‌
IN THIS ISSUE

  • Choral Shabbat
  • Great Names Lecture Series
  • NCCF: Community Day
  • In Case You Missed It: Selichot
  • Updates
  • Book Club
  • Chesed Committee
  • Social Action: DIN
  • Perspectives
  • Nachas Notes
  • Meet A Member
October 2018 Newsletter
Rabbi Elhanan ‘Sunny’ Schnitzer
Tishrei--Chesvan 5779
 
CLICK for the Complete BJC October Events Calendar
Kriat HaRav—The Rabbi’s Call
Rabbi Elhanan “Sunny” Schnitzer

The synagogue was packed to the rafters. The whole town had gathered as one for the annual Simchat Torah celebration. Only moments to go, and the stirring sounds of the ancient Atah Hareita prayer would ring forth throughout the synagogue. People looked at each other in nervous anticipation; from among all those assembled, who would be chosen to lead the community in prayer?

Years before he had won worldwide fame as the rabbi of Berditchev, the young Rabbi Levi Yitzchak was widely respected for his erudition and unique path to spirituality. He was treasured for his dedication to others and his commitment to Godliness.

The townsfolk, as proof of their regard, selected him to recite the Atah Hareita prayer leading off the Simchat Torah service.

Levi Yitzchak approached the central podium in a state of constrained ecstasy and picked up the tallit (prayer shawl) preparatory to commencing the ritual. However, to the bemusement of the assembled crowd, he paused for a moment of contemplation, and then placed the tallit back in its place.

After a short while, he again picked up the prayer shawl, only to once again replace it on the lectern.

When he picked up the tallit for the third time, an uneasy murmur filled the synagogue. The young rabbi seemed to be fighting a silent battle with an unseen opponent. Finally, in a dramatic denouement, Levi Yitzchak placed the tallit firmly back in its place, and announced: “If you’re a chassid and a scholar, then you lead the prayers!” and stalked back to his seat near the side wall of the synagogue.

When asked for a justification of his unusual behavior, Levi Yitzchak explained that as he had approached the podium, he had suddenly realized that he was not alone; his yetzer hara (evil inclination) wished to accompany him in prayer.

“You don’t belong here,” he challenged the tempter. “I have been selected to represent the community because I am a scholar. What legitimacy do you have?”

“If you are a scholar, then I’m a scholar too,” the evil one replied. “Wherever you studied, whichever yeshivahs you attended, I was right there with you.”

“But I am a chassid ,” Levi Yitzchak counterclaimed. “I have just returned from the rebbe’s court, where I learned to pray as a Jew should and devote myself to Godliness.”

“I, too, am a chassid . When you traveled to the rebbe , I accompanied you. When you were initiated in the ways of faith, I came along for the ride. I have every right to join you in prayer tonight and keep you company under that tallit .”

“I could not win,” Levi Yitzchak confessed. “He was right. I admitted to myself that I had been living a lie. He and I were partners in crime. The ties that bound me to evil were as strong as they were when I first began my journey of faith. I was almost ready to concede in despair, when I was seized by one last inspiration. With my remaining strength, I turned on my tormentor and cried, ‘If you are a chassid and a scholar as you claim, then you lead the prayers, and leave me out of your foul plots,’ and I ran from the stage.”

What does this all mean?

I would suggest that Rabbi Levi Yitzchak was making a fundamental argument about our attempts at self-improvement.

We go through the motions, we try to change ourselves for the better, yet how many can claim to have truly reformed? The sad reality is that we bring all our character flaws and baggage along with us on our journey throughout our lives.

Each year we think about attempting to change ourselves for the better, yet how many can claim success?

Rosh HaShanah has come and gone; Yom Kippur is now a memory. We gathered in synagogues and hopefully reflected on the state of our lives. We promised to change, but two weeks into the New Year we should stop to ask, are we still thinking about the pledges we made to ourselves? Are we taking steps to make it happen?

Simchat Torah expresses our hope that our High Holy Day thoughts and prayers were not in vain. Simchat Torah is our chance for passion and purpose. We may have spent the hours of Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur praying, but are we sure that our inclination towards evil wasn’t with us all along, under the tallit ?

