Mishpachah Matters Iyar - Sivan - Tammuz, 5778/May and June 2018 Page Mishpachah Matters

Issue 78.9 and 78.10 Mishpachah Matters Iyar - Sivan - Tammuz 5778 The Newsletter of Bet Mishpachah, Founded in 1975 May and June 2018 by Members of the Washington, DC, Gay Community Content listing can be found on page 2. www.betmish.org Shavuot: Festival Service, Pot-luck, Study Spring Shabbaton: May 11 and 12, 2018 Sessions – and Cheesecake! May 19, 6:30 pm Let’s join Rabbi Ben Shalva, our scholar-in-residence, as he leads our Spring Shabbaton on May 11 and 12, at Join us as we and our neighbors Tikkun Leil Shabbat the Edlavitch DC Jewish Community Center, 1529 16th (TLS) jointly observe Shavuot on Saturday, May 19, at Street, NW, Washington, DC. the Edlavitch DC JCC, beginning at 6:30 pm. We’ll have a pot-luck seudah shlishit (third Shabbat meal), His topic will be "Inner Light: Kabbalah & Meditation and continue with study, worship and the traditional for the Busy Mind." Kabbalah -- Jewish Mysticism -- cheesecake break. offers a number of transformative meditation techniques aimed to calm the mind, revitalize the soul, connect to Shavuot has both agricultural and religious significance. the Source, and discover the deepest self. Together, we On the second night of Passover, we began counting the will sample a variety of Kabbalistic meditation practices (Continued on page 3) and discover solace and sanctuary in our own bodies, hearts and minds. No prior experience necessary -- all Celebrate Pride Week! beginners welcome! Program tickets and details can be found at our weekly newsletter email. For questions, We are thrilled to announce that Bet Mishpachah will please email [email protected] . again be participating in the Capital Pride Festival! This is a perfect opportunity to display our LBGTQ Jewish Women’s First Friday Pre-Service Potlucks pride and to introduce others in the community to the warm and welcoming Bet Mish family. We hope you will Don’t forget to mark your calendars to attend our join us! wonderful women’s outreach pre-service potlucks. Usher in your Shabbat with great company, The festivities begin on Tuesday, June 5, at 7:00 p.m., conversation, and food. with the 14th Annual Night OUT at Nationals Park! (Continued on page 2) Friday, May 4, 6:30pm, Celebrate Spring together and talk about significant events which happened in Humble Pride May: By Rabbi Laurie Green • Gendered Nationalism and May Fourth: China’s new woman. In 1919, China’s May Fourth Feminist

movement challenged the gender stratification of Soon we will be celebrating Shavuot, the festival that Chinese society in an open and systematic fashion. reenacts the revelation at Sinai and receiving the Torah. But why was Mount Sinai selected as the location • May 1, 1950 – Gwendolyn Brooks becomes the first for this holy moment? African-American woman to receive the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry, named Library of Congress’ (Continued on page 5) Consultant in Poetry (later called Poet Laureate) in 1985. Reflections on the 24th World Congress • What else is happening in May you want to talk By David Schwarz, President about? Bring your ideas!

In March, I had the opportunity to attend another World Friday, June 1, 6:30 pm, Let’s kick start the Congress conference, this time in Rome. One of the celebration of PRIDE month together! many advantages of these conferences – in addition to Do you have a skill you would like to teach? Volunteer to seeing old friends and making new ones in interesting facilitate or share a Women's Outreach First Friday Pre- places – is the chance to gain some perspective on our service Potluck! What would you like to talk about? Send own LGBTQ Jewish community here at home in light of your ideas to [email protected]. our counterparts’ situations overseas. This year’s **We use an inclusive definition of "woman" and "female" and we (Continued on page 4) welcome trans women, genderqueer women, and non-binary people. Washington DC’s Egalitarian Synagogue Embracing a Diversity of Sexual and Gender Identities Mishpachah Matters Iyar - Sivan - Tammuz, 5778/May and June 2018 Page 2

Celebrate Pride Week! Contents: (Continued from page 1) We will be participating in this event along with Nice Jewish Girls, Nice Page 1: Reflections on the 24th World Congress Jewish Boys DC, and GLOE - GLBTQ Outreach & Engagement at the Ed- Shavuot: Festival Service, Pot-luck, Study lavitch DCJCC. Proceeds from ticket sales contribute to Team DC Student- Sessions – and Cheesecake! Athlete Scholarships, which are awarded each year to local college-bound Humble Pride LGBTQ student-athletes who have enhanced the perception of the LGBTQ Capital Pride Week community through their role in academics and sports. To purchase tickets, Women’s First Friday Pre-Service Potlucks please send $28 per ticket to Jenn Rubenstein on PayPal Spring Shabbaton: May 11 and 12 ([email protected]) or Venmo (jennrubenstein). To be seated with oth- Page 2: ers from Bet Mish, please write “Bet Mish” in the memo field. Please mes- Celebrate Pride Week! sage Jenn on Facebook or Twitter if you would like to pay by cash or check Page 3: or if you have any questions. Shavuot: Festival Service, Pot-luck, 11th Annual Rainbow Seder Held at HRC The Pride festivities continue on Friday, June 8, with the National Pride Relocation: Progress Report Shabbat. Held at the historic Sixth and I Synagogue, this special Erev Shab- Page 4: bat Pride service is cosponsored by Bet Mish, Sixth and I, and GLOE. Our Reflections on the 24th World Congress Book Group own Rabbi Laurie Green will be among the service leaders. There will be a reception before the service and a dinner afterwards. Page 5: Humble Pride Relocation: Progress Report This year we will be using Shavat-Yinafash, our new hard cover Siddur, de- Page 6-7: veloped by our Liturgy Committee to meet our needs as LGBTQ Jews and May and June Calendars allies which offers a wide variety of meaningful prayers, readings, Page 8: and meditations by contemporary liturgists, including several talented mem- Volunteers Needed Oneg Shabbat and bers of Bet Mishpachah. Kiddush Thank You to Our March and April Service On Saturday, June 9, we will join other LGBTQ Jewish organizations to Leaders march in the Capital Pride Parade. The parade begins at 4:30 p.m. at 22nd Thanks to Our March and April Oneg Shabbat and Kiddush Sponsors & P St. NW and ends at 14th & R St. NW. Welcome to Our New Member Mazal Tov

