MLK Shabbat: “The Half Life of Freedom”
Transcription
MLK Shabbat: “The Half Life of Freedom”
Volume 57, Issue 1 January 4, 2016 Amram Explores Einstein: His Space and Times A politically engaged man of his times, driven by strong moral principles, Albert Einstein comes to life in a new biography by Steven Gimbel, Chair of the Gettysburg College philosophy department and our Amram speaker at Temple on Sunday, January 10 at 10:30 am. “An avowed pacifist, Einstein’s mistrust of authority and outspoken social and scientific views earned him death threats from Nazi sympathizers in the years preceding World War II,” Professor Gimbel says. “To him, science provided not only a means for understanding the universe, but a foundation for considering the deeper questions of life — and a way for the worldwide Jewish community to gain confidence and pride in itself.” Professor Gimbel, the author of six books, explains Einstein’s theories in understandable terms and demonstrates how they directly emerged from the realities of his times and helped create the world we live in today. Published as part of Yale University Press’ “Jewish Lives” series, his new book follows a 2012 work, Continued on page 10. Congregational Conversations Keynote Offers Insight from Two Georgetown Scholars O n Wednesday, January 6 at 7:00 pm at Temple, our Congregational Conversation continues with back-to-back Keynotes. Rev. Dennis McManus, visiting Associate Professor at Georgetown University and advocate for Jewish/Christian relations, will speak on the history of anti-Semitism. Professor Jacques Berlinerblau, Director of the Program for Jewish Civilization at Georgetown University, will then discuss “The War on Secularism: A Guide for Reform Jews.” A question and answer session will follow. Father McManus’ lecture on the history of anti-Semitism is borne from his significant body of work in the area of Holocaust education. On the faculty of Georgetown University’s Program for Jewish Civilization in the School of Foreign Service, he is also Director of Georgetown’s Jan Karski Institute for Holocaust Education. Fr. McManus has served on the board of directors of the AntiDefamation League/United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Continued on page 11. MLK Shabbat: “The Half Life of Freedom” D r. Martin Luther King Jr. stood for social justice and advocacy, which are also among the central tenets of Reform Judaism. Each January, we honor Dr. King with a weekend dedicated to his legacy. Join us on Friday, January 15 as we host our partner churches and mosques for dinner at 5:30 pm and a special 7:00 pm Shabbat service. William Jelani Cobb, Associate Professor of History and Director of the Africana Studies Institute at the University of Connecticut will join our clergy on the bimah and will speak on citizenship and freedom, and the way they are undermined in times of crisis. Professor Cobb is also a staff writer at The New Yorker, where he has penned a remarkable series of articles about race, the police, and injustice. He is a featured commentator on MSNBC, NPR, CNN, Al-Jazeera, and CBS News and the author of several books, including The Substance of Hope: Barack Obama & the Paradox of Progress and To the Break of Dawn: A Freestyle on the Hip Hop Aesthetic, which was a finalist for the National Award for Arts Writing. Please join us for dinner with our guests. Reservations ($20 per person) and table sponsorships for our guests ($200) can be made online at whctemple.org/ MLKWeekend. For more information, please contact Layne Weiss, 202-895-6307 or [email protected]. WHC News Washington Hebrew Congregation M. Bruce Lustig, M.A.H.L., D.D., Senior Rabbi Susan N. Shankman, M.A.H.L., A.M.R.S., Rabbi Aaron Miller, M.A.H.L., Associate Rabbi Joseph A. Skloot, M.A.H.L., M.A., Assistant Rabbi Mikhail Manevich, Cantor Susan R.A. Bortnick, M.S.M., Cantor DJ Schneider Jensen, M.S. Ed., Director of the Edlavitch-Tyser Early Childhood Center Fran Miller, M.S. Ed., Director of the Rabbi Joseph Weinberg Early Childhood Center Ira Miller, Director of Informal Education Stephanie Tankel, M.A., M.A.J.E., RJE, Director of Religious Education Steven Jacober, Executive Director Naomi Abelson, M.A.J.C.S. & M.P.A, Director of Temple Programs & TOV Miriam Feffer, Director of Development Lindsay Fry, Director of Member Services Mohan Mistry, Director of Engineering & Maintenance Stephen Stoupa, CPA, CGMA, Director of Finance Joshua O. Haberman, D.H.L., D.D., Rabbi Emeritus Susan J. Hanenbaum, Executive Director Emerita Officers Meg Jacobs Flax, President David M. Astrove, First Vice President James Klein, Vice President Richard A. Newman, Vice President Nell Shapiro, Vice President Jeffrey Weiss, Treasurer Andrew H. Marks, Assistant Treasurer Faye Levin, Secretary Carrie Coonin, Assistant Secretary Mark D. Director, General Counsel Board of Directors Joan Adoff Rochelle Behrens Ellen R. Berlow Brian D. Friedman Deborah Goldman Sharon E. Gottlieb Jonathan Greenblatt Jessica Pearlman Isen Janet Katz Daniel Kohl Anne Lackritz Karen Leder Jeremy London David Oblon Stephanie Posner Susan Rosenblum Lynn Sachs James Salander Cathy Zeman Scheineson Richard Sussman Kimberly Wachen Joshua Weinberg Dan Werner Lewis Wiener Past Presidents Leonard I. Abel David R. Berz Stuart L. Bindeman Earl M. Colson Jay W. Freedman Susan J. Hanenbaum Sherry Bindeman Kahn Richard D. Kaufmann Hank D. Levine Kenneth L. Marks Paul J. Mason John M. Nannes Lauren S. Racoosin Froma Sandler Bob M. Shapiro David A. Vise Richard M. Young Peter L. Winik Auxiliary Presidents & Contacts Joan Adoff, EmptyNesters Dan Caplan, Brotherhood Kim & Brian Cooper and Chris McCannell & Ven Neralla, Couples Club Valerie Hillman, 2239 Elaine Melnick, The Boomers Cantor Mikhail Manevich, Prime Timers Sandy Nesbit, Sisterhood Emma Siritzky, WHECTY We Can Be Reached Temple Office ................................................. 