VOLUME 77N U M B E R 1 1

U P C O M I N G U P C O M I N G

facebook.com/groups/BnaiIsraelCong/ www.bnaiisraelcong.orgSTAY CONNECTED

AUGUST 2020 Av/Elul 5780

Inside B’nai Mitzvah ........................................................ 2Rabbi's Message ................................................. 3Notes from Cantor Perlman ........................... 4HINEINI Campaign ............................................ 4Leadership Message .......................................... 5High Holiday Information ............................... 6Lessans Adult Learning Institute ................. 8Summer Speakers .............................................. 9Early Childhood ................................................. 10 Youth & Education ............................................. 11Youth Events ....................................................... 12Blumberg-Zalis Family Library .....................13Social Action ...................................................... 13News with Netta ............................................... 14Men's Club .......................................................... 16Refugee & Immigration Aid ......................... 16Sisterhood ........................................................... 17Honey From the Heart .....................................17Mazal Tovim ....................................................... 18Notes on Hayman Chapel ............................. 19Donations ........................................................... 20Members in Mourning ................................... 23

Our Shabbat Summer Speaker Series Continues. See page 9.

HIGH HOLIDAY 2020/5781

INFORMATION AND SCHEDULE

We’re preparing a meaningful holiday experience that we look forward to

sharing with you and your loved ones.

Learn more on page 6.

Despite changes and a new reality, the education of our children remains

a top priority.

Watch your mail for the Fall Program Guide

to be mailed by the end of August.

UPDATES FROM OUR EDUCATION DEPARTMENTS

First Day of B’nai Israel Schilit Nursery SchoolTuesday, September 8

For updates, see page 10.

First Days of Talmud TorahSunday, September 18

for Grades K–6Tuesday, September 15 for Noar B'Yachad Grades 7–12For updates, see page 11.

For updates from our Youth Department,

see page 12.

REGISTRATION IS OPEN!

Update from our Roadmap to Reopening

Task ForceSee page 5 for

Scott Hodes' article.

http://www.facebook.com/groups/BnaiIsraelCong/WWW.bnaiisraelcong.org

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B’NAI MITZVAH devn ipaBenjamin Adam KishAugust 15 | 9:00 AMBenjamin Kish, son of Sara and Udi Kish, grandson of Vivien and Dr. Lester Marion, and Tamar and Eli Kish, is a rising seventh-grade student at North Bethesda Middle School. For his mitzvah project, Benjamin is hosting a virtual meal as part of A Wider Circle’s 30 Days of Dinners in June. This educational experience will also be a fundraiser with two matching gift opportunities to benefit A Wider Circle. He has also volunteered there many times donating money and items, and sorting and organizing donations for future shoppers. Benjamin also helped to run his family's Thanksgiving drive which brought in over $15,000 to A Wider Circle.

J e re my M a t t h ew SilbergliedAugust 29 | 9:00 AMJeremy Silberglied, son of Gail Ravnitzky Silberglied and Steve Silberglied, grandson of Karleen Heller, Jerry Ravnitzky, and Marilyn and Bob Silberglied (z”l), is a rising seventh-grade student at Tilden Middle School. For his mitzvah project, Jeremy is raising money for Sports Plus, and adaptive sports program. When he was younger, Jeremy participated in this program which was instrumental in developing his athletic ability. Jeremy now volunteers with the program; its first “graduate” to do so. Sports Plus is working to transition to an online format to continue serving children with disabilities during the pandemic.

Nolyn Brooke ZimanAugust 29 | 9:00 AMNolyn Ziman, daughter of Lesley and Dr. Andrew Ziman, granddaughter of Mari lyn and Rony Werthamer, and Susan and Alan Ziman, is a rising seventh-grade student at Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School. For her mitzvah project, Nolyn will participate in the Twinning Project through Yad Vashem to honor a person who was not able to have a bat mitzvah. She will also be working with Greyhound Welfare to support their efforts to rescue Greyhounds, particularly as Greyhound racing tracks are closing faster than planned due to COVID-19.

Eytan Idan EdelmanAugust 30 | 9:30 AMEytan Edelman, son of Aylin and Scott Edelman, grandson of Norma Wilbur and Daniel Edelman (z”l), and Eva and Izak Roditi (z”l), is a rising eighth-grade student at Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School. For his mitzvah project, Eytan is organizing a chapter at his school to support Lone Soldiers in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) with a special emphasis on Lone Soldiers who are graduates of CESJDS. Lone Soldiers are foreign volunteers in the IDF or IDF soldiers from broken homes or families who opposed their enlistment, and thus lack the normal level of family support in Israel of other soldiers.

Jordan SilversteinAugust 30 | 9:30 AMJordan Silverstein, son of Stacey Cooperman, and Michael Silverstein, grandson of Patti Silverstein and Eli Silverstein, and Mavis (z”l) and Abie Cooperman (z”l), is a rising eighth-grade student at Tilden Middle School.

Julian Asher GoldbergSeptember 5 | 9:00 AMJulian Goldberg, son of Victoria and Jonathan G o l d b e r g , g r a n d s o n of Leslye and Ernest Schlesinger, and Shirley (z”l) and Harry Goldberg (z”l), is a rising seventh-grade student at Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School. For his mitzvah project, Julian is raising money for Rainforest Trust and Ocean Conservancy, organizations working to preserve and protect critical ecosystems. He is also volunteering with the Little Falls Watershed Alliance to clear trash and invasive plants from the watershed.

Nehemiah Isaiah DriskillSeptember 5 | 12:30 PMNehemiah Driskill, son of Lisbeth and Brian Driskill, grandson of Lucia and Al Coronel, Lisbeth Balladares, and Vance and Winnie Driskill, is a rising seventh-grade student at Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School. For his mitzvah project, Nehemiah is volunteering for The Nature Conservancy and raising funds for them.

Dylan HimelfarbSeptember 6 | 4:00 PMDylan Himelfarb, son of Debi and Evan Himelfarb, grandson of Eileen and Donald Himelfarb, and Mindy and Rabbi Edward Cohen, is a rising eighth-grade student at Tilden Middle School. For his mitzvah project, Dylan joined Bowling Buddies, a program through the Jewish Foundation for Group Homes where he provides assistance and companionship for residents with special needs. They meet monthly for an afternoon of bowling.

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Welcome to the Newest Members of Our B’nai Israel Family (April 16–July 10)

New Members ...

LESLIE & IRWIN ALTSCHULERISAAC BENKINCHIARA & ANDREW JAFFEA. CHARLES SHALMAN

Returning Members ...

REBECCA ADLERJENNELYN & DAVID BILKER

Brukhim habaim! T h e e n t i r e c o n g r e g a t i o n shares our joy in welcoming you into our B’nai Israel family.

RABBI'S MESSAGEby RABBI MICHAEL SAFRA

This has been a Very Strange Summer … on the heels of a Very Strange Spring. Fall is not looking too promising either. It looks like it will be a while before communal and individual routines return to “normal.” Of course, there are two ways to view all the disruptions of the past months. We could look at how our lives have been upended, mourn the loss of life, lament the missed celebrations and altered vacation plans, and fret about the uncertainties that still lie ahead. Or we can marvel at how our community has come together to maintain twice-daily services, youth and adult programming, schooling, and other essential synagogue functions. We can praise the tireless efforts of those who are helping us make small strides towards reopening parts of our operation in a safe and responsible way. These aren’t the conditions we would have chosen, but we know this isn’t the first time life has thrown a series of curveballs. If there is a Jewish value that permeates the crises of the moment, it is the uniqueness and divinity of each individual. It is tempting to deal with a pandemic through the lens of statistics: How many people died yesterday and where? How do these numbers compare? But Judaism teaches that each person is created in the image of God, b’tzelem Elohim. It becomes our duty to get to know each person, to remember that each number represents somebody’s father or grandmother, sister or brother. We have to search out the individuals amidst the statistics.

That is the message of those fighting for racial justice and equity as well. Every individual matters. We cannot pre-judge

people; we cannot act as though one life is more important than another. We are not racists; but we live in a society where racism persists. We cannot simply assign blame to police officers or politicians or rioters or “those people” (whoever they might be, but certainly not me). When it comes to creating a better society, we all matter. We have to join the national conversation and become part of the solution to a problem that has plagued our country for too long.

I think about that message as it relates to our congregational community as well. I am proud of the lay and professional leaders who work so hard to keep our community open. But we are more than the religious services and virtual gatherings. At our core, we are individuals. Each of us confronts the challenges of the moment differently, and each of us feels the inevitable frustrations at different times. We need to do everything we can to remind ourselves that each individual matters.

Over these past months, we have been working to reach out to every member of our community. It is an imperfect process. Some seem to be waiting by the phone; others are pleased by the personal contact but aren’t necessarily expecting it; and, undoubtedly, there are names on the various lists that get missed.

And that’s when we need to remember that the calls do not only go one way. In addition to proactively reaching out to our members, we have set a standard for our staff that all calls and emails be returned in a timely manner. If you call the synagogue and receive an automated message, rest assured that the message will be received and returned. But, to quote my mother’s outgoing voicemail message, “if you don’t leave a message, I can’t call you back.” The crisis of this pandemic has taken away a lot of the personal contact that is a hallmark of B’nai Israel; but this is our current reality. We can only promise to do our best.

Whether it applies to strangers, causes, or the people we love and care about most, the message of the moment is clear. Every individual counts. We will get through this together.

Get Social With Us

During this time of social distancing, make sure to stay connected with us via social media for latest updates, Facebook Live events, and more.

