Three Lessons from My First Year at Temple

By Rabbi Brett C. Weisman

Looking back at this year, I am grateful for so many things. I am grateful for the opportunities to serve this congregation; I am grateful for the fulfillment of a dream of becoming a rabbi that began while studying for my bar mitzvah; I am grateful that Seattle has quickly become home for my family and me; and I am grateful for the amazing work Temple De Hirsch Sinai does to serve the Jewish community of Seattle – today, and for tomorrow.

I want to give three highlights from the past year and a lesson I have gleaned from each one.

Ringing in 5783 with Temple’s first in-person High Holy Day celebration since 2019 was such a remarkable moment. Families and friends joining together and looking to the future with hope was such a breath of fresh air. Having the option to observe services on Zoom is a true blessing, but there is nothing quite like being together as a community.

Purim was an absolute blast! Purim is by far my favorite holiday, and seeing everyone in their costumes playing games, eating tacos and laughing along with the spiel filled me with so much joy. Perhaps most importantly, I saw the work that goes into a successful

Purim celebration. I am so immensely grateful to Board member Sarah Goldhammer and Temple’s Membership & Engagement Director, Paula Cooper, for their tremendous leadership. I learned that when we work together, we can do amazing things.

Finally, working with the education team and getting involved with the Bridge Family Religion School gives me such hope for the future of Jewish life at Temple and here in Seattle. Sunday school is vibrant and full of Judaism. One particular highlight was taking high schoolers on an amazing trip to Spain. Not only was this an opportunity for teens to learn about the history of Spanish Jewry, but it was—more importantly—an opportunity for them to explore, expand their horizons with new experiences, and grow interpersonally.

I am so impressed with this community and the intentionality with which we operate. Year one was full of growth and learning; here’s to a future full of hope and joy!

Stella Louise Waldman became a bat mitzvah on April 29, 2023. Stella is the daughter of Thomas and Marcelle Waldman and the sister of Jack Waldman. She is the granddaughter of Karen and Sam Furer and Dr. Lawrence (z”l) and Patricia Waldman. Stella is a 7th grader at Cougar Mountain Middle School. She enjoys softball, hanging out with friends, and recently co-authored a children’s book with her mom titled, Feel Trip: A Journey Through Ordinary Emotions. For her mitzvah project, Stella organized a children’s book drive and 300+ books were donated to Kid Vantage (formerly known as Eastside Baby Corner).

Noah Yonatan Wheeler will become a bar mitzvah on August 5, 2023. Noah is the son of David & Emily Wheeler and the brother of Daniel Wheeler. He is the grandson of Bill & Nancy Wheeler (z”l), Florance Vaughan (z”l) & Woody Carter, Michael Vaughan and Keelin Murphy, and John & Barbara Connell. Noah and Daniel are 7th graders at Maple View Middle School. He enjoys Legos, video games, biking, and canoeing. For his mitzvah project, Noah will be volunteering at Elk Run Farms.

Shira Libby Speizer will become a bat mitzvah on August 5, 2023. Shira is the daughter of Rabbi Kate & Ilan Speizer and the sister of Yoni Speizer. She is the granddaughter of Terry & Claudia Speizer, Linda Speizer, and Stanley & Rabbi Suri (z”l) Friedman. Shira is a 7th grader at Hazel Wolf. She enjoys acting, singing, and hanging out with friends. For her mitzvah project, Shira is volunteering at the Mary Schwartz Summit.

Daniel Avraham Wheeler will become a bar mitzvah on August 5, 2023. Daniel is the son of David & Emily Wheeler and the brother of Noah Wheeler. He is the grandson of Bill & Nancy Wheeler (z”l), Florance Vaughan (z”l) & Woody Carter, Michael Vaughan and Keelin Murphy, and John & Barbara Connell. Daniel is a 7th grader at Maple View Middle School. He enjoys Legos, video games, biking, and hiking. For his mitzvah project, Daniel will be volunteering at Elk Run Farms.

Jakob Simon Shevitz will become a bar mitzvah on August 12, 2023. Jakob is the son of David & Jennifer Shevitz and the brother of Max and Joli Shevitz. He is the grandson of Stewart & Lynda Shevitz, Barbara Natanson (z”l), and Karl (z”l) & Sheila Sax. Jakob is an 8th grader at Valley View Middle School. His favorite activity is soccer. For his mitzvah project, Jakob will be collecting and recycling used athletic shoes and raising funds for the local nonprofit, Let Me Run.

