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IN THIS ISSUE
  • Heads Up: A Special Shabbat on February 1
  • Book Club
  • ICYMI: Gun Violence Prevention Shabbat
  • ICYMI: Hanukkah Happenings!
  • Social Action: Show You Care
  • Social Action: Friends Club
  • Food for Thought
  • Food to Eat
  • Meet A Member
January 2020 Newsletter
Rabbi Elhanan ‘Sunny’ Schnitzer
Tevet/Sh'at  5780

CLICK for the Complete BJC January Events Calendar
Kriat HaRav—The Rabbi’s Call
Rabbi Elhanan “Sunny” Schnitzer
To Whom are We Loyal?
 
The Joseph saga, which continues in our Torah until mid-January, comes at a most opportune time for those of us who live in the United States. We have a president who has repeatedly told us that we American Jews are not loyal enough to Israel. A president who signs an Executive Order that seems positive in its protections against anti-Semitism, but highlights this idea that all American Jews are somehow “different,” and our first loyalty should be to the nation of Israel, regardless of our country of citizenship. It is a backhanded accusation that Jews cannot be trusted to be loyal Americans. We are perennial outsiders.
 
It is an accusation that harks back to the beginning of our history as illustrated in the story of Joseph, as well as the opening verses of Sefer Shemot (The Book of Exodus), where Pharaoh says: “The Israelite people are more numerous and more powerful than we. Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, or they will increase and, in the event of war, join our enemies and fight against us.…”
 
According to some historians, Joseph was the first in a line of Jews (including Samuel Hanagid of 11th century Spain, Benjamin Disraeli, Felix Frankfurter, and most recently Henry Kissinger) who rose to positions of power in the non-Jewish political world. Current innuendo of Jews disloyalty to their countries of residence to the contrary, they rarely used their position to benefit their people of origin. Their primary allegiance was to the country where they rose to a position of power.
 
That historical fact does not deter our accusers.
 
In Joseph saga, the brothers not recognizing Joseph is an indication of the ambiguity of Joseph’s identity—is he really one of them, or of the alien country in which he made his home?
 
The story of the patriarchs and matriarchs in the book of Bereisheet (Genesis)—culminating in the story of Joseph and his brothers—plays out in a world in which the tribe of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob dwells amid other nations and ethnic groups. This is also the paradigm in which Jews have lived for well over two millennia
 
American Jews should find this easily relatable.
 
I have a fair knowledge of history, and I can think of few, if any, examples of a Jew subverting his country of residence because of loyalty to the nation of Israel. Yet, today there is ample evidence that leaders of other nations and faiths, believe that this is what Jews do. It is another anti-Semitic lie just as dangerous as the Protocols of the Elders of Zion or the Blood Libel.
 
We have just completed the Festival of Hanukkah. The Hanukkah story, like the story of Joseph, like the Jewish-American experience, is about choices that Jews have to make when faced with the temptations of an attractive, materially rich culture with different values and its own standards of success.
 
The Hellenistic Jews in the Hanukkah story appreciate and embrace the beauty of Greek art, architecture, and the physical prowess of athletes. Mattathias a former Priest of the Temple, preaches that assimilation into the larger culture is a threat that must be met with violent resistance.
 
The dark side of the Hanukkah narrative also makes the statement that a “real Jew” cannot live in two cultures. He must choose a side, and that side must be the nation of Israel —and a pure form of it too. I was shaken, as an undergraduate studying Ancient Near Eastern history, to realize that the Maccabees were intolerant zealots... intolerant of Jews who enjoyed the Hellenistic culture. The Hasmonean wars were civil wars as much as they were wars against foreign occupation.
 
While it is fair game for Jews to debate identity questions with other Jews, it is not OK for non-Jews to dictate the parameters of Jewish identity. That is what anti-Semites have always done. Forced into usury in Medieval Europe, Jews were depicted as greedy money grubbers. Ghettoized and forced into poverty, Jews were depicted as dirty and backward. And when successful in 19th and 20th century Western culture, Jews are depicted as international conspirators whose goal is to undermine and control the world.
 
