Over the past year, I have been speaking about ways we welcome and celebrate all Beth El members. Our community mem-bers are singles of all ages, single parent families, same-gendered parents, interfaith families, families with cross-cultural adop-tions and mixed-gendered parents. The diversity of people who want to be part of Beth El is exciting. Along with the desire to build our community, they bring inspir-ing stories of Jewish living and engage-ment, even when they did not grow up as Conservative Jews.

The diversity of our community is wonderful and parallels the changing faces of modern Jewish communities. Consider the nature of a community. The Bethesda area now has a new eruv, which intention-ally creates a boundary around the com-munity for certain Shabbat activities. (In-formation and a map of this new eruv is at www.bcceruv. org.) Beth El recently sup-ported the creation of the eruv; however, the concept is a rabbinic innovation I have been thinking about more deeply.

The word eruv is frequently understood as a boundary defining the “inside” and “outside” of a community. That is a con-cept which has long been applied to ‘who is in’ and ‘who is out’ of a community. Historically, our communities have been defined for us by the wider world (shtetls) and we have defined our own cultural and institutional boundaries. Boundaries are not new to Jewish life but we know they are far more porous today.

Understanding an eruv will give us a

better framework for embracing all within our community. While conversations about eruv focus on borders, I want to look at the impact the rabbis created on the people living within the eruv itself. The word eruv does not mean boundary but merger or mixture. Everything within the area of the eruv became mixed into one space. The goal was to lower the distinctions between individual spaces (reshut hayachid) and pub-lic spaces (reshut harabin) allowing a freer expression of Jewish life. Of course people knew their living room (reshut hayachid) was not the same as the public street (re-shut harabin) but they created a community which could see beyond those differences.

For too long, it has been assumed that interfaith couples are not welcome at Conservative synagogues. Too many have been left outside. Let me be clear: Anyone who wants to nurture a meaningful Jewish home is welcome at Beth El. I have been leading a process of articulating the many embracing YES’s for interfaith families at Beth El. Simultaneously, I want to clarify the ritual limits for someone who has de-cided not to be Jewish.

There are many YES’s and some NO’s. Within each are important details. A few examples are: at a Beth El cemetery, we have designated space for interfaith buri-als so a husband and wife can be buried together despite being of different faiths; a couple getting married can receive a pre-wedding blessing that was written just for this simcha during Friday night services;

S c r o l lCongregation Beth El

The Scroll is a recipient of three Solomon Schech-ter Gold Awards from the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism.

March 2019 • Adar I-Adar II 5779 Vol. 68 No. 7

From the Clergy

ThemeIsraeli Tech • 8-9

From the Clergy • 1

Purim • 3-4

Israel Distinguished Speaker • 5

Israel needs Us • 6

This month in Jewish History • 6

Sorkin Youth Trip to Israel • 7

Scolnic Institute • 10

Library Corner • 11

Departments

Sisterhood • 12

Men’s Club • 13

Contributions • 14-15

Bulletin Board • 16

By Rabbi Greg HarrisBETH EL

Faith(s) Within

continued on page 13

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S c r o l l8215 Old Georgetown RoadBethesda, Marylan d 20814-1451Phone 301-652-2606 Fax 301-907-8559Web www.bethelmc.orgAffiliated with United Synagogue of Conservative JudaismHead Rabbi Gregory Harris gharris@bethelmc.orgAssociate Rabbi Fabián Werbin fwerbin@bethelmc.org Hazzan Asa Fradkin afradkin@bethelmc.org Clergy Emeriti Rabbi Samuel Scolnic z”lRabbi William Rudolph wrudolph@bethelmc.orgHazzan Abraham Lubin salubin1@verizon.netExecutive Director Sheila H. Bellack sbellack@bethelmc.orgEducation DirectorElisha Frumkin efrumkin@bethelmc.orgAssistant Education DirectorRabbi Max Nissen mnissen@bethelmc.orgAssistant Education Director for youth engagement Tali Moscowitz tmoscowitz@bethelmc.orgDirector of Community Engagement Geryl Baer gbaer@bethelmc.org Preschool Director Kim Lausin klausin@bethelmc.orgPresidentLarisa Avner Trainor ltrainor@cig.comExecutive Vice President David Topol dtopol@wileyrein.comAdministrative Vice President Carolyn Berger cbergerl@aol.comCommunications Vice President Richard Klein rak2131@yahoo.comCommunity Building Vice President Jill Werbel Rider jillwrider@gmail.comDevelopment Vice President Joseph B. Hoffman jhoffman@kellyedrye.comEducation and Lifelong Learning Vice President Sara Gordon saragordon18@gmail.comTikkun Olam Vice President Sheryl Rosensky Miller sherylrosemiller@gmail.comWorship and Spirituality Vice President Judy Wendkos Liss jwliss@gmailcomTreasurer Michael Cutler mcutler@cov.comSecretary Michele Friedman mkfriedman11@gmail.comScroll Committee scroll@bethelmc.org Donna Vogel, committee chair. Gale Dutcher, Davida Kales, Marci Kanstoroom, Richard Klein, Janet Meyers, Donna Saady, and Larry Sidman. Graphic designer: Tiarra Joslyn

Scroll, USPS Number 009813, is published monthly by Congregation Beth El of Montgomery County, 8215 Old Georgetown Rd., Bethesda, MD 20814. Periodi-cal postage rate paid at Suburban, Maryland and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Scroll, 8215 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda, MD 20814.

March B’nai MitzvahMarch 2: Isabelle Smith, Sullivan Hirt (Havdalah)

March 9: Hannah Peters, Jonah Peters, Aviel Goelman (Havdalah)

March 16: Arielle Maged

March 23: Graham Storper, Alex Elias

March 30: Erin Mintz, Leora Leavey, Anna Tercyak (Havdalah), Ryan Tercyak (Havdalah)

Congregational Shabbat DinnerPlease Join Us for a Post-Purim Feast as Minyan Chaverim Celebrates 20 Years

Friday, March 22 Services at 6:30 pm Dinner at 7:15 pm

Please return this form to the synagogue office (attention: Hattie Goodman) with your check payable to Congregation

Beth El by Monday, March 18.

Adult Name(s): ______________________________________

Please list children’s/teens’ names and ages: ________________________________________________________________

Phone: ______________ Email address: _________________

# Member adults and teens @$23 ___ Total $_____

# Nonmember adults @ $28 ___ Total $_____

# Children (ages 6-12) @ $10 ___ Total $____ _

# Children (ages 2-5) @ $5 ___ Total $_____

Total due $_______ (Max. $66 per member household, i.e., im-mediate family members residing at the same address). If you are using the household price, please still complete the part of the reservation form showing numbers of people in each cat-egory.

