All Members help create the Mishkan (sacred vessel) for Shabbat services

We do not have a permanent space of our own, so each Shabbat we must set up and take down all of the elements of our Mishkan: The bima; the siddurim on the chairs; the kippot, tallit, and name tags; the written information about Eitz Or and the Jewish community in Seattle and beyond; and the food service for our oneg.

Because this activity is necessary for us to honor Shabbat, it is a volunteer activity in which all members of Eitz Or participate.

How does it work?

The process for recruiting volunteers for this critical activity is designed to be universal (all participate), inclusive (members have options for more or less strenuous roles), and easy to administer.

Four times per year, member households have an opportunity to sign up for their preferred dates. Members can also select the role they wish to play--as the "primary" setup person, who arranges the ritual, reception, and food service areas, or as a "secondary" helper who brings challot and assists the primary person as they are able.

The Coordinator of Mishkan Eitz Or then arranges the schedule, and assigns other households to any service dates for which there are no volunteers. Once the schedule is set, it is up to the individual household to find a replacement if they are unable to serve on the assigned date.

Reminders, with written setup instructions, are distributed by e-mail to the volunteers during the week before their service date. All of the materials are arranged in labeled boxes, brought to the meeting room by the UUC custodians, who also set up any needed tables and chairs.