May 2008 Nissan–Iyar 5768Volume XCIII Issue 8

www.templeshalom.net

Erev Shabbat Family Service 7:30 PM

Shabbat Morning Service & B’notMitzvah of Eloise Goldsmith and RachelAuerbach 10 AM

Shabbat Morning Worship and Study 10 AM

Parashat KedoshimLeviticus 19:1-20:27

Erev Shabbat Service 8 PM

Primary Age Shabbat Service 9 AM

Shabbat Morning Family Service 10 AM

Shabbat Morning Service & Bat Mitzvahof Ella Peal 10 AM

Shabbat Morning Workshop & Study 10 AM

Parashat EmorLeviticus 21:1-24:23

A Tot Celebration of Israel 6:45 PM

Erev Shabbat Service with Shir Shalom8 PM

Shabbat Morning Worship and Study 10 AM

Shabbat Morning Service & B’naiMitzvah of Max Colbert & Tom Agger10 AM

Israel Art Show Gala & Sale 8 PM

Parashat BeharLeviticus 25:1-26:2

Kabbalat Shabbat Service 6:15 PM

Pot Luck Dinner 7 PM

Erev Shabbat Service 8 PM

Shabbat Morning Service & Bar Mitzvahof Abraham Sheinkman 10 AM

Shabbat Morning Worship & Study 10 AM

Parashat BehukotaiLeviticus 26:3-27:34

Erev Shabbat Service 8 PM

Shabbat Morning Service & B’notMitzvah of Nicole Epstein & BeccaSchwartz 10 AM

Shabbat Morning Worship & Study 10 AM

Parashat BemidbarNumbers 1:1-4:20

2FRI

3SAT

9FRI

10SAT

16FRI

17SAT

23FRI

24SAT

30FRI

31SAT

Ma

y

Temple Shalom Annual Commemoration of

Yom HaShoah V’haG’vurah(Holocaust Martyrs and Heroes Memorial Day)

Thursday Night, May 1, 7:30 PM

On Thursday evening May 1 at 7:30 PM, Temple Shalom will conduct aspecial service to observe Yom HaShoah – Holocaust Remembrance Day.

Our Seventh and Tenth Grade classes will participate in the service.

Annual Reminder: Seeking the Names of Loved Ones Lost in the ShoahFriends, remember that during this service we read the names of those loved ones whom members of

our congregation lost during the Holocaust. Every year we ask our new members, and anyone who has notdone so previously, to submit names of family members so that they can be included on the list of namesread during our remembrance service. If there are members of your family whose names we do not yet have,please send names to dkopp@templeshalom.net so that we may include them in our tribute.

Celebrating 60 Years of Israel’sIndependence

May 42–5 PM

Washington Council Na’Amat Seminar at Temple Shalom

May 6, 13, 207:30–9 PM

Israel@60: How Did We Get Here and Where Are We Going?

May 8Shir Shalom presents “My Heart Is In The East –

A Musical Celebration of Israel’s 60th Birthday” (8 PM at Temple Shalom)

May 166:45 PM

A Tot Celebration of Israel’s 60th Birthday

May 15 – 18Israeli Art Exhibition and Sale

June 1Noon – 5 PM

A Capital Celebration on the National Mall

For Your Information

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Astory is told of a church whose sanctuary windowslooked out onto the street. The neighborhood hadchanged over the years, and now the window looked

not onto green trees and well-kept lawns, but a pawn-shop,and a red-light district. During a renovation project madepossible only because of a fire in the building, church lead-ers wanted to remove the window, and replace it with art.The pastor, however, insisted that the window remain, thatthe distance not be too great between the ideals expressedin the church and the reality of the outer world.

The story — apocryphal or not — has its echo and counterpart inour own tradition. We read in the Talmud that “a person ought not toutter his or her prayers in a room without windows” (Berakhot 31a).Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook, the first Chief Rabbi of the Land of Israelduring its initial resettlement in early 20th century, taught one interpre-tation of the Talmudic saying above. The windows, said Rabbi Kook, areto remind us that even during our innermost meditation, even in themiddle of our prayers we must be aware of the outside world. We mustnot withdraw from the world and pray only for our own needs.

I was reminded of this teaching at our recent Reform rabbinical con-ference in Cincinnati, where the theme was the Moral Leadership of theRabbinate, and workshops and presentations reviewed the role andactive engagement of the Reform movement in causes of social justicefrom the mid-19th century through the present day.

