MLK Shabbat: “The Half Life of Freedom”

Volume 57, Issue 1
January 4, 2016
Amram Explores Einstein:
His Space and Times
A
politically engaged man of his
times, driven by strong moral
principles, Albert Einstein comes to
life in a new biography by Steven
Gimbel, Chair of the Gettysburg College philosophy department and our
Amram speaker at Temple on Sunday, January 10 at 10:30 am.
“An avowed pacifist, Einstein’s
mistrust of authority and outspoken
social and scientific views earned him
death threats from Nazi sympathizers
in the years preceding World War II,”
Professor Gimbel says.
“To him, science provided not
only a means for understanding
the universe, but a foundation for
considering the deeper questions of
life — and a way for the worldwide
Jewish community to gain confidence
and pride in itself.”
Professor Gimbel, the author of
six books, explains Einstein’s theories
in understandable terms and demonstrates how they directly emerged
from the realities of his times and
helped create the world we live in
today. Published as part of Yale
University Press’ “Jewish Lives” series,
his new book follows a 2012 work,
Continued on page 10.
Congregational Conversations Keynote Offers Insight
from Two Georgetown Scholars
O
n Wednesday, January 6 at 7:00 pm at
Temple, our Congregational Conversation continues with back-to-back Keynotes.
Rev. Dennis McManus, visiting Associate Professor at Georgetown University and advocate
for Jewish/Christian relations, will speak on
the history of anti-Semitism. Professor Jacques
Berlinerblau, Director of the Program for
Jewish Civilization at Georgetown University,
will then discuss “The War on Secularism: A
Guide for Reform Jews.” A question and answer session will follow.
Father McManus’ lecture on the history of anti-Semitism is borne from his
significant body of work in the area of Holocaust education. On the faculty of
Georgetown University’s Program for Jewish Civilization in the School of Foreign
Service, he is also Director of Georgetown’s Jan Karski Institute for Holocaust
Education. Fr. McManus has served on the board of directors of the AntiDefamation League/United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB)
Continued on page 11.
MLK Shabbat: “The Half Life of Freedom”
D
r. Martin Luther King Jr. stood for social justice and advocacy, which are also among the central tenets of Reform
Judaism. Each January, we honor Dr. King with a weekend
dedicated to his legacy. Join us on Friday, January 15 as we
host our partner churches and mosques for dinner at 5:30 pm
and a special 7:00 pm Shabbat service. William Jelani Cobb,
Associate Professor of History and Director of the Africana
Studies Institute at the University of Connecticut will join our
clergy on the bimah and will speak on citizenship and freedom,
and the way they are undermined in times of crisis.
Professor Cobb is also a staff writer at The New Yorker, where he has penned a
remarkable series of articles about race, the police, and injustice. He is a featured
commentator on MSNBC, NPR, CNN, Al-Jazeera, and CBS News and the
author of several books, including The Substance of Hope: Barack Obama & the
Paradox of Progress and To the Break of Dawn: A Freestyle on the Hip Hop Aesthetic,
which was a finalist for the National Award for Arts Writing.
Please join us for dinner with our guests. Reservations ($20 per person) and
table sponsorships for our guests ($200) can be made online at whctemple.org/
MLKWeekend. For more information, please contact Layne Weiss, 202-895-6307
or lweiss@whctemple.org.
WHC News
Washington Hebrew Congregation
M. Bruce Lustig, M.A.H.L., D.D., Senior Rabbi
Susan N. Shankman, M.A.H.L., A.M.R.S., Rabbi
Aaron Miller, M.A.H.L., Associate Rabbi
Joseph A. Skloot, M.A.H.L., M.A., Assistant Rabbi
Mikhail Manevich, Cantor
Susan R.A. Bortnick, M.S.M., Cantor
DJ Schneider Jensen, M.S. Ed.,
Director of the Edlavitch-Tyser Early Childhood Center
Fran Miller, M.S. Ed.,
Director of the Rabbi Joseph Weinberg Early Childhood Center
Ira Miller, Director of Informal Education
Stephanie Tankel, M.A., M.A.J.E., RJE,
Director of Religious Education
Steven Jacober, Executive Director
Naomi Abelson, M.A.J.C.S. & M.P.A,
Director of Temple Programs & TOV
Miriam Feffer, Director of Development
Lindsay Fry, Director of Member Services
Mohan Mistry, Director of Engineering & Maintenance
Stephen Stoupa, CPA, CGMA, Director of Finance
Joshua O. Haberman, D.H.L., D.D., Rabbi Emeritus
Susan J. Hanenbaum, Executive Director Emerita
Officers
Meg Jacobs Flax, President
David M. Astrove, First Vice President
James Klein, Vice President
Richard A. Newman, Vice President
Nell Shapiro, Vice President
Jeffrey Weiss, Treasurer
Andrew H. Marks, Assistant Treasurer
Faye Levin, Secretary
Carrie Coonin, Assistant Secretary
Mark D. Director, General Counsel
Board of Directors
Joan Adoff
Rochelle Behrens
Ellen R. Berlow
Brian D. Friedman
Deborah Goldman
Sharon E. Gottlieb
Jonathan Greenblatt
Jessica Pearlman Isen
Janet Katz
Daniel Kohl
Anne Lackritz
Karen Leder
Jeremy London
David Oblon
Stephanie Posner
Susan Rosenblum
Lynn Sachs
James Salander
Cathy Zeman Scheineson
Richard Sussman
Kimberly Wachen
Joshua Weinberg
Dan Werner
Lewis Wiener
Past Presidents
Leonard I. Abel
David R. Berz
Stuart L. Bindeman
Earl M. Colson
Jay W. Freedman
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
Joan Adoff, EmptyNesters
Dan Caplan, Brotherhood
Kim & Brian Cooper and Chris McCannell & Ven Neralla,
Couples Club
Valerie Hillman, 2239
Elaine Melnick, The Boomers
Cantor Mikhail Manevich, Prime Timers
Sandy Nesbit, Sisterhood
Emma Siritzky, WHECTY
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
JBSC Fax ........................................................ 301-354-3200
Listen In ......................................................... 202-895-6333
Live Streaming of Services........ streaming.whctemple.org
Website ......................................................... whctemple.org
Jennifer Millstone, Editor
The Washington Hebrew Congregation Journal (Permit No. 4240) is
published two times a month and monthly in June, July, and
December by Washington Hebrew Congregation. Send address
changes to the Washington Hebrew Congregation Journal, 3935 Macomb
Street NW, Washington, DC 20016.
