WHC Journal - April 2019

APRIL 2019 / ADAR II – NISAN 5779

VOL. 60, NO. 4

M itDzvaahy
Even the smallest
hands make a
difference

APRIL 2019 Washington Hebrew Congregation

VOL. 60, NO. 4 Clergy
M. Bruce Lustig, Senior Rabbi
SUPPORTED BY AN ENDOWMENT FROM LIBBY AND MELVIN MANDEL Susan N. Shankman, Rabbi
Aaron Miller, Associate Rabbi
In This Issue Eliana Fischel, Assistant Rabbi
Mikhail Manevich, Cantor
Rabbi’s Reflection................................................................................3 Susan R.A. Bortnick, Cantor
President’s Column..............................................................................4
Yad B’Yad — Did You Know? ..............................................................5 Senior Staff – Education
Mitzvah Day Project Spotlight..............................................................6 DJ Schneider Jensen
Celebrate a Clergy Milestone Year........................................................ 7
“The Life and Legacy of Elie Wiesel” in the Amram Scholar Series.........8 Head of Schools, Early Childhood Education
Feature Section: Passover Ira Miller, Director of Informal Education
Kirstin Springer, Director of the RJWECC
Passover Dates to Note................................................................9 Stephanie Tankel, Director of Religious Education
Hosting Seder? This Checklist Can Help You Prepare.................. 10
The Seder Plate: Traditional and Re-Imagined...............................11 Senior Staff – Administration
Understanding the Elements of the Seder.................................... 12 Steven Jacober, Executive Director
To Eat or Not to Eat? That Is the (5th) Question............................ 14 Lindsay Fry Feldman, Director of Member Services
Chametz or Not Chametz: Is It Kosher for Passover?................... 15 Naomi Abelson Gohn
Calendar............................................................................................ 16
B’nei Mitzvah.................................................................................... 18 Director of Temple Programs & TOV
Life Cycle........................................................................................... 19 Mohan Mistry, Director of Engineering & Maintenance
Contributions.....................................................................................20 Eliza Prince, Director of Development
WHC Programs & Events................................................................... 22 Stephen Stoupa, Director of Finance
Susan J. Hanenbaum, Executive Director Emerita
Page 2 | WHC Journal – April 2019
Officers
Nell Shapiro, President
Mark Director, First Vice President
Janet Katz, Vice President
Andrew Lazerow, Vice President
Jeffrey Weiss, Vice President
Kimberly Wachen, Treasurer
Richard Newman, Assistant Treasurer
Deborah Goldman, Secretary
Dan Werner, Assistant Secretary
Lewis Wiener, General Counsel

Board of Directors David Metzner
William Miller
Jami Axelrod Sandy Nesbit
Ellen R. Berlow Ari Redbord
Barry Chasen Steven A. Robins
Sharon Jaffe Dan Andrea Rubinfeld
Beth Levin Dubin Lynn Sachs
Betty Jane Eichberg Melissa Schwartz
Joseph Firschein Aaron W. Stopak
Susan B. Gerson Paula Tiedemann
Edward P. Joseph Philip Urofsky
Anne Lackritz Kimberly Vogel
Jeremy London
Alejandro (Ali) Mayorkas

Past Presidents Susan J. Hanenbaum John M. Nannes
Sherry Bindeman Lauren S. Racoosin
Leonard I. Abel Kahn Froma Sandler
David Astrove Richard D. Kaufmann Bob M. Shapiro
David R. Berz Hank D. Levine David A. Vise
Stuart L. Bindeman Kenneth L. Marks Richard M. Young
Earl M. Colson Paul J. Mason Peter L. Winik
Meg Jacobs Flax
Jay W. Freedman

Auxiliary Presidents & Contacts

2239: Valerie Hillman Bluestein
The Boomers: Jeanne Fleming
Brotherhood: Alan Singer
Couples Club: Kim & Brian Cooper,

Chris McCannell & Ven Neralla
EmptyNesters: Joan Adoff, Ruth Seif, Marcia Weinberg
Prime Timers: Phyllis Belford, Sandy Grant
Sisterhood: Ellen M. Miller
WHECTY: Ian Rosenthal

We Can Be Reached
Temple Office ........................................ 202-362-7100

(M-Th: 9:00 am – 5:30 pm; F: 8:30 am – 4:00 pm)
Weekends/After Hours ...........................202-895-6341
Temple Fax ..............................................202-537-1091
Julia Bindeman Suburban Center ............ 301-279-7505
Julia Bindeman Suburban Center Fax ..... 301-354-3200
Listen In .................................................202-895-6333
Live Streaming of Services......streaming.whctemple.org
Website .................................................whctemple.org

Jennifer Millstone, Editor, [email protected]
The Washington Hebrew Congregation Journal
(Permit No. 4240) is published 11 times a year by
Washington Hebrew Congregation. Send address changes
to 3935 Macomb Street NW, Washington, DC 20016.

Rabbi’s Reflection

Rabbi M. Bruce Lustig

Standing on the Edge of History

After completing a week of intense meetings and Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi – one of the most magnificent
study in Jerusalem at the Shalom Hartman Institute buildings in the world – to meet with the members of the
at the end of January, I boarded a plane from Tel Council of Muslim Elders. Watching the Crown Prince of
Aviv to Istanbul. From there, I flew to Abu Dhabi, where I the UAE enter the room holding the hands of Pope Francis
was privileged to be invited to attend and speak at the Global and Grand Imam el-Tayeb brought goosebumps to all who
Conference on Human Fraternity. I have been a presenter at experienced this historic moment. There, Sheikh Abdallah
several conferences in Abu Dhabi as a member of the steering Bin Bayyah, the Founder of the Forum for Promoting Peace
committee of the Forum for Promoting Peace in Muslim in Muslim Societies, delivered the address on behalf of the
Societies. Each of these invitations has been to speak about Muslim Elders to Pope Francis. (You may recall that last
the work of Washington Hebrew Congregation as a leader February, Sheikh Bin Bayyah joined us at WHC for Shabbat
in building bridges between interfaith communities. This of Peace, marking his first visit to a synagogue.) Following
invitation, however, was from the the sheik’s remarks, the pope and
“Council of Muslim Elders. Although the grand imam participated in the
In Abu Dhabi, I felt like I powerful signing ceremony of the
the Council has held numerous was standing on the edge of Document of Human Fraternity for
conferences on global issues, history, but in reality, I know World Peace and Living Together. It
they do not customarily include was surreal to be in this room – there
rabbis. The Global Conference on
Human Fraternity was different, were only 300 individuals invited
for it was to coincide with Pope that every day we are making to this event, and 150 of them were
Francis’ visit to meet with world our own history. We do it by from the Vatican.
religious leaders. Pope Francis and how we choose to live our
Dr. Ahmed el-Tayeb, the Grand The pageantry was at its best, but
Imam of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif of Egypt it was the words that were spoken
and the leader of the Council of lives and the examples we that made such an impact. They
Muslim Elders, came to sign a set as an American Jewish were so different from the rhetoric
historic document. As I found myself of hate and bigotry we so often hear
standing on the edge of history, community.“ these days. The foreign policies of
I recognized that this experience our worlds political leaders have
marked the culmination of decades of intense interfaith work. done little to move the world toward peace. In the void,
these world religious leaders stepped forward, drawn there
The Global Conference on Human Fraternity was organized by invitation from a Middle East government to call for
as part of the UAE’s Year of Tolerance. There were more than peace. Pope Francis and Grand Imam el- Tayeb are religious
700 world religious leaders invited, and I was honored to be leaders of massive numbers: there are 1.2 billion Catholics
among the handful of rabbis. The Chief Rabbis of Poland, and 1.8 billion Muslims in the world today. Their influence
France, and Germany were in attendance, as was a rabbi is significant, and the document is framed around a phrase
who is a dear friend of Pope Francis and co-authored works from own our Talmud that is also in the Quran: “…whoever
with him in Argentina. kills a person is like one who kills all of humanity, and one
whoever saves a person is like one who saves the whole of
On the night of February 4th, Pope Francis went to the humanity.” It was profoundly moving to watch these religious

Continued on page 21.

WHC Journal – April 2019 | Page 3

President’s Column

Nell Shapiro
[email protected]
202-895-6301

At a recent Board Retreat, in addition to discussing and prepare sermons and lectures that challenge us to
budget and planning issues, we asked each Board see the world through a Jewish lens … and on and on
member to spend some time answering the the list could go.
question, “Why WHC?” We wanted to explore what was
it that connected them so closely to Washington Hebrew Similarly, our professional staff play so many roles and
and made each of them commit their time, energy, and support the mission of the Temple in so many ways. They
resources to the Temple? Although everyone’s response work with congregants to plan details, organize materials,
was a little different, they shared common themes. and support hundreds of services, events, and programs
over the course of the year. They plan, implement, and
Many connected primarily through the worship and supervise necessary security measures in both of our
spiritual aspects of Temple life. Others found the oppor- buildings. They create beautiful and informative com-
tunity to do good in the world through Mitzvah Day, the munications such as this Journal to connect congregants
Hunger Project, Winter Warmth, with what is happening at Temple
the TOV Fund, and our many and in the Jewish community. Our
other tikkun olam efforts to be facilities staff sets up, takes down,
the most meaningful. For some, and cleans up dozens of events
each week – often very early in
Why WHC?”it was the intellectual challenge the morning and late at night – to
ensure each of our back-to-back
provided by our Adult Education activities at Temple and JBSC run
programs or the joy of watching as if they were the most important.

