Washington Hebrew Congregation "Journal"

MARCH 2017

VOL. 58, NO. 3

Chag Purim

Hamantashen, Merriment, … and Oscars?!

MARCH 2017

VOL. 58, NO. 3

SUPPORTED BY AN ENDOWMENT FROM LIBBY AND MELVIN MANDEL

In This Issue Rabbi’s Reflection................................................................................3 President’s Column..............................................................................4 The Purim Oscars.................................................................................5 Purim Terms & Traditions.....................................................................6 Purim Oscar Ballot............................................................................... 7 Hamantashen Three Ways...................................................................8 “From the Back of the Bus to the Top of the Agenda” — An Evening with Anat Hoffman........................................................9 Amram Scholar Series: “The Photographic Genius of Roman Vishniac Rediscovered” “Bringing Nazis to Justice: The Hunt and Prosecution”......................... 10 The Bereavement Journey................................................................... 12 Focus on Fertility............................................................................... 12 WHC Programs & Events................................................................... 13 March Calendar................................................................................. 14 B’nei Mitzvah.................................................................................... 16 Life Cycle........................................................................................... 17 Contributions..................................................................................... 18 Yom Ha’Shoah................................................................................... 19

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 – March 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.

Rabbi’s Reflection Rabbi Susan Shankman

A

s this Journal is being delivered to your mailbox, we at Washington Hebrew Congregation are preparing for Purim — a festival of frivolity and fun, of celebration and merrymaking. Yet despite the rabbinic injunction to “make merry” until we can’t tell the difference between “cursed be Haman” and “blessed be Mordechai,” there are many serious thought-provoking aspects to this holiday that are worth contemplating.

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obligation, as expressed in the words of Aleinu, to repair the world and make it whole.

The concepts conveyed through Tolstoy’s questions exist not only in Jewish prayer, but also in practice. It is the lesson at the heart of the Megillat Esther (Book of Esther) our sacred text that we read on Purim. In the Book of Esther, which we will be reading in our Oscar best this month, Mordechai essentially brings Tolstoy’s questions to his niece/cousin Esther in the form of one strong admonishment:

It is the time to be human, to demonstrate the Jewish values we teach and model for our children, to treat every person as though they were created b’tzelem Elohim, in the image of God.”

How many of us have pondered the question, “What is my purpose in life?” There is, of course, our purpose vis-à-vis whatever our calling — our vocation, our profession, our chosen path. But beyond that, is our avocation: the spiritual aspect of our purpose, the piece which we hope to eventually reflect upon and feel that we have made an impact. That we have in some small (or large if we are ambitious) way, changed the world for the better.

Many years ago, I came across a beautiful story written by Leo Tolstoy in 1885 that asks these three questions:

What is the right time for every action?

Who are the most necessary people?

What is the right thing to do?

To which Tolstoy answers, the right time is now, this moment. The most necessary, the most important people, are the ones with whom you find yourself, those by your side. The right — the most important — thing to do is to do good for the one who is by your side.

These answers encourage us to be truly present, not only in our own lives, but in the lives of others. They speak to a Jewish understanding of our place in the world and our

“Do not imagine that you, of all the Jews, will escape with your life by being in the king’s palace. On the contrary, if you keep silent in this crisis, relief and deliverance will come to the Jews from another quarter, while you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows, perhaps you have attained to royal position for just such a crisis” (Esther 4:13–14).

That obligation to repair the world is true in every age and time. Regardless of political climate, and political differences.

We find ourselves in a place, and time when our voices matter. How we use those voices matters too. We are blessed to be a large and diverse congregation, and in that diversity, we have the opportunity to hear opinions different from our own. To engage with and learn from those whose views conflict with our own, even as we continue to dialogue with those who share our views.

I believe that in our day and age, we need to remind ourselves and each other of that purpose at all times, and to do so with civility and respect. Judaism has been instructing us to do just that for over 2,000 years. Rabbi Hillel taught: “In a place where no one is human, one should strive to be human.”

Continued on page 22.

WHC Journal – March 2017 | Page 3

President’s Column David M. Astrove

L

ast month, I attended a meeting of senior rabbis, executive directors and presidents of large Reform congregations sponsored by the Union of Reform Judaism. It was held at the Hyatt Regency in the Dallas/ Fort Worth International Airport. The location turned out to be significant as we were there the same weekend that President Trump signed an executive order banning refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries.

Right below where we met, people came to protest the executive order. Some accounts said there were hundreds of protestors; others reported that the crowd swelled to more than 1,000. In addition to the protestors, attorneys were meeting in rooms next to ours, strategizing and offering free legal help to refugees who were detained.

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President@whctemple.org 202-895-6301

Muslim neighbors for MLK Shabbat and Day of Service.

At a recent Amram lecture, we discussed the AmericanJewish conflict over Israel’s treatment of Palestinians.

Last month, we partnered with HIAS and the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington to host a community Havdalah service, declaring our support for refugees fleeing violence and persecution. For more than a year, Rabbi Lustig has also led a renewed effort to forge ties with our interfaith neighbors through a series of Faith over Fear dialogues.

I attended the Faith over Fear dialogue dinner at Temple in January. I am writing about it now because the gift of hindsight has revealed the true value of this program. Like many community dinners at WHC, Edlavitch Hall was the setting for a gathering of a diverse group of Christians, Muslims, and Jews. Each table had napkins in three different colors. We were invited to sit at whichever table we wanted, but instructed to choose a seat with a blue napkin if we were Jewish, a gold napkin if we were Muslim, and a white napkin if we were Christian.

I found myself sitting between two of our guests — Hassan and Rafaa — each of whom had gold napkins. The dinner was enjoyable with typical introductory small talk. There was also a text discussion after the meal about welcoming the stranger and how it was reflected in the Old Testament, New Testament, and Koran. We shared thoughts and interpretations around the table, and Hassan made an observation that was eye opening and really connected with me. As the program wrapped up, Rabbi Lustig asked us to share email addresses with our tablemates, which we did, and said our goodbyes.

I have been reflecting on that weekend experience and the many ways in which Washington Hebrew Congregation sets the standard for tolerance and acceptance.”

The refugee crisis is something that was already on our minds, but the events that occurred around us had a significant impact on our formal and informal discussions. Rabbi Jonah Pesner, Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism (RAC), spoke to us about the RAC’s efforts on behalf of refugees and the programs that it is creating to assist Reform congregations around the country to respond. First Vice President Nell Shapiro and I connected with lay and professional leaders and compared how each of us is addressing the issues of the day. It was clear that we are part of an incredible movement of diverse individuals with common goals, struggles, and good intentions.

I have been reflecting on that weekend experience and the many ways in which Washington Hebrew Congregation sets the standard for tolerance and acceptance. For decades, we have welcomed our Christian and

A few days later, I was at the airport in Dallas for the URJ meeting, and immigration protests were in full swing.

Continued on page 22.

Page 4 | WHC Journal – March 2017

THE

PURIM OSCARS FRIDAY, MARCH 10 at WHC

Be our guest! Be our guest! We’d love you all to join our fest.

Come to meet and greet the King and have some wine, it’s all the best.

Soup du jour! Hot hors d’oeuvres! Wear your best, it is couture.

Doors open wide, please come inside, we’re starting soon! It’s bona fide!

We will sing! We will dance! Nothing happens here by chance! You are sure to be entirely entranced!

Come on and don your gowns, make sure to wear your crowns!

Please be our guest! Oui, our guest — be our guest!