2
Congratulations to…
Terri & Gerry Halle, on the engagement of their son, Josh Halle, to Diana
Burnett, daughter of Irene & Bob Burnett.
Florence & Peter Hart, on the birth and naming of their grandson, William
David Hart Friedman (Gershon Chanoch); and to William’s parents, Elizabeth
Hart & Andrew Friedman, and paternal grandparents, Bonnie & Richard
Friedman.
Ellen Miller & Bob Kelly, on the birth and naming of their granddaughter,
Maren Rose Miller (Mira Shoshana); and to Maren’s parents, Sara & Cory
Miller; big brother, Gavin; grandparents, Larry Miller & Elaine Hoffman;
Nina Chaitin, and Robert Chaitin; and great-grandmothers, Shirley Winkler
and Marcia Fligman.
Ellen Miller & Bob Kelly, on the birth and naming of their grandson,
Levi Bennet Miller (Moshe); and to Levi’s parents, Doran & Danny Miller;
grandparents, Larry & Elaine Hoffman, Talia & Mitch Katz, and Tali Arik;
and great-grandmother Shirley Winkler.
Our Condolences to the Families of…
Richard “Dickie” Dubin, husband of Elizabeth M. Dubin; father of Louis
Dubin (Martine), Harry Dubin, and Robin Avram (Marc); brother of Nancy
Zirkin (Harold); grandfather of six.
Catherine England, daughter of Lois England; mother of Ryan Peugh and
Evan Peugh (Leah Gelb); sister of Nonie Akman (Larry) and Rick England
(Diana).
Norma Fleishman, mother of Carole Jean Avin (Brian), Sharlene Klotz (Al),
Jo Ann Green, and Debra Avison; sister-in-law of Linda Fleishman.
Eliot Halperin, husband of Deana Rose Halperin; father of Evan Halperin
(Anna) and Jennifer Halperin; grandfather of Rosalie.
Lee Rosenblatt, husband of Beverly Rosenblatt; father of Richard Rosenblatt
(Barbara) and Melissa Tritto (Mike); stepfather of Amy Seely (Garth), Marge
Mackeith (James), and Joyce Neave (John).
Ethel Rosenthal, mother of Barry Rosenthal (Joan); grandmother of
Stephanie Rosenthal (Scott Meisler), Douglas Rosenthal, and Carolyn
Rosenthal.
Nicole Ruffine, wife of Steve Ungar; daughter of Sheila Ruffine; mother of
Serge and Julian Ungar.
Dana West Ruben, husband of Eva Lamm Ruben; brother-in-law of Steven
Lamm (Joanne).
Samuel Zweig, husband of Evelyn Zweig; father of Max Zweig (Sheri),
Ronald Zweig (Phyllis), and Robert Zweig (Juliet); grandfather of Lindsey
Zweig, Tara Moffitt (Tivon), Gordon Zweig, Valerie Zweig, William Zweig,
Rebecca Zweig, Brandan Zweig, and Ricky Zweig.
Services
WHC News
MLK Day of Service — A “Day On” for Tikkun Olam
Make your “day off” from work
and school a “day on” for tikkun
olam by joining us on Monday,
January 18 at 10:00 am at Temple.
The Community Issues/Social
Action committee has organized a
morning filled with opportunities
for all ages. Bring your family and
friends, and help us make a difference in the lives of those in need in
our communities. Projects include
making crafts, preparing tuna noodle casseroles, filling bags with healthy snacks,
assembling bags of fresh produce, packaging meals with the WHC Hunger Project, and sorting donated clothing and food (see below). Learn more and RSVP for
this feel-good morning, whctemple.org/MLKWeekend.
WHC Collects
Donations accepted at Temple and JBSC
Friday, January 8
Lay-Led Service
5:30 pm
Shabbat Service*
6:00 pm
Tot Shabbat
6:00 pm
Simeon Kriesberg
Rabbis Lustig and Skloot
Rabbi Shankman
JBSC
Saturday, January 9
Early Torah Study
9:00 am
Cantor Bortnick
Morning Service
10:30 am
Afternoon Service
& Havdalah 5:30 pm
Cantor Bortnick
Rabbi Lustig, Cantor Manevich
¡¡ Bat Mitzvah of Lindsay Wiener
Friday, January 15
Lay-Led Service 5:30 pm
MLK Shabbat Service* 7:00 pm
Shel West
All Clergy
Featuring remarks by Dr. William Jelani Cobb
Saturday, January 16
Early Torah Study Rabbi Skloot
Morning Service 10:30 am
Afternoon Service
& Havdalah 5:30 pm
Rabbi Skloot
Clothing and Non-perishable Food – now through 1000am on 1/18
The work we do on MLK Day of Service starts now! We’re collecting gently-used (or
new!) clothing (all ages/sizes) and non-perishable foods with a special emphasis on
items that are high fiber, low sugar, and low sodium.
whctemple.org/WHCCollects
For more information, contact Naomi Abelson, nabelson@whctemple.org or 202-895-6328
Rabbis Lustig and Shankman, Cantor Bortnick
¡¡ Bat Mitzvah of Cecelia Skinner-Grant
Friday, January 22
Lay-Led Service
5:30 pm
Shabbat Service*
6:00 pm
2239’s Metro Minyan
6:15 pm
Diane Shrier and Gyr Turshen
How many blankets does it take to
reach the top of the Eiffel Tower?
It sounds like the start of a riddle, but it’s
really a cause for celebration. In November,
we asked you to donate blankets for the Rumi
Forum’s nationwide effort to help Syrian
refugees in Turkey. In just three weeks, the
Rumi Forum collected enough blankets that
if stacked on top of each other, would reach
the top of the Eiffel Tower! We are proud to
partner with the Rumi Forum and are grateful to everyone who donated blankets that
filled carton after carton with warmth and
comfort.
9:00 am
Rabbi Lustig, Cantor Bortnick
Rabbi Skloot
Calvary Baptist Church
Saturday, January 23
Early Torah Study
Rabbi Skloot
Morning Service
Rabbi Skloot, Cantor Bortnick
9:00 am
10:30 am
¡¡ Bar Mitzvah of Evan Gary
*Streamed service viewable at
streaming.whctemple.org
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WHC B’nei Mitzvah
January 9, 2016
Havdalah Service
Lindsay Eliza Wiener
Daughter of Alisa & Lewis Wiener
Lindsay is a seventh grade student at the
Norwood School. She is the sister of Zachary
and Jillian; and the granddaughter of Jerome &
Barbara Lichtman, Joan Wiener, the late Elaine
Lichtman, and the late Stanley Wiener.
