2:00 pm – bring chairs, potluck item, flowers, greenery, vegetables & fruits to decorate
* OUUF: Olympic Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
1033 North Barr Road, Port Angeles – (Agnew)
Covid Protocols for all services
- All attendees must be vaccinated and boosted.
- We encourage everyone to self-test before each service.
- Everyone should wear a mask when indoors and not eating.
- We will provide extra masks.
- If you have any cold symptoms, please refrain from attending.
- Social distancing is encouraged.
- If weather permits, services will be outside memorial garden at the OUUF facility.
High Holy Day Fees for Non-Members and visitors: We ask that visitors pay a $25 fee for a single and $40 fee for a couple. The single fee covers both holidays. If you subsequently decide to pay membership, your fees can be applied to your membership.
COBS Live Attendance Guidelines
As we continue to navigate this pandemic, we continue to keep our guidelines updated. The health and safety of our community is our priority. As such, we have implemented the following guidelines for attending any live COBS event:
To attend you will need to:
- Provide proof of vaccination and a booster at the door.
- In addition, take a home COVID test the day of the event
- Dress warmly as we may need to open some windows for ventilation.
- PLEASE BE SURE TO CHECK FOR UPDATED OR ADDITIONAL EVENT- SPECIFIC GUIDELINES OR REQUESTS
High Holy Days 2021
We are excited to have LIVE High Holy Day Services this year! Please see below for details.
Rosh HaShanah
Monday, September 6:
7:15 pm: Erev Rosh HaShanah service, OUUF*
Tuesday, September 7:
6:00 am: Sunrise Service at Port Angeles City Pier
10:00 am: Morning Torah Service, OUUF *
2:30 pm: Tashlich at Railroad Bridge Park
Yom Kippur – (All services at OUUF*)
Wednesday, September 15
7:00 pm: Kol Nidre Service
Thursday, September 16
10 am: Morning Torah Service
2 pm: Torah study
3:30 pm: Afternoon, Yizkor and Neilah services
Dairy potluck break-the-fast
* OUUF: Olympic Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
1033 North Barr Road, Port Angeles (Agnew)
Covid Protocols for all services
- All attendees over 12 must be vaccinated and must show proof of vaccination.
- Children under 12 welcome with masking
- Everyone must wear a mask at all times. We will provide the masks.
- Social distancing must be maintained except by family groups.
- If weather permits, we may hold services in an outside memorial garden at the OUUF facility.
Meals at services – The board has not yet made a firm decision about meals, which would be the most unsafe periods for members. If we do host potlucks, we will have one person serving wearing gloves. We have included the Dairy Break- the-Fast potluck but it may be a bring your own meal scenario…stay tuned.
High Holy Day Fees for Non-Members and visitors: We ask that visitors pay a $25 fee for a single and $40 fee for a couple. If you subsequently decide to pay membership, your fees can be applied to your membership.
Good to see each other!
The COBS in-person Adult Ed presentation about the Garden of Eden was a hit! It was wonderful to see friends in person, and enjoy our beautiful area. Many thanks to Suzanne for planning the presentation, and Bruce for opening his garden for our Garden of Eden talk!!
From the handout:
THE GARDEN OF EDEN
- How the myth of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden has endured, and changed in interpretation throughout history.
- The differences in the text about the creation of Adam’s wife/ wives (Lilith vs Eve)
- Did God create other worlds before the one with the Garden of Eden story?
- Jewish view of Creation and science
- Why would God want Adam and Eve to not have knowledge
- What would the world be like with immortality (Tree of Life) or not understanding good and evil (Tree of Knowledge)?
- The consequences of Eve being characterized as a temptress, and “consulting with the devil”.
- There were no apples in the Near East, nor were the devil or sin mentioned in the story. How did they appear in the retelling?
- Did God wish to punish or a protect Adam and Eve?
- The Christian concept of original sin emanating from the Garden of Eden story vs the Jewish approach.
- Kabbalistic thinking about Adam and Eve
Upcoming programs
May 21, 2024 by mdesser • Uncategorized
June 14th, 6:30 pm, Potluck and Torah Study led by Rich Sherman at a member’s home, Call 360-683-4712 for location.
July 26th 6:30 pm – Potluck & Torah Service at a member’s home, Call 360-460-6003 for location.
August 4th 11:30 on – COBS Annual Picnic at Salt Creek. Bring your own picnic food, set up and drinks. Bring chairs, a table of you have one and want one, shade umbrellas if needed, sunscreen, etc. Directions: Take Highway 101 West through Port Angeles, (drive into Port Angeles, turn left on Lincoln and follow Lincoln out of PA). Turn right onto WA-112 / Highway 112. Turn Right on Camp Hayden Road (at sign to Salt Creek). Turn Right at Tongue Point Park Road. The picnic area we set up at is on the left just before the large-ish building / picnic shelter on the left as you drive towards the water.