HNT HISTORY - DECADE BY DECADE

During this 100th Anniversary year, we will share a bit of our synagogue’s history with you. Special thanks to Meta Buttnick and Sid Weiner for the historical timeline, Rita Katz for translating Herzl's Yiddish Chronicle, and history writers Cheryl Cohen, Lana Finegold and Linda Krisher.

Past Presidents Meet & Reflect

HERZL'S 10th DECADE, Part II
2002 - 2006

The HNT History Committee appreciates your interest in, and your generous comments on, the articles on our synagogue's past. Many thanks to our contributors: Meta Buttnick and Sid Weiner for the historical timeline, Rita Katz and Ruth Peizer for translating Herzl's Yiddish Chronicle, and history writers Ruth Bovarnick, Cheryl Cohen, Lana Finegold, Linda Krisher, Deb Kukreja, and Lynn Wartnik.

Congregation Presidents serving between 2002 and 2006 were Richard Du Bey, Andy Robinson, Clive Brazg and Susan Matt. Their challenges have been many, their goals lofty. After September 11, 2001, Executive Director Nadine Strauss wrote, "With one hour's notice, 100 people came through the doors." It is good to recognize that our synagogue is a place of comfort and caring. Among the visiting scholars during the past five years were Dr. Jonathan Rosenbaum, Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson, Rabbi Matthew Futterman, Rabbi Alan Lew, Author Letty Cottin Pogrebin, Rabbi Lawrence Kushner, and Rabbi Mimi Feigelson.

 In 2002, the Men's Club held a shofar-making workshop, a square dancing event and a raffle. Each year it sends out Yom H'Shoah candles and coordinates the ushering at High Holiday Services. Men's Club programs are diverse, from Mariners games to Super Bowl World Wide Wrap (t'filin). Women's League activities include many different groups (book, crafts, cooking, Torah study and walking) plus Torah Fund and Mitzvah fundraising events. Rabbi Lisa Gelber resigned but stayed on until Rabbi Jay Rosenbaum was elected Rabbi. "Whether lifting our spirits, sharing our joys. or teaching us the wisdom of our tradition, Rabbi Gelber worked tirelessly..." said Executive Director Nadine Strauss. For six years, Rabbi Gelber inspired us at HNT. She continues to inspire us with her marathon runs raising $30,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Among the community projects were USY families working for Habitat for Humanity and selling Superbowl Bagel Boxes, the Stop Homelessness project, National MS Society Walk, Domestic Violence Mothers Day Flower Project, Walk F.A.R. with NAAR (National Alliance for Autism Research), Shop Israel, and Washington-Israel Media Response Team. The HNT 2002 Israel Affairs Committee was headed by Craig Sternberg. A subcommittee chaired by David Landsman was formed to raise funds for Israeli families seriously injured by suicide bombers. Project Embrace continues today.


 In 2002, USY-USJ projects included WhirleyBall, Passover Paint the Town, 613 Club, P B & J-athon, Winterfest ski trip, disco bowling, backwards day, Mariners, Humane Society visit and more. The Klamath Falls community returned the borrowed HNT Torah and Rabbi Jay Rosenbaum arrived with his wife Janine and children David and Shoshanah. Many welcoming events were held and many new programs were begun, including a Sukkah Building Workshop.

In October, Cantor Joseph Frankel received an Honorary Doctor of Music Degree from the Cantorial Assembly of the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York. Among the family programs at HNT were Listening Mothers, Mishpocha Minyan, and an Israeli-style brunch to honor HNT teachers. To raise shul funds, we were encouraged to use the Albertsons Community Partners Card when buying groceries.

In 2003, HNT members enjoyed the music of the Robin Helzner Trio. Many attended the Havurah Fair to meet their potential Havurah. The Mitzvah Corp headed by Julie Hirsch and Dale Robinson initiated visits to Kline Galland residents who were former HNT members or related to HNT members. This program continues today. Other programs that continue: Ellen Yusim Blood Drive, Swedish SummerRun, Carlebach-style Shabbat services, and helping Congregation Adat Israel in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Among the outstanding speakers in 2003 were Dr. Uzi Arad on terrorism and information, journalist Judy Lash and information, journalist Judy Lash Balint, and author David Klinghoffer. We learned to "Make a Lulav Shake," and enjoy the Lag B'Omer bonfire. Everyone was asked to read the same book. The Men's Club made pizza for 200 at the school fund-raiser pizza party and raffle. Eagle Scout Meir Hammer's project was to clean up the HNT Meditation Park, and the Youth Lounge was spruced up. HNT member Dr. Nancy Kiviat, was honored by the Women's Endowment Foundation of the Jewish Federation on May 30, 2003, and Tzachi Litov was hired in October as Program/Youth Director.

As of 2003, Herzl Memorial Park consisted of lots 51, 54 and 55 for a total of 6.36 acres. Elaine Weinstein replaced John Cohn as head of the cemetery committee, ending 97 years of cemetery leadership by the Cohn family. Johnny's son, Jeff, has blown the shofar at HNT High Holiday services for 33 years. Duplicate High Holiday services were conducted at our HNT sanctuary and the Jewish Community Center in 2003 and valet parking significantly reduced holiday parking problems. The Israel Affairs Committee organized a city-wide "Shop Israel Day," with many Israeli merchants selling their products at HNT. The event was attended by an estimated 2,500 shoppers, with over $130,000 in goods sold. Besides HNT, event sponsors included the Jewish Federation, Tree of Life and numerous other Jewish organizations and congregations. And were you here when "Eggrolls & Latkes & Dreidels, Oh My!!" were served with the movie, Shrek.

