Washington Hebrew Congregation "Journal"

APRIL 2019 / ADAR II – NISAN 5779

VOL. 60, NO. 4

Mitzvah Day Even the smallest hands make a difference

APRIL 2019

VOL. 60, NO. 4

Washington Hebrew Congregation Clergy

M. Bruce Lustig, Senior Rabbi Susan N. Shankman, Rabbi Aaron Miller, Associate Rabbi Eliana Fischel, Assistant Rabbi Mikhail Manevich, Cantor Susan R.A. Bortnick, Cantor

Senior Staff – Education

SUPPORTED BY AN ENDOWMENT FROM LIBBY AND MELVIN MANDEL

In This Issue Rabbi’s Reflection................................................................................3 President’s Column..............................................................................4 Yad B’Yad — Did You Know? ..............................................................5 Mitzvah Day Project Spotlight..............................................................6 Celebrate a Clergy Milestone Year........................................................ 7 “The Life and Legacy of Elie Wiesel” in the Amram Scholar Series.........8 Feature Section: Passover Passover Dates to Note................................................................9 Hosting Seder? This Checklist Can Help You Prepare.................. 10 The Seder Plate: Traditional and Re-Imagined...............................11 Understanding the Elements of the Seder.................................... 12 To Eat or Not to Eat? That Is the (5th) Question............................ 14 Chametz or Not Chametz: Is It Kosher for Passover?................... 15 Calendar............................................................................................ 16 B’nei Mitzvah.................................................................................... 18 Life Cycle........................................................................................... 19 Contributions.....................................................................................20 WHC Programs & Events................................................................... 22

DJ Schneider Jensen Head of Schools, Early Childhood Education Ira Miller, Director of Informal Education Kirstin Springer, Director of the RJWECC Stephanie Tankel, Director of Religious Education

Senior Staff – Administration

Steven Jacober, Executive Director Lindsay Fry Feldman, Director of Member Services Naomi Abelson Gohn Director of Temple Programs & TOV Mohan Mistry, Director of Engineering & Maintenance Eliza Prince, Director of Development Stephen Stoupa, Director of Finance Susan J. Hanenbaum, Executive Director Emerita

Officers

Nell Shapiro, President Mark Director, First Vice President Janet Katz, Vice President Andrew Lazerow, Vice President Jeffrey Weiss, Vice President Kimberly Wachen, Treasurer Richard Newman, Assistant Treasurer Deborah Goldman, Secretary Dan Werner, Assistant Secretary Lewis Wiener, General Counsel

Board of Directors

Jami Axelrod Ellen R. Berlow Barry Chasen Sharon Jaffe Dan Beth Levin Dubin Betty Jane Eichberg Joseph Firschein Susan B. Gerson Edward P. Joseph Anne Lackritz Jeremy London Alejandro (Ali) Mayorkas

Past Presidents Leonard I. Abel David Astrove David R. Berz Stuart L. Bindeman Earl M. Colson Meg Jacobs Flax Jay W. Freedman

David Metzner William Miller Sandy Nesbit Ari Redbord Steven A. Robins Andrea Rubinfeld Lynn Sachs Melissa Schwartz Aaron W. Stopak Paula Tiedemann Philip Urofsky Kimberly Vogel

Susan J. Hanenbaum 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 Bluestein The Boomers: Jeanne Fleming Brotherhood: Alan Singer Couples Club: Kim & Brian Cooper, Chris McCannell & Ven Neralla EmptyNesters: Joan Adoff, Ruth Seif, Marcia Weinberg Prime Timers: Phyllis Belford, Sandy Grant Sisterhood: Ellen M. Miller WHECTY: Ian Rosenthal

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 – April 2019

Jennifer Millstone, Editor, jmillstone@whctemple.org The Washington Hebrew Congregation Journal (Permit No. 4240) is published 11 times a year by Washington Hebrew Congregation. Send address changes to 3935 Macomb Street NW, Washington, DC 20016.

Rabbi’s Reflection Rabbi M. Bruce Lustig

Standing on the Edge of History

A

fter completing a week of intense meetings and study in Jerusalem at the Shalom Hartman Institute at the end of January, I boarded a plane from Tel Aviv to Istanbul. From there, I flew to Abu Dhabi, where I was privileged to be invited to attend and speak at the Global Conference on Human Fraternity. I have been a presenter at several conferences in Abu Dhabi as a member of the steering committee of the Forum for Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies. Each of these invitations has been to speak about the work of Washington Hebrew Congregation as a leader in building bridges between interfaith communities. This invitation, however, was from the Council of Muslim Elders. Although the Council has held numerous conferences on global issues, they do not customarily include rabbis. The Global Conference on Human Fraternity was different, for it was to coincide with Pope Francis’ visit to meet with world religious leaders. Pope Francis and Dr. Ahmed el-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif of Egypt and the leader of the Council of Muslim Elders, came to sign a historic document. As I found myself standing on the edge of history, I recognized that this experience marked the culmination of decades of intense interfaith work.

“

Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi – one of the most magnificent buildings in the world – to meet with the members of the Council of Muslim Elders. Watching the Crown Prince of the UAE enter the room holding the hands of Pope Francis and Grand Imam el-Tayeb brought goosebumps to all who experienced this historic moment. There, Sheikh Abdallah Bin Bayyah, the Founder of the Forum for Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies, delivered the address on behalf of the Muslim Elders to Pope Francis. (You may recall that last February, Sheikh Bin Bayyah joined us at WHC for Shabbat of Peace, marking his first visit to a synagogue.) Following the sheik’s remarks, the pope and the grand imam participated in the powerful signing ceremony of the Document of Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together. It was surreal to be in this room – there were only 300 individuals invited to this event, and 150 of them were from the Vatican.

In Abu Dhabi, I felt like I was standing on the edge of history, but in reality, I know that every day we are making our own history. We do it by how we choose to live our lives and the examples we set as an American Jewish community.“

The Global Conference on Human Fraternity was organized as part of the UAE’s Year of Tolerance. There were more than 700 world religious leaders invited, and I was honored to be among the handful of rabbis. The Chief Rabbis of Poland, France, and Germany were in attendance, as was a rabbi who is a dear friend of Pope Francis and co-authored works with him in Argentina.

On the night of February 4th, Pope Francis went to the

The pageantry was at its best, but it was the words that were spoken that made such an impact. They were so different from the rhetoric of hate and bigotry we so often hear these days. The foreign policies of our worlds political leaders have done little to move the world toward peace. In the void, these world religious leaders stepped forward, drawn there by invitation from a Middle East government to call for peace. Pope Francis and Grand Imam el- Tayeb are religious leaders of massive numbers: there are 1.2 billion Catholics and 1.8 billion Muslims in the world today. Their influence is significant, and the document is framed around a phrase from own our Talmud that is also in the Quran: “…whoever kills a person is like one who kills all of humanity, and one whoever saves a person is like one who saves the whole of humanity.” It was profoundly moving to watch these religious Continued on page 21.

WHC Journal – April 2019 | Page 3

President’s Column Nell Shapiro

A

t a recent Board Retreat, in addition to discussing budget and planning issues, we asked each Board member to spend some time answering the question, “Why WHC?” We wanted to explore what was it that connected them so closely to Washington Hebrew and made each of them commit their time, energy, and resources to the Temple? Although everyone’s response was a little different, they shared common themes.

Many connected primarily through the worship and spiritual aspects of Temple life. Others found the opportunity to do good in the world through Mitzvah Day, the Hunger Project, Winter Warmth, the TOV Fund, and our many other tikkun olam efforts to be the most meaningful. For some, it was the intellectual challenge provided by our Adult Education programs or the joy of watching their children embrace Jewish learning and values through the Religious School. This year, for me, it is all of the above and so much more. One of the revelations of being President is coming to understand just how much goes on at Temple every week of the year.

“

President@whctemple.org 202-895-6301

and prepare sermons and lectures that challenge us to see the world through a Jewish lens … and on and on the list could go.

Similarly, our professional staff play so many roles and support the mission of the Temple in so many ways. They work with congregants to plan details, organize materials, and support hundreds of services, events, and programs over the course of the year. They plan, implement, and supervise necessary security measures in both of our buildings. They create beautiful and informative communications such as this Journal to connect congregants with what is happening at Temple and in the Jewish community. Our facilities staff sets up, takes down, and cleans up dozens of events each week – often very early in the morning and late at night – to ensure each of our back-to-back activities at Temple and JBSC run as if they were the most important.

Again, the list is nearly endless.

Why WHC?”

There are countless large and small ways our clergy and staff devote themselves to serving our congregants, and it is nearly impossible to sum up the job performed by our clergy. They spend hours meeting with families and preparing to ensure that life cycle events such as weddings and funerals reflect the individuals involved.

