Mishpachah Matters

Issue 76.1 and 76.2 Mishpachah Matters Elul 5775 The Newsletter of Bet Mishpachah, Founded in 1975 - Tishri/Cheshvan 5776 by Members of the Washington, DC, Gay Community September and October 2015

It’s a New Year, a New Page, Rabbi Green’s Fall Class a New Way Forward! Crowdsourcing: Communal Ethics in Judaism and in Real Life By Liora Moriel, VP Religious Affairs Police Brutality! Political Gridlock! Workplace Politics! Rosh ha-Shana, the Jewish New Year, does not match up with the Gregorian calendar that we use in our secular What do all these things have in common? They demonstrate lives. It can seem that it is early, when it is near Labor the dysfunction of communities. What does Jewish tradition say Day, or late, when it seems to introduce Halloween. But as about communal ethics? We’ll look at controversy and decision the late, great Barrett Brick told us time and again, it is making, balancing peace and security, crime and punishment, really neither early nor late: it is always on time on the public accountability and how to oust bad leaders. How should Hebrew Calendar. When Elul ends, Tishrei begins, our neighborhoods, schools, synagogues, and workplaces run? moving us from the last month of the year just ending to the first month of the year we now begin. Rabbi Laurie Green will be teaching this fall class on Thursdays October 29, November 5, 12 and 19 at the DC JCC from 7:00- Rosh ha-Shana, unlike many other holy days, does not 8:45 pm. begin on a full moon. Rather, it starts us off with a new moon, new hopes, and new ideas. For those who attend The first class will be preceded by a reception at 6:15 pm in services twice a year—in the ten-day interval from Rosh ha memory of Barrett Brick (z’l), may his memory be for a blessing. -Shana to Yom Kippur, usually as bookends—the elegance, Barrett, a Past President of both Bet Mishpachah and the World pomp and circumstance may seem bewildering. Typically, Congress of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Jews we have two or three dozen people at a Shabbat service, (Keshet Ga’avah), had not only a passion for Torah and a deep while the High Holy Days attract hundreds. Also, while interest in Jewish ethics, but was always a voice for the sanctity shorts and tees are to be seen at weekly services, the dress of our community. If you plan on attending the reception, please code on the High Holy Days (HHD) is formal and dressy. RSVP to [email protected] by Thursday, October 22, so we can plan accordingly. Moreover, HHD services utilize Bet Mishpachah’s unique liturgy, written and assembled by the dedicated members Table of Contents: of the Liturgy Committee. Small wonder that our services appeal not only to our own congregants, but to many Page 3: Page 10: visitors as well. Not surprisingly, some of the latter Gossip and Punishment: Race, Northern Virginia Chavura, become members, many of them active and thriving in our Gender and Rioting In Baltimore Another Awesome Event wonderfully eclectic community. Page 4: Page 11: The Challenges Bet Thanks to Our July and August (Continued on page 8) Mishpachah Shares with the Oneg Shabbat and Kiddush Wider Washington Jewish Sponsors Community Thanks to Our July and August

HHD Logistics Volunteers Service Leaders www.betmish.org Needed! Become a Member of Bet Bet Mishpachah Mishpachah in 2015-2016, Now Has a List Serve Our 40th Anniversary Year Page 5-6: Page 12: Washington DC’s September and October September and October Calendars Birthdays and Anniversaries Egalitarian Synagogue Page 7: Welcome to Our New Members High Holy Days Schedule Mazal Tov Embracing a Diversity Page 9: Page 13: Contribute to Bet Mishpachah Donations of Sexual High Holy Days Collection Drive Page 14-18:: Benefitting N Street Village! Member Yartzeits Text Messages: Torah for Page 19: and Gender Identities Today Directory Mishpachah Matters—Elul 5775 - Tishri/Cheshvan 5776/September and October 2015 Page 2

