February - Congregation Har Shalom

Transcription

February - Congregation Har Shalom
TABLET
The
February 2012
Volume 48, Issue 7
The 2012/5772 Alan B. Levenson
Endowment Lecture and Brunch
Sunday, March 18—9:30 AM
P
lease join us for this year’s Alan B.
Levenson Endowment Lecture and
Brunch on Sunday, March 18, at 9:30 am,
when our guest speaker will be Eugene
(Gene) Rothberg. The program is
sponsored by the Congregation Har
Shalom Alan B. Levenson Fund and
presented by the Adult Education
Committee. The Fund was established
Eugene (Gene)
by Alan’s wife Joan. The fund’s purpose is
Rotberg
to sponsor annual lectures by individuals
who have the same lifelong commitment to the ideals that Alan
showed in his work as a lawyer, teacher, and scholar, and his
dedication to the Torah’s mandate to pursue justice and ethics
in all aspects of public and private life. You may donate to the
Alan B. Levenson Fund by using the Har Shalom donation form
available online at http://www.harshalom.org/donations/donate.asp.
Gene Rotberg has served as an advisor to governments,
international institutions, and the private sector on matters
dealing with interest and exchange rate volatility, the regulation
(continued on page 3)
Men’s Club Health and Wellness Fair —
Sunday, March 4 — See page 16 for details.
“Bye Bye Birdie” Tickets Still
Available
T
he 50+ member cast, 10+ member orchestra, and
production team for the Har Shalom Players’ performance
of “Bye Bye Birdie” have been hard at work rehearsing, learning
songs and dance numbers, selecting some “period” costumes,
and getting the lighting and sound just right for its shows at
8:00 pm on Saturday night, February 25, and 3:00 pm on
Sunday, February 26.
(continued on page 9)
Please note:
“Bye Bye Birdie” ticket order
form is inside on page 10.
Shevat/Adar 5772
Jewish Disability Awareness Shabbat to
Be Held on February 18
W
ith great pleasure, the Kulanu Committee will be welcoming
Aaron Kaufman as our Jewish Disability Awareness
Shabbat speaker on February 18. His topic, “Recovering Stolen
Lives: A Journey of Self-Advocacy,” will explore how people with
disabilities themselves have become leaders in ensuring that they are full
participants in our society. With the help of advocates like our speaker,
people have moved out of institutions into the community, where,
with support, they live in their own homes, have jobs, and become
involved in activities—most importantly, in synagogue life. Over the
years, they have gained more and more control over their lives.
Mr. Kaufman, who has cerebral palsy and learning disabilities,
is a recent graduate of the University of Maryland, where he excelled
academically. Though still in his twenties, he is an accomplished
speaker who has much experience in working on disability policy on
the county, state, and national levels. Locally, he has served on the
County Commission for People with Disabilities and the Board of
the Jewish Foundation for Group Homes.
On the state level he has interned for Delegate Heather Mizeur
and served on the Board of the Maryland Developmental Disabilities
Council, a federally-funded advocacy organization. He has also
interned nationally for Senator Evan Bayh and Representative Chris
Van Hollen. In addition, he worked as an intern with the senior
lobbyist for the National Easter Seal Society.
(continued on page 5)
Be Happy! Adar is Coming!
Purim at Har Shalom—
A Festive Celebration for Everybody!
Wednesday, March 7
6:00 pm—Gan Purim—Start Purim Off
With a Performance Especially for
Young Children and Their Families
6:30 pm—The Grand Purim Masquerade Ball—
Dancing, Moon Bounce, Hamantashen & Hot
Dogs, Costume Parade,
and Face Painting
8:00 pm—Traditional Megillah Reading
Free—Come in Costume!
Thursday, March 8
6:45 am— Shaharit,
Including Megillah Reading
www.harshalom.org • 301-299-7087
an inclusive, accessible congregation affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism
CLERGY THOUGHTS
Rabbi Adam J. Raskin, 301-299-7087 ext. 1; Email: RabbiRaskin@harshalom.org
The Bar and Bat Mitzvah Outcomes of My Dreams
D
ear Friends,
I often ask parents of
soon-to-be b’nai mitzvah, “What
do you hope this celebration will
mean for the future Jewish life of
your son or daughter?” Typically
parents tell me that they want the
bar or bat mitzvah experience to
prove to their child that he or she
can accomplish great things if the
child dedicates himself or herself
Rabbi Adam J. Raskin sufficiently. (Indeed, how many
young teens have led hundreds of
people in worship in a foreign language; read an ancient text
to a distinctive chant; and reflected publicly, in a sophisticated
way, on a Scriptural episode?) Some parents hope that the
bar or bat mitzvah experience will shore up and affirm their
child’s Jewish identity and commitments for a lifetime.
Others just want them to enjoy being surrounded by family
and friends in a joyful, Jewish atmosphere. These are all
wonderful answers, and I share in all of these dreams for our
kids. After several years of asking these questions to parents,
I have begun to think about what outcomes of the bar or bat
mitzvah I believe to be critical for our kids, and what I hope
they will gain from the experience. I share with you here some
of those reflections…
The
TABLET
The Newsletter for Congregation Har Shalom
Rabbi
Hazzan
Executive Director
Director of
Congregational Learning
Early Childhood Director
Youth Director
Rabbi Emeritus
Cantor Emeritus
Founding Rabbi
Adam J. Raskin
President
Henrique
Ozur Bass
Vice Presidents
Michael
L. Simmons,
FSA, ATz
Rabbi
Deborah Bodin Cohen
Treasurer
LiranLaor
Financial Secretary
Julie Ashin
S. Cahan
Secretary
Leonard
Communications
Calvin K. Chizever
Gordon, z”l
Editor
Morris
Ombudsman
Copyright ©2012 by Congregation Har Shalom
11510 Falls Road
Potomac, Maryland 20854-2297
301-299-7087 fax 301-299-2247
Jeff Ashin
Larry Center
Wes Kaplow
Debbie Schapiro
David Silver
Mark Strassman
Ken Paretzky
David Frome
Cindy Fishman
Barbara Kaplowitz
Sandy Schonfeld
Sorell Schwartz
2. I hope our kids will walk away from the bar or bat
mitzvah experience with a reservoir of Jewish life skills.
My aspiration is that Har Shalom b’nai mitzvah will possess
the capability to lead services in any Jewish setting where they
may find themselves (Hillel on campus, a shiva minyan, or
a shul on the other side of the world, for example), and that
they can participate in the most sacred event in synagogue
life: the chanting of the Torah and Haftarah. I want our kids
to learn the tropes, the musical symbols that accompany the
text, so that they can be active participants in the life of our
shul, and any other shul they may become affiliated with in
their adult lives. I also want Jewish prayer to be a medium
of spirituality that they find comfortable and uplifting.
3. The speech that a bar or bat mitzvah delivers to his
or her fellow congregants, family members, and friends
is a unique and special honor. The d’var Torah, literally “a
word of Torah,” consists of a thoughtful reflection on what
the Torah has to say to us today. If we didn’t believe that
the Torah had a modern, relevant message, then it would
be meshugganeh to read it over and over, year after year.
But the Jewish people have claimed that through devoted
study one can discover that every portion of the Torah has
something significant to teach us each year that we return to it,
(continued on page 11)
Internet: www.harshalom.org
Submissions to the TABLET are welcome. Please email to tablet@harshalom.org.
Deadline for each issue is SIX WEEKS prior to publication date.
The TABLET USPS 002-534 is published monthly, except bi-monthly July/
August for $20.00 per year by Congregation Har Shalom, 11510 Falls Road, Potomac,
Maryland 20854. Periodicals postage paid at Rockville, Maryland. POSTMASTER:
Send address changes to the TABLET, Congregation Har Shalom, 11510 Falls Road,
Potomac, Maryland 20854.
2
1. The first and foremost outcome that I envision is a
sense of belonging in and to a community of fellow Jews.­
I often comment after one of our post-b’nai mitzvah leads a
part of the service or reads Torah that “Nothing makes this
rabbi happier than to see a kid on the bimah after the bar or
bat mitzvah!” The paradox of service attendance requirements
or expectations before the bar or bat mitzvah is that it is really
attendance after the bar or bat mitzvah that is most important.
Certainly we want our kids to be familiar with the services,
melodies, choreography, etc., prior to the bar or bat mitzvah.
What I consider a success, however, is when kids learn from
this experience that Shabbat is the central gathering time for
their Jewish community; that the time and place to connect
with their faith community, with their fellow Jews, with
their tradition, and with their culture is on Shabbat. What I
consider a tragedy is when a child walks away from the bar or
bat mitzvah thinking the gathering was an exclusive, special
event in his or her own life, rather than understanding it as
one part—albeit a very special part—of his or her community’s
weekly celebration of Shabbat.
Emergency Contact Notice
In case of illness, death, or any other family
emergency, please contact Rabbi Raskin at
240-687-7218.
www.harshalom.org
301-299-7087
2012/5772 Lecture and Brunch (continued from page 1)
of financial markets, risk taking, and the role of international
development institutions. He held the position of Vice
President and Treasurer of the World Bank where he was
responsible for its overall funding and investment operations
from 1968 to 1987.
Prior to his serving at the World Bank, Gene served for 11
years at the United States Securities and Exchange Commission
where he held the positions of Associate Director for Market
Regulation and Chief Counsel, Office of Policy Research.
During his tenure at the SEC, Gene also served on the Special
Study of Securities Markets and conducted public hearings
on the structure of the securities markets, commission rates,
competition in the financial industry, and related anti-trust
matters. Gene also held the position, Executive Vice President
of Merrill Lynch & Co., where he was responsible for overall
risk management from 1987 to 1991.
Gene has served as a Director on various international
and public domestic corporate and advisory boards and nonprofit institutions. He currently is a Senior Advisor to The
George Washington University Investment Committee and
has served as a Trustee of the Washington National Opera,
the NPR Foundation, The Theatre Lab, and INMED, a nonprofit institution devoted to improving health conditions for
children at risk.
He recently was designated by Institutional Investor
magazine as one of the 40 most influential persons world-wide
in finance over the last 40 years. Most recently, he has written
an opera libretto concerning the events in Tahir Square, Egypt.
Gene is an opera fanatic.
table of contents
Adult Education.......................................... page 4
Art Gallery.................................................. page 5
B’nai Mitzvah.............................................. page 9
“Bye Bye Birdie”.............................pages 1 and 10
Calendar.............................................pages 14-15
Clergy Thoughts......................................... page 2
Daytimers................................................... page 6
Disability Awareness Shabbat...................... page 1
Donations...........................................pages 22-23
Early Childhood Education......................... page 5
Family News............................................... page 9
Gemilut Hasadim........................................ page 5
House Tour...................... page 8 and pages 12-13
Levenson Lecture and Brunch..................... page 1
Martin Luther King “Day of Service”.page 24 (final page)
Men’s Club.........................................pages 16-17
Programs of Interest.................................... page 8
Purim Schedule........................................... page 1
Religious School......................................... page 3
Sisterhood...........................................pages 18-21
World Jewry............................................pages 6-7
He has addressed a wide range of conferences and symposia
throughout the world on matters dealing with the relationship
of public policy to finance and development, financial
engineering, exchange rate and trade policy, and the
international development agencies. He has testified before
U.S. Senate and House Committees concerning derivatives,
risk taking, and international development, and has published
extensively on these subjects.
