Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
MLK Shabbat: “The Half Life of Freedom”
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. stood for social justice and ad-vocacy, which are also among the central tenets of Reform
Judaism. Each January, we honor Dr. King with a weekend dedicated to his legacy. Join us on Friday, January 15 as we host our partner churches and mosques for dinner at 5:30 pm and a special 7:00 pm Shabbat service. William Jelani Cobb, Associate Professor of History and Director of the Africana Studies Institute at the University of Connecticut will join our clergy on the bimah and will speak on citizenship and freedom, and the way they are undermined in times of crisis.
Professor Cobb is also a staff writer at The New Yorker, where he has penned a remarkable series of articles about race, the police, and injustice. He is a featured commentator on MSNBC, NPR, CNN, Al-Jazeera, and CBS News and the author of several books, including The Substance of Hope: Barack Obama & the Paradox of Progress and To the Break of Dawn: A Freestyle on the Hip Hop Aesthetic, which was a finalist for the National Award for Arts Writing.
Please join us for dinner with our guests. Reservations ($20 per person) and table sponsorships for our guests ($200) can be made online at whctemple.org/MLKWeekend. For more information, please contact Layne Weiss, 202-895-6307 or [email protected].
Amram Explores Einstein: His Space and Times
A politically engaged man of his times, driven by strong moral
principles, Albert Einstein comes to life in a new biography by Steven Gimbel, Chair of the Gettysburg Col-lege philosophy department and our Amram speaker at Temple on Sun-day, January 10 at 10:30 am.
“An avowed pacifist, Einstein’s mistrust of authority and outspoken social and scientific views earned him death threats from Nazi sympathizers in the years preceding World War II,” Professor Gimbel says.
“To him, science provided not only a means for understanding the universe, but a foundation for considering the deeper questions of life — and a way for the worldwide Jewish community to gain confidence and pride in itself.”
Professor Gimbel, the author of six books, explains Einstein’s theories in understandable terms and dem-onstrates how they directly emerged from the realities of his times and helped create the world we live in today. Published as part of Yale University Press’ “Jewish Lives” series, his new book follows a 2012 work,
Congregational Conversations Keynote Offers Insight from Two Georgetown Scholars
On Wednesday, January 6 at 7:00 pm at Temple, our Congregational Conversa-
tion continues with back-to-back Keynotes. Rev. Dennis McManus, visiting Associate Pro-fessor at Georgetown University and advocate for Jewish/Christian relations, will speak on the history of anti-Semitism. Professor Jacques Berlinerblau, Director of the Program for Jewish Civilization at Georgetown University, will then discuss “The War on Secularism: A Guide for Reform Jews.” A question and answer session will follow.
Father McManus’ lecture on the history of anti-Semitism is borne from his significant body of work in the area of Holocaust education. On the faculty of Georgetown University’s Program for Jewish Civilization in the School of Foreign Service, he is also Director of Georgetown’s Jan Karski Institute for Holocaust Education. Fr. McManus has served on the board of directors of the Anti-Defamation League/United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB)
January 4, 2016Volume 57, Issue 1
Continued on page 11.
Continued on page 10.
WHC News
Board of DirectorsJoan AdoffRochelle BehrensEllen R. BerlowBrian D. FriedmanDeborah GoldmanSharon E. GottliebJonathan GreenblattJessica Pearlman IsenJanet KatzDaniel KohlAnne LackritzKaren Leder
Jeremy LondonDavid OblonStephanie PosnerSusan RosenblumLynn SachsJames SalanderCathy Zeman ScheinesonRichard SussmanKimberly WachenJoshua Weinberg Dan WernerLewis Wiener
Past PresidentsLeonard I. AbelDavid R. BerzStuart L. BindemanEarl M. ColsonJay W. FreedmanSusan J. HanenbaumSherry Bindeman KahnRichard D. KaufmannHank D. Levine
Kenneth L. MarksPaul J. MasonJohn M. NannesLauren S. RacoosinFroma SandlerBob M. ShapiroDavid A. ViseRichard M. YoungPeter L. Winik
Auxiliary Presidents & ContactsJoan Adoff, EmptyNestersDan Caplan, BrotherhoodKim & Brian Cooper and Chris McCannell & Ven Neralla,
Couples ClubValerie Hillman, 2239Elaine Melnick, The BoomersCantor Mikhail Manevich, Prime TimersSandy Nesbit, SisterhoodEmma Siritzky, WHECTY
Washington Hebrew CongregationM. Bruce Lustig, M.A.H.L., D.D., Senior RabbiSusan N. Shankman, M.A.H.L., A.M.R.S., RabbiAaron Miller, M.A.H.L., Associate RabbiJoseph A. Skloot, M.A.H.L., M.A., Assistant RabbiMikhail Manevich, CantorSusan R.A. Bortnick, M.S.M., CantorDJ Schneider Jensen, M.S. Ed.,
Director of the Edlavitch-Tyser Early Childhood CenterFran Miller, M.S. Ed.,
Director of the Rabbi Joseph Weinberg Early Childhood CenterIra Miller, Director of Informal EducationStephanie Tankel, M.A., M.A.J.E., RJE,
Director of Religious EducationSteven Jacober, Executive DirectorNaomi Abelson, M.A.J.C.S. & M.P.A,
Director of Temple Programs & TOVMiriam Feffer, Director of DevelopmentLindsay Fry, Director of Member ServicesMohan Mistry, Director of Engineering & MaintenanceStephen Stoupa, CPA, CGMA, Director of FinanceJoshua O. Haberman, D.H.L., D.D., Rabbi EmeritusSusan J. Hanenbaum, Executive Director Emerita
We Can Be ReachedTemple Office ................................................ 202-362-7100 (M-Th: 9:00 am – 5:30 pm; F: 8:30 am – 4:00 pm)Weekends/After Hours ............................... 202-895-6341Temple Fax .................................................... 202-537-1091Julia Bindeman Suburban Center .............. 301-279-7505JBSC Fax ....................................................... 301-354-3200Listen In ........................................................ 202-895-6333Live Streaming of Services ....... streaming.whctemple.orgWebsite ......................................................... whctemple.orgJennifer Millstone, EditorThe Washington Hebrew Congregation Journal (Permit No. 4240) is published two times a month and monthly in June, July, and December by Washington Hebrew Congregation. Send address changes to the Washington Hebrew Congregation Journal, 3935 Macomb Street NW, Washington, DC 20016.