202-362-7100 (M-Th: 9:00 am – 5:30 pm; F: 8:30 am – 4:00 pm) Weekends/After Hours ................................ 202-895-6341 Temple Fax ..................................................... 202-537-1091 Julia Bindeman Suburban Center ............... 301-279-7505 JBSC Fax ........................................................ 301-354-3200 Listen In ......................................................... 202-895-6333 Live Streaming of Services........ streaming.whctemple.org Website ......................................................... whctemple.org Jennifer Millstone, Editor The Washington Hebrew Congregation Journal (Permit No. 4240) is published two times a month and monthly in June, July, and December by Washington Hebrew Congregation. Send address changes to the Washington Hebrew Congregation Journal, 3935 Macomb Street NW, Washington, DC 20016. 2 Congratulations to… Terri & Gerry Halle, on the engagement of their son, Josh Halle, to Diana Burnett, daughter of Irene & Bob Burnett. Florence & Peter Hart, on the birth and naming of their grandson, William David Hart Friedman (Gershon Chanoch); and to William’s parents, Elizabeth Hart & Andrew Friedman, and paternal grandparents, Bonnie & Richard Friedman. Ellen Miller & Bob Kelly, on the birth and naming of their granddaughter, Maren Rose Miller (Mira Shoshana); and to Maren’s parents, Sara & Cory Miller; big brother, Gavin; grandparents, Larry Miller & Elaine Hoffman; Nina Chaitin, and Robert Chaitin; and great-grandmothers, Shirley Winkler and Marcia Fligman. Ellen Miller & Bob Kelly, on the birth and naming of their grandson, Levi Bennet Miller (Moshe); and to Levi’s parents, Doran & Danny Miller; grandparents, Larry & Elaine Hoffman, Talia & Mitch Katz, and Tali Arik; and great-grandmother Shirley Winkler. Our Condolences to the Families of… Richard “Dickie” Dubin, husband of Elizabeth M. Dubin; father of Louis Dubin (Martine), Harry Dubin, and Robin Avram (Marc); brother of Nancy Zirkin (Harold); grandfather of six. Catherine England, daughter of Lois England; mother of Ryan Peugh and Evan Peugh (Leah Gelb); sister of Nonie Akman (Larry) and Rick England (Diana). Norma Fleishman, mother of Carole Jean Avin (Brian), Sharlene Klotz (Al), Jo Ann Green, and Debra Avison; sister-in-law of Linda Fleishman. Eliot Halperin, husband of Deana Rose Halperin; father of Evan Halperin (Anna) and Jennifer Halperin; grandfather of Rosalie. Lee Rosenblatt, husband of Beverly Rosenblatt; father of Richard Rosenblatt (Barbara) and Melissa Tritto (Mike); stepfather of Amy Seely (Garth), Marge Mackeith (James), and Joyce Neave (John). Ethel Rosenthal, mother of Barry Rosenthal (Joan); grandmother of Stephanie Rosenthal (Scott Meisler), Douglas Rosenthal, and Carolyn Rosenthal. Nicole Ruffine, wife of Steve Ungar; daughter of Sheila Ruffine; mother of Serge and Julian Ungar. Dana West Ruben, husband of Eva Lamm Ruben; brother-in-law of Steven Lamm (Joanne). Samuel Zweig, husband of Evelyn Zweig; father of Max Zweig (Sheri), Ronald Zweig (Phyllis), and Robert Zweig (Juliet); grandfather of Lindsey Zweig, Tara Moffitt (Tivon), Gordon Zweig, Valerie Zweig, William Zweig, Rebecca Zweig, Brandan Zweig, and Ricky Zweig. Services WHC News MLK Day of Service — A “Day On” for Tikkun Olam Make your “day off” from work and school a “day on” for tikkun olam by joining us on Monday, January 18 at 10:00 am at Temple. The Community Issues/Social Action committee has organized a morning filled with opportunities for all ages. Bring your family and friends, and help us make a difference in the lives of those in need in our communities. Projects include making crafts, preparing tuna noodle casseroles, filling bags with healthy snacks, assembling bags of fresh produce, packaging meals with the WHC Hunger Project, and sorting donated clothing and food (see below). Learn more and RSVP for this feel-good morning, whctemple.org/MLKWeekend. WHC Collects Donations accepted at Temple and JBSC Friday, January 8 Lay-Led Service 5:30 pm Shabbat Service* 6:00 pm Tot Shabbat 6:00 pm Simeon Kriesberg Rabbis Lustig and Skloot Rabbi Shankman JBSC Saturday, January 9 Early Torah Study 9:00 am Cantor Bortnick Morning Service 10:30 am Afternoon Service & Havdalah 5:30 pm Cantor Bortnick Rabbi Lustig, Cantor Manevich ¡¡ Bat Mitzvah of Lindsay Wiener Friday, January 15 Lay-Led Service 5:30 pm MLK Shabbat Service* 7:00 pm Shel West All Clergy Featuring remarks by Dr. William Jelani Cobb Saturday, January 16 Early Torah Study Rabbi Skloot Morning Service 10:30 am Afternoon Service & Havdalah 5:30 pm Rabbi Skloot Clothing and Non-perishable Food – now through 1000am on 1/18 The work we do on MLK Day of Service starts now! We’re collecting gently-used (or new!) clothing (all ages/sizes) and non-perishable foods with a special emphasis on items that are high fiber, low sugar, and low sodium. whctemple.org/WHCCollects For more information, contact Naomi Abelson, [email protected] or 202-895-6328 Rabbis Lustig and Shankman, Cantor Bortnick ¡¡ Bat Mitzvah of Cecelia Skinner-Grant Friday, January 22 Lay-Led Service 5:30 pm Shabbat Service* 6:00 pm 2239’s Metro Minyan 6:15 pm Diane Shrier and Gyr Turshen How many blankets does it take to reach the top of the Eiffel Tower? It sounds like the start of a riddle, but it’s really a cause for celebration. In November, we asked you to donate blankets for the Rumi Forum’s nationwide effort to help Syrian refugees in Turkey. In just three weeks, the Rumi Forum collected enough blankets that if stacked on top of each other, would reach the top of the Eiffel Tower! We are proud to partner with the Rumi Forum and are grateful to everyone who donated blankets that filled carton after carton with warmth and comfort. 