January 16, 2016
Havdalah Service
Cecilia Pauline Skinner-Grant
Daughter of Jodi Grant & Tom Skinner
Ceci is a seventh grade student at Westland
Middle School. She is the sister of Julia; and
the granddaughter of Judith & John Skinner,
Sandra Grant, and the late Arnold Grant.
January 23, 2016
Morning Service
Evan Mitchell Gary
Son of Bela & Eric Gary
Evan is a seventh grade student at the Landon
School. He is the brother of Sophie and the
grandson of Sandra Gary, Robert Gary, and
Conceicao Andrade & the late John Briscoe.
Sisterhood Literary Group to Discuss
Edward P. Jones’ Lost in the City
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute lecturer Ellen Siegler will lead a discussion
of short fiction at Temple on Wednesday, February 3 at 7:00 pm. Wine and
cheese will be served.
This magnificent collection focuses on
the lives of African-Americans in 1960s
and ’70s Washington, D.C. and first
brought author Edward P. Jones to national attention. The stories of Lost in the
City lie far from the monuments and politicians well-known
in the nation’s capital. Jones takes the reader beyond that
world into the complicated lives of African-American men,
women, and children who work against the constant threat
of loss to maintain a sense of hope. Ms. Siegler’s discussion
will include the following stories from Edward P. Jones’
book: “The Girl Who Raised Pigeons,” “The First Day,”
“The Night Rhonda Ferguson Was Killed,” “Young Lions,”
and “Lost in the City.”
New York Times best selling author Edward P. Jones has
been awarded the Pulitzer Prize for fiction, the National
Book Critics Circle Award, the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award, and the Lannan Literary Award. Lost in
the City won the PEN/Hemingway Award and was short
listed for the National Book Award.
Sisterhood’s Literary Group is open to all. For additional
information or to RSVP, please contact Susan Adland,
sfadland@gmail.com.
Shabbat Acknowledgements
January 8–9, 2016
Sponsoring the Oneg Shabbat:
Alisa & Lewis Wiener, in honor of the Bat Mitzvah of their daughter, Lindsay.
Contributing to the Carrie Simon Altar Flower Fund:
Alisa & Lewis Wiener, in honor of Lindsay.
January 15–16, 2016
Sponsoring the Oneg Shabbat:
Jodi Grant & Tom Skinner, in honor of the Bat Mitzvah of their daughter, Cecilia.
Contributing to the Carrie Simon Altar Flower Fund:
Jodi Grant & Tom Skinner, in honor of Cecilia; and Sherry Sundick, in memory of Sara Behrend.
January 22–23, 2016
Sponsoring the Oneg Shabbat:
The Gary Family, in honor of the Bar Mitzvah of Evan.
Contributing to the Carrie Simon Altar Flower Fund:
The Gary Family, in honor of Evan.
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WHC News
Inside the Issues: Key Issues Facing
America
Presented by the EmptyNesters
“The Cantors’ Program” – A Pollin Music
Shabbat
Racial justice, climate change,
and immigration are topics
front and center in the media, but they are hard to fully
understand and even harder to
solve. To help us dig deeper and
appreciate the reality of what
is possible in today’s political
climate, Barbara Weinstein, Associate Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform
Judaism will join us at Temple on Sunday, January 24 at
9:45 am.
EmptyNester moderator Len Biegel will conduct a
Charlie Rose-style interview with Ms. Weinstein, exploring
the RAC’s work on social justice, climate change, and other
priorities.
Ms. Weinstein directs the RAC’s legislative policy and
has years of experience working on these problems and
dealing with Congress. Her work focuses on applying the
insights of Jewish tradition to domestic and foreign issues including human rights, world peace, civil liberties,
religious freedom, famine, poverty, as well as other major
societal concerns.
Space is limited, so please reserve your place online,
whctemple.org/EmptyNesters. A charge of five dollars per
person (payable at the door) covers a light breakfast of
bagels, cheeses, pastries, and coffee. For more information,
contact Beth Donaldson, bdonaldson@whctemple.org or
202-895-6309.
Our first Irene
& Abe Pollin
Music Program
Initiative Shabbat
service for 2016
will feature
the voices of
Cantors Mikhail
Manevich and
Susan Bortnick
and Kol Rinah
and the liturgical music of Canadian composer Ben
Steinberg. We hope you will join us at Temple on Friday,
February 5 at 6:00 pm for this meaningful service.
Among the most widely commissioned composers of
Jewish music, award-winning Ben Steinberg is known for
his engaging lecture-recitals on Jewish music. Many synagogues and groups — including Yale University, in conjunction with Union Theological Seminary and Hebrew Union
College (New York); the American Conference of Cantors;
the Canadian Jewish Congress; and the Toronto Holocaust
Remembrance Committee — have commissioned his works.
His works, published in the United States, Canada, and
Israel, include six Shabbat services, a memorial service, 13
cantatas for chorus and orchestra, and numerous choral settings, instrumental chamber works, and solo songs.
When Losing Faith Means Losing Everything
Shulem Deen was raised to believe
that questions are dangerous. As a
member of the Skverers, one of the
most insular and rigid Hasidic sects in
the United States, he knew little about
the outside world — only that it was to
be shunned. The curiosity that led him
to discover it and resulted in his expulsion as a heretic from his home, family,
and community is the subject of his
Amram lecture at Temple on Sunday,
January 31 at 10:30 am.
Mr. Deen’s harrowing memoir,
All Who Go Do Not Return, has been
widely acclaimed for the honest and
powerful portrayal of his inner struggle.
Described in The New Yorker as “not
only the most lyrical but also the most
searchingly spiritual of the ‘ex-frum’
memoirs,” his book recounts how the
simple act of turning on a radio would
ultimately transform his entire life.
He was ejected from his home in the
Skverer community of New Square,
New York, losing his wife and five
young children in the process.
Mr. Deen’s shocking account is a
true story of a man whose crisis of faith
meant gaining the world but losing
everything.
5
Lifelong Learning This Winter and Spring
Back to Basics at Temple and JBSC
Amram Scholar Series at Temple
Tuesdays, 1/5 – 3/8, 7:30 pm at Temple,
Wednesdays, 1/6 – 3/9, 10:00 am at JBSC, or
Wednesdays, 1/6 – 3/9, 7:30 pm at JBSC
Re-engage your Jewish mind for an in-depth look at why
we do what we do as Jews. Find the sources for our traditions, and delve into the origins of these ideas. Back to
Basics will concentrate on holidays, life cycle events, history,
theology, Jewish religious movements, Torah laws, the
Mishnah, the Talmud, and Kabbalah. This 10-week course
costs $150 for WHC members and $250 for non-members.
