IN THIS ISSUE
  • Search Update
  • Simcha B'Shabbat Returns
  • Thanksgiving
  • Authors Among Us
  • Story Teller--Live!
  • Book Club
  • ICYMI: Rosenwald Schools
  • ICYMI: Mahjonng Madness
  • Afghan Refugee Update
  • Meet a Member
November 2021 Newsletter
Rabbi Elhanan "Sunny" Schnitzer
Cheshvan/Kislev 5782

CLICK for the Complete BJC November Events Calendar
Kriat HaRav—The Rabbi’s Call
Rabbi Elhanan “Sunny” Schnitzer
Here is an old story about a church that had a problem with mice in the attic. Despite bringing in exterminators, the mice were still a problem. The pastor of the church mentioned the problem to his colleague, a rabbi whose synagogue was down the street.
 
The rabbi said, “I know what to do, leave it to me.”
 
One month later the mice were gone. The pastor asks the rabbi, “What did you do to get rid of the mice?”
 
His answer: “I made them a Bar Mitzvah. You won’t see them again.”
 
Funny and incredibly sad as it is, within the joke is a kernel of truth. When people get what they think they need from a synagogue, they often withdraw. This consumer mentality, “I got what I came for,” has had very real consequences for American Judaism. We have lost a generation.
 
Synagogue and church professionals used to say, “Don’t worry they’ll be back when they get married.” They didn’t come back.
 
Then the refrain morphed to, “They’ll be back when they have children.” They didn’t come back.
 
Now we find ourselves saying, “They’ll be back when their children are of B’nai Mitzvah age.” They still haven’t come back.
 
There are myriad reasons for this phenomenon. The victory of science over theology. The high cost of synagogue affiliation and religious education. The dilution of cultural connections to previous (read immigrant) generations of Jews. A widening generation gap between those who identify as Baby Boomers and Millennials.
 
But this drop in the population of institutionally engaged Jews is not restricted to the younger generation. We are seeing it in our generation, as well among both the affiliated and the unaffiliated.

Granted, we are still emerging from a devastating pandemic and many of us don’t feel safe indoors even in a small group of people. And, for those who do feel safe re-engaging the world, there is a lot of pent-up desire to get out and about in the beautiful Autumn weather. These disturbing trends, however, were in play long before the advent of Covid.
 
This is the situation for all religions, not just Judaism. But, we have faced greater threats in other generations to Jewish continuity, and I am confident that we will overcome this latest challenge. We must keep the flame alive. Our history and heritage demand no less.
 
Still, no matter the reason, attendance at BJC and on Zoom for worship services has fallen of late. As a temporary remedy, during the winter months, we are going to reduce the number of worship services that will take place in Covenant Hall.
 
We will still have services every Friday and Saturday (with the exception of the morning of Saturday November 27—Thanksgiving weekend) on Zoom, and we will have services in our building only on the first two weeks of the month. This corresponds to adult Hebrew and religious school classes when we know we have members in the building on Saturdays. Other weeks' services will be only streamed on Zoom and You Tube.
 
Also, soon to come will be the return on Friday, November 12, of Simcha B’Shabbat in Covenant Hall with the BJC Simcha Band. All will be masked. All are vaccinated. So, come join us assured of your safety for a freilach—a good time.
 
Check the BJC calendar in the monthly Insights newsletter and weekly in BJC Now for the worship service schedule.
 
Rabbi Sunny
President's Column—A Lot is Happening
From Wynne Busman & Harri Kramer, Co-Presidents
As you can see from the updates below from the Search Team, we’ve been busy as a part of the process to identify the best person to lead BJC when Rabbi Sunny retires. The Search Team wants to hear from you. While we encourage you to sign up in advance for a Congregational Conversation, you can also just show up. And, as a reminder, we’re always open to hearing from you about anything you want us to know. Clicking on our names below will send us an email.
 
But, while we’re busy on that front, there’s still a lot going on! We have had some outstanding programs in the past month or two, from the dual events regarding Julius Rosenwald and the Rosenwald schools, to the fun-filled evening of learning and playing Mahjonng. As we move into November, there are no small number of opportunities to get involved. Thanksgiving brings us our hallmark interfaith service with BHPC and the mosques, building food baskets for those less fortunate, and this year a fun film. There’s an award-winning story teller who will leave you mesmerized and wanting more. And, a chance to hear from the Authors Among Us from both BJC and BHPC. Such talent right in our midst!
 
At the board level, we’ve been busy finalizing a lot of work that is an important part of our infrastructure. Our Treasurer Terri Reicher has done an amazing and outstanding job of coordinating with our bank to manage our PPP loans—including securing forgiveness for our second loan. She’s worked through many years of back records to ensure that going forward we have a clear picture of our debts and obligations. (Some are to Bradley Hills for construction and other are to Rabbi Sunny who deferred compensation owed him during our financial difficulties a few years back.) She’s been working in lockstep with our volunteer Financial Advisor Steve Turow. And amid all of that, Terri continues to coordinate our efforts to provide meals for Stepping Stones.
 
