b’nai shalom of olney it[tf reflections · to the reading of megillat esther, and enjoy the purim...
TRANSCRIPT
Laurie Blumstein, 301.275.7062, [email protected]
PERSPECTIVES
301.774.0879 x110, [email protected]
T he Midrash, rabbinic legend, teaches us that when the messianic age arrives and the world is finally at peace, when
all the other Jewish festivals will be abolished, somehow the holiday of Purim will still be preserved and practiced. In a similar vein, the Talmud instructs us that the coming of the messianic age will render obsolete almost all
of our tanah, bible, with the exception of the Five Books of Moses and — yep, you guessed it — the book of Esther. Yes, our tradition has an unusually strong affinity for Purim, despite the fact that it is not even a festival important enough to require us to take a day off from work or school. Stranger still, one could easily argue that the book of Esther is the most secular of all biblical books. God’s name is not mentioned even once in the book, nor are significant Jewish rituals or symbols referenced. (Quick trivia tangent—the word kasher IS found in the book of Esther, which just happens to be the only time it appears in the entire tanah, except it is not referring to the appropriateness of food in this context, rather to whether a certain matter is “fit” or “appropriate”.)
Some of the most famous rabbis in the Talmud go to extra trouble to debate how we know that God influenced the composition of the book of Esther, offering as explanations Haman’s thinking to himself (mistakenly) that Esther actually wanted to honor him at the banquet, Esther “finding favor” in the eyes of all who saw her, the plot mysteriously “becoming known” to Mordechai, and the Jews’ refusal to take their enemies’ loot after defeating them. Our sages found God’s behind-the-scenes-presence in these words from the text because they were looking for a way to find God in this story of redemption. In this creative reading of the rabbis, perhaps we can deduce one possible answer to the question implied earlier, namely, “What is so important about Purim and the book of Esther?” Purim and Esther remind us that it is precisely at those times when it would be most tempting to
conclude that God has abandoned us, that we should look for, and even expect, God’s presence, as a redemptive force in our personal, national, and universal experiences.
God may not always be in the foreground of our story, as in the rescue of our ancestors from Egypt, or, on a smaller scale, the saving of an individual’s life through a miracle. God instead may
W ith Adar approaching and Purim right around the corner, we are entering one of the
most joyous times of the Jewish year. We partake in the Mitzvot of Purim by sending Mishloah Manot brimming with goodies to our families and friends, and share gifts with those less fortunate than us. We listen to the reading of Megillat Esther, and enjoy
the Purim Seudah (feast) laden with revelry, merriment and yes, plenty of alcohol! We join as a community to laugh, play, sing and learn, and we are amazed (maybe even slightly envious) of the clever costumes that parade by us. Yet, beyond the festivities, silly masquerades, and the witty satires, we are faced with the lessons of Purim that should not be lost amidst the celebrations. The story of Esther evokes the themes of courage, prejudice, and faith. It is the theme of human destiny though, that at present resonates with me the most.
When Mordechai is made aware that there is a decree to kill the Jewish people, he pleads with Esther to approach King Achashverosh to make him aware that she too is Jewish. This seems the only viable option to stop Haman’s evil plan. Esther is frightened to approach the king without being summoned, an act punishable by death. As she vacillates about the task before her, Mordechai tries to summon Esther’s courage as he asks “Who knows if you have not come to your position for just such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14). This is something I’m sure many of us have asked ourselves, or perhaps should. Who is to say that at any given moment we are not the essential component
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Congregational Shabbat Dinner/Birthday and Anniversary Service – March 3
Must reserve by noon on Tues., Feb. 28. No refunds please.
Dinner begins at 6:15 pm. Please inform the office of any dietary needs or allergies.
Sign up at BnaiShalomOfOlney.org.
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THE
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MARCH 2017 ◾ ADAR/NISSAN 5777TH
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◾ B’NAI SHALOM OF OLNEY AFFILIATED WITH
from the President
[ ]… one could easily argue that the book of Esther is the most secular of all biblical books.
REFLECTIONSfrom Rabbi Ari Sunshine
IN THIS ISSUE
www.BnaiShalomofOlney.orgB’nai Shalom of Olney
18401 Burtfield DriveOlney, MD 20832-1339Office 301.774.0879 FAX 301.774.3992Religious School 301.774.9323Early Childhood School 301.570.0699
To reach staff with extension numbers, call 301.774.0879
Rabbi Ari Sunshine, x110 [email protected] Sara Geller, x119 [email protected], Laurie Blumstein, 301.275.7062 [email protected] Director, Carol Cohen Wolfe, 301.774.0879, x114 [email protected] Assistant, Teresa Click, 301.774.0879, x111 [email protected] of Education, Michal Morris Kamil, 301.774.9323 [email protected] Childhood Education Director, Rabbi Sarah Meytin, 301.570.0699 [email protected] Childhood School Office, Sandy Weiss, x149 [email protected]
Office Hours:Monday-Thursday 9:00 am-5:00 pmFriday 9:00 am-2:00 pm
Barry Cohen, Designer/Editor 301.570.5271Tami Abramowitz, Co-Editor 240.535.5148Editorial support by Melanie Lubin and Lis Unger. Submit articles to [email protected] Kolot B’nai Shalom is published monthly, September through June.
Around the Synagogue. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4The Fundraising Corner. . . . . . . . . . . . . 4Sisterhood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5Youth and More . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6Early Childhood School . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7Religious School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 HAZAK. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9Men’s Club. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9Siman Tov U Mazal Tov . . . . . . . . . . . . 10Donations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11Birthdays & Anniversaries. . . . . . . . . . 12Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Follow us on Twitter – @bsolneyus on
BULLETIN BOARDCondolences ToLeon (Hazzan Sara) Geller, on the passing of his father, Philip Geller, beloved grandfather of Ruth and Becky.Albert (Rabbi Tirza Covel) Schmelzer, on the passing of his father, Gene Schmelzer.Robin (David) Greenblat, on the passing of her father, Al Meyers, beloved grandfather of Allison and Jacob.Irwin Shorr, on the passing of his mother, Frances Shorr.Steve (Karen) Boden, on the passing of his father, Jerry Boden, beloved grandfather of Carly and Michael. Laurie (David) Bonner on passing of her father, Alfred Sumberg, beloved grandfather of Kennedy and Londyn.Brad (Janet) Mandel on the passing of his father, Edwin "Eddie" Malin, beloved grandfather of Sarah and Melissa.
Mazal Tov ToDan and Sari Stone on the birth and bris of their son, Yehuda Stone. Mazal tov also to the proud grandparents, Bob and Holly Stone.Talia and Kevin Cronk on the birth of their daughter, Lydia Estelle Cronk, and to big brothers Gabe and Henry.
Minyan Attendance PlanBasically, the entire BSO membership has been divided into 13 teams. Each team has a minyan captain who will let you know via email when it is your turn to attend. We are asking that you try to attend as many times as possible during the week you are assigned. This means that everyone at BSO will be asked to attend one week every third month.
When we tried this out during the summer months, which happen to be the hardest time of the year to make the minyan, it worked incredibly well.
