THIS Mont h h aHodesh AT CHIZUK AMUno CONGREGATION AND SCHOOLS October 2015 | Tishrei-Heshvan 5776
Simhat Torah
Monday evening, October 5 and Tuesday, October 6
Join Me in My Sukkah Extra joy. That’s the best part of Sukkot. The heady, cerebral joy of Rosh HaShanah becomes whole RABBI Debi Wechsler body happiness just a few days later on Sukkot. The extra measure of joy is Biblically mandated as the Torah commands us V‘samahta be hagekha ve hayita akh sameah. “You shall hold the Feast of Booths for seven days … you shall rejoice in your festival … and you shall have nothing but joy.” (Devarim 16: 1315) Nothing but joy is a pretty tall order, but one that Sukkot delivers on with its piney fragrance from the leafy covering, its lemony etrog, its star filled nights, curious visits from neighbors, its spicy stews and onepot dishes, loud chortles from guests, and years of family memories within two and a half walls. Clearly I’m partial, and Sukkot has surpassed Pesah as my favorite Jewish holiday. Sure – the timing could be better, but there’s not much I dislike about Sukkot other than pine needles in my soup. This year my family and I would like to invite you to celebrate my ▶ Continued on page 4
On Simhat Torah, we will conclude reading the Torah and begin reading it anew. The honor of being called to the Torah for the concluding aliyah of the year and the honor of being the first aliyah of the new reading cycle are considered very precious on Simhat Torah. Reflecting the loving relationship of God and the Jewish people through Torah, the congregants called upon for these honors are referred to as Hatan (Groom) Torah and Kallat (Bride) Bereishit.
Warren Gould Hatan Torah After spending 37 years active in the Metro DC Jewish community, Warren moved to Baltimore almost 7 years ago and immediately entrenched himself in life here at Chizuk Amuno. He has served on Brotherhood’s board of directors since 2011 and is especially noted for his tireless work managing Brotherhood’s American Red Cross blood drives. He has increased the frequency from two drives per year up to five or six and garnered recognition from the Chesapeake-Potomac Region of the Red Cross for being the 2013-2014 Blood Drive of the Year. He has engaged and promoted speakers
Ann Betten Kallat Bereishit In 1990, Ann made a career jump from commercial banker to landscape designer. And boy, are we happy she did! Ann has been a member of our House Committee for several years and her contributions to Chizuk Amuno are countless. She designed the entrance feature at Garrison Forest Cemetery and co-designed our newly-dedicated Holocaust Memorial in our courtyard gardens. When it was time to repair the front walk at the chapel entrance, Ann helped the committee turn their ideas into designs on paper. Over the past 3 years, she has been involved with the design and
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Special Congregational Meeting Regarding By-Laws Wednesday, October 28 • 7:15 p.m. At the 144th Annual Congregational Meeting in June, the proposed By-Laws amendments did not receive the required two-thirds votes for adoption. The By-Laws Committee was asked to review the proposals based on questions, suggestions, and comments at the meeting. Three By-Laws amendments are being presented for consideration at this special meeting on October 28. A copy of the proposals will be sent to the congregation. For a complete set of “redlined” By-laws, please contact the synagogue office.