The TLC’s motto, “Your Jewish Family in West Seattle,” defines the warm atmosphere it exudes. Its members are a diverse group, consisting of families with children, singles of all ages, and older adults from varied Jewish backgrounds who see the center as a communal home rather than a synagogue.
Founded in 2001 under the leadership of Rabbi Richard Toban of the Seattle Kollel, the Torah Learning Center formed to create a warm, welcoming Jewish community in West Seattle. What began with informal adult education classes and social events meeting in various people’s homes rapidly blossomed into an established institution that serves as a facility to host weekly children’s programs, adult education classes and occasional services.
Upon their arrival in 2004, Rabbi Ephraim and Aliza Schwartz, with their energy and open-home policy, brought the warmth and depth of classic Judaism to West Seattle, offering explanations at the weekly Friday night and Shabbat day services, which always concluded with an invitation to stay for the Shabbat meals.
The traditional holidays are alive and relevant, and are also accompanied with explanations and festivities. No synagogue affiliation is necessary and all are always welcome.
In the summer of 2010, the Schwartzes made aliyah to Israel, and the West Seattle Torah Learning Center has been handed over to Rabbi David and Giti Fredman.
The Fredmans, who have lived in West Seattle since their arrival in the Northwest two years ago, are an engaging, enthusiastic and down-to-earth couple that relate to Jews of all types.
Weekly Shabbat services: Friday night services begin at sundown (with earlier summer hours), and Saturday services begin at 9:30 a.m., with explanatory Torah reading at 10:30 a.m. followed by kiddush lunch. Services held at the address above. There is also a Thursday and Friday morning “

tefillin” minyan at 6:45 a.m., with hopes to expand to other days of the week.
The TLC offers a wide array of Jewish educational programming for adults, including the crash course in Hebrew reading, Jewish history, mysticism and Kabbalah, the Sunday morning breakfast club examining the mitzvot, as well as one-on-one study opportunities to discuss topics of personal interest. In addition, Rebbetzin Fredman always has her ready eyes on trying to be the “matchmaker” for the right two people.
You can still subscribe to the TLC’s weekly e-mail, “Insights and Inspirations,” to keep abreast of the many classes and events, and to become inspired with relevant words of Torah.