Jewish American Heritage Month proclaimed in Shoreline

L-R Mayor Betsy Robertson, CM Keith Scully, Nevet Basker from  Washingtonians for a Brighter Future, Rabbi Sadya Davidoff of Chabad Jewish Center of Shoreline

This past Monday, May 10, 2026 Mayor Betsy Robertson issued a proclamation recognizing the month of May as Jewish American Heritage Month in Shoreline.

Each May, hundreds of organizations and Americans of all backgrounds join together to discover, explore, and celebrate the vibrant and varied American Jewish experience from the dawn of our nation to the present day.

It was a distinct honor for Rabbi Sadya Davidoff of Chabad Jewish Center of Shoreline to accept this significant proclamation and express gratitude to Mayor Robertson on behalf of the Jewish community.

A special thanks to Council Member Keith Scully and Nevet Basker from Washingtonians for a Brighter Future for their efforts in spearheading this proclamation locally.

Representatives from AJC Seattle were invited to participate in this special council meeting as well.

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Ash Wednesday - February 18, 2026 - the start of Lent

Catholics around the globe celebrated Ash Wednesday on February 18. 

Ash Wednesday marks the starting date of Lent, which is seven weeks of prayer, fasting and almsgiving before the arrival of Easter.

Locally, St. Mark, 18033 15th Pl NE, begins St Mark's Fridays in Lent on Friday February 20, 2026.

Every Friday in Lent we will have Daily Mass at 9am, followed by all Day Eucharistic Adoration

We are also offering extended confessions at 5pm, Stations of the Cross at 6pm with Salmon Dinner immediately following.

We invite you and your families to join us.

Please see the Lenten calendar for the full schedule of our parish family.

St. Luke 322 N 175th and Christ the King in North Seattle 405 N 117th will alternate services, offering both English and Spanish.

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Ramadan Mubarak

Ramadan Mubarak

Here at CAIR-WA we wish you and your family a blessed Ramadan, may this month be full of love, forgiveness and guidance for you and your loved ones

"May Allah accept our fasting, prayers, and good deeds."

Ramadan is a sacred month for over two billion Muslims worldwide. It entails fasting from dawn to dusk for 29 to 30 days as one of the five obligatory acts of worship in Islam. 

Ramadan is a time for spiritual cleansing, personal growth, community building, and acts of charity. 

CAIR Washington is a grassroots advocacy and civil rights organization based in Seattle that serves the Muslim community across Washington state. Our purpose is to defend the civil liberties of Muslim Washingtonians no matter where they live or their level of income. 

We do this by 1) providing free legal services to Muslims who’ve been discriminated against because they are Muslim, 2) working to combat Islamophobia and bigotry through education and storytelling, and 3) empowering our community to be politically and socially engaged while shaping laws and policies that impact us.

CAIR Washington is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and a chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a grassroots civil rights and advocacy group. CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties group, with regional offices nationwide and in Canada.

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Hebrew Sunday School announces reopening after 5 year hiatus due to Covid

Registration is now open for a new Hebrew school in Shoreline. This supplementary program is geared for Jewish students who attend area public schools, and will meet on Sunday mornings at the Shoreline-LFP Senior Center.

The school aims to reach children ages 4-12. The curriculum includes Alef Bet study, Jewish holiday literacy, and hand-on educational experiences. 

“This program will offer a first taste of Jewish learning in a creative, joyful, hands-on and interesting way. We want to impart of a sense of tradition using the modern and innovative teaching techniques,” says school director Shimona, or better known as "Rebbetzin D". “This is going to be a Hebrew School that kids can’t wait to go to!”

"I have always dreamed for a place where my kids can feel community and form friendships with fellow Jewish kids, locally in Shoreline. This is so important. Hearing that Ckids Hebrew School is reopening makes me so happy!"- From a parent in the community.

"At Ckids Hebrew School, we are always looking for fresh ways to engage students and make Jewish education exciting and meaningful. This year, we have worked hard to assemble a comprehensive and engaging curriculum that will motivate your child to blossom. Using educational tools, such as theater, crafts, STEM, and filmmaking, this experience is bound to capture the attention of each student."- Shimona, Director of Ckids Hebrew School.

According to a number of studies, Jewish education is a proven factor in ensuring Jewish involvement and continuity. Chabad seeks sponsors to help subsidize tuition scholarships, to offer families who are unable to pay. “We seek to ensure that every single child has access to a high-quality Jewish education,” states, Rabbi Rabbi Sadya Davidoff, Executive Co-director.