“their children embrace Jewish
learning and values through the
Religious School. This year, for me, it is all of the above Again, the list is nearly endless.
and so much more. One of the revelations of being
President is coming to understand just how much goes I am inspired every day by the dedication of our clergy,
on at Temple every week of the year. staff, and congregants. Now, I ask each of you to take a
moment and reflect on your “Why WHC?” What inspires
There are countless large and small ways our clergy you about our congregation? What is your favorite
and staff devote themselves to serving our congregants, moment of the year with Washington Hebrew? What is
and it is nearly impossible to sum up the job performed it about WHC that makes you proud to be a member?
by our clergy. They spend hours meeting with families
and preparing to ensure that life cycle events such as I look forward to learning about your “Why WHC.”
weddings and funerals reflect the individuals involved. Please reach out to me, my email address and phone
They tutor B’nei Mitzvah students to be certain they learn number are above. Or join Ed and me for one of our
the prayers and to develop a personal relationship with next “Shabbat at the Shapiros’” dinners — you can sign
our teens. They provide pastoral care and counseling to up online at whctemple.org/ShapiroShabbat.
congregants in physical and emotional pain. They read

Page 4 | WHC Journal – April 2019

WHC Journal

Did You Know …

Did you know that our very own 3rd- and 4th-grade Religious School students
braid the challah we serve at Temple on Shabbat each week?

And did you know that our Religious School — attended by more than
600 pre-k through 7th-grade children at Temple and the Julia Bindeman
Suburban Center — is subsidized by Yad B’Yad, WHC’s Annual Fund?

We believe that every child deserves a Jewish education, regardless of their family’s financial situation. And
now more than ever, fortifying our children’s Jewish identity is critical. Because tuition covers less than 50%
of the actual cost of Religious School, Yad B’Yad plays a critical role in bridging this gap.
We hope we can count on your gift to Yad B’Yad this fiscal year so that WHC can maintain our exceptional educational
programming and keep our Religious School doors open to each and every child.
From pioneering programs to essential services, Yad B’Yad — and you — can ensure that Washington Hebrew remains a
welcoming community to all who wish to experience Jewish life and tradition.
To facilitate your donation, you’ll find a Yad B’Yad envelope within the pages of this WHC Journal that you can return to
Temple. You can also make your gift online at whctemple.org/YBY. If you have any questions or to check if you have
donated yet this year, please contact Director of Development Eliza Prince at 202-895-6312 or [email protected].
All contributors will be recognized in the 2018-2019 Annual Report and other special events are to come to celebrate
your generosity.
A gift of any size truly makes a difference to the lives of so many. Thank you.

WHC Journal – April 2019 | Page 5

Faith in Action

Mitzvah Day

Project Spotlight – Comfort Cases

This month kicks off with Mitzvah Day, WHC’s biggest volunteer day of the year, on Sunday, April 7. Hands-on com-
munity service projects perfect for all ages and abilities are scheduled throughout the day at Temple, JBSC, and out in
the community. This is a great opportunity to really make a difference in the lives of those in need living throughout our
region. One project — “Comfort Cases” — puts together items that teens in foster care typically need and often do not
have. You can help our Comfort Cases project now by helping fill our wish list so we have the items we will need on
Mitzvah Day:

New Sturdy Backpacks

These backpacks will be used to hold all the contents of the Comfort Cases. We need new, sturdy backpacks, which can
be purchased online, or at stores such as Five Below for as little as $5. These backpacks help ensure that kids in foster
care do not have to carry their belongings around in trash bags.

Travel-Sized Toiletries

These hotel-sized shampoos, conditioners, toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, etc., will give kids in foster care the essentials
no matter where they go.

Journals, Pens, Pencils, Books, Beanie Babies, and Stuffed Animals for Teens

These items will be put into Comfort Cases to help provide dignity and warmth to kids who receive them in our area.

New, Warm Pajamas

Many kids in foster care do not have pajamas, so they sleep in their clothes instead. We need adult sizes M-3XL.
All of these items can be put into the marked bins at both JBSC and Temple up until Mitzvah Day on Sunday, April 7.
Learn more about Mitzvah Day and sign up for a project at whctemple.org/MitzvahDay.

Page 6 | WHC Journal – April 2019

WHC Journal

Celebrate

A Clergy Milestone Year

2019 is a significant year for four of Washington Hebrew Congregation’s clergy.

Rabbi Shankman and Cantor Bortnick, who were installed together,
are celebrating their 18th anniversaries

Rabbi Lustig is celebrating his 20th year as our Senior Rabbi
Cantor Manevich is celebrating his 30th anniversary with our Congregation

Join us to honor these special anniversaries at the Annual Meeting
on Tuesday, June 4 at 7:00 pm at Temple. Together, we will
look back over the decades and remember special moments.
This is an anniversary party you don’t want to miss!

We also invite you to place a tribute ad with your good wishes in the special program booklet that
will be distributed at the Annual Meeting. Tribute ads are available in 1/6 page ($180), 1/4 page

($360), 1/2 page ($500), and full page ($1,000) sizes, and all funds raised will benefit WHC’s Worship
& Music Fund. Get creative in your walk down memory lane — old photos are welcomed.

For more information or to purchase an ad, please visit whctemple.org/tribute or contact
Eliza Prince, Director of Development, at 202-895-6312 or [email protected].

Please note, ads must be submitted by Wednesday, May 1.

WHC Journal – April 2019 | Page 7

Lifelong Learning

The Life and Legacy of Elie Wiesel

“It is critical to keep Elie (Wiesel)’s memory alive at a time when anti-Semitism and prejudice are
again on the rise, and the lessons he taught have been called into question.” – Nadine Epstein

Our next Amram Scholar Series lecture, on everything in search of an answer,” Rabbi Burger says, “but
Sunday, April 28 at 10:30 am at Temple, will do it wasn’t until I met Professor Wiesel that I realized that
just that, when Nadine Epstein, editor-in-chief of questioning is the answer.” Drawing from his new book,
Moment Magazine, and Rabbi Ariel Burger come together Witness: Lessons From Elie Wiesel’s Classroom, which won
to discuss their teacher, mentor, and friend in “The Life and the National Jewish Book Award for Biography, the rabbi
Legacy of Elie Wiesel.” will discuss conversations in which he sought Wiesel’s
Elie Wiesel (1928-2016) is best known as the compelling counsel on matters of intellect, spirituality, and faith.
voice of the Holocaust, whose horrors he described in
Night, a memoir of his experiences in Nazi concentration A writer, artist, and teacher whose work combines spiri-
camps that was translated into 30 languages and sold tuality, creativity, and strategies for social change, Rabbi
more than 10 million copies in the United States alone. Burger lectures widely and leads workshops for teachers,
A survivor of Buchenwald and Auschwitz, he became of activists, and nonprofit professionals.
champion of human rights, a professor, and the author
of more than 50 books. He won the Nobel Peace Prize Nadine Epstein also came to know Elie Wiesel as a mentor
and the Presidential Medal of Freedom and helped to and friend when she took over Moment Magazine in 2004.
found the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Wiesel and Leonard Fein — a professor, author, and social
Washington. He spoke at its 1993 dedication, and his pre- justice activist — had co-founded the magazine in 1975
vailing message is preserved in stone at its entrance: “For as a place of conversation for America’s Jews. Through a
the dead and the living, we must bear witness.” multimedia presentation, Ms. Epstein will share interviews
Rabbi Ariel Burger first met Elie Wiesel at age 15 and and reflections from Elie Wiesel’s friends, colleagues, and
later became his doctoral fellow and teaching assistant at family— among them, his son Elisha, Ben Kingsley, Itzhak
Boston University, which founded the Elie Wiesel Center Perlman, Oprah Winfrey, and others. She is the editor of
for Jewish Studies in his honor. Rabbi Burger’s talk will a newly published book, Elie Wiesel: An Extraordinary
put us in Wiesel’s classroom, where his gift of storytelling Life and Legacy, which includes a foreword by Lord Rabbi
and listening made him a master teacher. “I questioned Jonathan Sacks and afterword by Ted Koppel. Through
photographs, personal accounts, speeches, and articles,
Page 8 | WHC Journal – April 2019 this beautiful volume provides a deep and intimate

Continued on page 25.