So, when your minyan captain contacts you, please do your best to attend. Your support for the daily minyan is greatly appreciated.
Let Sisterhood Help You Celebrate Your Simhas with Your BSO Family
◾ Celebrating a special anniversary?◾ Have a child or grandchild graduating?◾ Have a child or grandchild, sibling, or friend getting married, or getting
married yourself?◾ Have a child, grandchild, sibling, or friend(s) celebrating a birthday?◾ Have a havurah that wants to share a special Shabbat together?◾ Have relatives or friends achieving some other milestone in their lives? or◾ Just want to help Sisterhood cover some of the costs of unsponsored onegim
and kiddushim?
Consider celebrating with our BSO community by sponsoring an oneg or a kiddush in honor of that event.
For simhas and celebrations other than the B’nai Mitzvahs, the cost to sponsor a Friday night oneg is $180 for up to 75 people, with an additional charge of $2.50 per person for each additional person, and the cost to sponsor a Kiddush is $360 for up to 100 people, with an additional charge of $3.50 per person for each additional person.
Contact Helene Rosenheim to arrange to be a sponsor or for more information at 301.774.6774 or at [email protected].
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Happy Purim!
Make it a Happy Obligation!Sara Geller, 301.774.0879 x119, [email protected]
IN THE HAZZAN’S VOICEby Hazzan Sara Geller
O ur sages charge us to teach our children to walk in the ways of Torah. However, they also go on to exhort us
to teach our children to adhere to any mitzvah — ezeh mitzvah — to do it faithfully and zealously and thereby make us proud.
We get to pick which Jewish practice we want to emphasize in our family. Which Jewish
practice would you pick? I’m writing about this idea in the Jewish month of Adar because the celebration of Purim has some wonderful mitzvot associated with it.
1 Having a festive Purim meal: On Sunday, March 12 we will have all the ingredients for a festive lunch: Hot
dogs, hamentashen, cotton candy, and popcorn. For the adults, remember to purchase a bottle of wine for later! Or, you could gather with your family for your own Purim banquet with songs and groggers.
2 Giving gifts of food to friends: Our synagogue has a community wide mishloah manot program through which
you can send greetings and gifts of food to each other. Or, bake up some goodies, pick out some fresh fruit, and go visiting!
3 Helping those less fortunate: Deeds of loving kindness such as volunteering at shelters or donations of any kind are
going to be more and more important for society at large. Do it as a family.
4 Attend our Megillah reading: You have two options. First, on Saturday night, March 11, bring your family, including
elementary school age kids, to our Classic Megillah reading. We
read the whole story, and we add a lot of fun! It is a great time to be in services because you are expected to make noise! The Book of Esther is a treasure trove of humor as well as a source of inspiration for today. The second option, on Sunday morning, is great for all ages and is combined with our religious school program for the morning. We’ll hear our third graders tell the story, we’ll sing songs, shake the groggers, admire the kids’ costumes, and hear some of the key sentences of the story. Then you can take the family to our carnival and lunch.
The four mitzvot of Purim are some of the easiest and most joyous ways to celebrate our Judaism. If you would participate with your family in any of these activites for two or three years in a row, you would endow your children with wonderful memories. And these memories would be not only “We did Purim”. Your children’s memories would be “And I remember how my parents took me to the Purim carnival and helped me get a fun costume, and we ate hamentashen and cotton candy, and my sister helped me win tickets at the game booths, and we had a great time!” Forty years from now, your kids will cherish their memories of how lovingly you brought them to celebrate Jewish life.
Through the centuries, our scholars have understood that when parents observe Jewish customs alongside their children, the experience is clearly remembered and beloved.
I hope you agree that celebrating Purim is more fun than observing Yom Kippur… (not that there’s anything wrong with Yom Kippur). Make Purim a part of your family’s Jewish heritage, too!
Hazzan Geller
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A Talmudic story tells of a traveler who once saw a man planting a carob tree. He asked him when he thought the tree
would bear fruit. “After 70 years” was the reply.
“Dost thou expect to live 70 years and eat the fruit of thy labor?”
“I did not find the world desolate when I entered it,” said the old man, “and as my ancestors planted for me before I was born, so do I plant for those who will come after me.”
Championed by our past President Debbie Kovalsky, in May 2010 our congregation created the B’nai Shalom of Olney Endowment Fund. By any measure, it has been wildly successful. This Fund has contributed to the financial underpinning of our religious, charitable and educational needs over the past seven years. It has earned a compound annualized rate of return of 6.74% per year while cumulatively contributing over $16,000 to our Operating Budget from income and appreciation. The fund started with only an initial gift of $5,000 and at the end of 2016, the market value of the Fund was over $82,000.
The purpose of creating the Endowment Fund was to obtain and administer financial gifts to broaden the base of financial support. For those who do not know how an Endowment Fund operates, simply put, it is a “pooled” fund where contributions can be made in the following ways:
All contributions are invested in marketable securities using a predefined asset allocation comprised of a diversified portfolio of stocks, bonds and cash. As earnings on these investments accrue over time and with Board approval, annual distributions are made directly to the synagogue’s annual operating budget.
The most important difference between giving to the Endowment Fund versus a direct contribution to the synagogue (e.g. Chai Circle, Yahrzeit, Mishloah Manot, etc…) is that all donations will
L’Dor V’Dor – Planning for the Future
OUTRIGHT GIFTS DEFERRED GIFTS1. Cash/Check 1. Estate gifts2. Securities and Real Estate 2. Life Income Plans – Charitable Trusts3. Tangible Personal Property 3. Life Insurance or Retirement Plans
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Where We are Now — ShulCloudCarol Cohen Wolfe, 301.774.0879 x114 , [email protected]
AROUND THE SYNAGOGUEby Carol Cohen Wolfe
A s you are aware, last year we rolled out ShulCloud, a new congregant account management software,
and to date, a majority of our congregants have signed in to their accounts. This change was made to allow congregants to have easier access, and greater transparency with regards to their BSO membership and account information. The system has also
allowed much greater flexibility in making on-line payments and donations through either echeck or credit card options.
As a BSO member, you can access your account information by simply going to the B’nai Shalom of Olney website, clicking the “Access Account” link and signing-in to your own account. Once you are in your account, you will have the ability to make payments and donations, check recent transactions, as well as update your family’s yahrzeit information. You will also have access to a full membership directory, with contact information to reach other members of our community. Finally, in response to congregant requests, we will be expanding our website’s member only pages, providing access to BSO bylaws, Board minutes, and other information that BSO members have requested.
As always, please feel free to contact me if you have any questions regarding your account or if I can be of any assistance, 301.774.0879 or [email protected].