OfficersMeg Jacobs Flax, PresidentDavid M. Astrove, First Vice PresidentJames Klein, Vice PresidentRichard A. Newman, Vice PresidentNell Shapiro, Vice PresidentJeffrey Weiss, TreasurerAndrew H. Marks, Assistant TreasurerFaye Levin, SecretaryCarrie Coonin, Assistant SecretaryMark D. Director, General Counsel
Congratulations to…Terri & Gerry Halle, on the engagement of their son, Josh Halle, to Diana Burnett, daughter of Irene & Bob Burnett.
Florence & Peter Hart, on the birth and naming of their grandson, William David Hart Friedman (Gershon Chanoch); and to William’s parents, Elizabeth Hart & Andrew Friedman, and paternal grandparents, Bonnie & Richard Friedman.
Ellen Miller & Bob Kelly, on the birth and naming of their granddaughter, Maren Rose Miller (Mira Shoshana); and to Maren’s parents, Sara & Cory Miller; big brother, Gavin; grandparents, Larry Miller & Elaine Hoffman; Nina Chaitin, and Robert Chaitin; and great-grandmothers, Shirley Winkler and Marcia Fligman.
Ellen Miller & Bob Kelly, on the birth and naming of their grandson, Levi Bennet Miller (Moshe); and to Levi’s parents, Doran & Danny Miller; grandparents, Larry & Elaine Hoffman, Talia & Mitch Katz, and Tali Arik; and great-grandmother Shirley Winkler.
Our Condolences to the Families of…Richard “Dickie” Dubin, husband of Elizabeth M. Dubin; father of Louis Dubin (Martine), Harry Dubin, and Robin Avram (Marc); brother of Nancy Zirkin (Harold); grandfather of six.
Catherine England, daughter of Lois England; mother of Ryan Peugh and Evan Peugh (Leah Gelb); sister of Nonie Akman (Larry) and Rick England (Diana).
Norma Fleishman, mother of Carole Jean Avin (Brian), Sharlene Klotz (Al), Jo Ann Green, and Debra Avison; sister-in-law of Linda Fleishman.
Eliot Halperin, husband of Deana Rose Halperin; father of Evan Halperin (Anna) and Jennifer Halperin; grandfather of Rosalie.
Lee Rosenblatt, husband of Beverly Rosenblatt; father of Richard Rosenblatt (Barbara) and Melissa Tritto (Mike); stepfather of Amy Seely (Garth), Marge Mackeith (James), and Joyce Neave (John).
Ethel Rosenthal, mother of Barry Rosenthal (Joan); grandmother of Stephanie Rosenthal (Scott Meisler), Douglas Rosenthal, and Carolyn Rosenthal.
Nicole Ruffine, wife of Steve Ungar; daughter of Sheila Ruffine; mother of Serge and Julian Ungar.
Dana West Ruben, husband of Eva Lamm Ruben; brother-in-law of Steven Lamm (Joanne).
Samuel Zweig, husband of Evelyn Zweig; father of Max Zweig (Sheri), Ronald Zweig (Phyllis), and Robert Zweig (Juliet); grandfather of Lindsey Zweig, Tara Moffitt (Tivon), Gordon Zweig, Valerie Zweig, William Zweig, Rebecca Zweig, Brandan Zweig, and Ricky Zweig.
2
WHC News ServicesFriday, January 8
Lay-Led Service 5:30 pmSimeon Kriesberg
Shabbat Service* 6:00 pmRabbis Lustig and Skloot
Tot Shabbat 6:00 pmRabbi ShankmanJBSC
Saturday, January 9Early Torah Study 9:00 amCantor Bortnick
Morning Service 10:30 amCantor Bortnick
Afternoon Service & Havdalah 5:30 pmRabbi Lustig, Cantor Manevich
¡ Bat Mitzvah of Lindsay Wiener
Friday, January 15Lay-Led Service 5:30 pmShel West
MLK Shabbat Service* 7:00 pmAll Clergy
Featuring remarks by Dr. William Jelani Cobb
Saturday, January 16Early Torah Study 9:00 amRabbi Skloot
Morning Service 10:30 amRabbi Skloot
Afternoon Service & Havdalah 5:30 pmRabbis Lustig and Shankman, Cantor Bortnick
¡ Bat Mitzvah of Cecelia Skinner-Grant
Friday, January 22Lay-Led Service 5:30 pmDiane Shrier and Gyr Turshen
Shabbat Service* 6:00 pmRabbi Lustig, Cantor Bortnick
2239’s Metro Minyan 6:15 pmRabbi SklootCalvary Baptist Church
Saturday, January 23Early Torah Study 9:00 amRabbi Skloot
Morning Service 10:30 amRabbi Skloot, Cantor Bortnick
¡ Bar Mitzvah of Evan Gary
MLK Day of Service — A “Day On” for Tikkun OlamMake your “day off” from work
and school a “day on” for tikkun olam by joining us on Monday, January 18 at 10:00 am at Temple.
The Community Issues/Social Action committee has organized a morning filled with opportunities for all ages. Bring your family and friends, and help us make a differ-ence in the lives of those in need in our communities. Projects include making crafts, preparing tuna noodle casseroles, filling bags with healthy snacks, assembling bags of fresh produce, packaging meals with the WHC Hunger Proj-ect, and sorting donated clothing and food (see below). Learn more and RSVP for this feel-good morning, whctemple.org/MLKWeekend.
It sounds like the start of a riddle, but it’s really a cause for celebration. In November, we asked you to donate blankets for the Rumi Forum’s nationwide effort to help Syrian refugees in Turkey. In just three weeks, the Rumi Forum collected enough blankets that if stacked on top of each other, would reach the top of the Eiffel Tower! We are proud to partner with the Rumi Forum and are grate-
ful to everyone who donated blankets that filled carton after carton with warmth and comfort.
How many blankets does it take to reach the top of the Eiffel Tower?
whctemple.org/WHCCollectsFor more information, contact Naomi Abelson, [email protected] or 202-895-6328
Donations accepted at Temple and JBSCWHC Collects
Clothing and Non-perishable Food – now through 1000am on 1/18The work we do on MLK Day of Service starts now! We’re collecting gently-used (or new!) clothing (all ages/sizes) and non-perishable foods with a special emphasis on items that are high fiber, low sugar, and low sodium.