9:00 am Rabbi Lustig, Cantor Bortnick Rabbi Skloot Calvary Baptist Church Saturday, January 23 Early Torah Study Rabbi Skloot Morning Service Rabbi Skloot, Cantor Bortnick 9:00 am 10:30 am ¡¡ Bar Mitzvah of Evan Gary *Streamed service viewable at streaming.whctemple.org 3 WHC B’nei Mitzvah January 9, 2016 Havdalah Service Lindsay Eliza Wiener Daughter of Alisa & Lewis Wiener Lindsay is a seventh grade student at the Norwood School. She is the sister of Zachary and Jillian; and the granddaughter of Jerome & Barbara Lichtman, Joan Wiener, the late Elaine Lichtman, and the late Stanley Wiener. January 16, 2016 Havdalah Service Cecilia Pauline Skinner-Grant Daughter of Jodi Grant & Tom Skinner Ceci is a seventh grade student at Westland Middle School. She is the sister of Julia; and the granddaughter of Judith & John Skinner, Sandra Grant, and the late Arnold Grant. January 23, 2016 Morning Service Evan Mitchell Gary Son of Bela & Eric Gary Evan is a seventh grade student at the Landon School. He is the brother of Sophie and the grandson of Sandra Gary, Robert Gary, and Conceicao Andrade & the late John Briscoe. Sisterhood Literary Group to Discuss Edward P. Jones’ Lost in the City Osher Lifelong Learning Institute lecturer Ellen Siegler will lead a discussion of short fiction at Temple on Wednesday, February 3 at 7:00 pm. Wine and cheese will be served. This magnificent collection focuses on the lives of African-Americans in 1960s and ’70s Washington, D.C. and first brought author Edward P. Jones to national attention. The stories of Lost in the City lie far from the monuments and politicians well-known in the nation’s capital. Jones takes the reader beyond that world into the complicated lives of African-American men, women, and children who work against the constant threat of loss to maintain a sense of hope. Ms. Siegler’s discussion will include the following stories from Edward P. Jones’ book: “The Girl Who Raised Pigeons,” “The First Day,” “The Night Rhonda Ferguson Was Killed,” “Young Lions,” and “Lost in the City.” New York Times best selling author Edward P. Jones has been awarded the Pulitzer Prize for fiction, the National Book Critics Circle Award, the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award, and the Lannan Literary Award. Lost in the City won the PEN/Hemingway Award and was short listed for the National Book Award. Sisterhood’s Literary Group is open to all. For additional information or to RSVP, please contact Susan Adland, [email protected]. Shabbat Acknowledgements January 8–9, 2016 Sponsoring the Oneg Shabbat: Alisa & Lewis Wiener, in honor of the Bat Mitzvah of their daughter, Lindsay. Contributing to the Carrie Simon Altar Flower Fund: Alisa & Lewis Wiener, in honor of Lindsay. January 15–16, 2016 Sponsoring the Oneg Shabbat: Jodi Grant & Tom Skinner, in honor of the Bat Mitzvah of their daughter, Cecilia. Contributing to the Carrie Simon Altar Flower Fund: Jodi Grant & Tom Skinner, in honor of Cecilia; and Sherry Sundick, in memory of Sara Behrend. January 22–23, 2016 Sponsoring the Oneg Shabbat: The Gary Family, in honor of the Bar Mitzvah of Evan. Contributing to the Carrie Simon Altar Flower Fund: The Gary Family, in honor of Evan. 4 WHC News Inside the Issues: Key Issues Facing America Presented by the EmptyNesters “The Cantors’ Program” – A Pollin Music Shabbat Racial justice, climate change, and immigration are topics front and center in the media, but they are hard to fully understand and even harder to solve. To help us dig deeper and appreciate the reality of what is possible in today’s political climate, Barbara Weinstein, Associate Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism will join us at Temple on Sunday, January 24 at 9:45 am. EmptyNester moderator Len Biegel will conduct a Charlie Rose-style interview with Ms. Weinstein, exploring the RAC’s work on social justice, climate change, and other priorities. Ms. Weinstein directs the RAC’s legislative policy and has years of experience working on these problems and dealing with Congress. Her work focuses on applying the insights of Jewish tradition to domestic and foreign issues including human rights, world peace, civil liberties, religious freedom, famine, poverty, as well as other major societal concerns. Space is limited, so please reserve your place online, whctemple.org/EmptyNesters. A charge of five dollars per person (payable at the door) covers a light breakfast of bagels, cheeses, pastries, and coffee. For more information, contact Beth Donaldson, [email protected] or 202-895-6309. Our first Irene & Abe Pollin Music Program Initiative Shabbat service for 2016 will feature the voices of Cantors Mikhail Manevich and Susan Bortnick and Kol Rinah and the liturgical music of Canadian composer Ben Steinberg. We hope you will join us at Temple on Friday, February 5 at 6:00 pm for this meaningful service. Among the most widely commissioned composers of Jewish music, award-winning Ben Steinberg is known for his engaging lecture-recitals on Jewish music. Many synagogues and groups — including Yale University, in conjunction with Union Theological Seminary and Hebrew Union College (New York); the American Conference of Cantors; the Canadian Jewish Congress; and the Toronto Holocaust Remembrance Committee — have commissioned his works. His works, published in the United States, Canada, and Israel, include six Shabbat services, a memorial service, 13 cantatas for chorus and orchestra, and numerous choral settings, instrumental chamber works, and solo