The school welcomes every Jew, regardless of religious background or level of observance. This school does not require membership as a condition for enrollment. To inquire more and to begin registration, please call Shimona at 206-941-7037 during regular business hours, or visit ShorelineJewishCenter.org/CHS

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Sunday seminar at Saint Dunstan's: "Where is God when I'm suffering?"

Saint Dunstan’s Episcopal Church where All are Welcome, All are Fed and All are Loved invites you to join us for our September Sunday Seminar this coming Sunday September 3rd at 11:45am. 

This month’s topic is discussing the big question of “Where is God when I’m Suffering?”

Anne Lamott famously said that we have three prayers, “Help, Thanks, and Wow.” What about those times when we are struggling, so overwhelmed by fear, or anxiety, or grief, that we can’t even say one of these simple prayers? Where is God at those times? 

At the September Sunday Seminar, we will explore this difficult but important topic, with opportunities to share stories and both listen and be heard. Without easy answers, without trite platitudes or meaningless assurance (He’s in a better place, or God won’t give you more than you can handle) we will explore the ways God is present, with us, among us, for us, and through us for others, even when we are suffering.

This seminar will be facilitated by the Rev. David Marshall, priest and pastor to St. Dunstan’s Church. In his decades of ministry, he has sat with people facing grave illness, deep disappointment, and profound loss. Sometimes the best thing to say to someone at the hardest times is nothing. 

From that place of listening with respect, and even reverence, David explores the various answers to our question, "Where is God when I’m suffering?"

You can RSVP and contact us for more information, on Facebook or Eventbrite.

Saint Dunstan's is located at 722 N 145th St, Shoreline WA 98133

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Open House at Buddha Jewel Monastery on September 9, 2023: Meditation and Buddhism class

A unique opportunity for the public.

You are invited to join Buddha Jewel Monastery Open House, Saturday, September 9, 2023 2-4pm at 17418 8th Ave NE - in the Ridgecrest Neighborhood.

Monastery tour, guided meditation, curricular overview, student sharing, and afternoon tea.

Please sign up via Google Form

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What the Bible REALLY Says: Removing the Sting of LGBTQ “Clobber Verses” - Pride Sunday seminar June 4, 2023

What the Bible REALLY Says: Removing the Sting of LGBTQ “Clobber Verses”Saint Dunstan's Sunday Seminar June 4, 2023 at 11:45am

At Saint Dunstan’s Episcopal Church in Shoreline Washington, our vision statement is “On Earth as it is in Heaven where All are Welcome, All are Fed, and All are Loved.”

In 2023 we see that our LGBTQ+ siblings are still being attacked in the name of our religion. We pray for those responsible for these attacks, that they may come to see the error of their ways and the pain that they are causing in that misguided crusade.

However, we also firmly stand with our LGBTQ+ siblings, and because the other message is loud we also must take time to loudly proclaim what we believe to be the Gospel. That God created and loves EVERYONE, when we say All are Welcome, Fed, and Loved we mean ALL.

This event will be lead by Victoria EH Johnson and Ves Pacher. Both are young queer leaders at Saint Dunstan’s that are going to be leading a discussion about the passages of the Bible that are used to tell LGBTQ+ people that they need to change who God made them to be. 

We’ll be sharing a lot of the context arguments, translation issues and scholarship around these passages to show that you can love the Bible and LGBTQ+ people. 

RSVP on Facebook or on Eventbrite. Saint Dunstan's is located at 722 N 145th St, Shoreline, WA 98133

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Peace Dancing in Shoreline at North Seattle Friends Church Sunday morning May 7, 2023

Peace Dancing returns to Shoreline!

Come meet our new neighbors... North Seattle Friends Church! 

17900 Linden Ave N, 98133

Sunday Morning, May 7, 2023 

10:00 Quaker Meeting for Worship 

11:00 Snack and Meet 

11:30-1pm Peace Dancing

No Experience Necessary All Dances taught: short inspiring phrases to simple melodies and movements

Live Music

Suggested donation: $10. Seated Dancers and those with limited funds...Welcome! ADA accessible Masking Appreciated