The only defense to such accusations is a stronger offense.
 
American Jewish organizations, even Zionist organizations, must push back against the dual loyalty narrative. It is a lie to say that one cannot be loyal to more than one nation.
 
Joseph simultaneously protected the nation of Egypt and the Children of Jacob from famine and insured the survival of all. The most important lesson from the Joseph saga for us today is to remember that the false accusations by our enemies, such as Potiphar’s wife, will be overcome by persistent and deeper engagement with the societies and nations in which we live.

Rabbi Sunny Schnitzer
From the Director of Congregational Education— Rabbi Jennifer Weiner
Shalom from Israel!
If you are reading this article before January 12 th , I am in Israel as part of the Executive Masters Program of Jewish Education at Hebrew Union College. Students of the program travel to Israel once during the two-year program. While in Israel, we visit many different schools to learn various methods of incorporating Judaics and Israel studies into our schools back in North America.
 
The first time I traveled to Israel, I turned 16 years old the day we visited the Kotel , the Western Wall. Ten of us traveled from Atlanta, GA to Yehud, which is right outside of Lod and Tel Aviv. We lived with families and worked in the Katrina, the day camp. We also toured all over Israel. The program lasted for six weeks.
 
Since that program, I have lived in and visited Israel many times.
 
This program is very different. This experience’s objective is to learn about curriculum we can bring back to our schools. We will also be immersed in different pedagogical methods of teaching. For 10 days, we will be based out of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem and take day trips all over the country.
 
I cannot wait to share everything I will with all of you! Until then, the BJC Youth Program will still be meeting, and Malka will be there as my sub.
 
Shabbat Shalom and Hag Urim Sameach (Happy Hanukkah) from Israel!
President's Column—Sandra Walter
Seeing Ourselves and BJC with 20/20 Vision in 2020
I’m starting the new year with a new look—as you can see from my new photo. For the last 18 months, I’ve been looking in the mirror watching my authentic outer-self emerge—one hair at a time. Since I was in my mid-30s, I have been covering up the gray hair first found by my dad’s barber when I was a kid. Two years ago, I decided I’d had enough—it was time to embrace my silver-haired self and let my natural color shine through.  
 
Such a transformation is front and center when you look in the mirror each morning. And, it leads to questioning the decision, with a balance of patience in awaiting the outcome and actively managing the process to be your best self each day during that time. Perhaps some of you can relate to this journey of acceptance and re-visioning one’s self, aligning reality of aging with abundance of enthusiasm for life and opportunities ahead? 
 
Synagogues nationwide are facing similar journeys—re-visioning themselves for who they will be in the 2020s to shine through the next decade with an abundant spirit and self. Synagogue memberships are “graying.” Families are not joining in the same numbers as they did generations ago. Shuls face competition across the generations for people’s time and attention that goes to workday commutes, big city social offerings, extra-curricular activities, and families that live miles apart. 
 
BJC is no different—we have a small and dedicated core membership, and amazing corps of dedicated volunteers. We are thrilled to welcome renewal of long-time members as well as new members from across the generations—families with young children, professionals recently relocated, and retirees looking for a new community that meets their needs. At the heart of BJC, is the time we get to know each other when we gather—to be there for each other through simcha and sorrow, to work arm-in-arm to overcome against injustices, and to raise our voices in collective song and the strength of our values that gives meaning and direction to our lives.
 
During 2020, your synagogue leadership will be looking through a 20/20 lens at the strategic direction BJC needs to take to ensure that our community thrives for us all throughout the stages of our personal and collective Jewish journeys. I look forward to keeping you updated and getting you involved; for now, be patient, have confidence, and keep participating in the life and soul of our community. Together we are, I’m proud to say, BJC. (Which I recently told the kids in our religious school means— B eing J ewish is C ool!)
 