Number of vegan entrees _____

Food allergies ___________________________________

Please try to seat me/us with ____________________________________________________________________________

Questions? Please contact Alison Baraf or Mitchell Solkowitz

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From the Jackson 5 to Gladys Knight, Diana Ross, and of course, Aretha Franklin, Motown is the music of soul, love, gladness, and rejoicing, even in the face of some pretty tough situations.

I’ve always loved the music of Motown and can remem-ber my mom dancing at my wedding to the strains of “Your Love” by Jackie Wilson. The YouTube video of this song has 10 million views and 54,000 likes (and 2,000 dislikes). As one commenter on the YouTube put it, “2K dislikes? Anyone that doesn’t like this song has got to have some major issues.”

Amen to that, and amen to the wonderful community of Motown that created some of the great classics of our time like “Rescue Me,” “Respect,” “Ain’t No Mountain,” and “Think.” The list goes on and on.

Their story and ours are stories of perseverance. Aretha Franklin, the queen of soul, speaks to me especially because her neshama is so full of longing, faith, and devotion. Per-forming or singing, she never held back: full-hearted, full-throated, and eternally an inspiration.

Aretha Franklin left this world on August 16, 2018. This Purim we will honor her legacy with songs that encapsulate the faith it takes to overcome all odds and take the greatest pride in one’s identity.

I am so inspired by the joy she brought to her music and to the world and am excited to bring that spirit of celebra-tion to our Megillah Madness this year.

So don your glitzy jackets, beehives, and patent leather shoes, and join us for a rocking, soulful Motown Megillah Madness.n

Beth El Purim Carnival Sunday, March 17, 11:45 am–2:30 pm

Hosted by Men’s ClubCome for games, prizes, food, magician, face painting, caricatures, and more.

Purim Carnival TicketsPurchased by March 15:$20 = 50 tickets$10 = 25 tickets$2 = 5 tickets

Purchased at the Door:$20 = 40 tickets$10 = 20 tickets$2 = 4 tickets

Men’s Club is looking for volunteers to help with the Pu-rim carnival. SSL hours are available through a partnership with Leveling the Playing Field (LPF). We will also be collect-ing gently used or new sporting equipment for LPF. Please contact Josh Rosenstein or Vincent BenAvram.

PURIM SCHEDULESunday, March 17, 11:00–11:45 am Bit O’ Megil-

lah for preschoolers and parents. Storytellers Renee Brachfeld and Mark Novak will bring the Purim story to life for families with children in preschool, kindergarten, and first grade.

11:45 am–2:30 pm Annual Purim Carnival hosted by Beth El Men’s Club

6:00 pm Purim party at Beth El with the Beth El Day School Committee and the Jewish Foundation for Group Homes.

Wednesday, March 20 Be sure to come in costume.

7:30 pm Megillah Madness presents “Rescue Me! A Tribute to Aretha Franklin and Motown”

8:00 pm Ma’ariv and the full Megillah reading

Thursday, March 21, 7:30 am Morning minyan in-cludes a special Torah reading for the holiday plus reading of the Megillah.

Rescue Me! A Tribute to Aretha Franklin and MotownBy Hazzan Asa Fradkin

Megillah Madness

presents

Rescue Me!

A Tribute to

Aretha Franklin

and MotownWednesday, March 20, 7:30 pm

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Purim Around the WorldWe are lucky to have congregants from all over the world at Beth El. Five of them recall how they celebrated Purim before they moved to the United States.

ColombiaBy David JacobsohnPurim was a very happy event at the Jewish day school in Cali, Colombia. A festival atmosphere reigned with kids dressed up to compete for the best

costume prize, lots of candy, and of course, noisy maracas for the Megillah reading. In the evening there was also a costume party for adults. One group, which included my parents, dressed as the characters of the com-ic strip “Hagar the Horrible.”

HungaryBy George SalamonIf I think about Purim, the first thing that comes to mind is presents. My grandmother was very particular about these presents. She wanted to be sure that all our relatives received the right presents at the right time.

She always made hamantaschen filled with poppy seeds and jam. They were delicious, and together with the story of Esther, made it a very pleasant holiday. So I think the celebration in Hungary was very similar to the one in the States.

EnglandBy Jon ShieldsDecorum was a defining feature of my Reform congregation in Manchester England in the 1950s and ‘60s. On the bimah, board members (all middle-aged men, of course) wore top hats and tails. Unlike in local Orthodox shuls, there was never noisy chatter to disturb the sermon or the magnificent (mixed) choir. Personal drink-ing was confined to half a glass of sweet kosher wine once a week, so Purim presented a bit of a challenge. The reading of Haman’s name could only be countered by polite boos and hisses; Mordecai was rarely cheered. Fancy dress in synagogue was just for kids, and even then, only if a competition had been orga-nized. But after services, the lid came off a bit. Gambling, throwing games, and talent contests enlivened the annual carnival, and then came the pinnacle: the Purim spiel. For this, the script was everything: full, original live theater with an emphasis on wit rather than song. The spiel outlined the Purim story and was often presented as an English pantomime, with over-the-top villains and heroes, cross-dressing, and contemporary satire. Laughter, thank goodness, was always respectable.

IsraelBy Roey and Mariana BahatLike other Jewish holidays, Purim in Israel can be best described by how children celebrate. Their activities at school, the Tzofim, (Israeli scouts), and the street parades called Adloyada make this the happiest and most enjoyable season. Adults and children alike wear cos-tumes that range from the classic Purim heroes such as Esther and Mordechai to pop culture characters and soccer superstars like Messi. All compete for the best costume prize. At the traditional Purimon (carnival) children play fun games to earn prizes. Kids in school exchange “mishloach manot” with mystery friends. The culinary stars are the Oznei Haman, which are the Israeli equivalent of hamantaschen, a classic Purim treat.

Family Mission to Israel with Rabbi Harris July 7-18, 2019

For details, contact Rabbi Harris at gharris@bethelmc.org.

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“This is Our House”: Israel Embassy Liaison Officer Speaks at Beth ElBy Saul GolubcowPicture looking out your window at fields of vibrantly colored wildflowers, and the next day seeing those fields blackened by a terrorist’s incendiary device. Imagine a quiet evening at home with your family interrupted by the sounds (and you’re never sure if they’re real or not) of digging be-low you. Consider the daily tensions of going about your life and expecting at any time to hear a siren signaling a rocket attack, giving you 15 seconds to run to a shelter.

In a talk given at Beth El on January 23, Lt. Col. Ido Orlov, Liaison for the Home Front Command at the Israeli Embassy, shared these visceral experiences as a means of providing insight into how Israelis, especially those living in communities near Gaza and the Lebanese and Syrian bor-ders, cope with an assortment of terrorist threats. The talk was sponsored by the Am Yisrael Chai Committee as part of Beth El’s Israel Distinguished Speaker series.

