1304 April 13 Scroll vWEB

Scroll
Congregation Beth El
April 2013 • Nisan–Iyar 5773
Vol. 62 No. 8
From the Clergy
Theme
e Judaism • 1, 8-11
From the Clergy •1
Breyer-Feinberg
Dialogue •1
Youth •6
Megillah Madness •7
Library Corner •10
Rabbi Scolnic
Institute •11
Books 4U •13
Departments
Sisterhood •3-4
Men’s Club •5
Contributions •14
Bulletin Board •16
The Scroll is a recipient
of three Solomon Schechter Gold Awards from
the United Synagogue of
Conservative Judaism.
Judaism
By Hazzan Matthew Klein
“This is an iPhone!” Rabbi-to-be Daniel
Ain thrust his hand aloft, brandishing his
newly acquired Apple smartphone for the
entire assembly to see.
As an attendee at his senior sermon
during my first year of cantorial school,
I reflected as Rabbi Ain described the
wonders of the Internet-based religious
resources now available at the touch of
a button. Want to find every instance of
the word “Shabbat” in the Torah? Our
ancestors required intimate knowledge
of sacred text; now all that is needed is a
Hebrew-savvy search engine. Interested in
the Jewish laws of mourning? Ten different Web sites will give you teachings and
customs based on a variety of experiences
and denominations.
Internet Outreach
Since I heard Rabbi Ain’s sermon, the
world of Judaism online has expanded dramatically. Synagogues now look to Internet-based solutions for outreach and programming, including Facebook events and
Twitter feeds. They try to achieve “meme”
status through outrageous YouTube videos.
The Jewish blogosphere has also exploded
with activity, gathering followers and forming new democratized conversations in the
public forum about all aspects of Jewish life,
from pluralism and practice (try jewschool.
com) to food (read The Jew and the Carcontinued on page 11
Breyer-Feinberg Dialogue
By Linda Orenstein
Supreme Court Justice
Stephen Breyer in a recent
appearance at Beth El said
that the highest court in
the land “has no purse and
no sword” and makes decisions without being swayed
by popular opinion. Justice
Breyer made his comments
in an engaging dialogue,
Stephen Breyer (left) and Kenneth Feinberg
“Making Our Democracy
Photo By Mitchell Solkowitz
Work,” with Kenneth Feinberg, Beth El congregant, attorney, and Special Master of the September 11th Victim
Compensation Fund.
The February 25 dialogue was put together by Rabbi Bill Rudolph, who said that at
continued on page 12
Scroll
8215 Old Georgetown Road
Bethesda, Maryland 20814-1451
Phone 301-652-2606 Fax 301-907-8559
Webwww.bethelmc.org
Affiliated with United Synagogue
of Conservative Judaism
Senior Rabbi
William D. Rudolph wrudolph@bethelmc.org
Rabbi
Gregory Harris gharris@bethelmc.org
Hazzan
Matthew Klein mklein@bethelmc.org
Executive Director
Sheila H. Bellack sbellack@bethelmc.org
Interim Religious School Director
Elisha Frumkin efrumkin@bethelmc.org
Director of Community Engagement
Geryl Baer gbaer@bethelmc.org
Preschool Director
Elaine Auerbach eauerbach@bethelmc.org
Youth Director
Adam Zeren azeren@bethelmc.org
Rabbi Emeritus
Samuel Scolnic, z”l
Hazzan Emeritus
Abraham Lubin alubin@bethelmc.org
President
Dale Rosenthal
Executive Vice President
David Mills
Communications and Tikkun Olam
Vice President
Jerome Sorkin
Education and Lifelong Learning
Vice President
Amy Kaufman Goott
Worship and Spirituality Vice President
Mitchell Solkowitz
Administrative Vice President
Larisa Avner Trainor
Community Vice President
Carolyn Weinberg
Development and Finance Vice President
Bradley Wine
Treasurer
Robert Rubin
Secretary
Sharon Zissman
Scroll Committee
scroll@bethelmc.com
Janet Meyers, Chair, Sharon Apfel, Judy Futterman, Mara Greengrass, Davida Kales, Marci
Kanstoroom, Helen Popper, Kim Redlich, Marsha
Rehns, and Jerry Sorkin. 4U editor: Jennifer Katz
Scroll Design and Layout
Adina Moses adinagraphica@verizon.net
2
Scroll, USPS Number 009813, is published monthly by Congregation
Beth El of Montgomery County, 8215 Old Georgetown Rd., Bethesda,
MD 20814. Periodical postage rate paid at Bethesda, Maryland and
additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to
Scroll, 8215 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda, MD 20814.
YOM HA’ATZMAUT
CONGREGATIONAL
SHABBAT DINNER
Friday, April 19
Everyone is invited to this special evening celebrating
Israel’s Independence Day commencing with an
uplifting musical Kabbalat Shabbat service at 6:30 pm
followed by Shabbat dinner at 7:30 pm.
There will also be a traditional service at 6:30 pm.
Paid dinner reservations must be received by Tuesday morning, April 16.
Please make checks payable to Congregation Beth El and return to
Congregation Beth El
8215 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda, MD 20814
Family Name(s) ______________________________________________
Phone ___________________ Email ____________________________
Dinner Reservations
_____ # Member Adults/Teens @ $22 each_____ Total ________
_____ # Non-member Adults @ $27 each_______ Total ________
_____ # Children 6 - 12 @ $10 _______________ Total ________
_____ # Children 2 - 5 @ $5 each______________ Total ________
Total Due (Household dinner maximum $64): _________________
Please provide ________ vegetarian meals.
If vegetarian, is fish okay? _____________
Please list any food allergies __________________________________
I would like to sit with _______________________________________
CPR Awareness Training:
Infants and Children
Learn how to respond to cardiac conditions and life
threatening emergencies, especially in infants and children.
Thursday, April 25, 7:00 to 9:00 pm
Taught by Michael Kay in honor of Charlie Danoff, grandson of
Pat and Jerry Danoff. Sponsored by Sisterhood Social Action
Committee.
Attendance is limited;
please RSVP to sisterhoodevent@bethelmc.org.
Sisterhood
Zhava Avon Walk
Team
By Hanna Gutmann
Zhava is sponsoring Beth El’s first team in the two-day Avon
Walk for Breast Cancer. Captained by Hallie Werbel, a team of
about 15 Zhava members will walk 39 miles during this year’s
walk on Saturday and Sunday, May 4 and 5. Zhava co-chairs,
Eileen Kay and Jill Rider, are among the team members.While
registration to participate in the event has passed, it’s not too
late for individuals to support the Beth El Zhava team.
“Eileen was the one who had the light-bulb moment,” Jill
recalled. “When we became Zhava co-chairs, we talked about
organizing a team. We had both done the walk individually,
and it was such a powerful experience physically and emotionally. We thought it would be wonderful for Zhava to form
a team,” she said. “We all have someone in our lives whom we
have lost or who has survived breast cancer.”
“The walk is everything that Zhava is about – women, tikkun olam, taking care of ourselves, and community building.
We thought it was the perfect match. Then Hallie volunteered
to organize us and be our team captain,” Jill recalled.
Dedicated Fund Raising
The women will attempt to raise at least $25,000, with each
participant required to raise $1,800 in sponsorship. The Avon
Upcoming Sisterhood/Zhava Events
Sunday, April 7, 11:15 am Beth El Book Club discusses
The Plot Against America by Philip Roth
Tuesdays, April 9, 16, 23, and 30, 6:30 pm Mah Jongg
Tuesday, April 9, 7:30 pm Hadassah Scholar Series
featuring Sarah Stern, Endowment for Middle East Truth
Thursday, April 11, 7:30 pm Sisterhood Board meeting
Sunday, April 21, 8:45 am Mah Jongg Tournament
Thursday, April 25, 7:00 pm CPR Awareness Training
Walk Web site says that the donations support research to
cure or prevent breast cancer. The money also supports programs that provide care for the medically underserved, including low-income, elderly, and minority individuals.
Twelve Weeks to Prepare
During each week in the 12-week training program, team
members will take one or two long walks together, increasing their distance each time.