Experience the Purim story — performed by your clergy — through parodies of the songs from your favorite films: When You Wish Upon a Star, from Pinocchio, 1940 Ghostbusters, from Ghostbusters, 1984 Last Dance, from Thank God It’s Friday, 1978 That’s How You Know, from Enchanted, 2007 Let It Go, from Frozen, 2013 Eye of the Tiger, from Rocky III, 1982 Over the Rainbow, from The Wizard of Oz, 1939 Chim Chim Cheree, from Mary Poppins, 1964 Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah, from Song of the South, 1946

6 pm: Dinner* • 7 pm: Shabbat Purim Service & Awards • 8 pm: Oscars After Party Come dressed in your “Oscar finest” or as your favorite movie character! *$20 for adults; $10 for children ages 4 – 12; free for children under 4 Register online: whctemple.org/Purim WHC Journal – March 2017 | Page 5

Purim

Purim Terms & Traditions Purim = “Lots”

…as in “lotteries.” Haman wanted to kill all of the Jews in Shushan because Mordechai, who was a Jew, would not bow down to him. Haman cast lots to choose a date for the massacre. He picked the 13th of Adar. We celebrate Purim on Adar 14, commemorating Esther and Mordechai’s bravery and the foiling of Haman’s plot.

Costumes

Possibly originating from Esther masking her Jewish identity from the king, dressing in costume adds to the merriment and celebration of this holiday.

At WHC, we often dress according to our theme, which this year is the “Purim Oscars.” Cocktail gowns and tuxedos are welcome!

The Megillah

This special scroll looks a bit like a Torah on one roller. Called Megillat Esther (Scroll of Esther), we will read from this scroll on Shabbat Purim. A special tradition at WHC, the scroll is held vertically when it is read, enabling all to see the text.

Groggers

Grogger comes from the Polish word for “rattle.” We are obligated to “blot out the name of Haman” when the Megillat Esther is read, which we do very well with our voices, feet, and these loud noisemakers that Jews have used in Purim celebrations since the 13th century.

Mishloach Manot & Matanot L’Evyonim

Another commandment of Purim is to give gifts of food to friends and those in need. Mishloach manot are baskets of sweets and treats given to friends, and matanot l’evyonim are gifts of food or tzedakah to the poor, helping us remember the social justice aspect of the holiday.

Page 6 | WHC Journal – March 2017

Hamantashen

These triangular cookies, which are shaped like the three-cornered hat Haman wore, are a delicious treat. See page 8 for some of our favorite recipes.

Purim

The Purim Oscar Goes to…

The nominees for the 2017 Purim Oscars are in! Cast your votes – either online at whctemple.org/Purim or by filling out and returning* the ballot below. Then join us at Shabbat Purim on Friday, March 10 when we announce the winners!

Best Jewish Motion Picture ____ Dirty Dancing ____ Exodus ____ Fiddler on the Roof ____ Funny Girl ____ Schindler’s List ____ Yentl

Best Jewish Actor ____ Daniel Day-Lewis ____ Harrison Ford ____ Joseph Gordon-Levitt ____ Jake Gyllenhaal ____ Seth Rogen ____ Liev Schreiber

Best Jewish Actress ____ Lena Dunham ____ Scarlett Johansson ____ Bette Midler ____ Sarah Jessica Parker ____ Natalie Portman ____ Barbra Streisand

Best Jewish Comedian (Male) ____ Billy Crystal ____ Larry David ____ Seth Meyers ____ Adam Sandler ____ Jerry Seinfeld ____ Jon Stewart

Best Jewish Comedian (Female) ____ Rosanne Barr ____ Chelsea Handler ____ Fran Drescher ____ Maya Rudolph ____ Amy Schumer ____ Sarah Silverman

Best Jewish Director ____ J.J. Abrams ____ Woody Allen ____ Judd Apatow ____ Joel and Ethan Coen ____ Rob Reiner ____ Steven Spielberg

Best Jewish Singer/Song ____ Neil Diamond, America ____ Idina Menzel, Let It Go ____ Bette Midler, Wind Beneath My Wings ____ Randy Newman, You’ve Got a Friend in Me ____ Simon & Garfunkel, Mrs. Robinson ____ Barbra Streisand, Papa Can You Hear Me?

*Put completed ballots in the ballot boxes at Temple and JBSC by Wednesday, March 8 or vote online at whctemple.org/Purim.

WHC Purim Carnival 2017

Animation Celebration

It’s “a Whole New World” Sunday, March 12, 12:00 pm at the Julia Bindeman Suburban Center

WHC Journal – March 2017 | Page 7

Purim

Hamantashen Three Ways Classic Hamantashen

From Recipes to Remember, the WHC Sisterhood cookbook 2 cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoon baking powder 1/8 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup vegetable shortening or margarine 1 cup sugar

1 large egg 2 teaspoons finely grated orange zest 1 tablespoon orange juice 2/3 cup filling (poppy seed, apricot or cherry jam, chocolate chips, etc.)

In a large bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. In another bowl, beat shortening/margarine, sugar, and egg until light and fluffy. Add zest and juice and beat until incorporated. Add flour mixture, incorporating a bit at a time, stirring until combined and a smooth dough is formed. Gather dough into a ball, then flatten into a disc, and wrap in plastic. Chill at least 3 hours and up to 2 days.

Preheat oven to 375°. Divide dough in half. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one half of the dough until it is 1/4” thick. With the rim of a drinking glass or 3” cookie cutter, cut the dough into circles. Using a spatula, transfer the circles onto a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper, placing them about 1/2” apart. Place 1 teaspoon of filling in the center of each circle. Fold up edges to form a triangular shape, pinching the corners tightly (no seams should be visible) and leaving the filling exposed. Bake for about 20 minutes until pale golden. Cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes. Makes about 24 cookies.

1-2-3 Hamantashen

From Miles Roger, WHC Religious School Educator 1 box yellow cake mix 1 cup + 1/2 cup flour 2 eggs

3 tablespoons orange juice Assorted fillings (i.e. cake and pastry fillings or Nutella)

In a large bowl, combine cake mix and 1 cup of flour. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add eggs and orange juice. Beat the eggs and orange juice together and mix with dry ingredients until the dough does not stick to the sides of the bowl. If the dough is still sticky, add a tablespoon of flour at a time. Once the dough is in no longer sticking to the sides of the bowl, wrap the dough tightly in cling wrap and refrigerate for at least two hours.

Preheat oven to 350º. Divide dough into halves or thirds and roll each portion on a lightly floured surface until it is ¼” thick. With a juice glass, cut the dough into circles and place a teaspoon of filling in the center of each one. To form the triangle, first run a moistened finger around the edge of the dough, then fold the edges in, making sure to pinch each corner (the water will help the dough bond). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or greased foil and bake for 8-10 minutes until sides are golden brown. Cool thoroughly before packaging. Can be frozen for up to 3 months if placed in single layers in freezer bags. Makes 3-4 dozen cookies.

Easiest, Tastiest Hamantashen

From the WHECTY hamantashen pop-up shop Satisfy your hamantashen craving immediately with a purchase from WHECTY’s hamantashen pop-up shop!

For $5 you can get a single-flavor box of four large hamantashen.

Choose from apple, apricot, cherry, chocolate, poppy seed, prune, and raspberry.

Our Purim 2017 hours are: Sunday, March 5: 1100 am – 1230 pm at Temple & the Julia Bindeman Suburban Center Tuesday, March 7: 1000 am – 600 pm at JBSC Wednesday, March 8: 1000 am – 600 pm at Temple Sunday, March 12: 1200 pm – 300 pm — The Purim Carnival! — at JBSC Page 8 | WHC Journal – March 2017

Engagement

“From the Back of the Bus to the Top of the Agenda” — An Evening with Anat Hoffman

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oin us on Thursday, March 23 at 7:30 pm at Temple for an incredible evening with Anat Hoffman, Executive Director of the Israel Religious Action Center. A passionate and engaging Israeli activist, she is also a founding member and director of Neshot HaKotel – Women of the Wall.