These reflections are personal to Orlov, who is not only a representative of Israel, but is also a resident of a kibbutz near the Gaza border. He recalled growing up with Pales-tinian friends who would visit from Gaza, but, as he ruefully stated, “not now.” Threats Faced by IsraelisAs background, Orlov explained that the first rocket was fired from Gaza in 2001 with a range of 1.5 kilometers. Today the range is up to 80 kilometers, making Ashkelon and Beersheva vulnerable. The threat of infiltra-tion through tunnels from Gaza into Israel began in 2014, and is more psychologically damaging than militarily stra-tegic, as the tunnels stoke daily apprehension among Israelis living near the border. Beginning in 2018, balloons and kites with incendiary and explosive devices attached have been launched from Gaza. The threat to life has been keenly felt and the damage extensive, as fires set by these devices have turned major areas of Israel into the “Black South”, with both beautiful flora agricultural domains charred. At the border, at least weekly over the last several months, mob riots, which have included young children pushed into and across the fences, have drained Israeli resources.

Yet, Orlov insisted, resolve remains strong even as it is confronted by the endless worry about oneself and one’s family and by energies sapped by the demands of unceasing vigilance. Orlov conveyed a sense of sadness that kites and balloons, which should be toys played with by children, are

instead sent as delivery mechanisms for death and destruc-tion. When asked why Israel doesn’t take more punitive measures against those launching the balloons and kites, Or-lov shook his head and said, “you know, many are children.”

Turning to the situation on Israel’s northern borders, Orlov described Israel’s Operation Northern Shield, which earlier this winter destroyed six military tunnels dug by Hezbollah that ran from Lebanon into Israel. According to Orlov, these tunnels are both psychological and strategic, as their design and dimensions could have enabled thousands of fighters and war materials to cross into Israel and estab-lish a front as part of a larger war. The presence of Iranian bases in Syria with additional missile capability also creates

severe difficulties. Israel is responding as well as it can, given the additional complications which arise from Russia’s involvement. Orlov called what is occurring in the North the ongoing “war between the wars.” Israel has seen successes in this “war,” but, Orlov ac-knowledged, while Israel is “doing its best, a 100% solution” is not in place. In response to a question, Orlov maintained that on Syria, Israel and the United States “are on the same page.”Remaining HopefulWith pride in his voice, Orlov spent a few minutes reviewing the 20 instances in which Israel has sent humanitarian assistance mis-sions in response to terror attacks and natu-

ral disasters across the world. When asked if Israel expects appreciation or an increase in political support, Orlov re-sponded that thanks have been sent openly and quietly, but that “we do it because we are Jewish, regardless of political considerations.”

Asked how peace might come about, Orlov answered that Israel will have to negotiate with its enemies, but the negotiation must be “out of strength.” For now, he stated, “hope is the only option.”

Ending on a personal note, Orlov shared that it will be an adjustment for his family to return to their home along the Gaza border after three years in the siren-free area they inhabit in the United States. But Orlov was confident that they will adjust, as he, his wife, and four children know that where they live is a beautiful part of Israel, their lives are sat-isfying despite the tensions, and in the final analysis, reflect-ing on being Israelis, “this is our house.” n

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Israel Media Series Saturday, March 16, 8:00 pm

Our March film is Mr. Predictable, a com-edy romance. Adi has never had a back-bone. Everyone takes advantage of him. He’s the sweetest, kindest man you ever could know. In other words, a sucker. That is until he meets, Natalia, a young, wild girl who introduces Adi to a life full of emotions, passion, and romance. Mr. Predictable now has to choose between love and reason, be-tween dreams and reality, between Natasha and his family. The cost is $5/person at the door and includes snacks.

This year, Purim coincides with the first day of spring, making it all the more hopeful and joyous. As we nosh our hamantasch, give charity to the poor, and read the megillah, the Book of Esther, which recounts the survival of the Jews of Persia approximately 2,500 years ago, the relevance of Purim to life in Israel has never been more clear. The current regime in Iran combines its rhetorical commitment to Israel’s destruction with increasingly seri-ous terrorist and military threats to northern Israel, from the upper Galilee to the Golan Heights. Let us reflect on the lessons of Purim and also experience the happiness of the holiday.

INFORM ourselves about the wide range of threats to Israel posed by Haman’s successors, who now rule Iran. Speak out about them to media outlets and within the various communities of which we are a part. Urge our elected officials to take wise and appropriate measures to safeguard Israel from the dangers posed by an expansionist Iran. One good way to accomplish all of these objectives is to attend the AIPAC Policy Conference in Washington, D.C. on March 24-26. For more information, please go to the AIPAC website or contact Hilary Kapner at hilarysmithkapner@gmail.com.

LISTEN to Rabbi Harris’s insightful sermon on the Boycott, Divest and Sanction (BDS) Movement. Drawing heavily upon the words of BDS founders, Rabbi Harris clearly and cogently exposes BDS as an effort to delegitimize the State of Israel motivated by those who wish that Israel cease to exist as a democratic, Jewish state. He calls for investment, not divestment, to bolster Israel’s economy and to facilitate the creation of a sustainable infrastructure that could support a Palestinian state. Tune in on the Beth El website where the sermon is archived.

DEEPEN our understanding of and appreciation for individuals who have played a major role in the intel-lectual history and the economic development of the modern State of Israel by enrolling in courses being of-fered this spring in the Scolnic Adult Institute at Beth El. Specifically, Rabbi Portnoy will be teaching a course on renowned Israeli writer and political activist, Amos Oz z”l, who recently passed away. Rabbi Harris will be teaching a course on Ahad Ha’am, father of cultural Zionism, whose work preceded Herzl’s. Rabbi Emeritus Rudolph will be teaching a course on Israeli innovations in water manage-ment from the blooming of the desert to globally sought advances in desalinization and water conservation. Sign up on site.

Israel Needs Us We Need Israel

This Month in Jewish History: March By Tiarra Joslyn

The Maccabiah Games, often referred to as the “Jewish Olym-pics”, is a multi-sport event now held every four years in Israel. In the most recent games of 2017, more than 10,000 Jewish athletes from 85 countries participated in 45 sports. It is currently the third-largest international sporting event in the world, after the Olympics

and the FIFA World Cup. The event is named after Judah Macca-bee, who led the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire. Modi’in, Judah Maccabee’s birthplace, is the starting point for the torch that is used to light the flames of the opening ceremony.

The first Maccabiah opened on March 28, 1932. Some 390 Jew-ish athletes from 18 countries, including 60 from Syria and Egypt, participated. The games took place in the Maccabi Stadium, in Tel Aviv, which was built with donations and completed just days before the opening ceremony. n

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It started with a vision, became a plan, and ended up as a trip. That’s what Beth El past president Jerry Sorkin z”l wanted. A once-in-a-lifetime journey to Israel as the culmi-nating experience of the Beth El Religious School. In De-cember, 2018, his dream became a re-ality when a group of 18 students and three chaperones went on the 12-day inaugural Sorkin Youth Trip to Israel.