Gene is a lawyer who received a Bachelor of Science
degree from Temple University and his Law degree from the
University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Religious School
Rabbi Deborah Bodin Cohen: 301-299-7087, ext. 229 •
Email:RabbiCohen@harshalom.org
Youth Mitzvah Clubs
A
new initiative for Har Shalom youth is underway—Mitzvah
Clubs. The idea behind a Mitzvah Club is simple. Each grade
level will have its own Mitzvah Club. Each Mitzvah Club will get
together once every month or two for a project to help the greater
community—food drives, cooking for the hungry, visits to old-age
homes, and walk-a-thons, for example. Parents will take turns
planning these projects, with the help of the Education Office. The projects do not need to be complicated or fancy, but should
offer a chance for the students to work together, do a good deed,
and get to know one another better. Both Religious School and
Day School students are invited to participate. The first Mitzvah Club event took place over the Martin
Luther King holiday weekend. The 4th Grade Mitzvah Club
ran a food drive for Manna Food Bank at the Giant grocery store
on Tuckerman Lane (see photo on this page). The students had
a great time collecting food and passing out information about
Manna Food Bank. They collected three or four carts of food for
the needy. Yashar koach on a job well done! If you would like to get involved planning a Mitzvah Club
event for your student’s grade, please let Rabbi Cohen know.
Likewise, if you know of a great mitzvah opportunity for young
people, please be in touch. Rabbi Cohen will be happy to send
a Mitzvah Club of volunteers to help out!
4th Grade Mitzvah Club
Rabbi Deborah Cohen and the 4th Grade Mitzvah Club are hard
at work during their MLK food drive.
www.harshalom.org
301-299-7087
3
H AR S HALOM A DULT E DUCATION
JOURNEY
NEW IN FEBRUARY & MARCH
THROUGH THE
SIDDUR
R ABBI R ASKIN
WITH
Rabbi Raskin will explore the rich content, meaning, and history of the siddur (prayer book). Participants will understand the intentional
ordering of significant prayers, the postures and movements associated with them, and how the siddur is structured to enrich our prayer
lives with significance and transcendence. Tuesdays at 8:00 pm, February 7, 21, 28, and March 6.
ADVANCED TORAH READING CLASS: HIGH HOLY DAY TROPE WITH DAVE KENTON
During the next High Holy Days, welcome the new year by chanting Torah. This advanced course is for candidates with Torah reading
skills, and will focus on High Holy Day trope. This class is intended for those who read Torah and know names and sounds of the Torah
trope marks, and wish to broaden their skills. Minimum class enrollment needed. Wednesdays at 8:00 pm, starting February 8.
SCROLLING
THROUGH THE
YEAR: THE BOOK
OF
ESTHER
WITH
RABBI COHEN
Join Rabbi Cohen throughout the year for text study of the Five Megillot, the five scrolls, that are read during the holiday cycle. In
March, discuss the Book of Esther in honor of Purim. Tuesday, March 13, at 8:00 pm.
JEWISH STUDIO ART: SILK-PAINTED MATZAH COVERS
WITH
FYLIS PECKHAM
Make a beautiful matzah cover for your seder table and learn new skills of silk-painting. Fylis Peckham is a well-known Jewish fiber
artist. Tuesdays, March 20 and 27, from 6:30-9:00 pm, with a break for minyan. Registration: $36.
PARENTS’ DISCUSSION: INSPIRING
AN
ATTITUDE
OF
GRATITUDE
WITH
RABBI COHEN
In our culture of plenty, how do we instill an attitude of gratitude in our children? How can Judaism serve as a vehicle for teaching
thankfulness and a giving nature? Come ready to talk, laugh, and share. Wednesday, March 21, at 7:30 pm. Location TBA.
GLUTEN-FREE PASSOVER COOKING
WITH
SARI RASKIN
AND
ALYSE STEINBORN
Learn to make gluten-free recipes for Passover and everyday. We will be taste-testing gluten-free recipes that are common during
Passover and comparing them to their non-gluten-free counterparts. We encourage participants to bring their favorite recipes,
questions, and experiences so we can learn from each other. Please note: the kitchen is not gluten-free. Sunday, March 25, from
4:00-6:00 pm, at the home of Sari Raskin. Fee: $18.
C ONTINUING C LASSES —N EWCOMERS W ELCOME !
W EBINAR —W IRED
INTO T ORAH WITH R ABBI R ASKIN , H AZZAN O ZUR B ASS , AND R ABBI C OHEN
Join the Har Shalom community online, once a week, for an interactive Torah study session. Tuesdays at 12:30 pm. Contact
RabbiCohen@harshalom.org for information on how to sign in.
M ISHNA S TUDY WITH R ABBI R ASKIN AND H AZZAN O ZUR B ASS
In this year’s Mishnah study group we will focus on tractate Avodah Zarah. Thursdays at 10 :00 am.
S HABBAT T ORAH S TUDY WITH F RED S TEINBERG
Join this popular, long-standing Torah discussion group, each Shabbat at approximately 12:30 pm. No Hebrew knowledge or
previous Torah study necessary—just an interest in looking at Torah text and discussing it.
TALMUD WITH RABBI LEONARD CAHAN
Explore the Talmud and its lessons with Rabbi Cahan. This perennial favorite has been around for over a decade. Hebrew or prior study
helpful, but not required. Novice students always welcome! Mondays from 8:00-9:00 pm.
I NTERFAITH B IBLE S TUDY WITH R ABBI C AHAN AND R EV . J AN L OOKINGBILL
Rabbi Cahan and Rev. Jan Lookingbill, pastor of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Bethesda, are teaming up again to offer
their long-running interfaith Bible study class. Newcomers are always welcome. This year the class will continue
studying the Book of Deuteronomy. The class meets once a month on a Sunday at 7:00 pm, and rotates locations
between Har Shalom and Emmanuel Lutheran. The next class will be held on February 12 at Har Shalom.
REGISTER WITH SHARI BENOWITZ, 301-299-7087, EXT. 228—SBENOWITZ@HARSHALOM.ORG
4
www.harshalom.org
301-299-7087
Early childhood education
Early Childhood Center: 301-299-7087, ext. 235 • Email: LLaor@harshalom.org • Liran Laor, Director
Reenactment of the Hanukah Story
11 Week Summer Program
@ Har Shalom ECEC
T
his year the ECEC
community, with the
help of the clergy, reenacted
the story of Hanukah. The
reenactment of the story
was a wrap-up of the entire
classroom Hanukah learning
experience. The children
prepared for the reenactment
by creating costumes and props for the play.
June 12 to August 24, 2012
Half-Day and Full-Day Programs
Ages 2-5
Join us for a great summer
experience
The idea behind the
reenactment was to engage the
children in active learning. By
taking part in the reenactment,
the children gained a tangible
experience of the story. Each
year, your child’s experience
changes according to his/her
developmental stage, with a
different layer of understanding emerging.
art Gallery
Don’t miss the early sign-up discounts!
Contact Liran Laor, Director, ECEC
301-299-7087, ext. 244, or llaor@harshalom.org
www.HarShalomECEC.org
gemilut hasadim
Gemilut Hasadim: 301-299-7087, ext. 314 • Email:
GemilutHasadim@harshalom.org • Hilary Weiss, Chairman
Art Gallery: 301-299-7087, ext. 310 • Email: ArtGallery@
harshalom.org • Fran Abrams, Chairman
“Scenes and Ceramics” Continues
S
cenes and Ceramics” will be on display through Monday,
February 27. Featured on the walls are art quilts by Eileen
Doughty, Vienna, Va.; pastel paintings by Jean Hirons, Rockville,
Md.; and oil paintings by Judy Gilbert Levey, Bethesda, Md. Each
artist brings a different medium to landscapes, each with unique
results, but all with the effect of taking you away to special places.
“
A Professional teachers
A Sports & water play
A Art & music
A Special performances & more…
The showcases display the ceramics of Yonina Blech-Hermoni,
Rockville, Md., who creates both trompe l’oeil handbags that look
entirely real but are made from clay and other materials such as chain
handles, and functional pottery including bowls and mugs.
In order to examine these works in detail and learn more about
the artists, go to the Har Shalom home page, click on the “What’s
Happening” tab, and then click on “Har Shalom Art Gallery.”
Gallery Har Shalom is located on the walls and in the glass
showcases between the Burke Sanctuary and the Stempler Social Hall.
As you travel the hallway, be sure to stop and look at the beautiful work
on display, and remember that all work is for sale. Sales forms are
available in the rack on the Gallery wall, and purchases can be made at
the office. Remember that a percentage of all sales benefits Har Shalom.
February Collection: Focus on Foods
T
hank you to everyone who donated hats, scarves, and
warm socks during January’s “Collection of the Month.”
The donated items were given to the Montgomery County
Men’s Shelter and JSSA. The February collection is convenience foods and
kid-friendly foods to be donated to Food and Friends and
Manna Food Center Smart Snacks.
Disability Shabbat (continued from page 1)
Mr. Kaufman has a long list of awards and other honors,
including The ARC of Maryland’s award for “Outstanding
Volunteer Service in Governmental Affairs,” the National Young
Leaders Conference’s “Youth Leadership Award,” the Yes I Can!
Foundation for Exceptional Children’s “Self Advocacy Award,” and
the “President’s Award for Educational Excellence.”
The Shabbat Kiddush, sponsored by the Kulanu Committee,
will feature baked goods from Sunflower Bakery, where people with
disabilities learn transferable job skills. Other activities for Jewish
Disability Awareness Month include our yearly lobby display and
special Shabbat prayer each week. The ECEC, Religious School,
and Youth Department are also planning events.
www.harshalom.org
301-299-7087
5
world jewry
World Jewry: 301-299-7087, ext. 311 • Email: WorldJewry@harshalom.org • Hal Freed, Chairman
Congregants Encouraged to Learn More About AJIRI
T
he mission of the American Jewish International
Relations Institute (AJIRI) is to educate the public about
the United Nation’s program to delegitimize Israel, and how
that program can be brought to an end. Our own Leon
Weintraub is on the AJIRI Board of Directors and can respond
to your questions about the Institute. Information about
AJIRI can also be found on their website at www.AJIRI.us.
The Har Shalom World Jewry Committee, as part of its
focus on advocacy, is supportive of AJIRI’s efforts and asks that
you save the date of Sunday, March 25, at 7:15 pm, to join
the Committee in a community-wide fundraising event for the
Institute. The event will be held at Ohr Kodesh Congregation in
Silver Spring, Maryland. The program will offer a discussion of
the current situation in the U.N., as well as AJIRI’s efforts and
successes. Featured speakers will include Senator Ben Cardin,
U.S. Senator from Maryland, and Ambassador Ron Prosor,
Israel’s Representative to the U.N. Ambassador Marlene Moses,
from the Pacific Island State of Nauru, will be honored for her
support of Israel in the U.N. A dessert reception will follow and
dietary laws will be observed. Contact Leon Weintraub or the
World Jewry Committee at the phone number or email address
at the top of this column for more information about AJIRI and
the March 25 fundraising event.
Please see AIPAC Policy Conference
information on page 7.
Welcome to Witold Dzielski
On January 8, the Har Shalom World
Jewry Committee and the Men’s Club
presented speaker Witold Dzielski,
first Secretary of the Polish Embassy in
Washington. Among his duties is a focus
on Polish-Jewish affairs. The program
was the first 2012 Men’s Club Sunday
Speakers Series and Brunch sessions.