Following a reception that begins at 7:00 pm, Ms. Hoffman will discuss the most recent developments regarding the segregation and exclusion of women in Israel.

In Israel, excluding women “for God’s sake” has become a litmus test that has allowed ultra-Orthodox norms to infiltrate state definitions of religious requirements in public.

Ms. Hoffman shared an example from daily life in the port city of Ashdod. In Ashdod, a woman could be refused service at the local supermarket if she was not appropriately dressed. A “modesty sign” hung on its doors requiring all women to dress as required by the ultra-Orthodox, a community that makes up a small 10% of Ashdod’s population. A women grocery shopping in Ashdod would need to be sure that: • the top of her shirt was buttoned and did not show her shape, • her skirt fell at least nine inches below her knees, • her stockings were completely opaque, • she was wearing closed shoes,

• she wore only black, brown, or gray, and • her wig or hat covered all of her natural hair if she was married.

In deference to religious standards, Israeli women have also been segregated from men on public transportation and excluded from public ceremonies and events. Girls are prevented from becoming Bat Mitzvah at the Western Wall, and the voices of female singers are not heard on religious radio or at army ceremonies.

In 2013, Haaretz named Anat Hoffman “Person of the Year,” and the Jerusalem Post listed her fifth among its list of 50 Most Influential Jews for forcefully and successfully bringing the issue of women’s rights at the Kotel to the “forefront of the consciousness of world Jewry.” In her prior work, Ms. Hoffman held a seat on the Jerusalem City Council, where for 14 years she stood in opposition to the policies of the city’s right-wing and ultra-Orthodox administration.

This program is free of charge but RSVPs are requested.

You can register online at whctemple.org/Sisterhood.

This event is co-sponsored by Washington Hebrew Congregation Sisterhood and Temple Sinai Women of Reform Judaism.

WHC Journal – March 2017 | Page 9

Lifelong Learning

Sunday Mornings at Temple in the Amram Scholar Series The Photographic Genius of Roman Vishniac Rediscovered

T

he work and career of the renowned social documentary photographer Roman Vishniac, best known for iconic images of Jewish life in Eastern Europe before the Holocaust, will be explored at Temple on Sunday, March 19 at 10:30 am through an illustrated lecture in the Amram Scholar Series. The lecture will be presented by Maya Benton, curator of the International Center of Photography in New York City, founder of the Center’s Roman Vishniac Archive and editor of Roman Vishniac Rediscovered, a newly published volume of essays and photographs.

Based on nine years of research, this first Vishniac retrospective introduces hundreds of previously unpublished photographs, spanning over five decades, and offers a vastly fuller understanding of the photographer’s vision and

versatility. Beyond the vanished shtetl world he was long credited with documenting, Vishniac captured haunting scenes of prewar Berlin and France, postwar displaced persons camps, and assimilated Jewish life in the United Continued on page 11.

Bringing Nazis to Justice: The Hunt and Prosecution

T

he determined men and women who refused to allow the crimes of Nazi perpetrators to go unpunished are the subject of an Amram Scholar Series lecture, presented jointly by journalist Andrew Nagorski and Professor Lawrence Douglas at Temple on Sunday, April 2 at 10:30 am.

Mr. Nagorski, the former bureau chief for Newsweek Magazine in six foreign capitals, will share stories he researched for his latest book, The Nazi Hunters. He tells of the young American prosecutors in the Nuremberg and Dachau trials, the case against Auschwitz commandant Rudolf Höss, the German judge and prosecutor who forced his country to confront its record of mass murder, and the Israeli team that captured Adolf Eichmann. He also recounts the persevering efforts of the U.S. Justice Department’s Office of Special Investigations, which sought decades after war’s end to expel former Nazi perpetrators secretly living in the United States.

Among that group of hidden war criminals was John Demjanjuk, a Cleveland autoworker and naturalized U.S. citizen, who is the focus of Professor Douglas’s latest book,

Page 10 | WHC Journal – March 2017

The Right Wrong Man. Having covered the former camp guard’s final trial for Harper’s Magazine from 2009–2011, Professor Douglas provides a gripping eyewitness account of that last major Holocaust prosecution. A legal battle that began in 1975, with the suspicion that Demjanjuk had been the “Ivan the Terrible” of Treblinka, ended 36 years later when a Munich court found him guilty of assisting in the murder of 28,060 Jews at a different Polish death camp, Sobibór.

This joint program about the impetus for legal closure of Nazi war crimes is presented in partnership with the Jewish Book Council.

WHC Journal

Envision Our Future

175

What’s your vision

We are creating a vision for Washington Hebrew Congregation in 2027 — the year of our 175th anniversary, and we need your input! We have another opportunity for you to share your thoughts and ideas. Come tell us what is important to you and have an impact on the future of our Congregation!

Tuesday, March 7 7:00 – 9:00 pm

at Washington Hebrew Congregation Learn more and register: whctemple.org/Visioning Questions? Contact Lindsay Fry Feldman, lfeldman@whctemple.org or 202-895-6321

Roman Vishniac

(continued from page 10) States. His long career would eventually lead him to pioneering scientific research in color photomicroscopy — taking pictures through a microscope.

Born into an affluent Jewish family in Russia in 1897, Vishniac immigrated to Berlin in 1920 and to New York in 1940. As a social documentarian, his work in Eastern Europe on behalf of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee has been compared to the contemporaneous projects of American photographers Dorothea Lange, Ben Shahn, and Walker Evans.

A frequent lecturer on photography, Israeli art, and Jewish culture, Maya Benton was aided in her research by the artist’s daughter, Mara Vishniac Kohn. Ms. Benton’s talk is presented in partnership with the Edlavitch DCJCC and the Jewish Book Council.

RSVP preferred: whctemple.org/Amram.

WHC Journal – March 2017 | Page 11

WHC Journal

The Bereavement Journey

By Erica Berger, LICSW

M

y journey at Washington Hebrew Congregation times in the lives of our congregants: bereavement. began with my Consecration in Kaufmann Sanctuary at five years old. That sanctuary and Facilitating the WHC Bereavement Group enables me to the synagogue itself went on to hold many memories. As learn as I teach mourners about phases of grieving, difficult I look back, two threads run through the years. The first feelings, honoring memory, self-care, and moving forward. is education. My parents joined I re-learn every time that death does the synagogue as educators, so in not end a relationship, grief (though addition to going through Religious sometimes excruciating) moves with School, my Bat Mitzvah, and each feeling expressed, and sitting Confirmation, I also tagged along — with others who “get it” can ease even when I wasn’t a student — as the isolation and inspire the healing. hundreds of other young people The journey is different together than learned about Judaism together. This — Rabbi Jonathan Omer-Man alone. brings me to the second thread: community. We learned, we celebrated, and we recognized WHC’s spring bereavement group will begin on Tuesday, important milestones as a community.

April 25. If you have experienced a loss in the past 18 months and would like to learn more about or parNow, as an adult Temple member and a social worker, I ticipate in our weekly bereavement group at Temple, have the privilege of pulling the threads of education and please contact Layne Weiss, lweiss@whctemple.org or community into one of the most meaningful yet painful 202-895-6307.

“

A pilgrimage is not a journey towards transformation … but a transforming journey”

Focus on Fertility

Many of us have personal experience with infertility or pregnancy loss … or know someone who does.

P

lease join us for a panel discussion that will address the medical, emotional, and spiritual challenges facing couples and individuals in the Jewish community who are struggling to have children. A resource fair will follow, offering further information provided by event sponsors and partners as well as a pluralistic resource table staffed by local rabbis, including Rabbi Susan Shankman.