To wrap up the weekend, on Sunday, June 10, we will host a booth at the Page 9: Capital Pride Festival, held on Pennsylvania Ave. NW between 3rd and 7th May and June Anniversaries St. We need volunteers to help staff the booth from 11:00 am through 7:00 May and June Birthdays p.m. Please sign up! What could be better than spending time with your Bet Page 9-10: Mish family, handing out goodies, and meeting other members of the com- Donations munity who are interested in Bet Mish! To volunteer, or if you have any Special Musical Shabbat Service Save The Date questions, please email Isaac Belfer at CommunityAffairsDirec- Erev Shavuot Schedule [email protected]. Volunteers Needed

Page 11-13: Over the next month, more information about these and other events will be Member Yartzeits announced in the weekly “This Weekend and Beyond” email and on our Page 15: website (betmish.org). You can also visit the Capital Pride 2018 website Directory (http://www.capitalpride.org) for the latest Pride updates. Do you want to join Bet We hope you are as excited for Pride as we are! Let’s show the world the Mishpachah? vibrant and welcoming Bet Mish family that we all know and love! Membership is an opportunity to develop What’s This? friendships, learn, become involved in your heritage, Scan it with a QR code reader on your smartphone and find and support the only LGBT synagogue out! in the Washington, DC area. To join Bet Mishpachah as a member is Web: www.betmish.org easy, just visit www.betmish.org today. Facebook: http://on.fb.me/BetMishpachah Questions, e-mail Twitter: twitter.com/betmish [email protected]. E-mail: [email protected] Mishpachah Matters Iyar - Sivan - Tammuz, 5778/May and June 2018 Page 3

Shavuot: Festival Service, Pot-luck, Study Relocation: Progress Report Sessions – and Cheesecake! By Diane Liff, Housing Relocation Chairperson (Continued from page 1) Omer. This 49-day period correlates with the growth of The Edlavitch DCJCC, our congregational home for more spring barley in the land of Israel, and is a time of than 20 years, will close this August for a significant uncertainty about the fate of the harvest. Our ancestors renovation. The J estimates the renovation will last for celebrated the success of the harvest at Shavuot. about 10 months, with re-opening of the renovated building anticipated sometime in the summer of 2019. The The Rabbis added a connection between Passover and good news: The J has arranged for Bet Mishpachah’s Shavuot. Passover is the celebration of our liberation temporary relocation to Foundry United Methodist Church, from slavery. Shavuot commemorates the revelation of virtually across the street. The J also intends to relocate the the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai. Our liberation, other religious organizations it hosts (the DC Minyan, and begun at Passover, is not complete until we have Rosh Pina), as well as a substantial portion of its received and committed ourselves to the teachings of preschool, to Foundry. At Foundry, the J will provide the the Torah. We celebrate this great gift every year with janitorial, security, and administrative services we now study, re-dedicating ourselves to the teachings of tikun receive under our housing agreement with the J. Members olam (repair of the world). of the Board of Directors and several service leaders have toured Foundry and believe its facilities for Shabbat TLS lay-leaders will join Rabbi Green in leading the services and directly related activities (onegs, Kiddush service and study sessions, which will focus on our lunches) are more than adequate. social action/social justice efforts. Look for more details in our @CBM e-mail broadcasts in May. Celebrate our Congregational President David Schwarz and I have been Jewish love of Torah study and its real-life application meeting with the DCJCC’s Chief Operating Officer to by joining TLS and Bet Mishpachah on Saturday, May discuss the specifics of our relocation. We were informed 19 at 6:30 pm. that Foundry has agreed in principle to the relocation, but has not yet presented its proposed contract to the J. We do 11th Annual Rainbow Seder Held at HRC not know what the J will pay Foundry, or what portion of By Larry Neff the payment will be attributable to Bet Mishpachah’s The 11th annual National Rainbow Seder: Reflections relocation. Similarly, we do not know what arrangements on Resistance was held on Sunday, March 18, 2018 at the might be made at Foundry to accommodate Bet Human Rights Campaign (HRC) headquarters at 17th St. Mishpachah’s entitlements under our current licensing and Rhode Island Ave. NW. This year’s Rainbow Seder agreement with the J. David and I will continue to meet was meaningfully and joyously led by Jewish FTM trans with the J about all aspects of the relocation, including our activist, writer and speaker Abby Chava Stein, who spoke current licensing agreement; and we will continue to keep of her own journey, which started in the Chassidic the congregation informed via the Newsletter and other community. This year’s Haggadah included Ms. Stein’s online and mailed information. additional readings for the Seder, including the Four LGBT Children and Ten Modern Plagues such as At this point, the relocation arrangements make no Inequality, Entitlement, Fear, and Greed. provision for congregational programs or events other than Friday evening and twice-monthly Saturday morning Bet Mish sponsored the Mensch/VIP reception held before Shabbat services, but discussions on that issue continue. the Seder. Several dozen members showed their support We are informed, however, that Foundry will and were among the 120 participants. At the start of the accommodate some holiday observances occurring on (Continued on page 5) Seder, Bet Mish Director of Community Affairs Isaac Belfer welcomed participants and told them about our regular Shabbat services and our upcoming special programs, highlighting our community-wide Pride Shabbat service on Friday, June 8, at the Sixth and I Street Historic Synagogue.