They tutor B’nei Mitzvah students to be certain they learn the prayers and to develop a personal relationship with our teens. They provide pastoral care and counseling to congregants in physical and emotional pain. They read

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I am inspired every day by the dedication of our clergy, staff, and congregants. Now, I ask each of you to take a moment and reflect on your “Why WHC?” What inspires you about our congregation? What is your favorite moment of the year with Washington Hebrew? What is it about WHC that makes you proud to be a member?

I look forward to learning about your “Why WHC.” Please reach out to me, my email address and phone number are above. Or join Ed and me for one of our next “Shabbat at the Shapiros’” dinners — you can sign up online at whctemple.org/ShapiroShabbat.

WHC Journal

Did You Know …

Did you know that our very own 3rd- and 4th-grade Religious School students braid the challah we serve at Temple on Shabbat each week?

And did you know that our Religious School — attended by more than 600 pre-k through 7th-grade children at Temple and the Julia Bindeman Suburban Center — is subsidized by Yad B’Yad, WHC’s Annual Fund?

W

e believe that every child deserves a Jewish education, regardless of their family’s financial situation. And now more than ever, fortifying our children’s Jewish identity is critical. Because tuition covers less than 50% of the actual cost of Religious School, Yad B’Yad plays a critical role in bridging this gap.

We hope we can count on your gift to Yad B’Yad this fiscal year so that WHC can maintain our exceptional educational programming and keep our Religious School doors open to each and every child.

From pioneering programs to essential services, Yad B’Yad — and you — can ensure that Washington Hebrew remains a welcoming community to all who wish to experience Jewish life and tradition.

To facilitate your donation, you’ll find a Yad B’Yad envelope within the pages of this WHC Journal that you can return to Temple. You can also make your gift online at whctemple.org/YBY. If you have any questions or to check if you have donated yet this year, please contact Director of Development Eliza Prince at 202-895-6312 or eprince@whctemple.org.

All contributors will be recognized in the 2018-2019 Annual Report and other special events are to come to celebrate your generosity.

A gift of any size truly makes a difference to the lives of so many. Thank you.

WHC Journal – April 2019 | Page 5

Faith in Action

Mitzvah Day

Project Spotlight – Comfort Cases This month kicks off with Mitzvah Day, WHC’s biggest volunteer day of the year, on Sunday, April 7. Hands-on community service projects perfect for all ages and abilities are scheduled throughout the day at Temple, JBSC, and out in the community. This is a great opportunity to really make a difference in the lives of those in need living throughout our region. One project — “Comfort Cases” — puts together items that teens in foster care typically need and often do not have. You can help our Comfort Cases project now by helping fill our wish list so we have the items we will need on Mitzvah Day:

New Sturdy Backpacks

These backpacks will be used to hold all the contents of the Comfort Cases. We need new, sturdy backpacks, which can be purchased online, or at stores such as Five Below for as little as $5. These backpacks help ensure that kids in foster care do not have to carry their belongings around in trash bags.

Travel-Sized Toiletries

These hotel-sized shampoos, conditioners, toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, etc., will give kids in foster care the essentials no matter where they go.

Journals, Pens, Pencils, Books, Beanie Babies, and Stuffed Animals for Teens These items will be put into Comfort Cases to help provide dignity and warmth to kids who receive them in our area.

New, Warm Pajamas

Many kids in foster care do not have pajamas, so they sleep in their clothes instead. We need adult sizes M-3XL. All of these items can be put into the marked bins at both JBSC and Temple up until Mitzvah Day on Sunday, April 7.

Learn more about Mitzvah Day and sign up for a project at whctemple.org/MitzvahDay. Page 6 | WHC Journal – April 2019

WHC Journal

Celebrate

A Clergy Milestone Year 2019 is a significant year for four of Washington Hebrew Congregation’s clergy.

Rabbi Shankman and Cantor Bortnick, who were installed together, are celebrating their 18th anniversaries Rabbi Lustig is celebrating his 20th year as our Senior Rabbi Cantor Manevich is celebrating his 30th anniversary with our Congregation Join us to honor these special anniversaries at the Annual Meeting on Tuesday, June 4 at 7:00 pm at Temple. Together, we will look back over the decades and remember special moments.

This is an anniversary party you don’t want to miss!

We also invite you to place a tribute ad with your good wishes in the special program booklet that will be distributed at the Annual Meeting. Tribute ads are available in 1/6 page ($180), 1/4 page ($360), 1/2 page ($500), and full page ($1,000) sizes, and all funds raised will benefit WHC’s Worship & Music Fund. Get creative in your walk down memory lane — old photos are welcomed.

For more information or to purchase an ad, please visit whctemple.org/tribute or contact Eliza Prince, Director of Development, at 202-895-6312 or eprince@whctemple.org.

Please note, ads must be submitted by Wednesday, May 1.

WHC Journal – April 2019 | Page 7

Lifelong Learning

The Life and Legacy of Elie Wiesel “It is critical to keep Elie (Wiesel)’s memory alive at a time when anti-Semitism and prejudice are again on the rise, and the lessons he taught have been called into question.” – Nadine Epstein

O

ur next Amram Scholar Series lecture, on Sunday, April 28 at 10:30 am at Temple, will do just that, when Nadine Epstein, editor-in-chief of Moment Magazine, and Rabbi Ariel Burger come together to discuss their teacher, mentor, and friend in “The Life and Legacy of Elie Wiesel.”

Elie Wiesel (1928-2016) is best known as the compelling voice of the Holocaust, whose horrors he described in Night, a memoir of his experiences in Nazi concentration camps that was translated into 30 languages and sold more than 10 million copies in the United States alone.

A survivor of Buchenwald and Auschwitz, he became of champion of human rights, a professor, and the author of more than 50 books. He won the Nobel Peace Prize and the Presidential Medal of Freedom and helped to found the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington. He spoke at its 1993 dedication, and his prevailing message is preserved in stone at its entrance: “For the dead and the living, we must bear witness.”

Rabbi Ariel Burger first met Elie Wiesel at age 15 and later became his doctoral fellow and teaching assistant at Boston University, which founded the Elie Wiesel Center for Jewish Studies in his honor. Rabbi Burger’s talk will put us in Wiesel’s classroom, where his gift of storytelling and listening made him a master teacher. “I questioned

everything in search of an answer,” Rabbi Burger says, “but it wasn’t until I met Professor Wiesel that I realized that questioning is the answer.” Drawing from his new book, Witness: Lessons From Elie Wiesel’s Classroom, which won the National Jewish Book Award for Biography, the rabbi will discuss conversations in which he sought Wiesel’s counsel on matters of intellect, spirituality, and faith.

A writer, artist, and teacher whose work combines spirituality, creativity, and strategies for social change, Rabbi Burger lectures widely and leads workshops for teachers, activists, and nonprofit professionals.

Nadine Epstein also came to know Elie Wiesel as a mentor and friend when she took over Moment Magazine in 2004.

Wiesel and Leonard Fein — a professor, author, and social justice activist — had co-founded the magazine in 1975 as a place of conversation for America’s Jews. Through a multimedia presentation, Ms. Epstein will share interviews and reflections from Elie Wiesel’s friends, colleagues, and family— among them, his son Elisha, Ben Kingsley, Itzhak Perlman, Oprah Winfrey, and others. She is the editor of a newly published book, Elie Wiesel: An Extraordinary Life and Legacy, which includes a foreword by Lord Rabbi Jonathan Sacks and afterword by Ted Koppel. Through photographs, personal accounts, speeches, and articles, this beautiful volume provides a deep and intimate Continued on page 25.

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WHC Passover Journal

Passover Dates to Note First Night Seders Sephardic Passover Cooking Class

Wednesday, April 3, 6:30 pm Sur La Table in North Bethesda Discover how to prepare new dishes that will bring spice and distinctive flavors to your Passover meal. This private class at Sur La Table is limited to just 18 participants. $85 per person

Women’s Seder Sunday, April 14 4:00 pm at JBSC

Co-hosted by the Women of WHC & the Women of Temple Beth Ami Before you sit down for your family seder, come to our Women’s Seder led by Brooklyn-based singer/songwriter Michelle Citrin, WHC’s Rabbi Shankman, Rabbi Fischel, and Cantor Bortnick, and Temple Beth Ami’s Rabbi Baht Weiss. Michelle Citrin’s funky, soulful, folk-pop sound, powerful music, and viral videos including “20 Things to Do With Matzah” are just some of the reasons why Time included her in their top ten “New Jewish Rock Stars,” and the Jerusalem Post called her the “Jewish ‘It’ Girl.” Gather the women in your life from all generations and celebrate with us. $72 for women; $36 for girls ages 18 and under; $1,500 Miriam’s Circle sponsorship

Friday, April 19

Congregational Seder 6:00 pm at Temple $55 – adult WHC members $63 – adult guests $20 – all children 12 and under

2239 Young Professionals Seder 7:00 pm at Calvary Baptist Church $45 through 4/12; $50 through 4/19 The true cost of this seder is $70 per person, but we do not want the cost of this event to preclude you from attending. Please contact Valerie Bluestein for more information: vbluestein@whctemple.org.

