MAY/JUNE 2016 NISAN/IYYAR/SIVAN 5776

FROM ZEMEL Saved from Holocaust, BACK FROM ISRAEL, MAKING SENSE OF Czech Serve New IT ALL Generations at Micah DEAR FRIENDS, By Shelley Grossman I’m back from Israel, thinking about Israel and trying to make sense of it all. Two silent survivors of “The Czech scrolls—held as a sacred Spend enough time in Israel and the make their home in the Temple Micah responsibility by the Memorial Scrolls sense of collective is ines- sanctuary and inconspicuously attend Trust—are a reminder of a community capable. We are a people. In every service. They are two of the tem- now destroyed, a moving testimony to America, the primary mani- ple’s four scrolls. After enduring Jewish resistance, and a remarkable trib- festation of our people- the horrific ordeal of the Holocaust, ute to the Jewish ability to revive and hood may be our religious they withstood a lengthy and ardu- regenerate,” the Trust’s chair, Evelyn faith. But in Israel, what ous journey to end up at Micah where Friedlander, has written. comes through loud, long, and strong about our peo- they quietly serve plehood is our diversity— not only their to begin with, Ashkenazic, Sephardic, intended purpose Ethiopian. Ashkenazic can mean Eastern of carrying the and Central European: Romanian, sacred words, but Polish, Russian, Hungarian and German. also symbolize the Ashkenazic also can have an Anglo persistence and flavor: British, Australian, South endurance of the African and, that’s right, American and Jewish people. Canadian. We can be Sephardic: Yemeni, Their anonym- Syrian, Iraqi, Persian. Also Sephardic ity ended at the with a French flavor: Moroccan, Algerian and even French. This is but a taste of Yom HaShoa h who we are. And in Israel, we are all in a service on May 4, cacophonous uproar. It is a delight. when they were prominently displayed The story of how two of the scrolls Returning to America after a lengthy and Rabbi Zemel held a special ceremony ended up at Micah is part mystery, part stay in Israel can be a jolt. Returning to for them. saga. the American Jewish scene can be dis- Before World War II, they were The mystery concerns Micah’s first concerting and discouraging, especially owned and used by in what Czech Torah, Scroll No. 1531, which was when one reads of the doings on the was then called Czechoslovakia. They rescued from the in Ivancice, college campuses where the anti-Israel were among 1,564 Torah scrolls from in southern Moravia, in 1942 when the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) across Czechoslovakia rescued during town’s remaining 150 or so were movement seeks to separate World War II by the Jewish Museum deported to the Nazi death camps. from . It is especially discourag- ing when one sees that, in some cases, of Prague and more than 20 years Legend has it that Jews built the first it is young Jews who are leading these later sold by the Communist govern- Ivancice synagogue in 956, but recorded efforts. ment to the Westminster Synagogue in history of the Jewish settlement there Jewish complexity is just that: com- London. That synagogueSEPTEMBER/OCTOBER established the begins in 1490. The Jewish commu 2012- plex. I worry that we have not success- Memorial Scrolls Trust, which over the nity of Ivancice supported an important fully imparted to a younger generation decades has made a permanent loan of yeshiva at least through the 19th century the subtle nuances of the Jewish expe- about 1,000 of the scrolls to synagogues although the Jewish population peaked ; CONTINUED ON PAGE 10 ; around the world. CONTINUED PAGE 3 2 NISAN/IYYAR/SIVAN 5776