Co-sponsored by GLOE (the Kurlander Program for GLBTQ Outreach and Enrichment at the Edlavitch DC Jewish Community Center), the Embassy of Israel, Israeli House Washington, the HRC, and Bet Mishpachah, it was a fun and joyous LGBTQ-affirming preparation for Passover. We hope you all had a Zissen Pesach / Chag Samei-ach v’Kasher / a Happy Passover. Mishpachah Matters Iyar - Sivan - Tammuz, 5778/May and June 2018 Page 4

Reflections on the 24th World Congress But, the question remains: what should be the Congress’ (Continued from page 1) focus? A good answer should probably satisfy two conference theme: ‘Minorities Alone Strong Together’ criteria. The first is to identify common concerns that impressed on me how doubly blessed we are in the United LGBTQ Jews across the globe share now. The second is States, even when our current political environment is to specify areas in which an international association of distressing. On the one hand, at somewhere between 5.5 LGBTQ Jewish organizations is particularly well- to 7 million, we have a Jewish population more than 10 equipped to act. times the size of the next largest Jewish community in France (although the proportionate difference is smaller). Certainly, the first criterion is satisfied by the general At 300,000, the DC metro Jewish population by itself is concern to promote LGBTQ Jewish life, but the almost as large as the French, and more than 10 times challenge remains for the second criterion, since it is not larger than The Netherlands’ or Italy’s. yet clear what resources the World Congress would be able to muster on behalf of such a goal. But, there may Here as elsewhere, size often matters, and while we are still a small minority in our country, we are large enough also be other issues that we could and would want to to have a visible – and perhaps even massive -- influence address together. It is worth recalling that an impetus for on all aspects of national life. Of course, the influence LGBTQ Jewish organizations to begin affiliating was the goes both ways. So, as LGBTQ Jews, our second 1975 United Nations vote declaring that Zionism equals blessing is that the United States’ Jewish community is racism. Unhappily, the sentiment underlying that largely (if not entirely) integrated into the secular liberal declaration has only grown stronger in the intervening mainstream, which has often led other religious years and has found what many of us regard as generally communities in welcoming LGBTQ membership. Again, anti-Semitic expression on the political left – certainly in this is not generally so overseas, although there are now a Britain and Europe, but also, increasingly, in this few scattered liberal congregations moving in that country. And, that political left has grown to include direction. elements of the larger LGBTQ community, such as the Chicago Dykes, who – among other things – dismiss any These blessings have not gone unnoticed as the World evidence of vibrant LGBTQ-Jewish culture as “pink- Congress considers its evolving mission. Initially, in the washing”. years between 1975-1980, the Congress emerged from a loose network of LGBTQ Jewish organizations, to Arguably, as LGBTQ, the World Congress represents the address their common concerns. While the Congress has Jewish organizations both most affected by this LGBTQ always included European and Israeli representation, the institutional anti-Semitism and, at least potentially, in a preponderance of members has been American, at least unique position to address it. In this, the Congress until very recently. A recurring worry, then, was that the might take a lesson from our Italian hosts, who have ‘common concerns’ tended to be seen through a predominantly American lens, with focus on the been celebrated on social media for their visible alliance relationship between LGBTQ Jews and American Jewish with Italian Islamic gays. Perhaps, then, one role for the institutions. But, this relation has increasingly improved World Congress is to promote and broaden such – and, in any case, there are other organizations, such as alliances, reaching out to those with whom we may differ Keshet, that now devote themselves to “full LGBTQ politically as LGBTQ brothers and sisters. In any event, equality and inclusion in Jewish life.” So, there has been that is certainly a role we need to consider for ourselves a sense that the Congress needs to refocus its mission on at Bet Mishpachah, perhaps in collaboration with our issues that are both more pressing and uniquely its own. various LGBTQ counterparts across the country. Steps in this direction are recent initiatives to promote LGBTQ Jewish life in societies that are less welcoming, cultivating new relationships with LGBTQ Jewish groups Book Group in Mexico and several South American countries. Meets on an occasional basis. For details Indeed, our host organization in Rome – Magen David on the next meeting, please email Keshet Italia – is also a recent affiliate, having been [email protected]. formed only three years ago. And, the World Congress Book Project has been another vehicle to at least document some of the diversity of LGBTQ Jewish life globally.