WPaHssCovJeorurnal

Passover Dates to Note

Sephardic Passover First Night Seders
Cooking Class
Friday, April 19
Wednesday, April 3, 6:30 pm
Sur La Table in North Bethesda Congregational Seder
6:00 pm at Temple
Discover how to prepare new dishes that will
bring spice and distinctive flavors to your $55 – adult WHC members
Passover meal. This private class at Sur La $63 – adult guests
Table is limited to just 18 participants. $20 – all children 12 and under
$85 per person
2239 Young Professionals Seder
Women’s Seder 7:00 pm at Calvary Baptist Church

Sunday, April 14 $45 through 4/12; $50 through 4/19
4:00 pm at JBSC The true cost of this seder is $70 per person,
but we do not want the cost of this event to
Co-hosted by the Women of WHC preclude you from attending. Please contact
& the Women of Temple Beth Ami Valerie Bluestein for more information:
[email protected].
Before you sit down for your family seder, come
to our Women’s Seder led by Brooklyn-based Holiday Worship
singer/songwriter Michelle Citrin, WHC’s Rabbi
Shankman, Rabbi Fischel, and Cantor Bortnick, at Temple
and Temple Beth Ami’s Rabbi Baht Weiss. Michelle
Citrin’s funky, soulful, folk-pop sound, powerful Shabbat and Festival Service
music, and viral videos including “20 Things to Do
With Matzah” are just some of the reasons why Saturday, April 20 at 10:30 am
Time included her in their top ten “New Jewish
Rock Stars,” and the Jerusalem Post called her the Festival and Yizkor Service
“Jewish ‘It’ Girl.” Gather the women in your life
from all generations and celebrate with us. Friday, April 26 at 10:30 am
$72 for women; $36 for girls ages 18 and under;
$1,500 Miriam’s Circle sponsorship Freedom Seder

Wednesday, April 24
6:00 pm at Temple

Join us as we welcome our Christian and
Muslim partners for a traditional seder meal
with songs, prayers, and readings emphasizing
the universal struggle for human dignity.
$20 per person
$200 to sponsor a table for our interfaith guests

Learn more and register for any of our seders or the cooking
class on our website: whctemple.org/Passover

WHC Journal – April 2019 | Page 9

Passover

H osting Seder?

This Checklist Can Help You Prepare

Passover is the holiday when hosts borrow folding chairs to squeeze as many people as possible around their
tables. There is a well-known verse in the Haggadah, Kol dichfin yeitei v’yechul (let all who are hungry come in
and eat), so now is the time to reach out and invite people you know who need a seder invitation. And, as Rabbi
Lustig suggested in his column on page three, this is a wonderful opportunity to embrace “2 for Seder” and invite

non-Jewish friends who have never experienced a seder to join you!

Feather, wooden spoon, and paper bag: One of Three kiddush cups and wine glasses:

the many fun customs associated with Passover is Use kiddush cups for the seder leader,
to search for, collect, and destroy any chametz in for the cup of Elijah, and for the cup
the house. Children are particularly enthusiastic of Miriam, which honors Moses’ sister
about this “search and destroy” mission. Look Miriam, who played a vital role in the
any place in the house where chametz was used history of our people. Pour wine for
during the year. Or designate one family member to your guests into regular wine glasses.
hide 10 pieces of chametz (a Kabbalistic tradition)
throughout the house (just remember where you Matzah holder: Three ceremonial boards
put them). Use the feather to sweep all the crumbs
into the spoon and deposit them in the paper bag. of matzah are placed in a special holder
The next morning, make one final search and or on a plate for the seder, and the middle
then burn or discard the bag and its contents. one is broken in half and used for the
afikoman (“dessert”; its the hidden matzah
Pillows: A pillow on each guest’s chair at the children search for at the end of the seder).

seder table encourages everyone to comfortably Afikoman holder: Bags designed to hold
recline during the seder, a custom is observed
in the spirit of celebrating our freedom. the afikoman can be purchased, or you
can simply wrap it in a paper or cloth
Haggadot: Each guest will need a Passover Haggadah dinner napkin. A quick and inexpensive
way to hide more than one afikoman for
to use during the seder. Most Reform Jewish Haggadot the kids is to use mailing envelopes with
(plural of Haggadah) include egalitarian language and each child’s name written on the front.
beautiful illustrations. Two favorites are A Passover
Haggadah and The Open Door. Or create your own! Afikoman prizes: For most kids, the
Haggadot.com has everything you need to create
a custom seder that’s perfect for your family. seder’s high point is searching for the
afikoman. Why not hide more than one
Seder plate: If your guests will be seated at afikoman and award fun prizes to every
child at your seder? The prizes can be
more than one table, consider preparing a Passover candy, crafts or small toys, like
seder plate for each table. See page 11 for scented markers, Legos, sculpting clay,
insights into what goes on the seder plate. travel-sized games, or joke books.

Candles and candlesticks: The blessing Pitcher or two-handled cup, big bowl,
and dish towel (or hand wipes): These
over the festival candles is recited as the
seder begins. On the first night of Passover, supplies are used for the ritual hand
the Shehecheyanu is also recited. washing (and drying) during the seder. If
you prefer, hand wipes can be used.
This article has been adapted from one that originally appeared on ReformJudiasm.org.
Page 10 | WHC Journal – April 2019

Passover

The Seder Plate: Traditional and Re-Imagined

Passover is filled with symbolism that is meant to stimulate conversation and collective memory of a shared and ancient
past. In addition to recalling the Exodus from Egypt, we are empowered through our seder to take action today and in the

coming year. As we plan for our Passover seders, we invite you to consider and reconsider all that brings meaning and
memory to you and your family. All of this can be represented and reflected through our very own seder plate.

The Traditional Seder Plate Zeroa (Shank Bone )

Beitzah (Egg) A roasted shank bone symbolizes
the sacrificial lamb whose blood was
Not only a symbol of spring and new placed over the doors of Israelites
life, the egg also represents the second and later was offered in the ancient
offering in the ancient Temple. Temple in Jerusalem.

Karpas (Vegetable) Charoset (Apples, Walnuts, Honey)

Parsley, celery, or potato is used as a This chopped, sweet mixture sym-
symbol of spring, which is dipped into bolizes the mortar used by enslaved
salt water, symbolizing the tears of the Israelites.
enslaved Israelites.
Chazeret (Bitter Herbs and Matzah)
Maror (Bitter Herbs)
During the seder, people often make
These remind us of the bitterness of a “Hillel Sandwich” of matzah, bitter
slavery. Often this is romaine lettuce herbs, and charoset. Not everyone
(whose roots are bitter) or horse- includes chazeret on their seder plate.
radish root.

New Items for Your Seder Plate

Passover celebrates the end of slavery for Jews in Egypt, so naturally much of the discussion centers
around freedom and oppression. As part of this discussion, some Jews choose to add or substitute
additional items that represent their values, political beliefs, or family history.

Olive: In the early 1990s, American Jews working Orange: Many will tell you that the orange represents

to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict started adding women and feminism. A false myth circulates, saying
an olive to their seder plates to remember the that a man angrily told Jewish scholar Susannah
economic insecurity caused by the destruction of Heschel that “A woman belongs on the bimah like
olive trees, a historical symbol of hope for many an orange belongs on the seder plate,” and that’s
people in the region. Some now erroneously believe why feminists today include an orange. However,
that the olive was added as a symbol of peace in Heschel herself repudiates this myth, saying that she
the Middle East. added the orange to honor the LGBTQ community.

Miriam’s Cup: Some include this newer ritual object Beet: Vegetarians or vegans who do not wish to

on the seder table beside the Cup of Elijah. Filled add the shank bone instead substitute a roasted
with water, it serves as a symbol of Miriam’s Well, beet, citing the Talmud, Tractate 114b.
the source of water for the Israelites in the desert.
Its inclusion draws attention to the importance of Flower or Seed: If you’re vegan, the traditional egg
Miriam and the other women of the Exodus story,
about whom our tradition says, “If it was not for needs to leave the seder plate as well. You can use
the righteousness of women of that generation, a purely decorative egg, or since the egg represents
we would not have been redeemed from Egypt.” spring and new life, use a flower or seed.
(Babylonian Talmud, Sotah 9b)

There is really no limit to the potential for expressing your values through the Passover seder, specifically by including items that
serve as reminders. If you choose to add anything to your seder plate this year, send us a picture and tell us what it means!

WHC Journal – April 2019 | Page 11

Passover

Understanding the Elements of the Seder

There are more than a dozen parts to the seder — from Kadeish, the recitation of the Kiddush,
to Nirtzah, the conclusion. If you are looking for ways to bring a new interpretation or enhance-

ment to your seder, our rabbis have provided some suggestions. Enjoy!

Kadeish – Reciting the Kiddush

We begin not with food, but with a blessing over the wine, to sanctify the day, and acknowledge its
holiness. To demonstrate that we are not slaves, it is customary to have someone else fill your cup
(literally — until it is almost overflowing). In the 19th century, Rabbi Y. M. Epstein of Poland warned
against the potential to have sexism creep into the seder: “It is haughty and arrogant to order one’s wife to
serve him wine. After all, he is no more obligated to drink wine than she.”

Ur’chatz – Washing the Hands

The Talmud tells us that when the Temple stood in Jerusalem, there was a law that required a person
to wash their hands before dipping any food in a liquid. At the seder, before we dip the karpas in salt
water, hands should be washed. Typically a blessing is recited, but not for this first hand-washing. The
intent is to provide another opportunity to pique the interest of children so that they will wonder: “Why
is this night different from all other nights?”

Karpas – Eating a Vegetable Dipped in Salt Water
Think of karpas as the hors d’oeuvres of the seder. The Rabbis modeled the Passover seder after the Greco-
Roman symposium, where it was common to start with appetizers. Once you have dipped the parsley into
the salt water, let your creativity abound. Dip celery, potatoes, or hard-boiled eggs in salt water, gefilte fish
in horseradish, and even carrots or peppers in guacamole! Having a little nosh during the seder might also
help hold rumbling tummies until the seder meal is served.