Speaking of Steve Turow, he’s been an invaluable partner with David Slacter in the review and updating of BJC’s bylaws. It’s a best practice to periodically review bylaws. Ours were last approved in May 2005; we were overdue. Over the summer, David and Steve worked with many who submitted comments. The Board has done its review, and we’ll be inviting you to approve them later in December.
 
We are also working to ascertain what level of interest there is in our community to focus on what we can do regarding climate change. Several board members participated in a Zoom session hosted by the Montgomery County Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions. This might be a good fit for BJC. We know there are more options. Please get in touch if you have ideas and want to work on this critical issue for our times. AND, please read Maran Gluckstein’s column below and consider joining our students in a clean-up activity along the Cabin John Trail. Get in touch with Maran if you want to know more.
 
We hope you approach the colder, darker days as an opportunity to be a part of what BJC offers and enjoy our warmth and light. Come in person, or join us via Zoom. Either way, you’re an important part of our community, and we hope to see you there.
 
B’Shalom,

Harri and Wynne 
UPDATES FROM THE SPIRITUAL LEADER SEARCH TEAM
By Rachel Mosher-Williams and Shoshanah Drake, Search Team Co-Chairs
After many weeks of meeting and planning with the Search Team members, we hosted our first Congregational Conversation on October 25. The entire group met together briefly, followed by smaller group conversations in breakout rooms over Zoom. The conversations were thoughtful, interesting, and informative. 
 
We were able to speak with a diverse group of congregants, some of whom have been with BJC for over 45 years, and we heard from some who are relatively new members. If you have not signed up yet, please register for one of our two remaining conversations on November 4 at 10 AM or November 7 at 3 PM by clicking this link. We can also accommodate some drop-ins who haven’t pre-registered. 
 
We value your thoughts and ideas, and the information you share will help inform our entire process, from creating the job ad to the interview questions, and in choosing our final candidates. Also, the conversations are really fun—we enjoyed chatting with old and new friends for a painless hour and fifteen minutes!
 
A special note to our “Friends of BJC”: You don’t have to be a member of our congregation to participate in a Congregational Conversation or to fill out a form with your thoughts. If you’re reading our newsletters, coming to High Holy Days, or coming to other services, we value your input as well.
 
The search timeline involves holding Congregational Conversations—including with students in our educational programs—between now and early November. An ad for our next Spiritual Leader will be finalized and placed in a variety of outlets and job lists at the end of November. Between December and mid-April, we will collect applications, hold interviews, host final candidates, and recommend our first-choice candidate to the Board. Of course, you will have an opportunity to meet the candidate(s) and have your say.
 
We intend for our new Spiritual Leader to start July 1, 2022. If you ever have questions about the process, please feel free to email Search@bethesdajewish.org.
 
Thank you for your participation in this process. Don’t forget to sign up for a Congregational Conversation! If you are unable to make either of those sessions, after November 7 we will be sending around a form where you can share your input.  
Education Updates: Our Values are at the Center of Learning
By Maran Gluckstein, School Coordinator
In the month of November, Jewish learning at BJC will be focused on the value of Shmirat Hateva—The Protection of Nature. We will be asking our students to think about our place in nature and what we can do to protect it, including global warming, recycling, and pollution. Our related values will be Tikkun Olam (Repair of the World) and Ba’al Tashchit (Do Not Destroy). Our culminating Mashehu M’yuchad (Something Special) activity will be a walk along a section of the Cabin John Trail to clean it up followed by a s’mores party on November 20 from 1- 5 PM. Everyone is welcome to participate—family and friends—and it is appropriate for people of all ages.
 
I would also like to recommend a fun Jewish knowledge game that you can download to your phone or iPad. It is called “Hebrew Wizards” and consists of a series of entertaining and informative fact sheets on a variety of topics and an accompanying quiz to see how well you absorbed what you read. You choose an avatar from among Jewish biblical characters and win tokens for getting all the answers correct. It is a great activity for the whole family and is available on the App Store.
 
B’Shalom,
 
Maran
LET THE RABBI PROVIDE PASTORAL SUPPORT
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. 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. If you have a pastoral need, please call the BJC Office at (301) 469-8636 or email me at rabbi@bethesdajewish.org.
SNAP SHOTS: Getting Together for Worship, Meaning, & Fun
Click for the complete BJC November Calendar
 
Zoom links will also be provided in BJC Now
WORSHIP SCHEDULE UPDATE

BJC continues our Friday night worship at 7:30 PM and Shabbat Morning Services at 10:30 AM. Beginning in November, we will have services in Covenant Hall only on the first two weeks of the month. Those services will also be streamed. Consult BJC Now for the link to services if you prefer to worship with us virtually.
 