The team will have a Shabbat dinner the night before the
walk. “Beth El’s rabbis have cleared the walk as a Shabbatfriendly endeavor,” Jill noted.
To donate to the walk on behalf of the Zhava team, visit
http://info.avonfoundation.org/goto/thebethelzhavateam or
contact team captain Hallie Werbel at halliewerbel@gmail.
com. n
Sarah Stern to Speak
Sarah N. Stern will speak on “Endowment for Middle East Truth: EMET’s
Successful Mission Working with Congress.” Presented by Sisterhood and the
Greater Washington Area Chapter of
Hadassah Scholar Series III, the event
on Tuesday, April 9, at 7:30 pm, is free
and open to the public.
Ms. Stern, president and founder of EMET, a think tank
and policy group, has a long history of advocacy for the state
of Israel and the Jewish people. She has served as national
policy coordinator of the Zionist Organization of America,
director of the Office of Legislative and Governmental Affairs
of the American Jewish Congress, and on the board of the
American Jewish International Relations Institute (AJIRI)..
In her work at the AJIRI, she works with members of the
diplomatic community to establish deeper ties with Israel.
Ms. Stern played a major role in the drafting and pas-
sage of the Syria Accountability Act, the Koby Mandell
Act, and the resolution in support of Israel’s right to build
a security fence. n
Zhava Knitting
Looking for a place to knit and crochet?
Bring your needles and yarn and join us for a little
shmoozing and knitting.
Wednesday, April 3, 7:30-9:30 pm
and
Monday, April 22, 9:30-11:30 am
For more information or to RSVP, contact
Heather Janssen at info@bethelmc.org
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Sisterhood Continued
Vashti’s Banquet Bash
By Sari Kurland
The first Vashti’s Banquet – an evening of Middle Eastern
food, fun, and entertainment for women – will take place
Thursday, May 9, at 7:30 pm.
The Bender Social Hall will be transformed that evening
with a Middle Eastern flair. Activities will run simultaneously so women can choose to learn to belly dance, enjoy
a massage, take a mini-Pilates class, select a nail design, or
have a professional makeover. Shopping at a “shuk” for jewelry and other items (by Beth El Judaica & Gifts) will also
be available, as will a Mediterranean buffet of salads, hors
d’oeuvres, wine, and desserts.
The Sisterhood/Zhava event will include a troupe of belly-dancing performers, as well as storytelling by Debbie Fink
and Elizabeth Simon, who will explain how Queen Vashti’s
refusal to agree to King Ahasuerus’ demands has empowered
generations of women to halt domestic violence. As part of
the spirit of aiding women in difficult situations,Vashti’s Banquet will ask women to contribute professional clothing to A
Wider Circle. The Silver Spring-based organization is launching a service to help women in need.
Beth El’s Vashti’s Banquet is modeled on similar events at
Conservative synagogues in recent years. The banquets’ common theme has been enjoying the warmth and fun – with a
modern twist - of the queen’s fabled harem.
The event is being underwritten by the Mindy Lieberman Fund, inspired by the memory of Mindy Lieberman z”l,
Beth El member, labor lawyer, mother, and wife. Mindy, who
died of cancer in 2009, was a member of the Couples Plus
Havurah, which is helping plan and fund the evening. Mark
Goldstone, Mindy’s husband, said Mindy, “an original women’s libber,” felt strongly that women should bond together. n
Mah Jongg Tournament
Sponsored by Beth El Sisterhood
Sunday, April 21, Congregation Beth El
Breakfast and Registration: 8:45 am – 9:15 am
• Entrance fee: $50 for Beth El Sisterhood members, $55 for
non-members
• Play begins promptly at 9:15 am and ends by 4:00 pm
• Play four rounds of Mah Jongg
• National Mah Jongg League card for play
• Breakfast and lunch provided with snack between
• Will be playing for points following official rules
• Door prizes and 50/50 raffle!
• First-, second-, and third-place prizes will be awarded
RSVP by Monday, April 15
For questions, contact Nancy Kay at 301-652-2606 or info@
bethelmc.org, or Sheryl Karlsberg at
301-652-2606 or info@bethelmc.org.
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Sisterhood/Zhava Invite
You to Vashti’s Banquet!
Vashti’s Banquet is a women’s night out featuring MiddleEastern decor, food, music, and storytelling. Come be
pampered as well - enjoy pilates, massages, make-overs,
henna, belly dancing lessons, and much more....
Thursday, May 9, 7:30 -10:00 pm
Beth El Bender Social Hall
Attire: Vashti party dress (Caftans, harem pants, etc.)
Tickets: $20
RSVP by May 1 online at www.bethelmc.org
or by check to Beth El Sisterhood (see below)
~~~~
Vashti’s Banquet is being underwritten by the Mindy Lieberman
Fund, begun by the Couples Plus Havurah in memory of Mindy.
Please contribute women’s professional
clothing for A Wider Circle.
-------------------------------------------Name: _______________________________________
Phone number: ________________________________
Email: _______________________________________
Number of tickets: _____________________________
Amount enclosed: __________________________
RSVP by May 1 (checks should be made out to Beth El
Sisterhood with “Vashti” on the envelope).
Please make your check payable to Beth El Sisterhood and
mail it with the reservation form below to
Beth El Sisterhood, Mah Jongg Tournament,
8215 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda, MD 20814.
Reservation Form
Name: _________________________________
Address: ________________________________
City, State, Zip: __________________________
Phone: _________________________________
E-mail: _________________________________
Payment: $_______ made payable to Beth El
Sisterhood
Please check below:
 I can be east  I can be persuaded to be east
 I can bring a Mah Jongg set
Confirmation and tournament information sent
upon receipt of your reservation.
Men’s Club
Mark Hetfield to
Speak
Mark Hetfield, president of the
Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society
(HIAS), will speak about “Learning
from the Jewish Migration
Experience” on Sunday, April 21,
at 10:00 am. Mr. Hetfield has held
a wide range of positions in the
field of immigration and refugee
law in the private, nonprofit, and
government sectors.
He began his career by serving at HIAS as a Russianspeaking caseworker in Rome, Italy, working with Soviet
Jewish applicants. He later rejoined the agency as its Washington representative and then as its director of international
operations at HIAS headquarters in New York. For three
years prior to rejoining HIAS in April 2006, Mr. Hetfield
was a senior advisor on the United States Commission on
International Religious Freedom and directed a Congressionally-authorized study on the treatment of asylum seekers
in Expedited Removal. Later that year, Mr. Hetfield and his
study team were awarded the Arthur C. Helton Award for
the Advancement of Human Rights by the American Immigration Lawyers Association. n
Upcoming Men’s Club Events
Thursday, April 4, 8:30 pm Hearing Men’s Voices.
Ben Bronheim will lead a discussion on the topic, “The
Amidah: What is the Purpose of This Complex Prayer?”
Sunday, April 14, 10:00 am Gary Maring will discuss
his new book, Faith, Social Justice and Public Policy - A
Progressive’s View, about economic inequality, human
rights, health care, peacemaking, and environmental
stewardship. He is a founder and board member of
N Street Village, which provides a transition home
for homeless women. Co-sponsored with the Library
Committee and Sisterhood.
Sunday, April 21, 10:00 am Mark Hetfield, interim
president of the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS)
will speak about “Learning from the Jewish Migration
Experience.”
More than 300 children and their parents attended
the Men’s Club Purim Carnival on February 24 and
enjoyed games, prizes, and food.
Photo by Mitchell Solkowitz
Men’s Club of
Congregation Beth El
presents
41st Annual Kavod Awards
Sunday, May 5, 9:45 am
Honoring
Brent Berger
Robert Zahler
for service to Beth El
for service to the greater
Jewish community
Reservations are required ($15 per adult).
Please detach and return the portion below to
Hattie Goodman at Beth El.
----------------Reservation for Beth El Men’s Club Kavod Award
Breakfast
Name: Phone:________________________________
Number of attendees: _________________________
Please enclose check for $15 for each adult, payable to Beth
El Men’s Club.
Return RSVP form with payment to Beth El, 8215 Old
Georgetown Road, Bethesda, MD 20814, no later than
Friday, April 26.