Over those 12 days, we bonded both with Israel and each other. From up north near the Sea of Galilee to down south near Makhtesh Ramon, the journey was filled with amazing and unforgettable experiences.

Filtered through the values of commitment, resilience, and leader-ship, the trip covered everything from ancient Biblical times to modern Israeli startups. We met Margalit, whose family was so committed to their Jewish roots that they have stayed in the town of Peki’in for more than 2,000 years. At the Kaima Farm, we met teens who are learning how to farm sustainably to give them skills that will help them be more resilient. And we visited the home of David Ben Gurion, under whose leadership the Jewish state was founded and built.

Along the way, we were able to see how similar the people we met were to us. On our second day in Israel, we went on a tour of a local kibbutz given by some teens who worked there. We got to know them and see how much we had in common as we played card games, table tennis, and pool together. By the end, we were chatting and laughing like old friends.

While we were in Jerusalem, I was able to meet up with family I hadn’t seen in 14 years. They are cousins on my father’s side who emigrated from South Africa to Israel. We spent the evening out together, eating dinner and walking around the Old City, all the while telling each other about our different lives in Israel and America. We even talked about politics. They explained Israel’s parliamentary system to me, and I told them about the three branches of govern-ment in the United States. We discovered that, even though our lives have turned out so differently, we still had a lot in common.

During our time in Jerusalem, our Beth El group visited the Western Wall twice and met Jews of all denominations from all over the world. Not only did we pray at the wall and stick notes into it, we also joined in large dance circles

singing and shouting prayers, connecting through nothing other than our love of Judaism.

For me, one of the most powerful parts of the trip was seeing the Torah and Jewish history I’ve only read about in

books come to life. Standing at the Kotel, walking up Masada, and wad-ing in the Dead Sea made me think about all of the people who stood or walked before me in those exact same places, people whose commit-ment, resilience, and leadership made the Jewish state what it is today. The trip awakened something inside of me and made me want to be even more committed to Israel and to Ju-daism than ever before.

To all the eighth and ninth graders in the Religious School (and parents of eighth and ninth graders) reading this article, if you can, go on this trip. It will be a once-in-a-lifetime journey, unlike anything else Beth El offers, that will allow you to connect and learn about Israel in a fun, tan-gible, and ultimately very meaningful way. A way that you’ll never forget. And even years later, you’ll think about your experiences there and you’ll remember how it all started. A vision. A plan. A trip. n

Israel’s 71 YearsInterested in being one of 71 representa-tives for a new project from Shlicha Tal Greenberg?

For this upcoming Yom HaAtzmaut, Tal is creating an original exhibit to highlight

members of our Beth El community who have lived dur-ing each of Israel’s 71 years. The exhibit will consist of a photo and quote from each person and will be displayed in the area of our Independence Day celebration.

Tal’s goal is to create a visual collection of our commu-nity’s multi-generational connection to Israel while get-ting to know us better. No special connection with Israel is required.

One person will represent each year that Israel has existed. Participation will require only 15-20 minutes. You decide on the location and the time that works best for you.

Sign up at https://www.bethelmc.org/israel71 with your contact information and Tal will get back to you in the next few weeks. One participant per family, please.

Questions? For more information contact Tal at Greenbergtal23@gmail.com or 301-979-0217.

THEME OF THE YEAR

CO

NGREGATION BETH EL

Reflections on the Inaugural Sorkin Youth Trip to IsraelBy Rafael Friedlander

Kaima Farm. Photo by Elisha Frumkin

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Five Life-Changing Israeli Tech InnovationsBy Tiarra JoslynEach month, I set aside some time to read and research Jewish history for my Scroll feature “This Month in Jewish History” (see page 6 for this month’s installment). For this issue, with its theme of Israeli technology, I set out to find an amazing piece of Israeli technology that I could dazzle and astonish Scroll readers with, but I ran into a problem: there are so many amazing Israeli technological innova-tions that it was hard to pick just one!

So here are five Israeli inventions that have changed the world, improving lives all around the globe, plus a few fun facts. Some of these you may have heard of, but a few might leave you surprised.

1. The drip irrigation system. The concept of drip irrigation was developed by an Israeli engineer named Simcha Blass. His invention, a type of slow irrigation through tubes and valves, helps farmers water plants with-out wasting water. Blass began experimenting with drip irrigation in the 1950s, and the technology was patented in 1965 by the company Netafim. (Note that Rabbi Emeritus Bill Rudolph is teaching a course on Israeli water management innovations this semester for the Scolnic Institute.)

2. The USB flash drive. The very first USB flash drive (or stick) was invented in 1999 by the Israeli compa-ny M-Systems. Called DiskOnKey, the drive was first sold in the United States in 2000 in conjunction with IBM. The DiskOn-Key had 8 megabytes of memory and cost approximately $50. Today, you can buy a 128 gigabyte USB flash drive (around 16,000 times more storage space) for around $25.

3. The Emergency Bandage. The Emergency Bandage was designed by an Israeli military medic named Ber-nard Bar-Natan. It can be applied with one hand and is used to stop bleeding from wounds caused by traumatic injuries in the field. Manufactured by First Care Products in Lod, it was first used for saving lives during a NATO peacekeeping operation in Bosnia and is now used by the armies and special forces of several countries including the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. In 2011, the Emergency Bandage was reportedly instrumental in saving the life of Arizona congresswoman

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continued on page 10

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Israeli TechWorking with an Israeli StartupBy Larry FlugerI was lucky to be able to play a small role in the Israeli “Start-up Nation.” As my last major work project before I retired from a long career in technology, I had the opportu-nity to open the Washington, D.C. and Mid-Atlantic branch of a cyber start-up based in Ramat Gan.

After I accepted the position, the founder and CEO called to congratulate and welcome me to the company. He cautiously informed me that the orientation and training would take place in Israel. “It’s one week, is that okay with you?” he inquired. I responded, “How about two weeks?”

This start-up’s product suite allows enterprises in the private sector or in the government to interrogate, tighten, and monitor the security policies they rely on in order to eliminate threats to their infrastructure. For example, any new, proposed security policy or rule could be tested by our software to certify that this particular policy would not create vulnerabilities that would result in potential damage (such as a breach) to that organization.

At the time I joined, there were 100 customers world-wide. Within five years, there were over 2,000. Many net-works that we use every day, in sectors like insurance, hos-

pitality, or financial institutions, are now shielded in part by this cyber platform.

The management style of the company was an interesting blend of American hierarchical and Israeli entrepreneurial. Israeli management was willing to accept questioning about product strategy, competitive posture, and market engage-

ment. Of course, these discussions were always full of energy.