Yachatz – Breaking the Middle Matzah

On Passover, we hold two questions at the same time: what makes you whole, and what breaks your
heart? Before we say Motzi and enjoy dinner, we break yachatz, the middle matzah, to remind us that
we must still work for the redemption of our world.

Magid – Reciting the Haggadah

As we tell the story of our ancestors’ Exodus from Egypt, we know that bondage and redemption
resonate deeply in our lives today. “In every generation,” the Haggadah demands, “you are obligated to
see yourself as if you personally left Egypt.”

Rachtzah – Washing the Hands a Second Time

We pour water over our hands, not out of hygienic concerns, but to infuse our seder meal with another
layer of holiness. A great way to involve children is to ask for two volunteers — one to pour water and
the other to dry hands, so that other guests can remain comfortably seated.

Page 12 | WHC Journal – April 2019

Passover

Motzi/Matzah – Reciting the Blessings for Bread and Matzah

Motzi is our prayer celebrating God’s bounty. It is followed by matzah, recalling our haste to leave slavery
and our newfound freedom. Matzah symbolizes the longing for freedom shared by all of God’s children. As
the 19th-century poet Heinrich Heine wrote, “Freedom has always spoken with a Hebrew accent.”

Maror – Eating Bitter Herbs

The piquancy of the maror serves, like other seder symbols, to remind us of the bitterness of our ancestors’
enslavement. A great aunt of one of our rabbis made maror by mixing horseradish with crème fraîche and
powdered sugar, which made it significantly less bitter and much better to eat in large quantities — which,
of course, they did. How about that for transforming the bitterness of slavery into the sweetness of freedom?

Korech – Eating a Sandwich of Matzah and Bitter Herbs

Long before the Earl of Sandwich came up with the idea of putting meat between slices of bread,
we had Hillel the Elder, who combined maror with matzah, charoset, and — before the destruction of
the Temple — meat from a sacrifice. The Hillel Sandwich symbolizes our Jewish hope for redemption.
We pray that the hardship of our past (maror), while always part of our history, will be combined with the
sweetness of freedom.

Shulchan Orech – Eating the Festive Meal

Following the “appetizer” rounds that accompanied the previous sections of the seder, it is
(finally) time to serve dinner. What is served may vary according to geography and family tra-
ditions. For example, Ashkenazic tradition prohibits the eating of lamb at the Passover seder,
as lamb was used for the paschal sacrifice. Following this, some Jews will not serve roasted
lamb at their seder meal, which is why brisket is often a popular dish!

Tzafun – Eating the Afikoman

Kids love to search for the afikoman. A meal that includes a treasure hunt — what could be better? Adults
can enjoy this time as well with some fun songs. Classics sung to familiar tunes like Take Me Out to the
Seder (Take Me Out to the Ball Game) and The Ballad of the Four Sons (Clementine) now have contemporary
cousins you can find on YouTube: Uptown Passover (Uptown Funk), Chozen (Let it Go/Frozen), and All About
Those Plagues (All About That Bass).

Barech – Reciting Grace

The Book of Deuteronomy instructs us, “When you have eaten your fill, give thanks to the Eternal your
God for the good land given to you.” (8:10). We can do this in many ways: with birkat ha’mazon, the
traditional grace after meals; a moment of silent contemplation; or tzedakah, by donating a portion of
the total cost of the seder meal to MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger (mazon.org), the Jewish com-
munity’s movement to end hunger in the U.S. and abroad.

Nirtzah – Praying that God Accepts Our Service

This concluding section of the seder looks forward to a time when all people will be free and when exoduses
will no longer be needed. In a time of so much pessimism, Judaism demands that we maintain hope.
Songs and readings like This Land is Your Land, Maya Angelou’s “Still I Rise,” and even the Declaration of
Independence can be a fitting end to your meal.

WHC Journal – April 2019 | Page 13

Passover

To Eat or Not to Eat?

That Is the (5th) Question

It’s April, and the Passover preparation work has begun! we were slaves in Egypt and fled so quickly that the bread
Much of this preparation is physical. We clean and being prepared for the journey had no time to rise. With so
polish table settings and serving pieces that are used many kosher-for-Passover convenience foods available, will
but once or twice a year. We buy ingredients needed to eating kosher-for-Passover waffles, pasta, bagels, and other
mix, blend, and bake dishes that are served just during this chametz, affect the spiritual aspects of the holiday?
holiday. And of course, we remove, box up, or cordon-off There are so many choices around food. During Passover,
all things chametz (wheat, barley, rye, oats, and farro) from some Jews avoid eating chametz. Others incorporate
our homes. the Sephardic custom of consuming kitniyot (corn, rice,
In addition to all the physical work, preparing for the legumes, peas, lentils, beans, millet, and seeds). And some
holiday can also be a mindful experience. There are so Jews adhere strictly to the customs of the holiday and avoid
many options for the rituals and practices connected to this eating chametz, kitniyot, and any foods — like corn syrup
holiday. From the items to include on the seder plate to the — that are derived from them.
foods to abstain from eating, there is a rich opportunity for After a week of meals from a restricted ingredient list, it
choices that will make the holiday personally meaningful. can be just as meaningful — and lots of fun — to celebrate
Many of Passover’s customs focus on food. In fact, the the return to food freedom. Every year, the Couples Club
seder’s ritual foods, which represent various parts of the hosts a post-Passover pizza party, where they indulge in
Passover story, are a fitting way to begin a week during pizza, beer, and all things chametz. Moroccan Jews have a
which our food choices can reflect our Jewish values and wonderful tradition called Mimouna. The end-of-Passover
how we demonstrate those values in our lives. celebration, which has become very popular in Israel, is a
Everyone makes choices about food during Passover. doors-open, all-are-welcome festivity. At a Mimouna party,
Before the holiday begins (and you are faced with that first you’ll find a long table set with an abundance of sweet
not-kosher-for-Passover temptation), take time to reflect on carbohydrate-laden treats, the highlight of which is
why you plan to eat or refrain from eating certain foods mufleta, a sweet, crepe-like treat spread with butter and
during the holiday. honey.
The Four Questions begin, “Why is this night different Whether you choose to follow family-treasured traditions
from all other nights?” Beyond the seder, consider how or begin some new ones this Passover, we hope every dish
the foods you choose to eat (or not eat) this week can connects you to our history and increases your bonds with
make Passover look or feel different than the rest of the family and friends.
year. The matzah-eating experience connects us to when

Page 14 | WHC Journal – April 2019

Passover

Chametz or Not Chametz
Is It Kosher for Passover (KFP)?

When you can’t bear to eat another piece of gefilte fish but aren’t sure what
you can eat during Passover, use this handy guide to help you decide.

Crepes Matzah Vegetarian
California Rolls
Even though they are as flat as a Yes, matzah is kosher for Passover.
sheet of matzah, crepes are made But because stores stock and sell Customarily, many Ashkenazi Jews
from wheat flour. Foods that contain all kinds of matzah all year long, refrain from eating kitniyot (corn,
wheat, barley, rye, oats, or spelt are check the label before you buy or rice, peas, lentils, and beans) during
considered chametz and are not eat it to be sure that what you have Passover, which Sephardic Jews freely
kosher for Passover. is the kind of matzah that has been enjoy. More recently, some Ashkenazi
prepared to be KFP. Jews are including kitniyot in their food
Couscous choices during Passover. If this includes
Quinoa you, your veggie Cali roll is fine.
Although it’s small and round like
other grains, couscous — even the A super conundrum for this superfood. Flax Seeds
Israeli kind — is really a type of Although it is not one of the seven
pasta. It’s made from semolina, a grains considered chametz, the jury is Flax seeds are also kitniyot, so
kind of wheat flour, and is definitely out on whether quinoa is kitniyot. So, depending on your personal Passover
chametz. if you are going to eat quinoa during minhag (custom), you may or may
the holiday, make sure the package is not choose to eat them during the
Beer labeled kosher for Passover. holiday.