songs. When Losing Faith Means Losing Everything Shulem Deen was raised to believe that questions are dangerous. As a member of the Skverers, one of the most insular and rigid Hasidic sects in the United States, he knew little about the outside world — only that it was to be shunned. The curiosity that led him to discover it and resulted in his expulsion as a heretic from his home, family, and community is the subject of his Amram lecture at Temple on Sunday, January 31 at 10:30 am. Mr. Deen’s harrowing memoir, All Who Go Do Not Return, has been widely acclaimed for the honest and powerful portrayal of his inner struggle. Described in The New Yorker as “not only the most lyrical but also the most searchingly spiritual of the ‘ex-frum’ memoirs,” his book recounts how the simple act of turning on a radio would ultimately transform his entire life. He was ejected from his home in the Skverer community of New Square, New York, losing his wife and five young children in the process. Mr. Deen’s shocking account is a true story of a man whose crisis of faith meant gaining the world but losing everything. 5 Lifelong Learning This Winter and Spring Back to Basics at Temple and JBSC Amram Scholar Series at Temple Tuesdays, 1/5 – 3/8, 7:30 pm at Temple, Wednesdays, 1/6 – 3/9, 10:00 am at JBSC, or Wednesdays, 1/6 – 3/9, 7:30 pm at JBSC Re-engage your Jewish mind for an in-depth look at why we do what we do as Jews. Find the sources for our traditions, and delve into the origins of these ideas. Back to Basics will concentrate on holidays, life cycle events, history, theology, Jewish religious movements, Torah laws, the Mishnah, the Talmud, and Kabbalah. This 10-week course costs $150 for WHC members and $250 for non-members. Registration is required and may be completed online at whctemple.org/BacktoBasics. For more information, please contact Gerdy Trachtman, [email protected] or 301-7626994. This dynamic program of free public lectures brings worldrenowned authors, scholars, political leaders, policy experts, and theologians to WHC to share their views on timely issues or their research into Jewish culture and history. Conversational Hebrew at JBSC Intermediate/Advanced: Thursdays, 1/7 – 2/25 at 10:00 am Beginners: Thursdays, 1/7 – 2/25 at 11:15 am Using an innovative method that emphasizes conversation over decoding the aleph bet, you’ll soon find yourself speaking Hebrew. Two different classes meet the needs of everyone from beginners to those with more advanced fluency. These eight-week courses are taught by Gerdy Trachtman and cost $45. Registration is required and may be completed online at whctemple.org/HebrewBeginner or whctemple. org/HebrewAdvanced. For more information, please contact Gerdy, [email protected] or 301-762-6994. 12 Jewish Questions at Temple Mondays, 2/29 – 5/16 at 6:30 pm What do I believe about God? What makes food Jewish? Where is God in times of tragedy? Join us as we answer these questions (and nine more!) at this (re)introduction to adult-level Judaism. 12 Jewish Questions is a learning community for adults — Jewish and non-Jewish — who are looking to discover Judaism’s most fascinating answers. This 12-week class costs $100 per person and $180 per couple. Registration is required and may be completed online at whctemple.org/12JQ. For more information, please contact Marsha Humphries, [email protected] or 202-895-6303. Einstein – His Space and Times Sunday, 1/10 at 10:30 am Presented by Dr. Steven Gimbel, Chair of the department of philosophy at Gettysburg College and the college’s Edwin T. and Cynthia Shearer Johnson Chair for Distinguished Teaching in the Humanities. See page 1 for more information. All Who Go Do Not Return – Hasidic Extremism in the United States Sunday, 1/31 at 10:30 am Presented by Shulem Deen, founding editor of Unpious, an online journal for voices on the Hasidic fringe. He serves on the board of Footsteps, a New York City-based organization that offers assistance and support to those who have left the ultra-Orthodox Jewish community. See page 5 for more information. Paper Love – Searching for the Girl My Grandfather Left Behind Sunday, 2/21 at 10:30 am Presented by Sarah Wildman, reporter and author. She is the recipient of the Peter R. Weitz Prize from the German Marshall Fund of the United States, “for excellence and originality in reporting on Europe and the transatlantic relationship,” for the series in Slate where her book, Paper Love, originated. Anonymous Soldiers – The Struggle for Israel, 1917-1947 Sunday, 3/13 at 10:30 am Presented by Bruce Hoffman, Director of the Center for Peace and Security Studies, Director of the Security Studies Program at Georgetown University’s Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service, and a Senior Fellow at the U.S. Military Academy’s Combating Terrorism Center. Then Comes Marriage: United States v. Windsor and the Defeat of DOMA Sunday, 3/29 at 10:30 am Presented by Roberta Kaplan, litigation partner at Paul, Weiss, who won the landmark Supreme Court battle to defeat the Defense of Marriage Act. You can see the complete lineup of this season’s Amram Scholar Series lectures online at whctemple.org/Amram. For more information, please contact Layne Weiss, [email protected] or 202-895-6307. 