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Humble Pride Humble-pride gives us joy, courage, and dignity. (Continued from page 1) Humble-pride gives us the power to change the world. As the story goes, that when the time approached, each of the mountains came before God to plead their case as to We celebrate Shavuot by singing and rejoicing in the why they should be chosen. First the tallest mountain came study of our Torah that we have received. We celebrate before God and declared, “Oh Holy One, I am the highest Pride by singing and dancing and (responsibly) enjoying and the closest to the Heavens. I will raise your Torah so all the pleasures we’ve fought so hard to receive. In both high as if to make Heaven and Earth touch.” Then the cases, we learn that true freedom comes from the gifts we widest mountain came before God and proclaimed, “Oh have received. We did our part, but we are just a small Most High, I am the sturdiest and the strongest. I will give link in the chain of tradition and joy that we receive. And such a strong foundation to your Holy Book.” And one by that is true anavah!! one, so it goes, with each mountain presenting its claim. Except for one mountain, Sinai, which remained Relocation: Progress Report silent. (Continued from page 3)

other than a Friday evening (particularly Erev Rosh “Nu?,” God said. Hashana II services on Mon., Sept 10, 2018, and Rosh

Hashana II morning services on Tues., Sept 11, 2018), “Who me?,” said Sinai. “I’m just a little hill in the middle and other non-Friday evening holiday observances remain of nowhere. Surely any number of other mountains would under discussion. do more honor to your Holy Torah.”

In addition, no classrooms or spaces for meetings will be Thus, God chose Mount Sinai to teach us all humility. available at Foundry, although the J is seeking to

accommodate monthly Board meetings elsewhere. So why did God give the Torah on a mountain at all? Why Discussions continue about storage; and while the J not give Torah in a low valley, with no height or assures secure, accessible storage for our ark, siddurs, and strength? Because that’s not Jewish. Judaism doesn’t teach ritual objects at Foundry, there will be no storage for us to be self-deprecating, but to find a proper balance. much else. There will also be no parking at Foundry, but

Bet Mishpachah will continue its parking arrangement The problem is a translation difficulty. The English word with the Scottish Rite Temple. humility does not accurately convey the nuance of the

Hebrew word ‘anavah’. Anavah is not lack of self- Finally, we continue to raise concerns about the likely esteem. Anavah is recognizing both your strengths and move date. Foundry, as well as the J, understandably weaknesses, being grateful for your gifts, and using those seek a single date for moving all J programs and gifts to serve others. Perhaps a better translation would be licensees; however, a last week of August date, currently humble-pride. proposed, may present some logistical issues as we

prepare for the High Holy Days (Erev Rosh Hashana is Pride and Shavuot are both about accepting who we are as September 9, 2018). We have raised the possibility of an Jews, as LGBTQ people, as people who receive gifts of arrangement under which Bet Mishpachah could arrange love and tradition, as people who have much to teach the to move on an earlier date, and we await a final decision. world.

We forget how hard fought it was for us to get here. Some of us forget because we literally weren’t there, but some of us forget despite the fact that we were there. Humility teaches us to take pride in our accomplishments, acknowledge our blessings, and find the hope and courage to keep going, no matter what.

Rav Kook said, “Anavah is associated with spiritual perfection. When humility effects depression it is defective; when it is genuine it inspires joy, courage and inner dignity.”

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Volunteers Needed Oneg Shabbat Thank You to Our March and April and Kiddush Oneg Shabbat and Kiddush Sponsors

Hospitality Committee: We want to form a A sincere thank you to all the people who sponsored Onegs and committee to coordinate and help run Oneg Kiddushes over the past decade and to all the people who shopped Shabbats and other hospitality events. If you in support of the Onegs and Kiddushes. are interested being part of this committee that supports a critical synagogue function, If you would like to serve on a hospitality committee to ensure the please contact the Director of future of these welcoming weekly “schmoozing” gatherings, please Administration, JonRobert Johnson at contact the Director of Administration, JonRobert Johnson at [email protected]. [email protected].

Want to remember a loved one, celebrate a special event, or just Thank You to Our March and April because? You can do this by sponsoring an Oneg Shabbat or Service Leaders Kiddush luncheon. It’s simple and pain free. Contact

[email protected] or save your date in the Oneg/Kiddush book Friday, March 2: Rabbi Laurie Green and available at Friday night services. Paula Morris

Friday, March 9: Rabbi Laurie Green and Can’t sponsor? Consider sending a donation of Chai ($18) or more Rabbi Ben Shalva to bring extended life to the Joel and Murray Woldman Oneg Shabbat and Kiddush Fund, established by a generous bequest from Saturday, March 10: Rabbi Laurie Green our beloved member Joel Woldman. Make donations at: http:// Friday, March 16: Alex Carter www.betmish.org/index.php/donate or mail to Bet Mishpachah, Department 0520, Washington, DC 20073-0520. Friday, March 23: Paula Morris and Elke Martin March 2: JonRobert Johnson for his birthday Saturday, March 24: Vinny Prell and Rachel March 9: Rabbi Laurie Green for her 40th Birthday Wolkowitz March 10: Joel and Murray Woldman Oneg Shabbat and Kiddush Fund Friday, April 6: Rabbi Laurie Green and March 16: Joel and Murray Woldman Oneg Shabbat and Kiddush Eryca Kasse Fund March 23: Louis Blank and Dan Yost in celebration of their 1 year Friday, April 13: Rabbi Laurie Green and anniversary and being together 13 years Rabbi Ben Shalva March 24: Steven Frank In Memory of Len, Pearl and Yvette Saturday, April 14: Rabbi Laurie Green and Frank Scott Reiter April 6: Keith Cohen in celebration of his new grandson April 13: David Schwarz In Memory of Stephen Lee Friday, April 20: Allan Armus April 14: Joel and Murray Woldman Oneg Shabbat and Kiddush Friday, April 27: Paula Morris and Deborah Fund Hyman April 20: Keith Cohen In Memory of his mother April 27: David Fox In Memory of his grandparents Saturday, April 28: Alex Carter and Ruth April 28: Joel and Murray Woldman Oneg Shabbat and Kiddush Potts Fund