One block west of Hwy 99... ample parking and frequent bus service:

off-board at N 175th, from RapidRide E Line

Main Entrance is on upper level at the back of the building via steep driveway to the Parking Area

~~~

• Though Peace Dance gatherings usually draw from a variety of wisdom traditions from around the world, this particular gathering will be entirely drawing on the wisdom and inviting the spirit of Christ, in his native tongue of Aramaic, as well as English and Latin.
• Please also join for the 10 o'clock Quaker worship, which includes times of silence and an invitation to share God Stories, as inspired. Prayer requests, also, often arise.

For more info: Ka Ginger Hayra hayrafatah@gmail.com 

North Seattle Friends Church 

Hope to see you there!

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Canon Carla Robinson of the Episcopal Diocese of Olympia will be in the pulpit at Church of the Redeemer in Kenmore

On Sunday, May 7, 2023, Canon Carla Robinson of the Episcopal Diocese of Olympia will preach “The Way, the Words, and the Works’ at Church of the Redeemer in Kenmore, Washington. 

Services are at 8:00am and 10:30am. To see Jesus is to see the way of God. To hear Jesus is to hear the words of God. To follow Jesus is the to do the works of God.

About the sermon, Canon Robinson says, “I’ll be waltzing my way through this sermon. I’ll be cuttin’ a rug in the chancel, as we follow along in our dance with the Spirit.”

More information here

Church of the Redeemer is at 6210 NE 181st St Kenmore, Washington. 

All are welcome at Redeemer:

All races
All religions
All countries of origin
All sexual orientations
All genders

The Episcopal Church welcomes you.

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Ash Wednesday services morning and evening at Saint Dunstan's on Wednesday February 22, 2023

This Wednesday is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. And Saint Dunstan's has two service options.

The first is at 7am and will be a short 30 minute service if you want to get it in before work and spend the day observing Ash Wednesday.

7pm is a full Ash Wednesday service with Communion and music.

• For more information or to RSVP for 7am Click Here
• For more information or to RSVP for 7pm Click Here

Saint Dunstan's is located at 722 N 145th St, Shoreline WA 98133

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December Prayer Lab at Saint Dunstan's

Saint Dunstan’s the Church that feeds people is offering an adult education opportunity this week.

On Wednesday December 7, 2022 at 6:45pm we will have our December Prayer lab. Prayer Lab is an experiential learning series that helps people learn different ways to pray and experience their relationship with the Creator.

This month we will be doing the second part of the forms of prayer started by Saint Ignatius. 

We will be practicing finding ourselves in the Biblical Narrative. This practice is about approaching scripture from different views and imagining it from the view of difference perspectives. The hope is that this allows for a deeper understanding of the scripture you are studying and reveals new truths for our lives.

For a link to sign up for Prayer Lab click here

Saint Dunstan's Church 722 North 145th Street Shoreline, WA 98133

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Prayer Labs offered at Saint Dunstan’s the Church that feeds people

Prayer labs at Saint Dunstan's

Saint Dunstan’s the Church that feeds people would like to invite the community to our November and December Prayer Labs.

The topic is the Ignatian Examen, Ignatius was a Basque nobleman from the Pyrenees of northern Spain. He was wounded in the Battle of Pamplona and discerned his spiritual vocation while recovering from a military wound. His life was lived in the early 1500s. 

He composed “Spiritual Exercises” to help others follow the teachings of Jesus. His spiritual practices emphasized the affective life (feelings of the Christian).

Ignatius became expert at helping others deepen their relationship with God by using imagination in prayer, discernment and interpretation of feelings, cultivation of great desires and generous service. 

As one writer said, “Ignatian spiritual renewal focuses more on the heart than the intellect. It holds that our choices and decisions are often beyond the merely rational or reasonable. Its goal is an eager, generous, wholehearted offer of oneself to God and to his work.”

We will look at the first two: Discernment and Interpretation of feelings and imagination in prayer.

Mother Carola will lead us on Wednesday, November 2 on discernment in the Christian’s life and will focus on the Examen that Ignatius taught to his trainees.

Then in December Sarah Roskam will lead us on Wednesday, December 7 using imagination in prayer. We will focus on stories of Advent.

If you’re interested in the Prayer Lab please RSVP using the following link. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/450864015407

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Prayer Lab - Celtic Spirituality workshop October 5 at Saint Dunstan's

Since 2010 Saint Dunstan’s has had the blessing of learning from Brother John Ryan.

He joined a Franciscan order as a young man and left the order to become a chaplain.

Saint Dunstan's will be doing a Prayer Lab lesson on October 5, 2022 which Brother Ryan will be leading, about Thin Places, or spots that we feel we have been touched by the Presence of the Sacred.

He has explained what it’s about as follows:

People experience a Thin Place in many different ways as expressed in many different traditions and cultures. 