6 WHC Academy Expand your appreciation of Jewish life and culture on Monday nights at Temple and Tuesday mornings at JBSC with knowledgeable and passionate instructors from WHC and beyond. Below is our winter/spring schedule. Monday Nights at Temple CORE COURSE: “The European Enlightenment and Jewish Culture, Part II (1789 – 1914)” Mondays, 1/25 – 4/25, 8:15 pm at Temple Instructor: Rabbi Joseph A. Skloot We will explore how the emergence of the modern nationstate, liberal politics, romantic literature, and rational philosophy shaped enduring Jewish institutions by reading the classic texts from the “long 19th century.” We will determine what these texts say about the people who composed them, the times in which they were composed, and what they have meant to their readers past and present. SPRING I: “The Book of Psalms: Poetry, History and Interpretation” Mondays, 1/25 – 3/7, 7:00 pm at Temple Instructors: Steve Jacober, WHC Executive Director, and WHC Clergy For generations, Jews and Christians have turned to the Book of Psalms in times of joy and crisis; meditated on its words during worship; been captivated by the window it offers into human psychology. This course explores the enduring relevance and meaning of the psalms, as well as the book’s literary structure and historical context. It will also reflect on the frequent use of whole psalms and quotations in the Jewish prayer book. SPRING II: “The Jewish-American Short Story” Mondays, 3/14 – 4/18, 7:00 pm at Temple Instructor: Professor Jacques Berlinerblau The second in our series of collaborations with the Georgetown University Program in Jewish Civilization, this course, taught by Jacques Berlinerblau, WHC member and Director of the Program for Jewish Civilization at Georgetown University, will explore the questions of identity raised in the literature of Jewish-American authors after World War II. Focusing on short stories in particular, Berlinerblau concentrates on writers as varied as J.D. Salinger, Cynthia Ozick, Philip Roth, Allegra Goodman, Lara Vapnyar, Grace Paley, Bernard Malamud, David Bezmozgis, Suzan Sherman, Joan Leegant, and Saul Bellow, among others; participants will consider the Jewishness of American short fiction and the Americanness of Jewish short fiction. Tuesday Mornings at JBSC COURSE I: “Shabbat: The Practice and Philosophy of the Day of Rest” Tuesdays, 3/1 – 3/22, 9:15 am at JBSC Instructor: Stephanie Tankel, WHC Director of Religious Education The Jewish week, indeed a Jewish life, revolves around Shabbat. Shabbat is a time when Jews gather — with family, with friends, and with community — and turn their focus to the things in their lives that matter most. Here, we will study the transformative power of Jewish Shabbat rituals and the meaning of the Day of Rest to Jews past and present. Among the many topics we’ll consider are how to find true rest in our busy lives; the meaning and preparation of challah; the significance of Shabbat in the Hebrew Bible and in Jewish philosophy; and how to engage the whole family in Shabbat stories and games. COURSE II: “Reform, Conservative, & Orthodox: The History of the Jewish Movements” Tuesdays, 4/5 – 4/19, 9:15 am at JBSC Instructor: Rabbi Joseph Skloot Why do Jews disagree so much? Why are there so many different kinds of Jewish institutions? This class will explore the historical origins of the three major Jewish movements and how the emergence of Reform Judaism in early 19th century Germany led to the birth of Orthodoxy and Conservative Judaism. We will also examine how these movements changed and adapted to new conditions in the United States, as well as some of the current debates that animate Jewish life in the U.S. and Israel today. Collaboration with Georgetown University WHC’s exciting year-long collaboration with Georgetown University’s Program for Jewish Civilization continues this spring. Through this unique partnership, WHC members are studying with the Program’s faculty and are exposed to new fields of Jewish learning. The first opportunity in this series was Ori Soltes’ fall course for WHC Academy, “Symbols of Faith: Art in the Jewish, Christian, and Muslim Traditions.” This spring, Jacques Berlinerblau will teach “The Jewish-American Short Story” on Monday nights. Professor Berlinerblau is Director of Georgetown University’s Program for Jewish Civilization and a member of Washington Hebrew Congregation. Registration is required for all classes and may be completed online at whctemple.org/WHCAcademy. For more information, please contact Marsha Humphries, [email protected] or 202-895-6303. 7 WHC Thanks Its Generous Contributors H. MAX & STEPHEN C. AMMERMAN PERFORMING ARTS FUND Donor In Honor of: Andrew Ammerman Rhoda Herman’s Birthday Rosa Pedrajas’ Birthday Joyce Scott’s Birthday Lisa Ammerman’s Birthday Julie Morgan McCoart’s Birthday AMRAM SUNDAY SCHOLAR SERIES ENDOWMENT FUND Donor In Memory of: Posner-Wallace Foundation Lawrence Posner Stanley Posner Lillian Posner Wallace Irving Wallace Linda Singer Bernice Nineberg LILLIAN & ALFRED BENNETT FINE ARTS ENDOWMENT FUND Donor In Memory of: Bobbi & Ed Schiff Marshall Cole Mr. & Mrs. John Zeller Max Scher JULIA & JACK BINDEMAN FUND Donor In Memory of: Carol Bindeman David P. Bindeman Betsy & Robert Bindeman David P. Bindeman Mr. & Mrs. Stuart Bindeman David P. Bindeman SHELLEY & MICHAEL BRODY TEACHER TRAINING INSTITUTE ENDOWMENT Donor In Memory of: Dr. & Mrs. Michael Brody Helene Barnett CANTORIAL & CONCERT FUND Donor Dr. & Mrs. Sheldon Gottlieb Mr. & Mrs. Simor Moskowitz Drs. Presser & Yu Dr. Anita Solomon Donor In Honor of: Bobby & Randee Fogel & Sheri Tunis Cantor Manevich Dr. Sheila C. Iseman Cantor Manevich Laurie & Yves Issembert Isla Maria Issembert’s Baby Namine Robin & Jeremy London Cantor Manevich Michael & Judy Mael Cantor Manevich Donor Karen & David Cantor Mimi & Tommy Nordlinger Beverly Rosenblatt Marsha & Richard Schuman Judy & Buzzy Tunis Barry & Marilyn Wessler In Memory of: Marshall Cole Doris Bernstein Edgar Levin Leon Kraft Andrew Rosenblatt Janet Schuman Lee Rosenblatt Dr. Jack Wessler EDLAVITCH-TYSER FAMILY RELATIONS INSTITUTE ENDOWMENT FUND Donor In Honor of: Leslie Luxemberg Leslie Zirkin 8 