Saturday morning worship uses the Shabbat and Festival Edition of Siddur Eit Ratzon. Siddur Eit Ratzon is not available in an online version but is available for purchase for home use at: http://newsiddur.org/purchase.html 

BJC has limited copies available for temporary loan until your purchased copy arrives. Call the BJC office to arrange pick up.
The Return of Simcha B'Shabbat
Friday, November 12, 7:30 PM
The BJC Simcha Band will be back in Covenant Hall. Jay, Barbara, Loretta, Andrea, Karen, and the Rebbetzin will join Rabbi Sunny for DC’s rockin’est Shabbat.
 
Come and celebrate the joy of Shabbat the way we used to before the shutdown. We’ll be here at 6601 and live streaming on Zoom and You Tube. This service will be limited to 50 attendees.

You can reserve your socially distant seat by clicking here.
Interfaith Thanksgiving Service
Sunday, November 14, 9 AM Zoom discussion; 10:30 AM in person and live streamed service


Join us for our annual Thanksgiving Interfaith Service on Sunday, November 14th. Due to Covid, the format will be a little different. The event will begin at 9 AM with a one-hour Zoom discussion on climate change and what action we can take to save the planet.
 
This will be followed by an Interfaith Service, beginning at 10:30 AM, with Reverend David Gray, Rabbi Sunny Schnitzer, Tasmea Noor from Maqom Ibrahim and Imam Refai Arafin from ICCP. Stay tuned for information in BJC Now as attendance will be limited so that appropriate social distancing can be maintained.
 
The service, in person and by live streaming, will include music by a combined choir of members of BHPC and BJC. At the conclusion of the service, youth volunteers will assemble Thanksgiving baskets to be donated to MANNA, followed by an outdoor meet and greet of congregants who attended the service in person, weather permitting.
 
The food collection for the baskets is underway and will continue through November 7. Please take your donations from this list to Memorial Hall. Monetary donations are also most welcome. See this list for information about making a donation.  
MOVIE NIGHT
Thursday, November 4, 7-9 PM Online


Kick off our Interfaith Month in November with Movie Night!
 
Join us online as we show the movie “Keeping the Faith,” starring Ben Stiller, Edward Norton, and Jenna Elfman. The movie is a funny look at the friendship between a Rabbi, a Priest, and the childhood friend for whom they both develop feelings.
 
The Zoom link will be in BJC Now or contact amy@bethesdajewish.org.
Authors Among Us
Thursday, November 18, 7:30 PM Zoom discussion

Authors Among Us is a joint project of Bradley Hills Presbyterian Church and Bethesda Jewish Congregation through the Inter-Congregational Partnership Committee (ICPC). Members of both congregations have published a wide variety of books, both fiction and non-fiction.
 
You are cordially invited to join us for a Panel Discussion Event showcasing six authors—three from BHPC and three from BJC—with a Q&A session to follow. The panel members’ books represent a range of different types of books, chosen from the list of the many fantastic books that BHPC and BJC authors have written.
 
Authors with an asterisk (*) will donate a portion of royalties to the Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund. If you purchase one of their books, inform the author by email, so the appropriate donation can be made. Some of the books are available to purchase on Amazon.com.
 
Detailed information about the authors who will be speaking and their books is available by clicking here.
 
Here is the complete list of authors from BJC and BHPC:
 
Nancy Allinson: Harmony Not Yet Broken What A Windstorm Teaches
Bob Dean: The Bicycle Man The River Where It Began
Gregg Easterbrook: The Blue Age: How the U.S. Navy Created Global Prosperity—And Why We’re in Danger of Losing It’s Better Than It Looks: Reasons for Optimism in an Age of Fear The Progress Paradox: How Life Gets Better While People Feel Worse
*Marty Ganzglass: The Orange Tree Somalia—Short Fiction Goats and Other Stories The American Revolutionary War Series--Cannons for the Cause, Tories and Patriots, Blood Upon the Snow, Spies and Deserters, Treason and Triumph, and The Price of Freedom
Chang Hyun Shin Geer (Cindy Geer): Pathway to the Western World: Growing Up in Korea During Turbulent Times
Michael Gibson: The Broomcorn Field: The Odyssey of an Army Ranger in WWII Leaving Pontotoc County The Odyssey of Two Young Women in WWII
*Fritz Gluckstein: Geltungsjude: Counted as a Jew in Hitler’s Berlin
David Gray: The Five Letters Every Christian Should Write: Reflections on Life, Death, and Spirit in the age of Covid Practicing Balance: How Congregations Can Promote Harmony in Work and Life
Clarence Hickey: On the East End: The Best Times of a Long Island Fishing Community Send for the Doctor: The Life and Times of Dr. Edward E. Stonestreet
*Diane Horn: 7 Simple Ways to Discover Your Wow Factor
Clint and Missy Kelly: In Pursuit of all the World’s Penguins, a Southern Hemisphere Odyssey (no longer in print)
Karl Klontz: Stand at Bay; Mirrors Latitude Revenge The Leopard’s Lines
*Karen Levi Love and Luck—A Young Woman’s Journey from Berlin to Shanghai to San Francisco A Glass Shattered A Smile that Lasts Forever
*Karen Levy: Lulu Lamby
Bill RaskinCardiac Gap; The Team Room
Alvin Stenzel: The Crystal Pond: A Young Girl’s Journey Through Imagination; The Best & Brightest High School Guide: How to Choose a College Prepare for a Career & Find Your Own Definition of Happiness Approaching the CPA Examination: A Personal Guide to Examination Preparation
Davi Walders: numerous poems; Afternoon in the Garden Women Against Tyranny
Andrew & Darlyn Wolvin, et al. Communicating: A Social, Career and Cultural Focus (12th edition) IComm Interpersonal Concepts and Competencies The Public Speaker/The Public Listener
 