On Simchat Torah we open up our hearts. We dance with joy till we drop, and allow the spirit of the day to permeate our souls.

Rabbi Sunny Schnitzer
From the President—Shoshanah Drake
Thank You
I hear the phrase, “It takes a village” frequently in my life and often think it is overused, however, I would like to change it slightly to “It took a community” and it did. Starting with Selichot and continuing through the entire holiday season, our BJC community came together to make everything happen, and now it is time to say THANK YOU!

There is no place I would rather be than BJC for the holidays. It is such a special time of year and it doesn’t happen alone. Many people give their time and effort to have each task tended to no matter how big or small. There are people who helped set up the Selichot reception, who sang at the lovely concert, who helped with parking, ushering, singing in the choir, participating in the service, being a part of the children’s service, collecting food for Manna, sending out mailings, putting out the name buttons, building the sukkah, creating the Book of Remembrance, the list can go on and on. 

I will not list everyone’s name here, as I would surely miss one, but I do want to say for all of you who helped, this would not have happened without you! I do want to thank Jim Korelitz , our High Holy Day chairperson and Warren Farb, our past high holiday chairperson for organizing our community to make it happen. Rabbi Sunny , Diana, and Mindy , thank you for all that you do every day for BJC. 

And to OUR COMMUNITY, please don’t stop now! The Rabbi gave us a call to engagement and relationship building at the Yom Kippur service, and I am asking you to respond. It will continue to take a community to keep BJC strong. Start by building one new relationship. Answer a call from a member trying to build community or respond to an email. Introduce yourself to someone you don’t know each time you are at BJC. Continue to work to make BJC YOUR community and a home filled with friendship and joy. I look forward to growing our community with you.
From the Director of Congressional Education—Mindy Silverstein
Creating an Environment Where We Can Grow Jewishly


When my reminder shows up to write a monthly note for this space, I ask myself, “What can I share that is authentic, but not preachy. Something that can be personal, but something that others can relate to. What insight can I share that will help others?”

Looking for inspiration, I surf the internet to see what my Jewish education colleagues write about. Often, it’s just a list of accomplishments. Instead, I want share something that touches upon the philosophy and values that we, the teaching staff of BJC, want to convey to your children, and by extension--our children.

To fulfill that desire:
1. We are working on building klal (community) within the school by sharing school-wide Shabbat at the same time in the same space for all the students. We also have school-wide activities where we are all together doing a project.

2. As Shakespeare once queried, what’s in a name? I think plenty as it demonstrates that if we know each other’s name, we value that person. Again, we all are working on learning each other’s names.  

3. Not only do words matter, but so does attitude. We are exploring the value kavanah (which is not the name of the Supreme Court nominee as one of our students suggested), but rather it is the intent in which we approach prayer and other aspects of our day.

4. In the Talmud, Rabbi Chanina remarked, “I have learned much from my teachers, more from my colleagues, and the most from my students” (Ta’anis 7a). We want our teaching to encourage a person to ask him or herself basic questions, so they can clarify concepts and principles for themselves.

All in all, we want to create an environment that is academically challenging and relevant…one where respect and honor is cherished and one in which all of us feel that we are growing Jewishly.


There is still time to explore the BJC Religious School. Come visit us on a Saturday morning. All we ask is that you contact us no later than the Thursday before you'd like to visit.
   
Rabbi's Message
Please be in touch with me in times of joy, sadness, or illness in your life or in the lives of a loved one or another member of the congregation. This is particularly necessary now that HIPAA regulations have made getting information from hospitals extremely difficult. I greatly appreciate your help keeping me informed of the health needs of our congregation. Please call: 301-469-8636 #3.
A Unique Volunteer Opportunity

Our Synagogue Administrator Diana Abadi needs to return to her home country of Colombia for a few weeks starting October 18. Can you donate some time to help in the BJC office? No experience necessary. Diana will match your skills to the tasks we have. We can use your help. Please get in touch with Diana at 301-496-8636 x 2 or admin@bethesdajewish.org.  
EVENTS

Click for the complete BJC October Events Calendar
BJC Choral Shabbat
Friday, October 12, 8 PM
Our BJC Choir inspires us every year at the High Holy Days with their music and devotion. Why make it only a once a year encounter?