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 must be in living color, while saving the synagogue money? Send an received by the first Tuesday of the month prior to publication email to [email protected]. Include all the email and should be sent to [email protected]. The addresses where you would like to receive the electronic newsletter is sent to members, donors, and various newsletter and your mailing address, as you will no longer organizations. For a three-month trial subscription, write to need the paper version. [email protected]. To advertise in our newsletter, contact Address, Phone, Email Changes [email protected]. Send your name and old and new information to The congregation also publishes ATCBM, the electronic [email protected]. bulletin board of Bet Mishpachah, which contains late- ATCBM Subscription breaking congregational news, as well as other Jewish and/or LGBT news that cannot be printed in this newsletter. We If you wish to receive ATCBM, our electronic announcements maintain a website at www.betmish.org with synagogue about events at Bet Mishpachah and of interest to the Jewish information and links to other websites of interest. 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

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Bet Mishpachah holds Shabbat services every Friday at 8:00 Bikur Cholim — We Care About You pm and the second and fourth Saturdays of every month at 10:00 am at the District of Columbia Jewish Community Become a partner in the mitzva of Bikur Cholim—visiting the Center (DCJCC), 16 and Q Streets, NW. Sign Language sick—by advising our Bikur Cholim Committee, rabbi, or interpretation is available by request to [email protected] with president when you or a relative is hospitalized. We can stay a minimum of two weeks notice. Any changes to this regular informed ONLY if we receive the information. Please email us schedule will appear on our website (www.betmish.org), in the at [email protected]. month’s printed calendar, and/or in our electronic bulletin Death Notices, Bereavement Services board ATCBM. If you are in need of bereavement services or to announce a Enter the DCJCC building on Friday nights through the Q death in your family, email [email protected]. Street door. You will be buzzed in by our shammas. Shabbat worship will be in the DCJCC Kay Community Hall, on the Donations right as you enter. A parking lot is available behind the To make a donation to our congregation, please send it to Bet DCJCC and may be entered from Q Street. It has Mishpachah, Department 0520,Washington, D.C. 20073-0520. approximately 20 spaces, including one designated for disabled Or you can donate via PayPal from the “Donations” page on drivers. our web site, www.betmish.org.

Parking: Additional free parking for Friday night services is To Schedule a Bet Mishpachah Event available at the surface lot at the Scottish Rite Temple starting at 7:30 pm. The lot will be closed and locked and all cars must Email the date, space needs, and number of expected attendees be removed by 10:30 pm. Parking is at your own risk. The to [email protected].

Temple is at 16th and S Streets NW; entrance to the lot is from To Sponsor an Oneg Shabbat or Kiddush the alley that connects 15th and 16th in the block between R and S Streets. Send an email to [email protected], with the date you’d like to sponsor, and the occasion. Mishpachah Matters Staff Newsletter Coordinator — Amy Heffernan Bet Mishpachah’s Affiliations

Design/Layout — Amy Heffernan Bet Mishpachah is a member of: Network of Independent Proofreaders — Eytan Apelberg, Alex Carter, Jewish Communities and Havurot; Jewish Community Council Mindy Gasthalter, Elke Martin, and Martin Robinson of Greater Washington; World Congress of GLBT Jews: Transliteration Consultant — Scott Reiter Keshet Ga’avah; Jewish Funeral Practices Committee of Greater Washington; and Celebration of the Spirit Coalition. Mishpachah Matters—Elul 5775 - Tishri/Cheshvan 5776/September and October 2015 Page 3

Gossip and Punishment: Race, me. No doubt they felt they had reasonable concerns, perhaps even noble intentions. But that doesn’t make gossip Gender and Rioting In Baltimore and slander any less damaging.