Panel Discussion and Resource Fair Wednesday, March 29 at 7:00 pm

Beth Sholom Congregation, 11825 Seven Locks Road, Potomac, MD 20854 $5 suggested donation Questions? Please contact Rabbi Shankman, sshankman@whctemple.org or 202-895-6303 Sponsors: The Agam Center, Barker Adoption Foundation, C.A.S.E., Covington & Hafkin and Associates, Columbia Fertility Associates, Integrative Therapy of Greater Washington, JSSA, Metsuyan Wellness, The Red Stone, Shady Grove Fertility Congregational Partners: Washington Hebrew Congregation, Beth Joshua Congregation, Beth Sholom Congregation, Congregation Har Shalom, Ohev Shalom – The National Synagogue, Temple Beth Ami Page 12 | WHC Journal – March 2017

In March …

WHC Programs & Events Featured Programs WHC 175: Envision Our Future

Tuesday, March 7, 7:00 pm at Temple

Special Worship Experiences

Shabbat Purim: Roll Out the Red Carpet

Friday, March 10, 6:00 pm Dinner, 7:00 pm Service, 8:00 pm Oneg at Temple

In 2027, what will be your WHC? Your input can help shape our future! We want to hear your ideas and thoughts about all facets of Temple life. Join our extended WHC family — members, non-members, ECC parents, and 2239ers — to share what’s important to you now and what you’d like to see in the future.

The glam and glitter of Persia will be on full display at this year’s Purim Academy Awards. Walk the red carpet; see who takes home the Oscars for favorite hero and most reviled villain; and celebrate at an oneg after party!

Congregational Conversations Keynote: Our Relationship to Israel

A Pollin Music Shabbat Friday, March 17, 6:00 pm at Temple

Registration required (free): whctemple.org/Visioning Lindsay Fry Feldman: lfeldman@whctemple.org, 202-895-6321

Jewish Values and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: A Shalom Hartman Institute iEngage Lecture 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. This community-wide lecture is presented in partnership with the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington and the Embassy of Israel. This is the second in our Congregational Conversations series and will feature discussions for WHC members later in the week.

Registration preferred (free): whctemple.org/CongregationalConversations Layne Weiss: lweiss@whctemple.org, 202-895-6307

WHC Sisterhood Presents: “From the Back of the Bus to the Top of the Agenda,” An Evening with Anat Hoffman

Thursday, March 23, 7:00 pm at Temple

A passionate and engaging Israeli activist, Anat Hoffman is Executive Director of the Israel Religious Action Center and a founding member and Director of Neshot HaKotel – Women of the Wall. Following a reception that begins at 7:00 pm, Ms. Hoffman will discuss the most recent developments regarding the segregation and exclusion of women in Israel.

Registration required for dinner only ($); whctemple.org/Purim Jonathan Honigman, jhonigman@whctemple.org, 301-354-3223

Shabbat with Six13 It’s Jewish a cappella! Driven by a mission to connect Jews with their heritage through music, this six-man vocal band brings an unprecedented style of Jewish music to the bimah.

Their songs range from hip-hop to rock anthems. Fueled by thumping beatbox, intricate arrangements, and soulful harmonies, Six13 sounds like a full band — but is accompanied by nothing but their voices. Join us for dinner following the service for additional songs by Six13!

Registration required for dinner only ($): whctemple.org/Pollin Beth Donaldson: bdonaldson@whctemple.org, 202-895-6309

2239’s Metro Minyan

Friday, March 24, 6:15 pm at First Congregational UCC

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 for dinner only ($): whctemple.org/2239 Valerie Hillman Bluestein: vhillman@whctemple.org

See page 9 for additional information.

Registration preferred (free): whctemple.org/Sisterhood Sandy Nesbit: WHCSisterhood@gmail.com

Special Worship Experiences

Tot Shabbat and Family Dinner

Friday, March 3, 5:00 pm Dinner, 6:00 pm Service at the Julia Bindeman Suburban Center Friday, March 31, 5:00 pm Service, 5:30 pm Dinner at Temple

Our clergy make going to Friday night services a fun, fulfilling event for families with young children (or grandchildren). We begin with a family-style (and family-friendly) dinner followed by a Tot Shabbat service, which lasts about a half hour and teaches Jewish prayers, traditions, and rituals through songs, stories, and art projects.

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

WHC Journal – March 2017 | Page 13

March 2017 Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

ECCs Closed (M&B)

9:30am Religious School (M&B) 11:00am Hamantashen for Sale – until 12:30pm (M&B) 5:00pm The Boomers’ Passover Cooking Program (M) 5:30pm Post Confirmation (OUT)

Purim

1

10:00am Back to Basics (B) 1:00pm Wednesday Study Group (M) 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 Kol Rinah Rehearsal (B)

5

12

9:30am Religious School (M&B) 9:45am Divorcing with Dignity (M) 12:00pm Purim Carnival (B) 12:00pm Hamantashen for Sale – until 3:00pm (B)

19

9:30am Religious School (M&B) 10:30am Amram Scholar Series Lecture on Roman Vishniac with Maya Benton (M) 2:00pm WHC Volunteers: A Wider Circle (OUT)

26

AIPAC Policy Conference (OUT through Tuesday) 9:30am Religious School (M&B) 9:45am Divorcing with Dignity (M)

Page 14 | WHC Journal – March 2017

10:00am Conversational Hebrew: Beginning (M) 7:00pm 12JQ (M) 7:15pm WHC Academy (M)

E-T ECC Closed (M)

6

13

7:00pm 12JQ (M) 7:00pm Congregational Conversations Keynote: Jewish Values and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict (M)

12:30pm Prime Timers Luncheon and Program (M) 7:00pm 12JQ (M)

7:00pm 12JQ (M) 7:15pm WHC Academy (M)

20

27

7

10:00am Hamantashen for Sale – until 6:00pm (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) 7:00pm WHC 175 Visioning Workshop (M) 4:00pm Continuing Ed. for ECC (M) 4:30pm Hebrew School (B) 6:00pm JAM Rehearsal (B) 6:30pm Confirmation (M) 7:00pm Back to Basics (M) 7:00pm The Red Stone (M) 7:00pm WHC Books (M)

14

21

4:00pm Continuing Ed. for ECC (M) 4:30pm Hebrew School (B) 6:00pm JAM Rehearsal (B) 6:30pm Pre-Confirmation, Confirmation, & Post Confirmation (B) 6:30pm Fistful of Shekels Investment Club Meeting (M) 7:00pm Back to Basics (M) 4:00pm Continuing Ed. for ECC (M) 4:30pm Hebrew School (B) 6:00pm JAM Rehearsal (B)

28

B: Julia Bindeman Suburban Center

8

10:00am Hamantashen for Sale – until 6:00pm (M) 10:00am Back to Basics (B) 1:00pm Wednesday Study Group (M) 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)

15

10:00am Back to Basics (B) 1:00pm Wednesday Study Group (M) 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 Kol Rinah Rehearsal (B)

22

10:00am Back to Basics (B) 1:00pm Wednesday Study Group (M) 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 Kol Rinah Rehearsal (B)

29

1:00pm Sisterhood Art Tour (OUT) 1:00pm Wednesday Study Group (M) 4:30pm Hebrew School (M) 6:00pm JAM Rehearsal (M) 7:00pm “Focus on Fertility” Panel and Resource Fair (OUT) 7:00pm WHC Attorney’s Study Group (OUT) 7:30pm Kol Rinah Rehearsal (B)

M: Temple

OUT: Not at a WHC location

Thursday

Friday

2

Final Day: “Lawyers Without Rights” Exhibit (M)

10:00am Conversational Hebrew: Intermediate/ Advanced (B) 11:15am Conversational Hebrew: Beginning (B)

9

10:00am Conversational Hebrew: Intermediate/ Advanced (B) 11:15am Conversational Hebrew: Beginning (B)