*Streamed service viewable atstreaming.whctemple.org
*Streamed service viewable atstreaming.whctemple.org
3
WHC B’nei Mitzvah
Shabbat AcknowledgementsJanuary 8–9, 2016Sponsoring the Oneg Shabbat:Alisa & Lewis Wiener, in honor of the Bat Mitzvah of their daughter, Lindsay.Contributing to the Carrie Simon Altar Flower Fund:Alisa & Lewis Wiener, in honor of Lindsay.
January 15–16, 2016Sponsoring the Oneg Shabbat:Jodi Grant & Tom Skinner, in honor of the Bat Mitzvah of their daughter, Cecilia.Contributing to the Carrie Simon Altar Flower Fund:Jodi Grant & Tom Skinner, in honor of Cecilia; and Sherry Sundick, in memory of Sara Behrend.
January 22–23, 2016Sponsoring the Oneg Shabbat:The Gary Family, in honor of the Bar Mitzvah of Evan.Contributing to the Carrie Simon Altar Flower Fund:The Gary Family, in honor of Evan.
Sisterhood Literary Group to Discuss Edward P. Jones’ Lost in the City
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute lec-turer Ellen Siegler will lead a discussion of short fiction at Temple on Wednes-day, February 3 at 7:00 pm. Wine and cheese will be served.
This magnificent collection focuses on the lives of African-Americans in 1960s and ’70s Washington, D.C. and first brought author Edward P. Jones to na-tional attention. The stories of Lost in the City lie far from the monuments and politicians well-known in the nation’s capital. Jones takes the reader beyond that world into the complicated lives of African-American men, women, and children who work against the constant threat of loss to maintain a sense of hope. Ms. Siegler’s discussion will include the following stories from Edward P. Jones’ book: “The Girl Who Raised Pigeons,” “The First Day,” “The Night Rhonda Ferguson Was Killed,” “Young Lions,” and “Lost in the City.”
New York Times best selling author Edward P. Jones has been awarded the Pulitzer Prize for fiction, the National Book Critics Circle Award, the International IMPAC Dub-lin Literary Award, and the Lannan Literary Award. Lost in the City won the PEN/Hemingway Award and was short listed for the National Book Award.
Sisterhood’s Literary Group is open to all. For additional information or to RSVP, please contact Susan Adland, [email protected].
January 16, 2016Havdalah Service
Cecilia Pauline Skinner-GrantDaughter of Jodi Grant & Tom SkinnerCeci is a seventh grade student at Westland Middle School. She is the sister of Julia; and the granddaughter of Judith & John Skinner, Sandra Grant, and the late Arnold Grant.
January 23, 2016Morning Service
Evan Mitchell GarySon of Bela & Eric GaryEvan is a seventh grade student at the Landon School. He is the brother of Sophie and the grandson of Sandra Gary, Robert Gary, and Conceicao Andrade & the late John Briscoe.
January 9, 2016Havdalah Service
Lindsay Eliza WienerDaughter of Alisa & Lewis WienerLindsay is a seventh grade student at the Norwood School. She is the sister of Zachary and Jillian; and the granddaughter of Jerome & Barbara Lichtman, Joan Wiener, the late Elaine Lichtman, and the late Stanley Wiener.
4
WHC News
“The Cantors’ Program” – A Pollin Music Shabbat
Our first Irene & Abe Pollin Music Program Initiative Shabbat service for 2016 will feature the voices of Cantors Mikhail Manevich and Susan Bortnick and Kol Rinah and the liturgical music of Canadian composer Ben Steinberg. We hope you will join us at Temple on Friday, February 5 at 6:00 pm for this meaningful service.
Among the most widely commissioned composers of Jewish music, award-winning Ben Steinberg is known for his engaging lecture-recitals on Jewish music. Many syna-gogues and groups — including Yale University, in conjunc-tion with Union Theological Seminary and Hebrew Union College (New York); the American Conference of Cantors; the Canadian Jewish Congress; and the Toronto Holocaust Remembrance Committee — have commissioned his works.
His works, published in the United States, Canada, and Israel, include six Shabbat services, a memorial service, 13 cantatas for chorus and orchestra, and numerous choral set-tings, instrumental chamber works, and solo songs.
Inside the Issues: Key Issues Facing AmericaPresented by the EmptyNesters
Racial justice, climate change, and immigration are topics front and center in the me-dia, but they are hard to fully understand and even harder to solve. To help us dig deeper and appreciate the reality of what is possible in today’s political climate, Barbara Weinstein, As-
sociate Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism will join us at Temple on Sunday, January 24 at 9:45 am.
EmptyNester moderator Len Biegel will conduct a Charlie Rose-style interview with Ms. Weinstein, exploring the RAC’s work on social justice, climate change, and other priorities.
Ms. Weinstein directs the RAC’s legislative policy and has years of experience working on these problems and dealing with Congress. Her work focuses on applying the insights of Jewish tradition to domestic and foreign is-sues including human rights, world peace, civil liberties, religious freedom, famine, poverty, as well as other major societal concerns.
Space is limited, so please reserve your place online, whctemple.org/EmptyNesters. A charge of five dollars per person (payable at the door) covers a light breakfast of bagels, cheeses, pastries, and coffee. For more information, contact Beth Donaldson, [email protected] or 202-895-6309.
When Losing Faith Means Losing Everything
Shulem Deen was raised to believe that questions are dangerous. As a member of the Skverers, one of the most insular and rigid Hasidic sects in
the United States, he knew little about the outside world — only that it was to be shunned. The curiosity that led him to discover it and resulted in his expul-sion as a heretic from his home, family, and community is the subject of his Amram lecture at Temple on Sunday, January 31 at 10:30 am.
Mr. Deen’s harrowing memoir, All Who Go Do Not Return, has been widely acclaimed for the honest and powerful portrayal of his inner struggle. Described in The New Yorker as “not only the most lyrical but also the most
searchingly spiritual of the ‘ex-frum’ memoirs,” his book recounts how the simple act of turning on a radio would ultimately transform his entire life. He was ejected from his home in the Skverer community of New Square, New York, losing his wife and five young children in the process.
Mr. Deen’s shocking account is a true story of a man whose crisis of faith meant gaining the world but losing everything.