By Rabbi Laurie Green We all know how hard it is to forget a rumor once we’ve heard it. Lashon hara changes our perception of a person in I live in Baltimore. The actual City of Baltimore, not the such a fundamental way that every member of the community suburbs. I live in a transitional neighborhood with a notable is contaminated. Perhaps that is why the metaphorical number of interracial families and same-sex couples. I live punishment for lashon hara is an illness. When we speak ill three blocks from Greenmount Avenue, and close to Johns of a member of our community, we spread an illness which Hopkins University. harms everyone. When we spread ill will, we spread a All week I had been hearing the same thing from several contagion that sickens us all. And the entire community is neighbors - “there was rioting on Greenmount,” and “the Ace poorer and weaker because of it. Hardware was looted.” I admit I was a little anxious. I It is worth noting that our tale is not only a warning about hadn’t seen anything in my neighborhood, but my neighbors gossip, but about racism, and perhaps sexism, as well. seemed so certain. Miriam’s basis for criticizing Moses’s wife is her race/ I admit it. I fell for the gossip. ethnicity. She is from Cush, modern day Ethiopia, where the residents have notably darker skin than the Egyptians or the Then I started talking with colleagues and activists whom Midianites, both North African peoples. were warning me about all the rumors and slanderous lies going around, and too frequently being repeated by the Further, the punishment fits the crime. It is most ironic that media. Rabbi Daniel Berg told me the story of his journey Miriam’s skin is turned pale white as a punishment for the Saturday night before, just as the protests were beginning criticizing someone with darker skin than she. and before the rioting in Sandtown which occurred two days later. Daniel was heading to a Bat Mitzva when he was A feminist critique suggests this story is also gendered. The warned not to drive downtown because “they’re pulling Biblical text states that both Miriam and Aaron spoke against drivers out of their cars and beating them.” Daniel thankfully Moses, yet only Miriam is punished. The traditional had the good sense to ignore them. As of this writing, there explanation is that Miriam initiated the conversation and was is not one reported case of anyone ever being pulled from a therefore more responsible. But why should Aaron receive vehicle in Baltimore during the recent protests and riots. no rebuke or consequence at all? Dr. Masha Turner, in A Woman’s Commentary, argues that Miriam is punished The sages of our tradition compare lashon hara (malicious because she is a woman. gossip) to the spilling of blood.1 I used to think this was hyperbole. And then I watched troubling events unfold in my Women are called “gossips” and “sluts.” Black men are own city, and I saw firsthand how deadly an evil tongue can called “thugs.” Trans* women, especially trans* women of be. color, are called “whores.” So we as a society treat them accordingly. In many American cities, “walking while So I finally decided in go to my local Ace hardware and see trans*” is as likely to get you unjustly stopped or arrested as for myself. No broken windows. No graffiti. All that had “driving while black.” happened was that someone had entered through the backdoor and stolen two pairs of gardening gloves. Yes, you Parshat Beha’alotecha tells us an age-old story of malicious read that correctly…two pairs of gardening gloves were prejudice. In the case of this parshah, nobody literally dies. stolen. Such hardened criminals! Thugs! We should all be However, sometimes, lashon hara does indeed lead to very scared! bloodshed.

In Parshat Beha’alotecha, which we read in the wake of the Black lives matter. Trans* lives matter. Some black trans* protests and riots in Baltimore, Miriam is punished with folks are Jews. I know at least one black, trans* Jew who tzara’at, a scaly skin disease, for the sin of speaking ill of lives in Baltimore, and I’m quite sure he’s not a thug. 2 Moses’s wife. I imagine that Miriam likely had the best of In the words of Rabbi Susan Talve, “Find your Ferguson.” intentions in her remarks. She was concerned for her brother Or your Baltimore. Or your Cleveland. Wherever you live, and his marriage, and perhaps its implications for the entire it’s there. Until we all stop the contagion, we will never be Israelite community. So why didn’t she speak with Moses healed. directly, instead of going to their brother Aaron? Perhaps she thought that, as the older brother, Moses would be more El na refah na la. God, please heal her.3 ______likely to listen to Aaron. 1 Masechet Arakhin 15b. Similarly, no doubt my neighbors were expressing sincere 2Numbers, Chapter 12. anxieties. No doubt they were trying to advise and protect 3Numbers 12:13. Mishpachah Matters—Elul 5775 - Tishri/Cheshvan 5776/September and October 2015 Page 4

The Challenges Bet Mishpachah HHD Logistics Volunteers Needed! Shares with the Wider Washington We need volunteers to help at High Holy Day services as Jewish Community Ushers, or by staffing the Information, Will Call, and Donations tables. (Please note: only donations positions By Stuart Sotsky, President handle money.)