Thanks to Marty Ganzglass and Karen Levi from BJC and Marilyn Allen and Mary Hickey from BHPC for organizing and coordinating the effort.
Havdalah & Hanukkah Trivia
Saturday, November 20, 6:30-8:30 PM on Zoom


Join us for Havdalah followed by a fun night of Hanukkah trivia! Test your holiday knowledge on Kahoot to win against other BJC Members.

Details will be in BJC Now.

 
STORY TELLING
Sunday, November 21, 4 PM via live stream
Something new for BJC: America's most famous adult storyteller, Donald Davis, will entertain us with a 90-minute show featuring two of his most famous stories, which he told in front of a live audience of 3,000 people at the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, TN. Mr. Davis, a professional storyteller, will be telling these stories live from Rockville, MD via live streaming to a large audience as a fundraiser for 18 synagogues.
 
Donald Davis is widely regarded as the most illustrious and acclaimed storyteller in America. Hailing from the mountains of North Carolina, his stories reflect his experiences of life in Appalachia and small town America. He tells of the people with whom he has interacted with and shaped his life. His stories relate how others taught him how to lead his life—these lessons about life will warm your hearts and enthrall you. Davis’ ability to build characters leaves a picture in your mind so clear that you believe you have actually met these people. Each time he ends a story, you feel uplifted, often with a tear in your eye, and wishing that his story had not come to an end.
 
Book your tickets for the live streamed show by clicking here. Tickets are $18 and 100% of sales goes to BJC. Approximately one week before the show, those who register will receive the link to the livestream.  
Book Club
Wednesday, December 1, 8 PM


Come every month or drop in when you like! Generally, it’s the 4th Wednesday. We meet via Zoom.

December 1 (Postponed from November 17): Homeland Elegies by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Ayad Akhtar. blends fact and fiction in a deeply personal work about identity and belonging in a nation coming apart at the seams. Part family drama, part social essay, part picaresque novel, at its heart this is the story of a father, a son, and the country they both call home

December 22: The Tunnel by A.B. Yehoshua. From the award-winning, internationally acclaimed Israeli author a suspenseful and poignant story of a family coping with the sudden mental decline of their beloved husband and father, an engineer who they discover is involved in an ominous secret military project.

Evelyn Ganzglass will send out the Zoom link prior to each meeting. If you are not already on the book club’s email list and would like to join us for any or all of our meetings, please let Evelyn know and she will add you to the list.

More about BJC's Open Book Club is our website. Click here.
In Case You Missed It: Recognizing a National Treasure by Creating A National Park
By Helen Dalton, Co-Chair, SAC
Think of Yellowstone, Yosemite, Zion, Grand Teton, Grand Canyon, Acadia. Then think of the Appalachian, Natchez and Potomac Heritage Trails, and then call up Fire Island, Padre, Point Reyes, and Cape Cod National Seashores. All of these are among 423 designated geographic locations within the U.S. National Park Service. On October 10, via Zoom, we heard about a campaign to have the Julius Rosenwald Schools become perhaps number 424.
 
As co-chair of BJC’s Social Action Committee, I brought the Rosenwald National Park Campaign as a brick to be added to our foundation of Show You Care—Do Your Share initiatives.
 
At our Zoom event, we heard Dr. Dorothy Canter, author, 30-year National Park Conservation volunteer, and President of the Julius Rosenwald Schools National Historic Park Campaign, tell the extraordinary story of this son of German-Jewish immigrants whose visionary philanthropy advanced the education of Black children in the U.S. South in the early 20th century.
 
As part of our “Rosenwald Event,” you may have seen that marvelous documentary by renowned local filmmaker Aviva Kempner about Rosenwald’s partnership with Booker T. Washington of the Tuskegee Institute to build these schools. But there is so much more.
 