Join our group on FBhttps://www.facebook.com/

groups/BnaiIsraelCong/

Follow us on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/bnai-

israelcong/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/BnaiIsraelCong/https://www.facebook.com/groups/BnaiIsraelCong/https://www.instagram.com/bnaiisraelcong/https://www.instagram.com/bnaiisraelcong/

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MICHAEL J. SAFRA Senior RabbiMITCHELL H. BERKOWITZAssociate RabbiJONATHAN A. SCHNITZERRabbi Emeritus MATTHEW H. SIMON, DD, DHL Rabbi Emeritus JOSH C. PERLMAN HazzanSARAH BOLTSAssociate Hazzan/Music Director ROBERT KIEVAL Hazzan EmeritusHAL OSSMANExecutive DirectorMOSHE BEN-LEV Education DirectorRABBI PENINA ALEXANDER Assistant PrincipalRACHEL SIEGELEarly Childhood DirectorKAREN GERTONEarly Childhood Director EmeritaNANCY GOLDBERG Schilit Nursery School Assistant DirectorSARAH JARVISDirector of Youth EngagementJILL GENDELMAN Librarian NETTA ASNER-MINSTERCongregational ShlichaAVERY SUDOWCommunications and Development DirectorJOSE (PEPE) STRAUSS Facilities DirectorPATRICIA SIMITAKOSEvents Manager

OFFICERSSTEVEN ROTHENBERGPresidentSCOTT HODESPresident-ElectROBERT LOEWYVice President AdministrationDAVID STEINVice President DevelopmentDINA COHEN GRUBERVice President MembershipDANIEL FISHERVice President Religious AffairsFONDA LOWEVice President Youth and EducationJESSICA LIEBERMANSecretaryKAREN POSTTreasurerROBERT ALTNEUAssistant TreasurerMARC LEVINEParliamentarianMARLA SCHULMAN Immediate Past PresidentJULIANNE GOLDMAN | ALISA ISENBERGCHERYL ROD Sisterhood Co-PresidentsWAYNE BERMAN | LEWIS GERTZMen’s Club Co-PresidentsSTEVEN COHENDR. PATRICIA GREENWEL-ROJKINDDR. STEVEN HAUSMANDR. FRED MESSING DR. STEPHEN B. ROBBINSJOEL SHANKMAN JAY WECHSLER Gabbaim

NOTESby CANTOR JOSH C. PERLMAN

As we approach the High Holy Day season, we are realizing that things are going to be very different this year in so many ways. You may be feeling that it will be hard to make the spiritual connection participating in services from home or you will miss being able to see your B’nai family to shake a hand or give a hug.

I am thinking that this year, more than ever, prayer will be our connection to each other. As I think of the melodies and messages of the season, I would like to invite you to explore one of your cherished prayers from our High Holiday services or one you would like to get to know better. Maybe you would like to become more comfortable with the Hebrew, search for a deeper meaning or learn how to chant the prayer.

I would love to go on this journey with you to elevate your connection with the liturgy. We can meet by phone or a Zoom call or go back and forth via e-mail; whatever your comfort level is. If you are timid about the new technologies we are using, I will help you there. Send me an email (cantorjosh@gmail.com) and let me know what you would like to study. I will do the rest.

Although COVID-19 has kept us physically apart, I believe we can find ways to connect. I believe getting closer to our prayers will not only elevate our relationships with each other, but also with God.

Shalom and be safe. I look forward to hearing from you.

IN THIS TOGETHER

B’nai Israel’s 2020–2021 HineiniCampaign will be kicking off soon.

Please look for information in your mail, email and the September Scroll about how you can invest in our community and ensure our financial strength during this challenging time.

Hineini will continue to be our only major fundraiser!

Thanks to our congregation’s generous support of last year’s campaign and commitment to our membership dues, we have been able to grow, engage more members of the community, and implement programs of the highest impact. This is the time to be a part of our success, invest in our home for Jewish life, and imagine our future.

As this year has shown us, B'nai is here for you—especially whenwe need it the most.

HINEINIAnnual Campaign

2020–2021

You may notice our printed calendar is missing.

Due to the evolving nature of our events, please continue

to check www.bnaiisraelcong.org/calendarfor our latest calendar of events

and access information.

mailto:cantorjosh@gmail.commailto:cantorjosh@gmail.comwww.bnaiisraelcong.org/calendar

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LEADERSHIP MESSAGEby SCOTT HODESPresident-Elect

When I accepted the Nominat ing Committee's invitation to serve as President Elect for this term late last Winter, I did not imagine what the future would hold for us, both at B'nai or the world at large. Pre-Covid life looked very different, even if it was only a few months ago. In early May, I was asked to lead the Roadmap to Reopening Task Force. In consultation with professional, lay leadership and clergy, a task force of extremely able members was assembled to work on reopening the Montrose Road facilities. The task force began its discussions prior to Memorial Day on the guidelines for reopening the shul when permitted by local officials. The task force's mission is to present guidelines that allow reopening of programs in as safe a matter as possible under state, local, and national guidance. Experts on the task force include physicians, scientists, law enforcement professionals, indoor space specialists and others with knowledge of our physical space and our congregation.

The task force created two sub-task forces. One is the Education Task Force, chaired by Vice President of Youth and Education Fonda Lowe which is working on reopening the Talmud Torah and the Nursery School in the Fall. The second is the Services Task Force, chaired by incoming Vice President of Religious Affairs Dan Fisher which is responsible for guidelines and procedures for religious services. It is anticipated that there will be another sub task force in the future to work on reopening programming

throughout the congregation. The sub task forces include individuals not on the main task force that have interests or expertise in the matters discussed. We have been able to tap into a large number of members in assisting B'nai to reopen.

After completely shutting down our physical facility, we our now beginning to reopen to allow in person attendance. As of this writing, we have begun Shabbat services with in person attendance of up to 20 people. Attendance is pre-selected and requires a pre-screening evaluation, completed prior to Shabbat. Those in attendance are currently required to arrive prior to 9:00 am and attend the entire service. It is anticipated that as local officials move into the next phase of reopening, more congregants will be permitted in person, and timed entries, requiring less time in the sanctuary will likely become an element of Shabbat attendance.

The reopening is a work in progress. Each week provides new lessons and feedback that are currently incorporated into best practices with the task force and the clergy. Science continues to put out new information on the virus that we learn from and adopt into the guidelines. The task force will continue its work as long as needed. Currently, we are working with clergy and synagogue staff on issues surrounding the High Holy Days.

The one thing that constantly comes through is that we have an active and caring community at B'nai Israel. Be it from participation on a task force or reaching out to lay leadership, professional staff or clergy with constructive suggestions, B'nai's members are dedicated, vibrant and interested in the renewal of our in-person activities. There is no wonder why B'nai is a leader in the Conservative movement. It is with this spirit that I am proud to be part of this community and am honored to serve as President Elect of B'nai Israel.

AUGUSTJuly 31/1 8:03 PM/8:51 PM7/8 7:55 PM/8:42 PM14/15 7:46 PM/8:32 PM21/22 7:37 PM/8:21 PM28/29 7:26 PM/8:11 PM

SHABBATCandlelighting

& Havdalah

AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support B'NAI ISRAEL CONGREGATION every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop at www.smile.amazon.com, Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to your favorite charitable organization.

On your first visit to www.smile.amazon.com, select B'nai Israel Congregation in Rockville to receive donations from eligible purchases before you begin shopping. Your selection will be remembered, and every eligible purchase you make will result in a donation.

B'NAI ISRAEL CONGREGATION6301 Montrose RoadRockville, Maryland 20852301-881-6550www.bnaiisraelcong.org

Affiliated with The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism

B’nai Israel Congregation is an accessible building.

www.smile.amazon.comwww.smile.amazon.comwww.smile.amazon.comwww.bnaiisraelcong.org

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The High Holiday experience will be different, but together we will make it just as meaningful.

All services in Dweck Sanctuary will be broadcast as an enhanced virtual experience, which will serve as the primary worship portal for most of our congregation. We will be allowing some people to gather in person in Dweck Sanctuary and another traditional service in Goodman Assembly Hall. Exact numbers are subject to county rules that remain in flux, but we are planning to operate at approximately 10% capacity. In addition to our traditional services, we will be hosting non-traditional in-person family services and reserving a couple of prayer opportunities exclusively for seniors. Learning and discussion opportunities, including Ask-the-Rabbi, will take place during the week via Zoom. All of this information and the full schedule is laid out online at www.bnaiisraelcong.org/highholidays.

This month, you will receive information about requesting tickets. Our goal is to provide each interested member the opportunity to attend at least one in-person service. We do not anticipate being able to accommodate nonmembers at our services this year. Please send back your ticket request form as soon as possible.

Congregational policy requires members to pay 1/3 of their membership dues or set up a personalized payment plan by September 1 in order to receive tickets. We have this policy from a place of an understanding—every year, and especially during a pandemic—and our Executive Director, Hal Ossman (hossman@bnaiisraelcong.org, 301-816-5563), is available to address any questions about membership status or payment plans.

HIGH HOLIDAY TICKETING & VIEWING 2020/5781

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 – ROSH HASHANAH EVENING6:15–7:15 PM Evening Service in Dweck Sanctuary/Bimblich Hall/Gudelsky Hall (LIVESTREAM) 8:00–9:00 PM Evening Service in Parking Lot

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19 – ROSH HASHANAH DAY ONE8:45 AM–12:30 PM Traditional Service in Dweck Sanctuary/Bimblich Hall/Gudelsky Hall (LIVESTREAM) 9:30 AM Torah Service 10:45 AM Sermon9:15 AM–1:00 PM Traditional Service in Goodman Assembly Hall2:00–3:30 PM Renew: A Contemplative & Holistic High Holiday Service with Rabbi Aderet Drucker (LIVESTREAM only)7:00–7:45 PM Evening Service in Dweck Sanctuary/Bimblich Hall/Gudelsky Hall (LIVESTREAM; in-person tickets available for seniors only)

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 – ROSH HASHANAH DAY TWO8:45 AM–12:30 PM Traditional Service in Dweck Sanctuary/Bimblich Hall/Gudelsky Hall (LIVESTREAM) 9:30 AM Torah Service 10:45 AM Sermon9:15AM–1:00 PM Traditional service, Goodman Assembly Hall2:00–3:30 PM Renew: A Contemplative & Holistic High Holiday Service with Rabbi Aderet Drucker (LIVESTREAM only)6:45–7:00 PM Tashlikh, Outside (note the earlier Tashlikh with the family service) 7:00–7:45 PM Evening service

In August, all B’nai Israel members will be mailed a ticket form and will be asked to rank their choices of services they hope to attend. All in-person services will require a ticket with assigned, socially distant seating. With limited space this year, we know that not every request will be filled. Our goal is to give every interested member at least one of their choices. Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate nonmembers at in-person gatherings this year.