I have written previously about how we must honor our past as For all logistics volunteers positions, you will need to a congregation that created a safe home for LGBT Jews from a arrive 30 minutes before services begin. time of condemnation and exclusion, in which to express both our Jewish and sexual and gender identities with integrity. We If you are able to help, please contact Mary Arras at can take justifiable pride in our development of an inclusive, [email protected] with your availability and egalitarian, independent community, liturgy and services, as volunteer interests. well as a tradition of lay leadership. Yet the world is a different place today than forty years ago, and if we do not evolve and Thank you for making these services possible. adapt, it will be difficult to sustain a community of people and values into the next generation. But, are these challenges unique to Bet Mishpachah or do they reflect currents throughout Bet Mishpachah the wider Washington Jewish community? Now Has a List Serve

To answer that question, I would like to share with you the Bet Mishpachah has recently created a list serve through interesting findings of an important 2014 Community Study Yahoo Groups that is available for members only. The presented by The Jewish Federation in a meeting that Larry purpose of the list serve is to be able to reach other Neff and I attended in July at Adas Israel. Although the Jewish members of the congregation with one simple email community is generally viewed very positively, the level of address. You might want to let congregants know that Jewish engagement varies widely. Those who are less engaged you are heading to a movie on Saturday night and if folks have quite different opinions that those who are more engaged want to join, they should let you know. Or, you may on values, spirituality and desire for services or activities. want to inform congregants about an exhibit, or lecture, Jewish identity matters to over 60% of respondents but a or anything at all related to our community. Or maybe plurality (39%) do not identify with any Jewish denomination, you are looking for a ride to New York and wondering if only 10% identify as orthodox, and the rest split mostly between anyone might be able to give you a ride. conservative and reform. Orthodox Jews, families with children, couples with Jewish spouses and those with a strong To subscribe to the list serve, send an email to connection with Israel are most likely to attend synagogue [email protected]. Once your regularly. In contrast, those who identify as Jewish culturally membership has been confirmed, you will be added to the but without a denominational affiliation, seniors, singles, group. intermarried couples, and residents of D.C. are least likely to attend synagogue regularly, aside from bar/bat mitzvas, If you have questions about the group, please email (Continued on page 8) Mindy Gasthalter at [email protected].

Stay Informed

Bet Mishpachah members who are interested in following the activities of the Board of Directors may join a listserv, which will transmit to them by email the minutes for each Board meeting after they are approved. To join this listserv, email [email protected].

Mishpachah Matters—Elul 5775 - Tishri/Cheshvan 5776/September and October 2015 Page 5

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High Holy Days Service Schedule Locations: Kol Nidrei DC JCC – DC Jewish Community Center 1529 16th Street Tuesday, September 22, at 7:00 pm sharp! NW, Washington DC 20036, at the corner of Q Street NW; LPMC Enter at Q Street door Leader: Scott Reiter LPMC – Luther Place Memorial Church, 1226 Vermont Darshanit: Rabbi Laurie Green Avenue NW, Washington DC 20009; Enter on Vermont Hazzan: Rabbi Ben Shalva Avenue North between Thomas Circle and N Street NW Membership Appealer: Brian Parks Choir: Tach’shitim S’lichot, beginning with Havdala Gabbai: Mindy Gasthalter Saturday, September 5, at 8:00 pm

DC JCC Yom Kippur Leaders: Alexandra Carter and Ruth Potts LPMC Erev Rosh ha-Shana I Morning Service Sunday, September 13, at 8:00 pm Wednesday, September 23, at 10:00 am LPMC Leaders: Rabbi Laurie Green and Ruth Potts Leader: Alexandra Carter Darshan: Stuart Sotsky Darshanit: Rabbi Laurie Green Hazzan: Rabbi Ben Shalva Hazzan: Rabbi Ben Shalva Membership Appealer: Noah Wofsy Membership Appealer: Sharon Greenbaum Choir: Tach’shitim Choir: Tach’shitim Torah Reader: Larry Neff Gabbai: Judy Retchin Gabbai: Jeff Kahn

