Showing posts with label religion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label religion. Show all posts

Community Chanukah Celebration Wednesday Dec 12

Monday, December 10, 2012

The Menorah of the Biblical Tabernacle

A Community Chanukah celebration will be held on Wednesday, December 12th from 5:30 until 7:30pm featuring a live olive press show, delicious latkes and doughnuts, and arts and crafts and face painting for children. It will be held at the Chabad Jewish Center at 19626 76th Ave West in Lynnwood.

"Chanukah is a time for rejoicing in the freedom to openly celebrate our values; the community celebration and public Menorah lighting proclaim that message,” said Rabbi Berel Paltiel, Director of the Snohomish County Jewish Center.

At the Chanukah celebration children will learn how real olive oil is made. Participants will squeeze, press, pound and pulverize authentic olives into fresh olive oil, just like the ancient Maccabees, at an exciting hands-on workshop centered on a genuine olive oil hand press.

The event will also feature face painting, Chanukah crafts involving decorating your very own ‘dreidel’ (Chanukah top). Traditional Holiday Potato ‘Latkes’ (pancakes) and chocolate Chanukah 'Gelt' (coins) will be available as well.  Fun for the whole family that you don’t want to miss!


Read more...

Chanukah: history and traditions

Friday, December 7, 2012

The Chanukah Menorah Lighting will take place on Sunday, December 9th at Centennial Plaza in downtown Edmonds 121 5th Avenue North, Edmonds, WA 98020. The public is invited.

Chanukah, the Festival of Lights, recalls the victory - more than 2,100 years ago - of a militarily weak, but spiritually strong, Jewish people over the mighty forces of a ruthless enemy that had overrun the Holy Land and threatened to engulf the land and its people in darkness.

The miraculous victory of religious freedom was compounded by a second great miracle that took place when only one jug of sacred oil was found still pure and sealed.  The Maccabees poured the one-day supply of oil into the great Menorah and rekindled the Menorah that had been desecrated and extinguished by the enemy.  The small amount of oil did not burn out at the end of the first day, but continued to burn continuously for eight days, until the special process for preparing new oil could be completed.

Lighting the Chanukah Menorah reminds us of these events and also serves as a symbol and a message of triumph of freedom over oppression, of spirit over matter, of light over darkness.

Today, Jews all over the world light their Menorot, in thanks to G-d who has saved them “To enjoy these days at this season.”  Each night an additional light is kindled until, on the eight day, the Menorah is ablaze with eight beautiful lights.

Because of the great significance of oil in the story of Chanukah, it is traditional to serve foods cooked in oil. Among the most popular are delicious Potato Latkes.

The Syrians decreed that the teaching or studying of Torah was a crime punishable by death or imprisonment. But the children defiantly studied in secret; and when Syrian patrols were spotted, they would pretend to be playing an innocent game of Dreidel.

The Dreidel is a four-sided spinning top also called a Svivon, in Hebrew.  On each side is a Hebrew letter: “Nun”, “Gimmel”, “Hay”, and “Shin”.  The letters stand for the phrase “Nes Gadol Hayah Sham - a great miracle happened there”. It is traditionally used to play a lively Chanukah game.

On Chanukah, it is traditional to give all children Chanukah Gelt (money).  This beautiful custom adds to the children's happiness and festive spirit.  In addition, it affords us an opportunity to give them positive reinforcement for exemplary behavior, such as diligence in their studies, and acts of charity.


Read more...

Bahá'ís of Shoreline observe United Nations Human Rights Day with film event

Wednesday, December 5, 2012



The Bahá'ís of Shoreline are sponsoring an event in observance of United Nations Human Rights Day Sunday, December 9, 3-5 pm at the Shoreline Library, 345 NE 175th Street.

Suitable for tweens and older, the event involves a documentary film, "Education Under Fire," followed by a moderated conversation.

The film describes actions of the current regime in Iran that systematically deny higher education to certain minorities, including adherents of the Baha'i Faith.  Produced by Single Arrow Productions and co-sponsored by Amnesty International,  the serious issues described in "Education Under Fire"  merited an open letter to the international academic community from  Nobel Peace Prize recipients Archbishop Desmond M. Tutu and President of East Timor Jose Ramos-Horta.

The 30-minute film is relevant to international studies, social justice, human rights, world history, political science, educational policy, and many other fields of study.

As stated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 26(1):

Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit (emphasis added).

Read more...

High Holiday services open to all

Thursday, August 30, 2012


Chabad’s Open Door Policy welcomes everyone

In anticipation of the upcoming Jewish New Year (September 16-18), the Chabad Jewish Center of Snohomish County has announced its High Holiday Services schedule.

They will be “warm, friendly, traditional, and open to all,” says Chabad’s Executive Director, Rabbi Berel Paltiel.