Start and end times are staggered to eliminate traffic in hallways or parking lots and allow time for additional cleaning. All times besides the start of services are approximate. Participants will not be allowed to congregate in public spaces and will be asked to leave immediately upon the conclusion of each service.

Rosh Hashanah Services

HIGH HOLIDAYS 2020/5781

www.bnaiisraelcong.org/highholidaysmailto:hossman@bnaiisraelcong.org

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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27 – KOL NIDRE6:30–8:30 PM Traditional Service in Dweck Sanctuary/Bimblich Hall/Gudelsky Hall (LIVESTREAM)6:45–8:45 PM Traditional Service in Goodman Assembly Hall

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28 – YOM KIPPUR8:45–11:45 AM Traditional Service in Dweck Sanctuary/Bimblich Hall/Gudelsky Hall (LIVESTREAM) 9:45 AM Torah Service 11:10 AM Sermon/Yizkor9:15 AM–12:00 PM Traditional Serivce, Goodman Assembly Hall 2:00–3:30 PM Renew: A Contemplative & Holistic High Holiday Service with Rabbi Aderet Drucker (LIVESTREAM only)1:00–3:00 PM Mussaf (including Yizkor) in Dweck Sanctuary/Bimblich Hall/Gudelsky Hall (LIVESTREAM) 1:00 PM Sermon/Yizkor 1:30 PM Mussaf 5:15 PM Traditional Afternoon and Evening Service in Dweck Sanctuary/Bimblich Hall/Gudelsky Hall (LIVESTREAM) 5:15 PM Minha (including Jonah) 6:25 PM Neilah 7:30 PM Shofar5:30–6:00 PM Special Service for Seniors, Sermon and Yizkor ONLY in Goodman Assembly Hall

Yom Kippur Services

Youth and Family Services are offered virtually and in-person, indoors and outside. Youth services will be designated by age level. The Family Service is for families with children of all ages, especially targeted towards elementary school. The Tot Service is for chidren 5 and under. Tickets are required and space is limited for all in-person gatherings.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19 – ROSH HASHANAH DAY ONE9:30–10:45 AM Virtual Youth Services (grades K–6) 10:00–11:15 AM Virtual Teen Service (grades 7–12)2:00–3:00 PM In-Person Teen Service in Fanaroff Auditorium4:30–5:15 PM Virtual Tots Service4:30–5:30 PM Outdoor Family Service (Rain plan: Dweck Sanctuary/Bimblich Hall/Gudelsky Hall; service will be livestreamed)

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 – ROSH HASHANAH DAY TWO9:30–10:45 AM Virtual Youth Services (grades K–6)10:00–11:15 AM Virtual Teen Service (grades 7–12) 4:30–5:15 PM Virtual Tots Service 4:30–5:45 PM Outdoor Family Service with Tashlikh (Rain plan: Dweck Sanctuary/Bimblich Hall/Gudelsky Hall; service will be livestreamed)

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27 – KOL NIDRE4:00–4:45 PM Virtual Tots Service 6:45–8:00 PM Virtual Family Service

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28 – YOM KIPPUR9:30–10:45 AM Virtual Youth Services (grades K–6)10:00–11:15 AM Virtual Teen Services (grades 7–12) 3:45–4:45 PM In-Person Teen Service in Fanaroff Auditorium3:45–4:45 PM Outdoor Family Service (all ages invited) (Rain plan: Dweck Sanctuary/Bimblich Hall/Gudelsky Hall; service will be livestreamed)

YOUTH & FAMILY SERVICE OPTIONS

Rosh Hashanah

Yom Kippur

HIGH HOLIDAYS 2020/5781

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SARA & SAMUEL J. LESSANS ADULT

LEARNING INSTITUTE

Throughout the month of Elul and the week between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, we will be offering opportunities to enhance the experience. Stay tuned for more details about these and other programs.

ELUL• Elul in Your Inbox – Receive a thoughtful message each day in the month leading up

to Rosh Hashanah• High Holiday Workshops (virtual) – Explore the liturgical and scriptural readings of

the Days of Awe• Shofar Workshop – Learn to sound the shofar• Neighborhood Shofar Squads – B’nai Israel joins other synagogues in creating unique

opportunities in public spaces

BETWEEN ROSH HASHANAH & YOM KIPPUR• Kever Avot Cemetery Services• Ask the Rabbi (virtual)• Lay-led Adult Discussions (virtual; topics to be announced)• Operation Isaiah Food Drive to Benefit Manna Food Center We look forward to continuing to share our High Holiday offerings with you. Please be on the lookout this month for additional information and ticket request forms. Ticket requests will be available in August.

HIGH HOLIDAYS 2020/5781

High Holiday Workshops

Opportunities to Enhance the High Holidays

Preparing for the Days of Awe: Israeli-Style with Netta Asner-MinsterTuesday, September 17:30–8:30 PMLearn about the unique events and programs that take place during the month of Elul in Israel. From selichot tours to Elul programs, this month offers ways to connect for religious and secular communities in Israeli society.

Past, Present, and Future: Reflecting on the Year that Was and Will Be with Rabbi Michael SafraTuesday, September 8 7:30–8:30 PMThe High Holidays are a moment for reflection. We look back in time and we look ahead to the future. The liturgy stays the same, but the way that we relate to it changes as we change. We will look at the verses of the Hebrew Bible which give structure to the Musaf service (Malchuyout, Zichronot, & Shofrot), and understand how we can derive meaning from the liturgy this year.

It’s Complicated: Our Relationship Status with Godwith Rabbi Mitchell BerkowitzTuesday, September 157:30–8:30 PMMaintaining a relationship with the Divine is not always an easy task. We have expectations for what we derive from a relationship, and we know that we must also invest ourselves in order for the relationship to grow and flourish. Anu Amekha is a short, yet powerful, piyyut (liturgical poem) from the Yom Kippur liturgy. Join me in exploring how it highlights the possibilities, and the challenges, for maintaining a relationship with God.

This Week in the Torahwi th Rabb i M i tche l l BerkowitzMondays, August 3, 17, 24, 312:15–3:15 PMSomehow the Torah always manages to speak to us in the present. Its lessons are timeless, and that is what makes it a sacred, living text. Explore the weekly Torah portion through the lens of Rashi, the essential biblical commentary. No prior experience required. All texts will be provided in both English and Hebrew. Register online. The Zoom link will be provided in the confirmation email.

Klezmer: American Music with Seth KibelThursday, August 67:30 PMKlezmer, which literally means “tool of song” in Yiddish, is the secular folk music of the Jews of Central and Eastern Europe. In the first decades of the 1900s, this music flourished in the New World, in the immigrant community of New York City. There, the sounds of the European “fiddler on the roof” mixed with the sounds of early jazz and Tin Pan Alley. The result was a quintessentially American sound. This presentation will trace the history and evolution of this music, up until the modern klezmer revival. Vintage recordings and "live" performances from the instructor will make this program as exciting as the music itself.Register online. The Zoom link will be sent to you in the confirmation email.Sponsored by Judy Saks and the Benjamin Saks Judaica Art Endowment.Presented by the Arts Task Force of the Adult Education Committee.

Women in the Bible with Netta Asner-MinsterThursday, August 137:30–8:30 PMSee page 15 for details.

https://www.bnaiisraelcong.org/event/klezmer-american-music-with-seth-kibel.html

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SUMMER SPEAKER SERIESDuring the summer months, we invite members of our community to speak on Shabbat mornings and address the congregation about the interesting ways that they connect special experiences to their Jewish identities.

Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/788352437

Join Our Services by Video Live Stream or Telephone

ShabbatFriday evening, 6:15–7:15 PMSaturday, 9:00 AM –12:00 PM*If you are interested in attending our very limited in-person Shabbat service, please email allison@bnaiisraelcong.org.

Daily MinyanMonday–Thursday, 7:15 AM & 8:00 PMFriday, 7:15 AMSunday, 9:00 AM & 8:00 PM

Video Live Stream Instructions https://zoom.us/j/788352437

Audio Dial-in: 1-929-436-2866 Meeting ID: 788 352 437 #

Phone Instructions Dial 1-929-436-2866 Meeting ID: 788 352 437 #

August 1Can a magazine of Jewish ideas replenish the moral confidence of American Jewry? with Jonathan SilverEven when not facing threats to our physical existence, the Jewish people confront severe challenges to our identity, our staying power, and our very reason for being. Can a magazine of Jewish thought inspire the confidence we need to flourish as a people? In addressing these challenges head-on, and in depth, Mosaic publishes analysis and judgment on issues of politics, society, culture, religion, and the arts. Jonathan Silver is the editor of Mosaic, host of the Tikvah Podcast, and senior director at the Tikvah Fund. He previously served as the executive director of the Jewish Leadership Conference. Along with Rabbi Meir Soloveichik, he is the coeditor of Proclaim Liberty Throughout the Land, a book of primary sources that demonstrates the influence of Hebraic texts in early American political history.

August 8Bronfman Fellowship, A Virtual Summer Experiencewith Oren MinskOren Minsk is participating in the 2020 Bronfman Fellowship, a program founded by the late Edgar Bronfman in 1987. Bronfman Fellows typically spend a summer in Israel exploring existential questions and Jewish ideas, with ongoing programing over the course of their high school senior year. This summer the program was moved online where Fellows have explored questions of Jewish identity, pluralism, and other topics in the Jewish community. Oren looks forward sharing his experiences and insight from the past month.

Oren is a senior at the Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School. He attended Camp Ramah in New England for eight years, is interested in engineering and politics, runs, debates, and is co-editor of the CESJDS student newspaper.

August 22What it Means for Me to be a Shlichawith Netta Asner-Minster, Congregational ShlichaShlichut literally means “mission.” For many, the term refers to Israeli emissaries who spend a year or two in various communities or on college campuses. Shlichut in and of itself is a challenge: you must adapt to and learn about different communities and cultures. This past year, however, presented unprecedented challenges for us all, which compelled us to quickly adapt to new circumstances and find ways of being together while physically apart. In honor of the beginning of our shlicha's second year, Netta Asner-Minster will share her personal experiences of this past year, including the challenges and the successes in adapting to the circumstances by creating new and unique online opportunities.