The Irish Celtic Tradition was established long before Christianity was brought to the Isle. 

There are still sacred mounds, hills, wells, walls, trees and places at which people have touched the sacred. 

You and I can and have experienced such places and events in which we have been touched by and touched the Presence of the Sacred. 

It is said the place between our world and that beyond is experienced through this place of the thin veil. We will look at examples of these experiences both ancient and present and have the opportunity to express our own experiences. 

For a time we will have the opportunity to be for each other “anam cara” or soul friends, for we all live in the shadow of each other. 

--Br. John Ryan, OSF

We invite you to join us to learn from him. You can RSVP on Eventbrite. Prayer Lab-Celtic Spirituality- Experiencing the Thin Place Tickets, Wed, Oct 5, 2022 at 6:45 PM | Eventbrite

--Karen Tynes

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Pacific Northwest Interfaith Peace Walk on August 6, 2022 in Lake Forest Park

Photo by Rev. Senji Kanaeda

The annual Pacific Northwest Interfaith Peace Walk will start the day on Saturday, August 6, 2022 in Lake Forest Park for the 77th year remembrance of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, Japan. 

Rev. Senji Kanaeda of the Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Temple on Bainbridge Island will conduct a short ceremony for peace at noon, at the Peace Pole on the corner of Bothell Way NE (SR 522) and Ballinger Way NE (SR 104).

The ceremony at noon in Lake Forest Park is called すべての核犠牲者の為の「慰霊祭」or Subete no kaku giseisha no tame no Irei-sai (memorial, or spirit-consoling, service for all nuclear victims.)

Lanterns at Green Lake

The Peace Walk on August 6th will be a distance of seven miles, with the procession beginning in Lake Forest Park and ending in Seattle at Green Lake at the annual From Hiroshima to Hope lantern-floating event. 

See http://fromhiroshimatohope.org. 

This day is part of a six-day walk that began in Portland, Oregon and ends at the Trident nuclear submarine base at Bangor, Washington on August 8th.

All are invited to participate in the short ceremony in Lake Forest Park and for all or any part of the seven-mile Peace Walk to Green Lake.

For more information, please contact Rev. Senji Kanaeda or Rev. Gilberto Perez at 206-780-6739 or 206-724-7632 (cell), or Glen Milner at 206-979-8319 or gk_milner@outlook.com. 

Information about the 2022 Peace Walk here: 

https://www.gzcenter.org/event/2022-pacific-northwest-interfaith-peace-walk

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Ramadan begins at sundown Saturday, April 2, 2022

Photo by Sylwia Bartyzel on unsplash

Ramadan Mubarak to our Muslim friends and neighbors observing Ramadan April 2 - May 2, 2022.

To learn basic information about Ramadan, here’s a three minute video “What is Ramadan?” and an article Everything to Know About Ramadan and How It’s Celebrated.

From the article:

Khan-Mukhtar says that Ramadan is also celebrated as a time for a clean start.

“What I would love for people to know is that Ramadan is a time of hope and renewal and trying to have a fresh start,” she explains. 

“It’s really a time of rejuvenation, where it’s like, ‘I'm going to go through this month and I'm really going to turn to God, and ask for forgiveness and ask for blessings,’ and then you come out of it with a lot of hope for starting all over again on a good foot.”

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FBI Seattle launches online training to protect religious communities from potential threats

Donald M. Voiret, Special Agent
in Charge of the Seattle Field Office.

SEATTLE, WA – The FBI’s Seattle Field Office, together with other federal agencies, launched an online training series Monday night for religious communities to prepare for potential threats to their houses of worship. 

Leaders from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern and Western Districts of Washington; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency; and the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Community Relations Service participated.

More than 90 participants joined the virtual introductory meeting, facilitated by Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle and SAFE Washington.

Tentative training schedule (events are subject to change):

• March 23: Building Security
• Led by: Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
• April 6: Active Shooter
• Led by: FBI Seattle
• April 20: Domestic and International Terrorism
• Led by: FBI Seattle
• May 4: Hate Crimes
• Led by: FBI Seattle, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern and Western Districts of Washington,
• DOJ Community Relations Service

If you are interested in offering this training series for your house of worship, please e-mail seattle.fbi@fbi.gov

“A top priority for FBI Seattle is protecting against threats to Washington state’s faith communities,” said Donald M. Voiret, Special Agent in Charge of the Seattle Field Office.

“That’s why we are holding this event and others like it. We want our houses of worship to be equipped and our lines of communication open before a disaster strikes, and hopefully, with preparation, we can keep that from happening.”

“People gather in their houses of worship for prayer, fellowship, and community. Investigating and prosecuting hate crimes is a top priority for the Department of Justice, and we must ensure that people are safe,” said U.S. Attorney Nick Brown. 

