March 2022 Newsletter ... . Rabbi Elhanan "Sunny" Schnitzer
Adar I/Adar II 5782
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IN THIS ISSUE: The Rabbi's Call, Full Purim Schedule, Spiritual Leader Update |
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CLICK for the Complete BJC March Events Calendar
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Purim!
It’s time to put on a mask and have a little fun.
Wait a minute. We’ve been wearing masks for two years! Now the “authorities” are telling me that it is time to take off the mask. I am so confused.
It’s been two years since BJC and our world went into hiding from the contagion of Covid 19. In fact, our last event at BJC before going into lockdown was the Purim party of 5780 (2020).
On Purim, nothing is as it seems. The entire story is about hiddenness. Esther hides her identity as a Jew. Mordechai never reveals that he is Esther’s relative. Everything is hidden behind a series of drinking parties and feasts. Reality is obscured. In fact, the words Megillat Esther, the Scroll of Esther, also means to reveal (megaleh in Hebrew) the hidden (hasteir).
Uniquely, the thing that is most hidden in the Purim story is the Divine Presence. No where is the Holy Name mentioned in the entire Megillah, except for the late addition of a single verse at the very end of the story, as if the codifiers of the Tanach, realized and attempted to correct the omission.
The Talmud alludes to this idea as well. The Talmud asks “Where do we find a hint to Esther in the Torah? From the verse in D’varim (Deuteronomy) 31:18; Anochi asteir, hasteer mipani which means “I will surely hide My Face from you.” The name Esther comes from the Hebrew word Asteir, hidden.
When we read Megillat Esther, put on our masks, and celebrate to the point where we are “Ad Lo Yada – until he doesn’t know,” we are revealing that which is hidden. We drink until we forget, so that we can remember. To remember who we truly are. We are beings of light. We are lovers of life. We are committed to each other.
It is a holiday of paradox for a people that is full of paradox. It is the perfect holiday for us at this moment when so much of what is happening in our world is perplexing and might seem at times to be complicated beyond our comprehension.
Purim shows us that the entire world is a mask. The real world remains underneath the surface. In life so often we wear masks, afraid to show others who we really are. Perhaps we are even afraid to reveal to ourselves who we really are. Purim tells us that there is no need to fear and that our greatness comes when we reveal ourselves to all. On Purim we purposely wear the mask to expose it for what it truly is – nothing more than a façade.
In the Talmud, Tractate Yoma 29a, Rav Assi teaches: “Why was Esther compared to the dawn? To tell you that just as the dawn is the end of the whole night, so is the story of Esther the end of all miracles”.
Rav Assi compares our exile to "night” and the Purim story to “dawn.” When we reach our highest consciousness and live in Moshiachkeit, a redeemed consciousness, a higher consciousness, there is no longer a need for miracles.
We are the light. We will be the miracle.
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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.
When I am away, please contact Elizabeth Kirkpatrick in the BJC office at (301)469-8636, admin@bethesdajewish.org. She will know how to contact me or my substitute.
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We come to you this month brimming with news.
Let’s start with the best news: You can read the details below about our Search Team bringing us an outstanding candidate, Rabbi Eric L. Abbott, whom many of you met in person or via Zoom at the Shabbaton last month. We are delighted he loved being with us as much as we loved having him here. We want to share with you the note he sent to us after that weekend:
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Our bylaws require your ratification of his initial hire. We will hold a specific, very short Zoom Special Meeting for that purpose. We are finalizing the contract with Rabbi Eric and will keep you informed when it is time for the Special Meeting.
Kudos to Search Team Co-Chairs Rachel Mosher-Williams and Shoshanah Drake, and team members Howard Berkof, Anita Farb, Michelle Goldstein, Jim Korelitz, Jeremy Pelter, Robin Sorkin, and Steve Turow. Their many hours dedicated to their task has paid off.
Rabbi Sunny is still very much a part of our fabric—for worship, for study, for pastoral care, and as an integral part of our community. We are busy planning how to celebrate such an important legacy and an individual who in 20 years has left an indelible imprint on BJC’s heart. We want to honor Rabbi Sunny and Rebbetzin Yaffah in true BJC style. Watch your BJC Now for notices about special celebrations in May.