Netta Asner-Minster is beginning her second year as our shlicha (Israeli Emissary). Netta was born in Silver Spring, Maryland and moved to Israel in 2004. She completed her BA prior to her Shlichut from Hebrew University in International Relations and Jewish History and Contemporary Judaism. Netta's passion is to engage with Israeli and American Jews, strengthening the ties between the communities, and has worked with various organizations such as Onward Israel, the Israeli Parliament, and of course the Jewish Agency to further promote this goal. She recently got married to John in December 2019.

We Continue to Gather

With the health and safety of our community as the top priority, our world and our community have changed. Thank you for joining us virtually during this time.

www.bnaiisraelcong.org/joinvirtually

https://zoom.us/j/788352437mailto: allison@bnaiisraelcong.orghttps://zoom.us/j/788352437http://https://www.bnaiisraelcong.org/joinvirtuallyhttp://https://www.bnaiisraelcong.org/joinvirtually

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EARLY CHILDHOODby RACHEL SIEGELDirector

W I N N E R

Schilit Nursery School

Registration is now open for the 2020–2021 school year!

www.bnaiisraelcong.org/www.bnaiisraelcong.org/nurseryschoolregistrationnurseryschoolregistration

We have every intention and are We have every intention and are diligently making plans to open this fall, diligently making plans to open this fall, with certain restrictions, but with hopes with certain restrictions, but with hopes for open classrooms, open hearts, and for open classrooms, open hearts, and

even open arms.even open arms.

Hi B’na i I s r ae l community!

Happy Summer! I hope this finds you and your loved ones healthy, well, and safe as we navigate the coronavirus pandemic and all of the uncertainty and challenges.

Now that it is August, I cannot believe that I have been a part of the B’nai Israel community for one month now. And what a month it has been! Much of my time has been spent learning and understanding about the school, synagogue, and community, meeting with teachers and families, researching and developing our reopening plans, while also thinking about curriculum and the social emotional needs of our community at this time. Through my contact and connections with you, I already feel the positive energy the community embodies and feel very welcomed by everyone: thank you!

I wanted to share a little bit about myself. I have been in the field of early childhood education for a little over a decade and I cannot imagine doing anything else. For the past three years, I was a Pre-Kindergarten Teacher at Norwood School, an independent day school for children in grades PK–8. I was an integral member of the founding team that both created and integrated the new Pre-Kindergarten program into the Norwood community. Prior to that, I worked both as the Assistant Director and Classroom Educator for ages 2–5 at

Temple Emanuel Early Childhood Center. I am thrilled to return home to the Jewish community! When I’m not at school, I enjoy being outside, going on adventures, trying new restaurants, binge watching tv shows, and playing with my Yellow Lab mix, Charlie. One of my guiding principles as an early childhood educator is the importance of relationships. I love inspiring children to play, question, think, write, draw, explore, wonder, create and become lifelong learners. I enjoy partnering with parents and families in the best interest and care of their children. I take pride in collaborating with other teachers to provide the highest quality learning environment for children.

It has been a pleasure to get to know so many of you over the past few weeks, whether by email, phone, Zoom, or our Parking Lot Shabbat Sings. As I write this article in early July for the August scroll, I am working from my very quiet new office in the synagogue. I am hopeful and cannot wait to open up our doors one month from now and see all of you in person. We are so excited that (barring any mandates from the Governor) we are planning to open in-person for the 2020–2021 school year, five days per week, with both half and full day options starting on Tuesday, September 8, 2020. I know I look forward to hearing the sounds of children giggling and playing throughout the halls. Our top priority remains the health and safety of both our students and teachers. We are working diligently to create protocols and changes (including grouping children in “bubbles” and designated outdoor spaces for each classroom) to reflect our new reality, and I look forward to continuing to share them with you as we finalize all the details.

This is definitely a strange time to be transitioning to a new job, but I am enthusiastically up for this challenge. I am grateful to Karen Gerton and Fonda Lowe for both of their frequent communication and support to ensure a smooth transition for our community. Please feel free to email me anytime at: rachels@bnaiisraelcong.org and know my “door” is always opened. I’m looking forward to meeting you soon!

B'nai Israel Cookbook

Project

Be a Part of the B’nai Israel CookbookDo you LOVE to bake and cook? Even if you don't, send your favorite recipes (up to three) for our new B'nai Israel Cookbook. During this difficult time, we can share our favorite recipes with each other and with our families.

Once completed, this cookbook will be sold as a fundraiser and will make a great gift and addition to your kitchen! We'd also appreciate any photos of your food, your family enjoying your food, or your family cooking your food, that you'd be willing to allow to be published in the cookbook.

Send your recipes to either Lynn Rayman (alrayman@verizon.net) or Jeff Fredman (jnfpatent@msn.com).

www.bnaiisraelcong.org/nurseryschoolregistrationwww.bnaiisraelcong.org/nurseryschoolregistrationmailto:rachels@bnaiisraelcong.orgmailto:alrayman@verizon.netmailto:alrayman@verizon.netmailto:alrayman@verizon.netmailto:jnfpatent@msn.comhttp://mailto:jnfpatent@msn.com

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Talmud Torah REGISTRATION

2020–2021

Online Talmud Torah registration will open on May 26.

Early bird discount through June 30.

www.bnaiisraelcong.org/talmudtorah

If you have any questions, please contact Jennifer (240-221-2508, jenniferc@bnaiisraelcong.org).

YOUTH & EDUCATIONby MOSHE BEN-LEVEducation Director

Support B’nai Israel’s

PROJECT MANNAUrgently Needed Food Items (though we take all nonperishable food items)

• Instant Oatmeal Packets (Original Flavor)

• Brown Rice• Whole Grain Pasta• Tuna/Salmon/Chicken (in

Water)• Dry/Canned Beans (Low

Sodium)• Natural Nut Butters• Canned Vegetables (Low

Sodium)• Canned Fruit (in Juice)• Fruit Cups• Shelf-stable Individual Milk Boxes• Cooking Oils & Spices

Thank you for your commitment to this life-giving mitzvah! All food items will be directed to the Manna Food Center.

In the Jewish religious school world, August is an important month of planning and putting the finishing touches on what is hoped will be a well-organized, inspiring, and eventful school year. The month often concludes with a major teacher orientation which translates into a long day of meetings, trainings, sharing and planning the first days of school. Over the last thirty years, both as a teacher and education director, August has followed this general pattern. Predictable, hectic, and in many ways comforting, the cycle has been a constant reminder of what we need to do to begin a successful school year as well as mentally prepare for an opening day when the building is filled with students who have been absent from late May through September. Seeing students who have grown over the summer, eager to see their friends, and share camp and vacation stories never fails to strengthen my sense of community and joy in being together for learning and teaching one another.

While this year summer has been filled with uncertainty and its many challenges, it has also given us an opportunity to step out of our comfort zone and be creative, inventive, and more reflective of what occurred in the spring as we entered a virtual Talmud Torah. From the positive feedback we received about small group Hebrew for 3rd–6th grades to concerts, tefillah, and fun educational lessons to music, and a Matza making workshop, we were able to reach our students and families with astonishing ease thanks to a combination of our amazing teachers, support staff and the technology itself.

This fal l wil l see an approach to congregational Jewish education that is unprecedented. Some congregational schools will follow a hybrid as well as a virtual approach to segments of the curriculum. Other religious schools will remain completely in a virtual space until sometime in 2021. Whatever the approach, each synagogue is working day and night to determine what the best approach will be for their community.

At our Talmud Torah, we are working now on a hybrid approach, which will bring our K–6 students into our building every other Sunday for Judaic instruction. K–3 would come two Sundays a month as would 4–6. On the “off” Sundays, students would take part in a vigorous and creative virtual Judaic and prayer program. Hebrew instruction for Grades 3–6 will remain in small group virtual classes mid-week. With less face-to-face instructional time each week, participation in Junior Congregation on Shabbat will be ever more important. We are designing a robust Shabbat program that will also take place in the virtual space. We remain prudent and so we have also created a fully developed all virtual program, as well. This allows us to be prepared for whatever occurs. With two strong and well thought out programs, we are confident that we can fulfill both our educational goals and sense of community.

Our Roadmap to Reopening Task Force has worked very hard to develop safety protocols and procedures, which are being shared with our teachers and parents. The new reality also demands increased training for our teachers, which I am designing together with Rabbi Penina Alexander and our talented staff. Teachers will also be collaborating with teachers in devising new and innovative strategies to educate our children.

One item we are sure of is that teachers will be asked once again to be creative, out-of-the-box thinkers and planners as they reach their curriculum goals.

Since early June, we have been working without pause on these issues and how we can meet our educational goals. We know we can achieve great things because we have all the ingredients necessary; resources, staff, experts, and most importantly, partnership and collaboration. I’m hoping and praying that come September, I will be able to see the faces of our students as they enter

our classrooms and begin a year of great learning. Even if those faces are masked, our job will be to put smiles on those hidden faces!

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YOUTH EVENTSby SARAH JARVISDirector of Youth Engagement

EVENTS

Carl & Doris Lane

YOUTH DEPARTMENT

Be sure to check out our latest events and resources at

www.bnaiisraelcong.org/joinvirtually

SHANA FRENKEL, LCSW-CSynagogue Liaison

The JSSA Synagogue Liaison program is a partnership between J S S A a n d l o c a l congregations as an additional support to families. Shana Frenkel, LCSW-C, is available to discuss a whole range of issues—from parenting to aging, communicating to stress-relief. If Shana is not the right person to help, she will make the connection to other professionals from JSSA and beyond.

Shana can be reached at (sfrenkel@jssa.org, 301-610-8396).

With the summer months ticking by I have found that with this pandemic I have had the opportunity to be even more creative with my programming than in the past. I have really enjoyed getting to run summer programming, which is a new and exciting initiative for this year. During this time, I have examined the priorities of the youth groups and designed programs that would be fun, educational, and engaging all at the same time. I am enjoying my continued work of developing programming for the rest of summer and beyond, and hope you all are enjoying “seeing” each other once a week as much as I am.

As part of a new initiative this spring, I made it a priority to call our high school students and their families during these difficult times to check in and see how they are doing. Thanks to these phone calls I was able to hear about what you are up to and get to know you better. These phone calls have been a highlight for me, and I look forward to connecting with more students and their families this summer.