“I want to be sure our religious communities have the latest information on ways to secure their facilities, and deal with threats that may come their way. As we saw recently at a synagogue in Houston, training made a difference in the safe escape of those taken hostage.”

“The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is committed to working with our federal partners in supporting any effort to maintain safe and secure places of worship for our community,” said Patrick Massey Regional Director for CISA. 

“Our agency’s work providing security assessments for religious facilities underscores our commitment to building safer communities.”

If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, call 911. If you believe you have been the target or victim of a hate crime or other civil rights violation, contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324) or the FBI Seattle Division at 206-622-0460 or submit a tip online at https://tips.fbi.gov.

Tips can remain anonymous and can be made in an individual’s native language.

FBI Seattle is one of 56 FBI field offices located in major U.S. cities with 9 satellite offices called resident agencies in Washington state. The mission of the FBI is to protect the American people and uphold the Constitution of the United States.

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Chabad of Shoreline to hold a public Chanukah lighting at City Hall Sunday

Chabad of Shoreline will hold their annual Chanukah Menorah Lighting Ceremony at City Hall in Shoreline on Sunday, December 5, 2021 at 5:30pm.

The event will include a 9-foot tall menorah, remarks from city officials, delicious Chanukah treats, live music, and a Grand Chanukah “Gelt Drop”!

The event is sponsored by Chabad of Shoreline and is free and open to the public.

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The Seattle Times: Uninvited to serve on Christian group’s board after coming out, Seattle man starts nonprofit for queer youth of faith

Dr. Jun Love Young

When Jun Young came out as gay, he was told he would not be asked to serve another term on the board of CRISTA, a large Christian institution in Shoreline which includes King's Schools, World Concern, CRISTA Senior Living, a media company with three radio stations, and two youth camps.

Young was the board president of World Concern, an international aid group and that came to an end, too.

He used his experience as an inspiration. 

He formed Zum Communications, "a small Seattle company turning into what he calls a 'change agency,'" and founded Beloved Arise to create "a space for kids who feel like spiritual outcasts — 'where they can just be themselves once a week, and feel OK, feel safe, and feel a kind of togetherness with other people of faith.' ”

He was also made to feel unwelcome at University Presbyterian Church. He left the church, as did the straight pastor of the youth group. The pastor formed an online group called Rebel under the umbrella of Beloved Arise. The group welcomes queer religious youth who need a safe place to be.

Read the full story in The Seattle Times here

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Race Unity Day Walk in Shoreline

Race Unity Walk at Paramount School Park
Photo courtesy Baháʼís of Shoreline

Race Unity Day has been celebrated in the United States on the second Sunday in June since 1957. This year the Baháʼís of Shoreline sponsored a masked and/or socially distanced “Race Unity Walk” in Paramount School Park to honor Race Unity Day.

Laura Silver of Edmonds promotes race unity
Photo courtesy Baháʼís of Shoreline

On Sunday afternoon, June 13, 2021, despite the rainy weather dampening participation, Baháʼís from Shoreline, Lake Forest Park, Edmonds, Seattle, Kenmore, and Sammamish gathered for a show of racial unity by walking several rounds around Paramount School Park. 

Some of the participants pose for a group photo
Photo courtesy Baháʼís of Shoreline

Participants in the walk wore shirts with the sayings “There is no room in my heart for prejudice” (Baháʼí), “World Citizen”, “Unity in Diversity” and “Everyone has a role in social change” (Black Coffee Northwest).

Raven Saint Reeves reads his poetry
Photo courtesy Baháʼís of Shoreline

A highlight of the day’s tribute to race unity was the presentation of original works by Seattle poet, Raven Saint Reeves. Mr. Saint Reeves has been creating original poetry for years, and regaled the group with several of his new pieces. It was an honor to have him join in this year’s celebration of Race Unity Day.

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Youth of St. Luke's create a drive by advent

The Ricard family presents the Nativity scene

Story and photos by Wayne Pridemore

St. Luke Church of Shoreline youth ministry continued their tradition of a live advent story of Christmas. 

Andy Ricard, Odea HS student

The event took place between 6 and 8pm on Sunday night December 13, 2020. 

This year, because of the pandemic, it became a drive by view of eight stations throughout Shoreline. The viewers picked up a map showing the route in the St. Luke's parking lot.

Gus Ricard Seattle Prep student

The Ricard family, of Richmond Beach, presented the Nativity scene. 

Sophia Ricard, Regis U of Denver student, was the angel
Parents Fernand and Debra were Joseph and Mary

Fernand and wife Debra were Joseph and Mary. Sophia was the angel, and brothers Andy and Gus represented the shepherds.

This was one of eight "live" Advent Stations including: The Census, The Shepherds, The Angels, The Wiseman/Epiphany and more. You can view more stations here, http://www.stlukecp.org/advent/

Updated with information from Debra Ricard. 12-15-20

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