FEBRUARY 2017 VOL. 58, NO. 2
Celebrating the New Year of the Trees
FEBRUARY 2017 VOL. 58, NO. 2
SUPPORTED BY AN ENDOWMENT FROM LIBBY AND MELVIN MANDEL
In This Issue For Everything There Is a Season..........................................................3 President’s Column..............................................................................4 “This Is Hunger” Exhibit and Event........................................................5 “Lawyers Without Rights: Jewish Lawyers in Germany Under the Third Reich” Exhibit and Event.............................................6 Happy New Year from Israel................................................................ 7 Sharing WHC’s History with Reform Judaism’s Future...........................8 Congregational Conversations: Our Relationship to Israel......................9 Nominees Sought for WHC’s Avodah Honors.......................................9 Tikkun Olam’s Littlest Hands.............................................................. 10 Amram Scholar Series Examines American Jewish Conflict Over Israel with Dov Waxman...............................................11 February Calendar............................................................................. 12 B’nei Mitzvah.................................................................................... 14 Life Cycle........................................................................................... 15 WHC Programs & Events in February................................................. 16 Contributions.....................................................................................20 Connecting to Our Community: Introducing the Samuel Burtoff, MD Streaming Support Fund..................................................................... 21
Washington Hebrew Congregation Clergy
M. Bruce Lustig, Senior Rabbi Susan N. Shankman, Rabbi Aaron Miller, Associate Rabbi Joseph A. Skloot, Assistant Rabbi Mikhail Manevich, Cantor Susan R.A. Bortnick, Cantor Joshua O. Haberman, Rabbi Emeritus
Senior Staff – Education
DJ Schneider Jensen, Director of the Edlavitch-Tyser ECC Fran Miller, Director of the Rabbi Joseph Weinberg ECC Ira Miller, Director of Informal Education Stephanie Tankel, Director of Religious Education
Senior Staff – Administration
Steven Jacober, Executive Director Miriam Feffer, Director of Development Lindsay Fry Feldman, Director of Member Services Naomi Abelson Gohn, Director of Temple Programs & TOV Mohan Mistry, Director of Engineering & Maintenance Stephen Stoupa, Director of Finance Susan J. Hanenbaum, Executive Director Emerita
Officers
David Astrove, President Nell Shapiro, First Vice President Mark Director, Vice President Richard Newman, Vice President Jeffrey Weiss, Vice President Andrew H. Marks, Treasurer Carrie Coonin, Assistant Treasurer Janet Katz, Secretary Deborah Goldman, Assistant Secretary Lewis Wiener, General Counsel
Board of Directors Joan Adoff Rochelle Behrens Ellen R. Berlow Sharon Jaffe Dan Brian D. Friedman Susan B. Gerson Diane Cutler Green Jonathan Greenblatt Jessica Pearlman Isen Anne Lackritz Andrew Lazerow Karen Leder
Past Presidents
Leonard I. Abel David R. Berz Stuart L. Bindeman Earl M. Colson Meg Jacobs Flax Jay W. Freedman Susan J. Hanenbaum
Jeremy London William Miller David Oblon Stephanie Posner Steven A. Robins Lynn Sachs Cathy Zeman Scheineson Melissa Schwartz Aaron W. Stopak Richard Sussman Kimberly Wachen Dan Werner
Sherry Bindeman Kahn Richard D. Kaufmann Hank D. Levine Kenneth L. Marks Paul J. Mason John M. Nannes
Lauren S. Racoosin Froma Sandler Bob M. Shapiro David A. Vise Richard M. Young Peter L. Winik
Auxiliary Presidents & Contacts
2239: Valerie Hillman The Boomers: Jeanne Flemming Brotherhood: Alan Singer Couples Club: Kim & Brian Cooper, Chris McCannell & Ven Neralla EmptyNesters: Joan Adoff Prime Timers: Phyllis Belford, Sandy Grant Sisterhood: Sandy Nesbit WHECTY: Blayne Schenk
We Can Be Reached
Temple Office ........................................ 202-362-7100 (M-Th: 9:00 am – 5:30 pm; F: 8:30 am – 4:00 pm) Weekends/After Hours ...........................202-895-6341 Temple Fax ..............................................202-537-1091 Julia Bindeman Suburban Center ............ 301-279-7505 Julia Bindeman Suburban Center Fax ..... 301-354-3200 Listen In .................................................202-895-6333 Live Streaming of Services......streaming.whctemple.org Website .................................................whctemple.org
Page 2 | WHC Journal – February 2017
Jennifer Millstone, Editor, jmillstone@whctemple.org The Washington Hebrew Congregation Journal (Permit No. 4240) is published monthly by Washington Hebrew Congregation. Send address changes to 3935 Macomb Street NW, Washington, DC 20016.
For Everything There Is a Season Steve Jacober, Executive Director
sjacober@whctemple.org 202-895-6310
E
very year, the four seasons provide a steady barometer that helps us mark the passage of time. And while there are certainly anomalies, such as that surprise snowstorm or torrential rain, the predictability of this change acts as a guide for our daily, personal lives. At Temple, this seasonal cycle is enhanced with special guideposts: the celebration of Shabbat, the observance of the holidays, and the occurrence of life cycle events. These experiences bring us together as members of the WHC family. We share the joy of Jewish life; support one another through times of loss; remember the poignancy of our past; dream together for a bright future for ourselves and our families; and work, shoulder to shoulder, to make the world a better place.
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a difference, no matter what our professional role. Our clergy, as our spiritual leaders, provide pastoral support to the Congregation on a daily basis; they teach us the tenets of our faith and apply them to today’s reality. They lead us in prayer and guide us on the path to become better people. With over 1,000 children in our Religious School and Early Childhood Centers, our teachers nurture our youth and prepare them for the future by providing them with the religious, ethical, and moral basics they will need as Jewish adults. Our maintenance staff tends to our facilities, grounds, and even us every day – sometimes nearly 24 hours a day. Our administrative staff supports all of these activities through careful planning and oversight, ensuring that our Temple community has both the resources necessary to fulfill our sacred mission and the security in which to operate. And all of this is overseen by our dedicated lay leaders and Board of Directors.
We aim to serve. We strive for excellence. We seek to make a difference, no matter what our professional role.”
Day in and day out, Washington Hebrew provides everyone with an opportunity to participate in community. Whether it is through prayer, learning, or tikkun olam, WHC embraces the aspirations of our people and strives to transform them into a meaningful reality. The entire Temple staff approaches the task of building a framework for our programs and services with dedication, delight, and diligence. We are a spiritual, educational, and social home for Reform Jews in the Washington, D.C. region and a powerful voice for the values of our faith in our community, nation, and world.
Our Congregation is as welcoming and intimate as it is broad and diverse, and we offer programming for every stage of the life cycle, season, and lifestyle. Our long and rich history reflects both our deep sense of tradition and our commitment to continuous progress with the passage of time. In all things, we seek to provide a caring and inclusive community that encourages the exploration of Judaism and the deepening of faith. Year after year, we plant the seeds of Judaism. We tend to and nurture these seeds as they blossom and grow. We enjoy the fruits of our labor as we sustain the future of our faith and culture. We aim to serve. We strive for excellence. We seek to make
Working together to sustain the WHC family, each of these constituencies plays a crucial role in supporting Washington Hebrew Congregation’s future. No detail is too large or too small. As we celebrate the Congregation’s 165th anniversary, we are envisioning the challenges and opportunities for the next generation. With a remarkable appreciation for our past, our focus on the present, and our aspirations for tomorrow, WHC is here for you. In the book of Ecclesiastes, it is written, “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born and a time to die … a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance … a time to keep silent and a time to speak … a time for war and a time for peace.“ In this season of renewed vitality, let us all join together to celebrate the joyous times, take comfort in times of struggle, and turn our challenges into opportunities. WHC’s clergy, staff, and leadership invite you to stand tall with us as we await the first shoots of spring, walk through the seasons of the year, and experience the joys of Judaism in our vibrant Temple community. WHC Journal – February 2017 | Page 3
President’s Column David M. Astrove
A
s members of Washington Hebrew Congregation, we are entitled to so many benefits. We receive tickets to High Holy Day Services, enroll our children in Religious School, and have WHC clergy officiate at life cycle events. According to the 2015-2016 Annual Report, many of us are indeed enjoying these benefits: total attendance for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services was nearly 17,000; our Religious School had almost 900 of our children enrolled; and our clergy officiated at 102 B’nei Mitzvah, 32 weddings, and 25 baby namings for us. Washington Hebrew Congregation is also the place we gather for annual social justice opportunities including Mitzvah Day, MLK Shabbat and Day of Service, and Sunday Stuffing; and to learn at Amram Scholar Series lectures and in WHC Academy classes. Add-in the many special events that take place each year and ongoing opportunities to engage socially, and you can easily fill your calendar. No one can take advantage of everything, but it is important to so many of us that WHC offers these opportunities and to know they are available to us just because we are members of this historic Congregation.