Holiday Worship at Temple

Shabbat and Festival Service Saturday, April 20 at 10:30 am

Festival and Yizkor Service Friday, April 26 at 10:30 am

Freedom Seder Wednesday, April 24 6:00 pm at Temple

Join us as we welcome our Christian and Muslim partners for a traditional seder meal with songs, prayers, and readings emphasizing the universal struggle for human dignity. $20 per person $200 to sponsor a table for our interfaith guests

Learn more and register for any of our seders or the cooking class on our website: whctemple.org/Passover WHC Journal – April 2019 | Page 9

Passover

H osting Seder?

This Checklist Can Help You Prepare Passover is the holiday when hosts borrow folding chairs to squeeze as many people as possible around their tables. There is a well-known verse in the Haggadah, Kol dichfin yeitei v’yechul (let all who are hungry come in and eat), so now is the time to reach out and invite people you know who need a seder invitation. And, as Rabbi Lustig suggested in his column on page three, this is a wonderful opportunity to embrace “2 for Seder” and invite non-Jewish friends who have never experienced a seder to join you!

Feather, wooden spoon, and paper bag: One of

the many fun customs associated with Passover is to search for, collect, and destroy any chametz in the house. Children are particularly enthusiastic about this “search and destroy” mission. Look any place in the house where chametz was used during the year. Or designate one family member to hide 10 pieces of chametz (a Kabbalistic tradition) throughout the house (just remember where you put them). Use the feather to sweep all the crumbs into the spoon and deposit them in the paper bag.

The next morning, make one final search and then burn or discard the bag and its contents.

Pillows: A pillow on each guest’s chair at the

seder table encourages everyone to comfortably recline during the seder, a custom is observed in the spirit of celebrating our freedom.

Haggadot: Each guest will need a Passover Haggadah

to use during the seder. Most Reform Jewish Haggadot (plural of Haggadah) include egalitarian language and beautiful illustrations. Two favorites are A Passover Haggadah and The Open Door. Or create your own!

Haggadot.com has everything you need to create a custom seder that’s perfect for your family.

Seder plate: If your guests will be seated at more than one table, consider preparing a seder plate for each table. See page 11 for insights into what goes on the seder plate.

Candles and candlesticks: The blessing

over the festival candles is recited as the seder begins. On the first night of Passover, the Shehecheyanu is also recited.

This article has been adapted from one that originally appeared on ReformJudiasm.org.

Page 10 | WHC Journal – April 2019

Three kiddush cups and wine glasses: Use kiddush cups for the seder leader, for the cup of Elijah, and for the cup of Miriam, which honors Moses’ sister Miriam, who played a vital role in the history of our people. Pour wine for your guests into regular wine glasses.

Matzah holder: Three ceremonial boards

of matzah are placed in a special holder or on a plate for the seder, and the middle one is broken in half and used for the afikoman (“dessert”; its the hidden matzah children search for at the end of the seder).

Afikoman holder: Bags designed to hold the afikoman can be purchased, or you can simply wrap it in a paper or cloth dinner napkin. A quick and inexpensive way to hide more than one afikoman for the kids is to use mailing envelopes with each child’s name written on the front.

Afikoman prizes: For most kids, the

seder’s high point is searching for the afikoman. Why not hide more than one afikoman and award fun prizes to every child at your seder? The prizes can be Passover candy, crafts or small toys, like scented markers, Legos, sculpting clay, travel-sized games, or joke books.

Pitcher or two-handled cup, big bowl, and dish towel (or hand wipes): These

supplies are used for the ritual hand washing (and drying) during the seder. If you prefer, hand wipes can be used.

Passover

The Seder Plate: Traditional and Re-Imagined Passover is filled with symbolism that is meant to stimulate conversation and collective memory of a shared and ancient past. In addition to recalling the Exodus from Egypt, we are empowered through our seder to take action today and in the coming year. As we plan for our Passover seders, we invite you to consider and reconsider all that brings meaning and memory to you and your family. All of this can be represented and reflected through our very own seder plate.

The Traditional Seder Plate Beitzah (Egg)

Not only a symbol of spring and new life, the egg also represents the second offering in the ancient Temple.

Karpas (Vegetable)

Zeroa (Shank Bone )

A roasted shank bone symbolizes the sacrificial lamb whose blood was placed over the doors of Israelites and later was offered in the ancient Temple in Jerusalem.

Parsley, celery, or potato is used as a symbol of spring, which is dipped into salt water, symbolizing the tears of the enslaved Israelites.

Charoset (Apples, Walnuts, Honey)

Maror (Bitter Herbs)

Chazeret (Bitter Herbs and Matzah)

These remind us of the bitterness of slavery. Often this is romaine lettuce (whose roots are bitter) or horseradish root.

This chopped, sweet mixture symbolizes the mortar used by enslaved Israelites.

During the seder, people often make a “Hillel Sandwich” of matzah, bitter herbs, and charoset. Not everyone includes chazeret on their seder plate.

New Items for Your Seder Plate Passover celebrates the end of slavery for Jews in Egypt, so naturally much of the discussion centers around freedom and oppression. As part of this discussion, some Jews choose to add or substitute additional items that represent their values, political beliefs, or family history.

Olive: In the early 1990s, American Jews working

to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict started adding an olive to their seder plates to remember the economic insecurity caused by the destruction of olive trees, a historical symbol of hope for many people in the region. Some now erroneously believe that the olive was added as a symbol of peace in the Middle East.

Miriam’s Cup: Some include this newer ritual object

on the seder table beside the Cup of Elijah. Filled with water, it serves as a symbol of Miriam’s Well, the source of water for the Israelites in the desert.

Its inclusion draws attention to the importance of Miriam and the other women of the Exodus story, about whom our tradition says, “If it was not for the righteousness of women of that generation, we would not have been redeemed from Egypt.”

(Babylonian Talmud, Sotah 9b)

Orange: Many will tell you that the orange represents

women and feminism. A false myth circulates, saying that a man angrily told Jewish scholar Susannah Heschel that “A woman belongs on the bimah like an orange belongs on the seder plate,” and that’s why feminists today include an orange. However, Heschel herself repudiates this myth, saying that she added the orange to honor the LGBTQ community.

Beet: Vegetarians or vegans who do not wish to add the shank bone instead substitute a roasted beet, citing the Talmud, Tractate 114b.

Flower or Seed: If you’re vegan, the traditional egg

needs to leave the seder plate as well. You can use a purely decorative egg, or since the egg represents spring and new life, use a flower or seed.

There is really no limit to the potential for expressing your values through the Passover seder, specifically by including items that serve as reminders. If you choose to add anything to your seder plate this year, send us a picture and tell us what it means!

WHC Journal – April 2019 | Page 11

Passover

Understanding the Elements of the Seder There are more than a dozen parts to the seder — from Kadeish, the recitation of the Kiddush, to Nirtzah, the conclusion. If you are looking for ways to bring a new interpretation or enhancement to your seder, our rabbis have provided some suggestions. Enjoy!

Kadeish – Reciting the Kiddush

We begin not with food, but with a blessing over the wine, to sanctify the day, and acknowledge its holiness. To demonstrate that we are not slaves, it is customary to have someone else fill your cup (literally — until it is almost overflowing). In the 19th century, Rabbi Y. M. Epstein of Poland warned against the potential to have sexism creep into the seder: “It is haughty and arrogant to order one’s wife to serve him wine. After all, he is no more obligated to drink wine than she.”

Ur’chatz – Washing the Hands

The Talmud tells us that when the Temple stood in Jerusalem, there was a law that required a person to wash their hands before dipping any food in a liquid. At the seder, before we dip the karpas in salt water, hands should be washed. Typically a blessing is recited, but not for this first hand-washing. The intent is to provide another opportunity to pique the interest of children so that they will wonder: “Why is this night different from all other nights?”

Karpas – Eating a Vegetable Dipped in Salt Water

Think of karpas as the hors d’oeuvres of the seder. The Rabbis modeled the Passover seder after the GrecoRoman symposium, where it was common to start with appetizers. Once you have dipped the parsley into the salt water, let your creativity abound. Dip celery, potatoes, or hard-boiled eggs in salt water, gefilte fish in horseradish, and even carrots or peppers in guacamole! Having a little nosh during the seder might also help hold rumbling tummies until the seder meal is served.

Yachatz – Breaking the Middle Matzah

On Passover, we hold two questions at the same time: what makes you whole, and what breaks your heart? Before we say Motzi and enjoy dinner, we break yachatz, the middle matzah, to remind us that we must still work for the redemption of our world.