5
Youth Activities
10 Years at Beth El
Helping Hurricane
Victims
By Adam Zeren
We all were stunned by the destruction that hit communities
in New York and New Jersey during last fall’s Superstorm
Sandy. Many of us felt the need to do something to help
our family, friends, and others there recover.
Teen leaders at Beth El felt an equally strong need, so
they decided to commit our Purim Silent Auction donations
to Superstorm Sandy relief. We are proud to announce that
the auction raised nearly $2,600 for the Jewish Federation of
New York.
But our work is not done. This summer, the Youth Department and the American Society for Service seek current 7th11th graders to help rebuild homes in the Rockaways area of
New York from June 24 to 27. The trip will cost about $550,
which will include bus transportation, hotel, rebuilding work,
evening activities, and meals. If you are interested in sending
your teen, please get in touch with me as soon as possible at
azeren@bethelmc.org. We can take between 10 and 15 teens.
Youth Activities
Plenty of other things are happening in the Youth Department this month. The highlight will be Kadima and USY
day on Sunday, April 28, at Kings Dominion, when 300
6th-12th graders will head to the park for an amazing day of
rides and fun. Bonim, on the other hand, will relax with an
afternoon of yoga on Sunday, April 14, and Machar will celebrate the beginning of the baseball season with a behindthe-scenes tour of Nationals Park on Sunday, April 28.
We look forward to seeing you at all of our activities. n
Join us on
Friday, May 31, 7:30 pm
Special Friday Evening Service
and Dessert Reception
to Celebrate Rabbi Harris’s
10 Years at Beth El.
Watch your mail for more information.
There is no charge, but reservations are required.
Please complete the form below and return to Beth El
no later than Tuesday, May 21. Space is limited.
While not required, Rabbi Harris has requested that any contributions
in his honor be to Beth El’s General Fund or Annual Campaign.
------------------------------------------------
Reservation Form
Family Name(s) ____________________________________
Day time phone ___________________________________
Email ____________________________________________
_____ # Member Adults/Teens
_____ # Children under 13
This Yom Ha’atzmaut,
Celebrate with
Jewish A Cappella at Beth El
featuring KOL SASSON, University of Maryland’s
Jewish a cappella group. They will team up with Beth
El’s own teen singing sensation, MARAK HAYOM.
The Beth El Day Schools Committee hosted its
fourth annual Purim Party for Jewish Foundation
for Group Homes (JFDH) residents on February 24.
About 100 JFGH residents and more than 25 Day
School students and their families celebrated Purim together with dinner, hamantaschen, dancing,
games, and prizes. Photo by Mitchell Solkowitz
6
Sunday, April 14 at 5:00 pm.
Adults, $10.00; under 18, $5.00.
Come get inspired, celebrate Israel, and hear the young,
new sound of Jewish music.
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5
Purim
5773
Megillah Madn
4
ess
Photos by Lee Sh
and Mitchell So ekter (1-4)
lkowitz
(5-9)
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Web Site’s New Look
By Jerry Sorkin
For the first time since October 2007, Beth El’s Web
site will soon have a new look. A new Beth El home
page will be unveiled later this spring.
The Web design process began last summer with
a survey. Approximately 100 congregants were asked
to provide feedback about the existing Web site and
to make suggestions about revisions to the site. Lori
Amsellem, Beth El’s content manager, compiled and
analyzed the responses.
More Photos, Video
Survey participants expressed a wide variety of views.
Several themes emerged, including a desire for increased functionality, an improved calendar, and greater use of photos and video.
In September, the Web committee – chaired by
Gary Rosenfeld and Bob Lipman – met to review
the feedback. The group also looked at a variety of
other sites – from synagogues and beyond – to develop ideas for the new Beth El site.
Building on the group’s input, Joelle Boedecker, a
Virginia-based Web designer, created a new design. Lori
Amsellem and I worked with Joelle throughout the process. Mara Greengrass has edited the new site’s content.
One of the main changes will be to make more
continued on page 9
Learning in the Virtual Classroom
By Samantha Poe
L2G, an interactive and partly online
alternative to standard classroom
Religious School, allows students
to direct the course of study while
the teacher works as “a guide on the
side” and provides a big-picture perspective on Jewish thought.
While much of L2G is technology
based, the most significant innovation
is the Virtual Classroom. Once a month, instead of meeting
my students face-to-face, I meet them online, using Google
Hangouts or Fuze (programs that are comparable to Skype).
The students see and interact with each other in a virtual setting. Students participate by using PowerPoints,YouTube videos, Jeopardy-based games, and a side-chat feature where they
8
can type questions and comment on what other students are
saying without interrupting each other and the flow of class.
I use Google Hangouts effects - such as popping a virtual hat
on a student’s face on the screen or adding a clown nose - as
rewards for profound questions and for thoughtful answers.
Virtual classes are energetic, fast-paced, and highly interactive, making for an exhausting class for the teacher, but
the kids love it! They are computer natives working in a setting that makes sense for them, and they are thrilled to learn
through what they perceive as pure play. I think that L2G
works because it allows students to learn in an environment
where they feel safe, comfortable, and in charge. n
Samantha is the fourth-grade L2G teacher in her first year with
the program. She has been teaching using virtual classrooms for
several years.
Judaism
effective use of the home page. The new home page will
feature rotating promotional content – a small photo gallery
that will feature upcoming and recent events at Beth El. This
will help to ensure the site displays current and relevant information each time someone visits the site.
Quick Links
The home page will also feature a set of “quick links” – buttons that connect directly to the most frequently visited
pieces of content on the site (e.g., the calendar, the most recent issue of the Scroll).
The overall look of the page will have a brighter color
palette and a more defined structure that will prevent the
home page from becoming too long. A common critique of
the existing home page is that it often includes long blocks or
strips of content that allow the page to lose its shape, causing
visitors to scroll down to find home-page content and links.
Another new feature will be a “members only” section
that will be password protected and will only be accessible
to Beth El congregants. The congregational directory and
other information will be available in this section of the site.
ShulCloud Creation
The site will be hosted (operated) by RustyBrick, a Web
development company based in New York. RustyBrick has
almost 20 years of experience in Web development and
hosting and has deep expertise in Jewish Web sites and applications. The company has developed some of the most
popular Jewish applications for smart phones and tablets.
RustyBrick’s subsidiary, ShulCloud, specializes in the creation of Web sites for synagogues.
Beth El already has an ongoing relationship with RustyBrick. Last year, RustyBrick created accounting and database
software for Beth El. Using the same vendor for the synagogue’s Web site and back office will allow seamless integration between the Web site and important member information, improving the functionality and usefulness of the site
for Beth El members.
The new Web site design is one step in an ongoing process to improve Beth El’s communications practices. As with
all Web sites and software applications, Beth El members
should not expect perfection with the initial launch of the
new site. After the initial launch of the site, members will
again be asked for feedback, so that upgrades to the site can
continue.
An ongoing challenge will be to ensure that the site’s
content remains current and relevant. This was one of the
themes in member feedback last year. It is a difficult challenge for Beth El, given the richness of the synagogue’s programming and the depth of information on the Web site. n
A Student Perspective on L2G
By Cayla Joftus
Have you ever wished you could stay
home in your pajamas in front of
the computer playing video games
instead of going to Hebrew school?
Well, that is what you can do for
L2G. (Minus the video games.)
Think about this. If you went to
regular Religious School on Sundays, you would go four times each
month. For L2G, you go to school one Sunday a month.
Another Sunday, your parents participate, usually on a family field trip. In addition, one of the four Sundays you stay
at home in your pajamas in front of the computer, where
you can see your whole class and teacher. You do a regular
Hebrew school class, but you don’t see each other in person. Another Sunday you do a study week using Edline, a
Web site where you watch videos and then answer questions
about what you’re learning.
The online class usually works well. But sometimes there
are some problems. Sometimes you can’t get on and miss
the first part of class. But you can always get caught up.Your
screen can freeze temporarily, but you always find a way
back on.You could get muted for the whole class so no one
can hear you. There is always the chat box.
But every bad thing comes with some of the best things
ever. In our class when we get up to five points (which you
can earn by answering questions correctly) you get a Google
effect. A Google effect is when you choose an effect that
makes you look like you have a puppy mask, snorkel goggles,
or anything like that.