PRESIDENT’S COLUMN “Every person shall sit under his grapevine or fig tree with no one to make him afraid.” A FOCUS ON MEANING MICAH, CHAPTER 4, VERSE 4 By Jodi Enda We start with a niggun, a prayerful, which social action and social justice wordless melody. projects we should actively support in We move into a d’var Torah, led by Washington, in the United States, in Vine one of our three , followed by a Israel and elsewhere. We talk about what Vol. 52 No.4 reflective exchange about the teach- Rabbi Zemel calls the Human Project, a TEMPLE MICAH— ing. Sometimes the conversation can be subject that we—like many of you—still A REFORM JEWISH CONGREGATION personal—involving, for instance, indi- struggle to fully grasp. 2829 Wisconsin Ave, NW vidual struggles with We even talk about how to talk about Washington, D.C. 20007 the notion of God. It the Human Project in a way that will Voice: 202-342-9175 also can be eye open- make it more comprehensible to anyone Fax: 202-342-9179 ing, as we grapple with who isn’t Rabbi Zemel. (My definition: a Email: [email protected] [email protected] complex philosophies way to use our Jewish values, teachings Web: www.templemicah.org or theologies. It always and ethics to help move all of human- makes us think. It ity forward. We’re not just repairing the Daniel G. Zemel always helps us learn. world here; we’re creating the future.) RABBI Believe it or Sometimes we spend fully half of our Josh Beraha not, Temple Micah’s monthly meeting on ethereal, philosoph- ASSISTANT RABBI, DIRECTOR OF CONGREGATIONAL LEARNING monthly board meet- ical, difficult-to-fathom topics, such as Susan Landau ings are interesting. And whether God can be conceptualized or ASSISTANT RABBI enlightening. Even—dare I say?—fun. what it means to lead a full and mean- Rachel Gross Those are not descriptions usu- ingful life. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ally uttered in connection with either These exercises accomplish several Meryl Weiner the word “board” or “meeting.” But the things, all of which benefit Micah. On CANTOR Temple Micah Board of Directors is no an immediate level, these discussions— Teddy Klaus more typical than the congregation it along with our annual retreats—help MUSIC DIRECTOR represents. board members better appreciate each Your 15 dedicated board members other, deepen our relationships and BOARD OF DIRECTORS do much more than crunch numbers. In make us a more cohesive group. On a Jodi Enda addition to keeping track of the nuts- deeper level, they help us experience PRESIDENT and-bolts operations of the temple, and understand some of the thinking Ed Lazere we spend a lot of time contemplating that motivates our rabbis. As a result, we VICE PRESIDENT Micah’s role in American Judaism, in our not only work amazingly well together, Larry Bachorik city and in the world at large. but we are able to take part in some of SECRETARY This congregation was founded during the most important decisions that shape Joel Korn the civil rights movement, named during the course of this congregation. TREASURER the Vietnam War and rooted in strong We didn’t always have that luxury. Martha Adler principles of equality, inclusion, peace, When I joined the board six years Sheri Blotner intellectual inquiry and community. ago, Larry Cooley was president. He was Patty Brink Those core values continue to infuse a wonderful leader and a genius at figur- Jeff Davis everything we do. ing out how Micah could do the things Marina Fanning Helene Granof So while the board certainly has Micah does best on a shoestring budget. Jim Hamos to make sure we can pay the bills, it He also figured out that the shoestring Alison Harwood also engages the clergy on how best to was fraying—grants were drying up—and Heather Moran move Micah forward on more substan- that we needed a long-term solution. He Josh Seidman tive, interesting and challenging levels. decided we should pay off the mortgage. Marcia Silcox We talk about how to break down silos Mary Beth Schiffman, the next presi- within the congregation. We talk about dent, put Larry’s idea into action, bril- VINE STAFF making everything we do more soul- liantly wrapping a capital campaign inside Dorian Friedman ful and spiritual. We talk about creat- a celebration of Micah’s first 50 years. CO-EDITOR ing thick relations among our mem- Under her guidance and with the gener- Shelley Grossman bers. We talk about how to determine CONTINUED ON PAGE 7 ; CO-EDITOR AURAS Design PRODUCTION EDITORS’ NOTE: The March/April issue of the Vine profiled several Micah teens who participated in the Religious Action Center (RAC)’s recent Social Justice Seminar on Capitol Hill. We regret incorrectly identifying the RAC on first reference. MAY/JUNE 2016 3 Micah Welcomes Matthew Green as Summer Rabbinical Fellow By Carole Sugarman Matthew Green, a rabbinic meaningful connection to on Next Dor, the 20s, 30s they will join synagogues and candidate at the Hebrew Jewish life. program.” whether they find relevancy Union College in New York, Biggest influences What he hopes to in Jewish life. Membership is scheduled to be Micah’s on his Jewish learning: bring to Micah: “I think in our traditional institutions summer fellow from May “Growing up in the Midwest I will bring to the table a set do not serve a millennial 29 to July 7. Green follows a in places where there were of fresh eyes which is always sensibility.” long line of students hosted not many Jews forced me good to have in a commu- Recently read by Micah as part of the to think about what being nity, even one as well run books: Just Mercy by Bryan Tisch Rabbinical Fellowship Jewish meant at a very early as Micah. I’m really excited Stevenson, about how the Program, a mentoring and age. Then I studied history to work with Rabbi Landau criminal justice system is training initiative established in college. My attraction to and other staff members stacked against blacks, and by the college in 2006. Here’s Judaism was to think Between the World and Me a snapshot of Green, who rooted in my about mak- by Ta-Nehisi Coates, a let- spoke about his background, own personal ing Micah ter from a black father to interests, and what he hopes history and a place that his son. They’re part of a to learn at Micah: my interest is appealing series of books members of Age: 25 in Jews in for young Congregation Beth Elohim Hometowns: Ann world his- Jews. I’m are reading for a program Arbor and East Lansing, tory more really inter- about the role of Jews in the Michigan. “An important broadly. ested in mil- broader conversation about detail, as small academic Those two lennial Jews race in America. towns are my inborn model things and where Outreach to the for a Jewish community. together they fit into LGBT community: “In Small but mighty. Ann Arbor really influ- our syna- addition to school and my is kind of my shtetl.” enced me gogue. I’m job at the temple, and direct- Education: University to make the choice [to go excited to see what young ing Brooklyn Jews, over the of Michigan, majored in his- to rabbinical school]. And Jewish engagement in a past year, I’ve been work- tory and political science. I really didn’t want to go to major city might look like.” ing with another community Now a third year student at law school. Everybody said Observations on [on a project] that I actually Hebrew Union College. ‘don’t be a lawyer.’ Both my Jewish millennials: “I built. It’s an LGBT Current schedule: parents are lawyers.” don’t think that they’re any that meets once a month in After morning and early Upcoming fellow- different from any other people’s houses and event afternoon courses at rabbini- ship roles: “The point generation. But a big part of spaces around Brooklyn. It cal school, Green works at is to largely shadow Rabbi programming should be a low grew into a large-scale event, Congregation Beth Elohim in Zemel and get a sense of barrier to entry—free events, with dinner and a service. It’s Brooklyn, where he teaches how he crafted Micah into or events with food and/or really popular.” classes and b’nai an innovative synagogue. an open bar. That appeals to Hobbies: “That’s hard students. He also directs its I’ll be leading some a younger crowd. What may to answer. I feel like my life program called Brooklyn services, and working on a be unique about this genera- is all Judaism, all the time. I Jews, a community of young High Holiday project. I hope tion is that there is a ques- do enjoy running in the park, Brooklynites looking for a to work with Rabbi Landau tion about whether or not and I enjoy cooking.”

Scrolls FROM PAGE 1 ; didn’t exist. The temple was named long-established synagogues? Surviving at only about 800 individuals in 1830. the Southwest Hebrew Congregation, members from the time have only vague Here’s the intriguing part. According had only recently foundSEPTEMBER/OCTOBER a stable home memories of the Torah and can’t 2012 relate to the records of the Memorial Scrolls at St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church in any specifics of the story. Nonetheless, Trust, Torah No. 1531 was given on Southwest DC, and didn’t even have its 50 years later, it usually sits comfortably permanent loan to Temple Micah in own rabbi. How was it able to procure in the second ark from the left, bearing 1966. But in 1966, a “Temple Micah” such a special Torah desired by many CONTINUED PAGE 6 ; 4 NISAN/IYYAR/SIVAN 5776