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President@whctemple.org 202-895-6301
responsibility we have to take care of others in our community who are in need. Whether you’ve prepared meals or sorted donated clothing, you know how good it feels to “do good” with your WHC community. Did you know that WHC membership also offers numerous, wonderful tikkun olam opportunities where you can engage directly with those you help? A few examples include serving on the Caring Committee, where you can connect with members who are home bound, write notes of condolence or congratulations or simply provide a ride to services for your fellow congregant who is a neighbor. You can also read to the children who attend D.C.’s Abram Simon Elementary School; mentor young mothers who are learning to live an independent life with their babies as residents of WHC’s Carrie Simon House; use your professional expertise to assist nonprofit organizations as part of our Minds Matter committee; and more.
What may be less familiar to you are some of the membership benefits that are available on an ad hoc basis if you seek them.”
What may be less familiar to you, however, are some of the membership benefits that are available on an ad hoc basis if you seek them. A prime example is the personal pastoral care our clergy provide. All of our clergy are trained to assist congregants with life issues. It often starts with a phone call, but personal visits at home or in the hospital, meetings at Temple, and discussions can follow. Our clergy can empathize, direct you to services available in the community, and, of course, share insights and advice from a Reform Jewish perspective. All of which may provide comfort and direction at a time of need. As Reform Jews, we are often reminded of the
WHC membership, of course, also affords you the opportunity to join with other congregants and share social experiences as part of one community. These activities include participating in one of our many auxiliary groups; joining WHC’s investment club, Fistful of Shekels; and traveling to Israel on a trip guided by our clergy. When you consider all of these “lesser known” benefits of Temple membership along with the many obvious reasons we affiliate, it is hard to overstate the value that Washington Hebrew Congregation offers its members. I encourage you to take advantage of as much as you can, and if there is any way I can help you enhance your enjoyment of and the benefit you derive from your membership, please let me know. Finally, in addition to experiencing all that WHC offers you today, you can have a voice in how we shape our Continued on page 5
Page 4 | WHC Journal – February 2017
Tikkun Olam
An interactive experience that will challenge your beliefs about who in America struggles with hunger and why.
“This is Hunger” Rolling to Washington Hebrew Congregation
T
he faces of hunger in America are both familiar and hidden from view, yet they are all too real and far too many. This month, we are shining a new light on the issue of hunger and are proud to host “This is Hunger,” an interactive experience on wheels (literally, it’s a big rig!) brought to us by MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger. The 53-foot-long double expandable trailer provides almost 1,000 square feet of interior space, which takes visitors on a voyage of awareness and activism to help them understand the stark reality of hunger in America and spark their commitment to taking action that will help end hunger once and for all.
Throughout the year, we work to feed the hungry in our community — from food packing with the Hunger Project to casserole making at Sunday Stuffing to assembling snack bags at MLK Day of Service and Mitzvah Day. “This is Hunger” will deepen our awareness about the complexities of being hungry, as we learn more about how we can join MAZON in educating the rest of our nation and advocating for change. For more information about “This is Hunger,” please contact Naomi Abelson Gohn at ngohn@whctemple.org or 202-895-6328.
“This is Hunger” is rolling into Temple! February 8 - February 13
Celebrate the opening of “This is Hunger” with us at a community event featuring Rabbi Erin Glazer, Senior Engagement Officer at MAZON, and tikkun olam projects on Friday, February 10 at 7:30 pm at Temple. “This is Hunger” will be at Temple Wednesday, February 8 through Monday, February 13, and we invite you to experience this one-of-a-kind exhibit. Visit our website at whctemple.org/ThisIsHunger to register online for a free timed ticket.
Your hour-long experience inside the trailer will start at a communal table where you will meet — virtually — real people struggling with hunger. As their portraits are projected at each end of the table, you will hear individuals tell their stories — in their own voices and in their own words.
Learn more & reserve future. If you weren’t to attend the January “Visioning” aable free timed ticket for workshop, please join us at Temple on Tuesday March 7 from 7:00 – 9:00 to February participate in the 8 second workshop. - 13 at:
We are seeking everyone’s opinion. Whether you have whctemple.org/ThisIsHunger been a member for 5 months or 5 generations; whether you’ve been an active leader or minimally engaged, your opinion is so valuable to us. You can find more information and sign up online at whctemple.org/Visioning. WHC Journal – February 2017 | Page 5
WHC Journal
Lawyers Without Rights: Jewish Lawyers in Germany Under the Third Reich
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hen Hitler took power in Germany in 1933, he systematically disenfranchised Jewish lawyers, taking away their access to the courts and their right to practice the law. The exhibit “Lawyers Without Rights: Jewish Lawyers in Germany Under the Third Reich,” on display in Kreeger Lobby from February 13 through March 2, captures their story. The idea for the exhibit was conceived in 1998 when an Israeli lawyer asked the regional bar of Berlin for a list of Jewish Lawyers whose licenses had been revoked by the Nazi regime. “The regional bar decided not only to research a list of names but also to try to find out more about the fates behind all those names,” said Axel Filges, past president of the German Federal Bar. “Some were able to leave the country after the Nazis came into power, but very many of them were incarcerated or murder. The non-Jewish German lawyers of those days remained silent. They failed miserably, and so did the lawyers’ organizations. We do not know why.” After the Berlin bar transformed its research into an exhibit, other regional bars began asking whether they could show it and add their own research. “So, like a puzzle, a portrait of the fate of Jewish lawyers in Germany has emerged step by step,” Filges said.
Page 6 | WHC Journal – February 2017
“Lawyers Without Rights” comes to Washington Hebrew in conjunction with the American Bar Association and the German Federal Bar. It has been shown in more than 100 cities in Germany, the United States, and other parts of the world. Learn more at whctemple.org/LawyersWithoutRights. For more information, contact Naomi Abelson Gohn, ngohn@whctemple.org or 202-895-6328.
“LAWYERS WITHOUT RIGHTS” Featured Event
Wednesday, February 22, 7:00 pm at Temple
Film Screening Q&A with Film Producer Sandra Schulberg Reception Free of charge RSVP: whctemple.org/LawyersWithoutRights
WHC Journal
It’s February, so …
Happy New Y ear from Israel
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s you read this, I will be deep into my winter retreat, a week of intense study in Israel as part of a three-year Shalom Hartman Rabbinic Leadership Initiative program, which I began last July. The Hartman program has immersed me in serious study and exposed me to a group of clergy who are both intellectually engaging and diverse in their backgrounds and thinking. The pluralistic framework of the program fosters a vibrant exchange of ideas aimed at integrating learning into rabbis’ ongoing work and creating a community of colleagues uniquely able to elevate the quality of Jewish life. And for me, being in Jerusalem lifts my soul like no other place on earth.
I am excited to offer you the opportunity to learn from some of Hartman’s wonderful scholars right here at WHC when some will join us for a special Congregational Conversations series, “Understanding American and Israeli Relations Today.” You can read more about it on page 9. But why in February am I wishing you a “Happy New Year”? Because February 10 is Tu B’Shvat, the “New Year of the Trees,” a holiday not mentioned in the Bible but referred to in the Talmud. Why a New Year for trees? In regard to trees and their fruit, the Bible tells us, “When you come to the land and you plant any tree, you shall treat its fruit as forbidden; for three years it will be forbidden and not eaten. In the fourth year, all of its fruit shall be sanctified to praise Adonai. In the fifth year, you may eat its fruit” (Leviticus 19:23-25).
