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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 8^th Street; turn left at Pine Street across the fist new 8^th 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 2^nd 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.

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 15^th, 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. 

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:

1. Provide proof of vaccination and a booster at the door.
2. In addition, take a home COVID test the day of the event
3. Dress warmly as we may need to open some windows for ventilation.
4. PLEASE BE SURE TO CHECK FOR UPDATED OR ADDITIONAL EVENT- SPECIFIC GUIDELINES OR REQUESTS

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. 

In anticipation of our upcoming discussion about The Garden of Eden, take a look at this D’Var Torah by Rabbi Dan Moskovitz.

https://reformjudaism.org/learning/torah-study/torah-commentary/legacy-tree-all-knowledge

High Holy Day Services:  We have made the difficult decision to not hold our own High Holy Day Services for a number of reasons:

1. COVID-19
2. The high risk nature of our congregation
3. We were unable to secure a student rabbi for services this year 

Instead, we are going to explore and share access to streaming services.  We will be sharing what we are able to find later this summer. If you have information about available streaming services, please send them to congregationobsh@olypen.com. A comprehensive list will be published as we get closer to the dates. Although we are disappointed to cancel such an important set of services, the health and well being of our community is our primary concern. 

On the bright side, this gives us the opportunity to share streaming services with family and friends who love their congregations as well, and experience another style of service to mix it up a bit!

We will hold a Sunrise Service on Saturday, September 19, 2020, 6:40 am (Sunrise is at 6:57) at the end of the Port Angeles Pier.

We will hold Tashlich 9/19 at 2:30 pm at Railroad Bridge Park – Bring bread crumbs.

We are exploring the possibilities of having outdoor Kol Nidre and Yizkor services.  If others want to volunteer to plan and host other parts of each service outside we can certainly consider that.   

Thank you, Rich for an informative and lively discussion!

Below are links to reference materials used, as well as more information on St. Vitus Dance, the recognition of which contributed to societal norms that have been followed for centuries.
Resources:

Who Wrote the Bible, by Richard E. Friedman

And God Said: How Translations Conceal the Bible’s Original Meaning,  by Joel M. Hoffman

One of the most wonderful aspects of our adult education program is that highly intelligent people (meaning us) from varied educational backgrounds have such wonderful material to add.
Tonight’s discussion of St. Vitus Dance (which was very tangential to the topic of who transcribed the Torah) was just great. There may be two or three different problems with the same name. The one I referred to is the “Dance Mania” version of St. Vitus Dance. It was rampant during the middle ages. A prominent theory is that the disorder was thought to be sexually transmitted at the time and led to the change from free sex among non-Jews to getting married and remaining “loyal” to a spouse.

Confusion about Dance Mania named St. Vitus Dance (now thought to be sexually transmitted but might not be) and Sydenham’s chorea also called St Vitus Dance (caused by childhood infection with Group A beta-haemolytic Streptococcus??? Rather than genetics)
Is there a third disorder – genetically based also referred to as St. Vitus Dance???)

The Mysterious Case of Medieval Dance Mania

https://www.ancient-origins.net/unexplained-phenomena/mysterious-case-medieval-dance-mania-001838

St. John’s Dance, known historically as St. Vitus Dance, was a social phenomenon involving a type of dance mania that gripped mainland Europe between the 14 th and 17 th centuries. One of the most well-known major outbreaks took place in Aachen, Germany, on the 24 th of June 1374, just several decades after the Black Death swept across Europe. During the outbreak, afflicted individuals would dance hysterically through the streets for hours, days, and apparently even months, until they collapsed due to exhaustion or died from heart attack or stroke. The number of participants at any one outbreak could reach into the thousands. In modern literature, women are often portrayed as being victims of the St. John’s Dance, although medieval accounts record that men, women and children were equally likely to be affected.

It was initially considered that the dancing mania was a curse sent by a saint, commonly thought to be St. John the Baptist or St. Vitus, hence the name of the condition. Therefore, people suffering from this condition would proceed to places dedicated to the said saint in order to pray for deliverance. The association of this phenomenon with St. Vitus can be traced to an incident that happened in Germany in 1278. During that year, a group of 200 people were dancing so vigorously on a bridge over the Maas River that the bridge collapsed, killing many of the dancers. Those who survived were taken to…..

Several hypotheses have been put forward to explain this phenomenon. For instance, ergot poisoning has been blamed by some for the hallucinations and convulsions that accompanied the St. John’s Dance. This form of poisoning coincided with floods and wet growing seasons, as the damp condition was suitable for the growth of the fungus claviceps purpura, which contains toxic and psychoactive chemicals, including lysergic acid and ergotamine (used in modern times as a precursor in the synthesis of LSD). This fungus is usually found on cultivated grain such as rye, and may induce certain symptoms of the St. John’s Dance including nervous spasms, psychotic delusions, and convulsions. Nevertheless, it has been argued that the outbreaks usually do not happen during the floods or wet seasons. Furthermore, not all the symptoms of the St. John’s Dance can be attributed to ergot poisoning.