We also play games that you can only play on the computer to learn Hebrew. I love being in L2G. n
Cayla is a fourth grader in Religious School.
9
Library Corner
Welcome to the E-Literary Salon
By Robin Jacobson
Madeleine Albright
Franklin Foer and
Marc Tracy
Fania Oz-Salzberger
and Amos Oz
One of the pleasures of researching this monthly column is
meeting (at least in cyberspace) the authors of the books I
review here. Beguiled by the erudition and humor of American and Israeli novelists, historians, political figures, journalists, and others, I have spent many happy half hours listening
to them discuss their work in interviews available on the
Internet. Now, the Library Committee has posted some of
these interviews on the Beth El Web site. We invite you into
our e-literary salon to hear and see authors you admire or
are curious about. (On the Beth El home page, click on the
“Library” icon and then look for “Meet the Authors.”)
Even the luminary Moses Mendelsohn, who frequented
fabled Berlin literary salons, might well have been intrigued
to see so many intellectuals gathered in one place. Here are
some of our authors, listed in alphabetical order:
Madeleine Albright, former Secretary of State, talked
to Jon Stewart about her memoir, Prague Spring, an account
of her Czechoslovak family’s experiences during World War
II. At age 59, Albright discovered that her parents had been
Jewish before converting to Catholicism during the war. Albright’s family history, as well as the history of Czechoslovakia (a small country sacrificed to serve the interests of more
powerful nations), has powerfully influenced her world view.
Franklin Foer and Marc Tracy of the New Republic
are editors of the new Jewish Jocks, essays on sports figures by
prominent authors.They talked to the host of Vox Tablet about
their desire to show how sports fit into Jewish life and history.
Another theme was how Jewish athletes made innovations and
“forced new strategic thinking into the games” that they played.
Amos Oz, the celebrated Israeli novelist, and his daughter, Fania Oz-Salzberger, a historian, spoke on National
Public Radio about their collaboration on their new book,
Jews and Words. In their view, Jewish people are united not
by a “bloodline” but by a “text line.” Oz explained that
for thousands of years Jews had nothing but books to sustain them – they had no lands, no holy sites – only Jewish
10
Philip Roth
Jonathan Sacks
texts to study, discuss, and pass down to the next generation.
Philip Roth, the prolific American novelist, gave a BBC reporter a tour of his writing studio in Connecticut. He confided
that writing is a frustrating, difficult, lonely business for him.
Looking back on his career, he reminisced about the uproar
that followed his early satiric work when rabbis wrote sermons
accusing him of anti-Semitism. Roth says that he doesn’t feel
Jewish readers have a problem with him any longer.
Jonathan Sacks, Chief Rabbi of Great Britain and the
Commonwealth, will soon retire from his post after 22 years
in office. An elegant writer whose many works seek to synthesize Western thought and Jewish tradition, Sacks spoke
recently about his new book, The Great Partnership: Science, Religion and the Search for Meaning, with Leon Wieseltier, literary
editor of the New Republic. Speaking of Darwinian evolution,
Rabbi Sacks called it “one of the most spiritual ideas ever
formulated,” because it shows that “the Creator made creation
creative.” For me, one of the most interesting aspects of Rabbi
Sacks is his personal biography - once a brilliant student of
philosophy and economics, mentored by atheistic Oxford and
Cambridge dons, pondering a career in academia or law, Sacks
opted for a wholly different career path in the rabbinate.
Do you have favorite author interviews that you would like
the Library Committee to post on the Beth El Web site? Please
contact me at info@bethelmc.org. n
Beth El Book Club
Sunday, April 7, 11:15 am
Mark Philip Roth’s 80th birthday
and Yom HaShoah with a
discussion of The Plot Against
America by Philip Roth.
For more information, please
contact Margery London or
Robin Jacobson at
info@bethelmc.org.
From the Clergy continued from page 1
rot - jcarrot.org). Creative outlets for ritual and music also
abound, such as ritualwell.org - a creative ritual community
- and oholiav.com - a new Web site dedicated to Jewish readings on pop culture, arts, and music.
Jewish communal experience is strongly redefined by
the Internet. Rabbis and Jewish movements offer new hybrid models of education, featuring a combination of online
learning and intensive in-person retreats to create memorable Jewish life cycle events. And the way that people look
for religious advice has moved from one’s local rabbi to “ask
the rabbi” Internet sites.
Electronic Isolation
These changes, while expansive, have not always been positive. Oren Steinitz (orensteinitz.com), lecturer at the University of Calgary, writes on the phenomena of rabbinic
Web sites that have tried to answer halakhic questions for a
broader public. For the most part, Steinitz finds that these
sites have mostly provided opportunities for extreme individuals to leave incendiary comments against the rabbis’
opinions, rather than creating conversation that advances
discourse on Jewish law. And as new online communities
pop up (including online minyanim), one can only wonder
whether these will succeed in connecting people or isolating
them further from one another.
Rabbi Ain’s sermon concluded as dramatically as it began.
SoundCloud
Now you can listen to the prayers and music of Beth El in a
totally new way. The Beth El SoundCloud is a large, streamable database of recordings of synagogue melodies, hosted
on the Web site www.soundcloud.com. There are nearly 200
sound files currently featured, including tunes from many
prayer services (shacharit, Torah service, musaf, mincha), as
well as home rituals like havdalah and grace after meals.You
can also find contemporary melodies and niggunim featured in our services, as well as new tunes from the Hazzan’s
monthly melodies class. All files can be streamed and downloaded and can be played remotely from the SoundCloud
app, available for iPhone or Android.
Whether you’re preparing for a bnai mitzvah, learning Torah or Haftarah trope, deepening your engagement in prayer,
or looking to score some hip new tunes for USY or Camp
Ramah, the Beth El SoundCloud is a one-stop shop for your
Jewish music needs.You can access it at www.soundcloud.com/
Beth-El-Melodies/sets.
—Hazzan Matthew Klein
I will always remember the takeaway: If we want information about Judaism, nowadays we can easily look it up on
our smartphones. But if we want a spiritual experience - if
we want to meet God - we will learn best from a live person
engaged in a spiritual life. n
Rabbi Samuel Scolnic Adult Institute
By Janet Meyers
Photos by Mitchell Solkowitz
The adult education program that was established by Rabbi
Samuel Scolnic z”l and considered a key legacy of his tenure
was recently renamed in his memory. “Rabbi Scolnic created
the basic shape and culture of this synagogue,” said Rabbi
Bill Rudolph in rededicating what will now be known as the
Rabbi Samuel Scolnic
Adult Institute, Founded
in 1977 in Memory of
Saul Bendit.
“If anyone could
move Saul Bendit to the
second line of the masthead, it would be Sam
Scolnic,” said Rabbi Bill
Rabbi Benjamin Scolnic
Rudolph, at the February
13 ceremony featuring the sons of Saul Bendit and of Rabbi
Scolnic. Rabbi Sam Scolnic died last year.
noted that the name change “marks the transition from one
wonderful legacy to another.”
Emile Bendit, Saul Bendit’s son, was overcome with
emotion as he recalled his father’s challenging life, including leaving Poland for Montreal and later opening a clothing store in Bethesda.
Although his work left
him little time for formal
education, he was always studying and spoke
seven languages, said Dr.
Bendit. He was studying
Spanish when he died at
age 63.
Dr. Emile Bendit
His father was a humble
man and “would have been embarrassed if he knew the Institute bore his name,” said Dr. Bendit.
Wonderful Legacies
Closest to His Heart
“‘Bendit’ became a noun,” said Rabbi Rudolph. “You
would hear people say, ‘I’m doing Bendit this spring.’” He
Rabbi Benjamin Scolnic, Rabbi Samuel Scolnic’s son and a
continued on page 12
11
Breyer-Feinberg continued from page 1
Kol Nidre services he would see Justice Breyer sitting with
Ken Feinberg and would wonder, “How do I get them up
here, and me in the pews?” He was determined to bring the
two distinguished men to the Beth El “stage.”