Join us for another evening of worship led by our sweet singers of Israel under the leadership of Shoshanah Drake , Karen Levy , and Joan Wolf .

Great Names Community Lecture Series
FairVote Founder and CEO Rob Richie
Sunday, October 14, 3 PM
With interference in our 2016 elections well-documented and mid-term elections coming up soon, there has never been a more important time to ensure fairness in our elections. Rob Richie is the champion of helping to do just that. As Founder and CEO of FairVote, a nonpartisan organization devoted to giving voters a stronger voice in our elections, Richie sounds the clarion call of representational democracy through appearances on the Op-Ed pages of the New York Times and Washington Post , in radio and television appearances, and in 9 books.

FairVote  is known for advocating and advancing election reforms that increase voter turnout, promote accountable governance, and strengthen fair representation. Among the positions advocated are the National Popular Vote initiative, ranked choice voting, a lower voting age, and instant runoff voting.
The event is open to the community and free of charge. RSVP is preferred. Call 301-469-8636 or email admin@bethesdajewish.org

SNEAK PEEK : On November 18, Gene Weingarten , columnist at the Washington Post , will be our Great Names speaker.
NCCF Community Day
Sunday, October 21, Noon-3 PM

The National Center for Children and Families (NCCF) provides shelter, food, clothing, and counselling for homeless families in our community and works to create total, healthy living environments and to improve the quality of their lives.

This shelter is in our backyard. Each year BJC joins the community to help spruce up the Center by tackling a range of chores on the nearby NCCF campus, particularly landscaping, sorting, painting, etc. and to work and play side-by-side with the residents. Please join us on Sunday, October 21 for our annual social action event – Community Day! Click here for all of the details of this great community activity.  This event is open to all ages, -- a great opportunity for families to work together.

Also, we’ll be looking for volunteers to help NCCF with its Harvest Fall Fest on October 29th from 6-9 PM . 
 
Questions about NCCF and volunteering – please get in touch with Amy Shapiro at amyshapiro4501@gmail.com
Book Club
Wednesday, October 24, 8 PM

The BJC Open Book Club meets in the Lounge at 8 PM usually on the 4th Wednesday of every month. Anyone is welcome to join or just drop in for a particular book discussion. For more information, please contact Evelyn Ganzglass eganzglass@gmail.com .

The following are upcoming selections:
October 24- - Sisters in Law: How Sandra Day O'Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg Went to the Supreme Court and Changed the World by Linda Hirschman. The book is a dual biography, as well as a history of the legal fights to achieve women's equality.
Look Ahead: November 2 8-- A House for Mr. Biswas by V. S. Naipaul, significant as Naipaul's first work to achieve acclaim worldwide, is the story of Mohun Biswas, an Indo-Trinidadian who continually strives for success and mostly fails, who marries into the Tulsi family only to find himself dominated by it, and who finally sets the goal of owning his own house.
In Case You Missed It
Selichot Concert: A Stupendous Selichot Session of Song

By Harri j. Kramer

“The Kosher Hams” outdid themselves in a concert, “Love and Longing,” before our Selichot service on September 1. The crowd roared with its approval, giving a standing ovation to Joan Wolf , Leah Chiaverini , Rabbi Schnitzer , and Karen Levy on piano. We were moved to laughter and tears as the trio sang together, in various duet combinations, and in soaring solos, as well as delighting us with their repartee and sharing the backstory of many of the popular standards they sang. Had you been there, you would have heard some great stories about the Rabbi’s early Broadway-ish career.