Wishing each of you the power of new adventures, memorable journeys, and authentic reflections in 2020.
From the BJC Administrator—Hal Bordy
BJC is well on our way to making the final changeover to the new ShulCloud system. In preparation and with the goal of making our membership system as accurate and comprehensive I can, I am in the process of reviewing each membership account. Starting with the January yahrzeits , I have begun to use the new system. In comparison to the previous yahrzeit lists, the new one seems much more accurate and complete. This is just a beginning. We hope to add birthday and anniversary dates so that we can recognize more special occasions in the BJC Newsletter and BJC Now.

A questionnaire will be going out to congregants in the near future where you will be asked to complete your yahrzeit list with accurate dates so that they can be compared to what we have in ShulCloud and make any adjustments as necessary. In the meantime, if you would like to submit your yahrzeit list now by sending them to me at admin@bethesdajewish.org , I will check and correct your records now for accuracy.
 
On another note, I would like to encourage members to appreciate the financial implications of not registering for events by deadlines. When events like the Interfaith Thanksgiving Brunch and Hanukkah Happening have catered meals, not knowing how many are coming often causes over-ordering. BJC operates on a very responsible and tight budget; when we have to guess how much to order and then over-order, we are wasting funds on extra food. Please make your decision to register on a timely basis so that the right order can be placed.
 
It is great to be part of a vibrant and vital congregation that promotes community, dialogue, and common spirituality in a campus that brings the three monotheistic communities together. It has been my pleasure to gradually get to know many of you over the last four months and the warm welcome that my wife, Cheryl and I have received.
 
With best wishes for 2020 and B’Shalom .  
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.
EVENTS

Click for the complete BJC January Calendar
Early Friday Night Shabbat Service begins January 24
continues on the Fourth Friday of Every Month, 6:00 - 7:45 PM
Join us for a nosh and a little ruach to enhance your Friday evening.
 
Our Shabbat “pre-Neg” features hors d’oeuvres, veggies, and dips from 6-6:30 PM. An intimate Shabbat service follows and finishes at 7:45 with kiddush . No after service Oneg Shabbat , and you will be home in time for dinner.
 
Join us on your way home from work and start your weekend off with high spirits.
 
PLEASE TAKE NOTE: THIS WILL BE THE ONLY SHABBAT SERVICE ON THE 4TH FRIDAY OF THE MONTH.

This will be the first opportunity to donate urgently needed items for Stepping Stones, an organization BJC supports. See the Social Action Committee article below for more information. The list of needed items is also available here . 
A Very Special Shabbat: Saturday, February 1
Immerse Yourself in a Contemplative Shabbat
Join Rabbi Jeff Roth , Klia Bassing , Rabbi Mark Novak , and Rabbi Sunny for a contemplative Shabbat of chant, Torah, silence, and mindful play. Spiritual practice can help guide us into alignment with the Divine nature of Unfolding Being, fostering a sense of direct experience of Divine Presence. The practice helps cultivate the wholesome mind states of gratitude, joy, and clarity—the fruits of Shabbat practice.
 
9:30 AM                Sit with Rabbi Jeff
10 AM-12:30 PM     Contemplative Shabbat Morning Service and Mindful Play (Please Arrive Promptly)
12:30-1:30 PM       Vegetarian Potluck Lunch, please bring a dish to share.
Instructions for eating meditation will guide us into a partially silent lunch period.

1:30-4:30 PM          The Afternoon Session will introduce a number of meditation practices accompanied by times of silence, teachings on the goals and context for contemplation in Judaism, and question and discussion periods.
 
THIS IS A FREE EVENT, BUT RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED FOR LUNCH AND THE AFTERNOON TEACHING. Make your reservation here.
 
This event is free, but supporting donations are gratefully accepted through Minyan Oneg Shabbat website . 
Rabbi Jeff Roth is the founder and Director of The Awakened Heart Project for Contemplative Judaism. He was the co-founder of Elat Chayyim, where he served as Executive Director and Spiritual Director for 13 years. He has facilitated over 100 Jewish meditation retreats. Jeff is the author of Jewish Meditation Practices for Everyday Life, Me, Myself, and God , available through Jewish Lights Publishing.
Chant Circle
Saturday, January 11 at 4:30 PM
Chant is an ancient form of meditation that can open the doors of perception.