So practically, there had to be a date by which we counted the years of a tree’s growth, and the rabbis had to find a way to determine the beginning and end of a crop year. They chose the 15th of the month of Shvat, for, in Israel, this is the month when trees awaken from their winter slumber, and their sap begins to run. And biblically, it was only after the fourth year had passed that we could enjoy the fruits of the tree. The concept of letting a tree mature before taking its fruit is still used today in modern agriculture for it protects the tree from damage and allows it to reach its full potential. About 500 years ago, the mystics in Safed turned Tu B’Shvat into a spiritual holiday. It focused on the expulsion of Adam and Eve from the garden for their failure to understand that nature and the earth are not for us to use freely without limit and rules. Adam and Eve were told by God that they could eat from all trees but one, yet they allowed desire to get the better part of them. They used the tree for their own purposes and failed to live in harmony with the limits set upon them. The mystics created a Tu B’Shvat seder as well — modeled on the Passover seder — using seven species that grow in abundance in Israel: wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives, and dates. Eating these fruits of the land and drinking wine in various mixes between red and white, emulating the passage from one season to another, were used to teach us, through object lessons, about our relationship to nature. I encourage you to hold your own Tu B’Shvat seder. You’ll find abundant resources Continued on page 22. WHC Journal – February 2017 | Page 7
Lifelong Learning
Sharing WHC’s History with Reform Judaism’s Future
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rom our central position in the heart of the nation’s capital, Washington Hebrew Congregation’s reach is truly global. Take our Pat and Larry Mann Streaming Initiative, which broadcasts our services around the world. Or our social justice programs, which seek to rectify social ills like hunger and racism across our country. Our reach expanded further this autumn, when I was honored to join the faculty of the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR) as an adjunct lecturer in Jewish history at its New York campus. In doing so, I helped train the future rabbinic leadership of the Reform Movement — rabbinical students who will serve congregations and communities the world over. HUC-JIR is the country’s premier institution of Jewish higher learning. Founded in 1875, it is Reform Judaism’s seminary, intellectual and spiritual center, and the WHC clergy’s alma mater. It’s at HUC-JIR that we began our journeys in Jewish leadership and studied the essential texts and traditions of Judaism. When I received the invitation to teach there, I was, to say the least, profoundly humbled. With the generous support and encouragement of WHC’s Board of Directors and Rabbi Lustig, I accepted the invitation and taught an elective course in the history of Reform Judaism to fourth and fifth year rabbinical students. The Board and Rabbi Lustig readily appreciated that here was an opportunity to raise the profile of WHC with future leaders and to share wisdom gleaned from my experience as one of your rabbis. Further, given the historic nature of our Congregation and its unique position within the Reform Movement, Rabbi Lustig challenged me to use materials from our archives as core texts in the course. (Those of you who have studied with me know how much emphasis I place on the study of primary documents.) Page 8 | WHC Journal – February 2017
To this end, in November, I spent significant time combing through our archives to assemble packets of documents about three important issues in WHC’s history: (1) the development of WHC’s social action program and its relationship to the Reform Movement’s social action efforts in Washington, D.C.; (2) the building of the Julia Bindeman Suburban Center and the suburbanization of American Jewry; and (3) the development of our synagogue schools and the Congregation’s attitude to Jewish Day School education. Students in the course studied these packets in detail and offered presentations on them, and I offered contextual insights. Taken together, the presentations opened them up to new perspectives on the history of Jewish congregational life “on the ground.” Of course, many of the issues raised in the presentations pertain to Jewish life today: the role of political advocacy in congregational life; the relationship between urban and suburban communities; the challenges of educating harried young people Jewishly, to name a few. These presentations, and the packets of documents on which they were based, will become a focal point when I teach an abbreviated version of this course to WHC members in our Monday night WHC Academy. The rabbinical students, in our subsequent discussions, expressed their gratitude to WHC for being able to explore these issues in such detail, and I am grateful to the leadership of WHC for the opportunity to share these archival treasures with them. They will carry the lessons they gleaned in the course with them into their future positions of leadership. And someday, when they are teaching the “History of Reform Judaism” in their communities, it is all but certain that WHC will receive a prominent mention on the syllabus.
WHC Journal
Congregational Conversations Our Relationship to Israel
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onversation is a form of prayer. This idea is the foundation of the Congregational Conversations series — to bring us together in an open and honest dialogue, to bridge our differences, and to build a stronger community. At this critical time, we have reinstated our Congregational Conversations series to open a discussion on our relationship to Israel. We believe education and dialogue will be crucial in enabling us to meet the challenges American Jewry and Israel face in the years ahead. Join us for a series of Keynotes, Conversations, and seminars.
Keynote:
Wednesday, February 15, 7:00 pm at Temple David Makovsky, the Ziegler distinguished fellow at The Washington Institute and director of its Project on the Middle East Peace Process, will deliver this Keynote. Mr. Makovsky is also an adjunct professor in Middle East studies at Johns Hopkins University’s Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). In 2013-2014, he worked in the Office of the U.S. Secretary of State, serving as a senior advisor to the Special Envoy for Israeli-Palestinian Negotiations.
Keynote: Monday, March 13, 7:00 pm at Temple Yossi Klein Halevi of Israel’s Shalom Hartman Institute will discuss “Balancing Self-Preservation and other Moral Values,” transforming a conversation that is often about advocacy to one about values.
Congregational Conversations@WHC Academy: Mondays, beginning April 24, 7:15 pm at Temple Join Stephanie Tankel as she introduces us to the Shalom Hartman Institute’s iEngage program — a multimedia curriculum that affords American Jews the opportunity to study with some of the finest minds in Israel. This three-session “taste of” iEngage will focus on three core issues: “Foundations of a New Relationship with Israel”; “A Shared Homeland for a Divided People”; and “Jewish Values and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict.” For more information about Congregational Conversations, visit whctemple.org/CongregationalConversations or contact Layne Weiss, lweiss@whctemple.org or 202-895-6307.
Nominees Sought for WHC Avodah Honors
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ashington Hebrew Congregation’s Avodah Honors Awards will again be presented at our Annual Meeting on Monday, June 5 to members of the Congregation selected in recognition of their service within our Temple and the greater Washington community. The interpretation of avodah is “good deeds in the form of service and work.” What better time could there be to honor those among us who provide such unselfish service than at our Annual Meeting, when we focus on the accomplishments of the Congregation?
We ask you, our congregants, to recommend individuals to be considered for this honor. Because our Congregation is truly blessed with many deserving individuals, some of the names submitted will be considered for a future awards ceremony. Please note that past presidents, Temple staff, and employees will be honored at occasions other than the Avodah Awards ceremony. Please submit your recommendations for honorees by Wednesday, April 1 to the attention of the Avodah Committee at Temple, 3935 Macomb St. NW, Washington, DC 20016, or by email to mthompson@whctemple.org. Kindly include your name, telephone number, and email address, along with the nominee’s name, telephone number, and their contribution to our Congregation and/or the Washington community. Please be as specific as possible about your nominee, who must be a Temple member, with a focus on that individual’s commitment as a volunteer in the Congregation and in the wider community. WHC Journal – February 2017 | Page 9
Tikkun Olam
Littlest Hands
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n December, the RJWECC and WHC Kindergarten held their annual Hanukkah celebration with families, lighting the hanukkiyah, eating sufganiyot, and singing songs. In the spirit of tikkun olam, the children and their families participated in a program with Second Chance Toys that gave their old plastic toys a new life with children in need. The children donated more than 200 of their own gently loved toys for this effort. With a little help from their families, they cleaned each one, making them look as good as new. They also decorated and tied a gift card onto each toy, which was then on its way as a gift to a child in need. Given the nature of plastics, toys like the ones donated by the RJWECC and WHC Kindergarten families typically show little sign of wear. However, when children grow out of or lose interest in them, the toys — after gathering dust in a forgotten corner or closet — often end up in a landfill where, being non-biodegradable, they remain. A key element of the ECC’s curriculum is the environment. By giving their plastic toys a new life with new families and helping Mother Earth by keeping them out of landfills, these little mitzvah makers experienced first-hand the joy and importance of tikkun olam. The RJWECC’s partnership with Second Chance Toys, now in its third year, demonstrates how even our youngest community members can do so much to help others and the world they will inherit.
Page 10 | WHC Journal – February 2017
Lifelong Learning
Amram Scholar Series Examines American Jewish Conflict Over Israel
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t a time of shifting United States policy regarding Israel and its settlements, the Amram Scholar Series presents Professor Dov Waxman to discuss his latest study, Trouble in the Tribe: The American Jewish Conflict Over Israel, at 10:30 am on Sunday, February 26. A scholar of political science, international affairs, and Israel studies at Northeastern University and co-director of its Middle East Center, Professor Waxman says, “Israel is fast becoming a source of disunity for American Jewry, and that a new era of American Jewish conflict over Israel is replacing the old era of solidarity.” Drawing on a wealth of in-depth interviews with American Jewish leaders and activists, he finds that “more than ever before, American Jews are arguing about Israeli policies, and many, especially younger ones, are becoming uncomfortable with Israel’s treatment of Palestinians.” Less willing to offer uncritical support, growing numbers of American Jews are publicly willing to criticize the Israeli government. Since the election of Donald Trump and his naming David Friedman to serve as U.S. ambassador to Israel — a friend and lawyer who does not endorse a two-state solution to securing peace with the Palestinians — the level of conflict within the American Jewish community has only intensified.
Professor Waxman, who was born in London and educated at Oxford University and The Johns Hopkins University, is also the author of The Pursuit of Peace and the Crisis of Israeli Identity and the co-author of Israel’s Palestinians: The Conflict Within. In a starred review, “Kirkus” describes his newest book as a “meticulous, precise, well-organized survey that takes into account the many different views and will certainly facilitate the heated conversation.” This Amram Scholar Series lecture is presented in partnership with the Jewish Book Council.