Covenant Hall and The Gathering Space were adorned with candles, giving our spaces a mood-setting aura. We were enthralled with classics from Pippin (“Corner of the Sky”), Les Miz (“I Dreamed a Dream”), Wicked (“For Good”), and Hair (“Easy to Be Hard”), Fiddler (“Sunrise/Sunset”) as well as many hits from bygone eras, such as “Cry Me a River” and “I Got You Under My Skin.” Joan and Leah—the incomparable mother/daughter duo—took on the classic Judy Garland/Barbara Streisand “Happy Days are Here Again/Get Happy” and simply wowed us all.

After the concert, we had a magnificent dessert buffet produced by Judy Folsom . So many delicious sweets and wines and other scrumptious nibbles. Of course, there was coffee to keep the crowd going as we went into a beautiful Selichot service that per tradition ends just after midnight.
Update: The Manna Food Drive

Thanks to you, we donated almost 2,200 pounds of food to MANNA as a result of our High Holy Days drive. Our religious school students did a magnificent job of getting the truck loaded the next Saturday.  
Perspectives
What Do I Call This Place I Love?
By Karen Levi

I grasp for a name that properly describes our gathering of people and the space within a church that is important in my life. Growing up, I said I was going “to temple,” but then I attended a huge sanctuary that looked like “a temple.” And I felt that the word distinguished me as different from those who went to church. Now, “temple” sounds more Buddhist or Mormon than Jewish. The use of “temple” in the United States began when assimilated American Jews, in the 19th century, began to believe that the ancient temple of Jerusalem and a Messiah to deliver them there had become irrelevant beliefs. 
         
When telling people, I heard a speaker at my______? Synagogue? Synagogue means “come” and “together.” The definition does fit—a place for worship and small rooms for study. However, the synagogue connotes a sizable house of worship.
         
Many Jews say, “Shul.” Most Ashkenazi Jews grew up hearing Yiddish. But, my ancestors were German, so I never listened to Yiddish in the home. “Shul” sounds archaic to my ears.
         
I could say, “my congregation,” but again, the noun is so grandiose and impersonal. For now, the initials BJC remain my name for our friendship and community and music and for our gathering and alliance and purpose, for the comfort I feel when I walk in the doors.
         
People will say, “What is that you say, BJC?”

And I will respond, “Oh, another D.C. acronym, but a gem of a destination, don’t you know—Bethesda Jewish Congregation.”
COMMITTEE NEWS

The Chesed Society

By Lorrie Van Akkeren

Did you know that your BJC Chesed Society will do our best to:
  • Assist the Rabbi when it comes to the good and welfare of the BJC membership?
  • Provide rides to BJC programs and services if circumstances prevent you from getting there on your own?
  •  Provide rides for medical appointments and errands in the community if circumstances prevent you from doing so on your own?
  •  Provide meals if you are temporarily incapacitated?
  •  In addition to the Rabbi will provide moral support when times are tough?
  •  Help with Shiva arrangements?
  •  Let you know that the BJC community wishes you the best on special occasions?

We do all of the above and anything else you can think of because we are your "village."

We really need more volunteers--especially in Virginia. We have no Chesed Society members in Virginia and so are limited in our ability to do our best for that segment of the BJC membership. Also, we had a very busy month in August. When more people are members of our society, in theory at least, no one need feel overburdened when the busy times occur. The personal satisfaction of "being there" for others is tremendous! It is Tikkun Olam .

Please get in touch with me (301-946-0275, dachsielover@verizon.net ) whenever you can use our help and/or if you can be a member of the BJC Chesed Society.  
Social Action Wants You to Know: Darfu Interfaith Network

by Marty Ganglass



The Darfur Interfaith Network (DIN) is an organization of DC Metropolitan Area churches and synagogues (BJC and BHPC included) that seeks to publicize and educate people about current genocides and crimes of mass atrocities.

For the past several years, DIN has held an annual walk on the Mall, co-sponsored by Jewish World Watch, to end genocide. Rabbi Sunny led the last one in 2017. The walk raised money to support digging a well and supplying a school in South Sudan. DIN has held monthly vigils outside of the Sudanese Embassy.

Although we retain Darfur in our name, we have publicized the genocide of the Rohingya and the ethnic cleansing in Central African Republic and the Congo.