Witold Dzielski
Daytimers
Daytimers: 301-299-7087, ext. 275 • Email: Daytimers@harshalom.org • Jerry and Selma Miller, Co-Chairs
Activist in Interfaith Dialogue to
Address Daytimers
I
nterfaith activist Dylan Kaplan, researcher and assistant
to Ambassador Akbar Ahmed, Ibn Kaldun Chair of Islamic
Studies at American University, will be the guest speaker at the
Daytimers Forum on Wednesday, February 8, at 12:30 pm. In
a talk entitled “Jewish-Muslim Relations,” Kaplan will describe
efforts to bring both communities together.
As an American University student and undergraduate senator,
Kaplan represents 6,000 students in the student government. In a
recent statement, he observed: “Interfaith dialogue is a challenging
enterprise at this time of widespread Islamophobia, prejudice, and
a media that often increases misunderstanding among people.”
Our speaker’s presentation will underscore this challenge.
The brown-bag dairy forums are held monthly, September
to June, from 12-2 pm, and are free and open to all. Desserts are
always served.
An Israeli Thriller—Fourth Film in
Festival Series Screenings
A
n edge-of-the-seat thriller—“Time of Favor” (Israel—
1 hour, 30 minutes)—will be screened at the
6
Daytimers Film Festival on Wednesday, February 15,
beginning promptly at 12:30 pm. The central character
in this tension-filled film is a highly respected Israel Defense
Forces (IDF) soldier who is also a devout student of a
controversial West Bank settlement rabbi. Despite official
concerns, the soldier is leading an army unit made up of
other students of the rabbi. Further complications include
the rabbi’s beautiful daughter and a plot to blow up the
Temple Mount.
The film will be introduced by Marie Kramer who,
together with Sam Kramer, conducts the popular Daytimers
Film Festival, which runs monthly through April. Bring a
dairy or pareve lunch at noon, and stay for the film that begins
at 12:30 pm. Dessert is always served.
The TABLET is in color online each
month. Go to www.harshalom.org,
click on “What’s Happening,” and go
to “TABLET Online.”
The current issue and earlier issues
are available to download.
www.harshalom.org
301-299-7087
Join us for three
of the most
important days
affecting Israel’s
future.
www.harshalom.org
301-299-7087
7
house tour
programs of interest
House Tour: 301-299-7087, ext. 336 •
Email: Info@PotomacHouseTour.org •
Joan Levenson and Jack Markowitz, Chairmen
Sisterhood to Host House Tour
Luncheon on Sunday, May 20
Men’s Club to Greet, Post Road Signs
N
ew for this year’s 4th Annual Potomac Spring House
Tour are expanded roles for Sisterhood and Men’s Club.
Sisterhood will be offering lunch at Har Shalom on House
Tour Sunday, May 20. Men’s Club will supply a houseful
of Greeters for one of the Tour Homes and will be posting
House Tour signs along area roads in May.
Still needed are a few more special homes to be one of
our Tour’s “Homes of Distinctive Quality.” If you have a
suggestion or connection to a special home, please contact
House Tour Co-Chair Joan Levenson.
Har Shalom members can also help by identifying
businesses to be asked to place ads. Not only do advertisers
get their ad in the House Tour Guide Book, but their ad also
appears in the TABLET, and there is a link from the House
Tour website to the website of the advertiser’s company.
(See www.PotomacHouseTour.org to see which companies
supported Har Shalom last year by advertising with us.)
We need your suggestions of contractors and other vendors
you’ve used, as the success rate from members’ suggestions
is much better.
We also need a few volunteers to send out faxes or make
those calls to potential advertisers. There are no cold calls,
as these advertisers have all been contacted beforehand.
You’ll get a complete script, copies of all forms, and a list
of frequently asked questions. For more information, please
contact Advertising Chair David Epstein.
Community Sing And Erev Shira
Rousing Launch for Har Shalom Community
Singers!
A
t 7:00 pm on Sunday, January 8, a hearty group of about
20 Har Shalomers participated in our first monthly
“Community Sing.” With Hazzan Ozur Bass on guitar,
Judd Kessler on piano, and Michal Marcus contributing her
resonant voice (plus some lesser known songs), the group
sounded great. Music and lyrics were provided for songs in
Hebrew, English, Yiddish, and Ladino. Little by little, the
group, seated in the Gordon Sanctuary, gathered momentum
until, for the last half hour, we were all standing around the
piano and guitar in a real hamish hootenanny. The date of
our next Community Sing will be announced soon.
For more information, contact Judd Kessler or
Michal Marcus, or call the office at 301-299-7087.
To celebrate the holiday of Tu B’Shevat, the first
community Erev Shira, “Planting the Seeds of Song,” will take
place Saturday evening, February 11, at 8:00 pm, at Shaare
Tefila Congregation. More information to be provided soon! Adult Education Paper-Cut Mizrah
Class—December 13, 2011
O
n December 13, 2011, the Adult Education Committee
sponsored a Jewish studio art class, “Paper-Cut Mizrah.”
Attendees created their own mizrah, a marker on the eastern
wall of a house, showing the direction of Israel and Jerusalem.
Using a template created by professional artist Stefie Jo
Heideman, participants created their own backgrounds out
of pastels.
A form to offer suggestions for advertisers, or distinctive
homes, or to volunteer to help, even if just for one afternoon,
is on page 12. An ad form is on page 13 if you would like
to place an ad for your business or give a form to a local
business you know.
We also need a few more volunteers to be Greeters at a
House Tour home on either Sunday, May 20, or Monday,
May 21. For more information, please contact Greeter Chair
Valerie Gordon.
If you cannot reach any of the listed Chairs directly, please
use the contact information shown at the top of this article.
Left to right: Participants in the paper-cut session included
Joanna Rubin, Alyse Steinborn, Stefie Jo Heideman, and Marie
Kramer.
8
www.harshalom.org
301-299-7087
“Bye Bye Birdie” (continued from page 1)
family news
Mazal tov to:
Bena & Stan Siegel on their grandson, Avishai Wilcox,
becoming a Bar Mitzvah on November 27, 2011, at Beth
Shalom Congregation in Columbia, Maryland. The proud
parents are Debbie & Rob Wilcox.
Noah Smith, son of Amy & Mitch Smith and grandson of
Marlene & Marty Kossoff, whose Rockville Football Team,
the Steelers, won the Maryland State Youth Championship.
(See the photo of Noah on this page.)
Marty Kossoff on celebrating his 80th birthday
Marlene Kossoff on celebrating her 70th birthday.
Judy & Michael Abramowitz on the birth of their grandson,
Benjamin Aaron Abramowitz, in California. The proud
parents are Jen & Adam Abramowitz.
Leslie & Irwin Altschuler on the birth of their
granddaughter, Zoe Ebenstein, on December 27, 2011. The
proud parents are Lauren & Eric Ebenstein.
Noah Smith
Condolences to:
Alan Schick on the passing of his sister, Rosalyn Schick.
Linda Miller on the passing of her mother, Cecelia Waletzky.
Lisa Raker on the passing of her mother, Evelyn Lurie.
Donald Hurwitz on the passing of his mother, Ruth
Hurwitz.
Susan Weiss on the passing of her mother, Sylvia
Diamondstein.
David Doar on the passing of his mother, Ruth Doar.
Barbara Kurland on the passing of her father, Donald Olender.
celebrating becoming
bat mitzvah in february
2/11/12
Danielle Katz
daughter of
Joe and Rachel Katz
We hope you will be able to attend one of our
performances. Tickets for this musical are available online at
www.harshalom.org or by sending in your ticket reservation
form (see page 10 for the form). Tickets are selling fast, so
buy them now. If seats are still available, tickets will also be
sold at the door one hour before each performance.
Ticket prices for the show are $20/adults and $15/
children under 13. To show your support for the Har
Shalom Players and the synagogue, please purchase Patron
tickets for $75/adult and $36/child under 13. A Patron ticket
entitles you to reserved/preferential seating in the Burke
Sanctuary for the show, reserved parking, and recognition in
the “Bye Bye Birdie” program.
“Bye Bye Birdie” is one of those timeless musical
comedies which continue to captivate audiences around the
world. The storyline is fairly simple, set in the early 1960s,
and loosely based on the true story of singer Elvis Presley’s
induction into the Army. In this instance, a rock ’n roll singer
by the name of Conrad Birdie has been called up to serve his
country. Conrad’s agent, Albert Peterson, is a “Mama’s boy,”
unable to manage anyone successfully without his ever-faithful
secretary, Rosie Alvarez, by his side.
Rosie devises the inspired plan to grab some final publicity
for Conrad by arranging for one last public appearance before
he goes into the Army. Rosie’s idea is to give one lucky young
lady “One Last Kiss” on the renowned Ed Sullivan television
show. Kim MacAfee, from Sweet Apple, Ohio, is the lucky
teen who wins the honor. The MacAfee household is thrown
into a spin by the presence of Conrad Birdie, with Harry
MacAfee (Kim’s father) becoming particularly upset. Harry
cannot understand the disruption to his ordered lifestyle and
tries his hardest to stop proceedings; that is, until he gets
drawn up into the Conrad Birdie Sweet Apple hysteria and
ends up behaving like a true ham in front of the television
camera. The “One Last Kiss” on television does not happen,
however, due to the intervention of Hugo, Kim’s “steady”
(boyfriend).
The parents of Sweet Apple cannot understand the antics
of this new generation and give vent to their feelings in the
well-known song “Kids.” Rosie, in the meantime, has been
waiting for eight years for Albert to shrug off his overbearing
mother so Rosie can marry him, but when that seems never
likely to happen, she decides to make a big change in her life.
Albert’s mother has always painted Rosie as a Latin American
spitfire, so that is what she decides to become, managing to
transform herself into “Spanish Rose.” Of course, the show
has a happy ending with Kim reunited with Hugo, as well
as Rosie with Albert in the song “Rosie.” Other well-known
songs in the show include “Put on a Happy Face” and “A Lot
of Livin’ to Do.”
We look forward to seeing you on either February 25 or
February 26. We know you will enjoy the show.
www.harshalom.org
301-299-7087
9
“Bye Bye Birdie” At Congregation Har Shalom
Book by Michael Stewart; Music by Charles Strouse; Lyrics by Lee Adams; Originally Produced by Edward Padula
Produced by arrangement with, and the music and dialogue material furnished by,
TAMS-WITMARK MUSIC LIBRARY, INC., 560 Lexington Ave.; New York, NY; 10022
Order tickets online at www.harshalom.org or mail or return this ticket order form to:
Congregation Har Shalom; 11510 Falls Road; Potomac, MD 20854 / Fax Number: 301-299-2247
Name ___________________________________________________________________________________________
Address _____________________________________________ City, State, Zip _______________________________
Phone ____________________________ Email _________________________________________________________
Patron of the Arts Tickets/Reservations
____Patron tickets @ $75 (adult) Circle: (February 25 at 8 pm or February 26 at 3 pm)
$ __________
____Patron tickets @ $36 (under age 13) Circle: (February 25 at 8 pm or February 26 at 3 pm)
$ __________
Patron tickets include reserved parking, preferred seating, and listing in program.
Please list name(s) for program as follows: _________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
General Admission Tickets/Reservations
_______ tickets @ $20 (adult) for Saturday, February 25, at 8 pm
$ __________
_______ tickets @ $15 (under age 13) for Saturday, February 25, at 8 pm
$ __________
_______ tickets @ $20 (adult) for Sunday, February 26, at 3 pm $ __________
_______ tickets @ $15 (under age 13) for Sunday, February 26, at 3 pm $ __________
Group Sales Circle either:
(February 25, at 8 pm or February 26, at 3 pm)
_______A block of 25+ tickets may be purchased at reduced rates:
$15 (adult) $10 (under age 13) per ticket _____ adult tickets; _____ child tickets $ __________
Total:
$ __________
All ticket reservations will be held at Har Shalom. Check-in begins one hour prior to show.