I have also had the chance to bond with our youth during our continued online programming. When the pandemic started, we offered programming from week to week for each of the four youth groups: Bonim, Machar, Kadima, and USY. As we pivot towards the summer and fall, we are planning full monthly calendars of programs and initiatives. The summer programming calendar for the Youth Department features special programs led by parents from our community, moments for rising grades to transition into their new youth groups, and opportunities for you to try out something

new! Although the Youth Department does not typically offer summer programming of this kind, I am excited to be able to offer our community ways to stay connected even if we cannot be together at camp, in the synagogue, or elsewhere. I look forward to the creative opportunities this summer and to making awesome memories with all of you.

Looking ahead to the fall, we will continue to offer programming primarily in the virtual space with new and exciting programming for all ages. I am hopeful that in a few months we will look back on this time and remember that while it was challenging, it was also a time when we learned about ourselves, our community, and so much more. I am excited to continue offering smaller scale programs twice a month and one larger program for each youth group once a month!

I want to congratulate more of our 2020 graduates whose names were not included in the June/July Scroll. Mazal tov, and I wish you all the best in your next adventures!

Ari Schlactus – Indiana UniversityMolly Zatman – University of Maryland Amy Ackerman – University of Maryland Douglas Cantor – Tulane University Sam Eig – Oberlin College Micah Gritz – Tufts UniversityAva Solomon – New York University Danielle Tauber – University of Texas

Also, a hearty mazal tov to:Jason Altneu, Maddy Pollack, and Madison Sunshine on being selected for Seaboard USY’s Regional General Board.

COLLEGE CONNECTION!

If you are a college student or the parent of one, sign up for College Connection today. Packages have included Starbucks gift cards, holidays

gifts, candy, and more.

Don't miss out! www.bnaiisraelcong.org/college

B'nai Israel

SPIRIT WEEKis Coming

Let's have some fun! Check your inboxes for fun themes, challenges and ways to connect from August 10–14!

www.bnaiisraelcong.org/joinvirtuallywww.bnaiisraelcong.org/joinvirtually

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BLUMBERG-ZALIS FAMILY LIBRARYby JILL GENDELMANLibrarian

Reading Recommendations

SOCIAL ACTIONThank you to our volunteers who helped provide items for the Interfaith Works Women's Shelter meal:

Dina and Alan LipschultzDavid Sotsky (Chase and Tyler), and Shira KaplanMickey GoldsteinMarcia KerchnerHarriet FredmanJudy SaksNancy EigMichelle Finkel MehlmanCindy OserEsther TellerRandy GoldbergHarriet SteinLinda ReisnerSigne WetroganWayne Berman

Meal for the Interfaith Works Women's ShelterSunday, August 2The B’nai Israel Social Action Committee together with the Sisterhood and Men’s Club will be providing a brunch meal for the residents of the Interfaith Works Women's Shelter at noon on Sunday, August 2. We need your help in supplying various parts of the meal. The items can be purchased or prepared in your home. There will be vari-ous options for drop off of your items. The items should serve 8 to 10 people and be in disposable pans. To see the options or to be involved, please see our sign up at:h t t p s : / / w w w. s i g n u p g e n i u s . c o m /go/20f094aacac22a02-brunch.

For more information and delivery details, contact Signe Wetrogan (301-384-2994, signe0420@verizon.net) or Wayne Berman (240-888-0843, waynebe4me@aol.com).

Our two August Library programs listed below will be via Zoom. The Zoom links can also be accessed on our website (www.bnaiisraelcong.org.joinvirtually).

B’nai Book Discussion GroupBig Summer by Jennifer WeinerWednesday, August 1211:30 AM–12:30 PMA deliciously funny, remarkably poignant, and simply ‘unputdownable’ novel about the power of friendship and complexities of female relationships, the lure of frenemies, and the importance of making peace with yourself through all life’s ups and down, the pitfalls of living out loud and online, and the resilience of the human heart. Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/93070011211

Author Presentation with David Spiegel “The Promise”Tuesday, August 25 7:00–8:00 PMA priest in King Solomon’s Jerusalem temple is desperately trying to save two mysterious artifacts that are connected to the sacred religious rites of ancient Israel and God. When a celestial messenger appears, he agrees to give the artifacts to her in exchange for a seemingly benevolent promise. Now, in modern day United States, three people must deal with the promise’s unintended consequences and a life and death prophecy that affects each of them and the world in which they live. Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/93152944590

Both of these books will be a part of our upcoming fall B’nai Israel Book Discussion selections. Others to look forward to in the fall include, The Hilltop by Asaf Gavron; The Book of V by Anne Solomon; Hidden in Plain Sight by Karen Batshaw and Division by Goldie Goldbloom.

My Wild Garden: Notes from a Writer's Eden by Meir Shalev A colorfully illustrated round of the season in the garden of the best-selling novelist, memoirist, and champion putterer with a wheelbarrow. On the perimeter of Israel’s Jezreel Valley, with the Carmel Mountains rising up in the west, Meir Shalev has a beloved garden, He extolls the virtues of the lemon tree, rescues a precious variety of purple snapdragon from the Jerusalem–Tel Aviv highway, and does battle with a saboteur mole rat. He even gives us his superior private recipe for curing olives.

The Dutch Wife by Ellen Keith From the Netherlands to Germany to Argentina, The Dutch Wife braids together the stories of three individuals who share a dark secret and are entangled in two of the most oppressive reigns of terror in modern history. This is a novel about the blurred lines between love and lust, abuse and resistance, and right and wrong, as well as the capacity for ordinary people to persevere and do the unthinkable in extraordinary circumstances.

Everything in your Life by B. Morgenroth Can one good deed change everything? Weeks away from being ordained as a rabbi, Ben Belasco turns away from his life’s path and becomes a magician. On a rainy night, Ben finds himself stranded in upstate New York with no money and no job. Overhearing Ben, Mabel offers him a place to stay—Ben says yes. When Mabel asks Ben to stand in for the missing Methodist minister he says yes. .He couldn't repair the world, but maybe he could help this one small town.

http://http://mailto:signe0420@verizon.netmailto:waynebe4me@aol.comhttp://www.bnaiisraelcong.org.joinvirtuallyhttp://www.bnaiisraelcong.org.joinvirtuallyhttps://zoom.us/j/93070011211https://zoom.us/j/93152944590

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August 2020 5780 lel`/a`

News with Netta ֲחָדׁשֹות ִעם ֶנַטע

As these words are shared with the community, I am in Israel traveling around on my vacation, which is longer than expected due to the circumstances of the pandemic. Upon arrival in Israel, you must quarantine for 14 days at home or at any location where you have your own room and bathroom (which I am lucky to have), otherwise you are sent to a COVID hotel.

At the time that I wrote these words, I was still in the U.S. preparing and excited for my trip. I want to share my excitement with you by offering a different version of what had been a monthly “Israel paper.” It is difficult to write about current events when things change each day, so I will share the other sections of the Israel paper in a more personal way to show you Israel through my eyes.

Enjoy!

THIS MONTH IN ISRAEL’S HISTORY

The First International Bible QuizAugust 19, 1958

One of the main events that takes place on Yom Ha’Atzmaut is the International Bible Quiz for youth. This idea began in 1958 for adults as part of Israel’s first decade celebrations.

The winner of the first national bible quiz, Amos Chacham, became famous as his was a “Cinderella story.” He went from working as a clerk who had to borrow a suit from a friend for the competition to the well-known national bible champion. On August 19 Amos competed and won the international bible quiz which took place in Jerusalem, with about 66% of Israel’s population listening via radio.

The international bible quiz for youth began in 1963 and has become well-known as it takes place on Yom Ha’Atzmaut, with youth from all over the world competing in Jerusalem.

EXPLORE ISRAEL

Welcome to my Neighborhood: Har Homa!

Har Homa, formally known as Homat Shmuel, is the most southern neighborhood of Jerusalem, bordering Bethlehem. There are about 25,000 residents. The neighborhood was founded officially in 1997 although the land was acquired by JNF after the Six Day War in 1967. The neighborhood is built on a hill and has five different levels, showing the expansion of the neighborhood since it was first founded.

This neighborhood is controversial because it is beyond the green line and during its early years there were claims that approximately 30% of the neighborhood is on Palestinian territory. However, over time it has become concensus to be part of Israel for any potential future agreement. On another note, most of the residents who live there do so because of the availability of affordable housing, not because of religious or political ideals. This reality makes it such that the neighborhood has an array of political opinions despite the discussion about it worldwide.

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Netta Asner-MinsterCongregational Shlicha240-221-2504netta@bnaiisraelcong.org

The congregational shlicha program is made possible by a partnership with the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington.

HEBREW SLANG

TachlesThis is one of my personal favorite Hebrew slang words that I use all the time!

ַתְכֶלסtachles = the bottom line

It comes from Yiddish and means ‘the actual point’ or ‘the bottom line’

Example of use: “I have so many things I want to do in Israel but tachles, I really just want to hang out with my family”

ISRAELI SOCIETY

Hardal: National Ultra-Orthodox

Sixty percent of my neighborhood is comprised of National Ultra-orthodox people. This means that they have religious practices that are similar to the ultra-orthodox (Haredi) community, however they are Zionist and truly support the state. They serve in the army, they work and pay taxes, the girls participate in national service, they vote, and simultaneously they share a lot of ideals with the Haredi society. This comes across through modest dress and separation between boys and girls in youth groups as well as in educational settings.

This term has become more popular in recent years due to known figures using it. For example, Naftali Benett, Israel’s former minister of education and defense minister, defined himself as ‘Hardal’ during a political ad.

GUESS THE PHOTO

Where Were These Photos of Me Taken?Send your answers to Netta (netta@bnaiisraelcong.org).