COMING ATTRACTIONS INTERESTING SPEAKERS! Here’s a sampling of coming Micah activities. For a detailed schedule Temple Micah features two monthly lecture series—on Sunday morning and of all upcoming events and services, Wednesday noon. The Sunday discussions are on summer break, but please check out www.templemicah.org. join us for one of our Wednesday Lunch & Learn sessions. For more details, go online to www.templemicah.org. FRIDAY, MAY 6 • 6 PM High School Graduation Kabbalat Shabbat Service LUNCH & LEARN Join us to celebrate the accomplish- ments of Alia Schechter and Rachel Wednesdays from noon to 2 pm Snyderman as they graduate high A monthly program sponsored by the Aging Together Team. Reserve online at school. Oneg at 6 pm; Service at 6:30 www.templemicah.org. Contact Livia Bardin, [email protected], pm. With Youth Choir performance. or call the temple office, 202-342-9175, for details. FRIDAY, MAY 13 • 6 PM Kabbalat Shabbat Service May 11 – Dr. Gail Povar on “Ethical Issues in Organ Donation” Honoring Cantor Meryl Weiner Temple Micah pays tribute to Cantor When organ donation first became possible, few patients Meryl Weiner for her 18 years of ser- could benefit because there were so many medical vice. Oneg at 6 pm; Service at 6:30 pm. complications. Today, organ transplantation is widely FRIDAYS, MAY 13, JUNE 10, JULY 8 • 6 PM practiced, and as the medical environment has changed, Young Family Shabbat the ethical challenges have as well. Old problems, such Every second Friday of the month, Rabbi Beraha leads a brief family ser- as what to do about the gap between demand and vice (best for ages 0–7) emphasizing supply, continue to plague us. But new questions have music, movement, storytelling and fun. also emerged. For example, is it permissible to keep a body “alive” in order Stay and enjoy Shabbat dinner and arts and crafts. Dinner is $5.00 per person; to preserve organs, when the advance directive states “do not resuscitate”? free for kids under 2. For details and to We will discuss these issues, and include the important perspective of Jewish RSVP, email youngfamilyshabbat@ medical ethics. templemicah.org. FRIDAY, MAY 20 • 7:30 PM June 8 – Rabbi Daniel Zemel on “What Should a 21st Century Synagogue Be?” Spring Community Shabbat Dinner Synagogues are simultaneously called bet tefillah, bet Following Kabbalat Shabbat services, and bet Knesset—or houses of prayer, learning stay for a festive Shabbat meal. Eat and gathering. Rabbi Zemel wonders what these terms great food, meet new members and catch up with old friends. $20 for those might mean today. Prayer, learning and social gathering age 13 and over; children free. RSVP by are all means of discovery. We discover ourselves in May 13 to www.templemicah.org. prayer. We discover ourselves, our past, and the ideas of SATURDAY, JUNE 11 • 7 PM others in learning and we discover others in the world Festival of Dangerous Ideas on around us in social gathering. Come for lunch and join the conversation about Shavuot new ways of conceiving of the synagogue as a place of discovery. Our festival of Shavuot, which com- memorates the receiving of Torah at Mt. Sinai, will focus on modern- day ‘dangerous’ and radical ideas to improve America, the Jewish world, and our own community. Temple Micah Annual Membership Meeting SUNDAY, JULY 3 • Morning Sunday, June 5, 2016 Temple Micah Honors 10 am – 12 noon Independence Day We’ll meet at the entrance to the In the Social Hall Arlington National Cemetery Metro stop between 9:45 and 10 a.m. and walk Watch your mail for details, coming soon. Agenda includes to the Cemetery for a short service to honor our country and those who have remarks from the rabbis and the president, the treasurer’s given their lives in defense of freedom. report, and election of new board members. MAY/JUNE 2016 5

LESSONS FROM LANDAU ON MILLENNIALS AND NOSTALGIA By Rabbi Susan Landau Nostalgia seems to have boyfriend!” “The minivan, driv- tion in Jewish life. But we need hit my generation particu- ing with my parents, 1997.” to apply it carefully. It would larly hard. Facebook is full “This takes me right back to be an easy mistake simply to of “Throwback Thursday” summer camp, 2005.” Everyone revive synagogue programs and “Flashback Friday” posts, was eager to share. Nostalgia, from the ’90s and expect and the announcement of a folks, is alive and well among today’s 20/30-something studies nostalgia. From his Friends reunion, a remake of the millennial generation. Jews to find them as endear- assessments, we can learn how Full House, more Muppets I was just reading a blog ing and adorable as they do to use the power of nostal- movies, and even Girl Meets post about nostalgia, that Fuller House. While it seems gia not as a prescription for World, is met with as much wistful feeling that tugs at our a given that today’s millen- living in the past, but as a hype as anything new on TV. sentimentality as we think of nial Jews will feel warm and guide for engaging millennials In March, when Next Dor the past—often, an idealized fuzzy while watching a Saved in Jewish life moving forward. (our program that connects version of the past that fills us By the Bell tribute on late- Wildschut notes that “…nos- Jewish adults in their 20s and with yearning. Why, the writer night TV, there is no sense of talgia can have many positive 30s to each other, to Judaism, asks, “is the most thoroughly nostalgia for the Jewish world effects: it increases a sense of and to Temple Micah) spent modern, technologically savvy of their parents’ generation. social connectedness, it boosts a cozy Shabbat evening with generation so backwards- As young adulthood stretches self-esteem, it imbues life with Jewish singer/songwriter looking? Why does nostalgia into the fourth decade of life, meaning, it fosters a sense of Michelle Citrin, we sat on appeal to us so much? And, is the arcs of our lives no longer continuity across time. These the floor singing for hours. it possible to innovate whilst fit the mold that has rooted are all important psychological Michelle took requests for constantly thinking about your the Jewish community since functions.” Is social connected- the many oldies in our song- next throwback?” These ques- the 1950s. The synagogue has ness, a life of meaning, and a book, and asked each of us tions bring the conversation to changed too much since then, sense of continuity across time, to share the reasoning behind Jewish life. and largely for the better. It not what Judaism is all about? our requests. “Where does If nostalgia is such a char- is harder to make Jewish life We need to create com- this song take you?” she asked, acteristic pastime of millen- relevant now, when we cannot munities that compel young over and over again. “This is nials, it should be able to count on automatic buy-in Jews to feel connected to this the song I used to sing on the teach us something about from the community. But our sense of continuity across phone with my high school how to engage this genera- efforts can yield something time. Eventually, our programs, richer as we build communities organizations, and communi- of choice. And I think nostalgia ties of choice will earn a sense Kabbalat Shabbat Service can help us figure out how. of ownership from millenni- honoring Nostalgia is such a powerful als. Nostalgia teaches us that, emotion because it connects in the Jewish world, we cannot Cantor us to our lives on the two light the spark of ownership Temple Micah will be most essential levels. We can with yesteryear’s Jewish offer- honoring Cantor Meryl feel nostalgic for a moment ings. Just as nostalgia makes us Meryl Weiner Weiner for 18 years in time, riding in the minivan, feel fiercely fond—and protec- for 18 Years of Service to our Community of service. Meryl has and immediately remember tive—of our formative memo- Friday evening, May 13, 2016 consistently brought beautiful and uplifting what it was like to see the ries, we can cultivate similar 6:00 pm Oneg world through the eyes of a feelings for Jewish living. 6:30 pm Kabbalat Shabbat Service music to our worship, and has guided child, as it zooms by the car Millennials, bring me your students of all ages window. Nostalgia connects ideas and your passions. in their journeys to us to ourselves. And nostalgia Be a part of Next Dor, and become b’nai mitzvah and engage in life-long also reinforces the reality that Temple Micah, for that matter. Jewish learning. we are all interconnected. We Together, we can uncover a bond over common experi- Judaism that is relevant, and Please join us at this ences, whether they are grow- worthy of our protection as special service to celebrate her. ing up watching Growing Pains well as our warm and fuzzy or singing together under the feelings. If we can find new starsSEPTEMBER/OCTOBER at camp. There are few ways to channel nostalgic 2012 feel- memories more enduring. ings of longing and belong- Tim Wildschut, Associate ing into Jewish living, we will Professor of Psychology at the create bonds that will outlive University of Southampton, our generation. 6 NISAN/IYYAR/SIVAN 5776