5
6
Lifelong Learning This Winter and SpringBack to Basics at Temple and JBSC
Tuesdays, 1/5 – 3/8, 7:30 pm at Temple,Wednesdays, 1/6 – 3/9, 10:00 am at JBSC, orWednesdays, 1/6 – 3/9, 7:30 pm at JBSCRe-engage your Jewish mind for an in-depth look at why we do what we do as Jews. Find the sources for our tradi-tions, and delve into the origins of these ideas. Back to Basics will concentrate on holidays, life cycle events, history, theology, Jewish religious movements, Torah laws, the Mishnah, the Talmud, and Kabbalah. This 10-week course costs $150 for WHC members and $250 for non-members. Registration is required and may be completed online at whctemple.org/BacktoBasics. For more information, please contact Gerdy Trachtman, [email protected] or 301-762-6994.
Amram Scholar Series at TempleThis dynamic program of free public lectures brings world-renowned authors, scholars, political leaders, policy experts,
and theologians to WHC to share their views on timely issues or their research into Jewish culture and history.
Einstein – His Space and TimesSunday, 1/10 at 10:30 amPresented by Dr. Steven Gimbel, Chair of the department of philosophy at Gettysburg College and the college’s Edwin T. and Cynthia Shearer Johnson Chair for Distin-guished Teaching in the Humanities. See page 1 for more information.
All Who Go Do Not Return – Hasidic Extremism in the United StatesSunday, 1/31 at 10:30 amPresented by Shulem Deen, founding editor of Unpious, an online journal for voices on the Hasidic fringe. He serves on the board of Footsteps, a New York City-based organization that offers assistance and support to those who have left the ultra-Orthodox Jewish community. See page 5 for more information.
Paper Love – Searching for the Girl My Grandfather Left BehindSunday, 2/21 at 10:30 amPresented by Sarah Wildman, reporter and author. She is the recipient of the Peter R. Weitz Prize from the German Marshall Fund of the United States, “for excellence and originality in reporting on Europe and the transatlantic relationship,” for the series in Slate where her book, Paper Love, originated.
Anonymous Soldiers – The Struggle for Israel, 1917-1947Sunday, 3/13 at 10:30 amPresented by Bruce Hoffman, Director of the Center for Peace and Security Studies, Director of the Security Stud-ies Program at Georgetown University’s Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service, and a Senior Fellow at the U.S. Military Academy’s Combating Terrorism Center.
Then Comes Marriage: United States v. Windsor and the Defeat of DOMASunday, 3/29 at 10:30 amPresented by Roberta Kaplan, litigation partner at Paul, Weiss, who won the landmark Supreme Court battle to defeat the Defense of Marriage Act.
You can see the complete lineup of this season’s Amram Scholar Series lectures online at whctemple.org/Amram. For
more information, please contact Layne Weiss, [email protected] or 202-895-6307.
Conversational Hebrew at JBSCIntermediate/Advanced: Thursdays, 1/7 – 2/25 at 10:00 amBeginners: Thursdays, 1/7 – 2/25 at 11:15 amUsing an innovative method that emphasizes conversation over decoding the aleph bet, you’ll soon find yourself speak-ing Hebrew. Two different classes meet the needs of every-one from beginners to those with more advanced fluency. These eight-week courses are taught by Gerdy Trachtman and cost $45. Registration is required and may be complet-ed online at whctemple.org/HebrewBeginner or whctemple.org/HebrewAdvanced. For more information, please con-tact Gerdy, [email protected] or 301-762-6994.
12 Jewish Questions at TempleMondays, 2/29 – 5/16 at 6:30 pmWhat do I believe about God? What makes food Jewish? Where is God in times of tragedy? Join us as we answer these questions (and nine more!) at this (re)introduction to adult-level Judaism. 12 Jewish Questions is a learning community for adults — Jewish and non-Jewish — who are looking to discover Judaism’s most fascinating answers.This 12-week class costs $100 per person and $180 per couple. Registration is required and may be completed on-line at whctemple.org/12JQ. For more information, please contact Marsha Humphries, [email protected] or 202-895-6303.
7
WHC Academy
Registration is required for all classes and may be completed online at whctemple.org/WHCAcademy. For more information, please contact Marsha Humphries, [email protected] or 202-895-6303.
SPRING I: “The Book of Psalms: Poetry, History and Interpretation”Mondays, 1/25 – 3/7, 7:00 pm at TempleInstructors: Steve Jacober, WHC Executive Director, and WHC ClergyFor generations, Jews and Christians have turned to the Book of Psalms in times of joy and crisis; meditated on its words during worship; been captivated by the window it offers into human psychology. This course explores the en-during relevance and meaning of the psalms, as well as the book’s literary structure and historical context. It will also reflect on the frequent use of whole psalms and quotations in the Jewish prayer book.
COURSE II: “Reform, Conservative, & Orthodox: The History of the Jewish Movements”Tuesdays, 4/5 – 4/19, 9:15 am at JBSCInstructor: Rabbi Joseph SklootWhy do Jews disagree so much? Why are there so many different kinds of Jewish institutions? This class will explore the historical origins of the three major Jewish move-ments and how the emergence of Reform Judaism in early 19th century Germany led to the birth of Orthodoxy and Conservative Judaism. We will also examine how these movements changed and adapted to new conditions in the United States, as well as some of the current debates that animate Jewish life in the U.S. and Israel today.
SPRING II: “The Jewish-American Short Story”Mondays, 3/14 – 4/18, 7:00 pm at TempleInstructor: Professor Jacques BerlinerblauThe second in our series of collaborations with the Georgetown University Program in Jewish Civilization, this course, taught by Jacques Berlinerblau, WHC mem-ber and Director of the Program for Jewish Civilization at Georgetown University, will explore the questions of identity raised in the literature of Jewish-American authors after World War II. Focusing on short stories in particu-lar, Berlinerblau concentrates on writers as varied as J.D. Salinger, Cynthia Ozick, Philip Roth, Allegra Goodman, Lara Vapnyar, Grace Paley, Bernard Malamud, David Bezmozgis, Suzan Sherman, Joan Leegant, and Saul Bellow, among others; participants will consider the Jewishness of American short fiction and the Americanness of Jewish short fiction.