Magid – Reciting the Haggadah

As we tell the story of our ancestors’ Exodus from Egypt, we know that bondage and redemption resonate deeply in our lives today. “In every generation,” the Haggadah demands, “you are obligated to see yourself as if you personally left Egypt.”

Rachtzah – Washing the Hands a Second Time

We pour water over our hands, not out of hygienic concerns, but to infuse our seder meal with another layer of holiness. A great way to involve children is to ask for two volunteers — one to pour water and the other to dry hands, so that other guests can remain comfortably seated.

Page 12 | WHC Journal – April 2019

Passover

Motzi/Matzah – Reciting the Blessings for Bread and Matzah

Motzi is our prayer celebrating God’s bounty. It is followed by matzah, recalling our haste to leave slavery and our newfound freedom. Matzah symbolizes the longing for freedom shared by all of God’s children. As the 19th-century poet Heinrich Heine wrote, “Freedom has always spoken with a Hebrew accent.”

Maror – Eating Bitter Herbs

The piquancy of the maror serves, like other seder symbols, to remind us of the bitterness of our ancestors’ enslavement. A great aunt of one of our rabbis made maror by mixing horseradish with crème fraîche and powdered sugar, which made it significantly less bitter and much better to eat in large quantities — which, of course, they did. How about that for transforming the bitterness of slavery into the sweetness of freedom?

Korech – Eating a Sandwich of Matzah and Bitter Herbs

Long before the Earl of Sandwich came up with the idea of putting meat between slices of bread, we had Hillel the Elder, who combined maror with matzah, charoset, and — before the destruction of the Temple — meat from a sacrifice. The Hillel Sandwich symbolizes our Jewish hope for redemption.

We pray that the hardship of our past (maror), while always part of our history, will be combined with the sweetness of freedom.

Shulchan Orech – Eating the Festive Meal

Following the “appetizer” rounds that accompanied the previous sections of the seder, it is (finally) time to serve dinner. What is served may vary according to geography and family traditions. For example, Ashkenazic tradition prohibits the eating of lamb at the Passover seder, as lamb was used for the paschal sacrifice. Following this, some Jews will not serve roasted lamb at their seder meal, which is why brisket is often a popular dish!

Tzafun – Eating the Afikoman

Kids love to search for the afikoman. A meal that includes a treasure hunt — what could be better? Adults can enjoy this time as well with some fun songs. Classics sung to familiar tunes like Take Me Out to the Seder (Take Me Out to the Ball Game) and The Ballad of the Four Sons (Clementine) now have contemporary cousins you can find on YouTube: Uptown Passover (Uptown Funk), Chozen (Let it Go/Frozen), and All About Those Plagues (All About That Bass).

Barech – Reciting Grace

The Book of Deuteronomy instructs us, “When you have eaten your fill, give thanks to the Eternal your God for the good land given to you.” (8:10). We can do this in many ways: with birkat ha’mazon, the traditional grace after meals; a moment of silent contemplation; or tzedakah, by donating a portion of the total cost of the seder meal to MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger (mazon.org), the Jewish community’s movement to end hunger in the U.S. and abroad.

Nirtzah – Praying that God Accepts Our Service

This concluding section of the seder looks forward to a time when all people will be free and when exoduses will no longer be needed. In a time of so much pessimism, Judaism demands that we maintain hope.

Songs and readings like This Land is Your Land, Maya Angelou’s “Still I Rise,” and even the Declaration of Independence can be a fitting end to your meal.

WHC Journal – April 2019 | Page 13

Passover

To Eat or Not to Eat?

That Is the (5th) Question

I

t’s April, and the Passover preparation work has begun!

Much of this preparation is physical. We clean and polish table settings and serving pieces that are used but once or twice a year. We buy ingredients needed to mix, blend, and bake dishes that are served just during this holiday. And of course, we remove, box up, or cordon-off all things chametz (wheat, barley, rye, oats, and farro) from our homes.

In addition to all the physical work, preparing for the holiday can also be a mindful experience. There are so many options for the rituals and practices connected to this holiday. From the items to include on the seder plate to the foods to abstain from eating, there is a rich opportunity for choices that will make the holiday personally meaningful.

Many of Passover’s customs focus on food. In fact, the seder’s ritual foods, which represent various parts of the Passover story, are a fitting way to begin a week during which our food choices can reflect our Jewish values and how we demonstrate those values in our lives.

Everyone makes choices about food during Passover.

Before the holiday begins (and you are faced with that first not-kosher-for-Passover temptation), take time to reflect on why you plan to eat or refrain from eating certain foods during the holiday.

The Four Questions begin, “Why is this night different from all other nights?” Beyond the seder, consider how the foods you choose to eat (or not eat) this week can make Passover look or feel different than the rest of the year. The matzah-eating experience connects us to when

Page 14 | WHC Journal – April 2019

we were slaves in Egypt and fled so quickly that the bread being prepared for the journey had no time to rise. With so many kosher-for-Passover convenience foods available, will eating kosher-for-Passover waffles, pasta, bagels, and other chametz, affect the spiritual aspects of the holiday?

There are so many choices around food. During Passover, some Jews avoid eating chametz. Others incorporate the Sephardic custom of consuming kitniyot (corn, rice, legumes, peas, lentils, beans, millet, and seeds). And some Jews adhere strictly to the customs of the holiday and avoid eating chametz, kitniyot, and any foods — like corn syrup — that are derived from them.

After a week of meals from a restricted ingredient list, it can be just as meaningful — and lots of fun — to celebrate the return to food freedom. Every year, the Couples Club hosts a post-Passover pizza party, where they indulge in pizza, beer, and all things chametz. Moroccan Jews have a wonderful tradition called Mimouna. The end-of-Passover celebration, which has become very popular in Israel, is a doors-open, all-are-welcome festivity. At a Mimouna party, you’ll find a long table set with an abundance of sweet carbohydrate-laden treats, the highlight of which is mufleta, a sweet, crepe-like treat spread with butter and honey.

Whether you choose to follow family-treasured traditions or begin some new ones this Passover, we hope every dish connects you to our history and increases your bonds with family and friends.

Passover

Chametz or Not Chametz Is It Kosher for Passover (KFP)?

When you can’t bear to eat another piece of gefilte fish but aren’t sure what you can eat during Passover, use this handy guide to help you decide.

Crepes Even though they are as flat as a sheet of matzah, crepes are made from wheat flour. Foods that contain wheat, barley, rye, oats, or spelt are considered chametz and are not kosher for Passover.

Couscous Although it’s small and round like other grains, couscous — even the Israeli kind — is really a type of pasta. It’s made from semolina, a kind of wheat flour, and is definitely chametz.

Matzah Yes, matzah is kosher for Passover.

But because stores stock and sell all kinds of matzah all year long, check the label before you buy or eat it to be sure that what you have is the kind of matzah that has been prepared to be KFP.

Quinoa A super conundrum for this superfood.

Although it is not one of the seven grains considered chametz, the jury is out on whether quinoa is kitniyot. So, if you are going to eat quinoa during the holiday, make sure the package is labeled kosher for Passover.

Beer Beer, which is made from barley or other grains that have been fermented, is not kosher for Passover.

So, unless the beer is made from buckwheat, you’ve gotta pass on the brew.

Pizza Your favorite pizza place is advertising “kosher-for-Passover pizza,” but is it really kosher for Passover?

Consider this, even if the restaurant uses KFP flour, they are most likely still selling regular pizza, which is baked in the same ovens. So whether or not you are comfortable declaring it KFP will depend on your own level of observance.

Wine The four cups if wine and huge bottles of Manischewitz on the table are an excellent indicator that wine is not chametz. If you are wondering why wine, which is fermented, is allowed, the answer lies in the yeast.

Unlike beer, wine’s yeast comes from grapes not grains and is not chametz.

Double Shot Latte No need to skip the Starbucks run, your latte is KFP. However, if you aren’t in the kitniyot-eating camp (see page 14), stick with the old fashioned kind of milk from cows, almond milk, or coconut milk — they are all kosher for Passover.

Vegetarian California Rolls Customarily, many Ashkenazi Jews refrain from eating kitniyot (corn, rice, peas, lentils, and beans) during Passover, which Sephardic Jews freely enjoy. More recently, some Ashkenazi Jews are including kitniyot in their food choices during Passover. If this includes you, your veggie Cali roll is fine.

Flax Seeds Flax seeds are also kitniyot, so depending on your personal Passover minhag (custom), you may or may not choose to eat them during the holiday.

Bloody Mary We know from seder that horseradish is KFP, but whether or not your bloody Mary is kosher for Passover depends on the vodka used to make it. Typically, vodka is made from fermented grains, which makes it chametz. However, if the vodka in your bloody Mary comes from potatoes, l’chaim — even during Passover!

Soy Milk Soy falls into the kitniyot category, so if you don’t “do kitniyot” during Passover, then pass on the soy milk.