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Summer 2017 and School 2017–2018
Toddlers – Kindergarten
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WHC Journal – February 2017 | Page 11
February 2017 Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
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10:00am Back to Basics (B) 4:00pm Continuing Ed. for ECC (B) 4:30pm Hebrew School (M) 6:00pm JAM Rehearsal (M) 6:30pm WHECTY’s 7 Days/7 Dinners (OUT) 7:00pm Back to Basics (B) 7:30pm Kol Rinah Rehearsal (B)
9:30am Religious School (M&B) 9:45am Divorcing with Dignity (M) 11:00am WHECTY: Capitals vs. Kings (OUT)
9:30am Religious School (M&B) 5:30pm Boomers’ Night at the Movies (M) 5:30pm Confirmation Program (OUT)
No Religious School (M&B)
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12
6
10:00am Conversational Hebrew: Beginning (M) 7:15pm WHC Academy (M)
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“Lawyers Without Rights” Exhibit Opens at Temple
Final Day: Mazon’s “This is Hunger” 10:00am Conversational Hebrew: Beginning (M) 5:30pm Florida Reunion Concert & Reception (OUT) 7:15pm WHC Academy (M)
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Presidents’ Day ECCs Closed (M&B) Offices Open (M&B)
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10:00am Conversational Hebrew: Beginning (M)
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9:30am Religious School (M&B) 9:45am Divorcing with Dignity (M) 10:00am 9th Grade: U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum (OUT) 10:30am Amram Scholar Series Lecture with Dov Waxman (M) 12:00pm ETY Beach Bash (M) 1:00pm WHC Hunger Project (B) Page 12 | WHC Journal – February 2017
10:00am Conversational Hebrew: Beginning (M) 7:00pm 12JQ (M) 7:15pm WHC Academy (M)
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7
10:00am Sisterhood Meeting (B) 4:00pm Continuing Ed. for ECC (M) 4:30pm Hebrew School (B) 6:00pm JAM Rehearsal (B) 6:30pm WHECTY Board Meeting (B) 7:00pm Back to Basics (M)
14
4:00pm Continuing Ed. for ECC (M) 4:30pm Hebrew School (B) 6:00pm JAM Rehearsal (B) 7:00pm Back to Basics (M) 7:00pm The Red Stone (M)
4:00pm Continuing Ed. for ECC (M) 4:30pm Hebrew School (B) 6:00pm JAM Rehearsal (B) 6:30pm Pre-Confirmation and Confirmation (M) 7:00pm Back to Basics (M)
4:00pm Continuing Ed. for ECC (M) 4:30pm Hebrew School (B) 6:00pm JAM Rehearsal (B) 6:30pm Confirmation (B) 7:00pm Back to Basics (M)
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8
Mazon’s “This is Hunger” Exhibit Opens at Temple 10:00am Back to Basics (B) 4:00pm Continuing Ed. for ECC (B) 4:30pm Hebrew School (M) 6:00pm JAM Rehearsal (M) 7:00pm Back to Basics (B) 7:30pm Community Issues/Social Action Meeting (M) 7:30pm Kol Rinah Rehearsal (B) 10:00am Back to Basics (B) 4:00pm Continuing Ed. for ECC (B) 4:30pm Hebrew School (M) 6:00pm JAM Rehearsal (M) 7:00pm Back to Basics (B) 7:00pm Wise Aging (M)
15
22
10:00am Back to Basics (B) 4:00pm Continuing Ed. for ECC (B) 4:30pm Hebrew School (M) 6:00pm JAM Rehearsal (M) 7:00pm Back to Basics (B) 7:00pm “Lawyers Without Rights” Opening Event (M) 7:30pm Kol Rinah Rehearsal (B)
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B: Julia Bindeman Suburban Center
M: Temple
OUT: Not at a WHC location
Thursday
Friday
2
10:00am Conversational Hebrew: Intermediate/ Advanced (B) 11:15am Conversational Hebrew: Beginning (B)
10:00am Sisterhood Literary Group (B) 10:30am Sisterhood Mah Jongg (B) 5:00pm Tot Shabbat Family Dinner (B) 7:00pm NFTY-MAR Overnight (B)
Saturday
3
9
10
10:30am Sisterhood Mah Jongg (B) 4:00pm 8th Grade Retreat (OUT through Sunday) 4:00pm Post Confirmation Retreat (OUT through Sunday) 7:00pm Mazon’s “This is Hunger” Community Event (M)
16
NFTY Convention (OUT through Monday) 10:30am Sisterhood Mah Jongg (B)
17
Services: 5:30pm Lay Led Service (M) 6:00pm Shabbat Service (M)
23
10:00am Conversational Hebrew: Intermediate/ Advanced (B) 11:15am Conversational Hebrew: Beginning (B)
10:30am Sisterhood Mah Jongg (B) 5:30pm Tot Shabbat Family Dinner (M) Services: 5:00pm Tot Shabbat (M) 5:30pm Lay Led Service (M) 6:00pm Shirei Service (M) 6:15pm 2239’s Metro Minyan (OUT) 6:30pm Family Shabbat Service (B)
Tu B’Shvat
11
Services: 9:00am Early Torah (M) 10:30am Shabbat Service (M) 5:30pm Afternoon Service and Havdalah (M) Bat Mitzvah of Isabelle Schiff
Services: 5:30pm Lay Led Service (M) 6:00pm Pollin Music Shabbat Service Featuring Cathedra Choir (M) 10:00am Conversational Hebrew: Intermediate/ Advanced (B) 11:15am Conversational Hebrew: Beginning (B)
4
Services: 9:00am Early Torah (M) 10:30am Shabbat Service (M) B’nei Mitzvah of Samuel Segal and Austin Vinner 5:30pm Afternoon Service and Havdalah (M)
Services: 5:30pm Lay Led Service (M) 6:00pm Shabbat Service (M) 6:00pm Tot Shabbat (B) 10:00am Conversational Hebrew: Intermediate/ Advanced (B) 11:15am Conversational Hebrew: Beginning (B)
7:30pm Couples Club Dinner (OUT)
18 Services: 9:00am Early Torah (M) 5:30pm Afternoon Service and Havdalah (M)
24
1:00pm 8th Grade Social Action Day (OUT) 5:00pm Club56 Late Night (B)
25
Services: 9:00am Early Torah (M) 10:30am Shabbat Service (M) Bat Mitzvah of Ellie-Rose Wallach 5:30pm Afternoon Service and Havdalah (M) Bar Mitzvah of Ethan Cohen
WHC Journal – February 2017 | Page 13
Samuel Benjamin Segal February 4, Morning Sam is a seventh grade student at Herbert Hoover Middle School. He is the son of Gretchen & Michael Segal; the brother of Hannah and Emily; the grandson of Nell & Larry Jacobs, Bob & Barb Lechtenberg, and Earl & Susan Segal; and the greatgrandson of Harold Jacobs, Coralie Wetmore, and June Segal.
Austin Elliot Vinner February 4, Morning Austin is a seventh grade student at Cabin John Middle School. He is the son of Lisa Wolff-Vinner & Steven Vinner; the brother of Amanda and Adam; and the grandson of Arline & the late John Wolff and Harriet & the late Perry Vinner.
Isabelle Mara Schiff February 11, Havdalah Isabelle is a seventh grade student at Alice Deal Middle School. She is the daughter of Diane & Andrew Schiff; the sister of Sophie; and the granddaughter of Ruth Cohan, Bobbi & Ed Schiff, and the late Irving Cohan.
Ellie-Rose Wallach February 25, Morning Ellie-Rose is a seventh grade student at the Holton-Arms School. She is the daughter of Melinda & Brian Wallach; the sister of Ethan and Abram; and the granddaughter of Joy Rowe, Mark Broomer, and Susan & Robert Wallach.
Ethan Joshua Cohen February 25, Havdalah Ethan is a seventh grade student at Cabin John Middle School. He is the son of Wendy & Sean Cohen; the brother of Alexa and Olivia; the grandson of Tanja Berkson, David Berkson, and Judy & Ian Cohen; and the great-grandson of David Snider.
Page 14 | WHC Journal – February 2017
Good Food. Good People. Good Conversation. Shabbat Dinner with WHC President David & Debbie Astrove The Astroves invite you to join them in their home for one of their monthly WHC Shabbat dinners. It’s a great way any WHC adult — regardless of current involvement level, length of membership, profession, or life stage — to share their thoughts about and connect over Judaism, Temple life, and more.