And now for some less-than-pleasant news. Treasurer Terri Reicher, and Financial Advisor Steve Turow have been working with us on developing our budget for next year, which we will provide to you several weeks before the May 12 annual meeting. Perhaps you don’t realize this, but BJC has not had a synagogue support (dues) increase since 2019. It’s time. Inflation, paying back debts incurred a while ago, and increasing rent from the church all contribute to an increase in our expenses. We are still crunching the numbers and working hard to cut wherever possible. No cause for alarm. But we made a commitment to be transparent and thought it best to share with you sooner vs. later. Please note, too, that according to our best projections, we will end this year in the black, even after setting aside a lot in our new reserve account.
This coming spring, Purim and Pesach will remind us again how we love to be with each other and to welcome those whom we haven’t met. We will celebrate and honor Rabbi Sunny in style. And then we will welcome Rabbi Eric to BJC.
It’s an exciting and good time to be at BJC.
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As Harri and Wynne share above, the BJC Search Team is thrilled to have found Rabbi Eric Abbott as our next Spiritual Leader. Huge thanks to the members of the Search Team, including our fearless co-Presidents, and to the incredible Rabbi Sunny, and fabulous Amy and Elizabeth, for their important support of this effort.
Rabbi Abbott’s initial appointment must be finalized by the congregation in the coming weeks, but you and your fellow BJC-ers have contributed so much to this process already. We want to note that the process has been:
Holistic: We were very open to various Spiritual Leader profiles and rarely let only one issue deter us from considering promising candidates, except for unwillingness to be egalitarian and inclusive within our interfaith community.
Based on consensus decision making: Many people on the Search Team reviewed resumes, conducted interviews, watched recorded interviews, deliberated together, and made the decision to move candidates forward or not. No decision was ever based on one person’s opinion.
Careful in interviewing: Our process included multiple steps, from an initial phone screening to a Zoom panel of 4-5 Team members, to a special Q&A with the co-presidents and the co-chairs. Interview questions included some of those proposed by congregants during the Congregational Conversations - THANK YOU!
Inclusive of Rabbi Sunny’s perspective on what we should look for, ask candidates, and on Rabbi Abbott’s fit for BJC.
Now for some of the data:
- We had 20 applicants for the position.
- We chose to interview 7 of the applicants.
- Of the 7 applicants, we had three front runners.
- Of the 3 front runners, one was not advanced to the final step, one took a non-pulpit position just before our final step, and Rabbi Abbott was moved to our Shabbaton process.
Thank you to all who participated in the Shabbaton events and shared feedback through the online survey. Here’s what you said about Rabbi Abbott:
- Most common Shabbat rating - Excellent
- Most common Adult Ed rating - Excellent
- Most common Family program rating - Excellent. Please note he received “Excellent” from all family program participants.
Across all programs, these are the average scores for the characteristics/competencies you prioritized through the Congregational Conversations (on a scale from 1-5, with 5 being the highest):
- Spirituality - 4.5
- Musicality - 3.9
- Scholarship - 4.7
- Relatability - 4.8
We couldn’t have taken this important step without all of you. Thank you, and let’s step into BJC's future together!
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Our main value for the month of March is Same’ach B’Chelko – Be Content. But how do we achieve contentment? How do we handle ambition, success, failure, envy, jealousy, peer pressure? How do we learn to stand up for our own values? Is equanimity a healthy goal? The characters in the Purim story wrestle with these ideas – speak up or remain silent; take risks or play it safe; take pride in achievements; know when you have found success. Our related values help us to confront the things that prevent us from being content and show us the way to find balance. They are Hakarat Hatov – Acknowledge the Good; Slicha – Forgive; and Teshuvah – Make Amends. As we learn about and practice these Jewish values, may we all advance on our individual journey toward contentment. |
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The Bible Players Are Coming to BJC! |
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All families are invited to join The Bible Players Jewish improv group for a FREE kid friendly comedy show!
"Esther to the Rescue!" is sure to get you and kids of all ages laughing. Bring your Purim spirit, wear your costumes, and join BJC's Youth Education.
Saturday, March 19th, at 4 PM in Memorial Hall
Scroll Down for Information
on the 7 pm Adult Show
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Celebrating Rabbi Sunny - Planning Is Underway
By Sandra Walter, Working Group Chair
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Planning is underway for a celebration weekend honoring Rabbi Sunny’s impact on the BJC Community.