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The Fundraising CornerHaverim,Did you notice our Psalm 133 in the new President’s Inaugural Address?He said: The Bible tells us, “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity. We must speak our minds openly, debate our disagreements honestly, but always pursue solidarity.” Here it is, in the “Hebrish” transliteration: Hine ma tov u’ma-nayim, Shevet ahim gam yahad.Many vocalists have recorded this (along with our BSO religious school kids), and I understand that Yonathan Netanyahu sang it with his troops on the way to Entebbe. In these difficult times for BSO, it is true for us as well.To keep our doors open, we are in need to the following items:$ 1500 Phones for each of the BSO Classrooms$1295 Religious School Tuition Scholarship $ 1200 Conference Room Chairs$ 200 Security Alarm System, monthly service fee$ 54 Sponsorship towards Teacher Appreciation
Shabbat$ ANY Chai Circle Contribution (Help us meet our
2016-17 fundraising goal, we’re already 75% there)Please help. L’hetriot.Hope and Chip Hinkes [email protected]
It Happens Once a Year!
Come One, Come All... To Our BSO
Purim Festivities!Sunday, March 12
10 am – Megillah Lite (Family Friendly Fun and Hilarity, Including Megillah Highlights, Shtick, and Singing)
11 am-1:30 pm – Purim Carnival Enjoy DOZENS of Booths, a Moon Bounce,
an Obstacle Course, More Surprises!
The Men’s Club will be Selling Lunch.
Sisterhood has Hamentashen for Sale.
Men’s Club Passover Wine Tasting and Sale.
ECSC Silent Auction
And Much, Much More!
Led by Rabbi Sunshine and “The Beat Goes On”, Adam Mason and Alan Yellowitz, “Prayer Rhythms” is an alternative Shabbat morning prayer experience in the Shuman Chapel featuring rhythm, breathing and awareness exercises, group drumming and niggunim (melodies without words). Don't miss out on this new and exciting opportunity to reflect, be energized and inspired, together with other members of our BSO community!
Dates: March 11, April 8, May 6 Time: 10:00-11:00 am
Looking to change up your Shabbat AM routine?
Join us for...“Prayer
Rhythms”
Let’s Play!Tara Goldstein ([email protected]) & Karen Leventhal ([email protected])
O n February 12, Sisterhood held its Third Annual Mah Jongg Game Day at BSO.
The tables were filled with all levels of players — advanced, intermediate, and beginner. Our members spent a wonderful afternoon socializing and playing while enjoying delicious snacks. Some even took home great
prizes! A big thank you goes out to Stefanie Parizer for organizing such a fun event!
We all enjoyed the BSO Pancake Brunch sponsored by Sisterhood, HAZAK and Men’s Club on Sunday, February 26, at BSO. The delicious food was accompanied by a speaker. A wonderful event for all in attendance!
Save the dates for these two upcoming Sisterhood events: Israeli Dancing on March 26 from 1:00 to 3:00 pm and our Chocolate Seder on April 2 from 7:00 to 9:00 pm. Further information will be sent out soon. For questions or to volunteer to help with planning, please contact Tara Goldstein or Karen Leventhal at the emails listed above.
Sisterhood MeetingsSisterhood meetings are held on the first Thursday of each month. All are welcome to attend! The next Sisterhood meeting will be on Thursday, March 2, 2017 at 7:45 pm following minyan.
Notes on Sisterhood Needlecrafts and Book ClubFeel free to join us for our Sisterhood Needlecrafts group every first Sunday of the month from the end of minyan to 12:00 noon. RSVP to Judy Levy-Stutsky at [email protected].
The next book club will be held on April 23rd at 11:00 am at the home of Cindy Simon. They will be discussing The Bridge Ladies: A Memoir by Betsy Lerner. And please remember, you do not have to have read the book to join in on the discussion. For more information or to get on the Sisterhood Book Club email list, contact Jan King at [email protected] or 301.871.6163.
Special Thanks To◾ Laurie and Josh Beck for sponsoring the January 21 Kiddush in
honor of their son Alexander’s bar mitzvah.◾ Andrea Cohen, Linda Epstein, Barbara Kornrich, and Lisa Segal
for helping with the January Congregational Dinner hosted by Sisterhood.
◾ Hazzan Geller for leading the Rosh Hodesh Program on January 29.
◾ Vickie Smith for hosting Book Club on February 12.
SISTERHOOD UPDATEby Karen Leventhal & Tara Goldstein
Upcoming Calendar Dates to Remember:◾ March 2 Sisterhood meeting at BSO at 7:45 pm◾ March 26 Israeli Dancing at BSO from 1:00 to 3:00 pm◾ April 2 Chocolate Seder at BSO from 7:00 to 9:00 pm◾ April 6 Sisterhood meeting at BSO at 7:45 pm◾ April 23 Book Club at Cindy Simon’s house at 11:00 am ◾ April 30 Japan/Torah Fund Program at Marian Apple’s home
from 11:00 am to 1:00 pmb h k
never be spent but held in perpetuity. Only the “earnings” are eligible for annual distributions. The larger the Endowment Fund, the greater the possible annual benefit to the synagogue. It’s that simple. In contrast, donations made directly to the synagogue are typically used within the current fiscal year and do not provide a financial benefit beyond that point. Therefore, the Endowment Fund provides everyone a choice as to the future permantency and current purpose of your financial gifts.
As we have heard from leadership over the past few years, we continue to be challenged with our finances as the broad economy continues to recalibrate to a “new normal”. Our Board had responded boldly and succeeded in meeting our short-term financial responsibilities and these results should only validate the notion to all of us that our community is strong, dedicated and determined. And while we all know our community will continue to face short term challenges in many areas of our synagogue, it is critical that we do not overlook or compromise on our longer term commitments. Therefore, we must continue the path we have taken where we meet our current obligations AND make measurable progress towards our future goals. Incorporating a “balanced” financial approach is our only path forward to sustainability. With anything less, we risk having an uncertain future.
It is now time for all of us to become engaged with our Endowment Fund and continue our course. Let us not forget,, but fulfill, one of our most important tenets and responsibilities of our great Jewish heritage, by showing to the next generation of leaders and members, that we are committed to their success as well.
Contact Fred Lewis at 410.707.0046 for more information or to make a donationion to the Endowment Fund.
L’Dor V’Dor, continued from page 3
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Don't forget you can earn money for B’nai Shalom of Olney when you shop on Amazon.com!When you shop at AmazonSmile, Amazon donates 0.5% of the purchase price to BSO. Go to smile.amazon.com and type in B’nai Shalom of Olney. Support us every time you shop!
YOUTH AND MORE
Get your kids and teens involved in BSO youth.Look for information about all of our upcoming youth events on BSO’s Youth website — BnaiShalomOfOlney.org.
◾ Bonim for grades K-2 ◾ Machar for grades 3-5◾ Kadima for grades 6-8 ◾ USY for grades 9-12Join the appropriate youth group by filling out an application at BnaiShalomOfOlney.org, look for Youth under Get Involved .
BSO Youth Groups are Where It’s At!
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Above: Bonim read The Hare and Tortoise Race Across Israel and then did activities related to the book. In the book they have a snack of carrots and hummus, and so did we. They raced to the Dead Sea, so we did sand art.
Above: Bonim read The Hare and To
BSO Kadima basketbll team.
BSO and Adas Israel combined USY basketball team.