FOUR-YEAR-OLD SAVES FAMILY — A HOLOCAUST MEMORY Eva Jacob, a long-standing Micah member, escaped Nazi father avoided arrest during the day “by mingling with people Germany with her family on November 10, 1938, Kristallnacht attending funerals in the Catholic cemetery. I don’t know (Crystal Night, also called the Night of Broken Glass), the where they went that night,” Jacob writes. disastrous pogrom against Jews in Germany and Austria, which In the morning, Jacob’s mother “bravely took the baby signaled a dramatic increase in anti-Jewish persecution by the carriage, stuffed blankets in it to make it look as though she Nazis. were just taking the baby out for a stroll, and walked across Jacob was four years old. the Rhine bridge to our house,” Jacob continues. “She went “Actually, by a kind of miracle, without really knowing what back into her wrecked house, windows and furniture smashed I was doing, I managed to save my whole family, present and and every visible thing of value gone,” and went straight to future,” she writes of that experience in a memoir that she a smashed desk, unlocked a drawer and took out traveler and her family read at their Passover seders. checks the family would need if it got out of Germany, “and Many Micah members remember Jacob, an artist, through coolly made her way back to the hospital.” the charcoal drawings she made to document the construc- Meanwhile, the family had still not received its new pass- tion of the temple’s building on Wisconsin Ave., as well as ports—with a prominent “J” on the cover—required by a new portraits she painted of many members. Jacob and her hus- law announced the previous month. The situation was dire, band, Fred, have become long-distance temple members. but luck was on the side of the family. The non-Jewish driver Several years ago, they moved to Milwaukee to be close to from the family printing business “who wanted to help us, their daughter, a musician, and grandkids. Their son, Walter, managed to retrieve our passports from the post office and also a Micah member, remains in the area. Unfortunately, Fred then took us to the train station.” has descended into dementia and Jacob recently was diag- The family got on a train to Switzerland, where her other nosed with terminal lung cancer. grandparents lived, not knowing what would happen when When she was two years old, in 1936, increasingly anti- they got to the border. But again, luck smiled on them when Jewish laws convinced her family to leave their home in they disembarked. Mannheim, Germany. Her father’s brother and business partner Jacob concludes her narrative: “At the critical moment— did emigrate to the US to set up the family printing business in the border official had all our papers—I spotted my grandfa- the New World. But unlike his brother, her father had retained ther on the other side of the barrier between Germany and his Czech citizenship, his family’s country of origin. At that Switzerland, so I did the most natural thing in the world: I ran time, America had a much tighter quota for immigrants from straight across and into my dear grandfather’s arms. We will Eastern Europe than from Germany, so he was denied entrance never know whether the man holding our papers understood to the US and the family had to stay in Germany. what was happening or was just a sentimental German watch- Life got worse for German Jews during the next two years ing a little blond girl who loved her grandfather. He asked my that culminated in Kristallnacht. Restrictions were tight- frightened parents, ‘Is that your little girl?’ ened and Jews, particularly men, were routinely arrested and “When they said yes, the man said, ‘Well, you’d better go deported. When the riots started on November 10, Jacob, her and look after her!’ He stamped our papers without looking mother, grandmother and baby brother found shelter at the at them, handed them back to my father and said, ‘Have a Jewish Hospital for the Deaf and Blind. Her father and grand- nice vacation!’ And that’s how we got out of Germany.”

Scrolls FROM PAGE 3 ; movement until World War in 2013) was slated to become asked to fill out forms in a brass plate with its number II. At least six Torah scrolls president later in 1983. They which Vivian clearly estab- and other information. were rescued from Kolin and had been told that additional lished that she was an official A lot more is remem- now reside in synagogues in Czech Torahs were available of Temple Micah,” Liebenau bered about Torah No. 360, Arizona, California, England from the Memorial Scrolls said. They then stood in a which was rescued—also in and Israel, in addition to the Trust. As Liebenau recalls, long line. “Eventually, we 1942—from Kolin in cen- Micah scroll in DC. their first challenge was find- were taken to a warehouse tral Bohemia. Kolin was Micah’s role in the story ing Westminster Synagogue, that contained only empty a major Jewish center in began in 1983, when Micah which—like many European shelves. They told us all of Czechoslovakia with records members Jerry and Vivian synagogues—was located the Torahs had already been showing Jews living there Liebenau decided to visit anonymously in a large apart- distributed.” Frustrated, the in the 14th century. It also their son Jonathan who was ment building. Liebenaus completed their had a prominent yeshiva living in London. Jerry had “When we arrived, we vacation and returned home and remained a strong- been president of Micah from were ushered into a recep- empty handed. hold of the Czecho-Jewish 1979-81 and Vivian (who died tion area where we were CONTINUED NEXT PAGE ; MAY/JUNE 2016 7