DIN is sponsoring the screening of a documentary, "Heart of Nuba," at the National Cathedral on October 20 . There will be a prelude by special musical guest Katrina Carlson and friends. Following film, there will be a brief Q&A session with Director Ken Carlson.

Feel free to come early to meet DIN Network members and collaborators. Light refreshments will be served. Doors open at 6:30 PM; the film begins at 7:00 PM.

To register, click here.

For more information on the film, click on the film title The Heart of Nuba.
Nachas Notes
Editor’s Note: Here’s a spot to kvell with your BJC community. Let us know what you’re celebrating. An engagement? A new baby? Grandbaby? Got into that great college? A new job? Send your good news to: hjk.obx@verizon.net

  • Mazel Tov to Norma and Ed Stern, who celebrated their 50th anniversary on September 15th.

  • Mazel Tov to Annie Cifarelli, who was surprised by her family with a party on September 9th in honor of her 60th birthday.

  •  Mazel Tov to Michelle and Jim Goldstein, who welcomed their first grandchild Calvin Goldstein, son of Emily Gelmann and Matthew Goldstein, on August 10, 2018. 
Meet a Member: Howard Berkof
By Howard Berkof
Tell us a little about your professional background.
I graduated from Penn State with a Mechanical Engineering degree in 2000. I embarked on a 5-year technical sales career with Ingersoll-Rand, living in a number of cities across the country. I met Lauren in the summer of 2006 while studying for an MBA from Harvard Business School. Upon graduation in 2007, we got engaged and moved to Maryland. Soon after, I started my career with the Navy in the world of unmanned maritime systems acquisition. I've been working for the Navy for nearly 11 years, and have ascended to the position of Deputy Program Manager for Unmanned Maritime Systems Program Office, with a growing portfolio of programs and personnel. My job is to deliver highly capable systems to the Fleet that will keep our brave men and women Sailors out of harm's way. It is deeply meaningful work, and I am lucky to work with some of the best and brightest professionals around.

Tell us about your family.
Charlotte graduated from pre-school this past summer and recently started Kindergarten at the Bullis School, which is also where Lauren teaches Engineering and Robotics. Lauren and I recently celebrated our 10th Anniversary this summer by enjoying a short getaway in Wisconsin. 

How did you find BJC?
For much of a decade following college, I bounced around the country every couple of years. I never found much in the way of a spiritual home, and it is hard to land roots when moving so frequently. I arrived in the DC area for good in mid-2007 with my lovely bride, Lauren. I didn't seek out much Judaism, mostly limited to the obligatory High Holy Days, where I found free Chabad services at 6th and I. They didn't resonate with me. One year, just before the High Holy Days, Lauren was searching through a list of synagogues in the area with descriptions about each. One description in particular stood out—BJC, a liberal-leaning congregation welcoming to interfaith families. We showed up for a new member recruitment event and immediately met dozens of very friendly people and families who shared similar values. 

We attended High Holy Days services and were so touched by the Rabbi, Choir, and entire congregation, the rest is history! BJC has truly been a wonderful home for us, and we've made so many great friends. Our daughter Charlotte was born in December 2012 ,and Rabbi Sunny led an inspiring baby naming service. Now she is an energetic, smart, and friendly 5 1/2 year old that always loves participating in BJC events. Charlotte can always be seen dancing, singing, or snacking around BJC events.

Why are involved with BJC?
I serve on the Board to give back to the community that has given so much to me and my family. BJC is an amazing community, filled with warm, passionate people who share a common vision for making our world a better, safer place—something I think about every day while raising a young daughter. I have learned quite a bit about how BJC operates and look forward to continuing service with BJC, specifically enabling growth of the community with new families who will bring their children to BJC for Jewish education and be a part of this wonderful spiritual home. 