Learn more and sign up online: whctemple.org/DinnerWithDavid
Naomi Abelson & Andrew Gohn, on their marriage. Naomi is the daughter of Richard & the late Deborah Abelson, Andrew is the son of Sandy Gohn and Jack Gohn.
Life Cycle
Jan & Robert Fischer, on the engagement of their daughter, Jamie Fischer, to Michael LaCorte, son of Karen & John LaCorte. Jamie is the granddaughter of Herman & the late Ida Kaplan and Eleanor & Leo Fischer. Bea & Bob Langel, on the naming of their grandson, Aaron George Langel (Chayim Nitzahn); and to Aaron’s mother, Sharon Langel. Dana & Michael Rocks, on the birth and naming of their son, Harrison Florenz Rocks (Tzvi Ephraim); and to Harrison’s grandparents, Drs. Roberta Weiss & James Edelstein, Beth Ourisman Glassman & Jim Glassman, and Nicholas P.H. Rocks; and great-grandmother, Betty Joan Kogod Burr. Sharon & Joseph Petrillo, on the naming of their grandson, August “Augie” Meyer Petrillo (Avichai Meir); and to Augie’s parents, Heidi & Justin Petrillo, and maternal grandparents, Ellen & Kurt Sax. Elyssa & Donald Fisher, on the engagement of their daughter, Andrea Fisher, to Matthew Fink; son of Suzy & Marc Fink. Andrea is the granddaughter of Rosalind & Henry Petersohn and Thelma & Bill Fisher; Matthew is the grandson of Katherine Friedman. Wendy Fink & Jon Simon, on the birth and naming of their son, Jake Branson Simon (Chaim); and to Jake’s big sister, Rachel.
Dr. Gerard DeOreo Jr., husband of Joellen DeOreo; father of David DeOreo (Courtney), Daniel DeOreo (Sara), and Matthew DeOreo (Sue); brother of Mary DeOreo (Marc Lackritz); uncle of Anne Lackritz (Victor Pita), Sarah Lackritz (Daniel Levy), and Katherine Lackritz (Peter Dahl). John Engel, husband of Gayle Engel; father of Samuel Engel and Maxwell Engel (Alyssa Walker). Sol Goodman, father of Nancy Silverberg (Robert); grandfather of Jill Wiener (Jeff) and Beth Silverberg; and greatgrandfather of Asher and Meryl Wiener. Ruth Graze, mother of Deborah Graze (Stephen Montgomery), Victoria Graze Topp, and Gregory Graze; eight grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Kolman Kleinbord, husband of Sharon Kleinbord; father of Brian Kleinbord (Deborah) and Heather Ilconich (Dean); grandfather of Adam, Jamie, and Zoe Kleinbord. Liza Oppenheim, daughter of Judith Oppenheim and Stephen Oppenheim; mother of Mataya Oppenheim; sister of Jennifer Oppenheim and Nina McDermott. Burton “Burt” Oranburg, husband of Louise Oranburg; mother of Bruce Oranburg, Tracy Pucket Shirlee Ornstein, mother of Stephen Ornstein, Nancy Ornstein, and Suzy Ornstein Fleming; sister of Betty Joan Burr; grandmother of Alexandra Fleming and Chip Fleming. David Ross, husband of Laurie Ross; father of Jonathan Ross (Karyn), Jeremy Ross (Sarah), and Jennifer Schwartz (Andrew); and eight grandchildren. Kirsten “Kurt” Shanfield, wife of Jonathan Shanfield; mother of Charlie and Will Shanfield; daughter of Dr. Ellengene Peterson and Dr. Michael Rowe. Riva Vizhansky, wife of Abram Vizhansky; mother of Tamara Feldblyum (Boris). WHC Journal – February 2017 | Page 15
In February …
WHC Programs & Events Featured Programs
Special Worship Experiences
MAZON: “This is Hunger”
Tot Shabbat and Family Dinner
Join us for a celebration of the opening of “This is Hunger” with community leaders. This is Hunger is an interactive experience created by MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger, which delves into the reality of hunger in America. Within the truck that houses this mobile exhibit, you’ll sit at the table and meet, virtually, real people struggling with hunger. “This is Hunger” will be at Temple through Monday, February 13.
Our rabbis and song leaders make going to Friday night services a fun, fulfilling event for families with young children — or grandchildren!
Friday, February 10, 7:00 pm at Temple
Registration required (free) whctemple.org/ThisIsHunger Naomi Abelson Gohn: ngohn@whctemple.org, 202-895-6328
Friday, February 3, 5:00 pm Dinner, 6:00 pm Service at the Julia Bindeman Suburban Center Friday, February 24, 5:00 pm Service, 5:30 pm Dinner at Temple
Registration required for dinner only (free) whctemple.org/TotShabbat JBSC – Deb Miller Young: debmilleryoung@whctemple.org Temple – DJ Schneider Jensen: djensen@whctemple.org, 202-895-6360
Florida Reunion: Concert and Reception
Shabbat Featuring Cathedra Choir’s Masterpieces of Contemporary Reform Jewish Music
With winter in full force up north, we invite Florida “snowbirds” and those visiting Florida to join Rabbi Lustig and WHC members in Palm Beach for our annual reunion. Hosted by Elaine and Bill Miller, we look forward to a lovely reception and special concert by Cantor Mikhail Manevich and Cantor Susan Bortnick featuring the music of George and Ira Gershwin.
A Pollin Music Shabbat Friday, February 10, 6:00 pm at Temple
Monday, February 13, 5:30 pm in Palm Beach
Registration required (free) whctemple.org/Florida Miriam Feffer: mfeffer@whctemple.org, 202-895-6312
“Lawyers Without Rights: Jewish Lawyers in Germany Under the Third Reich” Exhibit Monday, February 13 – Thursday, March 2 at Temple
When Hitler took power in Germany in 1933, he systematically disenfranchised Jewish lawyers, taking away their access to the courts and their right to practice the law. The exhibit “Lawyers Without Rights” traces how Hitler stripped away individual rights and chronicles the ensuing silence from members of the legal profession.
whctemple.org/LawyersWithoutRights Naomi Abelson Gohn: ngohn@whctemple.org, 202-895-6328
Nuremberg: Its Lesson for Today Screening, Discussion, and Reception Wednesday, February 22, 7:00 pm at Temple
This special event opens the exhibition of “Lawyers Without Rights.” Producer Sandra Schulberg will join us at WHC for a screening of her film, Nuremberg: Its Lesson for Today [The Schulberg/Waletzky Restoration], a discussion, and a reception.
This highly skilled ensemble of professional singers at Washington National Cathedral is under the artistic leadership of Maestro Michael McCarthy. They are dedicated to bringing the highest form of expression to music from across the ages, specialize in both the Renaissance and Baroque periods, and are a champion of the modern-day composer. whctemple.org/Pollin Beth Donaldson: bdonaldson@whctemple.org, 202-895-6309
Shirei Shabbat
Friday, February 24, 6:00 pm at Temple
Shirei Shabbat (Shabbat of Songs) is a spiritual, musical, and uplifting way to end your week. With upbeat tunes, some new music, and more English, this monthly Shabbat service is certain to engage and delight.
whctemple.org/Worship Beth Donaldson: bdonaldson@whctemple.org, 202-895-6309
CATHEDRA CHOIR A Pollin Music Shabbat Masterpieces of Reform Jewish Music
Registration preferred (free) whctemple.org/LawyersWithoutRights Naomi Abelson Gohn: ngohn@whctemple.org, 202-895-6328
Friday, February 10 6:00 pm at Temple Page 16 | WHC Journal – February 2017
In February …
WHC Programs & Events Special Worship Experiences
2239’s Metro Minyan
Friday, February 24, 6:15 pm at an outside location
This Shabbat evening for Young Professionals begins with “A Shot of Torah,” an opportunity to study the weekly Torah portion and dive into some Jewish discussion. The guitar-led, come-as-you-are service starts at 7:00 pm and is followed by dinner. Registration required ($) whctemple.org/2239 Valerie Hillman Bluestein: vhillman@whctemple.org
Family Shabbat Service
Friday, February 24, 6:30 pm at the Julia Bindeman Suburban Center
We invite you and your family to join us for an opportunity to pray, reflect, and welcome Shabbat. This participatory, multigenerational service led by our clergy and songleader Audrey Katz provides a perfect opportunity for students to put their Hebrew learning into practice.