USY’s sleep over/hangout/cake wars was a huge success!
GG t kid d t i l d i BSO thhhhh
The great kosher Chocolate Factory Event was messy fun for all!
ECS by the Numbers… Rabbi Sarah Meytin, Early Childhood Education Director, 301.570.0699, [email protected]
EARLY CHILDHOOD SCHOOLby Rabbi Sarah Meytin
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We are the ECS administrators — an office manager and a director who attend to the details, the minutia of administrative paperwork and planning, to ensure that the school stays licensed, classes are organized, programs happen smoothly, and the ECS can provide the best early childhood program for our students. We work hard to ensure that this happens in the background, so parents can focus on their children and their children’s education, and the teachers can focus on their craft and their work. We do this so we can have school programs that run this year for 43 weeks and eight weeks of camp. We do this, because we love our students and their families, and we’re committed to the ECS and BSO communities. We are the ESC administrators.
We are, together, the Early Childhood School at B’nai Shalom. Check us out online at www.ecsonline.org.
Join us for the ECS Purim Carnival on March 12 at 11:00 am. We’ll have a room for the 5 years and under children with games and activities just right for them!
Also, Don’t Miss These Upcoming ECS and BSO Programs◾ March 4 Tot Shabbat, 11:15 am◾ March 7 Mini-Megillah with Rabbi Sunshine and Sing
Along, 9:45 am◾ March 8 Picture Art◾ March 12 Purim Carnival and ECS Silent Auction, 11:00 am◾ March 26 ECS Family Game Night, 4:00-6:00 pm◾ April 1 Tot Shabbat, 11:15 am
B ut the numbers don’t tell the whole story. The point of the numbers is lost if they don’t add up to more than a sum of the parts. At the ECS, we are a community, and that can’t
be quantified with numbers or measures or scales.
We are parents who look to the ECS to enrich our children with a great education. We give what we can, of time and financial support, to boost the ECS program and ensure it’s the best for our children. We support each other when a child is sick or a spouse is traveling. We have playdates on weekends and work through the challenges of parenting together. We are the ECS parents.
We are students who trust the ECS teachers completely. We give our love and attention to our classroom families, making friends, bonding with our teachers, and opening our minds to new ideas. Through scientific inquiry, we explore and discover the world around us. We learn how to be in community, and we care deeply for one another. We offer hugs to sad friends and share our blocks. Together, we dig in the mud and splash in the puddles. We are the ECS students.
We are teachers, educators committed to providing the best early learning environment we can for our young students. We nurture and care for their bodies, and their souls. We spark their curiosity and lay the foundations of thoughtful citizenship in our classroom communities. We are life-long learners, eager to improve our craft. We partner with the parents of our students, including them in our class projects and programs, bridging the gap between home and school. We have a passion for our work and love what we do. We are ECS teachers.
b d ’t t ll th h l t Th i t f th
100 awesome parents50 eager students43 weeks of school12 teachers8 weeks of camp5 classes2 administrators1 FABULOUS Early Childhood School
ECS teachers.
Havdalah together
Shabbat blessing
Reading aloud
Playtime
RELIGIOUS SCHOOLby Michal Morris Kamil
Joy and PurimMichal Morris Kamil, Director of Education, 301.774.9323, ext. 145, [email protected]
T he Mitzvot (commandments) and traditions of the month of Adar focus on happiness and care for the other.
We are commanded to be happy and not leave it to spontaneity. So much so, that we must get ‘drunk’ to the point where we cannot differentiate between Mordechai and Haman, in other words between ‘good’ and ‘evil’. Wow! We are commanded to make others happy, to
think of the poor, and to prepare gifts and food to distribute. Adar is the happy month of Judaism.
And yet, the story of Purim in essence is one of the saddest in our Jewish narrative. This is a story that takes place when the Jews are in exile, having been banished from our homeland. It is a story of Anti-Semitism and a calling for genocide of the Jewish people, by a perpetrator who is a descendant of biblical Jewish haters, Amalek, who sought, over a thousand years before, to destroy the children of Israel in the desert. It is a story of not being free to express one’s true identity, and having to hide behind a mask. Our heroine, Esther, locally called Ashtar, must pose as a local girl to get near King Ahashverosh, or Xerxes, in order to save our people. In fact, our sages commented that Purim and Yom Kippur share the common word of ‘lottery’ and of the decision ‘who will live and who will die’.
It is also a story where there is no mention of God being present to save us. The Jews, who are in exile, are also in a spiritual ‘desert’ of connectivity, similar to when they were slaves in Egypt, as marked in the following month of Nissan, recalled at our
Passover tables.
Adar...We are commanded to be joyful!
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With such a tragic story, and dire outcome, how can we be commanded in our laws, to be ‘happy’ in this month? For my answer, I turn to Rabbi Nachman of Breslav whose life’s works focused on ‘Joy’ in Judaism. He wrote;
“Strengthen yourself to push aside all depression and sadness. Everyone has lots of problems and the nature of man is to be attracted to sadness. To escape these difficulties, constantly bring joy into your life — even if you have to resort to silliness”. (Likutey Moharan II, 24).
Breslav was a great believer in the power of music, dance and play. He recognized that music clears the mind and makes us happy. It has the power to sharpen our memories and enable us to concentrate on our goals (Advice, Joy 14-15). Therefore Rebbe Nachman says it’s a very good habit to inspire ourselves with a melody. The spiritual roots of music and song are quite exalted and can arouse our hearts and raise our spirits (Rabbi Nachman’s Wisdom #273).The Rebbe also talks about the special power that dancing and clapping have to make us happy and mitigate the negative things affecting us (Likutey Moharan I, 169). Finally, he celebrated silliness as a way of lightening the spirit and providing us distractions.
Our wise sages were historians of memory, and identified the key traumas in the Jewish fight for existence and continuity.
They recognized our fragility and our strength to persevere. Purim, in its narrative and traditions, teaches us that learning is not just about content, facts and figures. It is about human experience and the mechanisms we need to cope and deal with whatever we face as a people. Just as we are commanded to mourn and reflect, we are commanded to BE happy and find ways to rejoice to the point of silliness! It teaches us to deal with hate, to be resourceful, and to recognize that no threat is insurmountable. We must face it, be positive, and recognize that there is always something to laugh about! Hag Purim sameah and share the joy of celebration, laughter and humor. Remember, we are commanded to do so!
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More RS photos on facing page
Men’s Club NewsStan Schwartzbart, 301.367.4711, [email protected] Schneider, 301.774.4662, [email protected]
Meetings are held the first Thursday of the month. Please make an effort to attend! Dues notices were sent out
electronically to every male member of the congregation. We will follow up with a letter to anyone who did not get the email. Even if you are not a participating member, please contribute your dues so the Men’s Club can continue to support many activities of the congregation.