Enforcing Decisions
Justice Breyer, native San Franciscan, law professor, author,
Court of Appeals judge, and Supreme Court justice since
1994, spoke about democracy and its basis in the Constitution to a filled sanctuary. He commented that unlike the
President and members of Congress, justices have neither
the power of the purse nor the power of the sword to enforce their decisions. Justice Breyer posed the questions:
What are they (the justices) there to do? Why will anyone
do what they say?
The justice is an erudite speaker who peppered his
speech with vignettes, jokes, and historical examples. He
cited several cases and issues that the court decided on, but
that the affected citizens initially refused to obey.
Justice Breyer talked about how the Supreme Court approaches its cases. He indicated the court does not decide
along political lines or in concert with popular opinion. He
pointed out that different combinations of justices may vote
the same way on matters brought before the court. According to Justice Breyer, justices hold certain attitudes because
of their life experiences. The justices are able to discuss the
legal arguments professionally, without anger.
Justices also may not reflect the viewpoints of the Presidents who appointed them. He gave as example Oliver Wen-
Scolnic Adult Institute
continued from page 11
Conservative rabbi in Connecticut, said of the Institute, “This
was the closest to his heart.” In his keynote speech, “Does My
Father Still Live? Jewish Perspectives on the Afterlife,” Rabbi
Scolnic said, “My father will be alive as long as Beth El is here.
He lives on through Beth El and through his family.”
Judaism does have a tradition of believing in an afterlife,
even though modern Jews believe “it’s goyish,” explained
Rabbi Scolnic. Archaeologists have discovered pots and pans
in Jewish graves in Israel, as well as cosmetics buried with
Jewish women, indicating an ancient belief in an afterlife.
“This concept that there is resurrection and we will get our
bodies back has never gone away,” he said.
“I have no question that my father is alive,” said Rabbi
Scolnic. “My father had this dream shul that he was building,
and it’s Beth El. I feel his presence all the time.”
The Rabbi Scolnic Adult Institute spring semester began last month with classes ranging from “Myths and Facts
about Israel” to “The Image of the Jew in British Novels.” n
12
dell Holmes, a Teddy Roosevelt appointee, who after three
months on the bench voted counter to Roosevelt’s wishes
on an antitrust case.
Ken Feinberg, who specializes in mediation and alternative dispute resolution, asked the justice several questions
about his approach to Constitutional decisions. Justice
Breyer said he believes the world changes, and therefore the
original intent of the U.S. founders may no longer be applicable. Justice Breyer believes a better approach is to “look at
the values of the past and apply them to the future.” He said
he would not want to “freeze” the Constitution.
Campaign Finance Laws
Mr. Feinberg then asked the justice about his views on campaign finance law. Justice Breyer indicated that if there is no
limit to contributions, the message put across by some will
drown out others’ voices. Those who contribute heavily
would be in control of who will be elected, he said.
Questions from the audience dealt with Fifth Amendment rights, why the court does not allow C-span to film
its proceedings, how often a justice is persuaded to change
his/her mind after hearing arguments, whether some cases
make Justice Breyer more aware of his Jewish background,
and whether or not his views on the law are similar to Conservative Judaism’s.
Justice Breyer reiterated that the court cannot enforce its
decisions via the sword or the purse. The populace eventually follows the court’s judgments out of respect for the law,
he said. n
Beth El’s Spring
Boutique
Ready for spring?
So are we!
Mother’s Day, graduation day, and
big important birthdays are right
around the corner, and we’ll be here
to help you. Please join us
on April 28
9:00 am to 2:00 pm
A great opportunity to find the perfect
gift for the special women in your life.
Back by popular demand!
Beth El’s Religious School students continue to prove they are
excellent book reviewers. Below are reviews, hot off the press,
from Marilyn Fine’s fifth-grade classes. One is a biography on
Albert Einstein, the Nobel Prize winning physicist, while the other
is fiction about a boy’s relationship with his father and his love
for baseball.
Eve London
Albert Einstein Young Thinker
by Marie Hammontree, Grade: 3 +; Age: 8 +
“Albert! Wake up! Reading class is no
place for daydreaming.” Albert Einstein
was a young, Jewish boy who lived in Munich, Germany in the late 19th century.
Albert was a boy of many questions. He
questioned science and math, but unfortunately, if he
was not interested in the subject, he often dozed off or
daydreamed. One of many things that puzzled Albert was
the compass that his father gave him. He wondered why
the compass needle turned, how the compass knew where
north was, and much more.
Albert did not have many friends. But, he did have one
good friend, Max Talmey, who wanted to be a doctor. The
first thing they did together was fix a stork’s broken leg.
Max let Albert borrow all of his textbooks, which made Albert overjoyed. After Albert read these books from front
to back, he wrote a note to Max to tell him how grateful
he was. Also, Albert played the violin. At first, Albert was
not very good. But, because his mother encouraged him, he
kept on playing. Eventually, he was good enough to play in a
concert. He was good enough to play with adults in a local
concert.
Albert’s father and uncle ran an electrical shop. When
the business did not do well, the family decided to move
to Italy, but Albert had not yet received his diploma from
his school. So Albert stayed in Germany. He never finished
the diploma, and left to join his parents in Italy. One
night, Albert saw a sky full of shooting stars. This event
inspired him and his decision to become a physicist.
Einstein was one of the most important scientists ever.
By the time he returned to Germany after becoming a
Swiss citizen and living in Switzerland for many years, he
was known and respected world-wide. In Germany, however, there was one person who did not like him. I bet you
can guess who that person was. It was Adolph Hitler. He
did not like Einstein because the scientist was Jewish and
because he was powerful.
I liked this book because it told Albert’s fabulous story
in a creative and playful way. I also liked how the book is so
descriptive and told big events in his life, like when he got
his first compass.
Books
4U
Noah Solomon
The Saturday Secret by Miriam Rinn
Grades: 4 - 7; Age: 9 +
I chose the book The Saturday Secret because
someone told me it was about sports and I like
sports. It also seemed like a good book.
In my book, The Saturday Secret, a boy
named Jason wants to play sports, but his dad
won’t let him because it is Shabbat. Jason is not
happy about this so on game day he sneaks
out of the house to play in his game. One day
his parents have to go out and Jason is in charge of his little
sisters Leia and Devorah. He leaves them to play, and his
sisters take crayons and color the whole room and almost eat
a crayon. When Jason’s parents get home his mom is mad at
him, but his dad is super angry and he yells a lot at Jason.
Jason continues to sneak out even though he knows he
is not supposed to. At Jason’s third baseball game, as he is
running the bases, he slips and skins his knee and it is
bleeding really badly. People want to call his parents, but
Jason does not want them to, but they do it anyway. When his
parents come, Jason is surprised that his dad is not really mad
at him. Jason asked his dad why he had come, because you are
not supposed to drive on Shabbat. Jason’s dad tells him that
even though religion is important to him Jason is family and
that is more important to him than anything. Then they are
friends again and they understand each other a little bit more.
I think this was a good book. I think this was a good book
because it was very interesting and it had a good topic. In
the story, it talked about baseball and Judaism and it was
interesting seeing how the author put them together in one
story. The book had a good story and it was funny and
amusing. In one part of the story, when his parents aren’t
home Jason gave his sisters chips, even though his mom told
him not to. Lastly, the book also had a number of perspectives
so you could feel bad for the kid or you could feel bad for the
dad. In a part of the story, the dad is yelling at Jason, I felt
bad for Jason because he was being yelled at, I also feel bad
for the dad because he had to yell at his kid. I recommend this
book for kids who like baseball and grades fourth thru sixth.
Stay tuned for another installment of BOOKS 4U in the next issue of the Scroll. In the meantime,
please visit the Beth El library to find these and many other wonderful children’s books about Jewish
heroes and role models, family, traditions, life cycles, and much more. If you come across a book you’d
like to review (it does not need to be for a class assignment), feel free to send it to the Scroll at
scroll@bethelmc.org for possible future publication on the 4U page.