Rebbetzin Joan ‘Yaffa’ Schnitzer will also be recognized for her contributions to BJC.
There will be something for everyone to participate in, members near and far will be invited to both online and in-person programs, our youth and religious school alumni will be invited, as will members of the Jewish community of Greater Washington.
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If you would like to get involved as a volunteer for some aspect of the celebration, or learn more about the legacy fund, please email the working group chair, Sandra Walter at sandra4bjc@gmail.com.
Keep an eye on BJC Now for Save-The Dates!
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Click for the complete BJC March Calendar
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WORSHIP SCHEDULE UPDATE
BJC continues our Friday night worship at 7:30 PM and Shabbat Morning Services at 10:30 AM. Consult BJC Now for the latest information about in-person activities and for links to services if you prefer to worship virtually.
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With the Russian invasion of Ukraine in full force, I know that many of the members of Bethesda Jewish Congregation and the Jewish communities of the world, feel particularly connected to this crisis.
Many of our people, including my own family, have deep roots in this region of the world. Kiev, Odessa, Kharkiv, Lvov, Lutsk, the names of these cities and countless smaller towns and shtetls in the Ukraine are etched into our family histories.
There are over 45,000 Jews living today in the Ukraine. The Jewish world has rallied to their side. With pride we watch as our "landsman" President Zelensky rallies the Ukrainian nation to fight this criminal invasion. Refugees are piling across the borders of Poland, Romania, and Moldova. While we cannot ease their fears in the face of the Russian onslaught, we can ease their pain. In the days to come there will be a critical need for food, shelter, and medical services.
Your gift will enable the purchase of supplies and other aid for the victims of the invasion. Please give generously.
Yisrael Aravim Zeh Bah Zeh – All Jews are responsible for each other. At moments like this our commitment to our people is tested. We shall not be found wanting.
Rabbi Sunny Schnitzer
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Only a few more days until ordering closes! Send your fellow BJC members a special Purim treat. You can also choose to send to friends and family, a local shelter, or let BJC pick a member for you. Learn more about this tradition and place your orders on the BJC website.
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With more than 84 million forcibly displaced people worldwide, and now with the addition of over a quarter of a million Ukrainian refugees, one in 100 people now find themselves without a safe place to lay their heads at night.
Because of our history and our values, the Jewish people continue to hold a unique connection to these most vulnerable people. Our texts and traditions tell us to welcome the stranger, but what does this mean in practice?
Join us this Refugee Shabbat, March 4-5, to reflect on our tradition, our values, and our holy work as a congregation.
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Join BJC for an amazing Purim celebration featuring the Jewish improv comedy group "The Bible Players"!
Who Are the Bible Players?
From Their Website:
"The Bible Players are a Torah Comedy team based out of New York City and Los Angeles that are teaching Jewish Values and sweeping the nation! The Bible Players use theater and improv to infuse comedy and laughs into tales from the Torah and beyond. Since founding The Bible Players in 2011, they have toured America from NY to Texas to California, bringing their unique show to thousands of people of all backgrounds and ages, from Pre-K through adults. They've performed in 30 states, and do over 100 programs a year, all while remaining good looking and humble."
Come have a cocktail, eat delicious Purim cuisine with friends, show off your best costume, and laugh along to a fun Purim show.
March 19th, 7 PM in Memorial Hall. $50 per ticket.
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Book Club
Wednesday, March 23rd, 8 PM
The BJC Open Book Club will continue to meet virtually for the foreseeable future. We usually meet at 8 pm on the fourth Wednesday of the month. Our upcoming selections are:
March 23- Mike Nichols: A Life by Mark Harris. This is a biography that gives the full story of one of the most interesting, complicated, and consequential figures in the worlds of theater and film following the famed director from Germany to New York, Chicago, and Hollywood.
April 27- The Shadow King by Maaza Mengiste. This gripping novel is set during Mussolini’s 1935 invasion of Ethiopia, casting light on the women soldiers who were left out of the historical record on the first real conflict of World War II. The book was shortlisted for the 2020 Booker Prize.
Evelyn Ganzglass eganzglass@gmail.com 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.