UPCOMING ISRAEL PROGRAMS

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#5 #6

Women in the BibleThursday, August 13, 7:30–8:30 PMJoin our Shlicha, Netta Asner-Minster, for a discussion about women and their representation in the Tanach (bible). This is the first session about women in Judaism, a subject Netta will be leading additional sessions on during the year Netta will be hosting Chelsea Feuchs, a third year student at HUC, who has created a unique theory of women in the tanach as part of a fellowship in Israel, connecting the women through shared themes. This session will help to expand and deepen the understanding of the Tanach through feminist interpretation. This session is in cooperation with the B'nai Sisterhood and Men's Club.Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82806383879

mailto:netta@bnaiisraelcong.orgmailto:netta@bnaiisraelcong.orghttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/82806383879

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MEN’S CLUB

While that the Men’s Club has canceled all of its face-to-face contact programs for June through August, we have been busy organizing several Zoom sessions and delivering meals to the Interfaith Women’s Shelter in Rockville. Throughout the fall, we do plan to embark on a series of programs that can either be held via Zoom online sessions or, as circumstances allow, we can do in smaller, socially-distant, face-to-face events. We will continue to offer a speaker series, a political forum, a health awareness weekend, and more. We are also planning to continue the ROMEO Dinners and we are considering starting a new Walking Club on Sunday mornings. Events, topics, and potential speakers are being determined at this point. So stay tuned to the B’nai Israel Program Guide and Homepage for announcements of future programming by the Men’s Club.

We want to thank a few people who helped make our summer programming so successful.

On June 4th, the Men’s Club and the Sisterhood did host a joint Zoom session that featured Chet Stein talking about his recent trip to Antarctica with the National Geographic Society. Chet shared spectacular photos that he took of the landscape, the birds, the sea mammals, and of course the penguins. He also had some very interesting stories to share about the ship he traveled on and the conditions in Antarctica. All in all, it was a fascinating session. Over 60 people joined on this Zoom session. We want to thank Chet for doing this fascinating and engaging session for us.

On June 30th, the Men’s Club and the Sisterhood hosted another joint Zoom session that featured Jeff talking about “How it works: A deep dive into Covid-19 vaccines.” Jeff presented a very short primer on the human immune system and

then delved into the mechanics of each type of vaccine currently being developed for protection from Covid-19. Jeff also provided an update on the latest publicized status of some of the top vaccine candidates and answered many questions about risks and rewards of the different vaccines. This was another fascinating Zoom session that attracted over 60 people. We want to thank Jeff for doing this fascinating and engaging session for us.

We also want to thank Signe Wetrogan of the Social Action Committee and all the Sisterhood members who made or bought food for us to deliver at lunchtime to the Interfaith Works Women’s Homeless Shelter on Sunday, June 7th. It is always terrific to work with these folks. We will again be delivering lunch to the Shelter on Sunday, August 2nd, so anyone wanting to help is welcome. Please contact Wayne Berman to help.

For questions about the Men’s Club and/or to get involved, please contact our co-Presidents Wayne Berman (wayneb4me@aol.com) or Lewis Gertz (lewger1643@gmail.com). For more information on Men’s Club programming, please visit our website at www.bnaiisraelcong.org/mensclub.

We look forward to seeing you again soon!

Service to B’nai Israel & CommunityStrengthening Jewish ValuesBuilding Friendships

Dear B’nai Israel Community,

On behalf of the Refugee and Immigration Aid Committee , we want to thank you for your continued support of the refugee fam-ily. This continued support has meant a great deal to us and to the family, particularly in these difficult times. Your very generous contributions were delivered to the family who wanted to make sure we shared the thank you notes made by the children (see below) with the community.

REFUGEE AND IMMIGRATION AID COMMITTEE

www.bnaiisraelcong.org/mensclub

mailto:wayneb4me@aol.commailto:wayneb4me@aol.commailto:lewger1643@gmail.commailto:lewger1643@gmail.comhttp://www.bnaiisraelcong.org/mensclubhttp://www.bnaiisraelcong.org/mensclubhttp://www.bnaiisraelcong.org/mensclub

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SISTERHOODHONEY FROM

THE HEART Sisterhood Fundraiser

What better way to wish family, friends and business associates a “Sweet and

Healthy New Year” than sending a jar of honey?

Each Honey from The Heart gift contains an 8 oz. jar of pure clover honey, certified

Kosher by the Orthodox Union. It is accompanied by a personalized gift card reading “L’Shana Tova—Wishing You

a Healthy and Happy New Year,” and is delivered in time for Rosh Hashanah. The

card also lets the recipient know that a donation has been made in their honor to

B’nai Israel Sisterhood.

The $17.50 cost per jar includes fee domestic shipping. Orders can also be

mailed outside the United States for an additional fee. Orders received by

September 4 are guaranteed delivery for Rosh Hashanah to domestic addresses.

To place an order, go to

www.bnaiisraelcong.org/sisterhood. For more information, contact Debra

Fredman (301-231-4866, jnfpatent@msn.com).

Welcome to the new Executive Board and General BoardOn June 24, the new Sisterhood officers were installed. Mazel Tov to Presidents Juliann Goldman, Lisa Isenberg, and Cheryl Rod and to the new and returning board members.

Sisterhood Membership Join Sisterhood for the 2020–2021 season.Although we currently cannot meet in person, Sisterhood continues to plan various fun and educational virtual programs. Mark your calendars for our kick-off program for the year, Wednesday evening, September 9 at 7 p.m. Join Sisterhood members as cookbook author, Paula Shoyer, demonstrates some innovative dishes to change up your Rosh Hashanah meal.

Sign up for Sisterhood membership and receive updates and details for this and future programs. Your membership dues will enable Sisterhood to continue to offer these programs and continue our support for various synagogue activities. We look forward to having you as part of our B’nai Israel Sisterhood. Joining is easy.

You can:

Print out and complete the membership dues form found online at www.bnaiisraelcong.org/sisterhood. Mail it together with your check made payable to B’nai Israel Sisterhood to B’nai Israel Sisterhood, c/o Lisa Isenberg, 18313 Amber Meadows Court, Gaithersburg, MD 20879.

Or, if you cannot print out the membership dues form:

Mail your check to Lisa Isenberg and provide the information from the online form in an email to Signe Wetrogan (signe0420@verizon.net).

For more information, contact Debbie Moss (debmoss55@comcast.net), or Signe Wetrogan (signe0420@verizon.net).

Save the Date

August 13 “Women in the Bible” – virtual presentation with Netta Asner-MinsterSee page 15.

September 9 Our first event of the year! Virtual cooking with Paula Shoyer

Holiday FlowersK e e p i n t o u c h with a beautiful a r rangement o f fresh flowers for the holidays—$55 for local delivery and $65.00 for out-of-area delivery. Order forms can be found online at www.bnaiisraelcong.org/sisterhood. Orders are due by Friday, September 10. Checks payable to B’nai Israel Sisterhood and mail to B’nai Israel Sisterhood, Attn: Flowers, c/o Linda Heller, 11420 Strand Drive #8, Rockville, MD 20852. For more information, contact Linda Heller (hellerbehr@gmail.com, 240-462-1108).

Washington Jewish WeekLinda Reisner continues to coordinate new and renewed subscriptions for the Washington Jewish Week. Please contact her directly (lreisner@me.com, 301-519-1776).

Meals on WheelsSisterhood volunteers deliver Meals on Wheels every Friday morning. To become involved, contact Alice Harris (alicemetrobug@gmail.com) or Lynn Rayman (alrayman@verizon.net).

Judaica ShopThe Judaica Shop is open by appointment only. Contact Debbie Anolik (kilona613@gmail.com) for information.

http://www.bnaiisraelcong.org/sisterhoodmailto:jnfpatent@msn.comhttp://www.bnaiisraelcong.org/sisterhoodhttp://www.bnaiisraelcong.org/sisterhoodmailto:signe0420@verizon.netmailto:signe0420@verizon.netmailto:debmoss55@comcast.netmailto:signe0420@verizon.nethttp://www.bnaiisraelcong.org/sisterhoodmailto:hellerbehr@gmail.commailto:lreisner@me.commailto:alicemetrobug@gmail.commailto:alrayman@verizon.netmailto:kilona613@gmail.commailto:kilona613@gmail.com

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August Anniversaries

mazal tov aeh lfn

and Mazal Tov to...

Roger Moncarz and Amy Corbman Moncarz – 1Noah and Shera Sacks – 1David and Stacy Schlactus – 1David and June Trone – 1Jeff and Anne Abend – 2David Tannenbaum and Maggie Xu – 2Donald and Carol Tender – 2Ed and Bonnie Belkin – 3Ira and Terri Cohen – 3Jeffrey and Yvonne Distenfeld – 3Matt and Jennifer Mandel – 3Sam and Jennifer Block – 4Larry Fishbein and Kathleen Watson – 4Ted and Harriet Fredman – 4Stanley and Carol Goldman – 4Jared and Reyna Farber – 5Michael and Ellie Flyer – 5Nicholas and Deborah Rodin – 5Jed Weiner and Veronique Nussenblatt – 5Lewis and Erica Morse – 6Jake and Ellen Rothmel – 6Larry and Bobbi Shulman – 6Chet and Rita Stein – 6Mike and Debbi Herbst – 8Avi Meyerstein and Dana Lande – 8Seth and Lori Mininsohn – 8Neil and Yolanda Moyer – 8Barry and Amy Schneider – 8Jason and Jaime Froehlich – 9Michael and Eleanor Goode – 9Shaya and Beverly Markowitz – 9Brian and Marisa Michnick – 9Jimmy Vainstein and Diana Mayer – 9Elliot and Paula Aleskow – 10Harry and Arlene Gildenhorn – 10Steve and Lois Gutmann – 10Steven and Stacy Kahn – 10Scott and Robin Koenig – 10Lawrence and Laurie Brachfeld – 11Henry and Ruth Modlin – 11Evan and Judy Novenstein – 11Aaron and Alisa Rulnick – 11Steve and Susan Zweig – 11Ryan and Dara Daniels – 12Mark Ellenberg and Nancy Abramowitz – 12Ron and Wilma Lenkin – 12David Levin and Norda Kittrie – 12Eric Luftman and Elise Kleinwaks – 12Hugh and Carol April – 13Alan and Debby Berger – 14Ken Brown and Juliann Goldman – 14Alan and Marjory Siegel – 14Kamran and Susan Azhdam – 15