CORE COURSE: “The European Enlightenment and Jewish Culture, Part II (1789 – 1914)”Mondays, 1/25 – 4/25, 8:15 pm at TempleInstructor: Rabbi Joseph A. SklootWe will explore how the emergence of the modern nation-state, liberal politics, romantic literature, and rational phi-losophy shaped enduring Jewish institutions by reading the classic texts from the “long 19th century.” We will deter-mine what these texts say about the people who composed them, the times in which they were composed, and what they have meant to their readers past and present.
Monday Nights at Temple
COURSE I: “Shabbat: The Practice and Philosophy of the Day of Rest”Tuesdays, 3/1 – 3/22, 9:15 am at JBSCInstructor: Stephanie Tankel, WHC Director of Religious EducationThe Jewish week, indeed a Jewish life, revolves around Shabbat. Shabbat is a time when Jews gather — with family, with friends, and with community — and turn their focus to the things in their lives that matter most. Here, we will study the transformative power of Jewish Shabbat rituals and the meaning of the Day of Rest to Jews past and pres-ent. Among the many topics we’ll consider are how to find true rest in our busy lives; the meaning and preparation of challah; the significance of Shabbat in the Hebrew Bible and in Jewish philosophy; and how to engage the whole family in Shabbat stories and games.
Tuesday Mornings at JBSC
WHC’s exciting year-long collaboration with Georgetown Uni-versity’s Program for Jewish Civilization continues this spring. Through this unique partnership, WHC members are study-ing with the Program’s faculty and are exposed to new fields of Jewish learning. The first opportunity in this series was Ori Soltes’ fall course for WHC Academy, “Symbols of Faith: Art in the Jewish, Christian, and Muslim Traditions.” This spring, Jacques Berlinerblau will teach “The Jewish-American Short Story” on Monday nights. Professor Berlinerblau is Director of Georgetown University’s Program for Jewish Civilization and a member of Washington Hebrew Congregation.
Collaboration with Georgetown University
Expand your appreciation of Jewish life and culture on Monday nights at Temple and Tuesday mornings at JBSC with knowledgeable and passionate instructors from WHC and beyond. Below is our winter/spring schedule.
WHC Thanks Its Generous ContributorsH. MAX & STEPHEN C. AMMERMAN PERFORMING ARTS FUND Donor In Honor of:Andrew Ammerman Rhoda Herman’s Birthday Rosa Pedrajas’ Birthday Joyce Scott’s Birthday Lisa Ammerman’s Birthday Julie Morgan McCoart’s Birthday
AMRAM SUNDAY SCHOLAR SERIES ENDOWMENT FUND Donor In Memory of:Posner-Wallace Foundation Lawrence Posner Stanley Posner Lillian Posner Wallace Irving WallaceLinda Singer Bernice Nineberg
LILLIAN & ALFRED BENNETT FINE ARTS ENDOWMENT FUND Donor In Memory of:Bobbi & Ed Schiff Marshall ColeMr. & Mrs. John Zeller Max Scher
JULIA & JACK BINDEMAN FUND Donor In Memory of:Carol Bindeman David P. BindemanBetsy & Robert Bindeman David P. BindemanMr. & Mrs. Stuart Bindeman David P. Bindeman
SHELLEY & MICHAEL BRODY TEACHER TRAINING INSTITUTE ENDOWMENTDonor In Memory of:Dr. & Mrs. Michael Brody Helene Barnett
CANTORIAL & CONCERT FUND Donor Dr. & Mrs. Sheldon Gottlieb Mr. & Mrs. Simor Moskowitz Drs. Presser & Yu Dr. Anita Solomon Donor In Honor of:Bobby & Randee Fogel & Sheri Tunis
Cantor ManevichDr. Sheila C. Iseman Cantor ManevichLaurie & Yves Issembert
Isla Maria Issembert’s Baby NamineRobin & Jeremy London Cantor ManevichMichael & Judy Mael Cantor ManevichDonor In Memory of:Karen & David Cantor Marshall Cole Doris Bernstein Edgar LevinMimi & Tommy Nordlinger Leon KraftBeverly Rosenblatt Andrew RosenblattMarsha & Richard Schuman Janet SchumanJudy & Buzzy Tunis Lee RosenblattBarry & Marilyn Wessler Dr. Jack Wessler
EDLAVITCH-TYSER FAMILY RELATIONS INSTITUTE ENDOWMENT FUND Donor In Honor of:Leslie Luxemberg Leslie Zirkin
EDLAVITCH-TYSER FAMILY RELATIONS INSTITUTE ENDOWMENT FUND Donor In Memory of:Leslie Luxemberg Linda Luxemburg Vera Luxemburg Phyllis Luxemburg Harold Luxemburg
EMPTY NESTERS FUND Donor In Honor of:Joan & Stanley Adoff
Holly & Jeff Bergman’s 50th AnniversaryLynne & Burt Emmer
Holly & Jeff Bergman’s 50th AnniversarySondra Snyder
Holly & Jeff Bergman’s 50th AnniversaryDonor In Memory of:Armand Checker Ruth CheckerLynne & Burt Emmer Melvyn NewmanPeter & Florence Hart Ruth Arnstein Hart
LOIS & RICHARD ENGLAND SPECIAL NEEDS ENDOWMENT FUND Donor In Memory of:Lynn & Larry Silverberg
Alan Silverberg & Mildred SilverbergEllen & Bruce Winston Marshall Cole
GENERAL FUND Donor Dr. Jack D. Blaine Barry & Carol Minkoff Schwartzberg Family Foundation Mauricio Atri Donor In Honor of:Ellen & David Epstein
Sophia Fleischer’s Special BirthdayJamie & Barry Freedman
Madeline Rose Freedman’s Bat MitzvahMarilyn & Michael Glosserman
Pat & Bob Shapiro’s 50th AnniversaryAlvina & Jamie Leder
Lucas Benjamin Leder’s Bar MitzvahMichael & Taya Levin Lex Sverre Levin’s Bar MitzvahSusan & Solomon Levy
Sophia Fleischer’s Special BirthdayRobin & Jeremy London
Sammy London’s Bat Mitzvah Matthew KoplanPhyllis & Richard Sharlin
Pat & Bob Shapiro’s 50th AnniversaryLori & David Siegel