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"Wretches and Jabberers" Documentary Shown As Part of Jewish Disability Awareness Month
By Karen Levi
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For those who missed the documentary, “Wretches and Jabberers,” it is well worth your time to stream the film, available at various sites online. The movie follows two men with Autism who travel around the globe accompanied by two exceptional assistants. The four men travel to Sri Lanka, Japan, and Finland to meet other autistic adults. Though the men develop friendships with the people they meet on their travels, their goal is to increase awareness concerning autism. The two men with autism from Vermont—Larry and Tracey—use typing with a computer-generated voice to augment their verbal communication skills. The content of the typed messages uncovers a hidden sensitivity and intelligence on the part of these men with autism that would otherwise go unnoticed. Though quirky, these capable men are lovable human beings, misunderstood most of their lives, who will force you to think about what is valuable in human beings. You will laugh and cry.
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Mahjongg Madness- A Fun Night For All
by Elizabeth Kirkpatrick
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February 24th may have been cold and rainy outside but inside the BJC lounge it was warm and welcoming. Those brave enough to withstand the weather were rewarded with a tutorial in mahjong (a schooling for some of us), and tea, coffee and good conversation for all. If sounds like fun, come check it out. Though, you'll have to wait until April since March is filled with wonderful Purim activities. So mark your calendars for April 7th and prepare to play a game, improve your skills and enjoy an evening with BJC friends. Don't be surprised when you come if you leave rewarded with more than just a lesson in Maj! |
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Interfaith Youth Event With Author Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow
by Karen Levy
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BJC hosted an interfaith youth event on Saturday, February 26th that brought together young members and families from Bradley Hills Presbyterian Church, the Idara e Jafaria Mosque, the Islamic Cultural Center of Potomac (ICCP), and BJC. Education Director Maran Gluckstein introduced and described the program, which included a virtual visit with a children's author, discussion groups, and a craft project incorporating the theme of the featured book.
The afternoon kicked off with a Zoom presentation by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow, author of "Your Name Is A Song," which tells the story of a young girl who learns to appreciate the beauty and musicality of her unique name and other African, Latinx, African-American, and Middle Eastern names. The author described that she was motivated to write the book since little had been written about kids who are black and Muslim. Sitting at tables together, the students from the church, the mosques and the synagogue discussed their faith's naming traditions as well as the origins of their own particular names. Iman, one teenager from ICCP, shared, "It's really amazing to find out about the names of others, especially finding out how religious and cultural traditions influence the way we are named." Students and families were able to ask the author questions at the conclusion of her presentation.
All the students were then invited to decorate a small bag and write their names in English, Hebrew and Arabic, guided by the group leaders of each fatih group. 10-year-old Richard, from BJC, shared, "I got to meet people from different communities, I learned a lot about how they got their names and some of the stories were similar." The event was a wonderful way for students and their families to see how we can find connections in something as simple as a name.
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GET INVOLVED- BJC SOCIAL ACTION |
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SUPPORT THE UYGHURS- OPPOSE CHINESE GENOCIDE
By Marty Ganzglass
In 1936 Coca-Cola was a sponsor of the Nazi run Olympics, while Jews were being persecuted throughout Germany.
In 2022 Coca-Cola was a sponsor of the Beijing Winter Olympics while more than one million Uyghurs are imprisoned, Uyghur women are subjected to forced sterilization and Uyghur culture and religion are being eradicated. Boycott Coca-Cola and all of its products like Dasani water.
If you are planning on traveling, please do not stay at a Hilton Hotel or at Airbnb. Hilton is building a new hotel in Xinjiang on the site of a razed Uyghur Mosque. Airbnb is advertising for visitors to stay in Xinjiang Province but specifies that Uyghurs cannot apply, nor can they offer their homes as Airbnb sites.
Do not stand idly by. Support the Uyghurs and oppose Chinese genocide!
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Update on The Interfaith Refugee Family Initiative Activities
By Evelyn Ganzglass, Co-chair, Interfaith Refugee Family Initiative
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Supporting the Ahmadi Family: In cooperation with Lutheran Social Services, we are supporting the Ahmadi family, parents and two adult daughters. After finding a suitable apartment and furnishing it, we will help subsidize the rent for up to a year. Our incredible inter-congregational team helped orient the family to their new surroundings, set up telephone and internet connections, and continues to try to untangle a variety of social service and other benefit-related issues. The team also began English language tutoring for the whole family and enrolled them in English language classes which have already started.
