Havurat Ee Shalom

New Leaders Take Helm at Island Congregations

by Paul Rowley
Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber:

Sarah Rubin, the new part-time rabbi of the Havurah, said her fondness of the Pacific Northwest dates back to her childhood. She remembers long summers on Vashon, surrounded by family and friends, and hot days spent at Camp Sealth where she was later a counselor.

“To be in the Jewish community here, it is really an honor,” she said.

Rubin noted that the island resonates with many, often for the same reasons — it’s a wonderful place for children to grow up, with a level of privacy, sense of belonging and way of life that few know anywhere else.

“The Havurah is very much like that: Everybody contributes in whatever way they can, and they know each other very well, support each other and help raise families,” she said. “We’re hoping more [young families] will find their way to the community.”

As a girl, Rubin said her primary education was founded in tradition, but she earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in anthropology, minoring in medical sciences. As part of her research, she excavated human remains at archeological sites in Jerusalem and along the Euphrates River in Turkey to understand burial practices and patterns of arthritis in monks.

Rubin’s research and faith collided as questions about the study’s ethics arose and whether concerns about excavating the dead were warranted.

“There was a certain part of the academic community willing to face that question, but also a large part that said, ‘It’s science for the sake of science,’” she said, adding that she was humbled by those considerations and ultimately drawn back into work among the living.

Peter Rubin, a member of the Havurah with no relation to the rabbi, said Rubin’s compassion distinguished her as they conducted a search for a rabbi to lead services.

“There’s a strong foundation of social generosity in Hebrew,” he said. “There is a principle in Hebrew — Tikkun Olam, meaning ‘repairing the world,’ and so we were looking for a rabbi that could connect with the social change and intentions of the Jewish group here,” he said.

Frankie Gaving – Upcoming February 4th 2019 

In February of 2019, thanks to Kat Eggleston, the iconic Irish fiddler, Frankie Gavin (who was recently honored as Traditional Musician of the Year at the Gradam Ceoil Awards broadcast on Irish Television station TG4.) will perform at the Havurah. Over his distinguished career Frankie has performed all over the world and for four presidents at the White House.

Frankie is one of Ireland`s most iconic fiddle players.  His name is immediately associated with the group De Dannan formed in the 1970s, and who are credited with breaking new ground in Irish traditional music through innovative choices of material and arrangements and a unique style of playing. 

Throughout his musical career Frankie Gavin was fascinated and inspired by the music of those legendary Irish musicians who emigrated to America in the early part of the twentieth century. Giants such as James Morrison, Paddy Killoran and The Flanagan Brothers who left Waterford for New York in 1911. Seventy years later, in 1981, De Dannan released the album Star-Spangled Molly, which included the band’s hit version of the original Flanagan Brothers’ song My Irish Molly-O. The release reawakened massive Irish interest in the music of this bygone era.

Frankie has recorded and played every genre of music from rock and roll with the Rolling Stones to jazz with Stephane Grappelli.  We are thrilled to bring him to the intimate setting of our building.

Don’t miss this incredible performance.

PS, Vashon’s Kat Eggleston has been particularly instrumental in bringing Celtic and traditional Irish musicians to our island, including the dynamic Open the Door for Three trio. 

~~Bart Arenson