MICAH TELEPHONE BUDDIES MOVES FORWARD By Jeanne Mallett on behalf of the Aging Together Committee Everyone needs a buddy to from illness or an operation. position only to receive calls. friendship. Long-time Micah talk with from time to time, But those contacts generally The three other buddy pairs member Sid Booth says the especially people living alone, were temporary. are exchanging match between him and perhaps far away from family. Micah Telephone calls and say they younger member John Sherry So the Aging Together and Buddies call each are enthusiastic “has been a joy.” In addition Hineni committees are part- other regularly for about the pro- to their conversations, Booth nering in a program they call as long as both gram. “I’ve made and wife Elka met Sherry “Micah Telephone Buddies” want to continue. a new good friend and wife Marisha and their to connect Micah members So far, the pro- I might not have children at a recent Young who would like to make and gram has matched otherwise known,” Family Shabbat service. receive friendly regular phone five buddy pairs. said buddy Arlene Sherry says, “I enjoy commu- calls. Hineni volunteers Two people signed Brown. nicating with Sid. Our con- already were calling Micah up just to make calls and are The program has at versations have a lot of value members during recuperation matched with buddies in a least one inter-generational CONTINUED PAGE 9 ;

President’s Column FROM PAGE 2 ; large and small. But we can breathe a bit Gross. I am proud to have helped hire ous contributions of our members, we easier now, and that enables the board to Rabbis Josh Beraha and Susan Landau, raised enough money to burn the mort- be fully immersed in the real business of two outstanding additions to an already gage early this year. Temple Micah. Meaning. Not money. extraordinary team. For nearly three years, I have been the As my term on the board and as There are no words that adequately beneficiary of my predecessors’ superb president draws to a close in June, I real- thank Rabbi Zemel for his leadership, leadership. While the board still has to think ize I will miss this chapter of my time partnership and friendship. During more about money—how to raise it and how at Temple Micah. It has been enriching, than three decades here, he has made best to budget it—the constant pressure educational and, yes, meaningful. It has and continues to make Micah what it is: has eased. Paying off the mortgage saves us helped me grow as a person and as a . a place full of intellectual stimulation; of $100,000 a year in interest, almost exactly It has been a lot of work, sure, but also a personal and communal searching and what we previously received in grants for lot of fun. growth; of thought and prayer and bold- staffing and programs. Our new Innovation I am grateful to the congregation for ness. It is a place for creativity and mis- Fund should give us money for excit- its support, to my predecessors for their takes, for celebrations, for grieving, for ing fresh endeavors, the kinds of experi- advice, to so many board members and learning, for Jewish journeys, for individual mentation that make Micah a trailblazer other volunteers for their enormous con- and collective exploration. among congregations. And, eventually, our tributions and to the staff members who It is a place to forge thick relations and Endowment Fund will give us added finan- do so much for the temple every day. I advance the Human Project. cial security well into the future. treasure the time I have spent working We start with a niggun, a prayerful, To be sure, we still need your annual with Cantor Meryl Weiner, Music Director wordless melody. pledges and donations to pay expenses Teddy Klaus and Executive Director Rachel What it means is up to us.

Scrolls FROM PREVIOUS PAGE ; me what was in the box. I opened. “It was covered with arrived at Dulles Airport was Months passed and then said, ‘A Torah scroll.’ They [plastic packing] peanuts.” in very bad condition and had out of the blue, Nancy said: ‘What’s a Torah?’ I said, A look at the websites of to be sent to a sofer (a Torah Elisburg—temple president ‘A religious object used in several synagogues that have scribe) to be fixed and made at the time—got a call that Jewish services.’ Blank stares. a Czech scroll describe a ritually usable. “It was a short a Torah was waiting to be Then I said, It’s the Bible.’ formal ceremony to receive time after I arrived,” Rabbi picked up at Dulles Airport. More blank stares. Finally, the scrolls. One temple has Zemel recalled. “To make it “I got the call not because I one of the agents said, ‘Is it pictures of a solemn parade kosher took a lot of work.” was president but because I something that is used at a of men in dark suits with the Eventually, the Torah lived not far from Dulles,” Bar Mitzvah? I went to a Bar scroll carried under a chupah came back in good shape. Elisburg reckons. Mitzvah, once.’ I said, ‘Yes.’ intoSEPTEMBER/OCTOBER the synagogue. Micah’s Now it sits in the farthest 2012 She drove to the Dulles They said, ‘OK,’ and helped scroll received a much more left ark and, for more than 30 cargo area and confronted me put it in my car.” informal welcome. years in this, its second life, it customs officials. As she con- Elisburg took the box But that was not the end continues to carry its sacred tinues the story: “They asked to the temple, where it was of the story. The Torah that ancient task. 8 NISAN/IYYAR/SIVAN 5776