WHC Journal – April 2019 | Page 15

April 2019 Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

1

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

7 Mitzvah Day (M, B & OUT) Beginning at 9:30 am

8

10:00am Women of WHC Meeting and Women’s Seder Prep (B) 10:00am Conversational Hebrew: Intermediate (M) 7:00pm 12JQ (M) 7:00pm WHC Academy(M)

Wednesday

4:30pm Hebrew School (B) 6:00pm Conversational Hebrew: Beginner/Intermediate (M) 6:30pm Upper School and Confirmation (B) 7:00pm Back to Basics (M)

4:30pm Hebrew School (B) 6:00pm Conversational Hebrew: Beginner/Intermediate (M) 6:30pm Upper School and Confirmation (B)

2

9

1:00pm Wednesday Study Group (M) 4:30pm Hebrew School (M) 6:00pm JAM Rehearsal (M) 6:00pm Conversational Hebrew: Beginner (B) 6:30pm Passover Cooking Class (OUT) 7:00pm Wise Aging (M)

3

10

1:00pm Wednesday Study Group (M) 4:30pm Hebrew School (M) 6:00pm JAM Rehearsal (M) 6:00pm Conversational Hebrew: Beginner (B) 7:30pm Community Issues/Social Action Meeting (M)

No Religious School (M&B)

14

9:30am Religious School (M&B) 4:00pm Women’s Seder (B) 5:30pm Post Confirmation Dinner (OUT)

Passover Easter Spring Break: Religious School (M&B)

21

28

9:30am Religious School (M&B) 10:30am Amram Scholar Series: Rabbi Ariel Burger and Nadine Epstein 5:00pm Couples Club’s Post Passover Pizza Party (OUT)

Page 16 | WHC Journal – April 2019

Spring Break: ECC (M&B)

15

10:00am Conversational Hebrew: Intermediate (M) 12:30pm Prime Timers’ Lunch and Film (M) 7:00pm 12JQ (M) 7:00pm WHC Academy(M)

Passover Spring Break: ECCs (M&B)

22

7:30am RJWECC PLUS Camp Day (B) 7:00pm 12JQ (M) 7:00pm WHC Academy(M)

7:00pm 12JQ (M)

29

Spring Break: Hebrew School (B) ECC (M&B)

16

Spring Break: Hebrew School (M) ECC (M&B)

17

1:00pm Wednesday Study Group (M) 7:00pm Attorneys’ Study Group (OUT)

Passover 4:30pm Hebrew School (B) 6:30pm Upper School and Confirmation (M)

4:30pm Hebrew School (B) 6:30pm Upper School and Confirmation (M)

23

Passover 1:00pm Wednesday Study Group (M) 4:30pm Hebrew School (M) 6:00pm JAM Rehearsal (M) 6:00pm Freedom Seder (M)

24

30

B: Julia Bindeman Suburban Center

M: Temple

OUT: Not at a WHC location

Adar II – Nissan 5779 Thursday 10:00am Conversational Hebrew: Advanced (B)

Friday

4

Saturday

5

10:30am Women of WHC Mah Jongg (B) 7:00pm Shabbat at the Shapiros’ (OUT) 7:30pm 12 Jewish Questions Shabbat Dinner (M)

Services: 9:00am Early Torah (M) 10:30am Shabbat Service (M) 5:30pm Afternoon Service and Havdalah (M) Bar Mitzvah of Zachary Goldberg

Services: 5:30pm Tot Shabbat & Family Dinner (B) 5:30pm Lay Led Service (M) 6:00pm Macomb St. Shabbat Service (M) 10:00am Conversational Hebrew: Advanced (B)

11

ECC Early Dismissal (M&B) 10:30am Women of WHC Mah Jongg (B) 7:00pm Shabbat at the Shapiros’ (OUT)

12

Services: 5:30pm Lay Led Service (M) 6:00pm Pollin Music Shabbat – Nefesh Mountain (M) Spring Break: ECC (M&B)

18

Passover Begins at Sundown Spring Break: ECC (M&B)

6

19

13 Services: 9:00am Early Torah (M) 10:30am Shabbat Service (M) B’nei Mitzvah of Xander Arnold and Charles Shanfield 5:30pm Afternoon Service and Havdalah (M) Bar Mitzvah of Jacob Orenstein Passover

20

10:30am Women of WHC Mah Jongg (B)

Services: 5:30pm Lay Led Service (M) 6:00pm Congregational Seder (M) 7:00pm 2239 Seder (OUT) Passover NFTY-MAR Spring Kallah (OUT through Sunday)

25

Passover WHC Offices and ECCs Closed (M&B) Services: 10:30am Yizkor and Passover Festival Service (M) 5:00pm Tot Shabbat and Family Dinner (M) 5:30pm Lay Led Service (M) 6:00pm Shirei Shabbat Service (M) 6:15pm 2239’s Metro Minyan (OUT)

Services: 9:00am Early Torah (M) 10:30am Shabbat and Passover Festival Service (M)

26

27 Services: 9:00am Early Torah (M) 10:00am District Shabbat for Tots (OUT) 10:30am Shabbat Service (M) Bar Mitzvah of Alexander Abel 5:30pm Afternoon Service and Havdalah (M) B’nei Mitzvah of Dylan Lustig and Ryan Tanenholz

WHC Journal – April 2019 | Page 17

Mazel Tov to WHC’s April B'nei Mitzvah Zachary Ryan Goldberg April 6, Havdalah Zac is a seventh-grade student at Herbert Hoover Middle School. He is the son of Emily & Jason Goldberg, the brother of Tyler, and the grandson of Karan & Richard Dreisen, the late Robin Dreisen Amernick, Judy & Bill Sachs, and JoAnn & Marvin Goldberg.

Xander Jacob Arnold April 13, Morning Xander is a seventh-grade student at The Bullis School. He is the son of Mimi & Adam Arnold, the brother of Drake, and the grandson of Beverly & George Kaloupis and Sandy & Howard Arnold.

Charles Eric Shanfield April 13, Morning Charlie is a seventh-grade student at Cabin John Middle School. He is the son of Jonathan & the late Kirsten Shanfield, the brother of Will, and the grandson of Cassie & Ted Kaplan and Drs. Ellen-Gene Peterson & Michael Rowe.

Jacob Noah Orenstein April 13, Havdalah Jake is a seventh-grade student at Green Acres School. He is the son of Jacqueline Greene & Joshua Orenstein, the brother of Alexandra, and the grandson of Betty & the late Rabbi Barry H. Greene and Karen & Dr. Jan Orenstein.

Page 18 | WHC Journal – April 2019

Alexander Matthew Abel April 27, Morning Alex is a sixth-grade student at Washington International School.

He is the son of Julie & David Abel, the brother of Zoe and Ellie, and the grandson of Carol & Frank Lazarus and Susan & Irving Abel.

Dylan Brooke Lustig April 27, Havdalah Dylan is a seventh-grade student at Julius West Middle School. She is the daughter of Helene & Brian Lustig, the sister of Zachary, and the granddaughter of Harriet & Gene Goldberg, Cookie Lustig, and Steve Lustig & Jessie Groothuis.

Ryan Justin Tanenholz April 27, Havdalah Ryan is a seventh-grade student at Tilden Middle School. He is the son of Kelly & David Tanenholz, the brother of Lindsey, and the grandson of Robin & Robert Just and Corie & Victor Tanenholz.

Life Cycle

Congratulations to…

Mildred & Howard Amer, on the marriage of their daughter, Robin, to Aaron Jacobson, the son of Paul & the late Corinne Jacobson.

Moritz Cohen Jr., on the birth of his great-grandson, Nathan Lee Cohen; and to Nathan’s parents, Caroline & Seth Cohen; big brother, Caleb; and grandparents, Louise & Stephen Yoder and Marcy & Robert Cohen.

Beth & Rob Eisman, on the engagement of their daughter, Melanie, to Ryan Garber, son of Amy & Scott Garber. Melanie is the granddaughter of Barbara & Howard Felder and Stanley Eisman & Marilyn Spitzer; Ryan is the grandson of Marilyn Garber.

Linda Adler & Steven Fischer, on the birth and naming of their granddaughter, Amalia Ro Fischer-Lyons-Warren (Amalia); and to Amalia’s parents, Abra Lyons-Warren & Jonathan Fischer; maternal grandparents, Rhona Lyons and David Warren; and great-grandparents, Rita Warren, Dr. Walter & Esther Stone, and Lenore Greenberg & Ira Lyons.

Beverly Gendleman, on the birth of her great-grandson, Graham Stewart Reed; and to Graham’s parents, Claire & David Reed; and grandparents, Dr. Bruce & Arlene Rosenberg and Cindy & David Reed.

Janice & Arthur Herold, on the birth of their granddaughter, Eve Leona Herold; and to Eve’s parents, Sarah & Spencer Herold and big brother Atticus.