Upcoming Events◾ Paid up membership brunch – date to be announced◾ Elections for Men’s Club – at the paid up membership meeting◾ Passover Wine Sale Fundraiser – March 12, 19 & 26 and
April 2 & 9◾ Men’s Club Famous Friday Night Shabbat Dinner by our Master
Chef, Stan Dubin – April 28
IN THE COMMUNITY
Spring is just around the corner which means that it's time to plan for vacation. Consider attending USCJ HAZAK Senior
Retreat at Honor's Haven Resort and Spa. This program has two options: June 21-28 (with transportation included) or June 21-26 (without transportation). For more information contact: Jo-Anne Tucker-Zemlak at 240.988.1545 or go to the HAZAK website for a description of the entire program.
Spring Events◾ Tuesday, March 21 from 1:00 - 3:00 pm. Program: “A Bintel
Brief” (A Bundle of Letters). Become part of the lives of Jews living in New York during the first half of the 20th century and later, by hearing and responding to what some have called the immigrant's Ann Landers. All are welcome to attend. Dessert will be served. No charge.
◾ Tuesday, April 25 from 1:00-3:00 pm. Program: A pre-Yom Ha-atzmaut event.
◾ Sunday, May 21 – Annual Dinner and Game Night
If you have any questions, contact either Naomi or Sandy. See you at our events.
HAZAK HappeningsNaomi Kline, 240.669.7683, [email protected] Sandy Kusselson, 301.384.1252, [email protected]
9
Notice for Familes with an Upcoming Bar or Bat MitzvahOne of the requirements of families who are having a Bar or Bat Mitzvah at BSO is that an adult member of the family usher at Shabbat services at least 3 times before their joyous occasion. This requirement is in addition to any ushering done at High Holy Day Services or duties as a member of the BSO family. You can sign up to usher in two ways: there is a link to a spreadsheet on the weekly BSO announcements or you can contact Ron Schneider at [email protected]. Please sign up for dates as early as possible so that we can enhance our services each week.
ADULTEDUCATIONADULTEDUCATION
Torah on Tap
Rabbi Sunshine
Torah on Tap continues to be a huge success, and we’re looking forward to another month of food, drink, good
company, schmoozing, and engaging discussion on topics of interest in our lives, grounded in Jewish text throughout the ages. And this all takes place in a relaxed and informal setting.Date: Monday, March 20Location: Mamma Lucia’s, 18224 Village Center Dr., Olney
Please remember to sign up with Teresa in the synagogue office or with Rabbi Sunshine for each individual event, as this program has limited seating and sells out!
Religious School, continued from page 8g , p g
Tu Bishvat is here for the Second Grade
Mitzvah Makers Fair Religious School learning that ‘Giving is from the Heart’
SIMAN TOV U MAZAL TOV!B’nai Mitzvah – March 2017 Compiled by the Religious Committee
Ian Rubin – March 4Ian Rubin, son of Illana and Jason Rubin, will be called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah during Shabbat evening services on March 4. Ian, who turned 13 on February 17, is a seventh-grade student at Earle B. Wood Middle School.
Ian enjoys breakdancing, fishing, art, travel, photography and animals, including his two pet geckos, three frogs, one turtle and too many fish to count. He also enjoys summer camp at Camp Airy, Kadima events and camp, and spending time with his family and friends
Ian’s passion for animals motivated him to solicit donations from the community for the Montgomery County Animal Shelter as his mitzvah project. He also volunteered to paint children’s faces at an adoption event hosted at the shelter.
Sharing Ian’s simcha will be his sister, Lexi, a 10-year-old fifth-grader at Flower Valley Elementary School, and his brother, Aidan, a 7-year-old second-grader at Flower Valley. Ian’s grandparents, Carol and Paul Meyer of North Bethesda and Doreen and Jeff Rubin of Rockville, will also enjoy in the celebration.
Reflections, continued from page 1
be operating in the background, indirectly, even imperceptibly, and yet God remains a perpetual and enduring presence in our lives.
As individuals, as a Jewish people, and as part of humanity, we need never feel abandoned or alone. And that surely is a timeless message, one worthy of remembering and celebrating joyously not only on this Purim, but on every Purim to follow throughout the generations.
Purim Sameah, (Happy Purim!)Rabbi Sunshine
Perspectives from the President, continued from page 1
of the path we have chosen to embark on? How do we know that in a specific moment of time we are not carrying out the exact task that we were inherently meant to do? There is no doubt that each of us has the ability to significantly impact a situation based on our action or inaction. We have the choice to find our courage and seize the moment, or relinquish to apathy and turn away. I hope, like Esther, we are inspired to seize the moment.
At this vital time for our synagogue, I believe we all have a purpose. We are each destined to play an integral role in the future of our community. Will you seize the moment or turn away? You might be the one to connect in a meaningful way with a fellow congregant at a time of need. You might be the one to teach a critical message to a child. You might be the one to enhance someone’s Shabbat experience, or make a stranger feel welcome. You might be the one to make, or ask, for a much needed donation. You may be the one to inspire people to take on a social action project. You may be the one to assuage someone’s concerns or embrace their joy. The opportunities to seize your moment in our community are endless, but just like Esther you may need some encouragement to realize your role and we are here to help. “Who knows if you have not come to your position for just such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14).
In the book Sacred Strategies: Transforming Synagogues from Functional to Visionary by Isa Aron, Steven M. Cohen, Lawrence A. Hoffman, and Ari Y. Kelman, the authors examine several synagogues that were successful at creating a sustainable culture of change and transformation. These communities were courageous enough to embrace transformation and create a sacred purpose based on a shared vision. They moved away from a culture of passivity and towards one of meaningful engagement. I am confident that we can rise to this challenge. If you haven’t
10
Noam Tuchman – March 18Noam Tuchman, son of Lisa and Shamir Tuchman, will be called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah during Shabbat morning services on March 18. Noam, who turned 13 on January 30, is a seventh-grade honor student at Farquhar Middle School, where he plays trumpet in the school band.
Noam, who was born in Cincinnati, is a huge Cincinnati Bengals fan. Known for his honest, unassuming nature and a strong sense of justice, Noam loves spending time with his family, vintage video games, pokemon go! and playing with his Boston terrier, Bear.
Helping Noam celebrate will be his sister, Liat, ten, a fourth-grade student at Charles E. Drew Elementary, and brother, Yoav, five, a member of the Haverim Tovim classroom at B’nai Shalom of Olney’s early childhood school. Noam’s grandparents, Aviva and Mendel Tuchman from Rockville, and Linda and Craig Kessler from Bethesda, will also take part in the simcha, along with family from Israel, New York, California, South Carolina and Tennessee.
already, I encourage you to read the book. There are many anecdotes that might spark an idea or inspire you to share an initiative with our community.
“The Jews had light and joy, and gladness and honor”. This statement from Megillat Esther is the ultimate declaration of success. We repeat it each Saturday night as we usher in Havdalah and joyfully welcome a new week. As we move through the weeks, months, and even years ahead continuing on our path to greatness, we can eagerly anticipate with confidence that B’nai Shalom of Olney will have light and joy, and gladness and honor.
Wishing each of you a joyful Adar and a Purim full of Mitzvot and merriment.
Laurie
Thank you to those who support BSO by remembering and honoring friends and loved ones with generous contributions. Donations appearing in the newsletter may not reflect all donations received prior to publication. Listings are as current as the newsletter deadline allows.