Repetition of a sacred phrase can clear the mind of clutter, and connect us to each other and the divine.
 
Join chant leader, Rebbetzin Yaffah Schnitzer , for a program designed to reach and strengthen your spiritual core. Experience the power and potential of this pathway to soul healing. No prior knowledge of singing, chanting, or Hebrew language is necessary
Please bring a mat or pillow, for your comfort, if you like. RSVP to: Yaffah18@aol.com
Book Club
Wednesday, January 22 and February 26, 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    

January 22: The Source of Self-Regard, Selected Essays, Speeches and Meditations by Nobel Prize laureate Toni Morrison contains a rich gathering of her writing on society, culture, and art, spanning four decades.  

February 26 : News of the World by National Book Award Finalist, Paulette Jiles is an exquisitely rendered and morally complex work of historical fiction that explores the boundaries of family, responsibility, honor, and trust. It is set in the unsettled Texas territory in the 1870’s and focuses on the bond between a solitary widower and young orphan.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Gun Violence Prevention Shabbat
By Barbara Faigin

In remembrance of the victims of gun violence in Newtown, Connecticut on December 14, 2012, the middle weekend in December has been designated National Gun Violence Prevention sabbath weekend. Clergy and congregants in synagogues, churches, mosques and other houses of worship across the nation remember the victims of gun violence on this weekend each year.   
 
Often when people think of gun violence, we think of the mass gun shootings that have taken place in locations like Columbine, Pittsburgh, Newtown, and the list goes on, but what many do not think about is the daily gun violence that happens in our local communities and communities all around our country. 
 
Our Friday night service on December 13 focused attention on the daily toll of gun violence in our community when our speaker, Ryane Nickens founder and president of the TraRon Center in DC, related the tragic losses of her uncle, brother and sister to gun violence. Her words brought tears to the eyes of many congregants as they heard her tragic story and yet were inspired by her strength and courage to have her life motivate her to make a difference and help others. 
 
The programs and services offered by the Center, including art therapy, peer counseling, and one-on-one counseling sessions, help survivors of gun violence to heal and to make change in their communities. The Center empowers survivors of gun violence, and family and community members, to seek solutions for gun violence prevention that work.  For more information on the work of the TraRon Center click here .   
 
We were also reminded by congregant Karen Levi that it is important to research the companies where we choose to spend our money to see who they financially support and their values in the area of gun violence prevention matches our own beliefs. 
If you would like to add your name to the BJC gun violence prevention interest group, to receive information via e-mail about twice a month on events, programs, action opportunities, contact Barbara Faigin (BJC Lead for GVP) at bfaigin@live.com .    
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: The BJC Hanukkah Happening
 
BJC Glows with a Good Time for Hanukkah
By Jason Weidenfeld, Chair, Program Committee
 
The bright lights of Hanukkah welcomed Shabbat when long-time members welcomed new BJC members to celebrate night six of the holiday together in prayer and song. “Seeing everyone’s Hannukiahs being lit in the same moment was a meaningful reminder of the power of community that BJC has ignited over the years,” expressed Sandra Walter, BJC President. More than 50 people gathered, with many participating in the Mystery Maccabee Exchange; selected gifts revealed the creativity of giving, including a puzzle brought back from Cuba. Big congrats to 11-year-old David Frischtak for playing his way into BJC history as the inaugural winner of our Dreidel Grand Championship.
 
Thanks to Program Chair co-chair Alan Lichter and Administrator Hal Bordy who joined me and many volunteers for their work to coordinate this annual event.
COMMITTEE NEWS
SOCIAL ACTION: WANTS YOU TO KNOW:
Show You Care, Do Your Share
By Harri j. Kramer, Chair, Social Action Committee

We hope that when you come to the Shabbat Service on January 24 at 6:30 PM you will bring a donation for the Stepping Stones Shelter in Rockville. In case you have forgotten, here are a few tidbits about Stepping Stones. In 2018, Stepping Stones served 28 families (35 adults and 63 children) here in Montgomery County who arrived at the shelter having lost everything. Stepping Stones proves a safe and clean place to live, healthy food, and a strong case management system to help their clients overcome many obstacles and move to stable housing. Stepping Stones also continues to work with their families to prevent homelessness from re-occurring. Last year, 24 families moved to more permanent housing.
 