All are welcome to Services at Chabad, free of charge, regardless of background or affiliation.  Membership is not required to join and there are no prerequisites.  All prayers will combine the original Hebrew and translated English.

“Our tradition teaches that at the New Year, the Doors of Heaven are open; G-d accepts all prayers, from anyone,” explains the Rabbi.  “The least we can do is open our doors as well, to the entire community.”

Services will be held on Rosh Hashana– the Jewish New Year (September 16-18), as well as Yom Kippor– the Day of Atonement (September 25-26).  They will be held at various times at the Chabad Jewish Center, 19626 76th Avenue West Suite B, Lynnwood, WA 98036-5877.

For more information about High Holiday Services, or about Chabad, call 425-640-2811, email or see the website.


Read more...

Jews will make their own Ram Horns to prepare for the High Holidays

Monday, August 27, 2012


On Sunday, September 9, 2012 in Lynnwood, adults, and children of all ages will get the unique opportunity to participate in a hands-on workshop, crafting their own Shofars, or ram's horn, for the upcoming holiday of Rosh Hashanah - the Jewish New Year.

The Shofar is perhaps the oldest wind instrument known to mankind. Consisting of a simple horn taken from a ram or similar animal (such as a kudu) and hollowed of its internal cartilage, the instrument produces a haunting, almost mystical tone. 

"The Shofar generates an otherworldly sound. It's very soulful, very stirring, and open to much interpretation," said Rabbi Berel Paltiel, director of Chabad Jewish Center and sponsor of the Shofar Factory. "Each individual hears something else in the Shofar's voice. Thus it’s most fitting and quite uplifting for the Shofar to be blown during the High Holidays, the holiest Jewish season of the year."

According to Jewish history, the sound of a Shofar accompanied G-d's giving of the Torah (the Bible) to the ancient Hebrews, the ancestors of Jews today, as they stood at the foot of Mount Sinai in the Middle Eastern wilderness. In addition, Jewish tradition has it that the Messianic Era, a time of world peace, will be ushered in with the sounding of the great Shofar.

The Shofar is sounded in Jewish houses of worship on Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, and at the end of Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, for several reasons, not least among them its unique sound. 

"Chassidism teaches that the call of the Shofar is reminiscent of the pure voice of the soul," explained Rabbi Paltiel. "At Rosh Hashanah, the soul strives to touch the Divine. Also the various notes sounded with the Shofar remind one of weeping, which stirs people to better their ways, which is among the central themes of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur."

Visitors to the Shofar Factory will learn just what criteria an animal's horn must meet in order to qualify as a genuine Shofar, after which they will saw, drill, sand, shellac and polish their very own horns and then learn how to sound the traditional notes. 

The Shofar Factory is open to the general public on Sunday, September 9, at 11am at the Chabad Jewish Center of Snohomish County, 19626 76th Avenue West Suite B, Lynnwood, WA 98036-5877. Admission is free. For $10 participants take home their own Shofar. For more information, contact Rabbi Berel Paltiel of Jewish Snohomish, 425-640-2811.


Read more...

Introduction to the Bahá'í Faith

Thursday, August 16, 2012


Are you curious about religions? Seeking a spiritual home? Looking for a new way to understand world events? Just want something to do?

If so, then join us in Shoreline for a public, informal introduction to the Bahá'í Faith.

Wednesday, August 22, 2012. 7pm. Shoreline Library, 345 NE 175th St, small conference room.

The central theme of Bahá'í teachings is that humanity is one single race and that the day has come for humankind to join into one global society. Bahá'ís believe in:

  • The oneness of humanity
  • The common origin and unity of purpose of all world religions
  • The harmony of science and religion
  • Equality of women and men
  • The elimination of all forms of prejudice
  • A spiritual solution to economic problems
  • The establishment of a world commonwealth of nations

Join with other members of this community for this enlightening and positive discussion.

More information.


Read more...

Multicultural community worship service planned for September 11 in Shoreline

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Prince of Peace Lutheran will host the service
Seven churches from Northgate to North City in Shoreline will worship together on the afternoon of September 11, on the theme “For the Healing of the Nations: Remembering 9/11 and 10 Years of War.”

The sponsoring churches represent countries from across the globe. 

This diverse group invites the many global communities that call North Seattle and Central Shoreline home to join with them in praying for an end to violence, for reconciliation, and for peace for all people.

The seven sponsoring churches are

The worship service will include performances by several church choirs and the celebration of Holy Communion. At the conclusion of the service, worshipers will be invited to sing together the Halleluiah Chorus from Handel’s Messiah.

The worship service will take place on Sunday, September 11, 2011, at 3 pm, at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 14514 20th Ave NE, Shoreline, WA 98155.