Welcome to Our New Member Mazal Tov

Rachel Newman To Jeff Kahn on his May 31, 2018 retirement from the Federal Government. Mishpachah Matters Iyar - Sivan - Tammuz, 5778/May and June 2018 Page 9

Member Anniversaries Member Birthdays Member Birthdays

May May June (continued) 5 Tom Sachs and William Moses 6 Nathaniel Deutsch 4 Diane Liff 6 Beth Cohen and Fran Sneider 7 Ruth Potts 5 Jutta Brettschneider 9 Jeff Kahn and Tony Alverno 13 David Sobelsohn 7 David Fox 10 Scott Reiter and David Vos 18 Eileen Greenberg 7 James Fortinsky 11 Margy Kohn and Myrna Chasanow 19 Avi Silber 10 Noah Wofsy 14 Jeffrey Berns and Richard Bennett 21 Jeff Kahn 10 Anne Buckwalter 15 Sue Silber and June Peters 22 Isaac Chaim Belfer 11 Morris Levitt 26 Maxine Klane and Elaine Raksis 23 Ed Knight 11 James Nathan 29 Joel Berelson and Charles Maples 23 Robert Margrave 12 Arthur Roach 24 Heidi Pasichow 14 Michael Aaron Hoffman June 24 Judith Retchin 14 Rodney Ross 6 Patti Nelson and Katoy M. Tan 28 Bruce Horowitz 18 Steven Weinberg 11 Hank Londner and Keith Pickerel 28 Robert Mapou 23 Marlene Cohen 13 Marc Bernstein and Jeff Burka 29 Reginald McBee 25 Sarajane Garten 15 Mary Arras and Vicki Brown 26 Alicia Saffer 27 Larry Berman 16 Rabbi Bob Saks and Loretta Saks June 1 Elyse Wander 27 Philip Budashewitz 18 Travis Segal and Scott Segal 2 Joel Wind 27 Travis Hatch 19 Rene Rodriguez and Howard Stark 3 Maxine Klane 29 Cookie Backelman 29 Howard Menaker and Patrick Gossett 3 Carol Wayman 30 Hazel 30 Sheila Hess

Donations  Douglas Auerbach We appreciate the generosity of our members and friends,  Evan Brettell and recognize them for their support. Contributions may be  Jutta Brettschneider made at any time during the year. To make a contribution,  Alex Carter send a check payable to Bet Mishpachah, and mail to Bet  Barry Friedman, in memory of Norma Passy Mishpachah Department 0520, Washington, D.C. 20073-  Sarajane Garten 0520.  Mike Goldstein  Leti Gómez February 2018 – March 2018  Elke Martin Member Donations  Ruth Potts  David Schwarz Operating Fund  Warren Snaider  Larry Neff  Joel Berelson, in memory of Harvey Wander  Jutta Brettschneider Joel and Murray Woldman Oneg Shabbat and  Richard Grossman, in memory of Harvey Wander Kiddush Fund  Jocelyn Kaplan, in memory of Harvey Wander  Eryca Kasse  David Fox, in memory of Harvey Wander  Diane Liff and Georgi Korn, in memory of Harvey  Barry Friedman Wander, Marian Sotsky, and Marlene Meringoff  Mindy Gasthalter, in memory of Harvey Wander  Rachel Wolkowitz, in memory of Barbara Kupferberg  Georgia Korn, for the Installation Shabbat Oneg and Marlene Meringoff Ritual Objects Fund Queen Esther Fund (donated to HIAS)  Allan Armus  Jerry Wolkowitz, in honor of Rachel Wolkowitz

Mishpachah Matters Iyar - Sivan - Tammuz, 5778/May and June 2018 Page 10

Donations Special Musical Erev Shabbat Service with our (Continued from page 9) choir, Tach'shitim on June 22 February 2018 – March 2018 Non-Member Donations On June 22 at 8 pm, Larry Neff will lead a special musical Erev Shabbat Service with our choir, Tach'shitim. The service Operating Fund and awarding ceremony will honor the winners of the Dace Stone Volunteer of the Year Award, named for congregant  A. Aaron, “in honor of Allan Armus for the caring Dace Stone (z"l), a distinguished social worker and LGBT and and assistance that he has provided” AIDS activist and the Harvey Milk Chesed Award, named  Randall Bell for LGBT activist and openly gay San Francisco City Council  Andrew Buzny member assassinated in 1978.  Ervin Cerveny, in memory of Edwin Blacker  Mycroft Holmes The Dace Stone Volunteer of the Year Award will be given in  Carrie Noess recognition of a congregational mem-  Eileen Zanar, in memory of Louise Zanar ber who has made outstanding contributions to Bet Mishpachah. The Har- Save The Date vey Milk Chesed Award will be given in recognition of an individual member or nonmember, who has made June 3 at 3PM, Bet Mish Goes to the Mystics! outstanding contributions to the wider Washington Mystics Basketball Team celebrates LGBTQ and Jewish communities of which Bet Mishpachah is PRIDE! a part of. Washington Mystics vs. Connecticut Sun Bet Mish is organizing a group to go see the game. For more information, please email Sue Silber at To RSVP email [email protected] [email protected].