In particular, though, I was reminded of the image of windows whenI stood in the stunningly beautiful, powerfully presented and deeply dis-turbing Freedom Center, a fairly new museum devoted to the story ofthe Underground Railroad. There, with the sun streaming through thewide windows overlooking the Ohio River, from the display of an actualrelocated slave pen, one could look from Ohio into Kentucky. From afree-state into a slave-state. From a sliver of water which bounded amental world, a legal universe. With the help of modern reenactmentsand a film narrated by Oprah Winfrey, one could hear the sounds of thenight, crickets and birds and the soft dip of a paddle on the river, andthe hunting dogs and rifle shots in the night. You can feel it, you canvisualize yourself in the very places right there where the risky runs tofreedom were made. Upstairs the exhibits outline the history of slavery,the intricacies of the civil war, the pavilion of perseverance, the slow andpainful path to freedom. (And the downstairs bookshops reminds usthat, incredibly, slavery still exists in many forms, in the world today. Bysome estimates there might be close to 30 million human beings held inbondage — sold for sex or bought for labor, kidnapped, tricked orbartered away to pay off family debt — slaves by any other name.)

We emerge from Passover having reenacted our own march to free-dom. Yet we look around and know: the world is not yet the way itshould be. On so many fronts, so many issues: we have a lot of workto do.

Hope abides, for me, in the dedication and idealism of those whoopen their hearts and share their stories. In our own community, theprogram Operation Understanding DC (OUDC) continues its wonder-ful work, bringing together Jewish and African American teens for ajourney through American and Jewish history, with visits to New York(Harlam and Brooklyn) and through the deep South. Our own highschool seniors Ben Elkind, Miriam Ragen and Elizabeth Horne have justcompleted this year-long program, and high school junior RebeccaMeyer joined the “class” that began this past January. OUDC's mostrecent graduation ceremony took place in our Temple ShalomSanctuary. I have been moved many times in our Sanctuary, stirred byprayer, inspired by speakers, lifted by joy or shaken in sadness. But Ihave never been more proud than at that opening of a window into thelives of these youth, and that graduation hint of the experiences theyhad shared together.

Windows on the world, that the prayers we sing and the words wesay may be real in the lives we lead. For all that has been done, by somany of you — Civil Rights work in the early days of our congregation,activism on behalf of Soviet Jewry, working for affordable housing,meals through SOME, work at Shepherd’s Table, the Silver SpringInterfaith Housing project, planning for the Million Mom March, walk-ing with you in the March for Women’s Lives, testimony on behalf ofsame-sex marriage, the Darfur panel last month, ongoing engagementwith Israel, to name just a very few parts of the ways we roll up oursleeves and get involved — thank you all.

It is said that, “It is not incumbent upon us to finish the work, butneither are we free to desist from it.” There are so many issues to tack-le. No one person can do it all. But that is why we have each other.That is part of what it means to be in a community. For if I support acommunity which engages in sacred work, my support allows that workto go on.

Towards the end of the service, in words which are there in theprayerbook and which we sometimes say, our goal remains “l’takeinolam b’malchut shadai; the repair the world, in the image of the mosthigh.” There are those who say there is a difference between spiritualityand social justice, between looking inward and looking outward. But Ibelieve that both paths meet one another in the end. For in lookinginward we discover the work of the world. And in working with otherswe can discover ourselves.

Rabbi Michael Feshbach

Message From Rabbi Michael Feshbach

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Windows on the WorldMessage from Rabbi Michael L. Feshbach

As I write my final words for the Shofar, I am feelingvery humbled by the kind expressions of apprecia-tion that have been shared with me by so many of

you over the past few months. Some of you have suggestedto me that there ought to be a public recognition of myeight years at Temple Shalom. If I am honest with myself, Ihave to admit that I have already been honored more than Ideserve by the many opportunities to study and worshiptogether with members of this holy community. The firstwritten communication that I received from a member ofthe congregation in December following the vote of theBoard was a moving appreciation. I know that any publicceremonial occasion will never mean any more to me thanthese words I received that day:

“Gerry, I have never known anyone who has challengedmy notion and modeled for me the concept of gemilutchasadim as you have. Quietly, with dignity, always withpersonal conviction, by your own actions you call me tomore acts of tikkun olam than I would otherwise be up to.Years ago you were on about healthcare for maintenanceworkers…don’t get me wrong—it’s a good idea but Ican’t pay anymore rent at the office. What we did do inour office was to begin collecting the worthwhile leftoverfood each week and set it out for the maintenance crew.It’s a small thing I know but they are very appreciativeand even though they’re still without insurance you madea difference in their lives.”