DONATIONS
11
Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund
In Honor of:Evan Rosenthal & Emma Levine,
on their engagement by Gary & Robin Rosenthal
In Appreciation of: Rabbi Sunshine for Torah on Tap
by Howard & Sharon PressRabbi Sunshine for officating at
Heather & Jeff’s wedding by Barry & Debbie Talesnick
In Memory of:Al Meyers by Robin GreenblatAl Meyers by Al & Ruth TeminMim Parizer by Sylvia BellerMim Parizer by Gary & Robin
RosenthalIn Observance of the Yahrzeit of:Richard Austin by Scott & Alisa
AustinManuel Berman by Harry & Daria
BermanNoche Cacciatore by Michael &
Caron StarobinJoseph Saul Cohen by Harry &
Sylvia CohenHarry Goldie by Terry & Rhonda
KleinAlex Goldstein by Herbert & Anita
GoldsteinDr. Julius Goodman by Jordan &
Carole GoodmanHerman & Rose Mednick by Steve
ZemskySeverin Pasternak by Harold &
Lilly SmetanaMurray Rosen by Jean RosenMildred Schneider by Jeanne
NobleDavid Smetana by Harold & Lilly
SmetanaJoseph Stone by Joan StoneHarry & Bessie Zemsky by Steve
ZemskyAbby Zizmor by Steve Zemsky
Hazzan’s Music FundIn Appreciation of:Hazzan Sara Geller by Jeff &
Marla Orenstein Hazzan Geller teaching to read
haftorah on 12/10 by Joshua & Shamira Shallom
Hazzan Geller participating in Heather & Jeff’s Wedding by Barry & Debbie Talesnick
In Memory of:Philip Geller by Michael GoldmanPhilip Geller by Steve & Naomi
KlinePhilip Geller by David & Debra
Levy
Philip Geller by Jerry & Eileen Oslick
Philip Geller by Stan & Susan Schwartzbart
Mim Parizer by Sylvia BellerMim Parizer by Emily PerlmanIn Observance of the Yahrzeit of:Fortuna Allal by Itzhak & Judy
Allal Alvin Berlin by Robert & Robin
BonifantFannie Cohen by Harry & Sylvia
CohenLeonard Forman by Howard
FormanFannie Gordon by Alan & Iris
GordonCarol Levin by Albert Levin
Endowment FundIn Observance of the Yahrzeit of:Sam & Charlotte Goldman by
Roger & Barbara SchwarzMarion Hahn by David & Randee
HahnEve Schwarz by Roger & Barbara
SchwarzIn Appreciation of:Fred Lewis by Jeff & Marla
Orenstein
General FundIn Honor of: Ross Lev Burka’s birth by Mim
CohenEvan Rosenthal and Emma
Levine’s engagement by Mim Cohen
Evan Rosenthal and Emma Levine’s engagement by Howard & Sharon Press
In Memory of:Albert Meyers by Howard &
Sharon PressMim Parizer by the Statlender
FamilyMim Parizer by Larry & Paula
EvansMim Parizer by Steve & Naomi
KlineMim Parizer by Marc & Vickie
SmithFrances Shorr by Ken & Tami
AbramowitzFrances Shorr by Howard &
Sharon PressIris Treager by Ruth BognovitzIris Treager by Phyllis PhillipsIris Treager by Marc & Vickie
SmithIn Observance of the Yahrzeit of:Alvin Berlin by Florence Berlin
and Robin Bonifant
Irving Block by Linda KaySol & Doris Bosin by Bernice
CohenGayle W. Brook by Ken & Tami
AbramowitzSylvia Colbreuner by Norman &
Wendy EisenbergSamuel Fisher by Mike & Alice
SternGeorge Glatzer by June KreverFred Greenwald by Alan & Iris
GordonJune Gross by Ronald & Amy
GrossMichael Hankin by Alan & Susan
HankinHilda Kramer by Stephen &
Marlene LeaveyMelvin Kramer by Stephen &
Marlene LeaveyBarbara Marcus-Kolton by
Michael & Janice MarcusRuth Minton by Sondra GrunderJack & Nettie Simons by Sue
SimonsMorton Simons by Sue SimonsBess Ward by Sue SimonsMorris & Ethel Wiener by Sue
SimonsPaul Wiener by Sue SimonsDavid & Hilda Winer by Mark
WinerIngo Schukraft by Matthew &
Erika TerlHenrietta Slan by Allan & Leslie
SlanMelvin Shochet by Jerold & Carol
Polovoy
Elaine Smith by Marc & Vickie Smith
In Appreciation of:Rabbi Sunshine participating in
Bill Gross’s memorial service by Mary Gross
Rabbi Sunshine by Barbara Kornrich
Laurie Blumstein and Fred Lewis for the Town Hall meetings by Ed & Judy Stutsky
Alex P. Kowalsky Endowment Fund
In Honor of: Ross Lev Burka’s birth by Brian &
Melanie LubinIn Memory of:Philip Geller by Barry & Debbie
TalesnickFrances Shorr by Louis & Debbie
KovalskyFrances Shorr by Brian & Melanie
LubinIn Observance of the Yahrzeit of:David Apple by Lou & Marian
AppleMary Babinski by Lou & Marian
AppleSamuel Babinski by Lou & Marian
ApplePhilip Berg by Lou & Marian
AppleRose Berg by Lou & Marian AppleIn Appreciation of:Rabbi Sunshine by Jeff & Marla
Orenstein
Become a permanent part of BSO!
By purchasing an engraved brick, you can commemorate family simhas, remember special people, and honor those
who have left you with a lasting impression, as we build a brick garden behind the social hall.
Phase One detail and order forms are available on our website, www.BnaiShalomOfOlney.org, or in the office.
BSO Brick Fundraiser“Building a Legacy, Brick by Brick!”