June 3 12pm-3pm—If you are not into sports and just want a relaxing day, Northern Virginia Chavura Erev Shavuot Schedule (May 19) is having hosting a brunch at the home of a member in Alexandria, VA. It will be a potluck vegetarian (Ovo- 6:30 - Potluck seudat shlishit - third Shabbat meal with Lacto). Details will be emailed by mid May. Benching (singing) - potluck details to be announced on the weekly email Capital Pride Week Schedule 7:15 - Study session 1 8:10 - Ma'ariv Pride Shabbat Service 8:40 - Cheesecake & Schmooze June 8 7:00 pm 8:55 - Havdala, kiddush and candle lighting at 9:03 Sixth and I 9:05 - Study session 2 10:00 - Concluding service Capital Pride Parade: June 9 4:30-7:30 pm Volunteers Needed

Capital Pride Festival Bet Mish is always looking for volunteers to help in several June 10, 12:00-7:00 pm committees. Give your gift of time or skills and join a Food and Beverage - 12:00-9:30 pm committee. Get to know other members and enjoy being part Entertainment - 12:00—10:00 pm of the Bet Mish community. Please email Pennsylvania Ave., NW, 3RD & 7th St. [email protected]. METRO: (GREEN) ARCHIVES-NAVY MEMORIAL-PENN QUARTER

For information, or to volunteer with Bet Mish , please email: [email protected] Capital Pride information is a available Like our facebook page at: www.capitalpride.org www.facebook.com/betmish

Please join our new facebook community group. https://www.facebook.com/groups/betmish. This is a private group where you can have conversations Mishpachah Matters Iyar - Sivan - Tammuz, 5778/May and June 2018 Page 11

Member Yartzeits

May

Announced Friday, May 4 (Yartzeits observed May 4-10, Iyar 20-26)

N. Stanley Rosenswog May 4 Father of Sheila Hess Nathan Hyman May 4 Father of Batya Hyman Ellen Cenzer May 4 Aunt of Michael Singer Mildred Spatz Shubs Iyar 20 (May 5) Aunt of Carl Spatz George Kingsley May 6 Uncle of Seymour Stern Joel Woldman May 6 Beloved twin Brother of Murray Woldman; member CBM Anne Magid Londoner Iyar 22 (May 7) Aunt of Carl Spatz Miryam Rivka Szachter May 8 Grandmother of Ruth Eisenberg Thelma K. Menaker Iyar 24 (May 9) Mother of Howard Menaker Harold Saffer May 9 Grandfather of Alicia Saffer Oscar Sotsky May 9 Uncle of Stuart Sotsky

Announced Friday, May 11, and Saturday, May 12 (Yartzeits observed May 11-17, Iyar 27 - Sivan 4)

Cynthia Sachs May 11 Mother of Tom Sachs Alex Armus Iyar 28 (May 13) Father of Allan Armus Sigmund & Gisella Redlich Iyar 28 (May 13) Maternal grandparents of Bruce Horowitz Alan Tobin Iyar 28 (May 13) Father of Eric Tobin Sarah Sheinbein May 13 Mother of Israel Sheinbein Max Youngman Iyar 29 (May 14) Grandfather of Joel Wind Isaac M. Casel May 14 Great-uncle of Larry Neff David Cobden Sivan 1 (May 15) Step-Grandfather of Jeffrey Berns Sam Blank May 15 Grandfather of Louis Blank Gisele Munzer Sivan 2 (May 16) Mother of Al Munzer Sidney Spindel Sivan 2 (May 16) Uncle of Carol Stern Yvette Frances Frank May 16 Sister of Steven Frank Celeste Hanline Cohan May 17 Mother of Joanna Cohan Scherer

Announced Friday, May 18 (Yartzeits observed May 18-24, Sivan 5-11)

Joseph Birt May 18 Friend of Jack Hillelsohn Brenda Jennetta May 18 Step-mother of Andrea Jennetta Jack Hillelsohn May 18 Husband of Charlie Stewart Polly Less Sivan 5 (May 19) Mother of Martin Less Belle Hollis May 19 Mother of Robert Hollis Harry Karron Sivan 7 (May 21) Grandfather of David Fox Abraham Stern Sivan 7 (May 21) Grandfather of Al Stern Feiga Stern Sivan 7 (May 21) Grandmother of Al Stern Zoia Avram Umansky May 21 Sister-in-law of Morris Umansky Evelyn Rosenblatt Goldfarb May 22 Mother-in-law of Allan Armus Leon Kasarsky May 22 Father of Andi Kasarsky Leonard Hecht Cohan May 22 Father of Joanna Cohan Scherer Celia Lewin May 23 Aunt of Larry Neff Geoffrey MacLellan May 24 Dear Friend of Louis Blank Bernard Leish Sivan 11 (May 25) Father of Denise Leish

Announced Friday, May 25, and Saturday, May 26 (Yartzeits observed May 25-31, Sivan 12-18)

Katherine Kane May 25 Friend of Elke Martin Rev. Wendell R. Johnson May 25 Father of JonRobert Johnson Fred Burka Sivan 12 (May 26) Grandfather of Jeff Burka (Continued on page 12) Mishpachah Matters Iyar - Sivan - Tammuz, 5778/May and June 2018 Page 12