To have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the peo-ple with whom I work and through them to increase chesed (kindness)and tzedek (justice) in the world is why I became a Rabbi. Hearingwords such as those above is an unbelievably wonderful and cherishedgift, one that honors me more than would any material acknowledg-ment. This is what I would most like to receive from anyone so movedas a memento of my experience at Temple Shalom. If I have taught anyof you a word of Torah (or inspired you to create your own “torah,”) ifthere is any of my teaching which has influenced your life, and you canshare either of those with me in person or in writing, there is nothingthat will give me more of a sense of accomplishment.

Among my fondest wishes is that the congregation will continue itslegacy, which I have tried to foster, as a leader in Tikkun Olam activitiesin the local community, state, and nation. In April we expanded ouractivity and our concern with a remarkable panel discussion providingperspectives on Darfur, coordinated with dedication by Tim Greene and

Marilyn Feister, who deserve much thanks from the congregation.

In a similar vein, my last weeks at the Temple will be sweetened ifmembers of the congregation join with me actively and joyously inthe celebration of Israel’s 60th anniversary at the Shir Shalom concerton Thursday evening May 8 (Israel Independence Day) and throughsupport and attendance at the Patrons Reception and the TempleShalom Birthday Party/Art Exhibit/Israeli Culture Night on May 15and May 17.

As I think you know from my words and deeds, I have devoted a sig-nificant part of my adult life to the search for peace and justice for ourbrothers and sisters in Israel and our cousins, the Palestinian people. Ifeel very strongly that our fate as American Jews is intimately connectedwith the survival and flourishing of a Jewish and democratic state, onethat is both physically and morally strong. With all its imperfections as acountry and government, (just think of the imperfections of our owncountry!) Israel needs our deepest caring as well as our celebration ofher reality and her potential.

Accordingly, if there are those who feel moved to honor my servicein one of the other traditional Jewish ways, through acts of justice orthrough righteous giving, the cause dearest to my heart is Rabbis forHuman Rights. RHR receives contributions through the Web site (rhr-na.org) as well as designated gifts through Amcha for Tzedakah. Iunderstand that RHR plans to honor me for my human rights worklater this year at a conference which will take place at Adas IsraelCongregation in DC, most likely on December 8. I would be delightedto see my friends from the Temple at this event, which will also com-memorate the 60th anniversary of the signing of the InternationalDeclaration of Human Rights.

It says in the Talmud (Pirkei Avot), “Who is truly honored? The onewho honors all of God’s created beings.” As you have joined with me inthe past, and as I know you will continue to honor God’s creationthrough our Jewish job description of “world repair” (tikkun olam), youhave honored me deeply. More important in so doing we have done ourbest to respond to what God asks of us all — in the words of theprophet Micah, doing justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly alongGod’s paths.

Shalom U’vrachah—Peace and Blessings

Gerry

From Rabbi Gerald Serotta

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Rabbi Gerald Serotta

“What should be done for the man whom theKing desires to honor?” Esther 6:6

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Washington Council Na’Amat USA Forum Sunday, May 4, 2 – 5 PM

at Temple Shalom

Noa Meridor, wife of Israel’s Ambassador to the United States, willmoderate an esteemed panel of speakers at Temple Shalom.• Naomi Gail will discuss “The Position of Women in Israel.”

Professor Gail teaches at the Center for Israel Studies at AmericanUniversity in Washington, D.C.

• Dr. Albert Teich will explore “Israel – A Nation Built on Scienceand Technology.” Dr. Teich is the Director of Science and PolicyPrograms at the American Association for the Advancement ofScience (AAAS), the premier scientific research organization in theUnited States.

• Dr. Micha Balf, Israel’s representative to the Jewish community ofthe Washington, D.C., metro area, will look to the future of the U.S.relationship with Israel. Referencing the famous Beatle’s song, Dr.Balf will ask, “Israel@70: Will You Still Love Me?”

• Avi West, Educational Director for the Washington, D.C., umbrellaorganization, Partnership for Jewish Life and Learning, will speakabout “The Bold and the Beautiful – New Israeli Music as a Windowto Israeli Society.

A Tot Celebration of Israel’s 60th BirthdayFriday, May 16, 6:45 PM

at Temple Shalom

Join Rabbi Feshbach and Carol Boyd Leon for a magical, musical cele-bration of Israel Independence Day – Yom HaAtzma’ut. There will besong! There will be fun! There might even be cake!