Bruce and Marcia Kay – 15Daniel Lacoretz and Jill Furman – 15Douglas and Rita Lewis – 15Kevin and Alexis Tinsley – 15Tom and Barbie Gluck – 16Ben and Amy Margolis – 16Fredric and Laura Messing – 16Jonathan Anderson and Hava Shirazi – 17John Su and Lauren August – 17Bob and Lesley Gasperow – 17Adam and Dana Goldberg – 17Lowell and Micki Gordon – 17Stephen and Andra Metz – 17Howard and Carol Nelson – 17Mark and Sunny Polsky – 17Larry and Julie Weber – 17Mark and Marilyn Wetterhahn – 17Harold and Joan Krauthamer – 18David and Linda Richin – 18Jeff and Stephanie Zweig – 18Stuart and Tobi Bassin – 19Charles and Lois Price – 19Ted Avraham and Frida Belinky – 20Daniel and Alisa Berger – 20Michael and Samantha Brown – 20Joel and Jane Lubin – 20Sidney and Marsha Tishler – 20Howard and Carol Chalker – 21Buddy and Marilyn Feldman – 21Sheldon and Denise Iskow – 21Herbert and Brenda Jacobson – 21Nicholas and Jo-Anne Fleischer – 22Erik and Marjorie Kane – 22Allan and Leah Zendel – 22Len and Laurie Lipton – 23Sheldon and Mim Tommer – 23David and Penny Doman – 24Edward and Galia Greenberg – 24David and Natasha Hurwitz – 24Jeffrey and Linda Reisner – 24Marty and Harriet Feldman – 25Ivan and Stephanie Nalibotsky – 26Mark and Zsuzsanna Zetlin – 26Larry and Judy Berg – 27Joshua and Rachel Dhyani – 27Barry and Carole Forman – 27Leon and Signe Wetrogan – 27Mitch and Janet Arnowitz – 28Mitchell Berkowitz and Rebecca Ravski – 28Gil and Tammy Cohn – 28Morris and Kathy Dweck – 29Rand and Julie Fishbein – 29Marc and Susan Levine – 29Arthur and Gail Nimetz – 30Jeremy and Lexi Robbins – 30

Robert and Joy Stromberg – 30Scott and Jodi Cohen – 31Shawn and Becca Eskow – 31Abe and Barbara Osofsky – 31Craig and Amy Strent – 31Matt and Jenni Weinstein – 31

Sherry and Larry Wachtel on the birth of their grandson, Miles Saul Scholnick. Mazal tov to the parents Melissa Wachtel and Andrew Scholnick.

Vicki Berman and Dr. Richard Reff on the birth of their granddaughter, Chloe Gabrielle Reff. Mazal tov to the proud parents, Michael and Estelle Reff.

Gina and Bram Hass on the birth of their grandson, Daniel Frank Seligman. Mazal tov to the proud parents, Jessa Hass and Ben Seligman.

Carol and Gary Berman on the birth of their granddaughter, Anna Hadassa Berman. Mazal tov to the proud parents, Emily and Adam Berman.

Dr. Morris Cohen and Ellen and Grant Ottenstein on the birth of their great grandson and grandson, Arlo Cohen Ottenstein. Mazal tov to the proud parents, Aubrey and Joseph Ottenstein.

Yuchao Li and Adam Goodman on the birth of their son, Alexander Li Goodman. Mazal tov to the proud grandparents, Lisa and Andrew Goodman; and proud great-grandparents Elaine and Dr. David Goodman.

Sara and Barry Marcus on the birth of their granddaughter, Elora Joyce Neal. Mazal tov to the proud parents, Paula Marcus and Michael Neal.

Abby and Philip Rogers on the marriage of their son Jonathan Rogers to Tamara Brown.

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Opportunities to Memorialize and

Honor Your Loved Ones

Our beautiful Synagogue provides many meaningful opportunities to arrange dedications in memory of or

in honor of loved ones.

Memorial plaques, endowments, scholarships, capital gifts, fine arts, and educational programs are among the possibilities available at B’nai Israel

Congregation.

For further information, please contact Allison Karasik (240-221-2507,

allison@bnaiisraelcong.org).

Notes on Hayman Chapelby Allison KarasikAssistant to the Cantors

The word yahrzeit is Yiddish and translates to “time of year.” A yahrzeit date is an anniversary of the death of a parent, sibling, child, or spouse. The specific date is calculated annually based on the Hebrew calendar. A yahrzeit is observed by lighting a memorial candle and reciting the Mourner’s Kaddish the night before at the evening service, and also at the morning service the next day.

At B’nai Israel, Hayman Chapel is our memorial chapel where we recognize yahrzeits with memorial plaques throughout the room. It was named for Shirley (z”l) and Stanley Hayman (z”l). Both Shirley and Stanley were Washington DC natives and at one time lived across the street from Rabbi Henry Segal (z”l). Stanley became president of B’nai Israel in the 1970s and was known for being especially tough on the contractors building our current site. He was in the cash register business and founded an association for cash register dealers. Shirley did administrative work for the association. They were charitable to B’nai Israel and the Hebrew Home.

As part of my job, I spend a lot of time in Hayman Chapel. I manage the purchases of the memorial plaques. Once a month on the new Hebrew month, I take a ladder around the room and twist on and off hundreds of mini light bulbs. The bulb remains on for the entire Hebrew month of the yahrzeit. It takes about 90 minutes and I actually enjoy this time alone and away from my desk; Hayman Chapel is a peaceful place.

As a result, I have become quite familiar with all of these plaques. I have my favorite names and my favorite memorial boards.

My favorite board is the “G” board—the one on the left back wall when you enter the chapel. It is my particular favorite as the plaques are all pretty old and they are all a little different in style. Most of the yahrzeit months are in Hebrew and it forces me to practice my Hebrew skills when the new month comes around.

Some interesting notes on Hayman Chapel:• There are 2058 total plaques.• The most popular first names: Morris

(55), Harry (52), Rose (46), Sam (44), Joseph (41), Ann (38), Sarah (35), Ida (31), Fannie (29).

• The plaques in the chapel made around WWII are actually plastic because in 1942 the US War Production Board ordered a reduction in the use of metals in packaging of civilian products.

• The oldest plaques in Hayman are in memory Nathan Rutkin, born in 1843 (John Tyler was president), and in memory of Sholom Kassan, born in 1849 (Zachary Taylor was president.)

• On some of the older plaques on the “G” board, the date of death is noted as holiday, like Simchat Torah or Rosh Hashana or Sukkot, and is in Hebrew.

We recite the Mourner’s Kaddish for every plaque in Hayman once a year, whether or not they have any living observers. We still read the Mourner’s Kaddish for Sholom Kassan, who died 123 years ago in 1897. A memorial plaque is long-standing Jewish practice to honor your loved ones. If you are interested, please feel free to call or email me. And if you happen to be related to Sholom Kassan or Nathan Rutkin, I would love to know!

The new and expanding B'nai Israel

Judaica Museum is actively soliciting fine antique/vintage Judaica for its collection.

If you have any items you would liketo donate or would consider lending

to B'nai Israel for display, please contact Randy Sager,

Fine Arts Chairperson (randysager@gmail.com).

The Fine Arts Committee Needs Your Historic B'nai Israel Photos!

The Fine Arts Committee is working on a project to display the history of B'nai Israel through photographs. We are in need of the following:

Confirmation Class photos for the following years: any photos prior to 1954,1958, 1959, 1964, 1967, 1970, 1972–1982, 1984–1986, 1994–2001, 2009–2013.

Historical photos of B'nai Israel synagogue and/or events that have taken place throughout it's long history—weddings, b'nai mitzvahs, programs, graduations, class photos, etc.

If you have any of these photos, please consider sending them to us to reproduce. Your original photographs will be returned once they are copied.

Please contact Randy Sager (randysager@gmail.com) for more information.

Confirmation Class of 1988

mailto:allison@bnaiisraelcong.orgmailto:randysager@gmail.commailto:randysager@gmail.com

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B’nai Israel Congregation deeply appreciates all contributions directed to the various funds of our congregation.

Donations Made in May and June | D O N AT I O N S C A N B E M A D E AT bnaiisraelcong.org

DONATIONSDue to increased printing and labor costs:

1. Each contribution will be acknowledged by mail to one designated recipient.2. Only contributions of $18 or more will be printed in the Scroll.3. Donor acknowledgements will be sent by email and will also appear on year-end statements.

Please note:Etz Hayim Humashdedication: $60,

Siddur Sim Shalomdedication: $30

Endowments

Bess and Irving Kamins Lecture FundIn Memory Of:Irving Kamins, by Mark Kamins and Sue Potechin

Beverly G. Schnitzer Tikun Olam EndowmentIn Celebration Of:Alexa Goldstein’s graduation from Walter Johnson and going on to Northwestern University by Mickey GoldsteinSue and Richie Taffet’s 50th wedding anniversary by Suzy and Sol LevyIn Honor Of:Rabbi Jonathan Schnitzer for his generosity during the funeral of my husband, Dr. Benjamin Avrunin by Judy AvruninRabbi Michael Safra for the warmth, care, and consolation he offered to the family of Joseph Warren z”l, beloved father of Laura Messing, grandfather of Alexis Tinsley, and great grandfather of Shoshana and Hava Tinsley by Laura and Fred MessingIn Memory Of:Daniel Robert Baer by Barbara MatorinMarjorie Weber by Lynn and Michael GittlesonSusie Abramowitz by Meg and Marc GoldBarbara Duchovnay, beloved sister of Marjorie Goldberg by Suzy and Sol Levy

Bruce R. Saypol Camp Ramah Scholarship FundA Speedy Recovery For:Gail Rubinson by Jerry and Nancy ReedNancy Ellenberg by Jerry and Nancy ReedIn Memory Of:Susan Fonner by Alice Harris

Cantor Ilana Wolpert Music Enrichment FundIn Honor Of:Cantor Josh Perlman for his generosity during the funeral of my husband, Dr. Benjamin Avrunin by Judy Avrunin

Chester and Rita Stein Environmental FundIn Honor Of:The bar mitzvah of Jonathan Frederick, great-grandson of Shirley Light by Leslie and Jerry Solomon

Comer-Ritwo Elevator Endowment FundIn Memory Of:Edward A. Comer by Ruth and Andrew Ritwo

David Easton Video Education EndowmentIn Memory Of:Robert Schultz by Easton and Michel FamiliesDavid Easton by Easton and Michel Families

Dr. Mitchell And Thelma Goldfarb Rubinow Endowment for Special NeedsIn Memory Of:Susan Abramowitz by Michael and Lynn Gittleson