MARCH CELEBRATIONSMarchAnniversaries3 ......Stuart Snyder & Nanci
Gelb4 ......Harry & Sylvia Cohen7 ......Barry & Miriam Cohen7 ......Alan Fellman & Bonnie
Schiller10 ...Edward & Judy Stutsky14 ....David & Leslie
Schmeidler17 ....Jerrold & Lynn
Michael17 ....Marvin & Shirley
Levine19 ....Todd & Lori Gardner21 ....Jeffrey & Paula
Silberberg22 ...Leo & Arlene Belman22 ...Jordan & Carole
Goodman25 ...Jeff & Michelle
Steinman28 ...Albert & Dana Shuman28 ...Eric & Wendy Levine29 ...Matthew & Donna
Bernhard29 ...James & Anna-Lisa
Walters
MarchBirthdays1 ......Eve Guttman1 ......Max Fader1 ......Joshua Kane2 ......Florence Berlin2 ......Rae Shelia Rosenthal2 ......Reese Brenner3 ......Sandra Kusselson3 ......Jacob Ginsburg4 ......Dylan Singer4 ......Maxwell Sevrin4 ......Elijah Allal5 ......John Kane5 ......Ben Kramer5 ......Michael Marcus5 ......Cindy Prengler6 ......Jena R Stone6 ......Claudia Silberglitt6 ......Carrie Yonenson6 ......Daniel Kessous7 ......Stevie Katz7 ......Amy Robinson7 ......Myer Lubin8 ......Victoria Kramer8 ......Michelle Schwarz8 ......Sara Steiner8 ......Lainee Nimetz8 ......Oksana Bellas8 ......Lior Schmelzer9 ......Trudy Doss9 ......Rosalie Friedman9 ......Jeffrey Orenstein9 ......Jacob Weinberg9 ......Ariyeh Schmelzer10 ...Eliot Cohen
10 ...Valmore Bloomberg10 ...Sophia Bernhard10 ...Adiv Blumstein10 ...Steven Costolo11 ....Julia Friedman11 ....Joshua Lemberger12 ....Ira Reese12 ....Judith Friedman12 ....Blaine Zarnick12 ....David Blevins12 ....Matthew Kopp13 ....Harvey Alperin13 ....Ellen Franks13 ....Alexander Topol13 ....Alison King14 ....Judy Hines14 ....Zachary Weston15 ....Jack Berman15 ....Dorothy Kane15 ....Jordan Costolo16....Marlene Gudelsky16....Rebecca Katcoff16....Shira Rosenthal16....Elisabeth Unger16....Jennifer Lichter17 ....Samantha Gordon17 ....Faye Greenberg17 ....Natalie Lewis18 ....Leah Krantz19 ....Edward Weisel19 ....Isaac Gittleson20 ...Jason Mills21 ....Jana Austin21 ....Benjamin Sacks21 ....Elan Rosenberg21 ....Jacob Starobin21 ....Bernice Cohen22 ...Zachary Schoengold22 ...Aidan Sachs22 ...Deena Goldberg22 ...Philip Kroop22 ...William Unger23 ...Leah Marquis23 ...Russell Lubin24 ...Barry Talesnick24 ...William Brenner24 ...Vickie Roth25 ...David Carmen25 ...Laurie Blumstein25 ...Kayla Abrahams26 ...Marjorie Osborne26 ...Debra Reese26 ...Stanley Rosen27 ...Jonathan Golomb27 ...Cory Sepulvado28 ...Cheryl Weisel28 ...Ross Freedenberg28 ...Scott Freedenberg29 ...Evan Neufeld29 ...Daniel Rose30 ...Nancy Cohen30 ...Stefanie Wilpon30 ...Claudia Jacob31 ....Marian Sacks31 ....Joseph Franks31 ....Linda Reba31 ....Josh Weiner31 ....Joy Stromberg
12
Moscato D’Aussie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$12Teal Lake Moscato . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$14Tishbi Estate Winery Viognier (semi) . . .$15Tishbi Estate Winery Viognier (dry) . . . .$15Carmel Young Moscato . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$16Barkan Chardonnay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$15Lan Zur Chardonnay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$17Carmel Appelation Sauvignon Blanc . . . .$25
Ariel Emerald Reisling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$18Yarden Mt. Hermon White . . . . . . . . . . . . .$18Tishbi Emerald Reisling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$19Bartenura Moscato . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$19Or Haganuz Sauvignon Blanc . . . . . . . . . .$22O’Dwyers Creek Sauvignon Blanc . . . . . .$25Borgo Reale Pino Grigio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$26Tabor Adama Sauvignon Blanc . . . . . . . . .$26
WHITE WINES
Herzog Merlot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$17Yarden Mt. Hermon Red . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$18Lan Zur Cabernet Sauvignon . . . . . . . . . .$18Lan Zur Merlot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$18Teal Lake Cabernet/Merlot (Mix) . . . . . .$18Teal Lake Shiraz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$18Barkan Classic Cabernet Sauvignon . . . .$18
Tabor Shiraz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$20Galil Merlot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$21Dalton Cabernet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$22Dalton Merlot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$22Dalton Shiraz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$22Galil Pinot Noir . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$24Recanati Merlot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$26
RED WINES
Carmel Concord . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $10 Manischewitz: Concord, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $10 Cream White or Red . . . . $12
TRADITIONAL WINES
Dolev Muscat Hamburg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $16 Herzog Zinfandel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $12BLUSH WINES
Passion Fruit — Lychee — Pomegranate — Grapefruit . . . $24MORAD FRUIT WINES
B’nai Shalom of OlneyMen’s Club
2017 Passover Wine Fundraiser
All Wines Kosher for PassoverSale and Pick-up in the BSO Lobby, March 12, 19 & 26 and April 2 & 9
9:30 am-Noon(Please order by email, phone or regular mail)
Email: Stephen [email protected], or call 301.384.8928 or 301.325.4859 or mail to Stephen Leavy, 13704 Castle Cliff Way, Silver Spring, MD 20904
WINE SALE ORDER FORMName Phone
Brand-Varietal Qty. Amount
Please make checks payable to B’nai Shalom Men’s Club.