Registration is required and may be completed online at
whctemple.org/BacktoBasics. For more information, please
contact Gerdy Trachtman, gerdyt@erols.com or 301-7626994.
This dynamic program of free public lectures brings worldrenowned authors, scholars, political leaders, policy experts,
and theologians to WHC to share their views on timely
issues or their research into Jewish culture and history.
Conversational Hebrew at JBSC
Intermediate/Advanced: Thursdays, 1/7 – 2/25 at 10:00 am
Beginners: Thursdays, 1/7 – 2/25 at 11:15 am
Using an innovative method that emphasizes conversation
over decoding the aleph bet, you’ll soon find yourself speaking Hebrew. Two different classes meet the needs of everyone from beginners to those with more advanced fluency.
These eight-week courses are taught by Gerdy Trachtman
and cost $45. Registration is required and may be completed online at whctemple.org/HebrewBeginner or whctemple.
org/HebrewAdvanced. For more information, please contact Gerdy, gerdyt@erols.com or 301-762-6994.
12 Jewish Questions at Temple
Mondays, 2/29 – 5/16 at 6:30 pm
What do I believe about God? What makes food Jewish?
Where is God in times of tragedy? Join us as we answer
these questions (and nine more!) at this (re)introduction
to adult-level Judaism. 12 Jewish Questions is a learning
community for adults — Jewish and non-Jewish — who are
looking to discover Judaism’s most fascinating answers.
This 12-week class costs $100 per person and $180 per
couple. Registration is required and may be completed online at whctemple.org/12JQ. For more information, please
contact Marsha Humphries, mhumphries@whctemple.org
or 202-895-6303.
Einstein – His Space and Times
Sunday, 1/10 at 10:30 am
Presented by Dr. Steven Gimbel, Chair of the department
of philosophy at Gettysburg College and the college’s
Edwin T. and Cynthia Shearer Johnson Chair for Distinguished Teaching in the Humanities. See page 1 for more information.
All Who Go Do Not Return – Hasidic Extremism in the
United States
Sunday, 1/31 at 10:30 am
Presented by Shulem Deen, founding editor of Unpious, an
online journal for voices on the Hasidic fringe. He serves on
the board of Footsteps, a New York City-based organization
that offers assistance and support to those who have left the
ultra-Orthodox Jewish community. See page 5 for more information.
Paper Love – Searching for the Girl My Grandfather Left
Behind
Sunday, 2/21 at 10:30 am
Presented by Sarah Wildman, reporter and author. She is
the recipient of the Peter R. Weitz Prize from the German
Marshall Fund of the United States, “for excellence and
originality in reporting on Europe and the transatlantic
relationship,” for the series in Slate where her book, Paper
Love, originated.
Anonymous Soldiers – The Struggle for Israel, 1917-1947
Sunday, 3/13 at 10:30 am
Presented by Bruce Hoffman, Director of the Center for
Peace and Security Studies, Director of the Security Studies Program at Georgetown University’s Edmund A. Walsh
School of Foreign Service, and a Senior Fellow at the U.S.
Military Academy’s Combating Terrorism Center.
Then Comes Marriage: United States v. Windsor and the
Defeat of DOMA
Sunday, 3/29 at 10:30 am
Presented by Roberta Kaplan, litigation partner at Paul,
Weiss, who won the landmark Supreme Court battle to
defeat the Defense of Marriage Act.
You can see the complete lineup of this season’s Amram
Scholar Series lectures online at whctemple.org/Amram. For
more information, please contact Layne Weiss,
lweiss@whctemple.org or 202-895-6307.
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WHC Academy
Expand your appreciation of Jewish life and culture on Monday nights at Temple and Tuesday mornings at JBSC
with knowledgeable and passionate instructors from WHC and beyond. Below is our winter/spring schedule.
Monday Nights at Temple
CORE COURSE: “The European Enlightenment and
Jewish Culture, Part II (1789 – 1914)”
Mondays, 1/25 – 4/25, 8:15 pm at Temple
Instructor: Rabbi Joseph A. Skloot
We will explore how the emergence of the modern nationstate, liberal politics, romantic literature, and rational philosophy shaped enduring Jewish institutions by reading the
classic texts from the “long 19th century.” We will determine what these texts say about the people who composed
them, the times in which they were composed, and what
they have meant to their readers past and present.
SPRING I: “The Book of Psalms: Poetry, History and
Interpretation”
Mondays, 1/25 – 3/7, 7:00 pm at Temple
Instructors: Steve Jacober, WHC Executive Director,
and WHC Clergy
For generations, Jews and Christians have turned to the
Book of Psalms in times of joy and crisis; meditated on its
words during worship; been captivated by the window it
offers into human psychology. This course explores the enduring relevance and meaning of the psalms, as well as the
book’s literary structure and historical context. It will also
reflect on the frequent use of whole psalms and quotations
in the Jewish prayer book.
SPRING II: “The Jewish-American Short Story”
Mondays, 3/14 – 4/18, 7:00 pm at Temple
Instructor: Professor Jacques Berlinerblau
The second in our series of collaborations with the
Georgetown University Program in Jewish Civilization,
this course, taught by Jacques Berlinerblau, WHC member and Director of the Program for Jewish Civilization
at Georgetown University, will explore the questions of
identity raised in the literature of Jewish-American authors
after World War II. Focusing on short stories in particular, Berlinerblau concentrates on writers as varied as J.D.
Salinger, Cynthia Ozick, Philip Roth, Allegra Goodman,
Lara Vapnyar, Grace Paley, Bernard Malamud, David
Bezmozgis, Suzan Sherman, Joan Leegant, and Saul Bellow,
among others; participants will consider the Jewishness
of American short fiction and the Americanness of Jewish
short fiction.
Tuesday Mornings at JBSC
COURSE I: “Shabbat: The Practice and Philosophy
of the Day of Rest”
Tuesdays, 3/1 – 3/22, 9:15 am at JBSC
Instructor: Stephanie Tankel, WHC Director of
Religious Education
The Jewish week, indeed a Jewish life, revolves around
Shabbat. Shabbat is a time when Jews gather — with family,
with friends, and with community — and turn their focus
to the things in their lives that matter most. Here, we will
study the transformative power of Jewish Shabbat rituals
and the meaning of the Day of Rest to Jews past and present. Among the many topics we’ll consider are how to find
true rest in our busy lives; the meaning and preparation of
challah; the significance of Shabbat in the Hebrew Bible
and in Jewish philosophy; and how to engage the whole
family in Shabbat stories and games.