13
Contributions
Please remember that contributions can be made
easily, quickly, and securely via our Web page –
www.bethelmc.org
Donations made from January 29 to February 19
Barbara Wolf “Israel Quest” Fund
In Memory Of:
Israel Shoham and Sy and Barbara Wolf by Debby, Menachem,
Avi,Yael, and Eli Shoham
Building Fund/Capital Campaign
In Memory Of:
Maurice Greenstein by Dora Weinstein
Loving brother and uncle, Philip Cohen, by Barbara S. Spitzer
Miriam Waitsman, mother, by Robert Goldberg
Freda Goldhill, mother of Steve Goldhill, by Phyllis and Steve
Solomon
Cantor’s Fund
In Honor Of:
Eve Strickberger’s bat mitzvah by Adam Strickberger and
Deborah Miller
In Memory Of:
Minnie Parris, mother of Selma Chubin and grandmother of
Ellen Chubin Epstein, by David and Ellen Epstein
Arnold Chaleff by Rick and Beverly Rudman
Maria Markov by Gregory and Yelena Nusinovich
Nadia Naydich by Yelena Nusinovich
Alison Levy Caffin by Linda Orenstein
Chevra Kadisha Fund
In Memory Of:
Jean Alk Biller by Ruth Bloom
Abraham Luks, dear father, Synthia Pommiss, dear sister, and
Abe Kessler, dear uncle, by Ellen Eule
Caryl Lois Holiber by Jerome A. Holiber
Disabled Access Fund
In Memory Of:
Jennie Ash by Anita Ash
Fine Arts Fund
Zvi Scharfstein, beloved father, by Jose and Tutti Sokol
Freda Golynskaya by Tatyana Estrina
Eleanor Gershman by Harvey and Jennifer Gershman
Merry Klass by Kay Klass and Mark Levitt
Edith Bloom by Edward and Debra Bloom
Edward Deutsch by Stewart Deutsch
Marvin J. Klass by Kay Klass and Mark Levitt
Ruvan Zusin by Ida Zusin
Joseph Cohen by Leesa Fields and Jonathan Band
Charles Rehns by Marsha Rehns
Nathan Schifrin, father of Mark Schifrin, by Margie and Joe
Hoffman
Leona Fribush by Debbie Friedman and Stephen Cohen
Robert Silverman by Linda Herman
Israel Experience Teen Fund
In Honor Of:
Bat mitzvah of our granddaughter, Liana, in Brooklyn, N.Y., by
Richard and Elizabeth Drachman
Leadership/Education Fund
In Memory Of:
Eleanor Mintzer by Jodi Krame
Library Fund
In Memory Of:
Joyce C. Fassberg by Benjamin C. Fassberg
Mazon
By: Sarah Friedman
In Memory Of:
Morris Moshman by Annette and Jack Moshman
Mintz Landscaping Fund
In Memory Of:
William A. Dembo by Dorothy Dembo
Our fathers, Julius Schiffman and Sigmund Shapiro, by Carolyn
and Sigmund Shapiro
In Memory Of:
My grandmother, Florence Horowitz, by Evyan Koenig
Irena Ross Glick by Jeffrey Glick
Morning Minyan Fund
General Fund
Loving father, Abraham Hochberg, and adored grandfather,
Motel Hochberg, by Marilyn Hammerman
Joseph Rubin by Robert Rubin
Nettie Edenbaum by Robert and Sandra Edenbaum
Ruth Merber by Marilyn Ripin
Norman Brody, brother, by Gerald Brody
My mother, Rose G. Feingold, by Lenore R. Richter
Beloved father and nephew, Alec and Philip Chinn, by Sarah
Kalser
By: Clark Construction Group, LLC
In Honor Of:
Marriage of Ruth Assal and Bob Gerwin by L’Chaim Havurah
Bat mitzvah of Eve Strickberger by Phyllis, Jeff, Matt, and
Sophie Lavine
Birth of Sarah Miranda Danoff, granddaughter of Pat and Jerry
Danoff and daughter of Karen and David Danoff, by Beth El
Opera Havurah
Larry Sidman winning the Blue Yarmulke Award by Leesa
Fields and Jonathan Band
In Memory Of:
Harry Widom by Barton S. Widom
Ann Muldorf, mother of Mara Clement, by Phyllis and Aaron
Arnold and Judy and Brian Liss
Boris Rodner by Alison Rodner and David Goldberg
My father, Jack Zuckerman, by Lois Zuckerman
John Ratain, father of Howard Ratain, by Anita and Howard
Ratain
Fred Hainbach, father of Don Hainbach, by Don and Michelle
Hainbach
14
By: Carole Kaminsky
In Memory Of:
Perspectives Fund
In Honor Of:
Larry Sidman, for receiving the Blue Yarmulke Award, by
Harvey and Jennifer Gershman, Tassie Hanna and Jayson
Amster, and Janice Liebowitz and Andy Schoenholtz
In Memory Of:
Joseph Schwartzberg by Allen Z. Schwartzberg
Prayerbook Fund
In Memory Of:
Ida Lample and Israel Castle Bloom by Carole Kaminsky and
family
Contributions Continued
Gertrude Leff and Louis Jack Kaminsky by Carole Kaminsky
and family
Rose Sidman, beloved mother of Larry Sidman, by Larry Sidman
Michael Bobb by Sharon Bobb
Hilda de Sapoznikow by Jorge and Sharona Sapoznikow
Freda Goldhill by Joan and Joel Simon
Rabbi’s Fund
In Honor Of:
Marc Rudolph’s engagement by Rachelle Bernstecker, Barbara
and Barry Friedman, Ann and Larry Kaplan, and Larry
Sidman and Jana Singer
Eve Strickberger’s bat mitzvah by Adam Strickberger and
Deborah Miller
Rabbi Harris, in thanks for celebrating our wedding, by Ruth
Assal and Robert Gerwin
In Memory Of:
Sondra D. Bender by Howard M. Bender
Dorothy Bender by Howard M. Bender
Stanley Bender by Howard M. Bender
My mother, Susanne Roschwalb, by Mila Becker
Solomon Cohen by Sandra Cohen
Martin B. Feinberg by Kenneth and Diane Feinberg
Geraldine Bronfman by Mark and Lisa Bronfman
Ethel Cohen by Murray and Anne Foss
Joseph Cohen, father of Sarine Schrank, by Cary and Nancy
Feldman
Jean Olwyn Gardner by Lily Feldman
Susanne Rubin by Dr. and Mrs. Robert J. Rubin
Beatrice Chernin by Jerry and Fay Chernin
Rita Trauberman, loving mother and grandmother, by Jeffrey
Trauberman
Martha Pollak, beloved mother, by Mark Pollak and Janet
Meyers
Joseph Silvermintz by Rene Zitter
Beatrice and Meyer Zuravin by Ruth and Hugh Sickel
Anna Foss by Murray Foss
My beloved mother, Louise Cassouto Wagman, by Bonnie
Wagman and Clif Hancock
My grandfather, Boruch Wagman, and my aunt, Rebecca
Calderon, by Bonnie Wagman and Clif Hancock.
Beloved husband and father, Bo Rodner, by Carolyn Rodner,
children and grandchildren
Michael Liberson by Gary and Judy Liberson
My brother, Avrom Howard Fine, by Leesa Fine
Jay Golub, my father, by Deborah G. Leibowitz
Freda Goldhill, mother of Steven Goldhill, by Andi and Jay
Hyman and family
Scolnic Adult Institute Fund
In Honor Of:
In appreciation for the legacy honor in memory of Rabbi
Scolnic by Art and Marianne Rosen
Michael Bloom, for his appointment as Deputy National
Chaplain, Jewish War Veterans, by Albert Fox
In Memory Of:
Isabelle Gichner and Polly Eisenberg by Susan and John
Rosenthal
Senior Caucus
Dr. Elaine L. Shalowitz Education Fund
In Memory Of:
Jacob Taubenblatt by Selig A. Taubenblatt
Elaine Silverman Gessow College Activities Fund
In Memory Of:
Bernard Popick, father of Barbara P. Rosing, by Barbara P.