Rosh ha-Shana I Morning Martyrology and Yizkor Service Monday, September 14, at 10:00 am following Morning Service, at approximately 12:45 pm LPMC Leader: Allan Armus Leaders: Rabbi Laurie Green and Larry Neff Darshan: Al Munzer Study Session Hazzan: Rabbi Ben Shalva 2:00 pm Membership Appealer: Beverly Nissenbaum Leader: Rabbi Laurie Green Choir: Tach’shitim Torah Reader: Rabbi Ben Shalva Mincha Gabbai: Louis Blank 4:30 pm

Tashlich, with Fabrangen Chavura Leaders: Jeff Burka and Liora Moriel Monday, September 14, at 4:00 pm Torah Reader: Scott Reiter Peirce Mill, 2401 Tilden Street NW, in Rock Creek Park, Gabbai: Morris Umansky picnic area across the street N’ila and Havdala Bring your breadcrumbs! following Mincha, at approximately 5:30 pm Coordinator: Eryca Kasse Leaders: Rabbi Laurie Green and Larry Neff Erev Rosh ha-Shana II Monday, September 14, at 8:00 pm Break-the-Fast Meal DC JCC following Havdala, at approximately 7:00 pm Leader: Liora Moriel Washington Plaza Hotel, across Vermont Avenue (Advance tickets required) Rosh ha-Shana II Morning Tuesday, September 15, at 10:00 am Erev Shabbat DC JCC “Rock ‘N Scroll” musical service Leaders: Allan Armus and Paula Morris Chol ha-Mo-eid Sukkot Darshan: Marc Bernstein Friday, October 2, at 8:00 pm

Erev Shabbat Shuva DC JCC Friday, September 18, at 8:00 pm Leader: Rabbi Laurie Green DC JCC Hazzan: Rabbi Ben Shalva Leader: Larry Neff Hazzan: Rabbi Ben Shalva Text Messages: Torah for Today Participatory discussion on week’s Torah portion Mishpachah Matters—Elul 5775 - Tishri/Cheshvan 5776/September and October 2015 Page 8

It’s a New Year, a New Page, The Challenges Bet Mishpachah Shares with the a New Way Forward! Wider Washington Jewish Community (Continued from page 1) (Continued from page 4)

weddings and funerals. While people across the spectrum of Jewish Our Rabbi, Laurie Green, presides over several of identity and denomination described the Jewish community as good, the HHD services, assisted by Bet Mishpachah’s welcoming and sharing their values, only slightly more than half of those cadre of seasoned lay service leaders. We are who identify as just culturally Jewish find the community spiritually also blessed with the celestial singing of our very fulfilling or offering them important or useful services. Conversely, own Tach’shitim (Jewels) Choir. This year, we those who do not find that the Jewish community shares their values or have added the cantorial presence of Rabbi Ben offers spiritual fulfillment, are much less actively engaged. It is not hard Shalva to every major service. We are a singing to understand the challenge this represents to Bet Mishpachah. Within shul! the LGBT community there are many singles, seniors, interfaith couples, and many whose Jewish identity is more cultural than religious, We end the outgoing year and prepare for the particularly among younger adults. With an already lower rate of coming one with S’lichot on Shabbat, September engagement in D.C. than in Maryland or Virginia, heterosexually- 5, 2015 at the DC JCC at 8 pm. The first Rosh ha identified Jews in our neighborhood who might be attracted to Bet -Shana service begins on Sunday, September 13, Mishpachah as their local progressive congregation, are more likely to be at 8 pm in the Luther Place Methodist Church, single or coupled without children, and those with children face our lack where all the major services will take place. This of religious or educational opportunities for their children. While cost is also the case for the first Rosh ha-Shana and geography are not deterrents for participation for the most engaged, morning service on September 14. Services for they are cited as reasons against participation by the least involved. the second day of Rosh ha-Shana will take place at the DC JCC, as will Shabbat Shuva While enhancement of the quality and variety of religious services is of (September 18). All the Yom Kippur services obvious importance, it is so primarily for those already engaged actively will be at Luther Place, beginning with Kol in the Jewish community. Across the population, however, there was Nidrei on Tuesday, September 22 at 7 pm, and all most interest and attraction to programs in which people could the following day’s services and study session. participate actively and make social connections by volunteering in Yizkor is at 1 pm. social services and social justice initiatives, or attending social programs and cultural activities. In this context, our growth of social happy hours Break-the-fast (tickets required; free for and dinners, as well as the focus in congregational programming on members) will begin at 7 pm in the Washington cultural and educational activities, such as invited speakers, classes, and Plaza Hotel nearby. community-wide events, would seem to be on target. Should those activities receive more emphasis? Further our active efforts to This cycle of beginnings and redemption, of collaborate with other LGBT and Jewish groups on joint events have the clean slate and reckoning, is repeated every year potential for considerable reward. While our social action and social and yet is new and awesome each time anew. justice efforts have provided important support to other organizations in We urge you to come join us, bring along family need, I would suggest that we search for other opportunities for and friends, and open your hearts and minds to congregants to actively participate with others in a meaningful way that the fabulously spiritual journey that we travel on would expand our sense of community. While good faith efforts to from Rosh ha-Shana to Yom Kippur along with respond to the needs of those with children have been disappointing in Jews of all genders, orientations, colors and the past, in part because of the limited number of children of similar age observance status all over the world. This is a and geography, we have recently begun discussions about partnering small step towards Tikun Olam, the improvement with other congregations that already have pre-school and school of ourselves and the world around us. Amen. programs in which our members might participate. Do our interfaith couples want or need more specific support from the congregation, or do they already feel welcome and included? Should we strengthen our connections with Israel and its LGBT community by more active Community News? participation with organizations such as A Wider Bridge and The World Let Us Know! Congress at a time when the most conservative voices in the Jewish- American community have received the most attention with regard to Israel and American foreign policy? Did you get a promotion? Has a new niece or nephew arrived lately? Did you solve the entire I am eager to learn your opinions on these matters and the direction of Sunday New York Times crossword, in ink? Send our congregation. Please share them with me by email at any cause for a Mazal Tov to [email protected]. I look forward to hearing from you. [email protected]. Mishpachah Matters—Elul 5775 - Tishri/Cheshvan 5776/September and October 2015 Page 9