Helping the Rasouli Family: In addition, we continue to provide some support for the Rasouli family in Germantown, who is expecting a new baby in March. The father is urgently looking for a job to support his family. He worked for USAID in operations and procurement but is willing to accept any decent job. Please contact Brigitte Burgett bkburgett@gmail.com if you can help. At the moment, we are also looking for two women’s bikes and a 24 inch boys bike in good condition for the family.
Apartment Set-ups: With your support the Interfaith Family Initiative has set up eight apartments for Afghan refugee families since October. We will probably set up another apartment in April and we will update the Sign Up Genius before then.
Thank you for your past and future support.
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NACHAS NOTES
Editor’s Note: Dark days are brightened with good news. Share the joys in your life. Send to: amy@bethesdajewish.org
Mazel Tov to:
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Al Folsom on his 90th birthday
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Diane Blumenthal & Craig Winslow on the birth of their granddaughter Eva Adrienne Winslow
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Lisa Strauss on her retirement
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My wife, Lisa Tarker, son, Ben, and daughter, Abby, joined BJC in the fall of 2003. It was a long journey to get here, with a couple of missteps along the way. The immediate impetus was the realization that Ben was in 3rd grade and if he didn’t start some formal Jewish education soon, he would never get enough to make a difference.
Ben has some speech and language processing issues and as I called around, I was up front with the directors of education at other synagogues and every one saw problems. We were offered tutoring, at a price, and, since we were an interfaith couple, several just discouraged us. When I called BJC, Adrian Durlester was the education director. All he said to me was, “We’ll make it work.”
He was as good as his word. A few weeks into the school year, Ben came home and said, “I like my new teacher.” I had heard nothing about a change of teachers and didn’t get a clear picture talking to him so I called Adrian. He had seen that Ben was struggling a little so he had placed him with younger boy who was reading above grade level with a tutor and after a few weeks of the two of them learning together Ben went back to his class and had no more academic problems.
There were two other things that made us stay. The first High Holy Days I was sitting in the Sanctuary and looked up at the banner that we put over the cross. It took me a minute staring at the letters that make up the horizontal lines to realize that they said, “ Hineh Mah tov umah na'im shevet achim gam yachad.” Isn’t it good when brethren live together as one. The fact that I was sitting in a church being used for a fairly traditional High Holy Day Service just seemed so beautiful and the recognition of who we might be by the banner still makes me a little emotional sometimes.
And finally, Chazzan, now Rabbi, Sunny. Shortly after we arrived, Ben had a medical emergency and was airlifted to Children’s Hospital in DC. R. Sunny came down to visit us within 24 hours and spent several hours talking, particularly to Lisa, about some things that were a concern for her. I will never forget that. There has been a lot since then.
Over the years I have mostly been involved in helping set up and tear down worship services. I have run sound at the High Holy Day services in the Church Sanctuary am currently one of those who run the streaming services.
In the past I have served on the committee to choose a new Prayerbook.
As many families at BJC, we are a blended Christian and Jewish family. Ben was the first Bar Mitzvah Rabbi Sunny presided over as a Rabbi. As for our professional backgrounds, I had a series of jobs, classical guitarist, manager of Charlie Byrd’s Music House in Bethesda, and, for almost twenty years, an employee of Olsson’s Books and Records.
I met Lisa when she was a graduate student and working part time at Olsson’s. After school, Lisa has worked in various Christian organizations, primarily Roman Catholic, and mostly concerning liturgy. She currently works at the Catholic Biblical Association. Ben has a thriving dog walking and pet sitting company, and Abby is away at university and is having a grand old time and doing well.
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REMEMBRANCES
Ever confused about when we remember the yahrzeit of your loved one? You can choose to remember this special date according to the Hebrew or English calendar. Get in touch with Elizabeth Kirkpatrick in the office to review and verify the accuracy of your records.
We mourn the recent passing of member Dick Fogel
Yahrzeits: March 2022
Annette Altschuler, mother of Bernard Altschuler
Herman Bachrach, father of Burton Bachrach
Bernice Cahan, grandmother of Sandra Walter
Esther Chabot, mother of Herbert Chabot
Anna Dubrow, grandmother of Laurie Dubrow
Naomi Faigin, mother of Marty Faigin
J. Harvey Gleberman, father of Ellen Gleberman
Louis G. Hecht, father of Louis Hecht. Jr.