For many years, BJC—through its families—has been contributing as least one meal per month for the Stepping Stones residents. Stepping Stones has ongoing urgent needs for so many things that we take for granted, such as laundry soap, kitchen paper products, and baby products. A complete list of urgent needs can be found here . We will be running this collection only through the end of February, so please help us by filling the box now.
 
As part of our Show You Care/Do Your Share initiative, we are striving for 100 percent participation from every BJC member to do at least 3 hours of volunteer work that matters to you. Perhaps one of your talents is decorating big boxes—if so, you could earn your 3 hours by decorating a big box to collect these items for Stepping Stones and helping with the collection. We do need a volunteer for that task. Get in touch with me at hjk.obx@verizon.net .
 
Or, if decorating a big box is not your thing, here are several other ways you can help BJC.
What are your talents, interests, expertise? Give your time to BJC for a special project or ongoing gig. Contact Sandra Walter at sandra4bjc@gmail.com with how you want to help.
 
Here are some areas where we need you:
 
  • Social Event Planning
  • Computers/IT
  • Podcasting
  • Marketing/Communications
  • Graphic Design
  • Administrative
  • Fundraising
  • Program Planning
 
Show You Care/Do Your Share is about giving of yourself. Later this month you will receive a mailing giving you some very specific information about how to get involved and how to let us know what you’ve done. We’ll also be posting on the website. If you’d like some ideas about worthy organizations that need your help, either one time or on an ongoing basis, look at this list we’ve compiled for you. 
 
Give of yourself to BJC and others. As Marty Ganzglass notes in his story below about volunteering at Friends’ Club, giving of yourself is a most gratifying experience.
 
Make 5780 the year YOU volunteer.  
SOCIAL ACTION WANTS YOU TO KNOW:
Friends Club
By Marty Ganzglass
 
I volunteer, together with BJ my Golden Retriever, two days a week at Friends Club. It meets in the Lounge at 6601 Bradley Boulevard on Mondays through Thursdays from 9:30 to 1:30.
 
Friends Club is a social program designed to enhance the lives of men living with dementia. It brings together active gentlemen in the early-to-mid-stages of dementia in a caring, safe, and secure environment.
 
The Club resembles men’s organizations that a member may have belonged to earlier in life and provides a familiar, non-institutional setting. Participants gather with highly trained staff (Brooke Kenny and Leah Covert are phenomenal in their dedication and caring nature) and committed volunteers to socialize, share common interests and experiences, eat lunch together, and enjoy intellectual and physical activities. Folk singers, piano players, jazz trios, even opera singers, and yoga and tai chi instructors all come on various days. It is amazing to watch men who have not said a word all morning, singing along to the oldies but goodies, which they remember word for word.
 
On certain holidays like Valentine's Day and Halloween, we are joined by some of the children in the BHPC nursery school. The children suddenly have 12 to 14 grandfathers and the men have 12 to 14 grandchildren. It is a beautiful sight to witness.
 
The word "friends" in the name refers to the fact that the program originated in a Quaker Meeting Hall in D.C. Today, in its location on Bradley Boulevard, the word has a stronger and more emotional meaning for me. We are truly friends: the members and the volunteers. I have grown to know and to cherish my relationship with everyone involved. It has filled a spiritual need for me. It has helped me to recognize and fulfill an obligation I have, as just one human being, to try and assist others who are not as fortunate as I have been.
 
I urge every member of BJC to find their niche where they can contribute and volunteer. It will be more rewarding to you as an individual than you can imagine, and you will be benefitting others as well.
MEMBERSHIP: WHERE TO NEXT?