Peggy & Douglas Letter, on the naming of their grandson, Jackson Harvey Miller (Mordechai); and to Jackson’s parents, Debbie & Jason Miller; paternal grandparents, Beth & Rob Miller; and great-grandmothers Edith Pollner and Mary Pace.

Our Sincerest Condolences…

Katherine “Kitty” Berk, daughter of Frances Berk (Neil Shapiro) and Anton Berk, sister of Spencer Berk and Philip Berk Holly Bolter, daughter of Myrtle Katzen; mother of Jeffrey Bolter (Stephanie) and Alexandra Bolter; sister of Michael Scheffres (Susan); partner of Alan Landau.

Donald Brown, husband of Ann Brown; father of Laura Rodgers and Kathy Brown; grandfather of four and greatgrandfather of two.

Harriet Garrett, mother of Dr. Bruce Garrett (Sandra).

Rabbi Richard Klein, husband of Ellen Klein; father of Phil Klein (Sarah) and Rabbi Dena Klein (Jonathan Harris); grandfather of Eliana and Jacob Klein, Rachel and Maxwell Harris.

Stephen Kreimer, husband of Lesley Kreimer; father of Aimee Kreimer (Brad Phillips) and Alisa Goldman; grandfather of seven.

Neil Pape, brother of Stuart Pape (Ginger).

Jeffrey Ploshnick, husband of Shari Ploshnick; son of Ginger & David Ploshnick; father of Jack and Reid Ploshnick; brother of Andrea Ploshnick Lagowitz (Jack Kolker) and Lisa Bierig (Andrew); son-in-law of Howard Lehrer.

Leon Slavin, father of Meredith Sevi (Avi), Andrea Slavin, Daniel Slavin (Belkis), and Dawn Slavin; grandfather of Lucas and Sophia.

James Ira “Jim” Warren, husband of Janis Warren; father of Sara Warren and Katie Whittatch; grandfather of Nate and George.

…may their memory be a blessing.

WHC Journal – April 2019 | Page 19

Contributions

We gratefully acknowledge the following contributions, received through February 28. To make a contribution to any of Washington Hebrew Congregation’s funds, please visit whctemple.org/donate.

Lillian & Alfred Bennett Fine Arts Endowment Fund

Donor Yvette Z. Kraft

General Fund

In Memory of: Bruce Myles Kraft

Julia & Jack Bindeman Fund

Donor Carol Bindeman

In Memory of: Emilie R. Katzenberg Lucien Katzenberg, Jr.

Ruth T. Blond Healthy Aging Endowment

Donor Elisabeth Posner Schouten

In Memory of: Elizabeth Kahn Benjamin Posner Fanny Posner

Shelley & Michael Brody Teacher Training Institute Endowment Donor Michael Brody

In Memory of: Frank Brody

Jane Burka Sisterhood Leadership Fund

Donor Women of WHC Donor Judy & David Irwin

In Memory of: Sidney Tickton

Cantorial & Concert Fund

Donor In Honor of: Charles, Butch, and the Fleischer & Eisenman Family

Cantor Mikhail Manevich Stephanie & Harry Alexander

Bat Mitzvah of Tatum Peri Goldblatt Helene E. Hendricks Florida Reunion Beverly Rosenblatt

Marlene Naide’s Speedy Recovery Froma Sandler Mark Manevich & Hally Drabman’s Engagement The Zweig Family Cantor Mikhail Manevich Donor In Memory of: Janet & Jeff Abramson Harold Sterling Stephanie & Harry Alexander Bert Evans Jil Levick Dorothy Rosenblatt Wendy & Jeff Cossman David Hanania Ken & Doris Kraemer Estelle Kraemer Elchanan & Lola Peres Chaya Peres

Jonah Pinczuk Barbara F. Polansky Rhea S. Abrams Jon & Jennifer Solovey David Solovey Sherman & Karen Telis Laura Bleiweiss Steven Wasser Doris Wasser

EmptyNesters Fund

Donor Joan Adoff Holly & Jeff Bergman

In Memory of: George Gottlieb Anita Bergman

Lois & Richard England Special Needs Endowment Fund

Donor Florence R. Hart

General Fund

In Memory of: Julius Rubenstein

Donor Leslie & Bruce Forrest Donor In Honor of: David & Julie Abel

Bar Mitzvah of Alexander Matthew Abel Stephanie & Harry Alexander

Bat Mitzvah of Tatum Peri Goldblatt Ruth & Jim Fromstein

Renee Schulman’s Special Birthday Page 20 | WHC Journal – April 2019

Donor In Honor of: Emily & Jason Goldberg

Bar Mitzvah of Zachary Ryan Goldberg Mr. & Mrs. Robert Samuels

Elizabeth Greenfield’s Speedy Recovery Kelly & David Tanenholz

Bar Mitzvah of Ryan Justin Tanenholz Donor In Memory of: Mr. & Mrs. Laurence C. Abramson

Nathan Abramson Dr. Marshall Ackerman Louis Ackerman Nancy Alper Melvin G. Alper Wendy Banner Melvin Isaacson Eliezer & Miriam Benbassat Haim E. Benbassat Marjorie & Harold Bingham Daniel N. Levy Jackie & Ken Blank Gladys Mayer William & Devon Burak Elayne Dworken Arlene Cherner Henrietta Kay

Benjamin Kay Francis Chucker, M.D. Edward Chucker

Sadie Chucker John G. Decker Samuel J. Decker Sonnie Dockser William B. Dockser Jeffrey & Susan Freed Elliott Freed Bruce & Sandra Sokolove Garrett Jeanette Sokolove

Abraham Sokolove Marilyn & Michael Glosserman Sam J. Glosserman Joy & Archie Gold Esther Gold Barry Goulding Hillary Goulding Dr. Clara S. Heffess David Szczupak Amy & Gary Heimberg Susan Abrams Gabriele S. Herer Hans Schlamme Gail D. Himmelfarb Mavis Himmelfarb

Arthur Himmelfarb Kenneth & Susan Kasnett Robert Kasnett Norton Katz Gertrude Katz Dr. & Mrs. Richard M. Kaufman Eleanor B. Baron Susan L. Kentoff Louis E. Lipp Nick Kotz Jacob Kotz Nathan Kotz Morris Kallison Ann Lane Sol Steinberg Daniel Lederberg Linda Lederberg Alan Levine Bertha Levine Priscilla & Alan Levine Rose Sayne Jane Lipton Cafritz Ira Lipton The Grossman & Mead Families Richard Grossman Andrea Grant & Selig S. Merber Shirley S. Grant Phyllis & Ted Meyerson Linda Schwartz Rosenthal Courtney & Eric Moseman Mrs. Ellis April Norman & Susan Oblon Nathan J. Oblon Charlotte Pearlman Aaron Frank Ruth Rudolph Perlin Sadie Brown Rudolph

Bertha D. Brown Irene S. Pollin Kenneth J. Pollin Dr. Herbert Rabin Ida Rabin

Irving Rabin Jeremy Reiskin Wenda D. Reiskin Rena & David Rutstein Leo Bergsmann

Hilda Bergsmann Joan & George Schonholtz Joseph Hirsch Dr. & Mrs. Schonholtz Harriet Schonholtz Gerald & Ellen Sigal Saul Gostkov

Shirley Gostkov Joseph Sitrick Gertrude Lieberstein Robert Sitrick Rose Brown

Gertrude Lieberstein Beth & Howard Sloan Evelyn Cousins

General Fund

Donor In Memory of: Mrs. Gloria Sterling Harold Sterling Mr. Richard L. Sugarman Reve S. Shapiro Eve & Nate Wallace David Emanuel Wallace Mr. & Mrs. Robert Warsaw William Warsaw Joan Weill Joyce E. Torchinsky Grace Weissman Abraham Korzac Roslyn Wolf Seymour Wolf Woodmont Country Club Robert Silverman Dr. & Mrs. Bernard Yanowitz Paul Yanowitz Angela & Daniel Yergin Ronald Stent Mr. & Mrs. Benjamin Zelenko Hylda Zelenko

Andrew Kaplan Youth Endowment Fund

Donor The Zweig Family Donor Margery Shrinsky & Family

In Honor of: Dan Caplan In Memory of: Andrew Kaplan

Carol Kellner ECC Memorial Fund

Donor Marsha Stiefel Pinson & Family

In Memory of: Erwin Stiefel

Library Fund

Donor Karen Ribler & Ken Leibowitz Ken Leibowitz & Karen Ribler

In Memory of: David Ribler Herb Leibowitz

Rabbi M. Bruce Lustig Scholarship Fund

Donor In Memory of: Marilyn & Michael Glosserman Betty Falk Glick David Katz Samuel Katz Alan, Kimberly, David, Desi, Aspen