In addition to my normal work responsibilities, I was amused to be-come the unofficial Jewish liaison for the American team, as I was, for a time, the only Jewish employee here in America. My colleagues would ask questions such as “What exactly is Sukkot, and why is headquarters closed?”

I shared the company’s intense commitment to and pride in the success of both the product and their customers’ implementations of the product suite.

To this day I am still close to the CTO. I also am de-lighted to report that the company is still growing and add-ing new capabilities and security features that will ward off ongoing security threats. n

Fluid Mechanics and the Halacha of Single Malt Scotch with Dr. Ian JacobiThursday, March 28, 6:30 pm

Please join the STEM Professionals Affinity Group as we welcome Dr. Ian Jacobi, assistant professor of aerospace engineering at Technion, the Israel Institute of Technology in Haifa. Jacobi will tell the curious story of an artist from Arizona who creates beautiful photographs using whisky stains, the mechanics behind his whisky artistry, and how those mechanics make an appearance in a major, centuries-long halachic controversy. Jacobi will also talk about life at the Technion and engineering research in Israel. Anyone in-terested in science, Scotch, Israel or Technion is welcome to attend. Scotch tasting will be available for

those over 21 years old, but all ages are welcome to attend the event.

This program is sponsored by the Beth El STEM Professional Affinity Group and is made possible by a grant from the Sinai and Synapses Project of Scientists in Synagogues, a grass-roots program to offer Jews opportunities to explore the most interesting and pressing ques-tions surrounding Judaism and science.

The cost to attend is $5 per person. Regis-ter online at bethelmc.org/jacobi. Questions? Contact Geryl Baer at gbaer@bethelmc.org or

301-652-2606, ext. 352.

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Wednesday Night Schedulewith Minyan/refreshment break

7:30 - 8:20 pm 8:40 - 9:30 pm

Tuesday Morning Schedulewith refreshment break from 10:50-11:10 am

10:00 - 10:50 am 11:10 am - Noon

Scolnic Institute Spring 2019The Rabbi Samuel Scolnic Adult Institute, founded in 1977 in memory of Saul Bendit, is one of the leading synagogue-based adult education programs in the Washington, D.C. area. Now in its 41st year, the Institute has received national and international recognition. The Spring program, running for six weeks, comprises 11 courses offered Wednesday evenings beginning February 27, and four classes offered Tuesday mornings, beginning February 26. We are confident that you will find the courses interesting and informative.

There is still time to join the classes, which have just begun. Just stop by the lobby Tuesday morning or Wednesday evening to register.

Innovative Jewish

Thinkers: Ahad Ha’am

Rabbi Greg Harris

Rabbis in the Movies

Hazzan Asa Fradkin

Getting the Most Out of

Every Drop: The Creative

Genius Behind Israel's

Water Management

Advances

Rabbi William Rudolph and

Guests

The Wizardry of (Amos) Oz

z”l: His Life and Literature

Adjunct Rabbi Mindy Avra

Portnoy

Dying for God: Maccabees,

Masada, and Martyrdom

Rabbi Avis Miller

The State of Judaism in

America:

Present and Future

Adjunct Rabbi Steve Glazer

Early Bible Translations

and Their Impact on our

Understanding of the Text

Gideon Amir

A Serpent in the Garden:

Eden in Mythological and

Literary Perspective

Dr. Richard Lederman

Borges and Kabbalah

Dr. Saúl Sosnowski

Becoming (and

Unbecoming) Americans:

Jews and Other Minorities

in America

Dr. Jerome Copulsky

The Dreyfus Case: A

Preview of 20th Century

Politics and Antisemitism

Dr. Naomi Daremblum

The Wizardry of (Amos) Oz

z”l: His Life and Literature

Adjunct Rabbi Mindy Avra

Portnoy

Dying for God: Maccabees,

Masada, and Martyrdom

Rabbi Avis Miller

A Serpent in the Garden:

Eden in Mythological and

Literary Perspective

Dr. Richard Lederman

Early Bible Translations

and Their Impact on our

Understanding of the Text

Gideon Amir

Your Child’s BEST SummerBeth El Summer Time (BEST) is an exciting and enrich-ing camp program for current BEPS students. Activities include water play, art, games, music and movement, and more. Special visitors, in-house field trips, and Shabbat celebrations enhance the program.

Session 1: June 17 – July 5 (No July 4) Session 2: July 8 – July 26

There are sessions for two year olds (children must be two by June 1), three year olds, and a new Passport Camp for four and five year olds. For more details, please contact the preschool office at lpikovsky@bethelmc.org or 301-652-8569, ext. 307.

Gabrielle Giffords and others wounded in a Tucson mass shooting.

4. Copaxone. Copaxone, originally developed by a doctor at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot, is the world’s first and still top-selling treatment for multiple sclerosis. The drug is marketed by Teva Pharmaceuticals and received FDA approval in 1996.

5. Waze. As someone who is “directionally challenged,” I wanted to include Waze on this list of Israeli tech innova-tions. Waze is a GPS app that incorporates GPS data but also uses crowdsourcing to give live traffic updates and calculate the fastest and/or shortest route(s) to your destination. Fun fact: according to Waze’s annual Driver Satisfaction Index, compiled from the driving data of users, the “happiest” driv-ing city in the United States in 2018 was Raleigh, N.C. Washington, D.C. ranks 90 on the 100-city list, which rates cities from best to worst. n

ISRAELI TECH INNOVATIONS continued from page 8

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The holiday of Purim sparkles like a fairytale – costumes and carnivals; wine and song; and an age-old tale of a foolish King, a brave Queen and an evil-plotting courtier. What a perfect month for reading fantasy fiction. The two bewitch-ing books described below – one for adults, one for children – feature Jewish characters and plot elements. Try them with tea and hamantaschen.Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik

(Published for adults, but enjoyable for ages 13 and up)Spinning Silver is a richly creative re-telling of the Rumpelstiltskin fairytale. In medieval Eastern Europe, a young Jewish woman, Miryem Mandels-tam, lives with her loving parents at the edge of a small, non-Jewish vil-lage. Miryem’s father Josef is the lo-cal moneylender but he is not very

good at it. Softhearted and timid, Josef is reluctant to ask borrowers to repay their loans, partly in fear of stirring up the village’s simmering anti-Semitism. Meanwhile, the Man-delstams slide into desperate poverty. Determined to rescue her family, Miryem begins collecting on the debts, shrewdly demanding goods and services as partial payments. As her success grows, she develops a profitable sideline in selling embroidered finery.