_____ A check in the amount of $_________ payable to Congregation Har Shalom is enclosed.
_____ Charge my credit card as follows: (Please note that a 2.5% convenience fee will be charged for credit card
transactions. Minimum fee is $1.00 per transaction.)
Name as written on the credit card (please print) _____________________________________________
Type of Card:
____Visa
____MasterCard Card Number __________________________________________Exp. Date (month/year) ____________
Authorized Credit Card Signature ________________________________________________________
If you have any questions about obtaining tickets, please contact Jeff Cohen at 301-299-7087, ext. 302, or email:
Play@harshalom.org.
10
www.harshalom.org
301-299-7087
Clergy (continued from page 2)
throughout our lives. By preparing an insightful d’var Torah,
I hope that our kids come to see our tradition as vibrant, wise,
and stimulating. As a result, I pray that they will continue
to look to Jewish values and teachings as they try to navigate
themselves through the complexities and obscurities of life.
4. I pray that the process of becoming a bar or bat
mitzvah creates a bond and a meaningful rapport between
the students, and their rabbi and hazzan. I want our kids
to know that their rabbi and hazzan are always available
to them—for questions, for support, for ongoing Jewish
learning, and as two more people in their lives who care
about them unconditionally. Our tradition teaches: “Asei
leha rav, u’knei leha haveir, Acquire for yourself a rabbi (or,
for that matter, a hazzan) and a friend.” Long gone are the
days of the inaccessible, far-removed clergy who people (and
especially kids) never got close to over time. My vision of
the rabbinate (and I know this is shared by Hazzan Ozur
Bass in his cantorate) is one of openness and accessibility, and
subsequent to studying, preparing, and celebrating their bar
or bat mitzvah, I want our kids to know that we are not only
their rabbi and hazzan, but also their friends.
In truth, I could go on and on, and perhaps I will in
future columns. While I hear many people refer to the bar
or bat mitzvah as an event or a ceremony, the terms “bar
mitzvah” or “bat mitzvah” actually apply to the person, the
12- or 13-year-old young man or woman who is becoming
a “son” or “daughter of the commandments.” The greatest
outcome of this process is for our kids to see themselves as
just that: Jews who have taken their places in the covenantal
relationship between God and the Jewish people; Jews who
are striving to live holier, better lives through the performance
of mitzvot; Jews who are passionately and irrevocably a part
of the great drama of Jewish civilization. This is my hope.
This is my answer to the question: “What do you hope this
celebration will mean for the future Jewish life of your son
or daughter?”
Biy’didut (in friendship),
Rabbi Raskin
www.harshalom.org
301-299-7087
11
POTOMAC SPRING HOUSE TOUR
MAY 20-21, 2012
CAN YOU GIVE A FEW MINUTES TO HELP HAR SHALOM?
See below for some of the ways you can have fun, make new friends,
be part of a great event, and help our congregation.
1) Give us the names of contractors you’ve used—we’ll contact them. It’s a great way to help these
companies grow and spread their message to the Potomac community. Suggest anyone you’ve used for renovation or an
addition, landscape or tree work, painting, carpeting or flooring, tile, plumbing, electrical, paving and masonry, catering,
transportation, travel services, kitchens and baths, interior design, windows, professional services (accountants, lawyers,
architects, etc.). Use the tear-off form below.
2) Suggest a special house to be on the House Tour. Houses must be in Potomac, Bethesda, or surrounding
areas. You can contact the owners if you want to, or we’ll do it for you.
3) Join a House Tour committee. Be a Greeter § Send faxes or emails to potential advertisers § Man a ticket
booth for an hour § Sell raffles or tour tickets § Distribute fliers § Post road signs § Obtain donations for our raffle §
Make follow-up phone calls § Assemble tote bags § Write house descriptions § Provide administrative help
If each of us does a little, together we create something big for our Har Shalom community.
For more information or to offer ideas or help, please contact House Tour chairs Joan Levenson or
Jack Markowitz at Info@PotomacHouseTour.org; or 301-299-7087, ext. 336; or use the tear-off form below.
Yes, I’ll help! NAME ___________________________________________________________________________________
TEL. #______________________________________________EMAIL______________________________________________
CONTRACTOR NAME / CONTACT INFORMATION: If you can give us the name of a person to speak with, that
would be very helpful. If not, just the name(s) of the company and any contact information will help Har Shalom. Thanks.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
I HAVE A HOUSE TO SUGGEST: (Address and contact information please) ________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
I’LL JOIN A COMMITTEE AND HELP WITH: _______________________________________________________________
Please return the tear-off portion to the House Tour box in the Har Shalom office. Thank you for your help.
12
www.harshalom.org
301-299-7087
2012 Potomac Spring House Tour
sponsored by Congregation Har Shalom
Sunday & Monday, May 20-21, 9:30 am-4:00 pm
ADVERTISING CONTRACT
Congregation Har Shalom invites you to participate in the 2012 Potomac Spring House Tour. There are two options:
Tote Bag and the House Tour Guide Book. Tour participants will receive both items. Additionally, your company’s
name/website link will appear on the House Tour website—www.PotomacHouseTour.org—and your ad will also appear
in Har Shalom’s newsletter. All ads will be printed in black and white. (Ads priced at $550 or more include one free
House Tour ticket, a $25 value). Thank you for your support.
Business Name:_________________________________________________________________________________
Contact Person:__________________________________________________________________________________
Signature: ______________________________________________________________________________________
Mailing Address: ________________________________________________________________________________
City:_______________________________________ State:_______________________ Zip:______________
Telephone # (day): ____________________________ Email:__________________________________________
Location/Size (choose one)—Dimensions (inches)—Cost
q Tote Bag................................ 4.5 wide x 3.50 high............$1,000 (incl. 1 free ticket plus a full page ad in the Guide Book)
q Back Cover....................... 4.5 wide x 3.50 high......... $600 (incl. 1 free ticket)
q Inside Front Cover............ 4.5 wide x 7.50 high......... $550 (incl. 1 free ticket)
q Inside Back Cover............ 4.5 wide x 7.50 high......... $550 (incl. 1 free ticket)
q Full Page........................... 4.5 wide x 7.50 high......... $375
10% d
i
q ¾ Page.............................. 4.5 wide x 5.25 high......... $325
if pai scount
d
q ½ Page.............................. 4.5 wide x 3.25 high......... $250
by We in full
dnesd
q ¼ Page Horizontal ........... 4.5 wide x 1.75 high......... $150
a
A
pril 4 y,
q ¼ Page Vertical................. 2.0 wide x 3.50 high......... $150
Ad Deadline: Friday, April 20
q Enclosed is my camera-ready copy in grey scale (no color please).
q Enclosed is my disk containing my ad in one of the following formats: PDF, Word, Adobe Illustrator.
q I will email the graphic artist directly with my file—send to Advertise@PotomacHouseTour.org.
Payment Information:
q Check enclosed made payable to Congregation Har Shalom (“House Tour” on the memo line).
q Please charge my credit card:
Visa
MasterCard (please circle one)
Name as written on the credit card ___________________________________________________________________________
Card number________________________________________________ Exp. date (month/year) __________________________
Authorized credit card signature _____________________________________________________________________________
Please send payment information to: Har Shalom House Tour; 11510 Falls Road; Potomac, MD 20854.
Ad order forms and credit card information may also be faxed to: 301-299-2247.
For more information… Please contact us at 301-299-7087, ext. 336, or email Advertise@PotomacHouseTour.org.
www.harshalom.org
301-299-7087
13
February 2012 calendar
sunday
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursd
12:15 PM
Sisterhood 6:45 AM
Daytime Book Club— 10:00 AM
Those Who Save Us
7:45 PM
Ma’ariv 7:45 PM
8:00 pm
Conversational
Hebrew
1
9:00 AM
9:00 AM
9:00 AM
10:30 AM
7:45 PM
No Kesher Class
6:45 AM
Learner’s Minyan
7:45 PM
Shaharit
8:00 PM
Men’s Club World Wide Wrap
BBM First Meeting 2014
Ma’ariv
9:00 AM
9:00 AM
9:15 AM
Learner’s Minyan
Shaharit 6:45 AM
Men’s Club Sunday Speakers Series and 7:45 PM
Brunch 8:00 PM
10:00 AM 3rd Grade Hahnasat HaSiddur Workshop
10:00 AM
7th Grade SPARK Visit
12:00 PM
Kadima Event
12:00 PM
Klub Kef/Gesher Event
7:00 PM
Interfaith Bible Study
7:45 PM
Ma’ariv
13
12
9:00 AM
9:00 AM
9:00 AM
1:30 PM
6:30 PM
7:45 PM
19
8:00 AM
9:00 AM
9:00 AM
10:00 AM
12:00 PM
2:00 pm
3:00 PM
26 7:45 PM
No Religious School
Learner’s Minyan
Shaharit
Seaboard USY Great Wolf Lodge
Sleepover
Darfur Vigil at Embassy of Sudan
Sisterhood Reading, Screening, and
Eating
Ma’ariv
Sisterhood Purim Brigade
Learner’s Minyan
Shaharit
7th Grade SPARK Visit
R/S Parent-Teacher Conferences
Pre-Play Youth Department Event
Har Shalom Play 2012—
“Bye Bye Birdie”
Ma’ariv
2
Tu B’Shevat
Lunchtime 12:00 PM Daytimers Forum:
Shaharit 12:30 PM
Webinar—Wired Into Torah
Ma’ariv
Jewish-Muslim Relations
Ma’ariv 7:45 PM
Talmud with 7:45 PM
Ma’ariv
Rabbi Cahan 8:00 PM Journey through the 8:00 pm
Advanced
Siddur with Rabbi Raskin
Trope Class
8:00 pm
Conversational
Hebrew
7
6
5
8
6:45 AM
10:00 AM
7:45 PM
5:30 pm
12:30 PM
Lunchtime
Webinar—Wired Into Torah
7:15 PM
ECEC Parent
University
7:45 PM
Ma’ariv
8:00 PM Journey through the
Siddur with Rabbi Raskin
Presidents’ Day
9:00 AM
Shaharit
9:00 AM Seaboard USY Great
Wolf Lodge Sleepover
7:45 PM
Ma’ariv
8:00 PM
Talmud with
Rabbi Cahan
21
20
6:45 AM
7:45 PM
8:00 PM
Shaharit
Ma’ariv
Talmud with
Rabbi Cahan
8:00 PM Congregation Board
Meeting
12:30 PM
Lunchtime
Webinar—Wired Into Torah
6:30 PM R/S Parent-Teacher
Conferences
7:45 PM
Ma’ariv
8:00 PM Journey through the
Siddur with Rabbi Raskin
28
27
page 14
15
7:45 PM
8:00 PM
8:00 pm
8:00 pm
22
7:45 PM
8:00 PM
8:00 pm
8:00 pm
29
Mish
Avo
USY
Lou
9
12:00 PM
Daytimers Film
Shaharit
No Religious School
Festival: “Time of Favor” 6:45 AM
Ma’ariv 12:30 PM
Lunchtime 7:45 PM
Ma’ariv 10:00 AM
Talmud with
Webinar—Wired Into Torah 8:00 PM Men’s Club Board
Rabbi Cahan 7:45 PM
Ma’ariv
Meeting 7:45 PM
8:00 pm
Advanced
Trope Class
8:00 pm
Conversational
Hebrew
14
Mishn
Avo
Mish
Av
16
Ma’ariv
Adult Kids Club
Card Night
Advanced
Trope Class
Conversational
Hebrew
Rosh Hodesh A
6:45 AM
10:00 AM Mish
Avo
7:45 PM
7:45 PM Minyan an
8:00 PM
Ro
23
Ma’ariv 6:45 AM
Men’s Club Scotch 10:00 AM
Tasting
Advanced 7:45 PM
Trope Class
Conversational
Hebrew
March 1
Mishn
Avo
day
friday
Shaharit 5:14 PM
na Study— 6:30 PM
odah Zarah
Ma’ariv
Shaharit
hna Study—
odah Zarah
Ma’ariv
Y/8th Grade
unge Night
Youth Shabbat with JDS Graduates
Candle Lighting
Shaharit
Kabbalat Shabbat 9:30 AM
Parasha: B’shallah/Shabbat Shirah
5:00 PM Minha, Torah Study, and Ma’ariv
6:00 PM
ECEC Havdalah Program
4
3
5:22 PM
6:00 PM
6:30 PM
7:15 PM
6:00 pm
10
Shaharit 5:30 PM
hna Study— 6:30 PM
vodah Zarah
Ma’ariv
Candle Lighting
Musical Kabbalat
Shabbat
Kabbalat Shabbat
Congregation
Dinner
R/S K-2 Service
& Dinner
9:30 AM
Shaharit
Bat Mitzvah: Danielle Katz
Parasha: Yitro
10:30 AM
Junior Congregation
5:05 PM Minha, Torah Study, and Ma’ariv
8:00 pm
Community Sing
11
Candle Lighting 9:30 AM
Shaharit
Kabbalat Shabbat
Parasha: Misphatim, Shabbat Shekalim
Kulanu Shabbat
10:30 AM
Gan Shabbat
5:15 PM Minha, Torah Study, and Ma’ariv
17
Adar
Rosh Hodesh Adar
Shaharit 5:37 PM
Candle Lighting
hna Study— 6:30 PM Kabbalat Shabbat
odah Zarah
Ma’ariv
nd Martinis
Sisterhood
osh Hodesh
24
saturday
18
9:30 AM
Shaharit
Parasha: T’rumah
10:30 AM
Junior Congregation
5:20 PM Minha, Torah Study, and Ma’ariv
7:00 pm
Kadima Sock Hop & Dinner
8:00 PM
Har Shalom Play 2012—
“Bye Bye Birdie”
25
Shaharit 9:00 AM Art Gallery March/ 9:00 AM
Kadima Kallah
na Study—
April Show Begins 9:30 AM
Shaharit
odah Zarah 9:00 AM
Kadima Kallah
Parasha: T’tzavveh
Ma’ariv 5:45 PM
Candle Lighting 5:30 PM
Minha, Ma’ariv, Havdalah
6:30 PM Kabbalat Shabbat
Bat Mitzvah: Samantha Klein
5:30 PM Minha, Torah Study, and Ma’ariv
2
3
page 15
The TABLET is in color online each
month. Go to www.harshalom.org,
click on “What’s Happening,” and go
to “TABLET Online.”