Our membership committee headed by members Diane Blumenthal and Lisa Savitt , are reaching out to the community in engaging ways: an October Farmers’ Market in Bethesda brought BJC directly in touch with the heartbeat of Bethesda. The result was connection with more than a dozen people, many of whom joined us for High Holy Days, and a few who have joined our congregation this year.
 
Do you know of a community gathering in Bethesda, Rockville, Chevy Chase, Gaithersburg, such as at NIH, Congressional Plaza, Bethesda Row, for a PTA, civic group, kids’ athletics events, to name just a few where BJC should be front and center where there are prospective members of any/all ages?  
 
Please let us know. We want to bring BJC into the community, face to face, to meet and introduce ourselves to new members.
 
Contact Diane Blumenthal at bluwinfam1@aol.com with your thoughts.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
What's on your mind? BJC members are not known for being without opinions--we often see our members published in The Washington Post. Why not share your thoughts? Youth of all ages are encouraged to share. Send your thoughts to:  hjk.obx@verizon.net

Editor’s Note: This year at the Hanukkah concert present by Zemer Chai, the area’s preeminent Jewish Chorale in which several BJC members sing, the choir shared a new translation of Rock of Ages. I was so moved and found it so thought provoking, I share it with you. This impactful interpretation was written by Zemer Chai Founding Director Eleanor Epstein and her husband, Barry Krasner.
Rock of Ages, Steadfast Light,
the hope of people everywhere --  
Harness power, strength and might
to foster love, to defeat despair.

A true and just foundation
will anchor every nation.
Tyrants fall, freedom’s call
rings throughout creation.

Rock of Ages, Steadfast Light,
The Source of all our thoughts and deeds --
Place us on the path of right
That we may follow where it leads.

Renew our dedication
to end all domination.
Dignity, equality -–
our dream for every nation.
New English translation: Eleanor Epstein and Barry Krasner
Food to Eat!
Editor’s Note: We are now featuring a seasonal recipe in each newsletter. Please submit! Send to hjk.obx@verizon.net  

White Bean Chili
Submitted by Michelle Goldstein
1 lb. dried white beans (large)
6 C. chicken broth
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 medium onions, chopped & divided
1 Tbsp oil
2 (4 oz) cans chopped green chilis
2 tsp. ground cumin
1 1/2 tsp. ground oregano
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
4 C. diced cooked chicken breast
3 C. grated Monterey Jack cheese
 
Combine beans, chicken broth, garlic, and half the chopped onions in a large soup pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, simmer until beans are tender (about 1 1/2 - 2 hours). Add more chicken broth if needed.
In skillet sauté remaining onions until tender. Add chilis, seasonings, and mix.
Add to the beans. 
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 Barry Dwork for having another letter to the editor published in Washington Jewish Week on December 19. Click here to read it. (It's the second letter)
Meet a Member: Karen Levy
In her own words

I think it’s fair to say that friends and music first brought me to BJC. Music was a big part of my life as a kid in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, where I played both French horn and piano in a number of music groups. I came to DC to attend college at American University (and later George Washington University for grad school) and began my career as a teacher in the DC public school system. Two good friends invited me to join the High Holy Day choir at BJC, something that I enjoyed right away. I also started to use my piano skills to accompany the choir a few times a year for the choir-led Choral Shabbat services, and I have played piano for a number of hilarious and fun Purim Spiels. These were great ways to connect with many other musical BJC members.
 
When I adopted my daughter internationally, I found BJC to be such a welcoming community. I joined the Education Committee a number of years ago, and I enjoy working with the other members to plan religious school events and celebrations. I have also formed friendships with the other committee members. My daughter began religious school at age 5 and continued on to become a Bat Mitzvah in the fall of 2019. The process of moving through the different religious school activities at each grade and then working directly with the Rabbi to prepare was a wonderful experience for my daughter, and it was great to see her growth. I feel very fortunate to be a part of the BJC community.
Yahrzeits