Saturday

10:30am Sisterhood Mah Jongg (B) 5:00pm Tot Shabbat Family Dinner (B) 6:00pm L’Taken Social Justice Seminar (OUT through Monday)

3

Services: 5:30pm Lay Led Service (M) 6:00pm Shabbat Service (M) 6:00pm Tot Shabbat (B) 10:30am Sisterhood Mah Jongg (B) 6:00pm Shabbat Purim Dinner (M) 8:00pm Purim Oscars “After Party” (M) 8:00pm Hamantashen for Sale (M)

10

16

10:30am Sisterhood Mah Jongg (B) 7:00pm Congregational Dinner with Six13 (M) 7:00pm WHECTY’s 7 Days/7 Dinners (M)

17

Services: 5:30pm Lay Led Service (M) 6:00pm Pollin Music Shabbat Service Featuring Six13 (M)

23

7:00pm “From the Back of the Bus to the Top of the Agenda” — An Evening with Anat Hoffman sponsored by WHC Sisterhood (M)

10:30am Sisterhood Mah Jongg (B) 3:30pm NFTY-MAR “TheVent” (OUT through Sunday)

10:30am Sisterhood Mah Jongg (B) 5:30pm Tot Shabbat Family Dinner (M) 7:00pm 12JQ Shabbat Dinner (M)

6:00pm WHECTY’s Purim Lock-In (B)

7:30pm RJWECC’s Dream Big Gala (B)

11

18

Services: 9:00am Early Torah (M) 10:30am Shabbat Service (M) Bat Mitzvah of Abby Uhlfelder 5:30pm Afternoon Service and Havdalah (M) Bat Mitzvah of Zoe Mendel

24

25 Services: 9:00am Early Torah (M) 10:30am Shabbat Service (M) Bar Mitzvah of Jasper Bernstein 5:30pm Afternoon Service and Havdalah (M) Bat Mitzvah of Taylor Wibberley

Services: 5:30pm Lay Led Service (M) 6:00pm Shabbat Service (M) 6:15pm 2239’s Metro Minyan (OUT)

30

Services: 9:00am Early Torah (M) 10:30am Shabbat Service (M) Bat Mitzvah of Madeline Lewis 5:30pm Afternoon Service and Havdalah (M) B’nei Mitzvah of Lola Nordlinger and Harold Oppenheim

Services: 9:00am Early Torah (M) 10:30am Shabbat Service (M) Bar Mitzvah of Noah Pearlman 5:30pm Afternoon Service and Havdalah (M) Bat Mitzvah of Jenna Krinsky

Services: 5:30pm Lay Led Service (M) 7:00pm Shabbat Purim Service (M) 7:00pm Ladies’ Night Out with author Kate Siegal and Kim Friedman (M)

4

31

Services: 5:00pm Tot Shabbat (M) 5:30pm Lay Led Service (M) 6:00pm Shirei Shabbat (M) WHC Journal – March 2017 | Page 15

Mazel Tov to WHC’s March B'nei Mitzvah Madeline Li Lewis March 4, Morning Maddie is a seventh grade student at Green Acres School. She is the daughter of Katherine Reynolds Lewis & Brian M. Lewis; the sister of Ava and Samantha; and the granddaughter of Yoke San L. & Bruce L. Reynolds and Barbara S. & Herbert A. Lewis.

Harold Edward Oppenheim March 4, Havdalah Harold is a seventh grade student at Georgetown Day School. He is the son of Leslie Zirkin & Eric Lichtblau and Adam & Nancy Oppenheim; the brother of Annabel, Matthew, and Andrew; and the grandson of Nancy & Harold Zirkin and Gwen & Carl Oppenheim.

Lola Marie Nordlinger March 4, Havdalah Lola is a seventh grade student at Westland Middle School. She is the daughter of Allison & Dean Nordlinger; the sister of Tyler; and the granddaughter of Elaine & Ron Shapiro and Mimi & Tommy Nordlinger.

Noah John Pearlman March 11, Morning Noah is a seventh grade student at Thomas W. Pyle Middle School.

He is the son of Laura FitzRandolph and Jeffrey Pearlman; the brother of William; and the grandson of Eleanor & Kenneth Pearlman and the late Susan & John FitzRandolph.

Jenna Caroline Krinsky March 11, Havdalah Jenna is a seventh grade student at the Maret School. She is the daughter of Ranit Schmelzer & Adam Krinsky; the sister of Colin; and the granddaughter of Fran Schmelzer, Henry Schmelzer, and Susan & the late Norman Krinsky.

Abby Brooke Uhlfelder March 18, Morning Abby is a seventh grade student at Cabin John Middle School. She is the daughter of Cecily & Robert Uhlfelder; the sister of Kate; and the granddaughter of Mr. & Mrs. Paul Greenbaum and Dr. & Mrs. Dennis Uhlfelder.

Zoe Tevya Mendel March 18, Havdalah Zoe is a seventh grade student at Thomas W. Pyle Middle School. She is the daughter of Stephanie Gold & David Mendel; the sister of Jonah and Aliza; and the granddaughter of Carol & Howard Gold, Lois Mendel, and the late Eric Mendel.

Jasper Isaac Bernstein March 25, Morning Jasper is a seventh grade student at Cabin John Middle School. He is the son of Haylie Iseman & Andrew Bernstein; the brother of Cecilia and Felix; and the grandson of Sheila & the late Joseph Iseman, Allen & Paula Bernstein, and Sandra & Paul DiStefano.

Page 16 | WHC Journal – March 2017

WHC’s March B'nei Mitzvah Taylor Madison Wibberley March 25, Havdalah Taylor is a seventh grade student at the Siena School. She is the daughter of Jaimee & Ryan Wibberley, the sister of Brooke, and the granddaughter of Lynne & Kenneth Wisotzky and Sherry & Bruce Wibberley.

Life Cycle Congratulations to…

Molly & Rob Herman, on the birth of their daughter, Chandler Jaye Herman; and to Chandler’s big brother, Edison; and grandparents, Karen & Dudley Dworken, Sylvan “Chick” Herman, and Gloria Herman.

Our Sincerest Condolences…

Dr. Morris Feitel, father of Charles Feitel (Sherry), David Feitel (Lori), and Robert Feitel (Caroline).

Marilyn Fine, mother of Joanne Hays (Edward) and Barbara Klein (Neal).

Capt. Arthur Norman Flior, NOAA (Ret.), husband of Jane Flior; father of Eric Flior (Erin); grandfather of Jack Flior.

Shirley Grant, mother of Andrea Grant (Selig Merber) and Valerie Grant (John McAuley); grandmother of Kenneth Merber (Andrea), Erica Murphy (Timothy), Amanda Grant-McAuley (Riley), and Adelle Grant-McAuley Abraham Joseph “Joe” Levy, husband of Veda Levy; father of Lisa Breslau (Jonathan) and Andrea Levy; brother of Marvin Levy.

Richard Marblestone, husband of Anne Marblestone; father of Tracy Brant (Mark) and Sara Marblestone (Sheri Tracey); brother of David Marblestone (Barbara).

Henry “Beau” Mims, husband of Delores Mims; father of Paige Mims Korb (Andrew) and Bert Mims; grandfather of Harry and Joseph Kortick and Charles and Bethany Korb.

Burton “Burt” Oranburg, husband of Louise Oranburg; father of Bruce Oranburg, Tracy Puckett (Capt. Corley Puckett), and Dr. Phillip Oranburg (Lulu).

Marc Solnick, husband of Connie Lee-Solnick; father of David Solnick, Noah Solnick, and Rachel Solnick.

…may their memory be a blessing.