The current issue and earlier issues
are available to download.
men’s club
Men’s Club: 301-299-7087, ext. 411 • Email: MensClub@harshalom.org • Joe Kromash, President
Important Events This Month
World Wide Wrap—Sunday, February 5, at 9:00 am
Join the World Wide Wrap at 9:00 am
on Sunday, February 5, as we assemble
to put on tefillin as a group. Members will
be available to provide refresher training to
those of us who are rusty in the skills needed
to carry out this religious obligation. Bring
along your post-Bar/Bat Mitzvah sons and daughters for this
worldwide acknowledgement of our Judaic heritage.
Sunday Speakers Series and Brunch, Featuring
Rabbi Adam J. Raskin—Sunday, February 12, at
9:15 am — NOTE THE CHANGED DATE
If you haven’t had the opportunity to hear
and learn from Rabbi Raskin, this is your chance.
His topic will be “Why Purim Is the Most
Important Holiday on the Jewish Calendar.”
Join us for our regular Q&A following the talk,
and an informal discussion with the speaker for
a few minutes at the end of the brunch. Come
enjoy the food, friends, and learning experience.
Second Annual Scotch Tasting—Wednesday,
February 29, at 8:00 pm
This year’s Scotch Tasting on Wednesday, February 29, at
8:00 pm, will feature a speaker from the Macallen Distillery.
His short talk will be followed by a tasting of Macallen
Scotch. This event provides an opportunity to taste one of
the finest single malt whiskeys, often called the
Rolls Royce amongst malts. Also, discounted
liquors will be available at auction. There will be
a suggested donation of $15 to attend the event
if paid in advance, and $20 if paid at the door.
To pay in advance, please send in a check made
payable to the Men’s Club, and mail the check
to: Congregation Har Shalom; 11510 Falls Road; Potomac,
MD; 20854; Attention: Men’s Club. You may also register
online, as noted below.
You must be over 21 to enter the Social Hall or to register
online at: www.harshalom.org by going to the direct link.
Third Annual Men’s Club Health Fair:
Sunday, March 4—10:00 AM-2:00 PM
T
he third annual “Congregation Har Shalom Health
and Wellness Event” is scheduled for Sunday, March 4,
from 10:00 am-2:00 pm. The event begins at 9:15 am with
the March Sunday Speakers Series and Brunch, featuring a
16
noted health and wellness expert speaking about a subject of
interest to our congregational membership (men, women,
and our families). The brunch is followed by a Health Fair
which will feature numerous health screenings performed by
the health educators and nurses from Adventist HealthCare.
Our Health Fair will also include many local vendors sharing
their educational information, programs, and products that
encourage a healthy lifestyle. Refreshments will be available
throughout the event.
This event has been very well attended in the past two years,
and we look forward to your continued participation this year.
If you know vendors who are in a health-related business, please
ask them to participate. Details can be provided by the Health
Fair Event Coordinator, Rob Trachman. You may contact
him directly, or you may get in touch with the Men’s Club at
the telephone number or email address at the top of this page.
Vendors (maximum of 15) receive a six-foot-long
rectangular table with tablecloth to display and distribute
their information, programs, and products. Set up begins at
9:00 am. In past years, approximately 125-175 Har Shalom
congregants and friends participated in the program. Vendors
are asked for a $36 cash donation to the Men’s Club at Har
Shalom, and for gift certificates worth approximately $50
(total), awarded by raffle to Health Fair participants. To win
the raffle, participants must visit each of the vendors.
Second Annual Hanukah Latke Party
M
en’s Club organized a Hanukah latke party for the Religious
School students on Sunday, December 18,
2011. Men’s Club made latkes and served the
students the delicious potato pancakes, which were
accompanied by apple sauce and sour cream. The
students had a great time eating, singing Hanukah
songs, and playing dreidel. Eitan Goodman, the
Religious School music teacher, did a wonderful
job playing his guitar and leading the holiday songs,
inspiring the students to sing enthusiastically. Rabbi Deborah
Cohen, the Director of Congregational Learning, organized
another great Hanukah celebration.
Sisterhood provided the students with gifts to take home
after the party, including Hanukah candles, dreidels, and gelt.
Men’s Club is looking forward to sponsoring another latke
party next year for the Religious School students. In addition,
Men’s Club is looking for volunteers in general, and is especially
looking for volunteers who would like to get involved in future
programs with the Religious School. This would be a wonderful
opportunity to have fun, meet congregants, and enrich your
children’s and grandchildren’s Religious School experience. For
more information, contact Men’s Club at the phone number or
email address at the top of this page.
www.harshalom.org
301-299-7087
men’s club
Men’s Club: 301-299-7087, ext. 411 • Email: MensClub@harshalom.org • Joe Kromash, President
Adult Kids Club Hosts Several
Winter Programs
Rob Trachman for supplying the major effort to get
vendors for the March 4 “Health and Wellness Fair,” and for
organizing that event. (See page 16 for details.)
he Adult Kids Club sponsored two recent events. In
December, 2011, we held an End-of-Fall Adult Kids
Club Dinner. This was a couples’ event attended by 18
people. After having an excellent meal at a local Italian
restaurant, we went to the home of Vic and Marla Cohen
for dessert. Everyone had a great time.
Mickey Burstein for organizing the “World Wide Wrap”
at Har Shalom on February 5 (see page 16 for details), and
for the d’var Torah talks he gives at the beginning of each
Men’s Club Board meeting.
T
The January event featured dinner at the Pita Hut
followed by seeing a movie.
We plan an evening of poker (or bridge, if participants
prefer) on Wednesday, February 22. If you are interested
in participating in this event, please contact Ken Shere or
RSVP to AdultKidsClub@harshalom.org.
Poker, Dinner, Movies, and Good
Times with the Boyz Club
Eric Horvitz for organizing the Men’s Club Tikkun
Olam project on December 25. This year we joined over a
thousand others in the Washington, D.C., area as participants
in the DCJCC’s “Volunteer Day.” Our group served brunch
and assisted with bingo at the Hebrew Home in Rockville.
Ken Shere for being honored as the Har Shalom “Blue
Yarmulke Man-of-the-Year” at the Federation of Jewish Men’s
Clubs (FJMC) Seaboard Region annual dinner on January 29.
Ken has been volunteering in the Men’s Club for 30 years.
Most recently he has organized the Adult Kids Club activities.
If you have any ideas for activities or would simply like
to volunteer some time, contact the Men’s Club at the phone
number or email address at the top of this page.
E
Five Minute Health Tip: Medical
Emergencies—The 9-1-1 Emergency
Room Process
In December, 2011, there was a “Dinner and Movie
Night” when we saw “Tower Heist” with Ben Stiller and
Eddie Murphy. There was also a “Poker Night” in January,
with old and new friends enjoying some fun and fellowship.
As the Boyz Club gains momentum, the fun times keep
rolling. If you are a man in your thirties, forties, or even your
fifties, and want to get more involved in the Har Shalom
community, come join the Boyz Club. You won’t regret it!
Presented by Jerry Breslow at the December 2011
Sunday Speakers Series and Brunch
very month the Boyz Club sponsors an event­—usually on
the third Wednesday evening of the month. Usually the
activity is playing poker, or having dinner followed by seeing
a movie. Whatever the event, everyone has a good time.
Ya s h ar Koach t o M e n’ s C l u b
Volunteers
T
he Men’s Club is able to sponsor many events because
of volunteers who donate a significant amount of their
time. Below are just a few of these volunteers to whom we
give thanks and say “yashar koah!”
David Silver and Rabbi Deborah Cohen for organizing
and coordinating with the Hebrew School to have a latke
party (see page 16 for details).
Ken Popkin and the kitchen crew for preparing the
food for all of the Men’s Club monthly Sunday brunches.
W
hen you call 9-1-1, be prepared to provide the following
information: the nature of the medical emergency,
the exact location of the emergency, the calling party’s name
and phone number, the name of the person with the medical
problem, the age of the person with the medical problem, the
specific problem, any medical history relating to the current
problem, and any other pertinent information. Keep a list
of your medicines and allergies on you. A small card in your
wallet is a convenient place to keep this list.
Remain calm, speak clearly, be prepared to answer
questions, and let the call taker ask the questions. If it is
safe to do so, stay on the phone until the call taker advises
you to hang up. THE PERSON WITH THE MEDICAL
EMERGENCY SHOULD NOT DRIVE HIMSELF OR
HERSELF TO THE HOSPITAL—wait for the rescue team.