JANUARY 2020
Helen Austin, grandmother of Laurie Mabile
Jacob Austin, grandfather of Laurie Mabile
Ida Benderson, mother of Eric Benderson
Jacob Benderson, father of Eric Benderson
Frederick Brucker, father of Anita Farb
Meyer Chabot, father of Herbert Chabot
Steven Chiaverini, husband of Joan Wolf
Ed Cifarelli, brother of Michael Cifarelli
Herbert Clofine, grandfather of Elizabeth Clofine
Sara Dash, mother of Judi Dash
Martha Edelstein Jacobson, mother of Martin Blank
Elizabeth Eig, mother of Jonathan Eig
Billie Evey, mother of Wilma Roufa
Jack Fagen, grandfather of Karen Jerome
Sidney Fink, father of Lisa Savitt
Cecilia Folsom, mother of Al Folsom
Phyllis Frank, mother of Stuart Frank
Reba Frankford, mother of Norma Stern
Sol Goodman, grandfather of Rabbi Sunny Schnitzer
Matilda Greenberg, mother of Carol Ann Greenberg
Edward Kerwin, father of Aleen Chabot
Samuel Kirschner, father of Alan Kirschner
Stanley Klein, father of Abby Horwitz
Herbert Maiman, father of Lois Maiman
Mary McCrensky, mother of Jay McCrensky
Joe Schnitzer, grandfather of Rabbi Sunny Schnitzer
Lou Slifman, father of Larry Slifman
Lisa Sternfeld, sister of Eliot Sternfeld
Jacob Taylor, father of Lyne Taylor-Genser
Maurice Umans, father of Dorothy Umans
Thank You

A Shout Out to our Oneg Hosts in December
 
Wynne & Bruce Busman
Jodi Danis
Allen Grunes
Evelyn Rabin
Lorrie Van Akkeren
Good As We Give Drive

Diane Blumenthal & Craig Winslow
Ellen Gleberman & Daniel Laufer, in honor of birth of grandsons, Jacob and Zachary
Julie and Mitchell Kraus, in appreciation of BJC Staff
Karen Levi
Wendy Mellinger & Robert Poogach
Sarah & Jeremy Pelter
Lorrie Van Akkeren
 
Donations to the General Fund

Margaret & Burt Bachrach, in memory of Diane Szczpaniak
Diane Blumenthal & Craig Winslow, in memory of Diane Szczpaniak
Engel Giving Fund/Linda Engel, in support of BJC
Judy & Al Folsom, in memory of Mildred Jean Zisman, Al’s sister
Ann Slacter & Joseph Schingbaum, in appreciation for Rabbi Schnitzer’s baby naming
 
Donations to the Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund

Lorrie Van Akkeren, in appreciation of Rabbi Sunny Schnitzer
Allen Grunes, in appreciation of Rabbi Sunny Schnitzer in Memory of Beloved Wife, Diane Szczpaniak

Donation to the Cuba Fund

Lorrie Van Akkeren

In Support of Thanksgiving Baskets

Terri Reicher

For Providing High Holy Day Flowers

Sandra Walter
           
A Special Thank You

And to all of our members who “round up” their synagogue support and donate their time, as well as donate their time to volunteer.
Board of Trustees

President Sandra Walter
Vice-President Jeremy Pelter
Treasurer Terri Reicher
Secretary Lorrie Van Akkeren

Trustees
Jason Engel
Ken Fine 
Alan Grunes
Alan Lichter
Ted Posner
David Slacter
Committee Chairs
Communication [An Opportunity!]
Education Issie Resti
Financial Advisor Jason Engel
High Holy Days Jim Korelitz
Student Representative Sammy Peterson Intercongregational Partnership Liaison
Marty Ganzglass
Membership Diane Blumenthal
Past President Shoshanah Drake
Programs Jaon Weidenfeld
Social Action Harri j. Kramer

BJC Administration
Spiritual Leader Rabbi Sunny Schnitzer
Director of Congregational Education Rabbi Jennifer Weiner
Synagogue Administrator Hal Bordy

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

DEADLINE FOR THE NEXT ISSUE: January 24, 2020

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

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