Proud of her business prowess, Miryem casually boasts that she can turn silver into gold. Unluckily, a Staryk king overhears her and takes her boast literally. The Staryk are magical beings of ice from a winter world parallel to the human world; they have a pressing need for gold (albeit not for financial reasons). The Staryk king puts Miryem to the task of changing silver coins to gold ones, setting off a chain of events that allies her with two other resourceful young women – Wanda, a peasant girl seeking escape from her abusive father, and Irina, the new wife of the kingdom’s Tsar, who is not what he seems. The Jewish threads of the story – Shabbat observances, a joyous wedding hora, the bustling Jewish quarter of a large city – are a steady delight, as are Miryem’s witty comments and observations.Sweep: The Story of a Girl and Her Monster by Jonathan Auxier (For ages 8-12)Sweep is an imaginative blend of fan-tasy and historical fiction, set in Victo-rian London among chimney sweeps. But these sweeps lead miserable lives; they are not the jolly dancers of Mary Poppins.

Eleven-year old Nan Sparrow is indentured to a cruel master chimney sweep appropriately named Wilkie Crudd. Like other master sweeps, Crudd keeps a crew of young children to climb inside cramped, narrow chimneys and scrub them clean. At night, Nan dreams of her life before Crudd, of travelling the country with her beloved guardian, the Sweep, until he mysteriously disappeared when she was six years old.

On a job for Crudd one day, Nan nearly dies in a chim-ney fire but is saved when a lump of charred soot in her pocket – a parting gift from the Sweep – magically awakens the protective golem of Jewish legend. Together, she and the golem hide from Crudd while Nan resourcefully earns their keep. Despite the risk of revealing her whereabouts, Nan organizes a London protest march to call attention to the danger-filled lives of young chimney climbers.

Beyond poverty and child labor, Victorian London also suffered from anti-Semitism. Nan’s Jewish friend, Esther Bloom, a teacher who schools Nan in golem lore, feels safer keeping her Jewish practices secret from other teachers. Toby, a young Jewish peddler, is attacked by anti-Semitic thugs. Yet despite its dark themes, Sweep sparkles with light and won-der – the dazzling view of snowy London from the rooftops; sleeping beneath a canopy of stars; and the deep, abiding love between Nan and her Sweep. n

Library Corner

Sparkling Tales of Once Upon A TimeBy Robin Jacobson

Beth El Book Chat Sunday, April 28, 11:00 am-noon

Join us to discuss Conan Doyle for the Defense by Margalit Fox. This true ac-count of Arthur Conan Doyle’s pur-suit of justice for a Jewish immigrant falsely accused of murder in early 20th century Scotland. Conan Doyle used the fictional techniques of his literary creation, Sherlock Holmes,

to solve real mysteries. Who knew? Contact Margery London or Robin Jacobson for more information or to sign up for our e-literary list for advance notice of book club events and related video links.

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Sisterhood and Zhava CollectionsAny time is a good time for giving to two ongoing Sister-hood and Zhava collections at Beth El. We collect Box Tops for Education and send the box tops to Weller Elementary School in Silver Spring. Weller Elementary earns money from the box tops and has bought library carts, screen projectors, headphones and other classroom equip-ment. They are saving up to get the school a new lamina-tor. Look for Box Tops for Education coupons on many household products, and deposit them in the box on the security desk. We also collect new, unused toiletries for donation to the Interfaith Women’s Shelter. Drop them off at the Beth El office and we’ll get them to the shelter.

Sisterhood

UPCOMING SISTERHOOD EVENTSSunday, March 3, 3:00 pm Zhava “Bodies of Water”

program at Adas Israel, 2850 Quebec Street NW, Washington, D.C. “Bodies of Water” is an award-win-ning program that introduces participants to mikvah as a path to body positivity from a Jewish perspective

Tuesday, March 5, 7:30 pm Rosh Chodesh: It’s a Woman’s Thing

Sunday, March 31, 5:30 pm Sisterhood/Zhava Passover Happy Hour. See ad on this page

Beth El Sisterhood/Zhava Passover Happy Hour

Sights, Sounds, and Tastes for Your SederJoin us! Join in!

Sunday, March 31, 5:30 pm $18 per Sisterhood/Zhava Member

$25 per non-member

• Passover-style heavy hors d’oeuvres,varieties of charoset, desserts, wine tast-ing, music, dancing, check out a selectionof haggadot, and more!

• Responses received after March 21will be placed on a wait list

• No phone reservations or paymentat the door

• Please bring toiletries (any size) andmoney for tzedakah

Questions? Contact Pat Danoff atsisterhoodevent@bethelmc.org.

Women’s Passover Happy Hour ReservationPlease mail reservation form and check to Beth El, Attn: Sisterhood/Zhava Passover 8215 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda, MD 20814.

Reservations can also be made online at https://www.bethelmc.org/womenspassover.

Names of attendees ______________________________

_______________________________________________

________________________________________________

Email ___________________________________________

Phone __________________________________________

# of Sisterhood/Zhava members @ $18 ______ # of Non-members @ $25 ______

Total amount of check $ ________ (made out to Beth El Sisterhood)

The Interfaith Refugee Response team contin-ues to support the family of nine who arrived in the area last fall. All seven children are now in school and the father is employed. The fam-ily, and the volunteers who help them, were featured in a story on NPR which is available at https://n.pr/2UTDvNZ.

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UPCOMING MEN’S CLUB EVENTSSunday, March 3, 9:45 am Kavod AwardsThursday, March 7, 8:30 pm Hearing Men’s Voices:

Rabbi Werbin will lead a discussion on “Can We Lie? If So, When?”

Sunday, March 10, 10:00 am Tal Greenberg, Beth El’s resident Shlicha since the beginning of 5779, will dis-cuss her impressions of life as a Shlicha.

Sunday, March 17, 10:00 am Purim CarnivalSunday, March 24, 10:00 am Rabbi David Abramson

will discuss “What Do We Owe to the Elderly? Jewish Values through the Lens of Pastoral Care.”

Sunday, March 31, 10:00 am Congregant Howard Fei-bus will discuss the scientific basis for grave concerns about global climate change. Recent reports warn of a new phase with insufficient control to limit global temperature rise to 2 degrees Centigrade. Howard will then briefly describe a reversible method to re-verse the global temperature increase.

Men’s Club

2019 Blue Yarmulke Man of the YearThe Beth El Men’s Club is pleased to announce the selection of Ken Levine as its 2019 Blue Yarmulke Man of the Year. There will be a celebratory brunch for Ken and other Seaboard Region Blue Yar-mulke honorees on Sunday, April 7. Watch for more details and information about the brunch on the Beth El website. Signup forms will be available in the synagogue lobby.

46th Annual Kavod Awards Sunday, March 3, 9:45 am

26 Adar I 5779 in the Bender Social Hall

Join us as we honor Mitchell Solkowitz for service to Beth El, Larry Sidman for service to the Jewish community, and Michael Kieval for service to the community at large.

All are welcome. Cost is $20 per adult at the door.