What else should we know about you?
As many people know (I'm not shy), I was born and raised in suburban Philadelphia and am a rabid Philly sports fan. This past year was magical. Within one week, the Eagles won their first ever Super Bowl; I personally celebrated with my brother, several colleague friends (we road tripped from MD), and 2 million of my Philly neighbors in a memorable Super Bowl parade; and I celebrated my 40th birthday with my closest friends during an incredible Philly sports themed party Lauren organized for me.
Yahrzeits
October 2018

Morris Arovas, father of Edward Arovas
Freda Corman Blumenthal, mother of Diane Blumenthal
Leonard Busman, father of Bruce Busman
Jay Cantor, father of Barry Cantor
Bessie Cohen, grandmother of Donna Goldberg
Evelyn Dwork, mother of Barry Dwork
Fanny Dwork, grandmother of Barry Dwork
Alvin Fensterheim, father of Bob Fensterheim
Molly Friedman, mother of Hannah Friedman Elson
Pepi Harnden, mother of Sandra Medlin
Cliff Hecht, husband of Joanie Schnitzer
Doreen Kahn, mother of Ralph Kahn
Vivian Levitas Kramer, grandmother of Harri Kramer
Ethel Levine, mother of Leslie Levine
Katherine O’Brien, sister of Tim O’Brien & sister-in-law of Lisa Farinholt-O’Brien
James Posner, father of Ted Posner
Bruce Scott, brother of David Scott
Myron Silbert, uncle of Earl Silbert
Julius Spiro, father of Dan Spiro
Matthew Tarker, father of Lisa Tarker & father-in-law of Eliot Sternfeld
Howard Trussel, father of Joy Gold
Peter Van Berg, brother of Bill Van Berg
Henry P. Wolf, father of Joan Wolf
Florence Wolpert, mother of Ira Wolpert
Thank You

The following list recognizes those donations made through September 25, 2018.

Lorrie van Akkeren, donation of a computer for the religious school

To the General Fund

Margaret & Burt Bachrach, in memory of Larry Bardack, Mindy Silverstein's father
Diane Blumenthal & Craig Winslow, in memory of Freda Corman
Susan Butler, in honor of Joan Wolf
Maran & Fritz Gluckstein, in memory of Larry Bardack, Mindy Silverstein's father 
Susan Otoole, in memory of Leonore Levy
Susan Otoole, for the speedy recovery of Gale Ann McPhail
The Resti Family, in honor of Shoshana Drake 
Carol Ann Rudolph, in memory of Vanessa Mallory Kotz
Sandra Walter, in memory of loved ones

Herb Chabot
Barbara Kotz
Mitch Kraus
David Laufer
Leslie Straus
Marlene Zakai

To the Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund

Wynne & Bruce Busman, in memory of Vanessa Mallory Kotz and in memory of Larry Bardack, Mindy Silverstein's father Mindy’s father
Harri Kramer & Russ Hogya, in memory of Vanessa Mallory Kotz
Susan Otoole, in memory of Diane Schnitzer
Sandra Walter, in memory of Vanessa Mallory Kotz
A Special Thank You
All who “rounded up” their Synagogue Support payments
All who continuously donate their time to volunteer at BJC , particularly to everyone who contributed to making our High Holy Days special. 
Board of Trustees

President Shoshanah Drake
Vice-President Sandra Walter
Treasurer Lance Pelter
Secretary Lorrie Van Akkeren

Trustees
Howard Berkof 
Helen Dalton
Jason Engel
Alan Grunes
Ted Posner
David Slacter
Committee Chairs
Communication Helen Dalton
Financial Advisor [An Opportunity!]
High Holy Days Jim Korelitz
Student Representative Sammy Peterson Intercongregational Partnership Liaison
Marty Ganzglass
Membership Joan Wolf
Past President Rachel Mosher-Williams
Programs Ruth Magin
Social Action Harri j. Kramer

BJC Administration
Spiritual Leader Rabbi Sunny Schnitzer
Director of Education Mindy Silverstein
Synagogue Administrator Diana Abadi

BJC News
Interim Newsletter Editor Harri j. Kramer hjk.obx@verizon.net

Bethesda Jewish Congregation
6601 Bradley Boulevard
Bethesda, MD 20817-3042
Tel: 301-469-8636

‌