Contribute to Bet Mishpachah Text Messages: Torah For Today High Holy Days Collection Drive New Torah Discussions Every Third Benefitting N Street Village! Friday

Please join in a continuing annual Bet Mishpachah High As part of Bet Mishpachah’s continuing efforts to enhance Holy Days (HHD) tradition and perform the mitzva of tz’daka our Shabbat services, in July we started a new tradition for by contributing generously to the ninth annual “Not Just our Shabbat services on the 3rd Friday of each month: a brief Food” Drive to benefit the N Street Village Women’s Shelter. guided Torah discussion during services that we call “Text This year’s collection will return to the earlier tradition of Messages: Torah For Today.” collecting donated items on Kol Nidrei Eve, Tuesday, September 22, and the morning of Yom Kippur, Wednesday, The third Friday Torah discussions are in lieu of a d’rash. September 23, Services to be held at Luther Place Memorial To keep to the shorter services on Friday nights, we won’t Church (LPMC). Social Action/Social Justice (SA/SJ) have a full Torah service—just a brief participatory Volunteers will then deliver all of our donations directly to discussion on part of the week’s Torah portion. the adjacent N Street Village facility during the Yom Kippur afternoon break. We’re borrowing this idea from the popular and engaging Torah discussions we have at our Shabbat morning services Following is a list of items most needed by the N Street on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month. Village Shelter in 2015 in addition to non-perishable (canned, boxed, individually wrapped or bagged) food items: The first third Friday Torah discussion on July 17, led by Rabbi Laurie Green, was a great success with lots of insights  women’s sneakers (size 8 and above) enthusiastically exchanged in our search for deeper meaning  bra’s (new, sizes 36DD-46G) and relevance in the weekly Torah portion.  umbrellas  ponchos The Torah portion for our discussion on Friday, September  women’s socks (new, sizes 9-13) 18 is Vayeilech (Deuteronomy/D’varim, chapter 31): the last  women’s underwear (new, sizes 7 and above) words of Moses before he dies, seeing but not allowed to  robes (new or gently used) enter the Promised Land. So often we spend our days  twin size comforters (new) anticipating the future; do we truly know how to live in the  cleaning supplies (for kitchen or bathroom) present?  make-up (new, unopened)  This Torah portion ties perfectly to Shabbat Shuva (also A more complete list as well as options for contributing September 18), the Shabbat of Turning or Returning, which directly may be found at www.nstreetvillage.org/donate/in- refers to the work of introspection, self-evaluation and kind. refocusing we do during the ten days between Rosh ha-Shana and Yom Kippur. N Street Village, founded in 1972, is a DC-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that offers a safe, empowering community for We are delighted that Rabbi Ben Shalva, who leads singing women facing homelessness, poverty and related challenges. with his guitar on our first Friday “Rock ‘N Scroll” services, It is located directly across N Street from Luther Place will also be leading singing for our Shabbat Shuva service on Memorial Church, where several of the Bet Mishpachah High September 18. Holy Days Services are held. Many of N Street Village’s clients also suffer from mental illness, poverty, addiction and For Friday, October 16 the Torah portion is Noach (Genesis/ chronic health problems. The comprehensive services B’reishit chapter 11). Topics may include: Noah’s Ark, offered include: housing, case management, mental health mass destruction, the Covenant with Noah, the symbol of the therapy, wellness programs, job training, clothing and peer Rainbow, the Tower of Babel, the scattering of peoples and support. N Street Village is the largest provider of women- the introduction of different languages. only services for D.C.’s homeless population and helps over 1,000 women each year. Please join us every month for our special third Friday “Text Messages: Torah For Today” discussions. We also hope to Please be generous and help Bet Mishpachah see you at our first Fridays “Rock ‘N Scroll” musical services help N Street in their worthy endeavor! and at all our Shabbat services and many other programs throughout the new year of 5776. Shana Tova! Mishpachah Matters—Elul 5775 - Tishri/Cheshvan 5776/September and October 2015 Page 10