Shirley Hecht, mother of Louis Hecht, Jr.
Saul Horn, father of Joan Schnitzer
Pauline Jerome, grandmother of Karen Jerome
Donald Kerwin, brother of Aleen Chabot
Minnie Kerwin, mother of Aleen Chabot
Bella Kretz, mother of James Kretz
Theodore Landsman, father of Sandra Medlin
William Levine, father of Leslie Levine
George Lichter, father of Alan Lichter
Shirley Ratner, mother of Gary Ratner
Connie Reider, mother of Rachel and Abby Reider
Herman Schlacter, father of David Slacter
Estelle Schneider, mother of Cynthia "Cindy" Bogorad
Molly Shaikun, grandmother of Stephen Turow
Tahir Shtylla, father of Genta Arovas
Sam Stein, father of Helen DiStefano
David Wolfe, husband of Helen DiStefano
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Good As We Give Annual Tzedakah Campaign is Underway
By Sandra Walter, Immediate Past President and Fundraising Chair
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WHOEVER PRACTICES CHARITY AND JUSTICE FILLS THE WORLD WITH LOVING KINDNESS. ~ Talmud
In December, we launched our annual Good As We Give fundraising campaign to encompass end-of-year donations. But we’re not done—this campaign will go on through the rest of our fiscal year, which ends in June
So, please continue to give generously. It's the size of the heart in the gift that counts. Consider how BJC reflects your values, your spirit, and how much you believe in BJC as a community of caring that you want to see continue to grow and flourish.
As you are considering your charitable giving 2022, please consider giving a generous gift to BJC. 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.
Gifts for NOW
- Tax Deductible
- Pledge now—pay monthly by credit card
- Consider tax benefits for donation of stocks
- Age 70.5+— give directly from your IRA for added benefits
Gifts for the FUTURE
- Consider writing BJC into your estate/legacy plan or will
To talk about making a meaningful gift or for help with stock, IRA, or language for your will:
Thank You!
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THANK YOUS
DONATION GENERAL
In Honor Of
Al Folsom's 90th birthday from Al & Judy Folsom
Al Folsom's 90th birthday from Shoshanah & Brian Drake
Al Folsom's 90th birthday from Karen Radnor
BJC from Helen DiStefano
Gabi Frischtak becoming a bat mitzvah from Harri Kramer & Russ Hoyga
The Author Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow speaking at the Interfaith program from Shoshanah & Brian Drake
Purim festivities at BJC from Sana Shtasel & Jim Kretz
BJC from Lorrie Van Akkeren
In Memory Of
Harri's mother Bernice Kramer from Harri Kramer & Russ Hoyga
Harri's uncle Nathan Kramer from Harri Kramer & Russ Hoyga
Harri's grandfather Abe Sherman from Harri Kramer & Russ Hogya
Dick Fogel from Bruce & Wynne Busman
Dick Fogel, our dear friend, from James Blume
Dick Fogel, my friend and colleague Sarah's father from Jennifer Bonello
Dick Fogel from Anonymous
Dick Fogel from Yvonne (Bonnie) Fogel
Dick Fogel from Sharon Gershon
Dick Fogel from Jim Korelitz & Liz Sloss
Dick Fogel from Harri Kramer & Russ Hogya
Dick Fogel from Mitchell & Julie Kraus
Dick Fogel from Ruth Salinger
RABBI DISCRETIONARY FUND
In Memory Of
Dick Fogel from Carol Kromminga
Other
Uganda Agro Project from Marty & Evelyn Ganzglass
Uganda Agro Project from Marty & Barbara Faigin
From Lorrie Van Akkeren
And to all of our members who “round up” their synagogue support and donate their time.
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AMAZON SMILES
This past quarter, BJC earned almost $100 because our members signed up for Amazon Smiles. Those qualifying purchases those pennies, nickels, dimes, and sheckles add up. It costs you nothing, but by doing your Amazon shopping through their Smiles program and designate BJC, we profit a little bit at a time -- 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.
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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
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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 Gabby Mendelsohn
BJC Administration
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DEADLINE FOR THE NEXT ISSUE: February 21st, 2022
Bethesda Jewish Congregation
6601 Bradley Boulevard
Bethesda, MD 20817-3042
Tel: 301-469-8636
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