Another explanation for the St. John’s Dance is that those participating in it were followers of deviant religious sects. As these people made pilgrimages throughout Europe during the years following the Black Death in order to gain divine favour, they grew in numbers. As they were involved in prolonged dancing, fasting, and emotional worship, such symptoms as hallucinating, fainting, and trembling uncontrollably would have been common.

Although it is highly plausible that some of the participants of the St. John’s Dance were genuinely affected by mental illnesses, it has been argued that the majority of those engaged in the dance did not actually suffer from any of the symptoms. Instead of looking at the St. John’s Dance as a form of mental disorder, it may be considered as a social phenomenon, sometimes referred to as ‘mass psychogenic illness’. This involves the occurrence of similar physical symptoms, with no known cause, which affect a large group of people as a form of social influence. Perhaps it may be suggested that some of those engaged in the St. John’s Dance did so out of fear, while others danced in order to fit in with the crowd.

While this form of mass hysteria may seem to belong to the history books, it is in fact just as common in modern times.  The Tanganyika laughter epidemic of 1962, for example, was an outbreak of mass hysteria in Tanzania in which uncontrollable laughter, accompanied by fainting, respiratory problems, and crying, spread from a group of school girls, to the entire school, neighbouring schools, and entire villages. Thousands of people were affected to some degree. The phenomenon was not completely eradicated for some eighteen months!

Such occurrences of mass hysteria have continued to confound the medical community and while it is easy to laugh off as ridiculous and bizarre behaviour, research has shown that there are a number of complex factors that can contribute to the formation and spread of collective hysteria, including rumours, extraordinary anxiety or excitement, cultural beliefs, social and political context, reinforcing actions by authority figures, and stress.  Cases of mass hysteria have been reported all over the world for centuries and provide a fascinating insight into the complex nature of human psychology!

Featured image: ‘The Saint John’s Dancers in Molenbeeck’ (1592) by Pieter Brueghel II.

By Ḏḥwty

References

Bartholomew, R. E., 2000. Rethinking the Dancing Mania. [Online]
Available at: http://www.csicop.org/si/show/rethinking_the_dancing_mania

Gilbert, S., 2011. St. John’s Dance. [Online]
Available at: http://www.toxipedia.org/display/toxipedia/St.+John’s+Dance

Hecker, J., 1832. The Black Death and The Dancing Mania by J. F. C. Hecker. [Online]
Available at: http://biotech.law.lsu.edu/Books/hecker/Death_c.htm

Hiskey, D., 2012. This Day in History, 1374: Thousands of People on the Streets of Aachen, Germany Suddenly Suffer from the “Forgotten Plague”, Dance Mania. [Online]
Available here.

Wikipedia, 2014. Dancing mania. [Online]
Available at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dancing_mania

Wikipedia, 2014. Mass hysteria. [Online]
Available at:Impact of the Torah being written piecemeal on understanding 29 Apr 2020

Dancing mania

Dancing mania was a social phenomenon that occurred primarily in mainland Europe between the 14th and 17th centuries. It involved groups of people dancing erratically, sometimes thousands at a time. The mania affected men, women, and children who danced until they collapsed from exhaustion. One of the first major outbreaks was in Aachen, in the Holy Roman Empire, in 1374, and it quickly spread throughout Europe; one particularly notable outbreak occurred in Strasbourg in 1518, also in the Holy Roman Empire.

Wikipedia

The mania affected men, women, and children who danced until they collapsed from exhaustion. One of the first major outbreaks was in Aachen, in the Holy Roman Empire, in 1374, and it quickly spread throughout Europe; one particularly notable outbreak occurred in Strasbourg in 1518, also in the Holy Roman Empire.

Affecting thousands of people across several centuries, dancing mania was not an isolated event, and was well documented in contemporary reports. It was nevertheless poorly understood, and remedies were based on guesswork. Often musicians accompanied dancers, due to a belief that music would treat the mania, but this tactic sometimes backfired by encouraging more to join in. There is no consensus among modern-day scholars as to the cause of dancing mania.

The several theories proposed range from religious cults being behind the processions to people dancing to relieve themselves of stress and put the poverty of the period out of their minds. It is speculated to have been a mass psychogenic illness, in which physical symptoms with no known physical cause are observed to affect a group of people, as a form of social influence.

Sydenham’s chorea – Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sydenham’s_chorea

Sydenham’s chorea, also known as chorea minor and historically and occasionally referred to as St Vitus’ dance, is a disorder characterized by rapid, uncoordinated jerking movements primarily affecting the face, hands and feet. Sydenham’s chorea results from and is reported to occur in 20–30% of people with acute rheumatic fever.

Impact of the Torah being written piecemeal on understanding 29 Apr 2020

As Jews, we have spent centuries overcoming adversity, including pandemics. (Ever heard of a little thing in Exodus called Plagues?) So, we are excited to continue offering Jewish programming through digital platforms while we all adhere to current social distancing guidelines. Please check the Events calendar for upcoming virtual programming!

Next up – A educational session lead by our COBS President, Rich Sherman. This will be hosted through the Go To Meeting app, and you can find the details through the April 9th calendar event. We hope you join us!