Israel @ 60! A Capital Celebration Sunday, June 1, Noon to 5 PM on the National Mall,Washington, D.C. will toast Israel. The celebration will take place onthe mall area between The National Gallery of Art and The National Airand Space Museum. Mandy Patinkin, Emmy and Tony Award-winningactor, will emcee the celebration. Singer and songwriter, ReginaSpektor, will perform; Regina and her family emigrated from the formerSoviet Union when she was a child, and her distinctive sound hasbecome a memorable part of our musical tradition. Also performing willbe the Israeli rock band, Mashina, and the Sesame Street Muppets,Oscar the Grouch and Israel’s Moise Oofnik. Festival attendees willenjoy music, dance, theater performances, multi-cultural food, children’sactivities and family workshops.

Celebrating 60 Years of Israeli Independence__________________________________________________

Israel@60: How Did We Get Here and Where Are We Going?

Rabbi Michael Feshbach teaches this special adult education offering at Temple Shalom in honor of the 60th anniversary of the state of Israel.

May 6The Origin of Zionism as a Modern Nationalist Movement

May 13 Choices and Challenges: Political, Military, Religious and Social Issues

Facing Israel

May 20Israel Today: An exploration in word and song, sight and sound

Cost: $18 – Temple Shalom 2008 Summer Trip to Israel participants$20 – Temple Shalom members

$25 - General community

Each class, 7:30–9 PM.To register, please call the Temple Office (301-587-2273) or e-mail Rabbi Feshbach at rabbifeshbach@templeshalom.net.

__________________________________________________

Celebrating Israel

From the Cantor Dr. Ramón Tasat • Mitzvah Corps

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Ihave had the honor to conduct Shir Shalom, ourbeloved adult choir, since September of 1999. Thegroup has grown in past years, not only in numbers but

in musical and spiritual depth. Shir Shalom members haveshown their devotion, month after month after month, tomastering the musical traditions of our people, deepeningtheir and our experience of the liturgy and its expressionthrough music. If you heard Shir Shalom when you attend-ed the second Shabbat of each month or their performancesat the Kennedy Center, or more recently at Strathmore,you’d be familiar with the special blend of warmth and feel-ing that Shir Shalom brings to everything they participatein. You would have also perceived at a deep level how theymanage to create a sacred space that helps us transcend theuneasiness and indifference that so many times we experi-ence during the regular week.

On Thursday, May 8 at 8 PM Shir Shalom will perform itslast concert under my direction and an era comes to an end.It has been an enormously rewarding time to see this groupgrow in so many ways. A choir full of people that show, weekafter week, a sincere desire to sing no matter how good thequality of their voices, fully aware that to praise God all voic-es are special, and to use music as a vehicle to learn about thetreasures of Judaism. So I want to thank Shir Shalom forbeing there with me at good and at difficult times.

Like all good times, I will remember them always. Forthose of you that have expressed a desire to honor me I tellyou that there is no need for an official ceremony. Your wordsof support and encouragement will remain with me forever. Ifyou still feel that a more tangible expression of farewell is nec-essary I suggest that you can honor me by making a donationcongratulating me as the new Director of the CantorialProgram at Academy for Jewish Religion (AJR). On May 21,I will be offering a concert to benefit AJR at B’nai Jeshurun.To have you making a donation on my behalf on this specialoccasion will be very meaningful to me.

Looking forward to see you soon,

Hazzan Dr. Ramón Tasat

Hazzan Dr. Ramón Tasat

Shir ShalomSerenades Israel

MITZVAH CORPS:The Caring Community of Temple Shalom

A Caring Community – Being There for Each OtherWhat Would You Want in a Time of Need?

Being a part of a spiritual community is about morethan worship and education. It is also about the waywe are there for one another. For many years ourTemple Shalom Mitzvah Corps has put our values intopractice, with shivah minyan leaders in the homes ofthose in mourning, meals to families just back from ahospital, rides to appointments or grocery stores, refer-rals to social service agencies, visits to shut-ins and somuch more. This is the work of a caring community.Sometimes members of the congregation do not knowwe are here, or what we can do — or are even reluc-tant to ask for help when they need it. But wouldn'tyou give such help, to a friend in need? It is a mitzvah,then — not only to help others, but to let others helpwhen you need the help yourself.

Mitzvah Corps is open to your energy, and yourinput. Our next meeting is Wednesday night, May 7, atthe Temple at 7:30 PM. Please join us if you can, as weplan better ways to be there for each other. And if youare interested in being part of Mitzvah Corps, wantmore information or cannot make the meeting on May7th, please be in touch with Wilma Braun, at 301-460-5693 or wilmabr@verizon.net, or BerylTretter, at 301-984-5619 or btret1125@aol.com. A call for help: a new cadre of shivah minyan leaders forming!One of the greatest gifts that members of the congrega-tion give to one another is the dedicated corps of volun-teers who assist the clergy by leading services in thehomes of congregants in mourning.