& Brecka Malasky Ellen Solomon Malasky Sidelle Wertheimer Louis Shaiken

Zena Mason Educational Fund Donor Ira & Lynne Bluestein

In Memory of: Kim Schuchman Frances Bluestein

Mitzvah Day

Donor In Memory of: Marc Lackritz & Mary DeOreo Dorothy Lackritz

Kathy Lackritz Linda & Ronald Recht Robert Kay

Dorothy Eisenstein Linda & Ronald Recht & Family Jeff Ploshnick

Stephanie Morris Prime Timers Programming Fund

Donor Suzy & Al Morris

In Memory of: Sidney Morris

Kamy Loren Nathanson Bar & Bat Mitzvah Kiddush Cup Endowment Fund

Donor In Honor of: Tina & Arthur Lazerow Bat Mitzvah of Bea Lazerow Donor In Memory of: Cerlene M. Rose Joseph Martin Myers

Albert & Scott Pelmoter Youth Scholarship Fund

Donor Solomon Levy & Susan Robinson Levy

Sylvia & Saul Ritzenberg Humanitarian Fund

Donor Joan Greenbaum & Family

In Memory of: Sophia Fleischer

In Memory of: Dr. Roy Greenbaum Paul Katz Erwin Stiefel

Contributions Harold “Buddy” & Shirley Robinson Memorial Education Scholarship Fund

Donor In Memory of: Bruce, Paula, Brandon, & Debra Robinson

Shirley Robinson Joan Weill Barbara Wolin Sincoff

Abram Simon School Donor Froma Sandler

In Honor of: Susan & Allen Hanenbaum’s 50th Wedding Anniversary

Carrie Simon House

Donor Michael Fishman Ann & Neil Kerwin

Susan Rolnick

In Memory of: Murray Fishman Daniel Kerwin Gail Tate Sara T. Rolnick Philip Lozowick

C. Haskell & Ruth Behrend Small Music Fund

Donor Sherry Sundick Donor Sherry Sundick

In Honor of: Adrienne Elman’s 94th Birthday In Memory of: Rudolph B. Behrend

Tikkun Olam Values (TOV) Fund

Donor In Honor of: Pauline Goldberg & Alan Goldberg

Dr. Norman Buckman’s 90th birthday The Powers Family Joan Adoff’s Incredible Work

with the Hunger Project

Tikkun Olam Values (TOV) Fund Donor Eve & Nate Wallace

In Honor of: Birth of Dahlia Pearl Gohn

Rabbi Joseph Weinberg Young Leadership Community Service Fund

Donor Linda & Roy Green Traci K. Solovey

In Memory of: Fannie LeShay Davis S. Solovey

Wender Memorial Archives Fund

Donor In Memory of: Mrs. Adrienne S. Elman Sada Hormann Stern Dorothy & Lou Kornhauser

Beverly Kay’s Beloved Husband

WHC Hunger Project Donor Mrs. Erica Lodish

Worship & Music Fund

Donor Jane Friend Birth of Aaron Gordon Lerner Donor In Memory of: Craig Yokum Mary Myrtle Woodward Frayda & Sydney Abel, Debbie & Chris Lucci, Bennett & Jana Abel Bella Guggenheim Judy Messitte Michael Messitte Diane & Adam Shrier Mollie Kessler Nancy G. Simon Kenneth A. Simon Gyr Turshen Ethan Allen Turshen Claire H. West Reta Heuman Ellen & Bruce Winston and Family Dorothy Winston Judith Polster Zauderer & Family

Gertrude Halpert Polster

Young Professionals (22-39) Fund Donor Lynn Forrest

Women of WHC Fund Donor Women of WHC Phyllis Cole Elaine Goldstein

In Memory of: Max Zweig Lynne Loube Tatlock Mildred Greenwald

Worship & Music Fund

Donor Selig Merber & Andrea Grant Donor In Honor of: Judith, Karin and Laura Zauderer Baldwin

Rabbi M. Bruce Lustig

Cantor Susan Bortnick

Cantor Mikhail Manevich

In Memory of: Marilyn Barclay

Ivy Zola’s Help-a-Friend Fund

Donor In Honor of: Andy & Geoffrey Zola Birth of Jesse Gold Elisco Donor In Memory of: Paula, Neal, Richard, Jennifer, Michael, Cheka & Steven Bobys Harold J. Bobys Mr. & Mrs. Dudley Dworken Elayne Dworken The McWilliams Family Armand Checker Alison McWilliams Max Checker The Mildred & Ellis April Family Mildred April

Rabbi’s Reflection (continued from page 3) icons sign this critical document, and this text must inspire us as well to do the work that will make the hopes and aspirations of Human Fraternity document real.

Now more than ever, our interfaith work is critical. As anti-Semitic attacks come from the extreme right and the extreme left, we find ourselves at a pivotal moment in history that calls upon us to act. Just as the meeting in Abu Dhabi brings me great hope, the daily rise in acts of hate and violence demand of me greater vigilance in our work to build interfaith bridges. Our relationships – not the rhetoric of politicians or hate mongers – must define our Judaism. We must speak out against all words of bigotry and hatred no matter to whom they are directed. And we each must work to educate others on the real nature of Judaism by creating personal connections with non-Jews. I was invited to Abu Dhabi because I have invited some of these world religious leaders into my home to share a meal at my table and into my synagogue to experience the beauty of Judaism.

In less then a month, we will celebrate Passover, the holiday that shares the core story of our redemption from slavery to freedom. The seder is the ideal celebration to share with our non-Jewish friends. “2 for Seder: Fighting Anti-Semitism with Love and Matzah,” is a new initiative that can help you do just that. Started by Marnie Fienberg in honor of her mother-in-law Joyce Fienberg, one of the 11 people murdered

this past October at the Tree of Life Synagogue, 2 for Seder’s idea is simple and achievable: invite two non-Jewish friends or acquaintances who have never attended a seder to join you at yours. You can learn more about it at 2forseder.org.

The seder itself is designed to tell the story of our journey from degradation to liberation. What better way of fighting anti-Semitism than to share the beauty of our faith and its call for freedom and dignity for all humanity? It is my hope that we will all join in this meaningful way to honor the memory of the victims of Tree of Life and to fight anti-Semitism, one relationship at a time.

In Abu Dhabi, I felt like I was standing on the edge of history, but in reality, I know that every day we are making our own history. We do it by how we choose to live our lives and the examples we set as an American Jewish community – in our compassion for others, in our fight for equal rights for all, in our foundational faith that has gifted to the world the very concepts that will bring the peace God seeks and we all deserve.

May your Passover be one of joy, of sharing, and of pride in our faith!

Shalom, Rabbi Lustig WHC Journal – April 2019 | Page 21

In April …

WHC Programs & Events Featured Programs Mitzvah Day

Sunday, April 7, 10:00 am at Temple, JBSC, and the D.C. area

Mitzvah Day represents the culmination of our yearlong focus on community service and our long-standing commitment to helping the homeless, sick, hungry, and underprivileged in the D.C. metro area. Our volunteers lend their time, energy, and compassion to social service agencies working to improve the lives of people in need.

RSVP required (free): whctemple.org/MitzvahDay Anne Friedman: annefriedman@aol.com

Women’s Seder Hosted by the Women of WHC and the Women of Temple Beth Ami, Open to Everyone Sunday, April 14, 4:00 pm at JBSC

There’s something incredibly empowering and affirming about attending a seder led by and for women. Before you sit down for your family seder, come to our Women’s Seder led by Brooklyn-based singer/songwriter Michelle Citrin and her band; WHC’s Rabbi Shankman, Rabbi Fischel, and Cantor Bortnick; and Temple Beth Ami’s Rabbi Baht Weiss.

Michelle’s funky, soulful, folk-pop sound, powerful music, and viral videos including “20 Things to Do With Matzah” are just some of the reasons why Time included her in their top ten “New Jewish Rock Stars,” and the Jerusalem Post called her the “Jewish ‘It’ Girl.” Gather the women in your life from all generations and celebrate with us.

Featured Programs Freedom Seder An Interfaith Seder for All Generations Wednesday, April 24, 6:00 pm at Temple

Mark the end of Passover and the celebration of freedom with a special Passover seder dinner at Temple for all WHC members, their family and friends, and our interfaith neighbors.

RSVP required ($): whctemple.org/Passover Layne Weiss: lweiss@whctemple.org, 202-895-6307

Special Worship Experiences

Tot Shabbat & Family Dinner

JBSC: Friday, April 5 at 5:30 pm Temple: Friday, April 26 at 5:00 pm

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

RSVP required for dinner only (free): whctemple.org/TotShabbat DJ Jensen: djensen@whctemple.org, 301-354-3208

RSVP required ($): whctemple.org/WomenofWHC Lisa Moss: mail@lisamoss.com

Congregational Seder For All Generations Friday, April 19, 6:00 pm at Temple

Join your extended WHC family at Temple for this special first-night seder led by our clergy. We’ll read from the Haggadah, partake in the seder meal, and join in the familiar and memorable songs that are part of this festival holiday that commemorates our freedom from slavery in Egypt.