EDLAVITCH-TYSER FAMILY RELATIONS INSTITUTE ENDOWMENT FUND Donor In Memory of: Leslie Luxemberg Linda Luxemburg Vera Luxemburg Phyllis Luxemburg Harold Luxemburg EMPTY NESTERS FUND Donor In Honor of: Joan & Stanley Adoff Holly & Jeff Bergman’s 50th Anniversary Lynne & Burt Emmer Holly & Jeff Bergman’s 50th Anniversary Sondra Snyder Holly & Jeff Bergman’s 50th Anniversary Donor Armand Checker Lynne & Burt Emmer Peter & Florence Hart In Memory of: Ruth Checker Melvyn Newman Ruth Arnstein Hart LOIS & RICHARD ENGLAND SPECIAL NEEDS ENDOWMENT FUND Donor In Memory of: Lynn & Larry Silverberg Alan Silverberg & Mildred Silverberg Ellen & Bruce Winston Marshall Cole GENERAL FUND Donor Dr. Jack D. Blaine Barry & Carol Minkoff Schwartzberg Family Foundation Mauricio Atri Donor In Honor of: Ellen & David Epstein Sophia Fleischer’s Special Birthday Jamie & Barry Freedman Madeline Rose Freedman’s Bat Mitzvah Marilyn & Michael Glosserman Pat & Bob Shapiro’s 50th Anniversary Alvina & Jamie Leder Lucas Benjamin Leder’s Bar Mitzvah Michael & Taya Levin Lex Sverre Levin’s Bar Mitzvah Susan & Solomon Levy Sophia Fleischer’s Special Birthday Robin & Jeremy London Sammy London’s Bat Mitzvah Matthew Koplan Phyllis & Richard Sharlin Pat & Bob Shapiro’s 50th Anniversary Lori & David Siegel Ari and Daniel Siegel’s B’nei Mitzvah Carol & Marc Spiegel Sophia Fleischer’s Special Birthday Miriam Florence Herman & Sandford Weil Stark Josephine Lillian Stark’s Bat Mitzvah Jane & Robert E. Stein Refugee work in Montgomery County with the Rumi Fund Donor Anonymous David & Sandra Berler David Berler In Memory of: Ann G. Haas Joan Berler GENERAL FUND Donor In Memory of: Benita Berman Mitzi Mandell Stuart Bernstein Evelyn Bernstein Bishoff Dr. & Mrs. F. Norman Berry Abraham Blumberg Roberta & Leonard Biegel Rose Gerson Marjorie & Harold Bingham George F. Bingham Shirley & William Blanken Naomi Vidgerhouse Molly Cohen Schecter Richard S. Brown Estelle O. Brown Daryl Castillo Selma Vigderhouse Jill E. Cohen Wendy Katz Nancy Colodny Dr. Joseph Dessoff Janet & Michael Cornfeld Robin Cornfeld Howard Lynn Barb & Len Cutler Marshall Cole David Lloyd Kreeger Foundation David Lloyd Kreeger Lynne Davidson Irving Davidson Mr. Alan Deresh & Mrs. Linda Wertlieb Mildlred Silverberg Sonnie & Bill Dockser Dr. Simon C. Weiner Barbara Dubit Robert Frank Mr. & Mrs. Stephan Elman Ruth & Al Lerner Stanley Elman Susan & David Fink Marshall Cole Carol Fischer Ruth I. Baer Meg & Sam Flax Louis Flax Anita Miller Linda & Jay Freedman Beverly Tunis Stephen Friedlander Adelaide & Jack Friedlander Gary & Debby Friedman Marshall Cole Betty Glassman Alice Bortnick Dr. Harold J. Goald Isadore Goald H.P. Goldfield Alfred Goldfield Mr. & Mrs. William L. Goldman Jane A. Goldman Marcia Goldsmith Ellen Goldsmith Kasnett Stephen W. Grafman Ida Grafman Nancy & John Harris Carolyn W. Harris Richard Herzog Grace Herzog Marcia Inasi Laura Karadbil Robert & Ronnie Jersky Lilyan Aronchick Sherry & David Kahn Chunilal Mistry Jerome A. Kaplan Mary Kaplan Audrey & Steve Katz Joseph Brooks Dr. & Mrs. Richard Kaufman Lillian E. Kaufman Dotty & Lou Kornhauser Chunilal Mistry Bill & Marilyn Lane Albert E. Lane Charlotte P. Brody Alicia & Mark Levin Stanley Silverman Monica Levin Lawrence Deutsch Audrey & Davide Liebeskind Bertram Strober Michael & Stephanie Marcus Jesse Marcus Dee Marcus Evelyn Marcus Dr. Susan Blumenthal Charles A. Levine Mark E. Mazo Rita V. Mazo Bryna & Irwin Monsein Eva Monsein Ellen & Jim Myerberg Marian Pressman Julius Myerberg Miriam Feffer & Jeremy Nalewaik Eliot Halperin Eleanor Palmer Melvyn Newman Rita Specter Sandford Specter Irene Pollin Abe Pollin WHC Thanks Its Generous Contributors GENERAL FUND Donor In Memory of: Jane & Jerome Putnam Lawrence E. Putnam, M.D. Dr. & Mrs. Herbert Rabin Mordka Rozencwajg Bayla Rozencwajg Louis I. Rosen Eugenia Rosen Carol Schwartz Hilda S. Levitt Gail K. Siegel Edgar L. Kaufmann Jeffrey Slavin Sanford “Sandy” Slavin Leslie & Dennis Speisman Stanley Stein Mr. & Mrs. Edward Stevens Milton Stevens Margo & Alan Tank Robert Klaff Gerdy Trachtman Ernest Teichner Ruth & Simon Wagman Rose Levin Roslyn Wolf Stephen J. Wolf Angela & Daniel Yergin Gabriele Stent LEO & ELIZABETH GOODMAN PUBLIC ISSUES ENDOWMENT FUND Donor In Honor of: Laura Cerf-Dahl, Richard Forsland & Andrew Dahl Joan Churchill’s 75th Birthday HURSTON LIBRARY Donor Nancy Hart Wartow In Memory of: Robert Hart CAROL KELLNER ECC MEMORIAL FUND Donor In Honor of: Bruce Kellner & Donna Lane Michael Weitz’s Special Birthday Donor In Memory of: Dr. Bruce Kellner, Mandy McCann & Jenifer Rosenzweig Carol Kellner Dr. Bruce Kellner & Family Blanche Kellner Dr. Bruce Kellner, Jason Walpert & Jarrod Walpert Joyce W. Kellner Bessie Wool Carol Kellner Samuel E. Wool ROSE E. KOENIG RELIGIOUS SCHOOL FUND Donor In Memory of: Anne C. Golder Dr. Lawrence Deutsch KOL RINAH CHOIR Donor Drs. Presser & Yu KRIESBERG PROGRAM INITIATIVES ENDOWMENT FUND Donor In Memory of: Frank Spigel Harriet Kriesberg RABBI M. BRUCE LUSTIG SCHOLARSHIP FUND Donor In Memory of: David I. Cohn & Patty Alper Cohn Joseph R. & Charlotte W. Cohn Lisa DeMarco & Len Goldman Lillian DeMarco MITZVAH DAY Donor The Jacob and Charlotte Lehrman Foundation Donor In Honor of: Susan & Norman Oblon Pat & Bob Shapiro’s 50th Anniversary MITZVAH DAY Donor In Memory of: RobBee & Josh Fredricks Jerome Stackman Anne & Ben Friedman and Family Vera Greenwald Mr. & Mrs. Benjamin Friedman Samuel Solomon Betsy Grossman Marshall Cole Harry Sley Sandra Kouzel Oscar Levy STEPHANIE MORRIS PRIME TIMERS PROGRAMMING FUND Donor In Memory of: Janice Ackerman Beatrice Carroll Greta Goldman Lewis M. Goldman Susan Mann Doris Bernstein Rachel Mann Lillian Smuckler Ralph Smuckler KAMY LOREN NATHANSON