COURSE II: “Reform, Conservative, & Orthodox:
The History of the Jewish Movements”
Tuesdays, 4/5 – 4/19, 9:15 am at JBSC
Instructor: Rabbi Joseph Skloot
Why do Jews disagree so much? Why are there so many
different kinds of Jewish institutions? This class will explore
the historical origins of the three major Jewish movements and how the emergence of Reform Judaism in early
19th century Germany led to the birth of Orthodoxy and
Conservative Judaism. We will also examine how these
movements changed and adapted to new conditions in the
United States, as well as some of the current debates that
animate Jewish life in the U.S. and Israel today.
Collaboration with Georgetown University
WHC’s exciting year-long collaboration with Georgetown University’s Program for Jewish Civilization continues this spring.
Through this unique partnership, WHC members are studying with the Program’s faculty and are exposed to new fields
of Jewish learning. The first opportunity in this series was Ori
Soltes’ fall course for WHC Academy, “Symbols of Faith: Art
in the Jewish, Christian, and Muslim Traditions.” This spring,
Jacques Berlinerblau will teach “The Jewish-American Short
Story” on Monday nights. Professor Berlinerblau is Director of
Georgetown University’s Program for Jewish Civilization and a
member of Washington Hebrew Congregation.
Registration is required for all classes and may be completed online at whctemple.org/WHCAcademy.
For more information, please contact Marsha Humphries, mhumphries@whctemple.org or 202-895-6303.
7
WHC Thanks Its Generous Contributors
H. MAX & STEPHEN C. AMMERMAN
PERFORMING ARTS FUND
Donor
In Honor of:
Andrew Ammerman
Rhoda Herman’s Birthday
Rosa Pedrajas’ Birthday
Joyce Scott’s Birthday
Lisa Ammerman’s Birthday
Julie Morgan McCoart’s Birthday
AMRAM SUNDAY SCHOLAR SERIES
ENDOWMENT FUND
Donor
In Memory of:
Posner-Wallace Foundation
Lawrence Posner
Stanley Posner
Lillian Posner Wallace
Irving Wallace
Linda Singer
Bernice Nineberg
LILLIAN & ALFRED BENNETT
FINE ARTS ENDOWMENT FUND
Donor
In Memory of:
Bobbi & Ed Schiff
Marshall Cole
Mr. & Mrs. John Zeller
Max Scher
JULIA & JACK BINDEMAN FUND
Donor
In Memory of:
Carol Bindeman
David P. Bindeman
Betsy & Robert Bindeman
David P. Bindeman
Mr. & Mrs. Stuart Bindeman
David P. Bindeman
SHELLEY & MICHAEL BRODY
TEACHER TRAINING INSTITUTE ENDOWMENT
Donor
In Memory of:
Dr. & Mrs. Michael Brody
Helene Barnett
CANTORIAL & CONCERT FUND
Donor
Dr. & Mrs. Sheldon Gottlieb
Mr. & Mrs. Simor Moskowitz
Drs. Presser & Yu
Dr. Anita Solomon
Donor
In Honor of:
Bobby & Randee Fogel & Sheri Tunis
Cantor Manevich
Dr. Sheila C. Iseman
Cantor Manevich
Laurie & Yves Issembert
Isla Maria Issembert’s Baby Namine
Robin & Jeremy London
Cantor Manevich
Michael & Judy Mael
Cantor Manevich
Donor
Karen & David Cantor
Mimi & Tommy Nordlinger
Beverly Rosenblatt
Marsha & Richard Schuman
Judy & Buzzy Tunis
Barry & Marilyn Wessler
In Memory of:
Marshall Cole
Doris Bernstein
Edgar Levin
Leon Kraft
Andrew Rosenblatt
Janet Schuman
Lee Rosenblatt
Dr. Jack Wessler
EDLAVITCH-TYSER FAMILY RELATIONS
INSTITUTE ENDOWMENT FUND
Donor
In Honor of:
Leslie Luxemberg
Leslie Zirkin
8
EDLAVITCH-TYSER FAMILY RELATIONS
INSTITUTE ENDOWMENT FUND
Donor
In Memory of:
Leslie Luxemberg
Linda Luxemburg
Vera Luxemburg
Phyllis Luxemburg
Harold Luxemburg
EMPTY NESTERS FUND
Donor
In Honor of:
Joan & Stanley Adoff
Holly & Jeff Bergman’s 50th Anniversary
Lynne & Burt Emmer
Holly & Jeff Bergman’s 50th Anniversary
Sondra Snyder
Holly & Jeff Bergman’s 50th Anniversary
Donor
Armand Checker
Lynne & Burt Emmer
Peter & Florence Hart
In Memory of:
Ruth Checker
Melvyn Newman
Ruth Arnstein Hart
LOIS & RICHARD ENGLAND
SPECIAL NEEDS ENDOWMENT FUND
Donor
In Memory of:
Lynn & Larry Silverberg
Alan Silverberg & Mildred Silverberg
Ellen & Bruce Winston
Marshall Cole
GENERAL FUND
Donor
Dr. Jack D. Blaine
Barry & Carol Minkoff
Schwartzberg Family Foundation
Mauricio Atri
Donor
In Honor of:
Ellen & David Epstein
Sophia Fleischer’s Special Birthday
Jamie & Barry Freedman
Madeline Rose Freedman’s Bat Mitzvah
Marilyn & Michael Glosserman
Pat & Bob Shapiro’s 50th Anniversary
Alvina & Jamie Leder
Lucas Benjamin Leder’s Bar Mitzvah
Michael & Taya Levin Lex Sverre Levin’s Bar Mitzvah
Susan & Solomon Levy
Sophia Fleischer’s Special Birthday
Robin & Jeremy London
Sammy London’s Bat Mitzvah
Matthew Koplan
Phyllis & Richard Sharlin
Pat & Bob Shapiro’s 50th Anniversary
Lori & David Siegel
Ari and Daniel Siegel’s B’nei Mitzvah
Carol & Marc Spiegel
Sophia Fleischer’s Special Birthday