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

2239 Passover Seder For Adults in Their 20s and 30s Friday, April 19, 7:00 pm at location to be announced

Can’t make it home for Passover this year? Join the 2239 community for a lively, young professionals seder to celebrate the Jewish story of redemption.

RSVP required ($): whctemple.org/2239 Valerie Bluestein: vbluestein@whctemple.org

Good food.

Good people.

Good conversation.

t a t a b b a h S ’ os r i p a t h e Sh Friday, April 12 at 7:00 pm WHC President Nell Shapiro and her husband Ed invite you to join them in their home for one of their monthly Shabbat dinners.

Open to every WHC adult and limited to just 12 people, discover commonalities you didn’t know existed, laugh, and feel really good that you made this evening the start of your weekend.

Learn more and sign up online: whctemple.org/ShapiroShabbat

Page 22 | WHC Journal – April 2019

In April …

WHC Programs & Events

Women’s Seder

Sunday, April 14, 4:00 – 7:00 pm at JBSC

Special Worship Experiences Shirei Shabbat – For All Generations Friday, April 26, 6:00 pm at Temple

Led by our cantors, Shirei Shabbat is a spiritual, musical, and uplifting way to end the week. With upbeat tunes, some new music, and more English, this “Shabbat of Songs” is certain to engage and delight.

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

2239’s Metro Minyan For Adults in Their 20s and 30s Friday, April 26, 6:15 pm at First Congregational UCC in NW Washington, DC

Hosted by the Women of WHC & the Women of Temple Beth Ami RSVP: whctemple.org/WomenofWHC

This monthly Shabbat evening for young professionals starts with “A Shot of Torah,” an opportunity to study the weekly Torah portion and dive into a discussion. The guitar-led, comeas-you-are service starts at 7:00 pm and is followed by dinner.

RSVP required for dinner only ($): whctemple.org/2239 Valerie Bluestein: vbluestein@whctemple.org

Continued on page 24.

Special Worship Experiences Pollin Music Shabbat: Nefesh Mountain

For All Generations Friday, April 12, 6:00 pm at Temple

Eric Lindberg and Doni Zasloff are the pioneers of a new blend of spiritual American music that blends bluegrass with Jewish heritage and tradition. With songs in both English and Hebrew, their soulful, euphoric, folk-flavored outpouring of hope and joy is propelled by the kind of crisp, crystalline picking that gives lyrics wings.

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

Passover Festival and Shabbat Service A Worship Experience for All Generations Saturday, April 20, 10:30 am at Temple

This Shabbat morning service, which falls during the Passover holiday, will give us the opportunity to celebrate our Exodus from Egypt as a community. whctemple.org/Passover Layne Weiss: lweiss@whctemple.org, 202-895-6307

Passover Festival and Yizkor Service A Worship Experience for All Generations Friday, April 26, 10:30 am at Temple

This service concludes the Passover holiday and gives us another opportunity to come together in prayer as we remember those whose memories live on in our hearts. whctemple.org/Passover Layne Weiss: lweiss@whctemple.org, 202-895-6307

WHC Journal – April 2019 | Page 23

In April …

WHC Programs & Events (continued from page 23) Special Worship Experiences

POST-PASSOVER

District Shabbat Morning for Tots

PIZZA PARTY

For Families With Young Children Saturday, April 27, 10:00 am at St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church in Southwest DC

Come and spend Shabbat morning with us. Join our drum circle, decorate your own challah cover, explore the light table, and make new friends. We’ll celebrate Shabbat with story time and a tot-friendly service and cap it all off with a family-friendly Kiddush lunch.

with Couples Club Sunday, April 28 5:00 pm

RSVP required (free): whctemple.org/DistrictShabbat Marsha Humphries: mhumphries@whctemple.org, 202-895-6303

At the home of Lani & Michael Inlander

(address available with RSVP)

Lifelong Learning

WHC Academy: Script 2: The Machzor

$18 per couple or family

Mondays from April 1 – 29, 7:00 pm at Temple

This year, Washington Hebrew will be using the new Reform machzor, Mishkan HaNefesh at our Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services. Join us as we discover what these new pages have to offer. We will dive into the most iconic prayers and discover how Reform High Holy Day prayer books have changed over time. What do those changes say about the people who wrote them? What do those changes say about us, the people who currently engage with the text?

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

Attorneys’ Study Group

Wednesday, April 17, 7:00 pm in Washington, DC

Discover Jewish insights into the Anglo-American legal system with WHC’s study group for attorneys. The Attorneys’ Study Group will delve into topics such as the relationship between constitutional and Jewish law to shed light on the role Jewish attorneys have played in establishing the rule of law.

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

Amram Scholar Series Presents: “The Life and Legacy of Elie Wiesel” With Nadine Epstein and Rabbi Ariel Burger Sunday, April 28, 10:30 am at Temple

Nadine Epstein, editor-in-chief of Moment Magazine, and Rabbi Ariel Burger come together to discuss the life and legacy of Elie Wiesel. Wiesel, who co-founded Moment in 1975 as a place of conversation for America’s Jews, became Nadine Epstein’s mentor when she took it over in 2004. Rabbi Burger was just 15 when he first met Wiesel, and for decades he studied and taught with him. As Wiesel’s former teaching assistant, Burger gives us a front-row seat in the classroom of the late Nobel laureate, activist, and author.

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

Page 24 | WHC Journal – April 2019

(kids welcome)

RSVP: whctemple.org/CouplesClub

Opportunities for Adults to Engage Into the Kitchen at Sur La Table

Sephardic Passover Wednesday, April 3, 6:30 pm at Sur La Table in North Bethesda

At this hands-on cooking class, you’ll learn how to bring Sephardic spice and new flavors to this year’s seder. The menu includes braised lamb meatballs , Persian jeweled rice, an herb salad with pomegranate-molasses vinaigrette, Sephardic charoset, and almond cake with poached oranges.

RSVP required ($): whctemple.org/Cooking Richard Gordon: rgordon@whctemple.org, 202-895-6337

Centerpieces for the Women’s Seder Women of WHC Monthly Meeting and Program Monday, April 8, 10:00 am at JBSC

Join us to help create the beautiful centerpieces that will adorn the tables at the upcoming Women’s Seder. We’ll provide the materials and instructions.

RSVP preferred (free): whctemple.org/WomenofWHC Ellen Barth: ellenbarthdesign@gmail.com

In April …

WHC Programs & Events Opportunities for Adults to Engage

Elie Wiesel (continued from page 8)

Good Food. Good People. Good Conversation Friday, April 12, 7:00 pm at the Shapiros’ home

understanding of the man and his enduring influence.

Shabbat at the Shapiros’

Sign up to join a small group for an informal Shabbat dinner at the home of Washington Hebrew Congregation president Nell Shapiro and her husband, Ed. You know you have membership at WHC in common. Discover what else connects you, share what you find meaningful in Temple life, and discuss what would make your WHC experience more fulfilling. Expect to find commonalities you didn’t know existed, laugh, and feel really good that you made this evening the start of your weekend.

RSVP required (free): whctemple.org/ShapiroShabbat Richard Gordon: rgordon@whctemple.org, 202-895-6337

Prime Timers’ Lunch and a Movie

Monday, April 15, 12:30 pm at Temple

Spend the afternoon at Temple enjoying lunch and a movie with your fellow Prime Timers.

In addition to heading Moment Magazine, Ms. Epstein established the Daniel Pearl Investigative Journalism Initiative and is the founder and executive director of the Center for Creative Change.

An award-winning journalist, she has written for The New York Times, The Washington Post and other publications. She has co-written three books and a documentary, which was shortlisted for an Academy Award, and her artwork and photography have been featured in several exhibitions.

Ms. Epstein and Rabbi Burger come to the Amram Scholar Series in cooperation with the Jewish Book Council.

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

Youth

Post Confirmation Dinners

Sunday, April 14, 5:30 pm at location to be announced

Our Post Confirmation class will gather for dinner. Stay tuned for more details to come.

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

Shabbat at the Shapiros’

NFTY-MAR Spring Kallah

Thursday, April 25 – Sunday, April 28 in Kunkletown, PA

NFTY-MAR’s final event of the year is a chance to say farewell to the senior class, elect new leadership and spend some time reflecting on the year that is ending and looking ahead to the future. Join us at URJ Camp Harlam for an unforgettable weekend of memories.

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

Saturday, May 11, 5:30 pm at Nell & Ed Shapiros’ home

An evening of food, fun (ping pong, a trampoline, basketball) and friends hosted by WHC President Nell Shapiro and her husband, Ed

RSVP: whctemple.org/ShapiroShabbat WHC Journal – April 2019 | Page 25

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Inside this issue:

Preparing for

Passover All you need to know

Hint: it’s more than matzah!