BAR & BAT MITZVAH KIDDUSH CUP ENDOWMENT FUND Donor In Memory of: Randy Cutler Ida Handelsman Steven Fischer & Linda Adler Ruth G. Adler & Rhoda S. Fischer The Pinson/Vine Family Pearl Pinson ALBERT & SCOTT PELMOTER YOUTH SCHOLARSHIP FUND Donor Eleanor Feigenbaum Stephanie & Andrew Pelmoter Shirley Pelmoter In Memory of: Naomi Josephs Bruno Vettese Scott Pelmoter Anne Picower SYLVIA & SAUL RITZENBERG HUMANITARIAN FUND Donor Susanna McBee Susan & David Rosenblum Donor In Honor of: Barbara & David Marblestone David Marblestone’s Birthday Donor Ellen R. Berlow Marc & Cathy Scheineson Cathy Scheineson NAOMI & LEROY ROBINS MEDICAL EMERGENCY FUND Donor Stephen & Pirjo Jaffe In Memory of: Ralph F. Berlow Charles J. Zeman Eugen Zeisel James Harris In Memory of: Libby Jaffe SELINGER (CHILDRENS) LIBRARY Donor In Honor of: Janice Ackerman Theodore Rosen & Lee Cayne’s Births Susan & Stuart Feldman Jeanette Levin’s 90th Birthday Donor In Memory of: Joel, Philp & Katherine Bronstein Beatrice Carroll Barbara Lewis & Elise GeltzerDr. & Mrs. Arthur Lewis Ellen & Stewart Share Dr. Lawrence Deutsch ABE & SYLVIA SHRINSKY CREATIVE WORSHIP PROGRAM FUND Donor In Memory of: Margery Shrinsky & Family Harvey Freedman CARLYNN & LARRY SILVERMAN FAMILY ENDOWMENT FOR JEWISH LIFE & LEARNING Donor In Memory of: The Harwood Family Beverly Tunis Marilyn Gerber CARRIE SIMON HOUSE Donor WHC Brotherhood In Memory of: Shirley Garfinkel Donor Mickey Garfinkel SISTERHOOD YOUTH, EDUCATION & ENRICHMENT FUND Donor In Memory of: Diane & Howard Benson May S. Leiner TIKKUN OLAM VALUES (TOV) FUND Donor George Wasserman Family Foundation Inc. Donor In Honor of: Linda & Ron Recht Kate Irene Spivak’s Birth Alane & Gene Youngentob Pat & Bob Shapiro’s 50th Anniversary Donor In Memory of: Joanne & Bob Frankel Marshall Cole Cathy Kwart Arnold Kwart Linda & Ron Recht Frances Recht Jay Lebowitz Tina & Albert Small Jr. & Family Robert Blumenthal RABBI JOSEPH WEINBERG YOUNG LEADERSHIP COMMUNITY SERVICE FUND Donor In Honor of: Rudolph & Betty Ressler Zachary Aden Galipeau Adam Joel Galipeau Sydney Jade Samuels In Memory of: Freda Gordon Allan C. Levey Fay Lipsic Donor Judy & Mike Herman Bunnye Levey Renee Lipsic Loeb WHC HUNGER PROJECT Donor Holly & Jeff Bergman Donor Holly & Jeff Bergman In Memory of: Max Dick Abraham Bergman WORSHIP & MUSIC FUND Donor In Honor of: Louis E. Levitt & Joan Bialek Levitt Rabbi Lustig Louis Levy Wilma Probst Levy’s Speedy Recovery Robin & Jeremy London Rabbi Lustig Sondra Oken Rabbi Shankman Linda Singer Rabbi Lustig Frank Spigel Morgan Elman’s Bat Mitzvah Continued on page 10. 9 WHC News Amram Explores Einstein (continued from page 1) Einstein’s Jewish Science, in which Professor Gimbel posits that the Jewish nature of Einstein’s thinking was particularly conducive to the development of his original ideas. “The heart of the Talmudic view is that there is an absolute truth, but this truth is not directly and completely available to us,” Professor Gimbel writes. “It turns out that exactly the same style of thinking occurs in the relativity theory and in some of Einstein’s other research.” Beyond science, however, the Einstein we meet through Professor Gimbel is politically active and concerned. He argues for the abolition of nuclear weapons and fully supports the State of Israel, but insists that Jews can endure there in peace only as long as they work with Arabs to create a society of political equality. Professor Gimbel comes to WHC through the cooperation of the Jewish Book Council. Contributions (continued from page 9) WORSHIP & MUSIC FUND Donor In Memory of: Beth Ourisman Glassman & Peggy Goldman Florenz Ourisman Jackie & Franklin Paulson Agnes May Fischer Linda Singer Melvyn Newman Vanessa & Jonathan Smith Eliot Halperin Joan & Norman Smith Eliot Halperin Layne, Rachel, Ryan, Brian, Ilyssa & Ethan Frances Schooler Sidelle Wertheimer Bertha Fishman YOUNG PROFESSIONALS (22-39) FUND Donor In Honor of: Richard S. Brown Rabbi Miller IVY ZOLA’S HELP-A-FRIEND FUND Donor In Memory of: Neal & Paula Bobys Beverly Tunis Todd & Nicole Forster Sue Levin Karen & Richard Perkins Holly Snider Kopit Harriet Smith & Family Harold Golden A Warm Welcome to New Members Washington Hebrew Congregation is fortunate to have a long and rich history in our nation’s capital. Some members can trace their history with the Temple back to its founders, others are just beginning their journey with us. Each member adds to the growing tapestry of our Congregation. Please join us in extending a warm welcome to the newest members of our Temple family. Carly Blackstone and her son, Taylor Jamie & Michael Bresnick and their daughters, Anne and Kate Cara Sklar & Brighid Clark Becca Schofield & Adam Cohen Maria Cuadra & Jacob Cohen and their daughter, Maya Jarrett Conway Debbie & Edward Corwin and their children, Danielle, Jonathan, and Matthew Jenine & Eric Dreisen and their sons, Ryder and Dylan Laura Bogomolny & Christopher Flavelle and their children, Hannah and Leo Elana Silversmith & Joshua Friedson and their children, Sienna and Jaden Zoe Gutterman & Marc Friend Karen Blum & Jeffrey Goldberg Heather & Max Holtzman and their children, Beck and Jace Marcy & Josh Jacobs and their children, Abigail and Sam Jessica & Joshua Kreiser and their daughters, Shayna and Laila Ben Lazarus and his son, Samuel (Ben is the son of WHC members Rosalind & Simon Lazarus) Sarah Lackritz & Daniel Levy and their son, Oscar (Sarah is the daughter of WHC members Mary DeOreo & Marc Lackritz and the sister of WHC member Anne Lackritz) Amy Norris & Joshua Lichtenstein Aliza Luft & Jared McBride Tracy Silverman-Mednik & Greg Mednik and their daughters, Sydney and Ashley Cheryl & Eric Miller and their children, Dason and Maddie