(A brief summary of Jerry Breslow’s December 2011
remarks is presented here. The full article is printed in the
Men’s Club January newsletter which is posted on the Men’s
Club page of the Har Shalom website.)
www.harshalom.org
301-299-7087
17
sisterhood
Sisterhood: 301-299-7087, ext. 410 • Email: Sisterhood@harshalom.org • Yvonne Paretzky, President
Open Our Doors, Secure Our Gates
A
t the beginning of my term as president of Sisterhood,
I said that one of the issues we have to deal with now
stems from the fact that the religiously blended family
is the norm, not the exception, which makes finding ways to
open our doors while securing our gates so very important.
Rabbi Raskin opened the December 2011 Sisterhood
Board meeting with a d’var Torah that addressed both of
those issues and the importance of making the value of our
traditions accessible to as many as possible. All of those at that
meeting shared personal stories, experiences, and challenges
with intermarriage, conversion, welcoming, exclusion, and
community. One woman commented that, given the number
of marriages between Jews and non-Jews that result in children
who don’t have Jewish mothers, Conservative Judaism either
will have to change its definition of who is a Jew, increase
the number of female converts, or accept the inevitability of
a radically declining population. In the end, the Board passed
two motions: one that opens our doors by permitting nonJewish women to be members of Sisterhood, and one that
secures our gates by requiring Sisterhood presidents, directors,
and Board members to be Jewish.
The Sisterhood Executive Committee and Board have
passed these motions. Now these motions will come up for a
vote by the members of Sisterhood at an upcoming meeting of
the general membership. Please watch for the meeting notice.
So that everyone is fully informed of the committee’s
process and the proposed changes to the by-laws, the full
report and proposed motions are on the Sisterhood webpage
for your review. If you don’t have internet access, please call
the Sisterhood phone number at the top of this page and
request that a copy be mailed to you. If you have questions
or comments about the report or the motions, please contact
the committee chair, Rachel Katz, or any member of the
committee at SisterhoodKeruv@harshalom.org.
B’shalom,
Yvonne
Join the Bowlers Each Wednesday
E
very Wednesday morning, join
Sisterhood members at Bowl
America in Gaithersburg.
Practice begins at 10:15 am; games
begin rolling at 10:30 am. Email Ruthie
at SisterhoodBowling@harshalom.org for
details.
18
Providing Comfort and Support to
Congregants in Need
S
isterhood’s Bikkur Holim Committee provides comfort
and support to members of our congregation who may
need assistance. That assistance may include supplying a
Shabbat meal, calling to check on an individual, visiting,
or providing any other support service we can offer. If you
know of anyone who might benefit from these services, please
contact the rabbi’s office at 301-299-7087, ext. 1.
We are currently working on a guidebook of resources
for caregivers. Later in the year we are planning to offer a
program to discuss, in depth, what Bikkur Holim means to
us and how we can broaden the scope and services of the
committee.
If you are interested in serving on this committee or have
ideas you would like to share, please contact committee chair
Ronni Cristol at SisterhoodBH@harshalom.org or at the phone
number at the top of this page.
March Madness à la Seaboard Region
T
his year’s Women’s League Institute is honoring four
Seaboard Region rabbis: two who are retiring, the newest
(guess who?!?), and one who has finally found home. We will
be learning with some of the best and the brightest rabbis not
only in the Seaboard Region, but in the country.
Join your Seaboard Sisters at all four sessions:
March 1—Rabbi Reuben Landman
Congregation Har Tzeon-Agudath Achim
1840 University Blvd. West
Silver Spring, Md. 20902
March 15—Rabbi Jonah Layman
Shaare Tefila Congregation
16620 Georgia Avenue
Olney, Md. 20832
March 22—Rabbi Adam J. Raskin
Congregation Har Shalom
11510 Falls Road
Potomac, Md. 20854
March 29—Rabbi Mark Raphael
Kehilat Shalom Congregation
9915 Apple Ridge Road
Gaithersburg, Md. 20886
Class descriptions, registration information, and
directions for each class, coming soon! Can’t wait? Contact
Shelly Goldin at SGoldin18@aol.com.
www.harshalom.org
301-299-7087
sisterhood
Sisterhood: 301-299-7087, ext. 410 • Email: Sisterhood@harshalom.org • Yvonne Paretzky, President
What’s In a Name?
T
he funny thing about the annual Women’s
League Torah Fund Campaign is that it
has virtually nothing to do with Torahs. Torah
Fund got its name from the first campaign’s first
giving category at $6.11, or 611, which in Hebrew is “Torah.”
Hence, the “Torah Fund” campaign. Few names have caused
such confusion! Even long-time Torah Fund contributors still
think their contributions go to purchase and repair Torahs.
The money collected that first year of the campaign
(1942) did not go to purchase Torahs and the money collected
now isn’t used for that purpose either. Money raised by the
first campaign went to fund scholarships for students at
the Jewish Theological Seminary. Today, campaign funds
go toward scholarships not only for JTS students, but also
for scholarship funding for students at the Ziegler School
of Rabbinic Studies, Schechter Institute of Jewish Studies
in Israel, and Seminario Rabínico Latinoamericano in
Argentina. Torah Fund money also has been used to construct
dormitories, stock libraries, purchase furniture, and build
study areas. Without Torah Fund, the number and caliber
of our hazzanim, educators, lay leaders, scholars, and rabbis
would decline, and we would be the lesser for it.
When he spoke at the December 2011 Torah Fund dinner,
Rabbi Raskin moved the room to silence with his passion and
eloquence as he shared his story of finding the beauty and
vitality of Conservative Judaism in Neil Gillman’s seminal
work of the same name, and knew JTS was where he had
to be. (The full text of Rabbi Raskin’s remarks is available
on the Sisterhood web page.) When a Jewish student loses
the opportunity to learn from the likes of Neil Gillman, we
lose the opportunity to benefit from that learning. It’s a
lose-lose thing.
Did You Know?
more than the amount it receives in tuition to educate its
students. Your Torah Fund gift helps offset the difference.
No contribution is too small. It’s never too late, but
what are you waiting for? Participation in the Torah Fund
Campaign is our way of keeping a higher Jewish education
within reach of the next Rabbi Adam Raskin. Please see the
2011 Torah Fund donor list on page 20.
Send your check, made payable to JTS/Torah Fund, to
Ellen Bresnick; VP/Torah Fund; Congregation Har Shalom
Sisterhood; 11510 Falls Road; Potomac, MD; 20854.
Beautiful Items Available at the
Judaica Shop
E
mbellish your Shabbat, simha, holiday
tables, and rituals with beautiful Judaica
from Israel and around the world. Whether
you’re looking for something for your home
or a gift, you’re sure to find just the right item
by browsing the shop or online.
If your child or grandchild is going to be a Har Shalom
bar or bat mitzvah and you want to give him or her a tallit,
we have a wonderful selection. And if your child’s bar or bat
mitzvah service will be held at Har Shalom, you’ll receive a
members-only 13% discount off the marked price of any of
the shop’s tallit which you choose to purchase for your young
one’s big day. This offer applies only to tallitot purchased from
the shop, and not for online purchases.
Hours: Sundays, 9:00 am-noon; Tuesdays, 4:006:00 pm; and Fridays, 9:00-11:00 am. If you’d like to
help out by working in the Judaica Shop once or twice
a month, or to schedule an appointment, email Margo
Fonoroff at SisterhoodJudaica@harshalom.org or leave her a
message at the phone number at the top of this page.
Tuition costs for the academic year 2011-2012 at
The Jewish Theological Seminary range from $15,640 to
$29,900, depending on the program in which the student
is enrolled.
To shop online, go to the Sisterhood webpage
(HarShalom.org/organizations/sisterhood.asp) and click on
“Judaica Shop.”
Tuition costs at the Ziegler School for Rabbinic Studies
are $22,584.
It’s Vegas, Baby!
Living costs range from $21,775 to $23,275,
depending on whether the student lives on or off campus, is
married, and/or has children.
Joint/Double Degree Programs add between $21,948
and $30,112 to tuition for students enrolled in those
programs with Columbia and Barnard, respectively.
While it may cost an individual student $60,766 or more
per year for his/her education, it costs JTS and Ziegler much
I
t’s later than you think! The 2012
Women’s League Convention, set for
December 2-5, 2012, at the JW Marriott
in Las Vegas, Nevada, is coming up fast. If
you have never been to a Women’s League
Convention or if it’s been a long time since
you’ve gone, this is one not to miss. The
planning is in full gear and the result will be Ab Fab! Watch
for details.
www.harshalom.org
301-299-7087
19
sisterhood
Sisterhood: 301-299-7087, ext. 410 • Email: Sisterhood@harshalom.org • Yvonne Paretzky, President
Sisterhood
Scholarships
Available
For
USY-on-Wheels & Camp Ramah
To apply, complete the form below
and return it by April 16 to:
USY-on-Wheels & Camp Ramah Scholarship
Congregation Har Shalom Sisterhood
11510 Falls Road
Potomac, MD 20854
Questions? Send an email to the Youth Committee chair,
Eileen Sherr, at: SisterhoodYouth@harshalom.org,
or call 301-299-7087, ext. 410.
Shalom
HarHar
Shalom
Sisterhood
Sisterhood
2011-2012 / 5772
Torah Fund
Donors
2011-2012
/ 5772
Torah Fund Donors
Women’s League for Conservative Judaism
USY-on-Wheels & Camp Ramah Scholarship
Congregation Har Shalom Sisterhood
11510 Falls Road; Potomac, MD 20854
Questions? Or More Information?
Call 301-299-7087, ext. 410, or
Email SisterhoodYouth@harshalom.org
Camper’s Name:________________________________
Family Name:__________________________________
Name and Length of Program:____________________
______________________________________________
Phone Number:________________________________
Email: ________________________________________
Scholarships are not need-based; everyone should apply.