A Night on the Town with
Couples Club
Saturday, February 4
730 pm at Macon Bistro & Larder 5520 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC
$61/person
featuring a special four-course dinner
RSVP: whctemple.org/CouplesClub
whctemple.org/Worship Jonathan Honigman: jhonigman@whctemple.org, 301-354-3223
Lifelong Learning
Tikkun Olam
Amram Scholar Series Presents: Dov Waxman
Wednesday, February 8, 7:30 pm at Temple
Trouble in the Tribe: The American Jewish Conflict Over Israel Sunday, February 26, 10:30 am at Temple
Community Issues/Social Action Meeting Join committee members for an in-depth discussion of social action issues and to plan social justice and interfaith relationship-strengthening events/activities.
whctemple.org/CISA Layne Weiss: lweiss@whctemple.org, 202-895-6307
WHC Hunger Project
Sunday, February 26, 1:00 pm at the Julia Bindeman Suburban Center
One in eight D.C. households doesn’t have access to enough food. Spend a few hours with us measuring and packaging ingredients for meals and make an immediate impact for people right here in the D.C. metro area. This is a wonderful way to teach tikkun olam to children and grandchildren. SSL hours are available.
Registration required (free) whctemple.org/HungerProject hungerproject@whctemple.org, 202-362-7100
Dov Waxman, a professor of political science, international affairs, and Israel Studies at Northeastern University, joins us to discuss his new book Trouble in the Tribe: The American Jewish Conflict Over Israel. In a fundamental shift, growing numbers of American Jews have become less willing to support Israel unquestioningly and more prepared to publicly criticize its government. Trouble in the Tribe explores the increasingly contentious place of Israel in the AmericanJewish community as American Jews are arguing about Israeli policies more than ever before and voicing discomfort with Israel’s treatment of Palestinians.
whctemple.org/Amram Layne Weiss: lweiss@whctemple.org, 202-895-6307
12 Jewish Questions
Monday, February 27, 7:00 pm at Temple
This (re)introduction to adult-level Judaism is a learning community for adults — Jewish and non-Jewish — who have questions about Jewish identity, beliefs, and customs.
Registration required ($) whctemple.org/12JQ Marsha Humphries: mhumphries@whctemple.org, 202-895-6303
WHC Journal – February 2017 | Page 17
In February …
WHC Programs & Events Lifelong Learning
WHC Academy: Spring II From Tablet to Scroll to Codex and Back Again: The History of the Jewish Book Mondays, February 27, 7:15 pm at Temple
Since antiquity, Jews have been known as the “people of the book.” In this course, we will explore how and why this association emerged. Further, we will try to understand how certain key books — both their form and content — have shaped Jewish culture. Indeed, many central events of Jewish history have revolved around the production, dissemination and interpretation of the written word: the Hadrianic persecutions, the emergence of Christianity, the Maimonidean controversy, the birth of printing, the spread of the Enlightenment and mysticism, and the digital revolution, to name a few. No previous knowledge of Jewish history is required, only a willingness to read and discuss the key texts together.
Registration required ($) whctemple.org/WHCAcademy Marsha Humphries: mhumphries@whctemple.org, 202-895-6303
Opportunities for Adults to Engage
Sisterhood Literary Group: A Bride for One Night
Discussion facilitated by Rabbi Aaron Miller Friday, February 3, 10:00 am at the Julia Bindeman Suburban Center
Author Ruth Calderon has rewritten Talmudic tales as richly imagined fictions, drawing us into the lives of characters like the woman who risks her life for a sister suspected of adultery; a humble schoolteacher who rescues his village from drought; and a wife who dresses as a prostitute to seduce her pious husband in their garden. Registration preferred (free) whctemple.org/Sisterhood Susan Adland: sfadland@gmail.com
A Night on the Town with Couples Club
Saturday, February 4, 7:30 pm at an outside location
Join Couples Club for an evening in the city. We’ll enjoy an exclusive four-course, prix fixe menu at Macon Bistro & Larder. This meal is $61 per person and includes dinner and a glass of beer or wine. Curious about what we’ll be eating? View a sample menu on our webpage!
Registration required ($) whctemple.org/CouplesClub Marsha Humphries: mhumphries@whctemple.org, 202-895-6303
The Boomers Present: A Very Special Night at the Movies Sunday, February 12, 5:30 pm at Temple
Discover the secret ingredient for laughter when The Boomers present A Very Special Night at the Movies featuring Dough. After the screening, please join us for a light supper. Registration required ($) whctemple.org/Boomers Beth Donaldson: bdonaldson@whctemple.org, 202-895-6309
Page 18 | WHC Journal – February 2017
Discover the Secret Ingredient to Laughter as The Boomers Present...
A Very Special Night at the Movies
Sunday, February 12, 530 pm at Temple $18 per person; deli supper following screening
RSVP at whctemple.org/Boomers
For Youth
7 Days/7 Dinners
Wednesday, February 1, 6:30 pm at a location to be announced
Throughout the year, we’re hosting seven dinners — each on a different day of the week. Some evenings are just dinner and others will include conversation and a program. Come to one evening or come to them all! Registration required ($) whctemple.org/WHECTY Ira Miller: imiller@whctemple.org, 301-354-3209
NFTY-MAR East West Sleepover
Friday, February 3, 7:00 pm at the Julia Bindeman Suburban Center
Learn more about NFTY-MAR and meet kids from Eastern and Western Subregions (DC, Maryland suburbs, Northern Virginia) as we come together for a fun night of programming and preparation for “TheVent.” Open to 8th–12th graders. Registration required ($) whctemple.org/WHECTY Ira Miller: imiller@whctemple.org, 202-354-2309
Washington Capitals Game
Sunday, February 5, 11:00am departure from Temple
Get ready to root for the Caps as they take on the Los Angeles Kings! We will return to Temple after the game between 3:00 and 3:30 pm. This event is open to all 8th – 12th graders.
Registration required ($) whctemple.org/WHECTY Ira Miller: imiller@whctemple.org, 301-354-3209
In February …
WHC Programs & Events For Youth
8th Grade Retreat
Friday, February 10 – Sunday, February 12 at Capital Camps
WHC Retreats provide students with intensive weekends to learn, make friends, and have amazing experiences along with their classmates. Each retreat has its own theme, programming, and activities. Retreats take place at nearby camps and are a highlight of the Pre-Confirmation experience at Washington Hebrew Congregation.
Registration required (fee included in Religious School tuition) whctemple.org/PreConfirmation Ira Miller: imiller@whctemple.org, 301-354-3209
Post Confirmation Retreat
Friday, February 10 – Sunday, February 12 at Capital Camps
Relive your retreat memories and create new ones by participating in our first ever Post Confirmation Retreat. In addition to all of the fun of a regular retreat weekend, we will be joined by Josh Warhit of StandWithUs, an international nonprofit Israel education organization. StandWithUs is dedicated to educating people of all ages about Israel and to combating the extremism and anti-Semitism that often distorts the issues.
9th Grade Trip to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum Sunday, February 26, 10:00 am at an outside location
Our 9th graders will make a special visit to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum to learn real life, modern day lessons that can be applied from the Holocaust.
Registration required (free) whctemple.org/PreConfirmation Ira Miller: imiller@whctemple.org, 301-354-3209
Beach Bash with ETY
Sunday, February 26, 12:00 pm at Temple
Take off your jacket, put on a lei, and get ready to experience summer in the middle of winter at the ETY Beach Bash! We’ll spend the afternoon having some (indoor) fun in the sun as our games transport us to warmer weather. Registration required ($) whctemple.org/ETY Debbie Letter: dletter@whctemple.org, 301-354-3217
Registration required ($) whctemple.org/PostConfirmation Ira Miller: imiller@whctemple.org, 301-354-2309
NFTY Convention
Friday, February 17 – Monday, February 20 in Chicago, Illinois
NFTY Convention welcomes Jewish teens and adults invested in their future to Chicago over President’s Day Weekend for a high-energy four-day event. There will be a roster of amazing speakers and musicians; opportunities to network, learn, and be inspired; and an inter-generational Shabbat experience.
Registration required ($) whctemple.org/WHECTY Ira Miller: imiller@whctemple.org, 202-354-2309
Envision Our Future
175
8th Grade Social Action Day
Saturday, February 25, 1:00 pm at A Wider Circle
Spend a few hours volunteering at A Wider Circle, a Montgomery County-based organization which seeks to end poverty in our community. A Wider Circle works to ensure that every child and adult has the chance to succeed and the opportunity to live well. Students can earn SSL/community service hours for their participation.
Registration required (fee included in Religious School tuition) whctemple.org/PreConfirmation Ira Miller: imiller@whctemple.org, 301-354-3209
Late Night with Club 56
Saturday, February 25, 5:00 pm at the Julia Bindeman Suburban Center
Join us for a night of fun games and adventures!
Registration required ($) whctemple.org/Club56 Debbie Letter: dletter@whctemple.org, 301-354-3217
Your input can help shape our future! WORSHIP SOCIAL ACTION EDUCATION SOCIAL LIFE COMMUNITY LIFE CYCLE EVENTS FINANCIAL SUPPORT
We want to hear your ideas
Come to a group discussion with our extended WHC family — members, non-menbers, ECC parents, and 2239ers — and share what is important to you now and what you’d like to see in the future.