Glen Kiggins, by Kate Kiggins and Jared Blum LIBRARY FUND RABBI’S DISCRETIONARY Lotte Povar, by David and Lucy IN MEMORY OF FUND Asher, Lora Ferguson, Robyn Garnett Sari Glasser Erlanger, by IN MEMORY OF Natalie Westreich, by the Wendy Erlanger AUCTION FUND Westreich family Hilda Berner, by Sid and Elka Booth IN MEMORY OF Judy Cohen, by Shellie Lotte Povar, by Shellie Bressler MICAH HOUSE and Andy Bressler HINENI FUND Judith Capen and Robert Weinstein Gilbert Harwood, by Sid and ENDOWMENT FUND IN MEMORY OF Geico Match for Helene Boroch Elka Booth, Susie Blumenthal Julian Meer, by Janice Meer Todd Goren Milton Mortman, by Rhoda, IN HONOR OF and Michael Bodo Julie Granof Jerome, and Howard Mortman Paul Greenberg and Rick Billingsley, Melamed Foundation Lotte Povar, by Helen Rea on the occasion of their marriage, INNOVATION FUND Lisa and David Pansegrouw and Robert Sugar by Mark and Cecilia Weinheimer Pearl Obrand, by Lorri Manasse IN HONOR OF Vanguard Match for Iris Barnett and Russ Misheloff IN MEMORY OF Judy and Jack Hadley, Jeff Passel, IN HONOR OF Lotte Povar, by Dan and and Louise and Danny Zemel, Dorothy Ward, by Dennis Suzanne Griffith and Ed Lazere’s Ward and Lynne Landsberg Laurie Brumberg by Melinda and Doug Soffer service, by Rita and Gary Carleton Rabbi Herb Schwartz and FOX-MEHLMAN FUND Harriett Stonehill, by the IN MEMORY OF SOCIAL ACTION FUND Michael Judson, by Stacey Braverman, IN MEMORY OF Tuesday Wise Aging Group IN HONOR OF Arlyn Riskind, Ann Sablosky, the Gail Povar and Larry, Justin and Vivian Liebenau, by Harold and IN MEMORY OF Sherry family, Beverly Yett Betsi Closter, Gerald Liebenau Carley Broder, by Betsy Broder Alexandra Bachorik, by Jonathan Lotte Povar, by Harry Moreno and Leslye Fenton and David Wentworth and Jessica Silver Gilbert Harwood, by David Shira Zemel and Noah GENERAL FUND Regine Ransohoff, by Jim Roumell Westreich taking Machon Jeff Passel and Martha Adler and Debbie Billet-Roumell Kate Mayblum, by Harriett Stonehill Micah students to the L’Taken Humayin Shinwaru, by Seminar, by Lynne Landsberg IN HONOR OF Lotte Povar, by David Ann E. Pforzheimer Ed and Shelley Grossman and Barbara Diskin IN MEMORY OF and Mary Beth Schiffman, by MUSIC FUND Gilbert Harwood, by Sara Alan and Deborah Kraut KALLEK ADULT EDUCATION Morningstar and Phil Katz Aaron Klaus, by David IN MEMORY OF Louise Mach, by Dan Mach and Lucy Asher FUND Irene Chait, Nettie Rogers, and and Kimberly Parker IN MEMORY OF Julien Mezey, by Marilyn Paul Lotte Povar, by Jonathan Moreno IN MEMORY OF Jack Chernak, by Beverly Sanford Lazar, by Learita Scott Lilyan Barchoff, by Jared and Leslye Fenton, Cecelia and Harlan Sherwat Lillie Page, by William Frank Page and Mark Weinheimer Blum and Kate Kiggins Lotte Povar, by Steve Rockower Fred Sugarman, by Carole Sugarman Hilda Berner, by Livia and Regine Ransohoff, by Josh and Ann Sablosky, Jim Roumell and Annie Fixler David Bardin, Marilyn Paul and Debbie Billet-Roumell RABBI LANDAU’S Irene Chait, by Marilyn Paul Samuel Iker, by Jean Iker Ruth Goldberg, by Nancy Raskin DISCRETIONARY FUND THE RABBI DANIEL Gilbert Harwood, by Shellie LANDSCAPE FUND IN HONOR OF GOLDMAN ZEMEL FUND and Andy Bressler, Kate Rabbi Landau’s leading shiva for FOR ISRAEL Kiggins and Jared Blum IN MEMORY OF Hilda Berner, by Diana Seasonwein Irving Karp and Abe Schwartz, Minnie Odoroff and Jerry Rabbi Landau’s winter IN MEMORY OF by Herb and Sharon Schwartz Bloom, by Elizabeth Odoroff classes, by Rich Lehmann Virginia Aines and Stephanie Aines Hadley, by Judy and Jack Hadley

Thank You, Ellen Sommer, Judaica Shop Maven Anyone who over the past decade has Sommer has fond memories of retail- purchased or admired an item from the ing from her earliest years. She grew up beautiful Judaica craft collection displayed learning the trade in her grandfather’s in Temple Micah’s lobby has Ellen Sommer large clothing store in northern New to thank. Sommer retired on May 1 as Jersey, and retail may be “in her blood,” Judaica Shop tzar. she jokes. Even so, there was a lot to learn acknowledges that the shop is a team “Ellen has performed a great service about the niche market of Judaica mer- effort and extends special thanks to to the community for many years,” says chandise. At Rabbi Zemel’s suggestion, she Marcia Silcox and Wendy Erlanger who Jodi Enda, temple president. “She has put began purchasing increasingly from Israeli have assisted her for many years. great thought and effort into maintaining artists. Virtually all items not made by Her favorite duties have been helping EMANUEL, JUDAICAWEBSTORE.COM YAIR ARTWORK: a beautiful, well-stocked shop, showcas- members are designed and produced by Micah’s younger customers select their ing pieces from international and Temple Israeli craft makers and imported through favorite tallit for their own bar or bat Micah artists.” Sommer inherited the job wholesalers or directly. “This has made it mitzvah, or choose gifts for a parent or from fellow member Jennifer Gruber, more meaningful for me,” says Sommer, sibling. whose hard work set a high standard. Like who has cherished her role as a “way to She’ll miss the creativity of the job and her predecessor, Sommer has handled all support the temple, and to support Israel the chance to interact with a wide range aspects of the business: selecting, buying, at the same time.” of congregants, she says, but she looks displaying and selling the merchandise. All Sommer has been a ubiquitous pres- forward to remaining active in the Micah proceeds from the Judaica collection sup- ence on Sunday mornings, at the annual community—and, now, sleeping in on an port the temple. Hanukkah fair and at other holidays. She occasional Sunday morning. MAY/JUNE 2016 9