20
Women Ensuring Conservative/Masorti Jewish
Women’s
education
League for Conserva
Keter Kavod
Rita Wertlieb
Associate
Patrons
Patrons
Women Ensuring Conservative/Masorti
Jewish education
Ellen Kaner Bresnick
Marjorie Klein
Ellen Kaner Bresnick
Toby B. Holtzman
Selma Miller
Toby B. Holtzman
Sandy Myers
Nina Simon
Sandy Myers
Keter Kavod
Donna Oser
Laurie Sunshine
Donna Oser
Rita Wertlieb
Women’s League forPatrons
Conservative Judaism
Patrons
Miriam Avrunin
Kaner Bresnick
EllenEllen
Baker
Toby B. Holtzman
Rachel Becker
Kim Bernstein
Sandy Myers
Elizabeth Cahan
Donna Oser
Phyllis Coburn
MiriamHarriet
AvruninAdler
Alterman
EllenSueBaker
Mikki Ashin
Rachel
Becker
Rhoda
Bennett
Berkowitz
KimCindy
Bernstein
Seena Bulmash
Elizabeth
Cahan
Ronni Cristol
Phyllis
Coburn
Wendy
Epstein
Susan Farber
Amy Fine
Laurie Freed
Harriet
Adler
Ronnie
Ginsberg
Goldkind
SueHelen
Alterman
Janet Horn
MikkiLinda
AshinIsen
To apply, complete this form and return it by
April 16 to:
2
To
Guardians
Associate PatronsMiriam
Marsha
Schwartz
Avrunin
Lynn Mintzer
YvonneMarjorie
ParetzkyKlein
Selma Miller
Meliha Perez-Halpern
Eileen Nina
Penner
Simon
June Plotkin
Laurie
Sunshine
Hanna Lee
Pomerantz
Cindy Fishman
Sheila Hahn
Sheila Handel
Lauren Haven
Jackie Haynes
Susan Hookman
Guardians
Benefactors
EllenBena
BakerSiegel
Weiss
RachelCarole
Becker
Marcie
Oser Wertlieb
Kim
Bernstein
JoanCahan
Witorsch
Elizabeth
PhyllisAnonymous
Coburn
Christiane
Ruth Newburger MarshaHarriet
Schwartz
Lynn Mintzer
CindyLibby
Fishman
Kaufman
Adler Sorel
Carolyn
Spector
Janet Ozur Bass
Alterman
BenaSue
Siegel
SheilaHedda
Hahn Kenton Yvonne Paretzky
Alyse
Steinborn
James Patrician
Marie Kramer
Mikki
Ashin
Carole
Weiss
SheilaShelah
HandelLandsman Meliha Perez-Halpern
Elaine
Steppa
Joy Paul
Rhoda
Bennett
Tamara
Stern
Susan Rabkin Marcie Cindy
Berkowitz
Oser Wertlieb
Eileen Penner
LaurenRoberta
Haven Lasken
Jodi Susser
Margot Raphael
Leibowitz
Seena Bulmash
Joan
Witorsch
June
Plotkin
JackieCarol
Haynes
Margery
Swerdlow
Sari Raskin
Ruth Levin
Ronni
Cristol
Anonymous
Susan Hookman
Michelle
Shelley Remer
Merry Lymn Hanna Lee Pomerantz
Wendy
EpsteinTow
Fran Lubran
Judy Mag
Amy Manela
Libby Kaufman
Eva Miller
Susan Miller
Hedda Kenton
Judy Morenoff
Marie
Kramer
Harriet Nathanson
Diane
Tredwell
Marion Fertik Richter
Susan
Farber
Marjorie
Aileen Rosenberg
Amy
Fine Turgel
Yvonne
Weinreb
Leslie Saber
Laurie
Freed
Sorel
Ruth Newburger
Paula
Weisman
Graciela Schwartz Christiane
Ronnie
Ginsberg
Shirley
Willcher
Rose
Shames
Helen
Goldkind
Carolyn Spector
Janet Ozur Bass
Jan Shapiro
JanetCarol
HornWitt
Alyse Steinborn
James Patrician
Carole
Wolinsky
Sue Sitkoff
Linda
Isen
Benefactors
Elaine Steppa
Joy Paul
Shelah Landsman
Rhoda Bennett
Berakhot
Tamara Stern
Susan Rabkin
Roberta Lasken
Cindy Berkowitz
Sheila Blanche
Moldover
Faye Feder
Blanche Abel
Abel
JodiSandy
SusserSchonfeld
Margot
Raphael
Carol
Leibowitz
Seena Bulmash
Margie Glancz
Judy Abrams
Judy Abrams
Margery
Swerdlow
Ronni Cristol
Jeremy
Schwartz
Laura Sari
KatzRaskin
Phoebe Bauman Ruth Levin
Phoebe
Bauman
Shirley
Wisotsky
Lesley Cooper Merry Lymn
Lesley
Cooper
Michelle
Tow
Shelley Remer
Wendy Epstein
Contributors
Diane Tredwell
Marion Fertik Richter
Fran Lubran
Susan Farber
Esther
Childers Rohen
Marilyn Kresky-Wolff
Alice Haber
Leah Cohen
Leah Cohen
Turgel
Judy
Mag
Amy
Fine
Karen Lechter Marjorie
Ruthie Hartzman Aileen Rosenberg
Meryl Cohen
Meryl
Cohen
Annette
Rothman
Joan Levenson YvonneRon
Cooper
CooperScholl
Phyllis
Weinreb
AmyRonnie
ManelaHirschberg Leslie Saber
LaurieRonFreed
Joyce Lipman
Kandy Hutman Graciela Schwartz
Dina Fox
Dina
Fox Shub
Harriet
Paula Weisman
EvaAliza
MillerJosephson
RonnieSusie
Ginsberg
Diane Lurye
Edelson
Susie Edelson
Sue Sklar
ShirleySheryl
Willcher
Rose Shames
SusanAnita
MillerKallfelz
HelenSheryl
Goldkind
Julia Medin
Etelson
Etelson
Amy
Smith
Dr. Henry Miller
Suzanne
Suzanne
FernFefer
Solomson
Carol
Witt
JudyEmanuel
MorenoffKarbeling Jan Shapiro
Janet
Horn Fefer
Judith Popkin
Kossoff
Stephanie Fein
Fein
Rashel
Turk
CaroleStephanie
Wolinsky
Sue Sitkoff
HarrietMarlene
Nathanson
Linda
Isen
Cheryl Rod
Robin Kramer
Roz Fenton
RozBlima
Fenton
Wellek
Hannah Fisher
Blanche Abel
Judy Abrams
Phoebe Bauman
Lesley Cooper
Leah Cohen
Meryl Cohen
Ron Cooper
Dina Fox
Susie Edelson
Sheryl Etelson
Suzanne Fefer
Stephanie Fein
Roz Fenton
Hannah Fisher
www.harshalom.org
301-299-7087
Berakhot
Faye Feder
Margie Glancz
Laura Katz
Contributors
Alice Haber
Ruthie Hartzman
Ronnie Hirschberg
Kandy Hutman
Aliza Josephson
Anita Kallfelz
Emanuel Karbeling
Marlene Kossoff
Robin Kramer
Marilyn Kresky-Wolff
Karen Lechter
Joan Levenson
Joyce Lipman
Diane Lurye
Julia Medin
Dr. Henry Miller
Judith Popkin
Cheryl Rod
Hannah
Joan Fisher
Zuckerman
Sheila Moldover
Sandy Schonfeld
Jeremy Schwartz
Shirley Wisotsky
Esther Childers Rohen
Annette Rothman
Phyllis Scholl
Harriet Shub
Sue Sklar
Amy Smith
Fern Solomson
Rashel Turk
Blima Wellek
Joan Zuckerman
Cin
Sh
Sh
Lau
Jac
Susa
Lib
He
Ma
Shel
Rob
Car
R
M
Fr
J
Am
E
Su
Jud
Harr
A
Ruth
Ronn
Kan
Aliz
An
Eman
Mar
Ro
sisterhood
Sisterhood: 301-299-7087, ext. 410 • Email: Sisterhood@harshalom.org • Yvonne Paretzky, President
We’ve Got a Lot of Learning (and
Fun) For You
Alyse Steinborn, Sisterhood Vice President for
Education, explains upcoming programming.
A
re the winter doldrums getting you down? Are you
searching for a reason to get out of the house and engage
your mind, creativity, or sense of fun? Are you afraid that
it’s too late to register or participate? Not to worry…it’s
only February, and with March around the corner, there is
plenty of time to celebrate, learn, and let down your hair!
HS Sisterhood’s calendar is brimming with activities that
will make you forget the weather outside and commune with
your “sisters in the ’hood.”
Sunday, March 11…Vashti’s Banquet
A culmination of last year’s exploration
of the nuances of Purim and who was the
true champion for the Jews. Expect activities,
food, and fun. Location TBD, 5:00-7:30 pm
(approximately). Steffie Fein, Chair
Saturday, March 24…Sisterhood Shabbat—Hiddur
Mitzvah
Join the women of Har Shalom
Sisterhood as we lead Shabbat services and
explore ways to embellish mitzvot, making
them more meaningful than originally
anticipated. Cathy Horowitz, Chair
Watch for Z’havah in March
F
ebruary is a quiet month for Z’havah, but that’s not to
say we don’t have events in the planning stages! Gear up
for a movie night out on Sunday, March 18, and don’t
forget to begin reading The Dressmaker of Khair Khana,
by Gayle Tzemach Lemmon, for our book discussion on
Sunday, April 15.
Minyan and Marilyn Monroes—
Thursday, February 23, 7:45 pm
W
e started off in December, 2011, with Minyan
and Martinis. In January, at the suggestion of our
president, Jeff Ashin, we coupled Minyan with Manhattans.
For February we decided to keep the alliteration going and,
in this shortest month with the longest feel,
we decided to go with something cheery and
sassy: the Marilyn Monroe. On Thursday
evening, February 23, at 7:45 pm, come for
evening minyan, and stay to chat with others
participating in the service over a Marilyn
Monroe (with or without champagne). Come
on your own. Come with friends. Everyone is
encouraged to come. Scheduled for the fourth
Thursday of each month, a different cocktail will be featured
during these special evenings. Coming up: March 22, Minyan
and Mizrachis; April 26, Minyan and Mint Juleps; and
May 24 , Minyan and Mojitos.
Each evening is sponsored by Sisterhood.
Sunday, March 25… Passover: Gluten-Free and
Beyond
Explore what it means to be gluten-free, and taste-test
recipes that can be brought to your Passover table. Offsite.
Alyse Steinborn and Pat Rubin, Co-Chairs.
To sign up for any of these programs, email
SisterhoodEducation@harshalom.org.
All of these events require your participation
and enthusiasm and, if done correctly, are
guaranteed to warm us up even on the coldest day!
Please join us
INTERFAITH VIGIL AT THE EMBASSY OF SUDAN
2210 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W.
(3 blocks from Dupont Circle Metro)
February 1 Brings the Next Book
Club Session
E
njoy your brown-bag dairy lunch, catch
up with friends, and introduce yourself to
newbies from 12:15-1:00 pm, then engage
in the book discussion. You don’t have to have
read the book. If you have other questions,
email Phyllis Weltz at SisterhoodBookClub@
harshalom.org.
February 1—Those Who Save Us, by Jenna Blum; discussion
facilitator, Carol Leibowitz
March 7—Little Bee, by Chris Cleave; discussion facilitator,
Nan Fried
April 4—Shanghai Girls, by Lisa See; discussion facilitator,
Lynnette Spira
Sunday; February 19, 2012
1:30 to 2:30 PM
Sisterhood Tikkun Olam Committee; Marjorie Klein, Chair and World Jewry Committee; Hal Freed, Chair May 2—To the End of the Land, by David Grossman; translated
by Jessica Cohen; discussion facilitator, Ellen Bresnick
www.harshalom.org
301-299-7087
21
donations
We Gratefully Acknowledge the Following Contributions . . .