Friday, March 1

Friday night is a time for community, song, and joyful noise. Everyone is invited to join us on the first Friday of each month for this exciting service filled with music past and present that stirs the soul and welcomes Shabbat with joy and warmth. 6:00 pm - Families with young children are invited for a fun musical Shabbat service.6:30 pm - Happy Half-Hour! Everyone is invited to schmooze while enjoying drinks (both adult and kid friendly!) and appetizers. Free babysitting will be available.7:00 pm - Main musical service. Oneg to follow.

Upcoming dates: Fridays, April 5, May 3, and June 7

clergy have increased our pre-marital counseling and sup-port for all couples, interfaith or endogamous relationships encouraging vibrant Jewish homes; we have affirmed a non-Jewish parent should stand with their child during the par-ents’ aliyah of their bar/bat mitzvah.

We have also decided non-Jews should not recite Torah blessings since they are not Jewish; Beth El clergy will not officiate at interfaith marriages; we have reaffirmed the hala-chik identity of matrilineal descent.

I have been working closely with the Worship and Spiri-tuality Committee, fellow Beth El clergy and staff through-out this process

This limited article is not meant to be a complete con-versation (or discourse on the intricacies of eruvim) so I invite you to join me for a cup of coffee to unpack this more fully. I want to hear your ideas as we shape boundar-ies within which we can all thrive Jewishly. Creating Jewish homes remains our goal at Beth El. Whether you were raised Conservative, Reform, Methodist, or Hindu, being at Beth El is making a commitment to nurturing a Jewish home and you have a place here.

Join me at Beth El on Thursday, March 14 at 9:30 am or Thursday, April 4 at 7:00 pm. At Panera in Bethesda on Fri-day, March 22 at 8:30 am or Tuesday, April 9 at 7:00pm n

FROM THE CLERGY continued from page 1

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ContributionsPlease remember that contributions can be made easily, quickly, and securely via our webpage – www.bethelmc.org

Donations from January 8 to February 4, 2019Beth El ForestIn Memory Of:Julius Weisberg by Stuart and Beth WeisbergRose Cohan by Solomon and Rita BarrBeth El Israel FundIn Memory Of:Rose Sidman, my beloved mother, by Larry SidmanBuilding Fund In Memory Of:Cecelia A. Brown, beloved mother, by Rita WeissRobert Silverman by Linda and Jerry HermanChevra Kadisha FundIn Memory Of:Ann Muldorf by Mara and Dan ClementEdward Deutsch by Stewart and Myra DeutschMichael Bobb by Sharon BobbRuth Horwitz, my wise and loving mother, by Ellen M. DarrGeneral FundIn Honor Of:Anna and Olivia Barrett b’not mitzvah by Craig YokumHowie Stein, with best wishes for a speedy recovery, by Jack

and Stephanie VenturaKarl Smart by Amanda Ford and Craig Dreilinger, Debbie and

Michael Fink, Diane Goldman, Art and Susan Bruckheim, Herb Tanenbaum, Hilary and Bill Kapner, Howard and Holly Stein, Jay and Lillian Miller, Jennifer and Steven Hirsch, Jill and Jeremy Rider, Josie, David, Darcy, and Dawson Drewyer, Koenig Family, Leslie Shedlin and David Raim, Marci Kanstoroom and Derek Scissors, Michele Herman, Michele Lieban Levine and Robert Levine, Miriam Israel, Ricardo and Irene Munster, Allen and Barbara Lerman, Lesli and Todd Gillman, Sharon and Dov Apfel, Michelle and Michael Gips, Hattie Goodman, Suzanne and Ben Bronheim, Kathy Hooley, and Dennis and Sherlyn Askwith

The birth of Zachary Paul Matty by Robert and Kathy MattyTo help furloughed government employees by Marilda and

Marcello AverbugIn Memory Of:Arno Stein, grandfather of Howard Stein, by Howard and

Holly SteinBlanche Ulanow by Cary and Nancy Feldman and Michael

Cutler and Dale RosenthalBoris Rodner by Alison Rodner, David Goldberg, Samantha

and Toby GoldbergDavid C. Kanter, father of William Kanter, by William and Sue

KanterFreyda Golynskaya by Tatyana EstrinaGerard Previn Meyer by Eugene MeyerHarry Birnkrant by Alan and Debra BirnkrantHarry H. Kahn, my beloved father, by Paul and Marcia MerlinHarry P. Birnkrant by Henry Birnkrant and Lynn GoldinJesse Samuel Gutmann by Hanna GutmannJoan Raim, beloved mother of David Raim, by Henry

Birnkrant and Lynn Goldin, Linda and Jerry Herman, and Amy and Gene Goott

Joyce Abrams by Ed and Debbie Bloom and Libby and Leroy Randall

Larry Eisner by Adam and Amy EisnerLeontyne Fuchs, grandmother of Howard Stein, by Howard

and Holly SteinMartha Pollak, my mother, by Mark PollakMartha Stein, grandmother of Howard Stein, by Howard and

Holly SteinMartin Rosensky by Lee Miller and Sheryl Rosensky MillerMarvin J. Klass by Kay KlassMaurice Greenstein by Dora WeinsteinPenny Platt by Joel and Joan SimonRabbi Shamai Kanter by Dan Hirsch and Brenda Gruss and

Shoshannah and Michael FreilichRaye Simon by Joel and Joan SimonRosara Sundell by Susan Hanley

Join Us at Beth El FamilyCampWhile it may be cold outside, your 2019 co-chairs of Beth El’s Family Camp are start-ing to make plans for the fun-filled Memorial Day weekend of activi-ties and action. From arts and crafts to ropes

courses, lakeside Shabbat services to bonfire sing-alongs, Family Camp is a great way for families to bond, adults to relax, and kids to have fun. We gather every Memorial Day weekend at Camp Horizons in Harrisonburg, Va. Interested in signing up? Or simply to learn more, email Jodi Price. 

Restore It: Rest-Torah-Eat Tuesday, March 19, noon

CharBar, 2142 L St NW, Washington, D.C.

Working downtown? Join Rabbi Werbin to feed your mind with Torah and your body with lunch at CharBar, a kosher restaurant in D.C. Meets at noon on Tuesday, March 19 and Tuesday, May 7.

Bring a friend! For questions or to RSVP, contact Ricardo Munster at rmunster@bethelmc.org.