Ari and Daniel Siegel’s B’nei MitzvahCarol & Marc Spiegel
Sophia Fleischer’s Special BirthdayMiriam Florence Herman & Sandford Weil Stark
Josephine Lillian Stark’s Bat MitzvahJane & Robert E. Stein Refugee work in Montgomery County with the Rumi FundDonor In Memory of:Anonymous David & Sandra Berler Ann G. HaasDavid Berler Joan Berler
GENERAL FUND Donor In Memory of:Benita Berman Mitzi MandellStuart Bernstein Evelyn Bernstein BishoffDr. & Mrs. F. Norman Berry Abraham BlumbergRoberta & Leonard Biegel Rose GersonMarjorie & Harold Bingham George F. BinghamShirley & William Blanken Naomi Vidgerhouse Molly Cohen SchecterRichard S. Brown Estelle O. BrownDaryl Castillo Selma VigderhouseJill E. Cohen Wendy KatzNancy Colodny Dr. Joseph DessoffJanet & Michael Cornfeld Robin Cornfeld Howard LynnBarb & Len Cutler Marshall ColeDavid Lloyd Kreeger Foundation David Lloyd KreegerLynne Davidson Irving DavidsonMr. Alan Deresh & Mrs. Linda Wertlieb
Mildlred SilverbergSonnie & Bill Dockser Dr. Simon C. WeinerBarbara Dubit Robert FrankMr. & Mrs. Stephan Elman Ruth & Al Lerner Stanley ElmanSusan & David Fink Marshall ColeCarol Fischer Ruth I. BaerMeg & Sam Flax Louis Flax Anita MillerLinda & Jay Freedman Beverly TunisStephen Friedlander Adelaide & Jack FriedlanderGary & Debby Friedman Marshall ColeBetty Glassman Alice BortnickDr. Harold J. Goald Isadore GoaldH.P. Goldfield Alfred GoldfieldMr. & Mrs. William L. Goldman Jane A. GoldmanMarcia Goldsmith Ellen Goldsmith KasnettStephen W. Grafman Ida GrafmanNancy & John Harris Carolyn W. HarrisRichard Herzog Grace HerzogMarcia Inasi Laura KaradbilRobert & Ronnie Jersky Lilyan AronchickSherry & David Kahn Chunilal MistryJerome A. Kaplan Mary KaplanAudrey & Steve Katz Joseph BrooksDr. & Mrs. Richard Kaufman Lillian E. KaufmanDotty & Lou Kornhauser Chunilal MistryBill & Marilyn Lane Albert E. Lane Charlotte P. BrodyAlicia & Mark Levin Stanley SilvermanMonica Levin Lawrence DeutschAudrey & Davide Liebeskind Bertram StroberMichael & Stephanie Marcus Jesse Marcus Dee Marcus Evelyn MarcusDr. Susan Blumenthal Charles A. LevineMark E. Mazo Rita V. MazoBryna & Irwin Monsein Eva MonseinEllen & Jim Myerberg Marian Pressman Julius MyerbergMiriam Feffer & Jeremy Nalewaik Eliot HalperinEleanor Palmer Melvyn NewmanRita Specter Sandford SpecterIrene Pollin Abe Pollin
8
WHC Thanks Its Generous ContributorsGENERAL FUND Donor In Memory of:Jane & Jerome Putnam Lawrence E. Putnam, M.D.Dr. & Mrs. Herbert Rabin Mordka Rozencwajg Bayla RozencwajgLouis I. Rosen Eugenia RosenCarol Schwartz Hilda S. LevittGail K. Siegel Edgar L. KaufmannJeffrey Slavin Sanford “Sandy” SlavinLeslie & Dennis Speisman Stanley SteinMr. & Mrs. Edward Stevens Milton StevensMargo & Alan Tank Robert KlaffGerdy Trachtman Ernest TeichnerRuth & Simon Wagman Rose LevinRoslyn Wolf Stephen J. WolfAngela & Daniel Yergin Gabriele Stent
LEO & ELIZABETH GOODMAN PUBLIC ISSUES ENDOWMENT FUND Donor In Honor of:Laura Cerf-Dahl, Richard Forsland & Andrew Dahl
Joan Churchill’s 75th Birthday
HURSTON LIBRARY Donor In Memory of:Nancy Hart Wartow Robert Hart
CAROL KELLNER ECC MEMORIAL FUNDDonor In Honor of:Bruce Kellner & Donna Lane
Michael Weitz’s Special BirthdayDonor In Memory of:Dr. Bruce Kellner, Mandy McCann
& Jenifer Rosenzweig Carol KellnerDr. Bruce Kellner & Family Blanche KellnerDr. Bruce Kellner, Jason Walpert & Jarrod Walpert
Joyce W. KellnerBessie Wool Carol Kellner Samuel E. Wool
ROSE E. KOENIG RELIGIOUS SCHOOL FUNDDonor In Memory of:Anne C. Golder Dr. Lawrence Deutsch
KOL RINAH CHOIR Donor Drs. Presser & Yu
KRIESBERG PROGRAM INITIATIVES ENDOWMENT FUND Donor In Memory of:Frank Spigel Harriet Kriesberg
RABBI M. BRUCE LUSTIG SCHOLARSHIP FUNDDonor In Memory of:David I. Cohn & Patty Alper Cohn
Joseph R. & Charlotte W. CohnLisa DeMarco & Len Goldman Lillian DeMarco
MITZVAH DAY Donor The Jacob and Charlotte Lehrman Foundation Donor In Honor of:Susan & Norman Oblon
Pat & Bob Shapiro’s 50th Anniversary
MITZVAH DAY Donor In Memory of:RobBee & Josh Fredricks Jerome StackmanAnne & Ben Friedman and Family Vera GreenwaldMr. & Mrs. Benjamin Friedman Samuel SolomonBetsy Grossman Marshall Cole Harry SleySandra Kouzel Oscar Levy
STEPHANIE MORRIS PRIME TIMERS PROGRAMMING FUNDDonor In Memory of:Janice Ackerman Beatrice CarrollGreta Goldman Lewis M. GoldmanSusan Mann Doris Bernstein Rachel MannLillian Smuckler Ralph Smuckler
KAMY LOREN NATHANSON BAR & BAT MITZVAH KIDDUSH CUP ENDOWMENT FUNDDonor In Memory of:Randy Cutler Ida HandelsmanSteven Fischer & Linda Adler
Ruth G. Adler & Rhoda S. FischerThe Pinson/Vine Family Pearl Pinson
ALBERT & SCOTT PELMOTER YOUTH SCHOLARSHIP FUND Donor In Memory of:Eleanor Feigenbaum Naomi JosephsStephanie & Andrew Pelmoter Bruno VetteseShirley Pelmoter Scott Pelmoter Anne Picower
SYLVIA & SAUL RITZENBERG HUMANITARIAN FUND Donor Susanna McBee Susan & David Rosenblum Donor In Honor of:Barbara & David Marblestone
David Marblestone’s BirthdayDonor In Memory of:Ellen R. Berlow Ralph F. BerlowMarc & Cathy Scheineson Charles J. ZemanCathy Scheineson Eugen Zeisel James Harris
NAOMI & LEROY ROBINS MEDICAL EMERGENCY FUND Donor In Memory of:Stephen & Pirjo Jaffe Libby Jaffe