Rosing
Simos Music Fund
In Memory Of:
Harry E. Weiss, beloved father, by Michael and Mitchell Weiss
and Karen Satin
Sisterhood Kiddush Fund
In Honor Of:
Amanda Ford and Holly Stein, with our thanks for your help
in the Tallit Workshop, by the Sitrin family
Amanda Ford, for her “how-to” guide for our tallit workshop
at Temple Shalom, by Kathryn Bakich, Lisa Krim, and
Madeline Wilks
Donna Vogel receiving the Golda Meir Award by Suzanne
Stone
In Memory Of:
Emma Morgenstern Greenwood by Naomi Greenwood
Frances Becker, mother of Arthur Becker, by Arthur Becker
Beloved father, Jacob Nurik, by Irving Nurik
Joseph Berinstein by Nancy Rosenthal
Sisterhood Shiva Meal Fund
In Memory Of:
Bronya Sheykman by Jolie and Vladimir Lechtman
Suls Youth Activities Fund
In Memory Of:
Ann Muldorf, beloved mother of Mara Clement, by Cheryl
and Herbert Baraf
Elaine Tanenbaum Religious School Enrichment Fund
In Honor Of:
Herb Tanenbaum by Rita and Irv Kopin
In Memory Of:
Brigid D. Leventhal by Carl Leventhal
Samuel Tanenbaum, father of Herbert Tanenbaum, by Herbert
Tanenbaum
Ethel Shulman Weiss by Herbert Tanenbaum
Transportation Fund
In Memory Of:
Morris Krueger by Annette K. Goldberg
World Jewry Fund
In Memory Of:
Our father and grandfather, Lucien Leon Rossignelly, by
Nussenblatt family
Frank Gittleson by Harriet and Melvin Gravitz
Sophie Gravitz by Melvin and Harriet Gravitz
Young Equality Fund
In Honor Of:
Marriage of Ruth Assal and Bob Gerwin by Ina and Joe Young
In Memory Of:
Leila Rosen Young by Joe and Ina Young n
In Honor Of:
Speedy recovery for Esther Isralow by Arthur and Marianne
Rosen
15
Congregation Beth El
8215 Old Georgetown Road
Bethesda, Maryland 20814-1451
Periodicals
Postage
PAID
Bethesda, MD
20814
While we know you’ll want to read every word in this issue of the Scroll, when you’re finished, please recycle it.
Bulletin Board
Mazal Tov to
Doug and Brenda Bregman on the engagement of
their son, Benjamin Lee Bregman, to Jessica Sarah
Agus, daughter of Robert Agus and Cantor Rochelle
Helzner, of Chevy Chase, Md.
Condolences to
Gerri Baer and Daniel Isaac on the death of Gerri’s
father, Melvin Baer
The family of Anne Ball on her death
Beth Chandler on the death of her grandmother, Estelle
Landes
Mara and Dan Clement on the death of Mara’s mother,
Ann Muldorf
Steven and Janet Goldhill on the death of Steven’s
mother, Freda Goldhill
Dorene Rosenthal on the death of her grandmother, Rose
Fried
Sarine Schrank on the death of her father, Joseph Cohen
Noteworthy
Senior Caucus Meeting, Wednesday, April 3, 1:00 pm.
These vibrant, active retirees join to hear about the ongoing
programs and plan new activities. Be one of them. This
program is followed by:
Roundtable with the Rabbi, Wednesday, April 3, 2:00
pm. Join us to celebrate April’s birthdays (yours and those
of others) with desserts, coffee, and a lively discussion led
Send submissions to the Scroll to scroll@bethelmc.org
by Rabbi Rudolph. Birthday celebrants receive a special
invitation, but all are welcome. Dor L’Dor, Thursday, April 4, noon. Join the Beth
El Preschool (BEPS) 4s Class and Senior Caucus for this
intergenerational program connecting children with seniors. To participate and share pizza with the preschoolers, RSVP
to Audrey Berger at 301-652-2606 or Ricardo Munster at
301-652-2606, ext. 316, or rmunster@bethelmc.org.
Senior Caucus – Thursdays, April 11 and 25, noon.
Brown bag lunch. Come and socialize with your friends and
enjoy refreshments and dessert.
Senior Caucus – Vatikkim Luncheon Program,
Thursday, April 18, noon. The program starts with lunch.
Following lunch, join us when congregant Charlotte Shifrin
presents “The Story of Jascha Heifetz – the Greatest Violinist
of the 20th Century.” Lunch costs $8.00. To RSVP for
lunch, call Ricardo Munster at 301-652-2606, ext. 316, or
rmunster@bethelmc.org by Tuesday, April 16. The program
is free and begins around 1:00 pm.
Bridge – the greatest game ever. Join us every Monday and
Thursday (except the 3rd Thursday) from 12:30 to 4:00 pm.
Drop in and join a game; no partner necessary. For information
or transportation, contact Ricardo Munster at 301-652-2606,
ext. 316, or rmunster@bethelmc.org. Note: There will be NO
bridge on Monday, April 1 (Seventh day of Pesach). n
Weekly Parashiot
Source: Siddur Sim Shalom
Seventh day of
Pesach
April 1, 21 Nisan
Exodus 13:17-15:26
Pharaoh regrets losing his slaves. Pursuing the children
of Israel, he traps them at the Sea of Reeds. God splits
the waters, allowing Israel to cross safely. The Egyptians
follow, only to be engulfed, at God’s hand, in the swirl
of returning water. Moses and Miriam lead the people
in joyous song, extolling God.Yet the Israelites soon
complain of thirst and hunger. God responds, providing
water and manna.
Eighth day of
Pesach
April 2, 22 Nisan
Deuteronomy 15:19-16:17
Like the reading for the second day of Pesach, it catalogs
the annual cycle of festivals, their special observances,
and the offerings brought on these occasions to the
Holy Temple in Jerusalem.
Sh’mini
April 6, 26 Nisan
Aaron and his sons emerge from the Mishkan on the
eighth day of its consecration to make atonement for
Israel. Aaron’s two eldest sons, Nadav and Avihu, light
“alien fire” on the altar, contrary to God’s precepts, and
are struck down. Moses instructs Aaron not to mourn;
Aaron continues with his duties. Thereafter, God lists the
kosher and non-kosher animals. “You shall be holy,” God
declares, “for I am holy.”
Tazria-M’tzora
April 13, 3 Iyar
God teaches Moses the laws regarding physical purity,
including purification after childbirth. The means of
identification and purification of leprous skin disease are
set out, as are the laws concerning disposal of infected
garments.
God describes the last steps for the purification of
a leprous person. God even provides laws for when
the Israelites reach Canaan and own houses that show
evidence of leprous plague. Lastly, God addresses the
impurity associated with bodily emissions, including a
woman’s monthly cycle.
Acharei MotKedoshim
April 20, 10 Iyar
God instructs Aaron to purify the altar, the priests, and
the people. To purify the people, two goats are chosen:
one as a sacrifice, the other as a scapegoat to be sent
off bearing Israel’s sins. This ceremony on the Day of
Atonement, the 10th day of the seventh month, is to be
“an eternal statute.” Other statutes concerning animal
slaughter and prohibited sexual relations follow.
“You shall be holy, for I, Adonai your God, am holy.”
God urges Israel to attain holiness by emulating God’s
holiness. The people of Israel are asked to show respect
for parents and for Shabbat, refrain from idolatry, have
concern for the poor and the stranger, and avoid gossip,
anger, and improper sexual behavior.
Emor
April 27, 17 Iyar
God sets laws for the priesthood. The sacred days are
ordained. Shabbat and the Festivals—Pesach, Shavuot,
and Sukkot—along with Rosh Hashanah and Yom
Kippur are prescribed for all generations.
Beth El Calendar
&Weekly Parashiot
Descriptions of
Services
Minyan Chaverim offers the ruach
of the Shabbat services in USY, BBYO,
and Hillel. We have a lay-led, traditional, participatory, spirit-filled service,
including full repetition of the Shacharit and Musaf amidah, as well as the
full Torah reading with an interactive
Torah discussion. A pot-luck lunch follows the service at a nearby home. For
information, contact Debbie Feinstein
or Sheryl Rosensky Miller at info@
bethelmc.org.
The Worship and Study Minyan
is conducted by members of the
congregation and combines evocative
Torah study with ample singing
and ruach. Children are welcome,
although the service is oriented
toward adults. For information, contact
Dan Hirsch, Sid Getz, or Mark
Levitt at 301-652-2606,
info@bethelmc.org.