Member Yartzeits (Continued from page 11) Leah Lev May 26 Aunt of Larry Neff Paul Neff May 27 Uncle of Larry Neff Jerry Moore May 27 Friend of Catherine Tarabochia Winnie Siegel May 27 Dear Friend of Diane Liff and Georgia Korn Anna Cela Greenberg May 28 Niece of Eileen Greenberg Albert Jaco May 28 Grandfather of Tom Sachs David Sikowitz May 29 Grandfather of Judith Retchin Paul Caine Sivan 16 (May 30) Grandfather of Rachel Wolkowitz Namon Johnson, Sr. May 30 Father of LySandra Brady Henrietta Isom May 30 Grandmother of LySandra Brady Samuel Sivan 17 (May 31) Father of Hazel William V. Greenberg May 31 Father of Eileen Greenberg

June

Announced Friday, June 1 (Yartzeits observed June 1-7, Sivan 19-25)

Frank Gasthalter June 1 Uncle of Mindy Gasthalter Murray Jaco June 1 Uncle of Tom Sachs Morton (Mike)Tannenbaum June 2 Father of Gail Tannenbaum Phil Rosenbloom Sivan 20 (June 3) Grandfather of Jeff Burka Edward S. Levy, Sr. June 3 Grandfather of Ellen Levy Samuel Sendrowitz Sivan 21 (June 4) Grandfather of Lawrence Berman Selma Reid June 4 Aunt of Devra Floyd Jerald Weinstein June 4 Cousin of Mindy Gasthalter Joel McBee June 4 Father of Reggie McBee Mary Ann Cohen June 4 Aunt of Larry Neff Jay Gilbertson June 4 Friend of Catherine Tarabochia Nettie Wofsy Sivan 22 (June 5) Mother of Noah Wofsy Helene Rausch June 6 Grandmother of Jeremy Rausch

Announced Friday, June 8, and Saturday, June 9 (Yartzeits observed June 8-14, Sivan 26 – Tamuz 2)

Jan Berelson Dickstein June 8 Mother of Joel Berelson Leo Stern June 8 Uncle of Larry Neff Clara Sachs June 8 Grandmother of Tom Sachs Bill McCreight June 9 Friend of Ruth Potts Anita Morris Sivan 27 (June 10) Mother of Paula Morris Gertrude Armus Sivan 28 (June 11) Mother of Allan Armus Arvin Cohen Sivan 28 (June 11) Uncle of Marc Bernstein Sarah Elman Sivan 28 (June 11) Grandmother of Diane Liff Sedonia Cohn Sneider June 11 Grandmother of Fran Sneider Brian Meringoff June 12 Cousin of Larry Neff Leonard Sneider June 12 Father of Fran Sneider Jimmy Cockerham June 12 Friend of Charlie Stewart Alexander Cohen June 13 Uncle of Larry Neff Murray Backelman June 13 Father of Cookie Backelman

Announced Friday, June 15 (Yartzeits observed June 15-21, Tamuz 3-9)

James Berns Tamuz 3 (June 16) Grandfather of Jeffrey Berns Elizabeth Jacobson June 16 Partner of Eileen Greenberg Roberta Clair Hyman June 16 Sister of Deb Hyman (Continued on page 13) Mishpachah Matters Iyar - Sivan - Tammuz, 5778/May and June 2018 Page 13

Member Yartzeits (Continued from page 12) Jan Berns Tamuz 4 (June 17) Uncle of Jeffrey Berns Israel Pomper Tamuz 4 (June 17) Paternal Grandfather of Joe Pomper Kato Samuels June 17 Cousin of Howard Stark Herman Kropf Tamuz 5 (June 18) Father of Barry Kropf Elizabeth Weissman June 18 Grandmother of Jeff Kahn Hyman Lev June 18 Uncle of Larry Neff Elise Hanline Cheslock June 19 Aunt of Joanna Cohan Scherer Rabbi Ira Eisenstein Tamuz 7 (June 20) Father of Miriam Eisenstein Salvatore "Ben" Zinnanti June 20 Uncle of Alex Carter George Cross June 20 Father of Belinda Cross Morris Hyman June 20 Paternal Grandfather of Deb Hyman Marc Rubenstein June 21 Cousin of Roger Schechter

Announced Friday, June 22, and Saturday, June 23 (Yartzeits observed June 22-28, Tamuz 10-16)

Edgar Halpern June 22 Uncle of Roger Schechter Isadore Kaboff Tamuz 10 (June 23) Grandfather of John Kaboff Eva S. Baer June 23 Grandmother of Ellen Levy John Willig June 23 Friend of Larry Neff Samuel Masia June 23 Grandfather of Martin Robinson Louis Winer June 24 Father of Diane Citron Seymour Bloom June 24 Uncle of Heidi Pasichow Albert Saks June 24 Father of Rabbi Bob Saks Max Morris Tamuz 12 (June 25) Grandfather of Paula Morris Ben Snaider Tamuz 13 (June 26) Uncle of Warren Snaider Philip N. Woldman Tamuz 13 (June 26) Father of Murray Woldman Hannah Lippert June 26 Great-Aunt of Deb Hyman Ida Grossman June 26 Grandmother of Susan Kirshner Marta Kusic June 26 Friend of Reggie McBee Charles Lewis June 27 Father of Barbara Lewis Lillian Spindel June 27 Mother of Carol Stern Chad Allen June 28 Cousin of Larry Neff Ruth Verdin June 28 Aunt of Catherine Tarabochia David Nissenbaum Tamuz 16 (June 29) Father of Beverly Nissenbaum