Dr. Canter took us through a presentation detailing Rosenwald’s acumen and subsequent rise as a businessman in Chicago to the co-founding of Sears, Roebuck. He not only helped build the schools from which many well-known Black individuals got an educational head start, such as Rep. John Lewis and the Washington Post’s Eugene Robinson, but also provided grants and fellowships through his foundation to writers, entertainers, and scholars like Marion Anderson, Maya Angelou, James Baldwin, Ralph Bunche, and Gordon Parks.
 
After Dr. Canter and her husband saw the Kempner documentary and realized they had never heard of Rosenwald, she mobilized the campaign. Created in 2016, the campaign helped achieve the passage of a law introduced by Sen. Richard Durbin and Rep. Danny Davis, both of Illinois, directing the Secretary of the Interior to study the creation of a U.S. National Park, the first to honor a Jewish-American.
Dr. Canter wants to enlist our support to recognize and honor this exemplary American through the National Park System. The campaign’s goal is to attract subscribers to their website to learn and support the campaign and to attract 100 supporting organizations to send letters of support to establish the Park. It is conducting research to support the creation of the Rosenwald Park and is identifying potential schools and buildings to be included in this multi-site park with a national visitors center, possibly to be located in Chicago.
 
We had a lively discussion following the presentation, with questions about how a multi-site would be accomplished, as well as interest in Rosenwald being proposed as a recipient for the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
 
We are enthused and energized by this initiative to recognize a Jewish-American in this unique manner on a national scale. If you want to help support the campaign, please contact me. In Rosenwald’s own words, “All the other pleasures of life seem to wear out, but the pleasure of helping others in distress never does.” 
 
For more information, click here. If you would like to see the presentation, go to BJC’s YouTube channel by clicking here.
In Case You Missed It: Mahjonng Madness
By Harri j. Kramer
On a dark, windy night, BJC held it first Mahjonng Madness in Memorial Hall. We had 5 tables going— that’s 20 masked players—with experienced players and quite a few who had never played before. We shared memories of family members playing with the click-clack of tiles, strange utterances like “crack” and “bam,” and always the best snacks. Several members brought their sets. Many were handed down from someone in their family, including Sandra Walter, who brought her great-grandmother’s Bakelite set.
 
For the first-timers, our tutors, including Amy Kertesz, her son Eli, and Elizabeth Kirkpatrick, were patient and kind as we confronted new rules, unusual names for tiles, and a confusing “card” with the patterns we were trying to collect in this game, which has similarities to rummy. Mahjonng has been described as a tile game of skill, strategy, and luck. 
 
Amy put together raffle prizes, including a large basket of Mahjonng goodies, as well as several other prizes that brought many smiles. Even for those who didn’t win the game or a raffle prize, it was an evening of great delight, and we look forward to doing it again!
 
If you’re interested in the connection between Mahjonng and Jews, check out this article.
GET INVOLVED
Update on The Interfaith Refugee Family Initiative Activities
By Evelyn Ganzglass, Co-chair, Interfaith Refugee Family Initiative
Thank you to everyone who donated money, furniture, furnishings, and—most importantly your time— to help set up apartments for recently arrived Afghan refugees. To date, BJC, Bradley Hills Presbyterian Church (BHPC), and the Maqaame Ibrahim Islamic Center (MIIC) have set up 2 apartments. The first one was for a young Afghan couple with a 2-month-old baby, and the second for a family of 7, including parents with 2 boys, ages 18 and 2, and 3 girls, ages 4, 6, and 8. Here again, we used our funds to purchase beds and new mattresses, as required. Members of MIIC provided a delicious Halal Welcome Meal and groceries for both families.
 
We have already received pledges for most of the furniture and some household items for a third set up, but no date has been set for that one. We will send out a new Sign-Up Genius when the time comes.  
 
Looking Forward: Can we provide more support for a recently arrived Afghan Family?
 
We recently sent out a survey to gauge whether our congregation—BHPC, BJC, MIIC and Idara é Jaferia—have the interest and capacity to work more closely with a newly arrived Afghan refugee family for at least 6-12 months. About 5 years ago BJC, BHPC, and the Idara é Jaferia committed to supporting first one and then a second family through the Lutheran Social Services Good Neighbors Program. We built a team of volunteers with varying and complimentary skill sets to work with these families over the course of a year. It was a lot of work, and it was rewarding. The relationships built with these families and among the members of our various congregations have been gratifying and enriching.  
 
The sustained commitment of a small group of volunteers with varied capabilities is necessary to help families find their ways in our community. While each family has its own needs, we know that we will need volunteers to help with their basic orientation, housing, employment, financial literacy, education (including tutoring), transportation and access to health care, social services, and other supports. All volunteers who interact with refugees must undergo background checks and be available to work with families during at least some of the time on weekdays, especially when driving them to appointments with doctors, social service agencies, etc. Our existing inter-congregational team of volunteers is committed to helping with a new effort. We cannot do it without you. If you missed the survey and are interested to participate contact me.
 