We will soon be training a new group, to supplement our existing service leaders.If you are interested in learning how to help withthis tremendous mitzvah, please be in touch with Rabbi Michael Feshbach:

rabbifeshbach@templeshalom.net 301-587-2273.

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Please note that our Shir Shalom Choir will also join us this month on May 16, the third Friday of the month (instead of the usual second Friday), in conjunction

with our Israel Art events and our celebration of Israel’s 60th anniversary.

May 200812:15 PM Reading the Writings

7:30 PM Yom HaShoah Service–7th & 10thGrade participation

7:30 PM Erev Shabbat Family Service–ledby 4th Grade

10 AM Shabbat Service and B’not Mitzvahof Eloise Goldsmith and Rachel Auerbach

10 AM Shabbat Morning Worship and Study

8:45 AM Religious School Early Session–Yom HaShoah Memorial

10 AM Mothers Day Brotherhood Brunch

10:45 AM Youth Chorus–End of year party

11:15 AM Mah Jongg

11:15 AM Religious School Late Session–Yom HaShoah Memorial

1:30 PM Rosh Hodesh: It’s a Girl Thing–Grade 6

4 PM Boys Into Menschen

4 PM Rosh Hodesh: It’s a Girl Thing–Grade 7

6:30 PM Confirmation Class Rehearsal

6:30 PM Religious School Evening Session

7:30 PM Introduction to Judaism-Spring 08(at WHC-DC)

4:30 PM Hebrew School-Yom HaAtzmautCelebration

7:30 PM Israel@60: How Did We Get Hereand Where Are We Going?

7:30 PM Board of Trustees Meeting

7 AM Wednesday Morning Minyan Service

4:30 PM Hebrew School Early Session-YomHaAtzmaut Celebration

6:30 PM Brotherhood Meeting

6:45 PM Confirmation class

6:45 PM Hebrew School Late Session-YomHaAtzmaut Celebration

12:15 PM Reading the Writings

8 PM Shir Shalom Serenades Israel

8 PM Erev Shabbat Service

9 AM Primary Age Shabbat Service-Led by3rd Grade

10 AM Shabbat Morning Family Service

10 AM Shabbat Service and Bat Mitzvah ofElla Peal

11 AM Torah Study

8:45 AM Religious School EarlySession–Tzedakah Fair

11:15 AM Religious School LateSession–Tzedakah Fair

11:15 AM Mah Jongg

6:30 PM No Confirmation Class(Rehearsal)

6:30 PM Religious School Evening Session–Tzedakah Fair

7 PM Chai School Pizza

7:30 PM Introduction to Judaism–Spring 08 (offsite)

4:30 PM Hebrew School

7:30 PM Israel@60: How Did We Get Hereand Where Are We Going?

7 AM Wednesday Morning Minyan Service

4:30 PM Hebrew School Early Session

6:45 PM Confirmation Class Rehearsal

6:45 PM Hebrew School Late Session

12:15 PM Reading the Writings

6 PM Israeli Art Show Opening Reception

7:15 PM Shir Shalom Choir Practice

6:45 PM A Tot Celebration of Israel’s 60th

8 PM Erev Shabbat Service with Shir Shalom Choir

10 AM Shabbat Service and B’nai Mitzvah ofTom Agger and Max Colbert

10 AM Shabbat Morning Worship and Study

8 PM Israeli Art Show and Sale

17SATURDAY

16FRIDAY

15THURSDAY

14WEDNESDAY

13TUESDAY

12MONDAY

11SUNDAY

10SATURDAY

9FRIDAY

8THURSDAY

7WEDNESDAY

6TUESDAY

5MONDAY

4SUNDAY

3SATURDAY

2FRIDAY

1THURSDAY

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Pilgrimage Festival ofShavuotOne of the most important—and least wellobserved— holidays of the Jewish calendaroccurs this year on June 8-9.