Abby Rose Handlin will become a bat mitzvah on August 26, 2023. Abby is the daughter of Jack & Alison Handlin and the sister of Stella and Eli Handlin. She is the granddaughter of Bob & Estelle Handlin and Richard & Lisa Dykstra. Abby is an 8th grader at Cougar Mountain Middle School. She enjoys playing softball, spending time with friends, and shopping. For her mitzvah project, Abby will be making blankets for animals at the Seattle Humane Society.

Emi Spitzer will become a brit mitzvah on August 19, 2023. Emi is the child of Gabriel Spitzer & Ashley Gross and the sibling of Riley Spitzer. They are the grandchild of Cheri & John Spitzer and Andrea & Michael Gross. Emi is a 7th grader at Madison Middle School. They enjoy knitting, bouldering, and hanging out with friends. For their mitzvah project, Emi will be knitting hats and raising money for Mary’s Place.

Jeremy Jonah (JJ) Kleinstein will become a bar mitzvah on August 26, 2023. JJ is the son of Jackie and Paul (z”l) Kleinstein and the brother of Isabella Rose Kleinstein. He is the grandson of Stephanie & Jerry (z”l) Rosenthal and Jackie & Jonah (z”l) Kleinstein. JJ is an 8th grader at Brier Terrace Middle School. He enjoys video games, cross country, and track. For his mitzvah project, JJ will be hosting a pet food drive for PAWS.

Zoe Joy Wolff will become a bat mitzvah on August 19, 2023. Zoe is the daughter of Amy Posner Wolff & Aaron James Wolff and the sister of Alexander (AJ) and Ari Wolff. She is the granddaughter of Arnold James/Jim (z”l) & Marianne Wolff and Terry & Erica Posner—she is a 5th generation TDHS member! Zoe is an 8th grader at Hamlin Robinson School. She enjoys theater, volleyball, riding her bike, and watching Modern Family. For her mitzvah project, Zoe will be volunteering hours at a variety of local nonprofits.

Rute Israely Da Costa will become a bat mitzvah on September 2, 2023. Rute is the daughter of Inbal Israely & Rui Costa and the sister of Mira and Lara Israely Da Costa. She is the granddaughter of Hilla Israely, Ilan Israely, and Ilusinda & Jose (z”l) Costa. Rute is an 8th grader at Seattle Country Day School. She enjoys musical theater and movie making.

Kory Cuban will become a brit mitzvah on September 9, 2023. Kory is the child of Sondra Cuban and the grandchild of Larry Cuban & Barbara Cuban (z”l). They are a 7th grader at Aki Kurose Middle School. Kory enjoys reading, running, building, and engineering. For their mitzvah project, Kory will be volunteering at the Audubon, an organization dedicated to conservation of birds and their habitats.

Charlotte Brynne Young will become a brit mitzvah on October 7, 2023. Charlotte is the child of Stephen & Naomi Young and the sibling of Aubrianna, Roosevelt, and Hannalyn Young. They are the grandchild of Joel & Joy Glassen and Jim & Laura Young. Charlotte is an 8th grader at Three Rivers HomeLink. They enjoy reading, writing stories, Taekwondo, knitting, art, and playing the flute. For their mitzvah project, Charlotte will be volunteering at the local library.

Ella Cate Masin will become a bat mitzvah on October 21, 2023. Ella is the daughter of David & Anne Masin and the sister of Grant and Benjamin Masin. She is the granddaughter of Cindy & Bob Masin and Terry Magnin. Ella is a 7th grader at Chinook Middle School. She enjoys playing lacrosse and hanging out with friends. For her mitzvah project, Ella will be fundraising for cancer research.

Noah Fenton will become a bar mitzvah on October 14, 2023. He is the son of Garrett & Jessica Fenton and the brother of Joseph and Myer Fenton. Noah is a 7th grader at Tyee Middle School. He enjoys playing basketball and baseball, as well as playing trumpet in the Tyee Jazz Band. When he is not playing sports, Noah spends his time playing video games. For his mitzvah project, Noah is encouraging the community to support the Holocaust Center for Humanity’s annual Voices for Humanity Luncheon, which will take place on October 16, 2023 in Seattle.

Lucy Caroline Sternberg will become a bat mitzvah on October 21, 2023. Lucy is the daughter of Ashley & Ben Sternberg and the sister of Teddy, Auggie, and Sam Sternberg. She is the granddaughter of Jim & Sherry Blick and Jacob & Christina Sternberg. Lucy is a 7th grader at Islander Middle School. She enjoys art, theater, yoga, and going to camp. For her mitzvah project, Lucy will be participating in a Friendship Bracelet Project.