Beer, which is made from barley Wine Bloody Mary
or other grains that have been fer-
mented, is not kosher for Passover. The four cups if wine and huge We know from seder that horse-
So, unless the beer is made from bottles of Manischewitz on the table radish is KFP, but whether or not your
buckwheat, you’ve gotta pass on the are an excellent indicator that wine bloody Mary is kosher for Passover
brew. is not chametz. If you are wondering depends on the vodka used to make
why wine, which is fermented, is it. Typically, vodka is made from
Pizza allowed, the answer lies in the yeast. fermented grains, which makes it
Unlike beer, wine’s yeast comes from chametz. However, if the vodka
Your favorite pizza place is adver- grapes not grains and is not chametz. in your bloody Mary comes from
tising “kosher-for-Passover pizza,” potatoes, l’chaim — even during
but is it really kosher for Passover? Double Shot Latte Passover!
Consider this, even if the restaurant
uses KFP flour, they are most likely No need to skip the Starbucks run, Soy Milk
still selling regular pizza, which is your latte is KFP. However, if you
baked in the same ovens. So whether aren’t in the kitniyot-eating camp (see Soy falls into the kitniyot category,
or not you are comfortable declaring page 14), stick with the old fashioned so if you don’t “do kitniyot” during
it KFP will depend on your own level kind of milk from cows, almond Passover, then pass on the soy milk.
of observance. milk, or coconut milk — they are all
kosher for Passover. WHC Journal – April 2019 | Page 15

April 2019

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday

10:00am Conversational 1 24:30pm Hebrew School (B) 1:00pm Wednesday Study 3
Hebrew: Intermediate (M) 6:00pm Conversational Hebrew: Group (M)
7:00pm 12JQ (M)
7:00pm WHC Academy(M) Beginner/Intermediate (M) 4:30pm Hebrew School (M)

6:30pm Upper School and 6:00pm JAM Rehearsal (M)
Confirmation (B)
7:00pm Back to Basics (M) 6:00pm Conversational Hebrew:
Beginner (B)

6:30pm Passover Cooking Class
(OUT)

7:00pm Wise Aging (M)

7 10:00am Women of WHC 8 94:30pm Hebrew School (B) 1:00pm Wednesday Study 10
Meeting and Women’s Seder 6:00pm Conversational Hebrew: Group (M)

Prep (B) Beginner/Intermediate (M) 4:30pm Hebrew School (M)

10:00am Conversational 6:30pm Upper School and 6:00pm JAM Rehearsal (M)
Hebrew: Intermediate (M) Confirmation (B) 6:00pm Conversational Hebrew:

Mitzvah Day (M, B & OUT) 7:00pm 12JQ (M) Beginner (B)

Beginning at 9:30 am 7:00pm WHC Academy(M) 7:30pm Community Issues/Social
Action Meeting (M)

No Religious School (M&B)

9:30am Religious School 14 Spring Break: 15 16Spring Break: 17Spring Break:
(M&B) ECC (M&B)
Hebrew School (B) Hebrew School (M)
4:00pm Women’s Seder (B) 10:00am Conversational ECC (M&B) ECC (M&B)
Hebrew: Intermediate (M)
5:30pm Post Confirmation Dinner 1:00pm Wednesday Study Group (M)
(OUT) 7:00pm Attorneys’ Study Group
12:30pm Prime Timers’ Lunch and (OUT)
Film (M)
7:00pm 12JQ (M)

7:00pm WHC Academy(M)

Passover 21 Passover 22 Passover 23 24Passover
Easter Spring Break: 4:30pm Hebrew School (B)
ECCs (M&B) 6:30pm Upper School and 1:00pm Wednesday Study
Spring Break: Confirmation (M) Group (M)
Religious School (M&B) 4:30pm Hebrew School (M)
7:30am RJWECC PLUS Camp 6:00pm JAM Rehearsal (M)
Day (B) 6:00pm Freedom Seder (M)

7:00pm 12JQ (M)
7:00pm WHC Academy(M)

9:30am Religious School 7:00pm 12JQ (M) 29 304:30pm Hebrew School (B)
6:30pm Upper School and
28(M&B) Confirmation (M)

10:30am Amram Scholar Series:
Rabbi Ariel Burger and Nadine
Epstein

5:00pm Couples Club’s Post
Passover Pizza Party (OUT)

Page 16 | WHC Journal – April 2019 B: Julia Bindeman Suburban Center M: Temple OUT: Not at a WHC location

Adar II – Nissan 5779

Thursday Friday Saturday

10:00am Conversational 4 10:30am Women of WHC Mah Jongg (B) 5 6
Hebrew: Advanced (B) 7:00pm Shabbat at the Shapiros’ (OUT)
7:30pm 12 Jewish Questions Shabbat Dinner (M)

Services: Services:
5:30pm Tot Shabbat & Family Dinner (B) 9:00am Early Torah (M)
5:30pm Lay Led Service (M) 10:30am Shabbat Service (M)
6:00pm Macomb St. Shabbat Service (M) 5:30pm Afternoon Service and Havdalah (M)
Bar Mitzvah of Zachary Goldberg
ECC Early Dismissal (M&B)
10:00am Conversational 11 10:30am Women of WHC Mah Jongg (B) 12 13
Hebrew: Advanced (B) 7:00pm Shabbat at the Shapiros’ (OUT)

Services: Services:
5:30pm Lay Led Service (M) 9:00am Early Torah (M)
6:00pm Pollin Music Shabbat – Nefesh Mountain (M) 10:30am Shabbat Service (M)
B’nei Mitzvah of Xander Arnold and Charles Shanfield
5:30pm Afternoon Service and Havdalah (M)
Bar Mitzvah of Jacob Orenstein

18Spring Break: Passover Begins at Sundown 19 Passover 20
Spring Break: ECC (M&B)
ECC (M&B)
10:30am Women of WHC Mah Jongg (B)

Passover Services: Services:
5:30pm Lay Led Service (M) 9:00am Early Torah (M)
25NFTY-MAR Spring Kallah 6:00pm Congregational Seder (M) 10:30am Shabbat and Passover Festival Service (M)
7:00pm 2239 Seder (OUT)
(OUT through Sunday) 27
26Passover
Services:
WHC Offices and ECCs Closed (M&B) 9:00am Early Torah (M)
10:00am District Shabbat for Tots (OUT)
Services: 10:30am Shabbat Service (M)
10:30am Yizkor and Passover Festival Service (M) Bar Mitzvah of Alexander Abel
5:00pm Tot Shabbat and Family Dinner (M) 5:30pm Afternoon Service and Havdalah (M)
5:30pm Lay Led Service (M) B’nei Mitzvah of Dylan Lustig and Ryan Tanenholz
6:00pm Shirei Shabbat Service (M)
6:15pm 2239’s Metro Minyan (OUT)

WHC Journal – April 2019 | Page 17

Mazel Tov to
WHC’s April B'nei Mitzvah

Zachary Ryan Goldberg Alexander Matthew Abel
April 6, Havdalah April 27, Morning
Zac is a seventh-grade student at Alex is a sixth-grade student at
Herbert Hoover Middle School. He Washington International School.
is the son of Emily & Jason Goldberg, He is the son of Julie & David Abel,
the brother of Tyler, and the grandson the brother of Zoe and Ellie, and the
of Karan & Richard Dreisen, the late grandson of Carol & Frank Lazarus and
Robin Dreisen Amernick, Judy & Bill Susan & Irving Abel.
Sachs, and JoAnn & Marvin Goldberg. Dylan Brooke Lustig
Xander Jacob Arnold April 27, Havdalah
April 13, Morning Dylan is a seventh-grade student
Xander is a seventh-grade student at at Julius West Middle School. She
The Bullis School. He is the son of is the daughter of Helene & Brian
Mimi & Adam Arnold, the brother of Lustig, the sister of Zachary, and the
Drake, and the grandson of Beverly & granddaughter of Harriet & Gene
George Kaloupis and Sandy & Howard Goldberg, Cookie Lustig, and Steve
Arnold. Lustig & Jessie Groothuis.
Ryan Justin Tanenholz
Charles Eric Shanfield April 27, Havdalah
April 13, Morning Ryan is a seventh-grade student at
Charlie is a seventh-grade student Tilden Middle School. He is the son of
at Cabin John Middle School. He is Kelly & David Tanenholz, the brother
the son of Jonathan & the late Kirsten of Lindsey, and the grandson of Robin
Shanfield, the brother of Will, and the & Robert Just and Corie & Victor
grandson of Cassie & Ted Kaplan and Tanenholz.
Drs. Ellen-Gene Peterson & Michael
Rowe.
Jacob Noah Orenstein
April 13, Havdalah
Jake is a seventh-grade student at
Green Acres School. He is the son of
Jacqueline Greene & Joshua Orenstein,
the brother of Alexandra, and the
grandson of Betty & the late Rabbi
Barry H. Greene and Karen & Dr. Jan
Orenstein.

Page 18 | WHC Journal – April 2019

CLyicflee Congratulations to…

Mildred & Howard Amer, on the marriage of their daughter, Robin, to Aaron
Jacobson, the son of Paul & the late Corinne Jacobson.

Moritz Cohen Jr., on the birth of his great-grandson, Nathan Lee Cohen; and to
Nathan’s parents, Caroline & Seth Cohen; big brother, Caleb; and grandparents,
Louise & Stephen Yoder and Marcy & Robert Cohen.

Beth & Rob Eisman, on the engagement of their daughter, Melanie, to Ryan Garber, son
of Amy & Scott Garber. Melanie is the granddaughter of Barbara & Howard Felder and Stanley
Eisman & Marilyn Spitzer; Ryan is the grandson of Marilyn Garber.

Linda Adler & Steven Fischer, on the birth and naming of their granddaughter, Amalia Ro Fischer-Lyons-Warren (Amalia);
and to Amalia’s parents, Abra Lyons-Warren & Jonathan Fischer; maternal grandparents, Rhona Lyons and David Warren;
and great-grandparents, Rita Warren, Dr. Walter & Esther Stone, and Lenore Greenberg & Ira Lyons.

Beverly Gendleman, on the birth of her great-grandson, Graham Stewart Reed; and to Graham’s parents, Claire & David
Reed; and grandparents, Dr. Bruce & Arlene Rosenberg and Cindy & David Reed.

Janice & Arthur Herold, on the birth of their granddaughter, Eve Leona Herold; and to Eve’s parents, Sarah & Spencer
Herold and big brother Atticus.