SELINGER (CHILDRENS) LIBRARY Donor In Honor of:Janice Ackerman Theodore Rosen & Lee Cayne’s BirthsSusan & Stuart Feldman Jeanette Levin’s 90th BirthdayDonor In Memory of:Joel, Philp & Katherine Bronstein Beatrice CarrollBarbara Lewis & Elise Geltzer Dr. & Mrs. Arthur LewisEllen & Stewart Share Dr. Lawrence Deutsch
ABE & SYLVIA SHRINSKY CREATIVE WORSHIP PROGRAM FUND Donor In Memory of:Margery Shrinsky & Family Harvey Freedman
CARLYNN & LARRY SILVERMAN FAMILY ENDOWMENT FOR JEWISH LIFE & LEARNINGDonor In Memory of:The Harwood Family Beverly Tunis Marilyn Gerber
CARRIE SIMON HOUSE Donor WHC Brotherhood Donor In Memory of:Mickey Garfinkel Shirley Garfinkel
SISTERHOOD YOUTH, EDUCATION & ENRICHMENT FUND Donor In Memory of:Diane & Howard Benson May S. Leiner
TIKKUN OLAM VALUES (TOV) FUND Donor George Wasserman Family Foundation Inc. Donor In Honor of:Linda & Ron Recht Kate Irene Spivak’s BirthAlane & Gene Youngentob
Pat & Bob Shapiro’s 50th AnniversaryDonor In Memory of:Joanne & Bob Frankel Marshall ColeCathy Kwart Arnold KwartLinda & Ron Recht Frances Recht Jay LebowitzTina & Albert Small Jr. & Family Robert Blumenthal
RABBI JOSEPH WEINBERG YOUNG LEADERSHIP COMMUNITY SERVICE FUNDDonor In Honor of:Rudolph & Betty Ressler Zachary Aden Galipeau Adam Joel Galipeau Sydney Jade SamuelsDonor In Memory of:Judy & Mike Herman Freda GordonBunnye Levey Allan C. LeveyRenee Lipsic Loeb Fay Lipsic
WHC HUNGER PROJECT Donor Holly & Jeff Bergman Donor In Memory of:Holly & Jeff Bergman Max Dick Abraham Bergman
WORSHIP & MUSIC FUND Donor In Honor of:Louis E. Levitt & Joan Bialek Levitt Rabbi LustigLouis Levy Wilma Probst Levy’s Speedy RecoveryRobin & Jeremy London Rabbi LustigSondra Oken Rabbi ShankmanLinda Singer Rabbi LustigFrank Spigel Morgan Elman’s Bat Mitzvah
Continued on page 10.
9
Tributes in this WHC Journal reflect contributions received through December 10.
WHC News
Contributions (continued from page 9)
WORSHIP & MUSIC FUND Donor In Memory of:Beth Ourisman Glassman & Peggy Goldman
Florenz OurismanJackie & Franklin Paulson Agnes May FischerLinda Singer Melvyn NewmanVanessa & Jonathan Smith Eliot HalperinJoan & Norman Smith Eliot HalperinLayne, Rachel, Ryan, Brian, Ilyssa & Ethan
Frances SchoolerSidelle Wertheimer Bertha Fishman
YOUNG PROFESSIONALS (22-39) FUND Donor In Honor of:Richard S. Brown Rabbi Miller
IVY ZOLA’S HELP-A-FRIEND FUND Donor In Memory of:Neal & Paula Bobys Beverly TunisTodd & Nicole Forster Sue LevinKaren & Richard Perkins Holly Snider KopitHarriet Smith & Family Harold Golden
A Warm Welcome to New MembersWashington Hebrew Congregation is fortunate
to have a long and rich history in our nation’s capi-tal. Some members can trace their history with the Temple back to its founders, others are just begin-ning their journey with us. Each member adds to the growing tapestry of our Congregation. Please join us in extending a warm welcome to the newest members of our Temple family.
Carly Blackstone and her son, TaylorJamie & Michael Bresnick and their daughters, Anne and KateCara Sklar & Brighid ClarkBecca Schofield & Adam CohenMaria Cuadra & Jacob Cohen and their daughter, MayaJarrett ConwayDebbie & Edward Corwin and their children, Danielle, Jonathan, and MatthewJenine & Eric Dreisen and their sons, Ryder and DylanLaura Bogomolny & Christopher Flavelle and their children, Hannah and LeoElana Silversmith & Joshua Friedson and their children, Sienna and JadenZoe Gutterman & Marc FriendKaren Blum & Jeffrey GoldbergHeather & Max Holtzman and their children, Beck and JaceMarcy & Josh Jacobs and their children, Abigail and SamJessica & Joshua Kreiser and their daughters, Shayna and LailaBen Lazarus and his son, Samuel (Ben is the son of WHC members Rosalind & Simon Lazarus)
Sarah Lackritz & Daniel Levy and their son, Oscar (Sarah is the daughter of WHC members Mary DeOreo & Marc Lackritz and the sister of WHC member Anne Lackritz)
Amy Norris & Joshua LichtensteinAliza Luft & Jared McBrideTracy Silverman-Mednik & Greg Mednik and their daughters, Sydney and AshleyCheryl & Eric Miller and their children, Dason and MaddieAimee & Neil Narcisenfeld and their children, Reese and ClayJanette & David Pepper and their children, Maxwell and SamanthaNoel Gerson & Peter Reinecke and their children, Josh and IsabelleKaryn & Jonathan Ross and their children, Bennett, Jackson and Skylar (Jonathan is the son of WHC members Laurie & David Ross)
Sandra & Samuel Rubenstein and their children, Anna, Simon, and EmilyRebecca SalmanSabrina & Adam Schaeffer and their children, Findley, Penelope, and SpencerTanya Alteras & Mark Schneiderman and their children, Naomi and JonahTeri ShulmanAndrea Kaufman & John Sullivan and their daughters, Chloe and LuluJennifer WeissmanDebra & Bradley Weltman and their sons, Alex and ReidAshley Wiltshire and her sons Brody, Jon, and William (Ashley is the daughter of WHC member Jon Gerstenfeld)
Elizabeth Wilner and her daughter, Jocelyn (Elizabeth is the daughter of WHC member John Wilner)
Amram Explores Einstein (continued from page 1)
Einstein’s Jewish Science, in which Professor Gimbel posits that the Jew-ish nature of Einstein’s thinking was particularly conducive to the develop-ment of his original ideas.