Adult Education
Fund
B’nai Mitzvah
Scholarship Fund
In Memory of:
In Honor of:
Ruth Hurwitz, mother of
Donald Hurwitz
Meryl & Jeff Cohen
Shelley & Stewart Remer
Cecelia Waletzky, mother of
Linda Miller
Meryl & Jeff Cohen
Shelley & Stewart Remer
B’nai Mitzvah of Sarah &
Samuel Solomon
Marcia Witt
Alan B. Levenson
Endowment Fund
In Honor of:
Birth of Yair Simcha Cahan,
grandson of Rabbi Leonard &
Elizabeth Cahan
Ellen & Bill Bresnick
Joan Levenson
Bar Mitzvah of Avishai
Wilcox, grandson of Bena &
Stan Siegel
Ellen & Bill Bresnick
Speedy Recovery of:
Barbara Kaplowitz
Joan Levenson
In Memory of:
Benjamin Falk, father of Joan
and grandfather of Scott
& Julie
Joan Levenson
Arlene Sidman Fund
In Memory of:
Sabina Lyon, my mother
Toni Immerman
Iris Goldfinger, wife of
Michael and mother of Amy
and Larry
Michael, Larry, and Amy
Goldfinger
Bernie Witt Fund
In Honor of:
Anne & Martin Meth
Barbara & Kurt Meyers
In Memory of:
Sylvia Ginsberg, grandmother
of Alan
Alan & Gay Feinberg
Building
Improvement Fund
In Memory of:
Joseph Levit, father of J.L. Levit
Marc & Lin Nemiroff
Helen Maler, mother of Judy
Judy & Michael Mael
Cantor Cal Chizever
ECEC Scholarship
Fund
In Honor of:
Bar Mitzvah of Brett Halpern,
son of Barbara & Andrew
Halpern
ECEC Staff Sunshine
Committee
Speedy Recovery of:
Bobbi Chizever
Margie & Owen Ritter
Madelene & Arnie Bochner
In Memory of:
Nathan Harry Rosen, father
of Morris
Morris & Honey Rosen
Charlotte & Herbert
Wool Music Fund
In Honor of:
Iris Perry
Paula & Ronald
Wurtzburger
In Memory of:
Dr. Harry Pitt
Marlene & Marty Kossoff
Lorraine, sister of Renee Zitter
Ruth & Martin Baum
Jerry Mederick, husband of
Sandra Mederick
Ruth & Martin Baum
Community of
Caring Fund
In Memory of:
22
Tilly Moses, mother of Eliot
Eliot & Christiane Sorel
Joseph Nemiroff, my father
Marc Nemiroff
Lewis Schneider, husband of
Alice Grove
Lee & Joyce Stern
Florence Feldman, sister of
Nathan Watzman
Cynthia & Sidney Fischler
Muriel Schneider, aunt of Taury
Taury & Michael Falk
Ada Finifter, sister of Leon
Weintraub
Margie & Owen Ritter
Esther Bochner, my mother
Arnold Bochner
Etz Hayim Humash
In Memory of:
David B. Feder, my husband
Faye Feder
Gemilut Hasadim
Fund
In Memory of:
Esther Bochner, my mother
Arnold Bochner
Ilene Abrams
Gemilut Hasadim
Fund
In Memory of:
Annette Sims, my mother
Sandra Levine Abrams
General Operating
Fund
Stanley Goldstein
David & Celia Barash
Roberto & Marie Friedman
In Honor of:
Birth of Sammy Logan Miller,
son of Jennifer & David Miller
Har Shalom Board of
Directors
Mishkin Family
Birth of Yair Simcha Cahan,
grandson of Rabbi Leonard &
Elizabeth Cahan
Har Shalom Board of
Directors
Florence & Izzy Wolfe
Bar Mitzvah of Avishai
Wilcox, grandson of Bena &
Stanley Siegel
Har Shalom Board of
Directors
80th birthday of Marty Kossoff
and 70th birthday of Marlene
Kossoff
Har Shalom Board of
Directors
Birth of Benjamin Aaron
Abramowitz, grandson of
Judy & Michael Abramowitz
Har Shalom Board of
Directors
Eileen Penner
Bernhard & Beverly
Penner
Engagement of Adam Eskow,
son of Roy & Julie Eskow
Anne & Jeffrey Abend
Joy & Ron Paul
The morning minyan
Deborah Fox
Speedy Recovery of:
Bobbi Chizever
Florence & Izzy Wolfe
In Memory of:
Herbert Rubenstein, brother
of Marlyn Schepartz
Har Shalom Board of
Directors
Ruthjoy Leventhal
Selma & Joe Greenberg
Florence Feldman, sister of
Nathan Watzman
Har Shalom Board of
Directors
Rosalyn Schick, sister of Alan
Schick
Har Shalom Board of
Directors
Cecelia Waletzky, mother of
Linda Miller
Har Shalom Board of
Directors
Evelyn Lurie, mother of Lisa
Raker
Har Shalom Board of
Directors
Rosalie Podoll, mother of
Janice Frankle
Har Shalom Board of
Directors
Ruth Hurwitz, mother of
Donald Hurwitz
Har Shalom Board of
Directors
Maureen Tomasulo
Saul Golubcow & Hedy
Teglasi
Jose Vazquez, father of
Graciela, and Rabbi Herman
Schwartz, father of Jeremy
Jeremy & Graciela Schwartz
www.harshalom.org
301-299-7087
Mildred Sanders, mother of
Irving J. & Henrietta
Diana
Kadish Memorial
Diana & Jack Binder
Endowment
Dr. Abraham Kahane
The Cassell Family
Oestreicher Family
In Memory of:
Bernard Braun, father of Lisa
Kenigsberg
Gerald B. Kadish, brother of
Michael Marcus
Richard
Ada Finifter, sister of Leon
Kadish Family
Weintraub
Judith Thomas Lapping
Abram Blum Library
Benjamin Abrams, father
Fund
of Dave
In Memory of:
Dave & Sandy Abrams
William P. Goldman, father
Bernard Kulik, husband of
of Ronnie
Dorothy Kulik
Ronnie & David
Roz & Joe Fenton
Hirschberg
Nathaniel Fenton, our
Mortimer Rohen, father of Gary grandson
Gary & Esther Rohen
Roz & Joe Fenton
Albert Rubin, my father
David Neuman, father of
Doris Cohen
Richard
Richard & Lois Neuman
Sylvia & M. Martin Sarill,
parents of Susan Sylvia Harris, sister of Marlyn
Susan & Leonard Miller
Marlyn & Saul Schepartz
Sabina Lyon, my mother
Toni Immerman
Hazzan’s
Anna Kunicki
Discretionary Fund
Julian Josephson
In Honor of:
Ruth Mandel Grossman
Julian Josephson
Hazzan Henrique Ozur Bass
Herbert Rubenstein, brother
Sharon & Eric Mayl &
of Marlyn Schepartz
Family
Roz & Joe Fenton
Hazzan Henrique Ozur
Bass’s role in Rabbi Raskin’s
Debbie Karch
Installation
Children’s Library
Richard & Linda Isen
Fund
In Memory of:
In Honor of:
Morris & Kay G. Zuckerberg,
Birth of Yair Simcha Cahan,
my parents
grandson of Rabbi Leonard &
Harriet Yoselle
Elizabeth Cahan
Sidney Ackerman, my father
Michelle & Leonard Tow
Michael Ackerman
In Memory of:
Nathan Harry Rosen, father
of Morris
Richard Cooper, brother of
Morris & Honey Rosen
Linda Slan
Ellen & Steve Cades
Hevra Kadisha Fund
Annie Sherman, my motherin-law
In Honor of:
Esther Sherman
Hevra Kadisha, for their help
during the shiva period for
Lucas B. Mag
my sister
Endowment
for
Leon Weintraub
USY/Kadima
In Memory of:
In Honor of:
Ralph Wolinsky, father of Joe
Birthday of Alice Haber
Joe & Carole Wolinsky
Judy & Marvin Mag
Nathan and Sheila Cristol,
Birthday of Vic Cohen
my parents
Judy & Marvin Mag
Richard Cristol
donations
Donations
(continued from
page 22)
Rabbi’s Discretionary
Fund
Lucas B. Mag
Endowment for
USY/Kadima
Bat Mitzvah of Julie Kromash
Marcia Witt
In Memory of:
Lewis Schneider, husband of
Alice Grove
Judy & Marvin Mag
In Honor of:
Birth of Yair Simcha Cahan,
grandson of Rabbi Leonard &
Elizabeth Cahan
Margie & Ron Glancz
Margie & Owen Ritter
In Memory of:
Ceil and Shel Miller, parents
of Leonard
Susan & Leonard Miller
Rae Heiney, grandmother
of Steve
Leslie & Steve Binder
In Honor of:
In Honor of:
Rabbi Raskin
Maureen & Arnie
Binderman
David & Sandy Cameron
Cheryl Kagan & David
Spitzer
Sharon & Eric Mayl &
Family
Birth of Yair Simcha Cahan,
grandson of Rabbi Leonard &
Elizabeth Cahan
Bernard Lubran & Family
Julia Medin
Judy Abrams
Ira & Susan Jaffe
In Memory of:
Morris & Lillian
Cahan Adult
Education Fund
Rabbi Emeritus
Discretionary Fund
Samuel Kramer and Fred
Rosenberg, our fathers
Brenda & Michael Kramer
Frances Leibowitz, mother of
Michael Leibowitz
John & Barbara Jackson
Mildred Zetlin, mother of
Linda
Richard & Linda Isen
Theodore Sitkoff, my husband
Susan Sitkoff
Gloria & Gerald Rotter,
parents of Cindy
Cindy & Howard
Menditch
Lila Feinberg, mother of Alan
Feinberg
Bernard Lubran & Family
In Memory of:
Samuel Kramer and Fred
Rosenberg, our fathers
Brenda & Michael Kramer
Religious School
Fund
Robert & Lisa Koppel
Siddur Sim Shalom
Fund
In Honor of:
Birth of Yair Simcha Cahan,
grandson of Rabbi Leonard &
Elizabeth Cahan
Eric & Francie Mendelsohn
In Memory of:
Daniel Moskovitz, father of
Shirley
Shirley & Philip Wisotsky
Bessie & Morris Kreitman,
my parents
Faye Feder
Ida & Aaron Feder, my
parents-in-law
Faye Feder
Torah Dedication
Fund
In Memory of:
Julius Fogel, my father
David Fogel
World Jewry Fund
In Honor of:
The Har Shalom community,
for their help and support
during my recent mourning
period
Leon Weintraub
In Memory of:
Ada Finifter, sister of Leon
Weintraub
Paul Lewis & Family
Sharon Wilkes
Isaac Bernardo, my father
Rose Schanwald
Herbert Rubenstein, brother
of Marlyn Schepartz
Alice Grove
Youth Activities Fund
In Memory of:
Joseph Levit, father of J.L.
Levit
Saul Golubcow & Hedy
Teglasi
In an effort to reduce our credit and debit card
processing expenses, all members and nonmembers will be charged a 2.5% convenience
fee for the use of credit and debit cards. All
payments (dues, tuition, donations, etc.)
processed by credit and debit cards will incur
this fee. The minimum fee will be $1.00 per
transaction.
To see the full selection of donation
categories, please go to the Har Shalom
website, www.harshalom.org, or call the
office at 301-299-7087.
A BEAUTIFUL TRADITION
Serving the Community with a Beautiful, Meaningful Memorial Park, and
Chapel; Caring, Professional Staff, and Convenient, Mid-County Location:
www.harshalom.org
301-299-7087
23
TABLET
The
Congregation Har Shalom
11510 Falls Road
Potomac, Maryland 20854
Periodicals
Postage
Paid at
rockville, md 20850
Har Shalom Members Come Out in Force for MLK Day of Service
T
he first “Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service” event at the Universities at Shady Grove on Monday, January 16,
drew about 700 volunteers to participate in projects to help those in need, from packing personal hygiene kits for people in
homeless shelters to writing notes to recovering service members.
“It’s such a wonderful day,” said Har Shalom congregant Yvonne
Paretzky, site coordinator. “It’s the only national holiday where people
are asked to do something. It’s amazing how many people come out
to serve.”
Rabbi Adam Raskin brought about 50 people from our synagogue.
“I don’t know how often people of different backgrounds have the
opportunity to get together and do something meaningful; it’s just a
wonderful way to spend the day.”
Jeff Ashin, president of Har Shalom, praised the day’s participants.
“Congratulations to Yvonne and all who helped motivate Har Shalom
with this wonderful exercise of community service. A special recognition
to Rabbi Raskin who spent a good part of
his day off participating. Thanks and yashar
koah to all who participated.”
Appreciation goes to Alison Bryant,
of the Gazette newspaper, for covering this
story. Some of her text was used in this
article.
Thanks, too, to Har Shalom congregant
Sorell Schwartz, who took the Day of
Service photos on this page.