WHC Journal – March 2017 | Page 17

Contributions

We gratefully acknowledge the following contributions, received January 26. To make a contribution to any of Washington Hebrew Congregation’s funds, please visit whctemple.org/donate.

H. Max & Jodie and Stephen C. Ammerman Performing Arts Fund

Donor Andrew Ammerman

Donor Andrew Ammerman

In Honor of: Tracy Nadel’s Birthday Merle Palaez’s Birthday In Memory of: Stephen C. Ammerman

Amram Sunday Scholar Series Endowment Fund Donor Jonathan M. Genn Else & Dan Moskowitz Dr. Seymour Perlin

In Memory of: Edward L. Genn Richard Marblestone Samuel Perlin

Lillian & Alfred Bennett Fine Arts Endowment Fund

Donor Yvette Kraft

In Honor of: Sherry Sundick

Julia & Jack Bindeman Fund

Donor In Honor of: Marshall & Roberta Krolick

Martha & Stuart Bindeman Donor In Memory of: Tina & Arthur Lazerow Dr. Kolman Kleinbord

Florence & Norman Brody Archives Endowment Fund Donor Beverly Baker

In Memory of: Anna Brody

Jane Burka Sisterhood Leadership Fund

Donor WHC Sisterhood

In Memory of: Jane Burka

Dr. Edward A. & Mildred B. Cafritz Prayer Book Fund

Donor In Memory of: Karen & David Cantor Dr. Kolman Kleinbord

Dr. David Ross Morrisa B. Zwetchkenbaum Rose Y. Basseches

Cantorial & Concert Fund

Donor In Honor of: Judith Oppenheim Cantor Manevich

Cantor Bortnick Bev Rosenblatt Marian Newman’s Speedy Recovery Donor In Memory of: Debby & Gary Bortnick Pauline Berliner Steven Fischer & Linda Adler Ruth Graze Dr. & Mrs. Edward Mopsik Esther Mopsik Lola & Elchanan Peres Jonah Pinczuk Barbara F. Polansky Michael S. Polansky Traci & David Solovey Barnet Kirshstein

EmptyNesters Fund

Donor Joan Adoff

In Honor of: Stanley Adoff’s 90th Birthday

General Fund

Donor Karen & Ethan Leder James A. Marples Donor In Honor of: Haylie Iseman & Andrew Bernstein

Bar Mitzvah of Jasper Isaac Bernstein Joan & Gil Hofheimer Bat Mitzvah of Lily Abel Robin Libowitz Larry Dubit’s Birthday Leslie Zirkin & Eric Lichtblau

Bar Mitzvah of Harold Edward Oppenheim Diane & Andrew Schiff

Bat Mitzvah of Isabelle Mara Schiff

Page 18 | WHC Journal – March 2017

General Fund

Donor In Honor of: David Mendel & Stephanie Gold

Bat Mitzvah of Zoe Tevya Mendel Michael & Gretchen Segal

Bar Mitzvah of Samuel Benjamin Segal Gail K. Siegel Nan Krasne’s Special Birthday Daniel & Laurie Silver

Bar Mitzvah of Devin Maxwell Silver Robert & Cecily Uhlfelder

Bat Mitzvah of Abby Brooke Uhlfelder Jaimee & Ryan Wibberley

Bat Mitzvah of Taylor Madison Wibberley Donor In Memory of: Michael Backenheimer Henry Backenheimer Dr. & Mrs. F. Norman Berry Rose B. Chayes Marjorie & Harold Bingham Marietta L. Bingham Beverly & Bruce Birchman Ronald Birchman Shirlee & William Blanken Melvin Schechter Susan Bloom Allen Bloom Mr. & Mrs. James Bloomberg Daphne Dzwonkowski Mindy Brodsky Sylvia Kuperberg Barbara Dubit Mary Hartman Frank Muriel B. Feldman Sylvia Bordoff Carol B. Fischer Richard Barr Mr. & Mrs. Samuel Flax Mary Flax Linda & Jay Freedman Pauline Newman Sylvan Gershowitz Esther Gershowitz Martin Gerstell Jean Gerstell Carol & David Gichner Steven Gichner Marilyn & Michael Glosserman Betty Falk Glick The Adams/Greenblatt Family Ruth Jacobsohn Alissa Fox Gruner Myron Fox Nancy & John Harris Sarah M. Rosenthal Gail D. Himmelfarb Arthur R. Himmelfarb Norton Katz Raymond H. Katz Alexis & Steven Kaufmann Donald Kaufmann

Gail Mann Denny Neil & Emily Kishter Murray Kishter Bill & Marilyn Lane Burt Lane Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Lederberg Edward Lederberg Dana Jo & Marvin Mermelstein Sadie Mermelstein Bunny Niad Lewis Kaplan Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Nordlinger Marion N. Katz Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Porter Babe Conney Mr. & Mrs. Kinsey S. Reagan & Family

Harriet Beckman Nancy Roth Harry Roth Joan & George Schonholtz Joseph Hirsch Carol Schwartz David H. Schwartz John & Allison Shulman Evelyn Bishoff

Stephen Shulman Mr. & Mrs. Gary Siegel Drew Siegel Gerald & Ellen Sigal Noah Sigal Robert D. Sitrick Rose Brown Sherry Sundick Wolf Nordlinger Linda & Jeff Weber Max Frey Roslyn Wolf Al Diamond Helenfae Zatcoff Arthur Strasberg Sondra Zober Samuel Zelmanovitz

Joshua O. Haberman Scholarship & Publications Endowment Fund Donor Sylvia & David Silver

Hurston Library

Donor The Philipson Family Nancy J. Wartow

In Honor of: Birth of Margot Lynn Silver In Memory of: Bruce G. Philipson Horace Hart Shirley S. Aaron Michael Edwards

Carol Kellner ECC Memorial Fund

Donor In Memory of: Dr. Bruce Kellner, Donna Lane, Mandy McCann & Jenifer Rosenzweig Beverly Walcoff Dr. Bruce Kellner Beverly Walcoff The Saffan Family Sophie Saffan

Martin Luther King Day

Donor Beverly Cook Joan Greenbaum Joyce B. Isaacson Dr. Nancy Miller Dr. Joan Rosenbach

Rose E. Koenig Religious School Fund

Donor The Pinczuk family

In Memory of: Michael Scott Polansky Jonah Pinczuk

Kol Rinah Choir

Donor Dr. Anita O. Solomon

In Memory of: Arnold L. Ostrin

Rabbi M. Bruce Lustig Scholarship Fund

Donor Gayle Engel Donor Bess G. Brill

In Honor of: Rabbi Lustig In Memory of: Michael N. Greenspan

Mitzvah Day

Donor Betsy Grossman Sandra Kouzel

In Memory of: Rene Abel Ben Kouzel

Stephanie Morris Prime Timers Programming Fund

Donor Gail Brenner

In Memory of: Prof. Donald R. Brenner

Albert & Scott Pelmoter Youth Scholarship Fund Donor Shirley Pelmoter

In Memory of: Anne Picower

Naomi & LeRoy Robins Medical Emergency Fund

Donor In Honor of: Joseph & Frances Silverman

Eve & Richard Robins’ 50th Anniversary Donor In Memory of: Joan Robins Reuven Levtov

Millie Robins

Sheldon & Judy Sadugor Memorial Fund of ECC

Donor In Honor of: Lori & Bob Rodman

Victor Wigman’s Speedy Recovery

Alan Schick’s Speedy Recovery Donor In Memory of: Dahn & Michael Burke Evan Farkas Lori & Bob Rodman Robert Paul Friedman

Selinger (Childrens) Library

Donor Mrs. Wendy Cimmet

In Memory of: Sidney L. Cimmet

Abe & Sylvia Shrinsky Creative Worship Program Fund

Donor In Honor of: Faith & Jim Kirk Jacqueline Zappala’s Special Birthday Donor In Memory of: Faith & Jim Kirk Kermit A. Nelson, Jr.