Miriam Florence Herman & Sandford Weil Stark
Josephine Lillian Stark’s Bat Mitzvah
Jane & Robert E. Stein Refugee work in Montgomery
County with the Rumi Fund
Donor
Anonymous
David & Sandra Berler
David Berler
In Memory of:
Ann G. Haas
Joan Berler
GENERAL FUND
Donor
In Memory of:
Benita Berman
Mitzi Mandell
Stuart Bernstein
Evelyn Bernstein Bishoff
Dr. & Mrs. F. Norman Berry
Abraham Blumberg
Roberta & Leonard Biegel
Rose Gerson
Marjorie & Harold Bingham
George F. Bingham
Shirley & William Blanken
Naomi Vidgerhouse
Molly Cohen Schecter
Richard S. Brown
Estelle O. Brown
Daryl Castillo
Selma Vigderhouse
Jill E. Cohen
Wendy Katz
Nancy Colodny
Dr. Joseph Dessoff
Janet & Michael Cornfeld
Robin Cornfeld
Howard Lynn
Barb & Len Cutler
Marshall Cole
David Lloyd Kreeger Foundation David Lloyd Kreeger
Lynne Davidson
Irving Davidson
Mr. Alan Deresh & Mrs. Linda Wertlieb
Mildlred Silverberg
Sonnie & Bill Dockser
Dr. Simon C. Weiner
Barbara Dubit
Robert Frank
Mr. & Mrs. Stephan Elman
Ruth & Al Lerner
Stanley Elman
Susan & David Fink
Marshall Cole
Carol Fischer
Ruth I. Baer
Meg & Sam Flax
Louis Flax
Anita Miller
Linda & Jay Freedman
Beverly Tunis
Stephen Friedlander
Adelaide & Jack Friedlander
Gary & Debby Friedman
Marshall Cole
Betty Glassman
Alice Bortnick
Dr. Harold J. Goald
Isadore Goald
H.P. Goldfield
Alfred Goldfield
Mr. & Mrs. William L. Goldman Jane A. Goldman
Marcia Goldsmith
Ellen Goldsmith Kasnett
Stephen W. Grafman
Ida Grafman
Nancy & John Harris
Carolyn W. Harris
Richard Herzog
Grace Herzog
Marcia Inasi
Laura Karadbil
Robert & Ronnie Jersky
Lilyan Aronchick
Sherry & David Kahn
Chunilal Mistry
Jerome A. Kaplan
Mary Kaplan
Audrey & Steve Katz
Joseph Brooks
Dr. & Mrs. Richard Kaufman
Lillian E. Kaufman
Dotty & Lou Kornhauser
Chunilal Mistry
Bill & Marilyn Lane
Albert E. Lane
Charlotte P. Brody
Alicia & Mark Levin
Stanley Silverman
Monica Levin
Lawrence Deutsch
Audrey & Davide Liebeskind
Bertram Strober
Michael & Stephanie Marcus
Jesse Marcus
Dee Marcus
Evelyn Marcus
Dr. Susan Blumenthal
Charles A. Levine
Mark E. Mazo
Rita V. Mazo
Bryna & Irwin Monsein
Eva Monsein
Ellen & Jim Myerberg
Marian Pressman
Julius Myerberg
Miriam Feffer & Jeremy Nalewaik
Eliot Halperin
Eleanor Palmer
Melvyn Newman
Rita Specter
Sandford Specter
Irene Pollin
Abe Pollin
WHC Thanks Its Generous Contributors
GENERAL FUND
Donor
In Memory of:
Jane & Jerome Putnam Lawrence E. Putnam, M.D.
Dr. & Mrs. Herbert Rabin
Mordka Rozencwajg
Bayla Rozencwajg
Louis I. Rosen
Eugenia Rosen
Carol Schwartz
Hilda S. Levitt
Gail K. Siegel
Edgar L. Kaufmann
Jeffrey Slavin
Sanford “Sandy” Slavin
Leslie & Dennis Speisman
Stanley Stein
Mr. & Mrs. Edward Stevens
Milton Stevens
Margo & Alan Tank
Robert Klaff
Gerdy Trachtman
Ernest Teichner
Ruth & Simon Wagman
Rose Levin
Roslyn Wolf
Stephen J. Wolf
Angela & Daniel Yergin
Gabriele Stent
LEO & ELIZABETH GOODMAN
PUBLIC ISSUES ENDOWMENT FUND
Donor
In Honor of:
Laura Cerf-Dahl, Richard Forsland & Andrew Dahl
Joan Churchill’s 75th Birthday
HURSTON LIBRARY
Donor
Nancy Hart Wartow
In Memory of:
Robert Hart
CAROL KELLNER ECC MEMORIAL FUND
Donor
In Honor of:
Bruce Kellner & Donna Lane
Michael Weitz’s Special Birthday
Donor
In Memory of:
Dr. Bruce Kellner, Mandy McCann
& Jenifer Rosenzweig
Carol Kellner
Dr. Bruce Kellner & Family
Blanche Kellner
Dr. Bruce Kellner, Jason Walpert & Jarrod Walpert
Joyce W. Kellner
Bessie Wool
Carol Kellner
Samuel E. Wool
ROSE E. KOENIG RELIGIOUS SCHOOL FUND
Donor
In Memory of:
Anne C. Golder
Dr. Lawrence Deutsch
KOL RINAH CHOIR
Donor
Drs. Presser & Yu
KRIESBERG PROGRAM INITIATIVES
ENDOWMENT FUND
Donor
In Memory of:
Frank Spigel
Harriet Kriesberg
RABBI M. BRUCE LUSTIG
SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Donor
In Memory of:
David I. Cohn & Patty Alper Cohn
Joseph R. & Charlotte W. Cohn
Lisa DeMarco & Len Goldman
Lillian DeMarco
MITZVAH DAY
Donor
The Jacob and Charlotte Lehrman Foundation
Donor
In Honor of:
Susan & Norman Oblon
Pat & Bob Shapiro’s 50th Anniversary
MITZVAH DAY
Donor
In Memory of:
RobBee & Josh Fredricks
Jerome Stackman
Anne & Ben Friedman and Family Vera Greenwald
Mr. & Mrs. Benjamin Friedman
Samuel Solomon
Betsy Grossman
Marshall Cole
Harry Sley
Sandra Kouzel
Oscar Levy
STEPHANIE MORRIS
PRIME TIMERS PROGRAMMING FUND
Donor
In Memory of:
Janice Ackerman
Beatrice Carroll
Greta Goldman
Lewis M. Goldman
Susan Mann
Doris Bernstein
Rachel Mann
Lillian Smuckler
Ralph Smuckler
KAMY LOREN NATHANSON BAR & BAT
MITZVAH KIDDUSH CUP ENDOWMENT FUND
Donor
In Memory of:
Randy Cutler
Ida Handelsman