Aimee & Neil Narcisenfeld and their children, Reese and Clay Janette & David Pepper and their children, Maxwell and Samantha Noel Gerson & Peter Reinecke and their children, Josh and Isabelle Karyn & Jonathan Ross and their children, Bennett, Jackson and Skylar (Jonathan is the son of WHC members Laurie & David Ross) Sandra & Samuel Rubenstein and their children, Anna, Simon, and Emily Rebecca Salman Sabrina & Adam Schaeffer and their children, Findley, Penelope, and Spencer Tanya Alteras & Mark Schneiderman and their children, Naomi and Jonah Teri Shulman Andrea Kaufman & John Sullivan and their daughters, Chloe and Lulu Jennifer Weissman Debra & Bradley Weltman and their sons, Alex and Reid Ashley Wiltshire and her sons Brody, Jon, and William (Ashley is the daughter of WHC member Jon Gerstenfeld) Tributes in this WHC Journal reflect contributions received through December 10. 10 Elizabeth Wilner and her daughter, Jocelyn (Elizabeth is the daughter of WHC member John Wilner) end the bloodshed san bernadino - planned parenthood - umpqua cc chattanooga military recruitment center - Charleston Church - marysville-pilchuck hs - washington navy yard - sandy hook elementary - sikh temple - aurora theater - fort hood - binghamton immigration center - virginia tech - colum bine hs P O T S Gun violence SHOW YOUR SUPPORT A D.C.- Area Faith-Based Evening of Solidarity With Daniel Webster, Director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Policy and Research, Elected Officials, Victims of Gun Violence, and Local/National Anti-Gun Violence Groups Sunday, January 24 @ 5pm Washington Hebrew Congregation 3935 Macomb St. NW, Washington, DC WHC News Congregational Conversations Keynote (continued from page 1) joint program in Holocaust education since 1997. For the last four years, he has been the Consultant for Jewish Affairs at the USCCB, where he staffs two official dialogues between the Jewish community and Catholic Church in the United States. He also teaches an annual Holocaust education workshop at the Museum of Jewish Heritage in New York City. The author of How to be Secular: A Call to Arms for Religious Freedom, Professor Berlinerblau has published on issues ranging from the composition of the Hebrew Bible, the sociology of heresy, and modern Jewish intellectuals. He has written and lectured extensively on the subject of secularism. His work has appeared in a number of academic publications including Biblica, Journal for the Study of the Old Testament, and Journal for the American Academy of Religion. There is no charge for this Keynote, but registration is preferred and may be completed online, whctemple. org/CongregationalConversations. For more information, please contact Layne Weiss, [email protected] or 202-895-6307. RSVP: whctemple.org/StopViolence • 202-362-7100 Sponsored by Washington Hebrew Congregation, Temple Emanuel, and Westmoreland Congregational United Church of Christ Debbie Friedman Memorial Concert Sunday, January 10, 7:00 pm at JBSC Join D.C.-area songleaders Audrey Katz, Lisa Baydush, Sally Heckelman, Liz Kruger, Jill Moskowitz, and Teddy Klaus for an evening of song to honor the memory of and pay tribute to the legendary Debbie Friedman. This is a free event, open to the entire community. RSVP to Lisa Baydush, [email protected]. 11 whctemple.org NON-PROFIT ORG US POSTAGE “Washington Hebrew Congregation” PAID SUBURBAN, MD WHC Journal PERMIT NO. 4240 “Take My Spouse, Please” Comes to WHC Join us at Temple for a night of laughter and humor with comedian Dani Klein Modisett on Saturday, January 23. Klein Modisett is the creator, producer, and director of the shows Afterbirth…Stories You Won’t Read in a Parenting Magazine and Not What I Signed Up For, and her 7:00 pm show — with refreshingly honest stories about marriage and parenting — will have you rolling in the aisle. A professional actress, stand-up comic, and writer, her latest book, Take My Spouse, Please, has received praise from renowned comedians including Ben Stiller, Carl Reiner, and Jim Gaffigan. She is a frequent contributor to LA Parent Magazine, Huffington Post, and Parents Magazine and has appeared on The Today Show, The Madeleine Brand Show, and NickMom. This one-of-a-kind WHC event is sponsored by the Boomers, Couples Club, EmptyNesters, Brotherhood, Sisterhood, and RJWECC Parents Committee and is made possible by the Edlavitch-Tyser Family Relations Forum. Tickets are $18 and include wine, beer, and heavy hors d’oeuvres. Purchase yours online at whctemple. org/ComedyNight. For more information, please contact Naomi Abelson, [email protected] or 202-895-6328. Shabbat Home Dinners with The Boomers Celebrate the warmth of Shabbat with a family-style dinner hosted by your fellow Boomers. Friday, January 22 at 7:00 pm Space is limited! RSVP by January 15: whctemple.org/Boomers. Questions? Contact Beth Donaldson, 202-895-6309 [email protected]. Spring is so far away …but Florida isn’t! Enjoy Sunshine and Song at Florida Reunion With winter settling in at last, we invite you to join us in Florida for this year’s Reunion, hosted by Ann and Don Brown at their home in Palm Beach Gardens on Monday, February 1 at 4:00 pm. Featuring a special concert by Cantor Mikhail Manevich and Cantor Susan Bortnick, we welcome all members who winter in or travel to Florida to join Rabbi Lustig for a warm evening of music and memories. If we have a Florida address on file for you, your invitation should have arrived by mail. If you are new to Florida or considering traveling to join us, please contact Miriam Feffer, 202-895-6312 or mfeffer@ whctemple.org, for more information. RSVP online, whctemple.org/Florida or directly with Miriam. We look forward to seeing you in February!