Peggy & Douglas Letter, on the naming of their grandson, Jackson Harvey Miller (Mordechai); and to Jackson’s parents,
Debbie & Jason Miller; paternal grandparents, Beth & Rob Miller; and great-grandmothers Edith Pollner and Mary Pace.

Our Sincerest Condolences…

Katherine “Kitty” Berk, daughter of Frances Berk (Neil Shapiro) and Anton Berk, sister of Spencer Berk and Philip Berk
Holly Bolter, daughter of Myrtle Katzen; mother of Jeffrey Bolter (Stephanie) and Alexandra Bolter; sister of Michael
Scheffres (Susan); partner of Alan Landau.
Donald Brown, husband of Ann Brown; father of Laura Rodgers and Kathy Brown; grandfather of four and great-
grandfather of two.
Harriet Garrett, mother of Dr. Bruce Garrett (Sandra).
Rabbi Richard Klein, husband of Ellen Klein; father of Phil Klein (Sarah) and Rabbi Dena Klein (Jonathan Harris);
grandfather of Eliana and Jacob Klein, Rachel and Maxwell Harris.
Stephen Kreimer, husband of Lesley Kreimer; father of Aimee Kreimer (Brad Phillips) and Alisa Goldman; grandfather of
seven.
Neil Pape, brother of Stuart Pape (Ginger).
Jeffrey Ploshnick, husband of Shari Ploshnick; son of Ginger & David Ploshnick; father of Jack and Reid Ploshnick;
brother of Andrea Ploshnick Lagowitz (Jack Kolker) and Lisa Bierig (Andrew); son-in-law of Howard Lehrer.
Leon Slavin, father of Meredith Sevi (Avi), Andrea Slavin, Daniel Slavin (Belkis), and Dawn Slavin; grandfather of Lucas
and Sophia.
James Ira “Jim” Warren, husband of Janis Warren; father of Sara Warren and Katie Whittatch; grandfather of Nate and
George.

…may their memory be a blessing.

WHC Journal – April 2019 | Page 19

Contributions

We gratefully acknowledge the following contributions, received through February 28. To make a
contribution to any of Washington Hebrew Congregation’s funds, please visit whctemple.org/donate.

Lillian & Alfred Bennett General Fund General Fund
Fine Arts Endowment Fund Donor In Honor of: Donor In Memory of:
Donor In Memory of: Emily & Jason Goldberg Mrs. Gloria Sterling Harold Sterling
Yvette Z. Kraft Bruce Myles Kraft Bar Mitzvah of Zachary Ryan Goldberg Mr. Richard L. Sugarman Reve S. Shapiro
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Samuels Eve & Nate Wallace David Emanuel Wallace
Julia & Jack Bindeman Fund Elizabeth Greenfield’s Speedy Recovery Mr. & Mrs. Robert Warsaw William Warsaw
Donor In Memory of:
Carol Bindeman Emilie R. Katzenberg Kelly & David Tanenholz Joan Weill Joyce E. Torchinsky
Bar Mitzvah of Ryan Justin Tanenholz Grace Weissman Abraham Korzac
Lucien Katzenberg, Jr. Donor In Memory of: Roslyn Wolf Seymour Wolf

Ruth T. Blond Healthy Aging Mr. & Mrs. Laurence C. Abramson Woodmont Country Club Robert Silverman
Endowment
Donor In Memory of: Nathan Abramson Dr. & Mrs. Bernard Yanowitz Paul Yanowitz
Dr. Marshall Ackerman Louis Ackerman Angela & Daniel Yergin Ronald Stent
Elisabeth Posner Schouten Elizabeth Kahn Nancy Alper Melvin G. Alper Mr. & Mrs. Benjamin Zelenko Hylda Zelenko
Benjamin Posner
Fanny Posner Wendy Banner Melvin Isaacson Andrew Kaplan Youth Endowment Fund
Eliezer & Miriam Benbassat Haim E. Benbassat
Marjorie & Harold Bingham Daniel N. Levy Donor In Honor of:
Shelley & Michael Brody The Zweig Family Dan Caplan
Teacher Training Institute Endowment Jackie & Ken Blank Gladys Mayer
William & Devon Burak Elayne Dworken Donor In Memory of:
Donor In Memory of: Margery Shrinsky & Family Andrew Kaplan
Michael Brody Frank Brody Arlene Cherner Henrietta Kay
Benjamin Kay Carol Kellner ECC Memorial Fund
Jane Burka Sisterhood Leadership Fund Donor In Memory of:
Donor Francis Chucker, M.D. Edward Chucker
Sadie Chucker Marsha Stiefel Pinson & Family Erwin Stiefel
Women of WHC
Donor In Memory of: John G. Decker Samuel J. Decker Library Fund
Sonnie Dockser William B. Dockser Donor
Judy & David Irwin Sidney Tickton Jeffrey & Susan Freed Elliott Freed Karen Ribler & Ken Leibowitz In Memory of:
Ken Leibowitz & Karen Ribler David Ribler
Cantorial & Concert Fund Bruce & Sandra Sokolove Garrett Jeanette Sokolove
Donor In Honor of: Abraham Sokolove Herb Leibowitz

Charles, Butch, and the Fleischer & Eisenman Family Marilyn & Michael Glosserman Sam J. Glosserman Rabbi M. Bruce Lustig Scholarship
Fund
Cantor Mikhail Manevich Joy & Archie Gold Esther Gold Donor In Memory of:
Stephanie & Harry Alexander
Bat Mitzvah of Tatum Peri Goldblatt Barry Goulding Hillary Goulding Marilyn & Michael Glosserman Betty Falk Glick
Dr. Clara S. Heffess David Szczupak
Helene E. Hendricks Florida Reunion Amy & Gary Heimberg Susan Abrams David Katz Samuel Katz
Alan, Kimberly, David, Desi, Aspen
Beverly Rosenblatt Gabriele S. Herer Hans Schlamme & Brecka Malasky Ellen Solomon Malasky
Marlene Naide’s Speedy Recovery
Froma Sandler Gail D. Himmelfarb Mavis Himmelfarb Sidelle Wertheimer Louis Shaiken
Arthur Himmelfarb
Mark Manevich & Hally Drabman’s Engagement Kenneth & Susan Kasnett Robert Kasnett Zena Mason Educational Fund
The Zweig Family Cantor Mikhail Manevich Donor In Memory of:
Donor In Memory of: Norton Katz Gertrude Katz Ira & Lynne Bluestein Kim Schuchman
Dr. & Mrs. Richard M. Kaufman Eleanor B. Baron
Janet & Jeff Abramson Harold Sterling Susan L. Kentoff Louis E. Lipp Frances Bluestein
Stephanie & Harry Alexander Bert Evans
Jil Levick Dorothy Rosenblatt Nick Kotz Jacob Kotz Mitzvah Day
Nathan Kotz Morris Kallison Donor
Wendy & Jeff Cossman David Hanania Ann Lane Sol Steinberg Marc Lackritz & Mary DeOreo In Memory of:
Ken & Doris Kraemer Estelle Kraemer Dorothy Lackritz
Elchanan & Lola Peres Chaya Peres Daniel Lederberg Linda Lederberg Linda & Ronald Recht
Alan Levine Bertha Levine Kathy Lackritz
Jonah Pinczuk Priscilla & Alan Levine Rose Sayne Linda & Ronald Recht & Family Robert Kay
Barbara F. Polansky Rhea S. Abrams Jane Lipton Cafritz Ira Lipton
Jon & Jennifer Solovey David Solovey Dorothy Eisenstein
The Grossman & Mead Families Richard Grossman Jeff Ploshnick

Sherman & Karen Telis Laura Bleiweiss Andrea Grant & Selig S. Merber Shirley S. Grant Stephanie Morris
Prime Timers Programming Fund
Steven Wasser Doris Wasser Phyllis & Ted Meyerson Linda Schwartz Rosenthal Donor In Memory of:

EmptyNesters Fund Courtney & Eric Moseman Mrs. Ellis April Suzy & Al Morris Sidney Morris
Donor Norman & Susan Oblon Nathan J. Oblon
Joan Adoff In Memory of: Charlotte Pearlman Aaron Frank Kamy Loren Nathanson Bar & Bat Mitzvah
Holly & Jeff Bergman George Gottlieb Ruth Rudolph Perlin Sadie Brown Rudolph Kiddush Cup Endowment Fund
Anita Bergman Bertha D. Brown
Donor In Honor of:
Lois & Richard England Irene S. Pollin Kenneth J. Pollin Tina & Arthur Lazerow Bat Mitzvah of Bea Lazerow
Special Needs Endowment Fund
Donor In Memory of: Dr. Herbert Rabin Ida Rabin Donor In Memory of:
Irving Rabin
Florence R. Hart Julius Rubenstein Jeremy Reiskin Wenda D. Reiskin Cerlene M. Rose Joseph Martin Myers