Ethan Ross Alperstein Sanctuary Garden FundIn Memory Of:Betty Alperstein by Franklin and Jackie PaulsonBetty Alperstein by Morton Faller

Goldie and Henry Stein Endowment For Special EducationIn Memory Of:Ellen Phillips by Rita and Chet SteinMarjorie Weber by Rita and Chet SteinBarbara Duchovnay by Rita and Chet Stein

Harry Hofberg Community Garden EndowmentIn Memory Of:Dan Stillman’s beloved mother, Anita Stillman by Marsha Mirman Goldwater

Hazzan Robert Kieval Music Library FundIn Appreciation Of:Cantor Josh Perlman by Billye RobertsCantor Sarah Bolts for her dedication in helping our daughter, Zoe, become a bat mitzvah by Julie and Jeff BethkeIn Honor Of:Sherry Gollins with thanks for keeping us safe with face masks by Dina Cohen GruberSherry and Josh Perlman for their generosity and kindness in assisting congregants during these difficult times by creating and giving masks to congregants out of the goodness of their hearts, by Moshe Ben-Lev

Helen and Herman Glazer Youth Endowment FundIn Memory Of:Our beloved parents and grandparents by Sherry and Larry Wachtel

Israel Feldman Family Endowment FundIn Memory Of:Izzy Feldman by Sharon Doner-Feldman

Jerry Neil Memorial Sustaining EndowmentIn Celebration Of:Mincy Neil’s birthday by Tommy and Sheila HutmanIn Honor Of:Abby and Phil Rogers’ simchas, 40th Anniversary and Abby’s birthday by Mincy NeilMincy Neil’s special birthday from Toby Hollenberg and Michael BonderIn Memory Of:Barbara Duchovnay, Marjorie Goldberg’s beloved sister by Denise and Wayne BermanBarbara Spirer, beloved mother and grandmother with deepest sympathy by Mincy Neil

Arnie Gross, beloved Father (Pa) by Mincy Neil and Family

Jonathan A. Schnitzer Rabbinic Chair EndowmentIn Memory Of:Susan Fonner by Howard Metro

Jonathan, Suzanne and Amy Schilit Nursery SchoolIn Memory Of:Lily Feuerstein by Howard and Tamra FeuersteinAnne Spiegel by Matthew and Jenni Weinstein

Joseph and Lillian Tudor Adult Education FundIn Honor Of:Kristin’s Schulman’s participation in the “Following Ruth” event by Stefanie, Fred, and Samara Langsam

Karen Gerton Nursery School Enhancement Endowment FundIn Celebration Of:Karen Gerton by Lauren and Ryan PerlinKaren’s retirement and dedication to BISNS by Sari, Ben, Ian & Alex BritzIn Honor Of:Karen Gerton in honor of her retirement after 32 years by Avery Sudow

Louis and Helyn Fanaroff Sustaining EndowmentA Speedy Recovery For:Our dear friend, Sunny Polsky by Sharon and Steve Moss

Mandel and Stein Prayer Book FundIn Memory Of:Mollie Stein by Chet, Rita, Jonathan, Amanda, Emma Goldie, and Benjamin SteinPhilip Mandel by Chet and Rita Stein

Mary and Israel Shulman Student Community Service Endowment FundIn Memory Of:Ilan Zafran by Michael and Marlyn HeisermanHenry Nachlas by Mr. and Mrs. Michael Heiserman

Mildred and William Kaplan Social Action EndowmentIn Honor Of:Our daughter Ellen Ginsberg becoming President of Beth Shalom Congregation in San Francisco by Leslie and Jerry Solomon

Rabbi Jeshaia and Hilde M. Schnitzer Israel and Camp Ramah Scholarship Endowment FundA Speedy Recovery For:Our dear friend, Bill Blanken by Sharon SeidelDenise Moss by Sharon and Steve Moss

bnaiisraelcong.org

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FundsIn Celebration Of:The Musher’s wonderful granddaughter, Jenna Goldberg’s bat mitzvah by Sharon and Steve MossIn Honor Of:Zoe Kaufmann’s confirmation from B’nai Israel by Sharon Seidel MossIn Memory Of:Richard Fingerhut, beloved father of Leslie, Scott, Lynn and the Fingerhut family by Sharon and Steve Moss

Rabbi Michael Safra Adult Programming FundIn Appreciation Of:Rabbi Safra for performing the beautiful service for Karen Maged by David and Marci Maged and Family, Hollee Maged Gritz and familyRabbi Safra conducting the funeral for Judy’s father, Samuel Kramer by Judy and Steve KerbelRabbi Safra for his support during my mother, Lois Glickson’s, decline and for leading her shiva service by Julie BethkeRabbi Safra for his support and kindness and for conducting the funeral services for Wendelin Lipp, a wonderful wife and mom, by Robert Tebeleff, Hilary Tebeleff, and Alexander TebeleffRabbi Mickey Safra’s friendship, caring and concern during my illness by Sharon GlickmanRabbi Safra’s words of condolence at the funeral of Susan Fonner by the Labonski familyIn Memory Of:Harley Felstein by Alice HarrisArnie Gross by Amy RosselleKaren Maged by Dee Abteen TeymourtashBernard Morcheles by Sharon Safra

Rose and Frank David Epstein Educational EndowmentIn Memory Of:Helen Cohen by Barbara and Richard Daumit

Rabbi Matthew and Dr. Sara Rubinow Simon Endowment for Childhood ProgrammingIn Honor Of:Rabbi Matthew Simon for his generosity during the funeral of my husband, Dr. Benjamin Avrunin by Judy Avrunin

Rabbi Matthew and Dr. Sara Rubinow Simon Legacy Endowment for Jewish EngagementIn Appreciation Of:Rabbi Simon for officiating at our wedding 40 years ago by Michael Kurman and Patricia Hoff

Wachtel Family Senior Programming EndowmentIn Honor Of:The birth of Sherry and Larry Wachtel’s grandson, Miles Saul Scholnick by Alan IsenbergIn Memory Of:Our beloved parents and grandparents by Sherry and Larry Wachtel

Jay, Gai l , Emily and Olivia Wasserman Communications EndowmentIn Memory Of:Bernie Gittleson by Michael and Lynn GittlesonRalph Gittleson by Michael and Lynn Gittleson

Wilma and Ron Lenkin Holocaust Education EndowmentIn Memory Of:Susan Fonner by Matthew FonnerJack Friedman by Sheila ChodorovEllen Phillips by Wilma and Ron Lenkin

Adult Education FundIn Memory Of:Marjorie Weber by Sheldon and Denise IskowCapital Campaign/Building FundIn Memory Of:Gertrude Tadman Iskow by Sheldon and Denise Iskow

Early Childhood Enrichment FundIn Honor Of:The birth of our grandson, Jayden Martin Siegel by Alan and Marjory Siegel

Edith and Charles Pascal Library Book FundIn Memory Of:Harvey Metro by Ann BermanArthur Goldstein, beloved father and grandfather by Jo-Anne and Nick FleischerJerry Halpern by Susan, Marc, Shelby, Josie, and Ellie

General FundA Donation Was Made By:Monroe GrossnickleIn Memory Of:Ellen Phillips, sister-in-law of Bobbie Berger by Ann S. BermanAnita Stillman by Avi, Dana, Ellie, Noa, and LilahAnita Stillman by Dana and Ken WeinsteinPaul Botvin by Gayle and Ted Kaplan and familyArnold Gross by Harriet and Ted FredmanLeslye Siegel, sister of Daniel Siegel, our sincerest condolences by Harriet and Ted FredmanAva Sebastian by Harriet and Ted FredmanAva Sebastian, sister of Denise Leish by Joanne and Steven ZuckermanBessie Lewis by Linda and Jeffrey ReisnerCarolyn and Arnold Gross by Linda and Jeffrey ReisnerSusan Abramowitz, sister of Danny Abramowitz by Lisa and Larry CinesRalph Gittleson by Marilyn LevinAnita Stillman, mother-in-law of Debbie Stillman and a valued employee of the National Partnership, by National Partnership for Women and FamiliesAnita Stillman by the Wolly/Horowitz familySusan “Susie” Abramowitz by Phyllis, Jeff, Matt and Sophie LavineNorman Brachfeld by Ruth and Les HeltzerBarbara Duchovnay by Stephen GoldbergDaniel Robert Baer by Sue Tabach and Eli NadelRobert Rosenthal, grandfather of Rebecca Ravski and great-grandfather of Ruby by Susan and Larry Lesser

HAZAKIn Memory Of:Arnold Gross by Arthur FuchsMarjorie Weber, mother of Denise Leish by Ted and Harriet Fredman

Hineini Campaign 2019-2020In Appreciation Of:Rabbi Safra’s help and advice regarding our son’s bris and Hebrew name by Melissa and Lee Siegel

Kiddush FundIn Memory Of:Phillip Lewis by Marshall Lewis

L.I.F.E. Lecture FundIn Celebration Of:Harvey Stein’s 80th Birthday by Sol and Suzy LevyIn Honor Of:Gertz and Greenstone Family by Bob and Bonnie JohnsonIn Memory Of:Barbara Duchovnay by Jo-Anne and Nick Fleischer

Men’s ClubIn Honor Of:Lynn and Lewis Gertz by Bob and Bonnie Johnson

Morning Minyan FundIn Appreciation Of:Larry Fishbein and the B’nai Israel community and clergy by Brian LubinIn Memory Of:Baruch Rosenberg by Adiva SotzskyGeorge and Helen Michaels, Bill Michaels by James and Karen MichaelsMarjorie Weber, mother of Denise Leish by Joanne and Steven ZuckermanMy grandfather, Hazzan Louis Simon by Steven Hausman

SisterhoodIn Memory Of:Margie Goldberg’s sister by Donald and Carol Vogel

Tzedakah and Welfare FundA Donation Was Made By:Errol ForgoshIn Appreciation Of:Our wonderful B’nai Israel clergy’s assistance with Lily’s bat mitzvah by Alisa, Aaron, Lily and Jake RulnickZoom yahrzeits by Cynthia and Morty ZetlinThe wonderful Perlman family seder on the 2nd day of Pesach by Dina and Alan