TOTAL AMOUNT DUE
Teal Lake Chardonnay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$18
MARCH 2017
Erev Purim
ADAR/NISSAN 5777
* = Office Closed
4:30 pm – Religious School
6:30 pm – Upper School RS offsite at HomeCrest
7:30 pm – Minyan
11:00 am – Thursday Torah
7:30 pm – Minyan 7:45 pm –
Sisterhood Monthly Meeting
6:45 am – Minyan9:45 am – Music
Together10:30 am – ECS
Shabbat Sing5:45 pm – Friday
Night Lights 5:45 pm – Candle
Lighting6:15 pm –
Congregational Shabbat Dinner
7:30 pm – Shabbat Services
9:15 am – Shabbat Morning Service/Terumah
10:30 am – Minyan Beyahad
11:15 pm – Tot Shabbat
1:00 pm – Kiddush Konversation
5:15 pm – Ian Rubin Bar Mitzvah
6:45 pm – Empty Nest Havdalah at the home of Jeff & Marla Orenstein
Seaboard USY & Kadima Basketball Leagues– Offsite
9:00 am – Minyan9:00 am – Religious
School 10:00 am – Sisterhood
Needlepoint10:45 am – RS
Parent’s Breakfast
10:00 am – ECS Music
7:30 pm – Minyan
9:45 am – ECS Purim Sing–a–long
4:30 pm – Religious School
7:30 pm – Minyan 7:45 pm – Ethical
Life with Rabbi Sunshine
8:00 am – ECS Picture Art
4:30 pm – Religious School
6:30 pm – Upper School RS
7:30 pm – Minyan 8:00 pm – Budget
Meeting
11:00 am – Thursday Torah with Rabbi Sunshine
7:30 pm – Minyan 7:45 pm – Youth
Committee Meeting
7:45 pm – Men’s Club Monthly Meeting
6:45 am – Minyan
9:45 am – Music Together
10:30 am – ECS Shabbat Sing
5:52 pm – Candle Lighting
7:30 pm – Shabbat Services
9:15 am – Shabbat Morning Service/Zahor
10:00 am – Prayer Rhythms
7:00 pm – #PNL (Purim Night Live) and Megillah Reading
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
10:00 am – Purim Celebration – 3rd Grade Jr. Megilla Reading
11:00 am – Purim Carnival, ECS Silent Auction, Lunch & Hamentashan Sale
11:00 am – Men’s Club Wine Sale
10:00 am – ECS Music
7:30 pm – Minyan
4:30 pm – Religious School
7:30 pm – Minyan 7:45 pm – Ethical
Life with Rabbi Sunshine
8:00 pm – Budget Meeting
4:30 pm – Religious School
6:30 pm – Upper School RS
7:30 pm – Minyan
11:00 am – Thursday Torah with Rabbi Sunshine
7:30 pm – Minyan 7:45 pm –
Education Committee Meeting
6:45 am – Minyan10:30 am – ECS
Shabbat Sing 6:59 pm – Candle
Lighting 7:30 pm – Birthday
& Anniversary Shabbat Services
9:15 am – Shabbat Morning Service/Parah/Noam Tuchman Bar Mitzvah
10:30 am – Minyan Beyahad
12:30 pm – Kiddush Konversation
8:00 pm – USY Movie Night
1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
(continued at right)
(continued at right)
Seaboard USY & Kadima Basketball Leagues– Offsite
9:00 am – Minyan9:00 am – Religious
School 9:00 am – Men’s
Club Wine Sale
10:00 am – ECS Music 7:30 pm – Minyan
4:30 pm – Religious School
7:30 pm – Minyan 7:45 pm – Ethical
Life with Rabbi Sunshine
4:30 pm – Religious School
6:30 pm – Upper School RS
7:30 pm – Minyan
11:00 am – Thursday Torah with Rabbi Sunshine
4:30 pm – Religious School
7:30 pm – Minyan
6:45 am – Minyan9:45 am – Music
Together10:30 am – ECS
Shabbat Sing 7:13 pm – Candle
Lighting 7:30 pm – Shabbat
Services
Seaboard USY & Kadima Basketball Leagues– Offsite
9:00 am – Minyan9:00 am – Religious
School 9:00 am – Sulam
for Emerging Leaders
9:00 am – Men’s Club Wine Sale
10:00 am – ECS Music 7:30 pm – Minyan 8:00 pm – Torah on
Tap with Rabbi Sunshine
1:00 pm – HAZAK Program – Bintel Brief
4:30 pm – Religious School
7:30 pm – Minyan 7:45 pm – Ethical
Life with Rabbi Sunshine
4:30 pm – Religious School
6:30 pm – Upper School RS
7:30 pm – Minyan 7:45 pm – Board
Meeting
11:00 am – Thursday Torah with Rabbi Sunshine
7:30 pm – Minyan
6:45 am – Minyan10:30 am – ECS
Shabbat Sing 7:06 pm – Candle
Lighting 7:30 pm – Shabbat
Services
Shabbat Mevarchim
Parshat Hachodesh9:15 am – Shabbat
Morning Services8:00 pm – USY
Poker Night
13Monday-Thursday Minyan – 7:30 pm, unless otherwise noted. Friday Minyan – 6:45 am, unless otherwise noted. Sunday Minyan – 9:00 am, unless otherwise noted. 13
Seaboard USY Winter Kinnus at Olam Tikvah in
Fairfax
Shushan Purim
Rosh Hodesh Nissan
Purim
26 27 28 29 30 31
12
9:00 am – Gimel @ Ratner Museum
9:00 am – Heh @ National Gallery of Art
11:00 am – Bonim
1:00 pm – Sisterhood/Israeli Dancing
4:00 pm – ECSC Game Night
6:45 pm – BSO Movie Night
19 (continued)
5 (continued)
26 (continued)
Seaboard USY Winter Kinnus at Olam Tikvah in Fairfax
(continued at right)
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QUOTE CORNERIf a man does not make new acquaintances as he advances through life, he will soon fi nd himself
alone. A man should keep his friendships in constant repair. —Samuel Johnson
True friendship comes when silence between two people is comfortable.
—Dave Tyson Gentry
You can always tell a real friend: when you’ve made a fool of yourself he
doesn’t feel you’ve done a permanent job. —Laurence J. Peter
Friends are those rare people who ask how you are and then wait for the answer.
—Author Unknown
A friend is the one who comes in when the whole world has gone out.
—Grace Pulpit
One doesn’t know, till one is a bit at odds with the world, how much one’s friends who believe
in one rather generously, mean to one. —D.H. Lawrence
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Timed Materials
B’nai Shalom of Olney18401 Burtfield DriveOlney, MD 20832-1339
Join Your Friends for Movie Night at BSO
FREE Movie, Candy, Popcorn and Drinks. (donations appreciated)
Approximately 3,600 years ago, Moshe Rabeinu led a “mixed
multitude” out of Egypt after 400 years of forced labor and slavery. In a few
weeks, Jews the world over will celebrate this event
at our Passover Seders, the festival of freedom, recounting the details
of that Exodus and the mighty events that enabled us to escape into
the desert, establish and affirm the ethical and covenantal principles
of our faith, and ultimately to have the freedom to establish a Jewish
Commonwealth in the land of Canaan. We are admonished in the
Seder to consider that we, ourselves, participated in and witnessed the
great Exodus.
Is it not truly amazing that the scourge of human chattel slavery
continues to exist…TODAY…in the modern world? And is it not equally
amazing that only 150 years ago (35 centuries after our liberation from
the Pharaohs) it took a brutal civil war (750,000 casualties) to finally
eradicate human chattel slavery in the United States of America?
The March offering of the BSO film series will be the acclaimed,
Oscar-nominated film Amistad, a film directed by Steven Spielberg, and
starring a host of Hollywood heavyweights including Morgan Freeman,
Anthony Hopkins, Nigel Hawthorne, Djimon Hounsou, Matthew
McConaughey, and Anna Paquin.
In the summer of 1839, on a stormy night off the coast of Cuba, 53
Africans held in the cramped cargo holds of the Spanish slave ship
La Amistad break free of their shackles. Led by Cinque, they arm
themselves, take control of the ship and reclaim their freedom. They
have one goal: to return to Africa. Without the navigational skills to
guide them home, the Africans are forced to rely on the two surviving
members of the crew. But they are tricked. After two months on a ragged
course up the Eastern seaboard of the U.S., the Amistad is captured by
an American naval ship off the coast of Connecticut and the Africans
are charged with murder and piracy. In the beginning the Africans
are championed by abolitionists Theodore Joadson (Freeman) and
Lewis Tappan, and a young real estate attorney named Roger Baldwin
(McConaughey). However, as the case becomes
the symbol of a nation divided over the question
of slavery, the case becomes a contest on one side involving pro-slavery advocates President Martin Van Buren, (who is seeking re-election) and John C. Calhoun; and on the other side, avowed abolitionist, former President John Quincy Adams (Hopkins), who comes out of retirement to fight the Africans’ cause in the United States Supreme Court.
Amistad Sunday, March 26, 6:45 pm
weeks, Je