Join us!
TUESDAY, MARCH 7, 7:00 – 9:00 pm at Temple Learn more and register: whctemple.org/Visioning Questions? Contact Lindsay Fry Feldman, lfeldman@whctemple.org or 202-895-6321
WHC Journal – February 2017 | Page 19
Contributions
H. Max & Jodie and Stephen C. Ammerman Performing Arts Fund
Donor In Honor of: Andrew Ammerman Birth of Aisley Kelleher Oliver Rhoda Herman’s Birthday Rosa Pedrajas’ Birthday Lisa Ammerman’s Birthday Julie Morgan McCoart’s Birthday Joyce A. Scott’s Birthday Sam Judson’s Birthday Phyllis Kasnett’s Birthday Donor In Memory of: Andrew Ammerman Charles I. Petschek
Amram Sunday Scholar Series Endowment Fund
Donor The David Aronow Foundation
Lillian & Alfred Bennett Fine Arts Endowment Fund
Donor Yvette Kraft
In Memory of: William Christenberry
Julia & Jack Bindeman Fund
Donor Mr. & Mrs. Stuart Bindeman
In Memory of: William Bindeman
Jane Burka Sisterhood Leadership Fund
Donor The Amer Family Kathy & Jody Dreyfuss Sandra Kouzel
In Memory of: Mildred Kern Joseph Dreyfuss Muriel Dreyfuss Max Blume Stella Steinthal Rose Kouzel
Dr. Edward A. & Mildred B. Cafritz Prayer Book Fund
Donor Mr. & Mrs. James Cafritz Rae & Jeffrey Mohr
In Memory of: Dr. Edward A. Cafritz Mildred Cafritz Shirlee Ornstein Ruth W. Hurwitz
Cantorial & Concert Fund
Donor Jennifer Levin Donor In Honor of: Karen & Bob Silverman Alane & Gene Youngentob’s Anniversary Barbara Herman’s Special Birthday Donor In Memory of: Sandra Sherman & Ronald Edlavitch Pauline Berliner Sophia Fleischer Shirlee Kogod Ornstein Marx Eisenman Arthur F. Eisenman Sr. and Arthur F. Eisenman Jr. Susan & Alan Gold William Greenwald Sheila Iseman Dr. Joseph M. Iseman Dan & Jill Ladd Lester Jayson Joyce Sands & Randy Posin Helen Kramer Beverly Rosenblatt Elizabeth Selinger Karen & Robert Silverman & Family Geraldine Pollack Barry & Marilyn Wessler Jack Wessler Paula & Alan Wiseman Rebecca Silverberg
EmptyNesters Fund
Donor Stanley & Joan Adoff Armand Checker
Page 20 | WHC Journal – February 2017
In Memory of: Bessie Adoff Bessie Checker
General Fund
Donor Brian Friedman Joan Greenbaum Matthew McCulloch Allan Sacks Frederick G. Stern Jack & Melissa Vinner Barbara Weinstein Donor In Honor of: Wendy & Sean Cohen Bar Mitzvah of Ethan Joshua Cohen Mr. & Mrs. John Harris Bob Shapiro’s Special Birthday Stacy & Seth King Bar Mitzvah of Benjamin Eichwald King Diane & Andrew Schiff Bat Mitzvah of Isabelle Mara Schiff Gretchen & Michael Segal Bar Mitzvah of Samuel Benjamin Segal Donor In Memory of: The Levick/Alpert Family Marlene Levick Arthur Aronstein Linda Aronstein Susan Berg Paul Wilensky Charles Berman Louis Berman Judith Bernstein Jeanette F. Levin Mr. & Mrs. C. Richard Beyda Daniel C. Beyda Roberta & Leonard Biegel Frances Biegel Rose Gerson William & Shirlee Blanken Faye Blanken Shirlee & Bill Blanken Naomi Vigderhouse Dr. Susan Blumenthal Charles A. Levine Dr. & Mrs. Michael Brody Helene Barnett Carol Burman Arnold S. White Nancy & Ed Colodny Alan Dessoff Grace Dody Donald Dody Lois England Cathy England Marlin & David Feldman Jeanette F. Levin Mr. & Mrs. Steven Feldman Anita Bobys Jeanette F. Levin Louis Fireison Joseph Fireison The Fitterman Family Jennie Fitterman Mr. & Mrs. Samuel Flax Louis Flax Linda & Jay Freedman Sam Freedman Mickey Garfinkel Shirley Garfinkel Joy & Glenn Gastwirth Janette Gastwirth Sylvan Gershowitz Hyman Gershowitz Carl & Nancy Gewirz Rick Hariton David Gilbert Judy Lee Gilbert Catherine Zacks Gildenhorn Carol Sue Zacks Dr. Harold Goald Anna Goald Mr. & Mrs. William L. Goldman Manuel D. Goldman Lillian S. Alberts Sandra Goldstein Leon L. Douglas Marcia & Paul Greenberg Henry Weiss Dr. Stan Lavine Jonathan Greenblatt & Linda Adams Herman Greenblatt Ann Joseph George Jay Joseph Jerome Kaplan Mary Kaplan Mr. & Mrs. Richard Kline Eugene H. Goldstein Nick Kotz Samuel Kotz Ann Lane Isobelle J. Steinberg Mr. & Mrs. Bruce Lane Isobelle J. Steinberg Charla & Steve Lerman Seymour Haber Audrey & David Liebeskind Bertram Strober Dana Jo & Marvin Mermelstein S. Harison Kahn Sam & Jennifer Millstone Jo-Ann Wasserman Mr. Ruben Moller Levi Moller Ruben Moller Ester Moller
General Fund
Donor In Memory of: Bryna & Irwin Monsein Eva Monsein Kaye Mopsik Frank Appleman Sarah Gordon Jim & Ellen Myerberg Julius Myerberg Barbara F. Polansky Murray D. Friedman Keith & Chris Progebin Irving Progebin Francine Progebin Dr. & Mrs. Herbert Rabin Bayla Rozencwajg Mr. & Mrs. Kinsey Reagan & Family Mr. Harry L. Beckman Bert Rein Mark Rein Steven & Ilene Rosenthal Ella Goodman Natalie Rosenthal Carol Schwartz Hilda S. Levitt Herman Schwartz Mark, Lynne, Adam & Evan Schaffer Jennie Schaffer Gail K. Siegel Pauline Berliner Mr. & Mrs. Gary Siegel Theodore Liebowitz Fritz Siegfried Evelyne J. Siegfried Sandford Silverman Elias Silverman Linda Singer Bernice Nineberg Doris E. Slavin Sanford “Sandy Slavin Leslie & Dennis Speisman Stanley Stein Murray Stein Elizabeth Stein Mr. & Mrs. Richard Sugarman Joseph Sugarman Mr. & Mrs. Robert Warsaw Abe Cohen Tina Winston and Colette & Gigi Winston Betty Bernsen Angela & Daniel Yergin Gabriele Stent Peter Yeskel Herman Zabarsky Edith Zabarsky Mr. & Mrs. Philip Zeidman John Fisher Zeidman Dr. & Mrs. Robert Zohlman Gilbert S. Goldman
Leo & Elizabeth Goodman Public Issues Endowment Fund
Donor In Honor of: Joan Churchill Danielle Churchill’s Birthday Lily Goodman Landau’s Birthday Donor In Memory of: Joan Churchill Judith Klein Sylvia Kassalow Carolyn Ohlbaum Anthony Aylward Churchill Lynn, Richard, Josh & Susie Prosten Sylvia Kassalow
Hurston Library
Donor David Epstein Betty Glassman Ellen & Jim Myerberg
In Memory of: Rosalind Epstein Shirlee Ornstein Marian Totz Pressman
Carol Kellner ECC Memorial Fund
Donor Bruce Kellner
In Memory of: Joyce W. Kellner
Rose E. Koenig Religious School Fund
Donor Mr. & Mrs. Peter L. Kreeger Amy & Joe Musher
In Memory of: David Lloyd Kreeger Jay A. Rosen
Kol Rinah Choir Fund
Donor Sandra Goldsmith & Family
Harriet M. Kriesberg Fund for the Study of Torah
In Memory of: George Goldsmith
Donor Bessie & Max Kriesberg and Sarah & Max Munchick Foundation
Contributions Harriet M. Kriesberg Fund for the Study of Torah
Tikkun Olam Values (TOV) Fund
Donor In Memory of: Simeon M. Kriesberg & Martha L. Kahn Harriet M. Kriesberg Sarah & Max Munchick
Rabbi M. Bruce Lustig Scholarship Fund
Donor In Memory of: Karen & Robert Silverman & Family Stanley Talmud
Zena Mason Education Fund
Donor Trudy Bernstein Lynne & Ira Bluestein
In Memory of: Milton Weiss Abraham Gardner
Mitzvah Day
Donor Anne & Benjamin Friedman Betsy Grossman
In Memory of: Rhoda Greenwald Samuel Solomon Ruth Gruber Audrey Grossman Harry Sley
Stephanie Morris Prime Timers Programming Fund
Donor Suzy & Al Morris Lillian Smuckler
In Memory of: Stephanie Morris Jean Morris Sarah Zembrosky
Kamy Loren Nathanson Bar & Bat Mitzvah Kiddush Cup Endowment Fund
Donor Mona M. Wolf
In Memory of: Robert O. Wolf
Harold “Buddy” & Shirley Robinson Memorial Education Scholarship Fund
Donor In Memory of: Rachel, Orli, Heidi & Stephanie Robinson Irvine Robinson