The BJC and BHPC Inter-Congregational Partnership Committee (ICPC) has designated this year’s offering at the November 14 Interfaith Thanksgiving Service to be given to the Interfaith Refugee Family Initiative. Here are ways to donate:

  • To give online, go to Bradley Hills Presbyterian Church’s website on your computer, phone, or tablet, press the “Give Now” button, and select the “Interfaith Offering” fund option.
  • If giving by check, please write “Interfaith Offering” in the memo line and mail your check to the church or place it in the offering plate on November 14. BJC members can send a check to BJC with the same “Interfaith Offering” in the memo line and it will be recorded in your ShulCloud account, which will provide you with a receipt.
  • Or you can give by texting from your cell phone to 73256, then for the text message type BHPC followed by a space and then the amount of the gift, press “send,” click on the link, then click on the “Interfaith Offering” fund option.
 
Thank you for continued support.
From the ICPC: TAKE ACTION TO SUPPORT THE UYGHURS -- STOP THE CHINESE GENOCIDE
By Marty Ganzglass
On Tuesday, November 9 at 12 noon, join a coalition of Christians, Jews, and Moslems in a demonstration in front of the White House to support the Uyghurs and condemn Chinese genocide. Simultaneous events are planned on the same day in various cities across the United States and in Europe.

The events, organized by Jewish World Watch (JWW) on the anniversary of Kristalnacht, are designed to call attention to the ongoing genocide against the Uyghurs.

Click here to link to JWW

 
DO NOT STAND IDLY BY
OUR MEMBERS
NACHAS NOTES
Editor’s Note: Let us know share in your happiness. New job? New baby or grand? Got into that college? Engagements or weddings? Send to: hjk.obx@verizon.net

Mazel Tov to:

  • Adrian Arovas, son of Genta & Edward Arovas on becoming a Bar Mitzvah on October 2.
 
  • Sandra Walter on the birth of her niece, Quinnlyn Irene Bettis, daughter of Rachel and Rob Bettis (Chattanooga, TN). Born October 28, 2021 on the 98th birthday of her namesake paternal great grandmother, whose name is Irene.
 
Kudos to:

  • Barry Dwork, whose Letter to the Editor about improved relations for Israel was published in Washington Jewish Week on September 29.
 
  • Josh Silver, whose Letter to the Editor about the Washington Football team was published in the Washington Post on October 15
MEET A MEMBER: Judi Dash
In Her Own Words
The distance between Sandusky, Ohio and Bethesda Jewish Congregation is more than 400 miles. But when our Student Rabbi at Sandusky's Temple Ohev Shalom learned I was commuting between Ohio and my childhood home in Chevy Chase to care for my declining mom, Sara Dash, of blessed memory, Rabbi Stephanie bridged that expanse with a joyful exclamation, “You have got to meet my mom! You're gonna love each other.”
   
Which is what brought me one Friday night in 2012 to a rousing musical Shabbat service at BJC. As it turned out, Stephanie’s mom—Yaffah Schnitzer—wasn’t there that night—she was in Ohio kvelling over Stephanie leading the Ohev Shalom service.

But I had found an unexpected treasure. As Rabbi Sunny, guitar in hand, led us through ecstatic songs of praise and gratitude, and soul-soothing prayers for the sick and grieving, my heart burst open and my spirit soared.

I had—miracle of miracles—found the spiritual home I had for so long yearned, the antithesis of the pro-forma synagogue experience that the revered Jewish Renewal Movement founder Reb Zalman Schachter-Shalomi z”l lamented as “too many words and not enough feeling.”

The BJC community welcomed me with open arms—and of course the Oneg Shabbat sign-up sheet. And yes, I found a kindred spirit in Rebbetzin Yaffah, who introduced me to the healing practice of sacred Hebrew chant, dragged me to my feet to join—tambourine in hand—the communal “conga hora” that erupts during contagiously euphoric celebrations, and inducted me into the chorus line of the annual hilariously choreographed Pesach seder finale, “Whoa, Pharaoh, let my people go.”

Did I mention the deeply nourishing anticipatory peace I felt each Friday night I journeyed the 15 minutes from my mom’s bedside to the Shabbat Shaloms that cushioned my fears and allowed for tears as we prayed aloud together and silently offered the meditations in our hearts.

When my mom passed at home in her bed, December 17, 2013, with my sister, Rachel, and me there to hold her, Rabbi Sunny and Yaffah came to sit with us—and mom. In a quiet circle, at times softly chanting blessings, we took our time saying goodbye before calling the funeral home. Rabbi Sunny and our close family friend Rabbi Harold White of blessed memory conducted a loving funeral at BJC, burial at Parklawn Memorial Park, and shiva at our family home, where we shared treasured memories (some really funny) of my mom at her most vibrant, and about how proud she was to have worked tirelessly to help settle Jewish immigrants fleeing the Holocaust as they stepped off ships at the Port of Philadelphia.