B’NAI MITZVAH MIA KRISTENSEN MARSHALL COOPERMAN MAY 7 / 29 NISAN JUNE 4 / 27 IYYAR PARENTS: Sunny Kaplan and Peter Kristensen PARENTS: Alan Cooperman and TORAH PORTION: Kedoshim Martina Vandenberg INDEPENDENT LEARNING PROJECT: Mia is putting TORAH PORTION: Bamidbar together a Jewish vegetarian cookbook INDEPENDENT LEARNING PROJECT: Marshall and plans to create an online resource is reading books on , with the recipes, the reasons for eating a including works by Amos Elon, plant-based diet, and why it is especially Hannah Arendt and Benny Morris. meaningful in the Jewish tradition. ALEXANDER (ALEXI) LÁSZLÓ WEINBERG BENJAMIN FLEURENCE JUNE 11 / 5 SIVAN MAY 14 / 6 IYYAR PARENTS: Jeremy Weinberg and PARENTS: Olivier and Rachael Fleurence Sophia Coudenhove-Kalergi TORAH PORTION: Emor TORAH PORTION: Nasso INDEPENDENT LEARNING PROJECT: Benji INDEPENDENT LEARNING PROJECT: After volunteered at PEP, a local parenting considering various projects involving organization. He participated in the “Can Do cooking for his study project, Kids Fair” in March to teach young children Alexi decided instead to explore aged 4-10 bike repair activities such as Israeli-Palestinian relations. changing punctured tires. In addition, Benji is researching the influence of Judaism on LUKE COMFORT-COHEN a number of Jewish show-biz personalities. JUNE 18 / 12 SIVAN PARENTS: Lisa B. Cohen SADIE WYATT Susan Comfort MAY 21 / 13 IYYAR TORAH PORTION: Beha’alotekha PARENTS: Jennifer Steinhauer and Ed Wyatt INDEPENDENT LEARNING PROJECT: TORAH PORTION: Behar Luke is creating a film about the INDEPENDENT LEARNING PROJECT: Sadie experience of studying for a bar or participated in a Holocaust-themed book bat mitzvah at Temple Micah. club and the philanthropy project for her independent study with other 7th graders.

MAZAL TOV! ANDREW (DREW) WARNER Dan and Mimi Steinberg, on their marriage MAY 28 / 20 IYYAR PARENTS: Gail and Seth Warner TORAH PORTION: Bechukotai INDEPENDENT LEARNING PROJECT: Drew is reading about Israel and its history CONDOLENCES in preparation for a family trip the Warners are planning this summer. The Temple Micah community extends its deepest condolences to: The Family of Sandy Cohen, who served as WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS Temple Micah’s interim administrator in 2009 Jessie Regunberg and Garrett King Gail Povar, on the passing of her mother, Lotte B. Povar Stan Soloway, on the death of his father, Telephone buddies FROM PAGE 7 ; Arnold Soloway for me as a younger adult as I am able to learn a lot from his Paula Wolfson Stevenson, on the loss of her wisdom.” They both hope Micah Telephone Buddies flour- mother, Irene Ruth Wolfson ishes and attracts more people. Sherry adds, “Taking the time to have a conversation with another person really helps put Steven Weisman, on the death of his uncle, the world into better perspective than just relying on social Conrad Platt media feeds.” David and Carole Wilson, on the loss of their The Micah Telephone Buddies program is eager to add SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012 daughter-in-law, Samantha Kamionka Wilson new members and facilitate new friendships. If you are interested in knowing more, please email phonebuddies@ May their memories be for a blessing. templemicah.org or phone the office at (202) 342-9175. You may also sign up on the paper form in the Micah lobby. 10 NISAN/IYYAR/SIVAN 5776

More Wise Aging Groups in the Works By Harriette Kinberg

Last fall’s Wise Aging program was so success- members and four non-members who met in ful the Aging Together gang is doing it again. Wise 12-person cohorts for nine sessions at the temple. Aging is a project of the Wise Aging Committee, Several Micah members served as cohort facilita- which in turn is part of Temple Micah’s Aging tors after completing training led by the Institute for Together Team. Jewish Spirituality. Using the Wise Aging book and In addition to continuing the three cohorts that other materials, participants were guided in reflec- met over the winter, the organizers are working tive work that enabled them to come to new under- out arrangements to establish perhaps two new standings about their lives, selves and values. 8-12 person groups that generally will meet once An online evaluation of the program yielded such every week or two, for two hours, over a 4-6 month glowing reviews as: period. Registration will be on a first come-first “I think I am able to accept my own aging a little served basis. A questionnaire has been posted on better and see it in a more positive light.” the Wise Aging page of the temple’s website where “I learned of my own resistance, acceptance, and those interested can indicate their day/time pref- even anticipation of the end of life.” erence. A Wise Aging flyer was also mailed to all “The discussions allowed me to look ‘behind the temple members last month. veil’ and consider next steps with people I learned to There is no charge, but all participants must buy trust.” the book, Wise Aging: Living with Joy, Resilience and “Our tradition offers much wisdom; the course Spirit, which costs $16.95. To establish and maintain empowers us to share some of our own.” rapport within the groups and develop a safe, nour- To learn more, visit the Wise Aging page of the ishing community, participants are asked to commit temple’s website, email [email protected], to regular attendance. or leave a message at the temple office for a facilita- The initial Wise Aging series involved 32 Micah tor to call you.

Rabbi’s Message FROM PAGE 1 ; This is not only an anti-Israel and anti- in Israel’s Declaration of Independence, to Zionist position, it is the newest brand create a modern Jewish state “based upon rience. To be Jewish, as I have said many of anti-Semitism. As my colleague, Rabbi freedom, justice and peace as envisaged times, is to be a participant in a sprawling John Rosove of Los Angeles, has written, by the prophets of Israel.” (and sometimes brawling) peoplehood. “It denies the right of the Jewish people There is so much in Israel to love: Mordecai Kaplan called us a civiliza- to define itself.” The award-winning institute Givat tion—a useful term. As a civilization, we I am proud to call myself a Zionist and Haviva, founded in 1948, promotes embody all the trappings of a broad and I rejoice in Israel’s many achievements. dialogue and creating shared society varied culture, including language, litera- Having said this, I also admit there is much between Jews and Arabs all over Israel. ture, art, music and much more. Kaplan in Israel to criticize today. Shaharit, a self-styled new think tank called them, collectively, “folkways.” My I cringe and weep at many of the poli- that advances a compelling vision of the children’s Israeli high school teacher used cies of the Netanyahu government. I am common good and works tirelessly to the example of cookbooks. “What reli- pained beyond measure by the ascen- break down the silos in Israeli society. gion has a cookbook?” he would ask. We dancy of a militant racist Zionism that The Israel Religious Action Center, have many varieties of and wraps itself in the garb of Jewish religios- a project of the Israel Movement for countless Jewish cookbooks. Religions ity. I cannot allow myself to be passive. Progressive Judaism, advocates on a wide don’t have cuisines. Civilizations and cul- There is no time. “The day is short,” says variety of issues. Their motto: “We don’t tures do. Pirke Avot. take no for an answer.” Zionism is simply the word we adopted I feel deeply that as Reform Jews we They all need and deserve our help. in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to have an unceasing, unremitting and tow- Our Jewish imperative is to support refer to Jewish peoplehood and its con- ering obligation to support those Israelis these heroes in their endeavors. Temple nection to its homeland. who devote themselves every day to the Micah’s Israel fund exists to do just that. Supporters of the BDS movement do creation of the kind of Israel that we can I would love to see our community send not understand this. To them, Israel is an love. Many Israelis are doing God’s work $10,000 to $20,000 a year to Israeli orga- illegitimate country that should not exist. to bring to fruition the words enshrined CONTINUED NEXT PAGE ; MAY/JUNE 2016 11