Donor Phyllis Belford Philip Urofsky Donor In Honor of: Emanuel J. Friedman Philanthropies The Bresler Family Rabbis Neil & Liz P.G. Hirsch Naomi Abelson & Andrew Gohn’s Marriage Linda & Ron Recht Dr. Barry Eisenstein’s Retirement Donor In Memory of: Linda & Steve Cohen Rose Cohen Anne C. Golder & Gordon S. Golder Leon Golder Susan & David Rosenblum Sidney Teplin Tina & Albert Small Jr. Barbara Schlesinger
WHC Hunger Project
Donor The David Aronow Foundation Donor In Memory of: Holly & Jeff Bergman Abraham (Al) Bergman Max Dick Lynn, Richard, Josh, & Susie Prosten Dr. Allen Oboler
Rabbi Joseph Weinberg Young Leadership Community Service Fund
Donor In Honor of: Rudolph & Betty Ressler Jackson Zane Samuels’ Birth Donor In Memory of: Moritz Cohen, Jr. Abe Cohen Joan & Marshall Cutler Ruth Abramson Mr. & Mrs. Roger Golden Daniel L. Golden Marcia Weinberg Sadie Kane
Worship & Music Fund Donor Mr. & Dr. Mark Mazo Donor Beth Glassman
In Honor of: Rabbi Lustig
Worship & Music Fund
Donor In Honor of: Andrea & Rob Green Rabbi Shankman General William S. Greenberg, Ret. John Harris’ Birthday Andrew Morin Rabbi Lustig David & Kelly Tanenholtz Rabbi Miller Rabbi Lustig Cantor Manevich Cantor Bortnick Donor In Memory of: Phyllis Dreyfuss Homer LaBorwit Odette Herman Gilberta ‘Gigi’ Klein Jackie & Franklin Paulson Rosa May Frank Agnes May Fischer Eileen Polinger Milton Polinger Layne Weiss, Rachel, Brian, Ilyssa, Ryan, Ethan, and Halle Jack Schooler Sidelle Wertheimer Bertha Fishman
Young Professionals (22-39) Fund Donor Andrew Ammerman Emanuel J. Friedman Philanthropies
Youth Fund
Donor Max & Sheri Zweig
In Memory of: Samuel Zweig
Ivy Zola’s Help-a-Friend Fund
Donor In Honor of: Andi & Geoffrey Zola Linda Horowitz’s Special Birthday Donor In Memory of: Harriet Smith Harold Golden The Stevens/Marshall-Stevens Family Shirlee Kogod Ornstein Andrea & Geoffrey Zola Anita Bobys
Selinger (Childrens) Library
Donor Suzanne & Barry Helfand Barbara Lewis & Elise Geltzer Fran & Steve Seltzer Mildred Silverman
In Memory of: Beatrice Cohen Dr. Arthur H. Lewis Irving Arthur Stuart Gordon
Carlynn & Larry Silverman Family Endowment for Jewish Life & Learning
Donor In Memory of: Lisa & Bruce Harwood and Family Stu Samuels William L. Berry David Ross
Abram Simon Elementary School Camp Fund Donor Joan Churchill Donor William H. Davis
In Memory of: Robert W. Davis
Abram Simon Elementary School Fund Donor Lisa & Steven Curwin
In Memory of: Dr. Stanley Barban
Carrie Simon House
Donor Melinda Halpert & Geoffrey Aronow Banner Team Management LLC Donor In Memory of: Nell & Ed Shapiro Robert L. Shapiro
Sisterhood Youth, Education & Enrichment Fund
Donor Elaine Goldstein
In Memory of: Robert Goldstein
Taishoff Interfaith Endowment Fund
Donor The Estate of Laurence Taishoff
Connecting to Our Community: Introducing the Samuel Burtoff, MD Streaming Support Fund In 2014, with the generous support of the Mann family, WHC was proud to introduce the Pat and Larry Mann Streaming Initiative, which equipped our Congregation to live-stream worship and special events from the Kaufmann Sanctuary and Albert and Shirley Small Chapel. This technology allowed congregants and guests unable to join us at Temple to access the rich array of WHC programming with the click of a mouse or the tap of a finger. This year, thanks to a wonderful new gift from the Samuel Burtoff, MD Foundation, we are pleased to announce The Samuel Burtoff, MD Streaming Support Fund. This new resource will support our video streaming operations, from the archiving of events to the costs of accessing and downloading programs to the hiring of professional technicians to operate the system during select events. The Fund will also provide for the purchase of mobile equipment, so our streaming initiatives can expand beyond our two Temple worship spaces. Continued on page 22.
WHC Journal – February 2017 | Page 21
WHC Journal
WHC Books
to discuss Geraldine Brooks’
ion t a s n lla Se e p p A Ca
3 1 SIX
h Jewis
rship o W Us in Dinner g n i d Lea g at n i m r Perfo
Friday, March 17, 6pm at Temple RSVP for dinner only: whctemple.org/Pollin
with Rabbi Susan Shankman
Tuesday, March 14 7:00 pm at Temple
Happy New Year from Israel (continued from page 7) and information for doing so on ReformJudaism.org. The Tu B’Shvat seder was to help us understand that nature sustains us, and we must sustain nature. We are part of nature. We are not above it. We do not own or rule it! We cannot — like Adam and Eve — allow desire to get the better part of us and overuse our natural resources. It is our responsibility to care for the earth and to call upon our government to respond to global warming (I am writing this in Washington, D.C. on January 12, 2017, and it is 64 degrees outside!), deforestation, strip mining, and the overuse of fossil fuels. We must also — individually — take responsibility for protecting the earth. When we taste the fruits of the land at the seder, we are reminded that we can have great joy from the earth but with it comes great responsibly. Not just on the 15th of Shvat, but every day. When we recycle, conserve water, ride a bike or scooter to work, or purchase autos that are environmentally progressive, we are honoring the Page 22 | WHC Journal – February 2017
birthday of the trees. We are demonstrating our belief that God gave us the earth as a gift, and we must safeguard it for generations to come. The tree itself is given elevated status of all plants in Judaism. It is a metaphor for the Torah and learning, which is sacred. And like the tree and nature, they sustain us. So, I wish you a Happy New Year from Jerusalem on Tu B’Shvat where I will honor trees through engaging in study, discussion, and intellectual growth. I will honor the Torah, for “it is a tree of life to those who hold fast to it and all its supporters are happy.” May you each be blessed in this New Year of the Trees and may we all do our part to safeguard the environment for generations to come so that our generation will be worthy of the gifts of nature God has granted to us for safe keeping and enjoyment. Shalom, Rabbi M. Bruce Lustig
“For anyone unable to attend Temple events because of illness, mobility issues, travel, weather, or scheduling conflicts, live streaming allows them to participate in weddings, baby namings, funerals, b’nei mitzvah, and other important moments in the life cycle,” said fund spokesperson Constance M. Burtoff. “I am proud to help people from all over the world enjoy the WHC experience, whether through the latest technology or in the physical presence of our community.” Even as busy schedules and mobility challenges present barriers to full engagement in Jewish life, The Samuel Burtoff, MD Streaming Support Fund will ensure that we continue to build an inclusive and accessible community, one pixel and one participant at a time. With any questions about donating to WHC, contact Development Director Miriam Feffer, 202-895-6312 or mfeffer@whctemple.org.
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Get Ready to Roll Out the Red Carpet THE
SHUSHAN OSCARS
FRIDAY MARCH 10 at WHC 6:00 pm Dinner 7:00 pm Shabbat Purim Service 8:00 pm Oscars After Party
SUNDAY, MARCH 12 at JBSC 12:00 pm Purim Carnival (the After After Party!) whctemple.org/Purim