Our BJC community—even members I barely knew—offered solace and support throughout those many months of grieving and the ongoing yartzeits.

Have I shared the joy of studying Kabbalah at weekly classes with Jewish mysticism scholar Jay McCrensky, whose accordion softly accompanies our Shabbat contemplative circles, and kicks into zestful Klezmer mode at festive Shabbat services under the stars?

Have I expressed appreciation and gratitude for our devoted Chesed (meaning deeds of loving kindness) Society whose volunteers cheerfully drove me to and from physical therapy sessions after I broke my ankle, and remain ever ready to support members through life’s difficult times?

Have I shared my awe at my first Simchat Torah service where the rabbi unscrolled the entire Torah as we stood in a big circle delicately holding the fragile parchment aloft?

Or the child-like thrill I felt my first time waving a lulav and etrog to the east, south, west, north, heaven and earth, in our airy sukkah, decorated with strings of fruit and corn and paper chains by our Sunday school kids and their families?

What fun to dress to excess in all things poodle to take the stage in “Schmaltz: The Whole Megillah!,” Joan Wolf’s fastidiously crafted Purim Spiel parody of the Fifties musical Grease.

And what a Holy honor to join other BJC members in a solemn Chevra Kadisha training to perform the sacred ritual of cleansing and dressing the dead for burial, while reciting traditional prayers and psalms.
Lest I leave the impression that I was religiously deprived before joining BJC, that certainly was not the case. I grew up in a joyfully Jewish home, the adored grandchild of Hannah and Charles Goldhirsh, who were ritually match-mated in Jerusalem's ultra-orthodox Me'a She'arim before emigrating to Philadelphia. My grandfather apprenticed in his uncle's kosher chicken-killing business while devoting every spare minute to the studies and practice that led to his becoming an ordained cantor in New Jersey. (You'll find an appreciative chapter devoted to his pastoral mentorship in the book Chicken Soup for the Jewish Soul)

Our family kept kosher, I went to Hebrew school and Jewish camps, and, with my mom and dad and sister, Rachel, celebrated every Jewish holiday and tradition—including my Bat Mitzvah, which happened to fall on Israel Independence Day that year. (On the audiotape my father made, you can hear the president of our Philly synagogue snoring loudly in the background as I squeaked out a speech about the Jewish people metamorphosing from a caterpillar to a butterfly.)

What I didn't have (or even know I was missing) was an emotional—call it heart—connection to the higher god/goddess power I have come to call Ya, yet still have no idea how to define.

But let me share this: After many years seeking spiritual awakening at Buddhist meditation retreats, where I chanted loving kindness incantations in Pali while gazing at a smiling stone Buddha, I was invited to a Jewish Mediation Retreat. Gathered in an Ohio synagogue chapel, some wearing tallises and yarmulkes, we chanted traditional Jewish blessings, as well as special prayers for peace and safety for all beings.

As a walking meditation brought me into the main sanctuary, up onto the bima and before the ark, I suddenly felt tears streaming down my face. That tree of life embroidered so exquisitely on the curtain sheltering the Torah, was my tree, my life, and that of my ancestors and all my family through the generations.

My heart beat a grateful shehechiyanu.
REMEMBRANCES

We mourn the recent passing of

Paul Klein, father of Robert H. Klein, grandfather of Daniel & Brendan

Yahrzeits: November 2021

Evelyn Adlerstein, mother of Maran Gluckstein
Kermit Bailer, father of Byron Bailer
Esther Blumberg, grandmother of Linda Blumberg
Martin Cohen, father of Donna Goldberg
Renee Cooper, mother of David Cooper
Bernard Morris Dubin, father of Alan Dubin
Miriam Gleberman, mother of Ellen Gleberman
Harry Goldstein, grandfather of Laurie Mabile
Lena Goldstein, grandmother of Laurie Mabile
Harry Haber, father of Miles Haber
Dr. Irving Horn, father of Dennis Horn
Rhoda Horowitz, aunt of Wynne Busman
Ralph Kaufman, father of Emily Van Agtmael
Rosalind Klein, mother of Abby Horwitz
Max Kurz, father of Robert Kurz
Clara Landaw, grandmother of Lance Pelter
Rosalie Lichter, mother of Alan Lichter
Jeff Schaffer, beloved of Carie Schaffer-beloved
Jack Scott, father of David Scott
Philip Shtasel, father of Sana Shtasel
Naomi Walders, mother of Larry Walders
Abe Walter, grandfather of Sandra Walter 
Harry Winslow, father of Craig Winslow
Irving York, father of Barbara Silberman
Mildred Zisman, sister of Al Folsom
ShulCloud Tips
By Elizabeth Kirkpatrick, Membership & Administration Coordinator
Our website, www.bethesdajewish.org, is more than just our website. It’s also your access to your personal member account.
 