Steven Fischer & Linda Adler
Ruth G. Adler & Rhoda S. Fischer
The Pinson/Vine Family
Pearl Pinson
ALBERT & SCOTT PELMOTER
YOUTH SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Donor
Eleanor Feigenbaum
Stephanie & Andrew Pelmoter
Shirley Pelmoter
In Memory of:
Naomi Josephs
Bruno Vettese
Scott Pelmoter
Anne Picower
SYLVIA & SAUL RITZENBERG
HUMANITARIAN FUND
Donor
Susanna McBee
Susan & David Rosenblum
Donor
In Honor of:
Barbara & David Marblestone
David Marblestone’s Birthday
Donor
Ellen R. Berlow
Marc & Cathy Scheineson
Cathy Scheineson
NAOMI & LEROY ROBINS
MEDICAL EMERGENCY FUND
Donor
Stephen & Pirjo Jaffe
In Memory of:
Ralph F. Berlow
Charles J. Zeman
Eugen Zeisel
James Harris
In Memory of:
Libby Jaffe
SELINGER (CHILDRENS) LIBRARY
Donor
In Honor of:
Janice Ackerman Theodore Rosen & Lee Cayne’s Births
Susan & Stuart Feldman Jeanette Levin’s 90th Birthday
Donor
In Memory of:
Joel, Philp & Katherine Bronstein
Beatrice Carroll
Barbara Lewis & Elise GeltzerDr. & Mrs. Arthur Lewis
Ellen & Stewart Share
Dr. Lawrence Deutsch
ABE & SYLVIA SHRINSKY
CREATIVE WORSHIP PROGRAM FUND
Donor
In Memory of:
Margery Shrinsky & Family
Harvey Freedman
CARLYNN & LARRY SILVERMAN FAMILY
ENDOWMENT FOR JEWISH LIFE & LEARNING
Donor
In Memory of:
The Harwood Family
Beverly Tunis
Marilyn Gerber
CARRIE SIMON HOUSE
Donor
WHC Brotherhood
In Memory of:
Shirley Garfinkel
Donor
Mickey Garfinkel
SISTERHOOD YOUTH, EDUCATION &
ENRICHMENT FUND
Donor
In Memory of:
Diane & Howard Benson
May S. Leiner
TIKKUN OLAM VALUES (TOV) FUND Donor
George Wasserman Family Foundation Inc.
Donor
In Honor of:
Linda & Ron Recht
Kate Irene Spivak’s Birth
Alane & Gene Youngentob
Pat & Bob Shapiro’s 50th Anniversary
Donor
In Memory of:
Joanne & Bob Frankel
Marshall Cole
Cathy Kwart
Arnold Kwart
Linda & Ron Recht
Frances Recht
Jay Lebowitz
Tina & Albert Small Jr. & Family Robert Blumenthal
RABBI JOSEPH WEINBERG YOUNG
LEADERSHIP COMMUNITY SERVICE FUND
Donor
In Honor of:
Rudolph & Betty Ressler
Zachary Aden Galipeau
Adam Joel Galipeau
Sydney Jade Samuels
In Memory of:
Freda Gordon
Allan C. Levey
Fay Lipsic
Donor
Judy & Mike Herman
Bunnye Levey
Renee Lipsic Loeb
WHC HUNGER PROJECT
Donor
Holly & Jeff Bergman
Donor
Holly & Jeff Bergman
In Memory of:
Max Dick
Abraham Bergman
WORSHIP & MUSIC FUND
Donor
In Honor of:
Louis E. Levitt & Joan Bialek Levitt
Rabbi Lustig
Louis Levy
Wilma Probst Levy’s Speedy Recovery
Robin & Jeremy London
Rabbi Lustig
Sondra Oken
Rabbi Shankman
Linda Singer
Rabbi Lustig
Frank Spigel
Morgan Elman’s Bat Mitzvah
Continued on page 10.
9
WHC News
Amram Explores Einstein
(continued from page 1)
Einstein’s Jewish Science, in which
Professor Gimbel posits that the Jewish nature of Einstein’s thinking was
particularly conducive to the development of his original ideas.
“The heart of the Talmudic view
is that there is an absolute truth, but
this truth is not directly and completely available to us,” Professor
Gimbel writes. “It turns out that exactly the same style of thinking occurs
in the relativity theory and in some of
Einstein’s other research.”
Beyond science, however, the
Einstein we meet through Professor
Gimbel is politically active and concerned. He argues for the abolition of
nuclear weapons and fully supports
the State of Israel, but insists that
Jews can endure there in peace only as
long as they work with Arabs to create
a society of political equality.
Professor Gimbel comes to WHC
through the cooperation of the Jewish
Book Council.
Contributions
(continued from page 9)
WORSHIP & MUSIC FUND
Donor
In Memory of:
Beth Ourisman Glassman & Peggy Goldman
Florenz Ourisman
Jackie & Franklin Paulson
Agnes May Fischer
Linda Singer
Melvyn Newman
Vanessa & Jonathan Smith
Eliot Halperin
Joan & Norman Smith
Eliot Halperin
Layne, Rachel, Ryan, Brian, Ilyssa & Ethan
Frances Schooler
Sidelle Wertheimer
Bertha Fishman
YOUNG PROFESSIONALS (22-39) FUND
Donor
In Honor of:
Richard S. Brown
Rabbi Miller
IVY ZOLA’S HELP-A-FRIEND FUND Donor
In Memory of:
Neal & Paula Bobys
Beverly Tunis
Todd & Nicole Forster
Sue Levin
Karen & Richard Perkins
Holly Snider Kopit
Harriet Smith & Family
Harold Golden
A Warm Welcome to New Members
Washington Hebrew Congregation is fortunate
to have a long and rich history in our nation’s capital. Some members can trace their history with the
Temple back to its founders, others are just beginning their journey with us. Each member adds to
the growing tapestry of our Congregation. Please
join us in extending a warm welcome to the newest
members of our Temple family.