Teen Service is a cool service
without parents, conducted by and for
post-b’nai mitzvah teens, with a great
kiddush. To volunteer to read Torah,
conduct part of the service, or help
with a discussion, contact
Matt Jacobson at 301-652-2606,
info@bethelmc.org
Other Youth /Family Services,
for information, contact Elisha
Frumkin, 301-652-8573, ext. 319,
efrumkin@bethelmc.org.
Daily Services M-F
7:30 am
Sun-Th 8:00 pm
Fri
6:30 pm
Sun
9:00 am
Shabbat Services (all services are weekly, except as noted)
Early Morning Service
Main Service Babysitting (2-6 years old) Minyan Chaverim (3rd Shabbat)
Worship and Study Minyan (1st Shabbat)
Mincha, Seudah Shlishit, Ma’ariv,
& Havdalah (3rd Shabbat)
Youth Shabbat Services
7:30 am
9:30 am
9:15 am
9:30 am
9:45 am
7:00 pm
Teen Service (1st Shabbat)
10:00 am
Junior Congregation (5th grade +; Library) 10:00 am
Shitufim 10:30-11:30 am
(2nd– 4th grades; 2nd & 4th Shabbat; Zahler Social Hall)
Gan Shabbat
(kindergarten-2nd grade; 1st & 3rd Shabbat; MP 1&2) 10:30-11:30 am
Nitzanim
(birth - kindergarten; 2nd, 4th, 5th Shabbat; MP 1&2) 10:30-11:30 am
Congregation Beth El
April 2013
Monthly Calendar
Sunday
1
Nisan–Iyar 5773
Monday
1 Passover 7th Day
Schools and Offices Closed
9:30 am Festival Morning Service
6:30 pm Festival Evening Service
Tuesday
2 Passover 8th Day
7:00 am Early Festival Morning Service
(Yizkor)
9:30 am Festival Morning Service
(Yizkor)
Wednesday
3
Preschool and Religious
School resume
9:00 am Rabbi’s Torah Class
9:30 am M. Fine Class
9:30 am Rabbi’s Haftarah Class
1:00 pm Senior Caucus Meeting
2:00 pm Roundtable with the Rabbi
Thursday
4
Noon Senior Caucus
8:30 pm Hearing Men’s Voices
Friday
5 Candles 7:17 pm
10:00 am BEPS Shabbat
6:30 pm Friday Evening Service
Saturday
6
7:30 am Early Shabbat Service
9:30 am Main Shabbat Service
9:30 am Andrew Rabinowitz Bar
Mitzvah
9:45 am Worship & Study Minyan
10:00 am Jr. Congregation
10:00 am Teen Service
10:30 am Gan Shabbat
12:40 pm Hazzan’s Shabbat Melodies
Class
7 Yom HaShoah
9:00 am Minyan
9:30 am Men’s Club Breakfast
10:00 am Men’s Club Program
10:00 am RS Parent Coffee
10:00 am Ahavat Shir Rehearsal
10:00 am Adult B’nai Mitzvah Class
11:15 am Book Group
6:30 pm Yoga
7:00 pm Talmud Class
14
9:00 am Minyan
9:30 am Men’s Club Breakfast
10:00 am Men’s Club Program
10:00 am Ahavat Shir Rehearsal
5:30 pm Spring A Capella Concert
6:30 pm Yoga
7:00 pm Talmud Class
21
9:00 am Minyan
9:30 am Men’s Club Breakfast
10:00 am Men’s Club Program
10:00 am Ahavat Shir Rehearsal
10:00 am Adult B’nai Mitzvah Class
10:00 am Mah Jongg Tournament
6:30 pm Yoga
7:00 pm Talmud Class
28 Lag B’Omer
9:00 am Minyan
9:00 am Art Market
9:30 am Men’s Club Breakfast
10:00 am Men’s Club Program
10:00 am B’nai Mitzvah Meeting
10:00 am Zhava Program
6:30 pm Yoga
8
1:00 pm Bridge
7:30 pm Boy Scouts
7:30 pm RS Committee Meeting
9
8:30 am A Taste of Talmud
10:00 am Scolnic Institute
6:30 pm Mah Jongg
7:30 pm BEPS Board Meeting
7:30 pm Sisterhood/Hadassah Speaker
10 Rosh Hodesh Iyar
9:00 am Rabbi’s Torah Class
9:30 am M. Fine Class
9:30 am Rabbi’s Haftarah Class
7:30 pm Scolnic Institute
11
8:30 am Lawyers Breakfast (offsite)
Noon Senior Caucus
7:00 pm Executive Committee Meeting
7:30 pm Sisterhood Board Meeting
and Reception
15 Yom Hazikaron
1:00 pm Bridge
7:30 pm Boy Scouts
16 Yom Ha’Atzmaut
8:30 am A Taste of Talmud
10:00 am Scolnic Institute
6:30 pm Mah Jongg
17
9:00 am Rabbi’s Torah Class
9:30 am M. Fine Class
9:30 am Rabbi’s Haftarah Class
7:30 pm Scolnic Institute
18
Noon Senior Caucus Luncheon
7:30 pm Empty Nester Age & Stage
Workshop
12 Candles 7:24 pm
10:00 am BEPS Shabbat
6:30 pm Traditional Friday Evening
Service
6:30 pm Kol Haneshama
7:30 pm Zhava Shabbat Dinner
19 Candles 7:31 pm
4th-5th Grade Retreat
10:00 am BEPS Shabbat
6:30 pm Friday Evening Service
7:30 pm Congregational Yom Ha’Atzmaut
Shabbat Dinner
13
7:30 am Early Shabbat Service
9:30 am Main Shabbat Service
9:30 am Sarah Bucher Bat Mitzvah
9:30 am Zachary Harkness Bar
Mitzvah
10:00 am Jr. Congregation
10:30 am Shitufim
10:30 am Learners Service
10:30 am Nitzanim
8:30 pm Israel Media Series
20
7:30 am Early Shabbat Service
9:30 am Main Shabbat Service
9:30 am Lily Jacobson Bat Mitzvah
9:30 am Minyan Chaverim
10:00 am Jr. Congregation
10:30 am Gan Shabbat
7:00 pm Shabbat Mincha, Seudah
Shlishit, Ma’ariv, Havdalah
22
1:00 pm Bridge
7:30 pm Boy Scouts
23
8:30 am A Taste of Talmud
10:00 am Scolnic Institute
6:30 pm Mah Jongg
7:30 pm Board Meeting
24
9:00 am Rabbi’s Torah Class
9:30 am M. Fine Class
9:30 am Rabbi’s Haftarah Class
7:30 pm Scolnic Institute
25
Noon Senior Caucus
7:30 pm Sisterhood Program
26 Candles 7:38 pm
10:00 am BEPS Shabbat
6:30 pm RS Teacher Recognition Shabbat
Service & Dinner
27
7:30 am Early Shabbat Service
9:30 am Main Shabbat Service
9:30 am Nicolas Escobar Bar Mitzvah
9:30 am Michael Rosenblum Bar
Mitzvah
10:00 am Jr. Congregation
10:30 am Shitufim
10:30 am Nitzanim
29
1:00 pm Bridge
7:30 pm Boy Scouts
30
8:30 am A Taste of Talmud
6:30 pm Mah Jongg
1
9:00 am Rabbi’s Torah Class
9:00 am BEPS Hearing and Vision
Testing
9:30 am M. Fine Class
9:30 am Rabbi’s Haftarah Class
2:00 pm Roundtable with the Rabbi
2
Noon Senior Caucus
8:30 pm Hearing Men’s Voices
3 Candles 7:44 pm
10:00 am BEPS Shabbat
6:30 pm Friday Evening Service
7:30 pm Day School Shabbat Dinner
4
7:30 am Early Shabbat Service
9:30 am Main Shabbat Service
9:30 am Lauren Lerner Bat Mitzvah
9:30 am Rachel Lerner Bat Mitzvah
9:45 am Worship & Study Minyan
10:00 am Jr. Congregation
10:00 am Teen Service
10:30 am Gan Shabbat
12:40 pm Hazzan’s Shabbat Melodies
Class