Worshipers are invited to bring a donation of a non-perishable food item for the Lake City Food Bank. An offering will be taken for drought relief in the Horn of Africa.

For more information, contact Pastor Pam Russell, Prince of Peace Lutheran, 206-484-3224.


Read more...

Grand opening of mosque for Bosnians in western Washington

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Photo by Mahir Dizdar
By Chris Roberts, Shoreline City Council Member

On Saturday, March 12, the Islamic Community of Bosniaks in Washington celebrated the grand opening of their mosque and community center in Shoreline's Ballinger neighborhood. 

Photo by Mahir Dizdar
Over 400 people from Shoreline and from across the globe attended the celebration.

Imam Abdulah Polovina led the proceedings, which included speeches from a variety of Muslim leaders from the region. 

Photo by Mahir Dizdar
Also on hand in celebration of the mosque were Representative Jay Inslee, Senator Maralyn Chase, Shoreline Councilmember Chris Roberts, and Eldin Kajevic, the Consul General of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Representative Inslee discussed the fact that America was founded on the principles of religious tolerance.

Shoreline Council Member Chris Roberts
Photo by Mahir Dizdar
Many of the speakers reflected upon the genocide that occurred in Bosnia in the early 1990s that led to the emigration of Bosnians to Western Washington. 

In 2001, the community formed the Islamic Community of Bosniaks in Washington, a non-profit organization designed to preserve their Bosnian identity. In 2005, the Community purchased the property in the Ballinger neighborhood for the building of the mosque and community center which is open to people of all faiths. Today, the president of the Community is Muhamed Saracevic.


Photo by Mahir Dizdar
“The Bosnian-American community in Washington State was established in the early 1990s as refugees and genocide survivors arrived in the state from Bosnia-Herzegovina and today it has grown to include several thousand members.
"It is a young and energetic community that has found its footing in Washington State and the opening of our first mosque and cultural center in our new homeland is of great symbolic importance to us because it represents our community’s acceptance and future presence in the state,” wrote Denis Kurdija on the Facebook event posting.

Read more...

International Day of Peace Shoreline celebration September 21

Friday, September 10, 2010


The International Day of Peace, initiated by the United Nations in 1981, is Tuesday, September 21, 2010 and will be celebrated in Shoreline at the City Hall Council Chambers from 7 - 9 pm.

Michael Karlberg
Sponsored by the Bahá’ís of Shoreline, all are welcome to participate. The guest speaker is Michael Karlberg, Professor of Communications at Western Washington University.

Schedule for the evening:

* Opening prayer (sung by Cindy Roat)
* Introduction of Guest Speaker
* Guest speaker Michael Karlberg
* interfaith /multilingual prayers for peace. all guests are invited to share a prayer for peace, including prayers in other languages
* snacks and cold beverages / socializing till 9 pm

Music provided by the World Meditation Ensemble.


More about Michael Karlberg
Michael Karlberg is a Professor in the Department of Communication at Western Washington University. His research focuses on the ways that conflict and competition have become deeply embedded in Western culture and consciousness. He explores the causes of this historical trend, the social and ecological consequences of it, and strategies of social change for overcoming it. He has published a book on these themes titled "Beyond the Culture of Contest", as well as numerous related journal articles, in the field of peace and conflict studies. He has also published a children's book that deals with some of these same themes in a way that children can grasp, and he has another children's book on the way.

You can read more about Professor Karlberg’s perspective at his blog: Agency and Change.

Sponsored by the Bahá’ís of Shoreline
For more information, call 425-780-6544 or E-mail,

Read more...

Vatican removes former Shoreline priest from active ministry; allegations involved minor

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

 The Vatican has barred from active ministry the Rev. Dennis Kemp, formerly assigned to St. Marks in North City.

Story By Janet I. Tu, Seattle Times staff reporter

The Vatican has permanently barred from active ministry the Rev. Dennis Kemp, former pastor of St. Monica Roman Catholic Church on Mercer Island.

Kemp was placed on administrative leave in 2007 after allegations of inappropriate conduct with a minor.

After the archdiocese received the allegation, it notified the Mercer Island Police Department, which investigated and turned the case over to the King County Prosecutor's office. The prosecutor decided no criminal charges could be filed because of insufficient evidence.


He also served at St. Marks Church
in Shoreline and at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church in Bremerton, and as a campus minister and teacher at Kennedy High School in Burien. 

Read the entire story at The Seattle Times...

Read more...
ShorelineAreaNews.com
Facebook: Shoreline Area News
Twitter: @ShorelineArea
Daily Email edition (don't forget to respond to the Follow.it email)

  © Blogger template The Professional Template II by Ourblogtemplates.com 2009

Back to TOP