Announced Friday, June 29 (Yartzeits observed June 29 – July 5, Tamuz 17-23)

Samuel Gasthalter June 29 Grandfather of Mindy Gasthalter Ursula Petersen June 29 Friend of Elke Martin Harry Reiter June 29 Grandfather of Scott Reiter Ruth Friedman June 30 Grandmother of Louis Blank Lee Dannick Tamuz 18 (July 1) Uncle of Marlene Cohen Zelda Gordon July 1 Aunt of Maxine Klane George Singer July 1 Uncle of Michael Singer Alessandro Nobile July 1 Nephew of Catherine Tarabochia Sam Sharp Tamuz 19 (July 2) Grandfather of Murray Woldman Martha Spatz Cohen Tamuz 20 (July 3) Aunt of Carl Spatz Evelyn Rheingold July 3 Grandmother of Mindy Gasthalter Sheba P. Scher Tamuz 21 (July 4) Aunt of Ruth Potts Jack Kahn July 4 Grandfather of Jeff Kahn Sylvia Seidman Tamuz 23 (July 6) Aunt of Lawrence Berman

Mishpachah Matters Iyar - Sivan - Tammuz, 5778/May and June 2018 Page 14

Bet Mishpachah Communications Electronic Newsletter Subscription

This newsletter is published bimonthly by Bet Mishpachah, Do you want to receive Mishpachah Matters electronically and P.O. Box 1410, Washington, DC 20013. Articles, columns in living color, while saving the synagogue money? Send an and content should be submitted on or before the 10th of the email to [email protected]. Include all the email month prior to publication and sent to news- addresses where you would like to receive the electronic [email protected]. The newsletter is sent to members, newsletter and your mailing address, as you will no longer need donors, and various organizations. For a free e-mail the paper version. subscription, write to [email protected]. To advertise in our newsletter, contact [email protected]. Address, Phone, Email Changes

The congregation also publishes ATCBM, the electronic Send your name and old and new information to bulletin board of Bet Mishpachah, which contains late- [email protected]. breaking congregational news, as well as other Jewish and/or LGBT news that cannot be printed in this newsletter. We ATCBM Subscription

maintain a website at www.betmish.org with synagogue If you wish to receive ATCBM, our electronic announcements information and links to other websites of interest. about events at Bet Mishpachah and of interest to the Jewish LGBT community, please send an email to Information contained in any of our publications may be [email protected] with “ATCBM” in the subject line and reprinted without permission, but acknowledgment of the the email address where you would like to receive mail. source is required. Direct any questions about our editorial or advertising policies to [email protected]. ATCBM Item Submission

Shabbat Services Email your item in the body of an email (no attachments) for ATCBM Submissions to [email protected]. Bet Mishpachah holds Shabbat services every Friday at 8:00 pm and the second and fourth Saturdays of every month Bikur Cholim — We Care About You at 10:00 am at the Edlavitch District of Columbia Jewish Community Center (EDC JCC), 16 and Q Streets, NW. Sign Become a partner in the mitzva of Bikur Cholim—visiting the Language interpretation is available by request to sick—by advising our Bikur Cholim Committee, rabbi, or [email protected] with a minimum of two weeks notice. Any president when you or a relative is hospitalized. We can stay changes to this regular schedule will appear on our website informed ONLY if we receive the information. Please email us (www.betmish.org), in the month’s printed calendar, and/or in at [email protected]. our electronic bulletin board ATCBM. Death Notices, Bereavement Services Enter the EDC JCC building on Friday nights through the Q Street door. You will be buzzed in by our shammas. Shabbat If you are in need of bereavement services or to announce a worship will be in the EDC JCC Kay Community Hall, on the death in your family, email [email protected]. right as you enter. A parking lot is available behind the EDC JCC and may be entered from Q Street. It has approximately Donations 20 spaces, including one designated for disabled drivers. To make a donation to our congregation, please send it to Bet

Mishpachah, Department 0520,Washington, D.C. 20073-0520. Parking: Additional free parking for Friday night services is Or you can donate via PayPal from the “Donations” page on available at the surface lot at the Scottish Rite Temple starting our web site, www.betmish.org. at 7:30 pm. The lot will be closed and locked and all cars

must be removed by 10:30 pm. Parking is at your own risk. To Schedule a Bet Mishpachah Event The Temple is at 16th and S Streets NW; entrance to the lot is from the alley that connects 15th and 16th in the block Email the date, space needs, and number of expected attendees between R and S Streets. to [email protected].

Mishpachah Matters Staff To Sponsor an Oneg Shabbat or Kiddush Newsletter Coordinator — Katoy M. Tan Design/Layout — Katoy M. Tan Send an email to [email protected], with the date you’d like Proofreaders — Patti Nelson, Alex Carter, to sponsor, and the occasion. Mindy Gasthalter, and Elke Martin Transliteration Consultant — Scott Reiter Bet Mishpachah’s Affiliations

Bet Mishpachah is a member of: Network of Independent Jewish Communities and Havurot; Jewish Community Council of Greater Washington; World Congress of GLBT Jews: Keshet Ga’avah; Jewish Funeral Practices Committee of Greater Washington; and Celebration of the Spirit Coalition. Mishpachah Matters Iyar - Sivan - Tammuz, 5778/May and June 2018 Page 15