In observance of Shavuot, a picnic dinner willtake place on Sunday, June 8 at 6 PM. Tot

Shavuot follows: Sinai and Ice Cream, a reen-actment of the giving of Torah, for theyoungest among us will take place at 6:45 PM.Our congregational service for Erev Shavuotbegins on Sunday, June 8 at 8 PM, followed byblintzes, cheesecake, and our own Tikkun LeilShavuot study sessions, from 9:30–11 PM.Whether we will continue on to join in study

S h av u o t2 0 0 8

Israeli Art Exhibition & Sale

Israeli Art Exhibition & Sale

Adult Education Anne Feinberg

ARZA Joan Kalin

B’nai Mitzvah Marney Jacobs

Brotherhood Myles Levin

Capital Projects Mark Ross

Cemetery Marta Tanenhaus

Chavurah Susan Medick

College Outreach Mary Jacobs

Communications Ken Norkin

Finance Committee Marc Feinberg

Kenneth Kramer

Founders Ed Beeman

Historian/Parliamentarian Sandy Kamisar

House & Grounds Mike Gurevich

JCC Delegate Joan Kalin’

Leadership Julie Knoll

Legal Counsel Ken Pollack

Membership Ben Bederson

Allsion Druin

Helene Ross

Mitzvah Corps Wilma Braun

Judy Garner

Nominating Stephen Eisen

Outreach Committee TBD

Religious Education Debbie Kopp

Marc Blumenstein

Religious Services TBD

Renaissance Program Francine Simons

Sisterhood Andrea Karp

Susan Stamm

Special Funds Harvey Berger

Tikkun Olam Caryn Anthony

Worship Marty Shargel

Youth Committee Linda Kushner

COMMITTEE CHAIRS

9 AM Israeli Art Show and Sale

10 AM Book Discussion

10 AM Last day of Religious School (Uni-Session)

12 PM Brotherhood End of Year Picnic

6:30 PM Confirmation Class Rehearsal

7 PM Chai School Pizza

4:30 PM Hebrew School

6 PM Faculty Appreciation Dinner

6:45 PM Amcha for Tzedakah Meeting

7:30 PM Israel@60: How Did We GetHere and Where Are We Going?

7 AM Wednesday Morning Minyan Service

4:30 PM Hebrew School Early session

6:45 PM Confirmation Class Rehearsal

6:45 PM Hebrew School Late Session

21WEDNESDAY

20TUESDAY

18SUNDAY

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12:15 PM Reading the Writings

7:15 PM Shir Shalom Choir Practice

7:30 PM Executive Committee Meeting

6:15 PM Kabbalat Shabbat Service

7 PM Pot Luck Dinner

8 PM Erev Shabbat Service

10 AM Shabbat Service and Bar Mitzvahof Abraham Sheinkman

10 AM Shabbat Morning Worship andStudy

Memorial Day—Temple Office closed

7 AM Wednesday Morning MinyanService

6:30 PM Confirmation Class Rehearsal

12:15 PM Reading the Writings

8 PM Erev Shabbat Service

10 AM Shabbat Service and B’notMitzvah of Nicole Epstein and BeccaSchwartz

31SATURDAY

30FRIDAY

29THURSDAY

28WEDNESDAY

26MONDAY

24SATURDAY

23FRIDAY

22THURSDAY

with other area synagogues through the nightremains to be seen. Watch for details in theMay flyers, and the June Shofar.

Finally, we gather together at Temple Emanuelon Monday, June 9, at 10:30 AM for our com-bined Reform synagogue Shavuot FestivalMorning and Yizkor Memorial Service.

Remember, as the name of the service implies:Memorial prayers for loved ones we have losttake place four times a year, including at thisservice.

NEXT BOOK DISCUSSION

Sunday, May 18, 10 AM–NOON

(** NEW TIME **)

Einstein: His Life and Universe, byWalter Isaacson (biography)

As a scientist,Albert Einstein isundoubtedly the most epic among 20th-century thinkers; this biography alsoportrays Einstein as a man, husband,father and friend, with interesting revela-tions about a variety of subjects, includ-ing his interest in Zionism. [Note: Thisis the last day of Sunday School]

The Renaissance Group

Cocktail Buffetwill be held on

June 22, 5–7 PM

Please Savethe Date!

Board of Directors • Renaissance Group

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FROM THE RENAISSANCE GROUPFrancine Simons, Chair

I am very pleased to report that the Renaissance Group visit to theUnited States Holocaust Memorial Museum on March 27th was a big suc-cess. Twenty-three Temple Shalom members were treated to a veryfocused and intense two-hour guided tour of the museum. During thelunch that followed, there was an opportunity to discuss our reactions.While all of the participants had been to the museum before, it was agreedthat having a tour made the experience much more meaningful. Manythanks to our tour guides, Earl Simons (Temple member), SusanWarsinger and Dick Wennick.

Plans for the annual Renaissance Group Gala Cocktail Buffet are under-way. Please mark Sunday, June 22, on your calendar for this event; detailswill appear in the June issue of the Shofar and in Temple Shalom WeeklyE-mails.