“The heart of the Talmudic view is that there is an absolute truth, but this truth is not directly and com-pletely available to us,” Professor Gimbel writes. “It turns out that ex-actly the same style of thinking occurs in the relativity theory and in some of Einstein’s other research.”
Beyond science, however, the Einstein we meet through Professor Gimbel is politically active and con-cerned. He argues for the abolition of nuclear weapons and fully supports the State of Israel, but insists that Jews can endure there in peace only as long as they work with Arabs to create a society of political equality.
Professor Gimbel comes to WHC through the cooperation of the Jewish Book Council.
10
WHC News
Congregational Conversations Keynote (continued from page 1)
joint program in Holocaust education since 1997. For the last four years, he has been the Consultant for Jewish Affairs at the USCCB, where he staffs two official dialogues between the Jewish community and Catholic Church in the United States. He also teaches an annual Holocaust education workshop at the Museum of Jewish Heritage in New York City.
The author of How to be Secular: A Call to Arms for Religious Freedom, Pro-fessor Berlinerblau has published on issues ranging from the composition of the Hebrew Bible, the sociology of heresy, and modern Jewish intellectu-als. He has written and lectured ex-tensively on the subject of secularism. His work has appeared in a number of academic publications including Biblica, Journal for the Study of the Old Testament, and Journal for the American Academy of Religion.
There is no charge for this Keynote, but registration is preferred and may be completed online, whctemple.org/CongregationalConversations. For more information, please contact Layne Weiss, [email protected] or 202-895-6307.
Debbie Friedman Memorial ConcertSunday, January 10, 7:00 pm at JBSC
Join D.C.-area songleaders Audrey Katz, Lisa Baydush, Sally Heckelman, Liz Kruger, Jill Moskowitz, and Teddy Klaus for an evening of song to honor the memory of
and pay tribute to the legendary Debbie Friedman.This is a free event, open to the entire community. RSVP to Lisa Baydush,
11
Sponsored by Washington Hebrew Congregation, Temple Emanuel, and Westmoreland Congregational United Church of Christ
end the bloodshedsan bernadino - planned parenthood - umpqua cc - chattanooga military recruitment center - Charleston Church - marysville-pilchuck hs - washington navy yard - sandy hook elementary - sikh temple
- aurora theater - fort hood - binghamton immigration
center - virginia tech - columbine hs
Gun violenceSTOP
Sunday, January 24 @ 5pmWashington Hebrew Congregation
3935 Macomb St. NW, Washington, DCRSVP: whctemple.org/StopViolence • 202-362-7100
A D.C.- Area Faith-Based Evening of Solidarity
With Daniel Webster, Director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Policy and Research, Elected Officials, Victims of Gun Violence, and Local/National Anti-Gun Violence Groups
SHOW YOUR SUPPORT
NON-PROFIT ORG
US POSTAGE
PAIDSUBURBAN, MD
PERMIT NO. 4240
The Boomers
Enjoy Sunshine and Song at Florida Reunion
With winter settling in at last, we invite you to join us in Florida for this year’s Reunion, hosted by Ann and Don Brown at their home in Palm Beach Gardens on Monday, February 1 at 4:00 pm.
Featuring a special concert by Cantor Mikhail Manevich and Cantor Susan Bortnick, we welcome all members who winter in or travel to Florida to join Rabbi Lustig for a warm evening of music and memories.
If we have a Florida address on file for you, your invitation should have arrived by mail. If you are new to Florida or considering traveling to join us, please contact Miriam Feffer, 202-895-6312 or [email protected], for more information. RSVP online, whctemple.org/Florida or directly with Miriam. We look forward to seeing you in February!
“Take My Spouse, Please” Comes to WHCJoin us at Temple for a night of laughter and humor with comedian Dani Klein Modisett on Sat-urday, January 23. Klein
Modisett is the creator, producer, and director of the shows Afterbirth…Stories You Won’t Read in a Parenting Magazine and Not What I Signed Up For, and her 7:00 pm show — with refreshingly hon-est stories about marriage and parent-ing — will have you rolling in the aisle.
A professional actress, stand-up comic, and writer, her latest book, Take
My Spouse, Please, has received praise from renowned comedians including Ben Stiller, Carl Reiner, and Jim Gaf-figan. She is a frequent contributor to LA Parent Magazine, Huffington Post, and Parents Magazine and has appeared on The Today Show, The Madeleine Brand Show, and NickMom.
This one-of-a-kind WHC event is sponsored by the Boomers, Couples Club, EmptyNesters, Brotherhood, Sisterhood, and RJWECC Parents Committee and is made possible by the Edlavitch-Tyser Family Relations Forum.
Tickets are $18 and include wine, beer, and heavy hors d’oeuvres. Purchase yours online at whctemple.org/ComedyNight. For more information, please contact Naomi Abelson, [email protected] or 202-895-6328.
Spring is so far away…but Florida isn’t!
Shabbat Home Dinners
Celebrate the warmth of Shabbat with a family-style dinner hosted by your fellow Boomers.
Friday, January 22 at 7:00 pm
Space is limited! RSVP by January 15: whctemple.org/Boomers.
with
Questions? Contact Beth Donaldson, 202-895-6309 [email protected].
WH
C Jo
urna
l“Washington Hebrew Congregation”
whctemple.orgW
HC
Jour
nal
“Washington Hebrew Congregation”
whctemple.org