General Fund Rena & David Rutstein Leo Bergsmann Albert & Scott Pelmoter
Hilda Bergsmann Youth Scholarship Fund
Donor Joan & George Schonholtz Joseph Hirsch Donor In Memory of:
Leslie & Bruce Forrest Solomon Levy & Susan Robinson Sophia Fleischer
Donor In Honor of: Dr. & Mrs. Schonholtz Harriet Schonholtz
Gerald & Ellen Sigal Saul Gostkov Levy
David & Julie Abel
Bar Mitzvah of Alexander Matthew Abel Shirley Gostkov Sylvia & Saul Ritzenberg
Stephanie & Harry Alexander Joseph Sitrick Gertrude Lieberstein Humanitarian Fund
Robert Sitrick Rose Brown Donor In Memory of:
Bat Mitzvah of Tatum Peri Goldblatt Gertrude Lieberstein Joan Greenbaum & Family Dr. Roy Greenbaum
Ruth & Jim Fromstein
Renee Schulman’s Special Birthday Beth & Howard Sloan Evelyn Cousins Paul Katz
Erwin Stiefel

Page 20 | WHC Journal – April 2019

Contributions

Harold “Buddy” & Shirley Robinson Tikkun Olam Values (TOV) Fund Worship & Music Fund
Memorial Education Scholarship Fund Donor In Honor of: Donor
Donor In Memory of: Eve & Nate Wallace Birth of Dahlia Pearl Gohn Jane Friend Birth of Aaron Gordon Lerner
Bruce, Paula, Brandon, & Debra Robinson Donor In Memory of:
Shirley Robinson Rabbi Joseph Weinberg Young Leadership Craig Yokum Mary Myrtle Woodward
Community Service Fund
Joan Weill Barbara Wolin Sincoff Donor In Memory of: Frayda & Sydney Abel, Debbie & Chris Lucci,
Bennett & Jana Abel Bella Guggenheim
Abram Simon School Linda & Roy Green Fannie LeShay Judy Messitte Michael Messitte
Donor In Honor of: Traci K. Solovey Davis S. Solovey
Froma Sandler Susan & Allen Hanenbaum’s Diane & Adam Shrier Mollie Kessler
Wender Memorial Archives Fund Nancy G. Simon Kenneth A. Simon
50th Wedding Anniversary Donor In Memory of:
Gyr Turshen Ethan Allen Turshen
Carrie Simon House Mrs. Adrienne S. Elman Sada Hormann Stern Claire H. West Reta Heuman
Donor In Memory of: Dorothy & Lou Kornhauser
Michael Fishman Murray Fishman Beverly Kay’s Beloved Husband Ellen & Bruce Winston and Family Dorothy Winston
Ann & Neil Kerwin Judith Polster Zauderer & Family
Daniel Kerwin Gertrude Halpert Polster
Susan Rolnick Gail Tate WHC Hunger Project
Donor Young Professionals (22-39) Fund
Sara T. Rolnick Mrs. Erica Lodish Donor In Memory of:
Philip Lozowick
Women of WHC Fund Lynn Forrest Marilyn Barclay
C. Haskell & Ruth Behrend Small Donor
Music Fund Women of WHC In Memory of: Ivy Zola’s Help-a-Friend Fund
Phyllis Cole Max Zweig Donor In Honor of:
Donor In Honor of: Elaine Goldstein Andy & Geoffrey Zola Birth of Jesse Gold Elisco
Sherry Sundick Adrienne Elman’s 94th Birthday Lynne Loube Tatlock
Donor In Memory of: Mildred Greenwald Donor In Memory of:

Sherry Sundick Rudolph B. Behrend Worship & Music Fund Paula, Neal, Richard, Jennifer, Michael,
Cheka & Steven Bobys Harold J. Bobys
Tikkun Olam Values (TOV) Fund Donor Mr. & Mrs. Dudley Dworken Elayne Dworken
Selig Merber & Andrea Grant
Donor In Honor of: Donor In Honor of: The McWilliams Family Armand Checker
Pauline Goldberg & Alan Goldberg
Dr. Norman Buckman’s 90th birthday Judith, Karin and Laura Zauderer Baldwin Alison McWilliams Max Checker
The Mildred & Ellis April Family Mildred April
The Powers Family Joan Adoff’s Incredible Work Rabbi M. Bruce Lustig
Cantor Susan Bortnick
with the Hunger Project Cantor Mikhail Manevich

Rabbi’s Reflection (continued from page 3)

icons sign this critical document, and this text must inspire this past October at the Tree of Life Synagogue, 2 for Seder’s
us as well to do the work that will make the hopes and aspi- idea is simple and achievable: invite two non-Jewish friends
rations of Human Fraternity document real. or acquaintances who have never attended a seder to join
Now more than ever, our interfaith work is critical. As anti-Se- you at yours. You can learn more about it at 2forseder.org.
mitic attacks come from the extreme right and the extreme The seder itself is designed to tell the story of our journey
left, we find ourselves at a pivotal moment in history that from degradation to liberation. What better way of fighting
calls upon us to act. Just as the meeting in Abu Dhabi brings anti-Semitism than to share the beauty of our faith and its call
me great hope, the daily rise in acts of hate and violence for freedom and dignity for all humanity? It is my hope that
demand of me greater vigilance in our work to build interfaith we will all join in this meaningful way to honor the memory
bridges. Our relationships – not the rhetoric of politicians or of the victims of Tree of Life and to fight anti-Semitism, one
hate mongers – must define our Judaism. We must speak out relationship at a time.
against all words of bigotry and hatred no matter to whom In Abu Dhabi, I felt like I was standing on the edge of history,
they are directed. And we each must work to educate others but in reality, I know that every day we are making our own
on the real nature of Judaism by creating personal connec- history. We do it by how we choose to live our lives and
tions with non-Jews. I was invited to Abu Dhabi because I the examples we set as an American Jewish community – in
have invited some of these world religious leaders into my our compassion for others, in our fight for equal rights for
home to share a meal at my table and into my synagogue to all, in our foundational faith that has gifted to the world the
experience the beauty of Judaism. very concepts that will bring the peace God seeks and we
In less then a month, we will celebrate Passover, the holiday all deserve.
that shares the core story of our redemption from slavery to May your Passover be one of joy, of sharing, and of pride
freedom. The seder is the ideal celebration to share with our in our faith!
non-Jewish friends. “2 for Seder: Fighting Anti-Semitism with Shalom,
Love and Matzah,” is a new initiative that can help you do Rabbi Lustig
just that. Started by Marnie Fienberg in honor of her moth-
er-in-law Joyce Fienberg, one of the 11 people murdered

WHC Journal – April 2019 | Page 21

In April …

WHC Programs & Events

Featured Programs Featured Programs

Mitzvah Day Freedom Seder
Sunday, April 7, 10:00 am at Temple, JBSC, and the D.C. area An Interfaith Seder for All Generations
Mitzvah Day represents the culmination of our year- Wednesday, April 24, 6:00 pm at Temple
long focus on community service and our long-standing Mark the end of Passover and the celebration of freedom
commitment to helping the homeless, sick, hungry, and with a special Passover seder dinner at Temple for all
underprivileged in the D.C. metro area. Our volunteers lend WHC members, their family and friends, and our interfaith
their time, energy, and compassion to social service agencies neighbors.
working to improve the lives of people in need. RSVP required ($): whctemple.org/Passover
RSVP required (free): whctemple.org/MitzvahDay Layne Weiss: [email protected], 202-895-6307
Anne Friedman: [email protected]
Special Worship Experiences
Women’s Seder
Hosted by the Women of WHC Tot Shabbat & Family Dinner
and the Women of Temple Beth Ami, Open to Everyone JBSC: Friday, April 5 at 5:30 pm
Sunday, April 14, 4:00 pm at JBSC Temple: Friday, April 26 at 5:00 pm
There’s something incredibly empowering and affirming Our clergy and song leaders make going to Friday night
about attending a seder led by and for women. Before you services a fun, fulfilling event for families with young children
sit down for your family seder, come to our Women’s Seder (or grandchildren). We begin with an engaging, interactive Tot
led by Brooklyn-based singer/songwriter Michelle Citrin Shabbat service, which lasts about a half-hour and teaches
and her band; WHC’s Rabbi Shankman, Rabbi Fischel, and Jewish prayers, traditions, and rituals through songs, stories,
Cantor Bortnick; and Temple Beth Ami’s Rabbi Baht Weiss. and art projects. A family-style (and family-friendly) dinner
Michelle’s funky, soulful, folk-pop sound, powerful music, follows the service.
and viral videos including “20 Things to Do With Matzah” RSVP required for dinner only (free): whctemple.org/TotShabbat
are just some of the reasons why Time included her in their DJ Jensen: [email protected], 301-354-3208
top ten “New Jewish Rock Stars,” and the Jerusalem Post
called her the “Jewish ‘It’ Girl.” Gather the women in your life
from all generations and celebrate with us.
RSVP required ($): whctemple.org/WomenofWHC
Lisa Moss: [email protected]

Congregational Seder Good food.
For All Generations Good people.
Friday, April 19, 6:00 pm at Temple Good conversation.
Join your extended WHC family at Temple for this special
first-night seder led by our clergy. We’ll read from the ShthaebSbahtaaptiros’
Haggadah, partake in the seder meal, and join in the familiar
and memorable songs that are part of this festival holiday that Friday, April 12 at 7:00 pm
commemorates our freedom from slavery in Egypt.
RSVP required ($): whctemple.org/Passover WHC President Nell Shapiro and her husband
Madge Novel: [email protected], 202-895-6314 Ed invite you to join them in their home for
2239 Passover Seder one of their monthly Shabbat dinners.
For Adults in Their 20s and 30s
Friday, April 19, 7:00 pm at location to be announced Open to every WHC adult and limited to just 12
Can’t make it home for Passover this year? Join the 2239 com- people, discover commonalities you didn’t know
munity for a lively, young professionals seder to celebrate the existed, laugh, and feel really good that you made
Jewish story of redemption.
RSVP required ($): whctemple.org/2239 this evening the start of your weekend.
Valerie Bluestein: [email protected]
Learn more and sign up online: whctemple.org/ShapiroShabbat
Page 22 | WHC Journal – April 2019