In 2004, USJ sponsored Operation Sack Lunch to feed those in need and it also held a car wash for Congregation Adat Israel in Argentina. Among congregants active in Argentine projects were Ricardo Wenger, Drs. Armondo and Diana Lindner, the Manela family, Sam Michel, Dr. Ed Epstein, Fanny Goldman, and many more. New projects in 2004 included Make a Sandwich, Make a Difference; Bonei Gesharim - Building Bridges to Full Employment (50% of the participants were hired within six months); and a Jewish Life Mitzvah Fair. Other notable 2004 programs included author Mimi Sheraton, The Pirates of Shushan, Ten Lawyers Teaching Talmud, Shira By the Shore, Dr. Robert Alter, and speaker Gina Waldman.

Cantor Bradlee Kurland was honored twice in 2004 for serving us for 20 years as Hazzan. In March, 450 people came to celebrate this extraordinary man at the Westin Hotel, and on June 6 at HNT, 400 people came to pay tribute. The Gan K'tan Choir entertained us all. More than 250 tributes were sent by individuals, families and businesses. Also in 2004, Director of Education Joanne Glosser retired after 18 years of dedicated service. Joanne is a community-wide leader, planner and mentor, a true pillar of our synagogue community. Rabbi Rachel Nussbaum was hired as Assistant Rabbi and came to HNT in August, as did new Education Director Melanie Berman. HNT member Susan Matt was selected Women's League Volunteer of the Year for revitalizing Women's League as editor of the Schmooze You Can Use newsletter, connecting 200 Women's League members.

By September 2004, Herb Weisbaum, worked to re-master the HaKol newsletter's masthead to affirm HNT as a place "Where Something Jewish is Always Happening!" The HNT book drive for Kiryat Malachi in the Hof Ashkelon area of Israel yielded 10,500 books sent to 19 schools and libraries.

In 2005, pre-school toys were collected for Netzach Yisrael School in Kiryat Malachi. Other 2005 HNT programs included Make Room for Shabbat, Argentina Film Night, Chanukah gift program for those in need, Sukkah Hop, Alternative Minyan, Men Cooking for Shabbat, Spice Night, Chai Time, and Torah East and West. Our HNT school expanded its Hebrew enrichment program with the goal of building Hebrew fluency, love of the Hebrew language, and a stronger connection with Israel. HNT member George Dunn participated in the FILA World Championships US Masters Wrestling Team, placing 4th.

On January 29, 2005, Cafe Buenos Aires raised $30,000 for HNT and $12,000 for Congregation Adat Israel in Argentina. With 160 attendees sampling Argentinean wines and delicious food, dancing to a 7-piece band, auction bidding, and professional tango dancers, the Feinberg Social Hall was transformed into a beautiful cabaret setting. The evening was vibrant and memorable, thanks to Fanny Goldman, Herb Weisbaum, and many others.

In 2005 and 2006, many speakers came to HNT: New Israel Fund Director Eliezar Yaari, Dr. Robert Stacey, author Eva Etzioni-Halevy, member Dr. Noam Pianko, Rabbi Amy Eilberg, member Dr. Paul Burstein, Dr. Noam Zion, UW Professor Joel Migdal, Dr. David Gordis from UJ, and Paula Begoun, the Cosmetic Cop. We heard the music of the Israel Defense Forces Musical Ensemble and the Strauss/Warschauer Duo "Living Yiddish." There was Klezmer for Kids, and an HNT teen rock band was formed. More sessions of Shira by the Sea were added. Many of us joined the Lecha Dodi Chorus. And with a note of sadness we said goodbye to HNT receptionist Doris Bean, who had worked in the HNT office for 10 years.

Among the many new programs at HNT inspired by Rabbi Rosenbaum and Rabbi Nussbaum, besides Make a Lulav Shake, were Sukkah Hop; Ironmentsch (HNT's summer triathalon series); HNT Next Generation (behind the scene work fueled by Lirit Maslan, an 8 year veteran to HNT as an accounting assistant); outdoor events including hiking, skiing and river-rafting; other events, 1st Fridays @ HNT, Kabbalat Shabbat pre-Oneg refreshments; Shoresh of the Month; Torah Yoga; and others.

Ruz Gulko was honored for 19 years of inspired teaching at HNT and Hadassah honored HNT members Drs. Michael and Wendy Spektor. Camp Solomon Schechter held a Jubilee Celebration honoring its founders, (member Zane Brown, Jr. is head of the camp Board of Directors). Finally, our "oldtimers" (now called "Daytimers") are enjoying a series of programs with lunches and films or speakers.

To celebrate our synagogue's centennial, chaired by Susan Edelheit, Ruth Winston, and Bob Solomon, we began with a wonderful outdoor Festival! attended by over 700 people on September 18, 2005. Our HaKol had its first and only full color cover, and HNT history articles have graced its pages for a year now. Many HNT members participated in the scrapbook project chaired by Dale Robinson and Linda Krisher. The Centennial Gala, on April 2, 2006, was a magnificent evening, raising $750,000 toward the $2,000,000 goal for the endowment fund. In August, we honored our custodian of 25 years, Chhoeuk Soen. This hard working, talented craftsman and cook is known for his legendary kindness, winning smile, and delicious food.

As we come to the close of our final centennial celebration on September 10, 2006, let us rejoice together. May our past inspire our future. L'dor v'dor - 100 years and more.