Sylvia Shrinsky

Ida Weinstein

Contributions

Abram Simon Elementary School Camp Fund

Donor Melissa & Philip Urofsky Donor In Memory of: Hilary Rubin Laura Milman Hilary Rubin, Joey & Ricky Goldberg

Loretta Rosenthal

Carrie Simon House

Donor Jay & Lois Copeland Jessica Dolleck

In Memory of: David Michael Copeland Ruth Milestone Berk

Sisterhood Endowment for Youth and Educational Enrichment

Donor In Memory of: Fistful of Shekels Investment Club Dorothy Gordon

C. Haskell & Ruth Behrend Small Music Fund

Donor Joyce B. Isaacson Donor Sherry Sundick

In Honor of: Sherry Sundick In Memory of: Sara Behrend Ruth B. Small

Taishoff Interfaith Endowment Fund

Donor The Estate of Laurence Taishoff

Tikkun Olam Values (TOV) Fund

Donor Stacy King Donor In Honor of: Melissa Schwartz, David, Ben & Emily Muenzer

Stanley Adoff Linda & Ron Recht Vic Wigman’s Speedy Recovery

Bat Mitzvah of Mikayla Reich Donor In Memory of: Barbara Landow Bernstein Jerome Bernstein Tina & Albert Small Jr. John Engel Bonnie & Stuart Youngentob Robert Friedman

Ver Standig Jewish Studies Endowment Fund Donor Jeffrey & Jennie Feldmann

In Memory of: Norberto Feldmann

Rabbi Joseph Weinberg Young Leadership Community Service Fund

Donor Marshall & Joan Cutler

In Memory of: Golde Cutler

Wender Memorial Archives Fund

Donor Adrienne S. Elman

Holocaust Commemoration

T

he Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of Greater Washington’s annual community Holocaust commemoration in Maryland will be held at our Julia Bindeman Suburban Center on Sunday, April 23 from 1:30 – 5:00 pm. This year’s theme is “Displaced Persons – Struggles to Find a Home,” and the afternoon includes opportunities to reflect, remember, connect, and support.

1:30 – 5:30 pm Art & Artifacts Exhibit

Montgomery College Foundation’s Portraits of Life Exhibit with photographs and personal stories of Holocaust survivors who witnessed evil then turned their backs on hatred to tell their stories. Submissions of Holocaustrelated memorabilia, research, and artwork by survivors, youth, and members of the community are also welcome. Contact Sonia Beekman, JCRCExhibits@gmail.com, for details.

1:30 – 2:30 pm Dor V’Dor Dialogue with Survivors & Unto Every Person There Is a Name

You are invited to spend time with local Holocaust survivors to hear their living testimony of survival and triumph. The names of children and adults who perished in the Holocaust will also be read as part of the annual worldwide name reading coordinated by B’nai B’rith International. Names of loved ones may be submitted or brought to the service to be read and remembered.

2:30 – 4:00 pm Community Commemoration & Keynote Presentation Holocaust survivors will be recognized during a candle lighting ceremony.

The commemoration also includes Kaddish, reflection, music, poetry, and a memorial to the destroyed communities of Europe.

2:30 – 4:00 pm Interactive Teen Program

Teens will meet with a Holocaust survivor and current refugee to understand their struggles to find a home. The discussions will be followed by teen-led commemorative activities.

For more information, go to jcouncil.org or call the JCRC at 301-770-0881.

In Memory of: Stanley A. Elman

WHC Hunger Project

Donor Holly & Jeffrey Bergman Donor In Memory of: Melissa Schwartz & David Muenzer Meryl Schwartz

Worship & Music Fund

Yom Ha’Shoah

Donor Beth & Brian Dubin Donna Gary Mr. David Hirshfeld Donor In Honor of: Walter Romanek & Dr. Nancy Miller Rabbi Lustig Dr. Anita Solomon Rabbi Lustig Donor In Memory of: Moritz Cohen, Jr. Evelyn Kandel Steven Fischer & Linda Adler Hilda Schwartz Fischer

Worship & Music Fund

Donor In Memory of: Fistful of Shekels Investment Club Henry Tovey Jackie & Franklin Paulson Aaron Paulson Ellen & Bruce Winston & Family Beverly Footer

Young Professionals (22-39) Fund Donor Diana Conn

Ivy Zola’s Help-a-Friend Fund

Donor In Memory of: The Ellis & Mildred April Family

Jeanette Feldman Levin Marc & Michelle Chernoff Zoila Chernoff Karen & Richard Perkins Dr. David Ross Joan & Norman Smith Julius Orleans

Rabbi Shankman joins

WHC Books to discuss Geraldine Brooks’ The Secret Chord

Tuesday March 14 7pm at Temple WHC Journal – March 2017 | Page 19

In March …

WHC Programs & Events Lifelong Learning

WHC Attorneys’ Study Group

Wednesday, March 29, 7:00 pm in Washington, DC

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Friday, March 17, 6pm at Temple RSVP for dinner only: whctemple.org/Pollin

Special Worship Experiences Shirei Shabbat

Discover Jewish insights into the Anglo-American legal system with WHC’s new study group for attorneys. Meeting four to five times this year, the WHC Attorneys’ Study Group delves into topics like the relationship between constitutional law and Jewish law. Featured guest facilitators like Phil Selden, Assistant U.S. Attorney at the Maryland United States Attorney’s Office, will shed light on the role Jewish lawyers have played in establishing the rule of law as we know it.

Registration required ($): whctemple.org/Attorneys Marsha Humphries: mhumphries@whctemple.org, 202-895-6303

Tikkun Olam

Community Issues/Social Action Meeting

Wednesday, March 8, 7:30 pm at Temple

Join committee members each month for an in-depth discussion of social action issues and to plan social justice and interfaith relationship-strengthening events/activities.

Friday, March 31, 6:00 pm at Temple

whctemple.org/CISA Layne Weiss: lweiss@whctemple.org, 202-895-6307

whctemple.org/Worship Beth Donaldson: bdonaldson@whctemple.org, 202-895-6309

The Boomers: “Passover, from the White House to Your House”

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.

Lifelong Learning

Wednesday Study Group

Wednesdays, beginning March 1, 1:00 pm at Temple

Connect to WHC clergy and your fellow congregants as we explore the relevance of ancient Jewish texts on our modern lives. Together, over coffee and surrounded by friends, we will engage in a dialogue that brings new meaning and understanding to the words of our tradition.

whctemple.org/WednesdayStudy Layne Weiss: lweiss@whctemple.org, 202-895-6307

Amram Scholar Series Presents: Maya Benton Roman Vishniac Rediscovered Sunday, March 19, 10:30 am at Temple

Maya Benton, a curator at the International Center of Photography in New York City, joins us for a look at the work of Roman Vishniac, one of the great documentary photographers of the 20th century. In her illustrated lecture, Benton will give us insight into his iconic images of Jewish life in Eastern Europe before the Holocaust as well as his vivid documentation of postwar ruins, displaced persons’ camps, and Jewish life in America in the 1940s and 50s. This program is presented in partnership with the Edlavitch DCJCC and the Jewish Book Council.

See page 10 for additional information.

Registration required (free for WHC members): whctemple.org/Amram Layne Weiss: lweiss@whctemple.org, 202-895-6307 Page 20 | WHC Journal – March 2017

Opportunities for Adults to Engage

A Talk, Cooking Demo, and Dinner with Susan Barocas Sunday, March 5, 5:00 pm at Temple

Join The Boomers for a fabulous cooking demo and dinner in time to make your Passover extra special. Learn from Susan Barocas, Founding Director of the Jewish Food Experience and guest chef at three White House seders, as we enjoy contemporary and fun new recipes.