Board of Trustees MeetingApril 10, 2008

Julie Knoll gave an update on the Israel art sale fund raiser, scheduledfor May 15–18. There are 28 patrons so far, and both the Sisterhood andthe Brotherhood have contributed to the event, as has the Stanley Nehmerfund. Senator Barbara Mikulski, Senator Ben Cardin, Congressman ChrisVan Hollen, and Temple Shalom members State Delegate JeffWaldstreicher, and County Council Member George Leventhal have allagreed to be honorary patrons. Andrea thanked Julie and the committeeand encouraged the Board to become patrons, to spread the word andbring their friends to the art show, and to volunteer during that week.

Margo Gottesman updated the Board on the Cantor Search. Since herlast report, the two final candidates visited Temple Shalom a second time.Both met with the senior staff and Executive Vice President Betsy Kingery.They also spent more time with Rabbi Feshbach and with a subcommitteeof the search committee. After hearing reports from all of the above, thesearch committee voted unanimously, with the concurrence of RabbiFeshbach, to recommend to the Board that Cantor Lisa Levine becomeTemple Shalom’s next cantor. The motion to appoint Cantor Lisa Levineto a four-year contract beginning July 1, 2008, passed unanimously.

Alan Lewis moved for a resolution of thanks to Margo Gottesman andthe Cantorial Search Committee to express the Board’s thanks for theirwork; motion passed unanimously.

Scott Schreiber and Mark Ross gave the Treasurer’s Report and pre-sented a preliminary budget for FY08-09.

The Board voted to establish a Nominating Committee with immediatePast President Marilyn Ripin as chair. Members of the committee are: BevCohen, Linda Gurevich, Earl Simons and Marta Tanenhaus. Motionpassed unanimously.

Alan Lewis gave the Financial Secretary’s report. Alan noted that weare three percent behind in dues collection compared with this time lastyear. Alan noted that we currently have 573 regular members and 22honorary members.

CANCELEDAbitibi Paper Retriever Program

Due to continued increases in the cost of gasoline, our Baltimore-based paper retrieval company,Abitibi, has elected to

discontinue service to the Washington metro area.

Our paper recycling program hasthus been suspended until a local

vendor can be found. (If youknow of companies or agencies

in our area that could help us to continue our ‘greening’ efforts,

please call the Temple officewith your suggestions.)

We thank you, sincerely, for yourpast contributions to this Temple

Shalom community program.

From the Religious School

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FROM THE RELIGIOUS SCHOOLLisa Pressman, Director of Education

Temple Shalom is a happening place and my first year has been anexciting one. Throughout our building children experience theirJewishness and create personal meaning for the future. They don’t alwaysrealize it at the moment. Those colored pages and craft projects may notbe remembered but a sense of being Jewish and connecting to somethingthat is different from their day-to-day lives will be lasting.

The Temple Shalom Religious School is dedicated to connecting ourchildren to their rich Jewish heritage. The teachers and I have been meet-ing to discuss what constitutes a Jewish curriculum. What do we think achild who graduates our school should know and feel about their Judaism?How can we help each child and each family make meaningful Jewish con-nections? Of great importance is that our school be a place of learning andcaring about the world, Judaism, the Jewish people and each other.

Building lasting community and personal relationships is a core con-cept of Judaism. As the old joke says, “Esther goes to temple to pray, I goto temple to talk to Esther.” This witticism makes us smile but it is a corevalue of our school: provide avenues to connect to the traditions, prac-tices and ideals of Judaism and provide a way to connect through personalrelationship. Martin Buber taught us that each of us must encounter the“other” and when we truly do that, God is in the middle.

I have been fortunate to connect to our children and our familiesthrough the programs in our school and our congregation. It has been apleasure for me to lead family education programs, retreats, services, adultTorah Study and for the first time to lead a Women’s Seder. I love thecreative process and thank you for giving me the opportunity to reach outto you in so many ways.

It is a pleasure working with our school staff and observing the wonderfulteaching going on in our classrooms. The teachers and I have discussed waysof enhancing our curriculum and next year we look towards implementingnew ideas into our Hebrew program and in our lower grades on Sunday.

Our family education programs reach out to parents to join the discus-sion. My philosophy of family education encompasses: bringing familiestogether in a shared experience, creating meaningful adult learning withour clergy, creating hands-on experiences for parents and children andcreating materials that will extend the learning into your homes.

Our grade level retreats and Shabbatonim help our students make pos-itive Jewish connections to each other in an informal environment. Wetake children out of the normal classroom experience that is bounded bytime and space and we allow learning to expand over a longer periodwhile infusing it with ways to make personal connections. These are expe-riences not to be missed, for they create lasting memories.