Carly Blackstone and her son, Taylor
Jamie & Michael Bresnick and their daughters, Anne and Kate
Cara Sklar & Brighid Clark
Becca Schofield & Adam Cohen
Maria Cuadra & Jacob Cohen and their daughter, Maya
Jarrett Conway
Debbie & Edward Corwin and their children, Danielle, Jonathan, and
Matthew
Jenine & Eric Dreisen and their sons, Ryder and Dylan
Laura Bogomolny & Christopher Flavelle and their children, Hannah and Leo
Elana Silversmith & Joshua Friedson and their children, Sienna and Jaden
Zoe Gutterman & Marc Friend
Karen Blum & Jeffrey Goldberg
Heather & Max Holtzman and their children, Beck and Jace
Marcy & Josh Jacobs and their children, Abigail and Sam
Jessica & Joshua Kreiser and their daughters, Shayna and Laila
Ben Lazarus and his son, Samuel (Ben is the son of WHC members Rosalind & Simon Lazarus)
Sarah Lackritz & Daniel Levy and their son, Oscar (Sarah is the daughter of WHC
members Mary DeOreo & Marc Lackritz and the sister of WHC member Anne Lackritz)
Amy Norris & Joshua Lichtenstein
Aliza Luft & Jared McBride
Tracy Silverman-Mednik & Greg Mednik and their daughters, Sydney and
Ashley
Cheryl & Eric Miller and their children, Dason and Maddie
Aimee & Neil Narcisenfeld and their children, Reese and Clay
Janette & David Pepper and their children, Maxwell and Samantha
Noel Gerson & Peter Reinecke and their children, Josh and Isabelle
Karyn & Jonathan Ross and their children, Bennett, Jackson and Skylar
(Jonathan is the son of WHC members Laurie & David Ross)
Sandra & Samuel Rubenstein and their children, Anna, Simon, and Emily
Rebecca Salman
Sabrina & Adam Schaeffer and their children, Findley, Penelope, and Spencer
Tanya Alteras & Mark Schneiderman and their children, Naomi and Jonah
Teri Shulman
Andrea Kaufman & John Sullivan and their daughters, Chloe and Lulu
Jennifer Weissman
Debra & Bradley Weltman and their sons, Alex and Reid
Ashley Wiltshire and her sons Brody, Jon, and William (Ashley is the daughter of WHC
member Jon Gerstenfeld)
Tributes in this WHC Journal reflect
contributions received through December 10.
10
Elizabeth Wilner and her daughter, Jocelyn (Elizabeth is the daughter of WHC member
John Wilner)
end the bloodshed
san bernadino - planned parenthood - umpqua cc chattanooga military recruitment center - Charleston
Church - marysville-pilchuck hs - washington navy
yard - sandy hook elementary - sikh temple
- aurora theater - fort hood
- binghamton immigration
center - virginia tech
- colum bine hs
P
O
T
S Gun violence
SHOW YOUR SUPPORT
A D.C.- Area Faith-Based Evening
of Solidarity
With Daniel Webster, Director of the Johns
Hopkins Center for Gun Policy and Research,
Elected Officials, Victims of Gun Violence,
and Local/National Anti-Gun Violence Groups
Sunday, January 24 @ 5pm
Washington Hebrew Congregation
3935 Macomb St. NW, Washington, DC
WHC News
Congregational
Conversations Keynote
(continued from page 1)
joint program in Holocaust education
since 1997. For the last four years, he
has been the Consultant for Jewish
Affairs at the USCCB, where he
staffs two official dialogues between
the Jewish community and Catholic
Church in the United States. He also
teaches an annual Holocaust education
workshop at the Museum of Jewish
Heritage in New York City.
The author of How to be Secular: A
Call to Arms for Religious Freedom, Professor Berlinerblau has published on
issues ranging from the composition
of the Hebrew Bible, the sociology of
heresy, and modern Jewish intellectuals. He has written and lectured extensively on the subject of secularism.
His work has appeared in a number
of academic publications including
Biblica, Journal for the Study of the Old
Testament, and Journal for the American
Academy of Religion.
There is no charge for this Keynote,
but registration is preferred and may
be completed online, whctemple.
org/CongregationalConversations.
For more information, please contact
Layne Weiss, lweiss@whctemple.org or
202-895-6307.
RSVP: whctemple.org/StopViolence • 202-362-7100
Sponsored by Washington Hebrew Congregation, Temple Emanuel,
and Westmoreland Congregational United Church of Christ
Debbie Friedman Memorial Concert
Sunday, January 10, 7:00 pm at JBSC
Join D.C.-area songleaders Audrey Katz, Lisa Baydush, Sally Heckelman, Liz Kruger,
Jill Moskowitz, and Teddy Klaus for an evening of song to honor the memory of
and pay tribute to the legendary Debbie Friedman.
This is a free event, open to the entire community. RSVP to Lisa Baydush,
SunshineGirlSings@gmail.com.
11
whctemple.org
NON-PROFIT ORG
US POSTAGE
“Washington
Hebrew
Congregation”
PAID
SUBURBAN, MD
WHC Journal
PERMIT NO. 4240
“Take My Spouse, Please” Comes to WHC
Join us at
Temple for
a night of
laughter
and humor
with
comedian
Dani Klein
Modisett
on Saturday,
January
23. Klein
Modisett is the creator, producer, and
director of the shows Afterbirth…Stories
You Won’t Read in a Parenting Magazine
and Not What I Signed Up For, and her
7:00 pm show — with refreshingly honest stories about marriage and parenting — will have you rolling in the aisle.
A professional actress, stand-up
comic, and writer, her latest book, Take
My Spouse, Please, has received praise
from renowned comedians including
Ben Stiller, Carl Reiner, and Jim Gaffigan. She is a frequent contributor to
LA Parent Magazine, Huffington Post,
and Parents Magazine and has appeared
on The Today Show, The Madeleine
Brand Show, and NickMom.
This one-of-a-kind WHC event is
sponsored by the Boomers, Couples
Club, EmptyNesters, Brotherhood,
Sisterhood, and RJWECC Parents
Committee and is made possible by
the Edlavitch-Tyser Family Relations
Forum.
Tickets are $18 and include wine,
beer, and heavy hors d’oeuvres.
Purchase yours online at whctemple.
org/ComedyNight. For more
information, please contact Naomi
Abelson, nabelson@whctemple.org or
202-895-6328.
Shabbat Home Dinners
with The
Boomers
Celebrate the warmth of Shabbat with a family-style dinner hosted
by your fellow Boomers.
Friday, January 22 at 7:00 pm
Space is limited! RSVP by January 15:
whctemple.org/Boomers.
Questions? Contact Beth Donaldson,
202-895-6309 bdonaldson@whctemple.org.
Spring is so far away
…but Florida isn’t!
Enjoy Sunshine and Song
at Florida Reunion
With winter settling in at last, we
invite you to join us in Florida for
this year’s Reunion, hosted by Ann
and Don Brown at their home in
Palm Beach Gardens on Monday,
February 1 at 4:00 pm.
Featuring a special concert by
Cantor Mikhail Manevich and
Cantor Susan Bortnick, we welcome
all members who winter in or travel
to Florida to join Rabbi Lustig
for a warm evening of music and
memories.
If we have a Florida address on
file for you, your invitation should
have arrived by mail. If you are new
to Florida or considering traveling
to join us, please contact Miriam
Feffer, 202-895-6312 or mfeffer@
whctemple.org, for more information.
RSVP online, whctemple.org/Florida
or directly with Miriam. We look
forward to seeing you in February!