In April …

WHC Programs & Events

Women’s Seder Special Worship Experiences

Sunday, April 14, 4:00 – 7:00 pm at JBSC Shirei Shabbat – For All Generations
Friday, April 26, 6:00 pm at Temple
Led by our cantors, Shirei Shabbat is a spiritual, musical, and
uplifting way to end the week. With upbeat tunes, some new
music, and more English, this “Shabbat of Songs” is certain to
engage and delight.
whctemple.org/Shabbat
Beth Donaldson: [email protected], 202-895-6309

Hosted by the Women of WHC 2239’s Metro Minyan
& the Women of Temple Beth Ami For Adults in Their 20s and 30s
RSVP: whctemple.org/WomenofWHC Friday, April 26, 6:15 pm
at First Congregational UCC in NW Washington, DC
This monthly Shabbat evening for young professionals starts
with “A Shot of Torah,” an opportunity to study the weekly
Torah portion and dive into a discussion. The guitar-led, come-
as-you-are service starts at 7:00 pm and is followed by dinner.
RSVP required for dinner only ($): whctemple.org/2239
Valerie Bluestein: [email protected]

Continued on page 24.

Special Worship Experiences

Pollin Music Shabbat: Nefesh Mountain
For All Generations
Friday, April 12, 6:00 pm at Temple
Eric Lindberg and Doni Zasloff are the pioneers of a new
blend of spiritual American music that blends bluegrass with
Jewish heritage and tradition. With songs in both English and
Hebrew, their soulful, euphoric, folk-flavored outpouring of
hope and joy is propelled by the kind of crisp, crystalline
picking that gives lyrics wings.
whctemple.org/Pollin
Beth Donaldson: [email protected], 202-895-6309

Passover Festival and Shabbat Service
A Worship Experience for All Generations
Saturday, April 20, 10:30 am at Temple
This Shabbat morning service, which falls during the Passover
holiday, will give us the opportunity to celebrate our Exodus
from Egypt as a community.
whctemple.org/Passover
Layne Weiss: [email protected], 202-895-6307

Passover Festival and Yizkor Service
A Worship Experience for All Generations
Friday, April 26, 10:30 am at Temple
This service concludes the Passover holiday and gives us
another opportunity to come together in prayer as we
remember those whose memories live on in our hearts.
whctemple.org/Passover
Layne Weiss: [email protected], 202-895-6307

WHC Journal – April 2019 | Page 23

In April …

WHC Programs & Events (continued from page 23)

Special Worship Experiences POST-PASSOVER

District Shabbat Morning for Tots PIZZA
For Families With Young Children PARTY
Saturday, April 27, 10:00 am
at St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church in Southwest DC with Couples Club
Come and spend Shabbat morning with us. Join our drum
circle, decorate your own challah cover, explore the light Sunday, April 28
table, and make new friends. We’ll celebrate Shabbat with 5:00 pm
story time and a tot-friendly service and cap it all off with a
family-friendly Kiddush lunch. At the home of
RSVP required (free): whctemple.org/DistrictShabbat Lani & Michael Inlander
Marsha Humphries: [email protected], 202-895-6303 (address available with RSVP)

Lifelong Learning $18 per couple or family
(kids welcome)
WHC Academy: Script 2: The Machzor
Mondays from April 1 – 29, 7:00 pm at Temple RSVP: whctemple.org/CouplesClub
This year, Washington Hebrew will be using the new Reform
machzor, Mishkan HaNefesh at our Rosh Hashanah and Yom Opportunities for Adults to Engage
Kippur services. Join us as we discover what these new pages
have to offer. We will dive into the most iconic prayers and Into the Kitchen at Sur La Table
discover how Reform High Holy Day prayer books have Sephardic Passover
changed over time. What do those changes say about the Wednesday, April 3, 6:30 pm at Sur La Table in North Bethesda
people who wrote them? What do those changes say about At this hands-on cooking class, you’ll learn how to bring
us, the people who currently engage with the text? Sephardic spice and new flavors to this year’s seder. The
RSVP required ($): whctemple.org/WHCAcademy menu includes braised lamb meatballs , Persian jeweled
Marsha Humphries: [email protected], 202-895-6303 rice, an herb salad with pomegranate-molasses vinaigrette,
Sephardic charoset, and almond cake with poached oranges.
Attorneys’ Study Group RSVP required ($): whctemple.org/Cooking
Wednesday, April 17, 7:00 pm in Washington, DC Richard Gordon: [email protected], 202-895-6337
Discover Jewish insights into the Anglo-American legal Centerpieces for the Women’s Seder
system with WHC’s study group for attorneys. The Attorneys’ Women of WHC Monthly Meeting and Program
Study Group will delve into topics such as the relationship Monday, April 8, 10:00 am at JBSC
between constitutional and Jewish law to shed light on the Join us to help create the beautiful centerpieces that will
role Jewish attorneys have played in establishing the rule of adorn the tables at the upcoming Women’s Seder. We’ll
law. provide the materials and instructions.
RSVP required ($): whctemple.org/Attorneys RSVP preferred (free): whctemple.org/WomenofWHC
Marsha Humphries: [email protected], 202-895-6303 Ellen Barth: [email protected]

Amram Scholar Series Presents:
“The Life and Legacy of Elie Wiesel”
With Nadine Epstein and Rabbi Ariel Burger
Sunday, April 28, 10:30 am at Temple
Nadine Epstein, editor-in-chief of Moment Magazine, and
Rabbi Ariel Burger come together to discuss the life and
legacy of Elie Wiesel. Wiesel, who co-founded Moment in
1975 as a place of conversation for America’s Jews, became
Nadine Epstein’s mentor when she took it over in 2004. Rabbi
Burger was just 15 when he first met Wiesel, and for decades
he studied and taught with him. As Wiesel’s former teaching
assistant, Burger gives us a front-row seat in the classroom of
the late Nobel laureate, activist, and author.
RSVP preferred (free): whctemple.org/Amram
Layne Weiss: [email protected], 202-895-6307

Page 24 | WHC Journal – April 2019

In April … Elie Wiesel (continued from page 8)

WHC Programs & Events understanding of the man and his enduring
influence.
Opportunities for Adults to Engage In addition to heading Moment Magazine, Ms.
Epstein established the Daniel Pearl Investigative
Shabbat at the Shapiros’ Journalism Initiative and is the founder and exec-
Good Food. Good People. Good Conversation utive director of the Center for Creative Change.
Friday, April 12, 7:00 pm at the Shapiros’ home An award-winning journalist, she has written for
Sign up to join a small group for an informal Shabbat dinner The New York Times, The Washington Post and
at the home of Washington Hebrew Congregation president other publications. She has co-written three books
Nell Shapiro and her husband, Ed. You know you have mem- and a documentary, which was shortlisted for an
bership at WHC in common. Discover what else connects Academy Award, and her artwork and photography
you, share what you find meaningful in Temple life, and have been featured in several exhibitions.
discuss what would make your WHC experience more ful- Ms. Epstein and Rabbi Burger come to the Amram
filling. Expect to find commonalities you didn’t know existed, Scholar Series in cooperation with the Jewish Book
laugh, and feel really good that you made this evening the Council.
start of your weekend.
RSVP required (free): whctemple.org/ShapiroShabbat
Richard Gordon: [email protected], 202-895-6337

Prime Timers’ Lunch and a Movie
Monday, April 15, 12:30 pm at Temple
Spend the afternoon at Temple enjoying lunch and a movie
with your fellow Prime Timers.
RSVP required ($): whctemple.org/PrimeTimers
Marsha Humphries: [email protected], 202-895-6303

Youth Shabbat at the Shapiros’

Post Confirmation Dinners
Sunday, April 14, 5:30 pm at location to be announced
Our Post Confirmation class will gather for dinner. Stay tuned
for more details to come.
RSVP required (free): whctemple.org/PostConfirmation
Ira Miller: [email protected], 301-354-3209
NFTY-MAR Spring Kallah
Thursday, April 25 – Sunday, April 28 in Kunkletown, PA
NFTY-MAR’s final event of the year is a chance to say
farewell to the senior class, elect new leadership and spend
some time reflecting on the year that is ending and looking
ahead to the future. Join us at URJ Camp Harlam for an unfor-
gettable weekend of memories.
RSVP required ($): whctemple.org/WHECTY
Ira Miller: [email protected], 301-354-3209

Saturday, May 11, 5:30 pm

at Nell & Ed Shapiros’ home

An evening of food, fun (ping pong, a trampoline,
basketball) and friends hosted by WHC President

Nell Shapiro and her husband, Ed

RSVP:
whctemple.org/ShapiroShabbat

WHC Journal – April 2019 | Page 25

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Inside this issue:

PassoverPreparing for

All you need to know

Hint: it’s more than matzah!