In the upper right corner is a place to login:
Email address: xxx
Password:xxxxx
 Logging in will get you access:

  1. Member Directory. Access to the directory is available only to BJC members so you need to login to access it. Maybe you want to carpool to services or an event, or you met someone at BJC and want to connect but don't have a number or email address. This is the place to find it.
  2. Account Information. Can’t remember if you’ve paid your synagogue support? Want to receive timely Yahrzeit reminders and acknowledgements of your donations? This is the place to update your contact information. 
  3. Echeck deposits save money, time, and trees. By setting up your account and confirming 2 micro deposits, all future donations and event payments can be completed with a click of a button.
 
Our BJC team would love to recognize and celebrate your milestones—but if we don’t know, we can’t celebrate with you. Update your information to include birthdays, anniversaries, and other information in your personal account.
 
The BJC website has the most up-to-date information on events happening at BJC, how to get involved in social action, how to find opportunities to learn, and any other link you might need.
 
If you’ve lost your login credentials or forgot your password, get in touch with me at admin@bethesdajewish.org. Or feel free to call me in the office at 301-469-8636 and I’ll walk you through the process step by step.
AMAZON SMILES

Why not take a minute and sign up for Amazon Smiles? As a result of qualifying purchases our members have made through Amazon, those pennies, nickels, dimes, and sheckles have added up. 

With Hanukkah around the corner, as you do your Amazon shopping through the Smiles program, BJC will get 0.5% of your purchase. Sign up now and designate BJC. It never costs you anything, and it's very easy to do. Just click below.
Good As We Give Annual Tzedakah Campaign is Underway--Join Us!
By Sandra Walter, Immediate Past President and Fundraising Chair
WHOEVER PRACTICES CHARITY AND JUSTICE FILLS THE WORLD WITH LOVING KINDNESS. ~ Talmud


As the weather turns to autumn, and our attention turns to the holiday season across all faiths, it is a time for thanks and a time to thank you for giving to BJC each year. Your membership synagogue support is the foundation of our congregation's ability to operate from year to year; and it is your generosity beyond that, through your annual tzedakah to BJC, that allows us to ensure a robust series of programs created by our fabulous staff, provide continuity of worship services when the Rabbi is away, and underwrite the Jewish education of the next generation of our congregation.

As you are considering your charitable giving for the rest of 2021, and the start of 2022, please consider giving a generous gift to BJC. Having spent 35 years as a nonprofit charitable giving professional, I am proud to be BJC's Fundraising Chair and welcome the opportunity to talk with you about ways to make your gift meaningful to you and your family.

Start by considering how much BJC means to you, and then talk with your financial advisor about tax-saving strategies that might help you make a bigger impact with your gift through gifts of stock, IRA, donor advised fund, or monthly pledge that could add up to the gift amount you want to give.

More information will be forthcoming in BJC Now and December Insights, when we will announce plans to celebrate Rabbi Sunny and Rebbetzin Yaffa over the months ahead.  

Thank You!
THANK YOUS

GENERAL FUND/AS GOOD AS WE GIVE

Shirley & Bernard Altshuler, in honor of Lorrie Van Akkeren
Ronald Bloch, in appreciation for BJC’s Simchat Torah Under the Stars
Neil Ditchek, in honor of the beautiful High Holy Days Music
Susan & Malcolm Martin, for making High Holy Days accessible on Zoom
Lorrie Van Akkeren

RABBI'S DISCRETIONARY FUND
 
Linda Blumberg & Steve Turow, for the Uganda Agro Project
Maran Gluckstein, BJC Authors
Liz & Jim Korelitz, for the Uganda Agro Project
Laurie Mabile, for the Uganda Agro Project
Shelia & Ira Wolpert, for the Uganda Agro Project
Lorrie Van Akkeren

And to all of our members who “round up” their synagogue support and donate their time.
Board of Trustees (As of 7/1/2021)

Co-Presidents Wynne Busman & Harri Kramer
Vice-President Jeremy Pelter
Treasurer Terri Reicher
Secretary Lorrie Van Akkeren

Trustees
Shoshanah Drake
Ken Fine
Karen Levi
Karen Levy
David Slacter
Steve Turow
Board Members & Committee Chairs

Chesed Society Lorrie Van Akkeren
Education Amy Rubenstein
Financial Advisor Steve Turow
Fundraising Sandra Walter
High Holy Days Jim Korelitz
Intercongregational Partnership Liaison
Marty Ganzglass
Membership
Past President Sandra Walter
Programs Diane Horn & Joan Kaufman
Social Action Helen Dalton & Robin Sorkin
Student Representative Rebecca McMillen

BJC Administration

Spiritual Leader Rabbi Sunny Schnitzer
Program & Social Media Coordinator Amy Kortez
Membership & Administration Coordinator: Elizabeth Kirkpatrick
School Coordinator: Maran Gluckstein

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

DEADLINE FOR THE NEXT ISSUE: November 25, 2021

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