The work of the Director of Education is expansive. It would not havebeen possible without the support of our lay leaders and clergy. Addingyour voice to ours is essential. If you are interested in helping to buildour school and be a part of the conversation please consider joining ourReligious Education Committee. Please email Marc Blumenstein atmjbinwdc@aol.com.

As the summer looms ahead, I look forward to planning for the newschool year, 5769 – 2008/2009. This past year I have observed and dis-cussed our programs with the staff, clergy and lay leaders. I have studiedand visioned with our faculty. It is an exciting time and it has been a richand meaningful year for me. Thank you all for the privilege of being apart of your wonderful school.

Lisa Pressman

Director of Education

ARZA National Assembly:“Connecting Reform Jews and Israel”

Baltimore Inner HarborSunday, May 11 – Wednesday, May 14

This three-day meeting includes: a Leadership Development Seminar for Israel Committee Chairs andCongregational Leaders;The Big Questions Addressed by the Assembly; Dai, the award winning one-woman

show (currently playing off-Broadway) featuring Iris Bahr; and the one-day Special Issue Consultation,“Jewish Dialogue with Muslims and Christians about Peace and Conflict in the Middle East.” Register for all

three days or for individual days. Complete information is available at www.arza.org/assembly2008.

From the Adult Education Committee, Steve Hirschfeld and Barbara Saragovitz, Co-Chairs

Page 12

MAZAL TOV

Mazal Tov to Jon Gallo, son-in-law of Barbara and Herb Jacobowitz, a reporter on TheWashington Post team that was awarded a Pulitzer Prize, April 7, for reporting on the2007 Virginia Tech shootings. Jon is now Sports Editor for The Baltimore Examiner.

CONDOLENCESTo Jerry Schwarz on the death of his mother, Hannah Schwarz, to Robin Schwarz onthe death of her mother-in-law, and to Julie, Anna, and Miriam Schwarz on the deathof their grandmother.

To Myles Levin on the death of his brother, Bernard Levin, and to Louisa Levin onthe death of her brother-in-law.

To Rochelle Granat on the death of her mother, Ruth Granat, and to RhodaSchulzinger on the death of her mother-in-law.

To Sally Kranz on the death of her sister, Beatrice Taines, and to Margo Gottesmanon the death of her aunt.

To Richelle Meer on the death of her father, Paul M. Bradley, Jr., to Jeffrey Meer onthe death of his father-in-law, and to Meredith and Jason Meer on the death of theirgrandfather.

To Arthur Sindoris on the death of his mother, Frances Sindoris, to Lynne Sindorison the death of her mother-in-law, and to Rebecca and Samantha on the death of theirgrandmother.

To Linda Katz on the death of her mother, Sarah Rochkind, to Stephen Katz on thedeath of his mother-in-law, and to Mark, Kenneth, and Karen on the death of theirgrandmother.

To Ruth Moriarty on the death of her father, Felix Bass, to John Moriarty on thedeath of his father-in-law, and to Julia and Pamela Moriarty on the death of theirgrandfather.

In the Community

Rachel Auerbach Rachel Auerbach willbecome a BatMitzvah on May 3,2008.She attends EasternMiddle School whereshe is a seventh gradestudent in theHumanities andCommunicationsMagnet Program.Rachel enjoys read-ing, drawing, hang-ing out with friends and being outside.

Eloise Goldsmith Eloise Goldsmithwill become a BatMitzvah on May 3,2008. Eloise wasborn in Chicagoand raised inTakoma Park,Maryland. She likesto read, cook, draw,play soccer andtravel. Above all,Eloise loves tospend quality timewith her friends.

She is an honor roll student at Takoma ParkMiddle School where she performs in the SchoolTheatre Program, most recently in Seussical.

Ella PealElla Peal will becomea Bat Mitzvah on May10, 2008. Ella is aneighth grader at theKatherine ThomasSchool in Rockville.She is a high-scoringmember of herschool's basketball andsoccer teams. A goodfriend with a greatsense of humor, Ellaloves spending severalweeks each summer at

sleep-away camp in beautiful northeastern Pennsylvania.Ella loves to draw and illustrate the people and events inher life. She likes origami and board games too, and iscurrently playing a lot of backgammon.

Meet Our B’nai Mitzvah

Eloise Goldsmith

Ella Peal

Rachel Auerbach

The Temple Shalom

Confirmation Class of 5768-2008

Cordially Invites Youto Attend Its Confirmation Service

On Sunday the 5th of Sivan,

five thousand seven hundred and sixty-eight

June 8th, two thousand and eight

At Ten O’Clock in the Morning

8401 GRUBB ROADCHEVY CHASE, MARYLAND

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