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Ruth Cohen by Rita MillerRuth Merber by Marilyn RipinSidney Lipsky by Michael and Reggie OldakZvi Scharfstein, beloved father, by Tutti SokolElaine Silverman Gessow College Connection FundIn Memory Of:Bernard Popick, father of Barbara Rosing, by Douglas and

Barbara RosingGroner Camp Ramah Scholarship FundIn Memory Of:Bruce Rabin by Erwin and Leena GronerIsrael Experience Teen FundIn Honor Of:Kavod Awardees, Larry Sidman, Mitchell Solkowitz, and

Michael Kieval by Marvin YudkovitzKimball Preschool FundIn Memory Of:Lee Rowe by Amy CooperLibrary FundIn Memory Of:Harry Weiss by Karen Satin, Mitchell Weiss, and Michael WeissLitman Holocaust (Shoah) Education FundIn Memory Of:Bernard Wassertzug by Marta WassertzugMazonIn Memory Of:Irvin Schiller by Tanowitz FamilyMintz Landscaping FundIn Memory Of:Anna Karas Turteltaub, my beloved mother, by Helena KoenigMinnie Levine, my grandmother, by Susan LevinsonSanford Altschul by Ken and Carolyn FeigenbaumMorning Minyan FundIn Memory Of:David Finbloom by Thera Swersky, Joel and Aaron FinbloomEstelle Berger Rubin, my beloved brother-in-law, by Audrey

BergerJulia I. Yokum, my grandmother, by Craig YokumLucien Leon Rossignelly, our father and grandfather, by Rosine

Nussenblatt and childrenMax Cohen, loving father and grandfather, by Barbara S.

SpitzerNorman Brody, brother of Gerald Brody, by Gerald and Caryl

BrodyRabbi’s FundIn Honor Of:Sharon and Dov Apfel’s 40th anniversary by Toby and Joe

CostanzoIn Memory Of:Beatrice Stern Feldman by Elliot and Lily FeldmanDave Herman by Linda and Jerry HermanJean Olwyn Gardner by Elliot and Lily FeldmanMaurice H. Kohn by Parker O’SheaPearl C. Niedermayer by Roy NiedermayerPhilip Cohen, loving brother and uncle, by Barbara S. SpitzerPhyllis Margolius by Philip MargoliusRabbi Shamai Kanter, brother of Bill Kanter, by Sarah

Birnbach

Sara Silver, loving grandmother and great-grandmother, by Jeffrey Trauberman and Patricia Ann Silver

Solomon Cohen by Daniel Geselowitz and Sandra CohenSteve Ebbin, by Cary and Nancy FeldmanRefugee FundBy: Marilda and Marcello AverbugSimos Music FundIn Memory Of:Gertrude Weiss, our beloved mother, by Michael Weiss,

Mitchell Weiss, and Karen SatinSisterhood Kiddush FundIn Honor Of:Macie and Isaac Gelb’s graduation from CESJDS by Sharon

Pohoyles and Jim GelbThe talented Sisterhood Tallit Workshop volunteers by the

grateful participants of the 2019 Tallit WorkshopIn Memory Of:Benn Friedman by Barry and Barbara FriedmanJoanne Weinberg, dear mother and wife, by Laura Friedel,

Debra Weinberg and Mark WeinbergRabbi Shamai Kanter, brother of Bill Kanter, by Howard and

Holly SteinSisterhood Shiva Meal FundIn Memory Of:Mae Ehrlich by Ira and Sheryl FishmanSocial Action FundIn Memory Of:Bo Rodner, my beloved husband, by Carolyn RodnerFred Hainbach by Don and Michelle HainbachSorkin Confirmation Israel FundIn Memory Of:Mindy Chovitz Futterman by Judy and Craig FuttermanTova and Daniel Rosenblum by Edith SieversElaine Tanenbaum Religious School Enrichment FundIn Honor Of:The special birthday of our friend, Suzanne Strauss, by Marilyn

and Barrie RipinIn Memory Of:Samuel Tanenbaum, my father, by Herb TanenbaumTorah Scroll FundIn Memory Of:Rabbi Shamai Kanter, brother of Bill Kanter, by Barbara and

Alan GoldTransportation FundIn Memory Of:Harry Goldberg, my father-in-law, by Annette GoldbergWerner Liturgical Music FundIn Memory Of:Bess Unger Cohn by Jerome HeffterYoung Equality FundIn Honor Of:Phyllis and Steve Solomon by Ian Solomon

Contributions Continued

While we know you’ll want to read every word in this issue of the Scroll, when you’re finished, please recycle it.

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Mazal Tov toCarly and Dan Litwok on the birth of their daughter, Shai

Penelope Litwok, granddaughter of congregants Brenda and Jim Schmand

Kathy and Robert Matty on the birth of their grandson, Zachary Paul Matty. Parents are Jeff and Allison Matty, and proud big brother is Jacob.

Robert and Linda Posilkin on the birth of their granddaughter, Madelyn Rae Posilkin. Proud parents are Mason and Jenny Posilkin.

Condolences toRobert Bloch and Sari Kurland Bloch on the death of

Robert’s father, Aaron Ronald BlochBill and Sue Kanter on the death of Bill’s brother, Rabbi Shamai

Kanter, uncle of David Kanter and Michael FinkTo the family of Isadora KornbluhHarriet Rabin and to Mark (Barbara) Rabin on the death of

their son and brother, Bruce RabinDavid Raim and Leslie Shedlin on the death of David’s mother,

Joan Raim, grandmother of Jacob and Sam RaimAnita Ratain on the death of her brother, Stanley BobbLes and Lori Ulanow on the death of Les’s mother, Blanche

Ulanow

NoteworthyRoundtable with the Rabbi, Wednesday, March 6, 2:00 pm. Join us to celebrate March birthdays (yours and those of others) with desserts, coffee, and a discussion led by Rabbi Harris. The discussion is always lively and challenging. Birthday celebrants receive a special invitation, but all are welcome each month.

Dor L’Dor, Thursday, March 7, noon. The Beth El Preschool (BEPS) 4s Class and a group of Beth El seniors blend together naturally to form Dor L’Dor. To participate and share pizza with the preschoolers, RSVP to Susan Bruckheim at 301-320-4404, or susan.bruckheim@gmail.com, or to Ricardo Munster at 301-652-8569, ext. 316, or rmunster@bethelmc.org.

Senior Caucus Luncheon Program, Thursday, March 21. Lunch starts at noon. Following lunch we will screen the film Dough. This multi-award winning comedy is about an old Jewish baker who struggles to keep his business afloat. At some point, he hires a young Muslim-African immigrant as an apprentice. Acci-dentally the apprentice drops cannabis in the dough and sends sales sky high. Cost of lunch is $10. To RSVP for lunch, contact Ricardo Munster at 301-652-2606, ext.316, or rmunster@bethelmc.org, by Tuesday, March 19. The program itself is free and begins after lunch, around 1:00 pm. These programs are made possible in part through the generosity of Annette Moshman.

Bridge – the greatest game ever! Join us every Monday and Thursday (except March 21) from noon to 3:00 pm. Drop in and join a game; no partner necessary. For information or transporta-tion, contact Ricardo Munster at 301-652-2606, ext. 316, or rmun-ster@bethelmc.org.

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