Registration required ($): whctemple.org/Boomers Beth Donaldson: bdonaldson@whctemple.org, 202-895-6309

In March …

WHC Programs & Events Opportunities for Adults to Engage

WHC Books Presents: The Secret Chord

Discussion Facilitated by Rabbi Susan Shankman Tuesday, March 14, 7:00 pm at Temple

Geraldine Brooks, the Pulitzer Prize-winning, bestselling author of People of the Book and March, peels away myth, bringing King David to life. Brooks traces the arc of David’s journey from obscurity to fame, from shepherd to soldier, from hero to traitor, from beloved king to murderous despot, and into his remorseful and diminished dotage.

whctemple.org/WHCBooks Ellen Share: eshare@whctemple.org, 301-354-3212

Ladies’ Night Out

Thursday, March 16, 7:00 pm at Temple

Kate Siegel and her mother, Kim Friedman, join us for a night out! Kate’s new book, Mother, Can You Not?, is based on her very popular (over one million followers) Instagram account — @crazyjewishmom — where she posts texts and emails from her mom nudging her about life, dating, and more. Over cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, we’ll hear from Kate and Kim and discover why every woman needs a “crazy” Jewish Mom in her life.

Registration required ($): whctemple.org/LadiesNight Madge Novel: mnovel@whctemple.org, 202-895-6314

Dream Big Gala An Evening to Benefit the RJWECC Saturday, March 18, 7:30 pm at the Julia Bindeman Suburban Center

Dinner, drinks, and auction excitement come together at this fundraiser for the Rabbi Joseph Weinberg Early Childhood Center.

Registration required ($): whctemple.org/ECCMD Jennifer Abrams Stier: jennifer.abrams@gmail.com

Prime Timers: Luncheon & Program

Monday, March 20, 12:30 pm at Temple

For our first luncheon program of 2017, we are delighted that Prime Timers’ own Susanna “Susie” McBee will join us to share the incredible experiences she had as a journalist.

Registration required ($): whctemple.org/PrimeTimers Marsha Humphries: mhumphries@whctemple.org, 202-895-6303

Fistful of Shekels’ Quarterly Meeting

Tuesday, March 21, 6:30 pm at Temple

WHC’s Israel Investment Club is for members who are interested in supporting Israel through buying stock in Israeli companies. It is also an interesting way to learn more about Israel’s economy and about investments. We welcome new members, and our procedures have changed to make it easy and inexpensive for new members to participate. Join us, feel good about investing in Israel, and hopefully turn your investment into a profit!

Opportunities for Adults to Engage Focus on Fertility

Panel Discussion and Resource Fair Wednesday, March 29, 7:00 pm at Beth Sholom Congregation

For individuals and couples who are struggling to have children, we invite you to join us for a panel discussion that will address the medical, emotional, and spiritual challenges of fertility, secondary infertility, and pregnancy loss. A resource fair will follow, offering further information provided by event sponsors and partners as well as a pluralistic resource table staffed by local rabbis, including Rabbi Susan Shankman.

See page 12 for additional information.

Rabbi Susan Shankman: sshankman@whctemple.org, 202-895-6303

For Families

Purim Carnival — An Animation Celebration!

Sunday, March 12, 12:00 pm at the Julia Bindeman Suburban Center

Enjoy inflatables, carnival games (designed for both our older and younger children), cotton candy, pizza, hamantashen, and much more! There will be games and prizes for kids of all ages.

whctemple.org/Purim Ira Miller: imiller@whctemple.org, 301-354-3209

whctemple.org/Shekels Marsha Humphries: mhumphries@whctemple.org, 202-895-6303

WHC Journal – March 2017 | Page 21

In March …

WHC Programs & Events For Youth

Confirmation: L’Taken Social Justice Seminar

Friday, March 3 – Monday, March 6 in Washington, DC

Are you ready to change the world? Then, get excited for the Bernard and Audre Rapoport L’Taken Social Justice Seminar.

In partnership with the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism (RAC), you will have the opportunity to impact our political process as you share your views on social justice topics with decision-makers on Capitol Hill.

Registration required ($): whctemple.org/Confirmation Marsha Humphries: mhumphries@whctemple.org, 202-895-6303

Purim Lock-In

Saturday, March 11, 6:00 pm at the Julia Bindeman Suburban Center

All 8th through 12th graders are invited to sign up and participate in one of our biggest youth events of the year – the Purim Lock-In and Purim Carnival. The fun begins on Saturday with food and mixers followed by a few hours of setting up, making carnival signs, and decorating for the carnival.

Registration required (free): whctemple.org/Purim Ira Miller: imiller@whctemple.org, 301-354-3209

Rabbi’s Reflection (continued from page 3) At such a time when those around us may choose to argue, blame, point fingers, and even scapegoat, let us choose our shared purpose. Let us raise our voices together in pursuit of peace. It is the time to be human, to demonstrate the Jewish values we teach and model for our children, to treat every person as though they were created b’tzelem Elohim, in the image of God. If we truly believe this, then we are guided to act in such a way that we are not just civil to those with whom we agree; but perhaps more importantly, we are civil with those with whom we do not agree.

Perhaps this is the royal position in which we find ourselves — a position that urges us to act on our Jewish values and do the right thing, right now, with the person right in front of us.

Friday, March 17, 6:00 pm at Temple

May we ensure that this person is one whom we treat with respect, and let us look one another in the eye, even when we disagree, especially when we disagree, and find there tzelem Elohim, the image of God.

Registration required ($): whctemple.org/WHECTY Ira Miller: imiller@whctemple.org, 301-354-3209

President’s Column (continued from page 4)

WHECTY’s 7 Days/7 Dinners

Welcome Shabbat at the Friday night edition of our 7 Days/7 Dinners series. Join us at 6:00 pm for a Pollin Music Program Shabbat featuring the a cappella group Six13. Following the service, at 7:30 pm, we’ll enjoy dinner together.

NFTY-MAR “TheVent”

Friday, March 24 – Sunday, March 26 in Falls Church, VA

Join teens from throughout the Mid-Atlantic Region for a great weekend you will never forget! “TheVent” is open to all teens in grades 8 through 12.

Registration required ($): whctemple.org/WHECTY Ira Miller: imiller@whctemple.org, 301-354-3209

Grateful for the email address exchange at Faith over Fear, I sent a quick note to Hassan and Rafaa to check in and let them know I was thinking of them. Hassan wrote back, which led to an email dialogue and then to lunch — at which we agreed that it was just the first of other opportunities to get together. Rabbi Lustig’s invitation to trade email addresses opened the door for me to move beyond pleasant dinner conversation and build a friendship with someone who I met because of our differences, but connected with because of our many similarities.

This experience reminded me of the Danish television commercial, All that We Share, which has gone viral on the internet. The ad opens with the lines, “It’s easy to put people in boxes. There’s us, and there’s them,” and shows a large group of people separated, primarily based on demographics. Then, it goes deeper and brings people together based on similar life experiences, breaking down stereotypes and boundaries. If you have not seen this video, you can search online “all that we share” to find it.

Its impact is significant.

I encourage you to explore the many opportunities that Washington Hebrew Congregation offers throughout the year to “welcome the stranger.” In doing so, you may discover, as I did, that a stranger can become a friend.

Page 22 | WHC Journal – March 2017

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In the April WHC Journal Freedom Seder Wednesday, April 5 6pm at Temple

Passover Seders Monday, April 10

Congregational Seder: 6pm at Temple 2239: 6:15pm at Calvary Baptist Church

1030am Services at Temple Festival Service Tuesday, April 11 Festival & Yizkor Service Monday, April 17 whctemple.org/Passover

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