BERAHA’S BLACKBOARD JEWISH RELIGIOSITY AS A CREATIVE FORCE By Rabbi Josh Beraha

Recently a congregant shared “religiosity starts anew with but this communion no longer with me that the Torah ser- every young person.” “Religion consisted of anything but the vice—and maybe even our means passivity—an accep- sacrifice.” relationship to the Torah tance of the handed down What started with a real, itself—feels to her like idola- command,” while “religiosity active desire to connect with try. It might sound a little means activity—the entering God slowly became merely a bizarre, but she’s not the only into relation with the abso- stable, conditioned act devoid one who thinks so. I pointed lute.” Religion is preservation of meaning. When Buber line becoming a mere symbol? her to an early essay from the and religiosity is renewal. writes, “the symbol became What if our desire to create great Jewish thinker Martin The Jewish project, for a substitute,” he’s saying that something new becomes our Buber who takes up this issue Buber, is ultimately a balance the people were conditioned, supreme organizing principle in his essay “Jewish Religiosity.” between these two forces, but sacrifice after sacrifice, until above all else? If so, then our Buber shows how once upon religiosity is always necessary the priests stood only for commitment to creativity, par- a time our Torah was indeed to move the project forward, preservation and power. The adoxically, could become our “viewed as a statue, a sum of to keep Judaism flexible and true intention behind the act undoing. Within our inherited prescriptions, formalistically alive. Thus, in the example of was gone. Later in our story framework, how do we stay circumscribed by the priest, the Torah we see that what the prophets—Micah as an fresh, creative, full of a thirst dialectically spun out by the began as an act of creative example—took up the cause to move the Human Project scholar, and always directed storytelling morphed into an of sounding the siren against forward? toward the narrow, the rigid, inflexible, codified text but empty sacrifices. They cham- Soon we will celebrate the un-free—thwarting instead was later infused with added pioned Buber’s notion of reli- Shavuot, a holiday that marks of promoting living religios- layers of legend and lore that giosity, that is, a desire to be z’man matan torateinu, the ity.” Buber raises an impor- kept the stories animated. active, creative, to renew the season of “the giving of Torah.” tant if not heretical question Consider another example original meaning behind the As we approach this fes- for us to consider: could our from our history—the ancient sacrifices. tive holiday I ask: How can commitment to the Torah Israelites’ sacrificial cult, an Thinking about our com- our desire to break the mold choke instead of promote our original means of communing munity in light of Buber I see continue to be genuine and relationship with God and with the Divine. our congregation as a force for unconditioned? How can we our continued evolution as a Buber writes, “Israel’s sacri- religiosity; we emphasize an not let our drive for creativ- people? ficial cult may have originated active, evolving Judaism along ity become an idol? How can The Torah is one such in the primitive need for a with our inherited organiz- we move beyond routine to example in “Jewish Religiosity” living communion with God… ing principles. As we at Micah freely imagine so that we are, that highlights Buber’s notion however, the symbol became a often say, “We are unafraid to in Buber’s words, “shaken to of religion versus religiosity. substitute. The sacrificial cult break the mold... to us, Reform the very core by God’s mys- As Buber explains it, religion was so elaborated and codified is a verb.” What a beautiful tery,” and therefore compelled is the organizing principle, that in every phase of his life, community to serve! to act in a truly new way? How and religiosity the creative. at every moment of his des- But sometimes I wonder: does our story stay current, “Religion wants to force us tiny, man had at his disposal a As we repeat over and over, alive? into a system, stabilized for prescribed sacrifice for estab- “If it’s not broken, break it,” Chag Shavuot Sameach. all time,” he wrote, while lishing a communion with God; is there not a risk in this very Wishing you a joyous Shavuot.

Rabbi’s Message FROM PREVIOUS PAGE ; summer programs and semesters of high up to age 25. Birthright trips are free of school study. We have an obligation to charge. This Micah trip will be led by our nizations that work on behalf of a shared equip them with the knowledge and very own Ronit Zemel. If you or someone society, religious tolerance and social tools they will need when they reach you know is interested, please contact the justice for all Israelis, Jewish and Arab. the university environment. Many of the Micah office. When we shy away from this struggle, most outstanding of these offerings in Finally, I am putting together a March we leave the field open to those whose Israel are sponsored by our own Reform 2017 Berlin-Israel trip. This trip will feature Zionist vision is radically different from Movement. Please contact me for infor- three days in Berlin and then a week of our own. As we know, they, too, are mation. SEPTEMBER/OCTOBERexciting, modern Israel. Again, please 2012 be in there. In this regard, we are in the process of touch for more information. We have much work to do, not least putting together our own Temple Micah It is good to be back. of which is to encourage and support our Birthright Israel trip, to take place in Shalom, students to experience Israel through December, for college students and those Rabbi Daniel G. Zemel 12 NISAN/IYYAR/SIVAN 5776

TEMPLE MICAH’S 2016 SPRING AUCTION There were balloons, pompoms and a lot of smiles at the popular event, which raised more than $75,000 for important temple programs.

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