Northern Virginia Chavura, Another Awesome Event The June 2015 Northern Virginia Chavura At The Beach was a friends. Of course the legality of same-sex marriage, coming rousing success. Thank you to Jocelyn Kaplan and Idalie only a few days before, consumed a large part of the Adams, who created a wonderful atmosphere. This evening set conversation. a record with 19 members. former members of Bet Mishpachah and their family in attendance. Everyone contributed to the Contact [email protected] to become a host in the potluck event and enjoyed catching up with old and new fall and winter.

Pictured: Barbara Goldberg (back to viewer), Belinda Cross, Pictured: Yona Zucker, Barbara Goldberg, Idalie Adams, and Leticia Gomez, Jeri Berc, Batya Hyman, LySandra Brady, Jocelyn Kaplan Elke Martin, and Mindy Gasthalter

Pictured: Idalie Adams, Jocelyn Kaplan, Mindy Gasthalter, and Sharon Kaplan

Pictured: Yona Zucker, Idalie Adams, Sharon Kaplan, Jeri Berc, Sharon Greenbaum and Kim Sgroi

What’s This? Scan it with a QR code reader on your smartphone and find out!

Web: www.betmish.org

Facebook: facebook.com/betmish

Twitter: twitter.com/betmish

Email: [email protected]

Mishpachah Matters—Elul 5775 - Tishri/Cheshvan 5776/September and October 2015 Page 11

Thanks to Our July and August Oneg Thanks to Our July and August Shabbat and Kiddush Sponsors Service Leaders

Want to remember a loved one, celebrate a special event, or Friday, July 3: Larry Neff just help the Oneg and Kiddush coordinator? You can do this Friday, July 10: Allan Armus, Eva Freund—D’rash by sponsoring an Oneg Shabbat or Kiddush luncheon. It’s simple and pain free. Contact Barbara Goldberg at Saturday, July 11: Scott Reiter [email protected] or call her at (703) 548-1086 to save your Friday, July 24: Rabbi Laurie Green date and receive more information. Saturday, July 25: Alex Carter Can’t sponsor? Consider sending a donation of Chai ($18) or Friday, July 31: Rabbi Laurie Green more to bring extended life to the Joel and Murray Woldman Oneg Shabbat and Kiddush Fund, established by a generous Friday, August 7: Larry Neff and Liora Moriel bequest from our beloved member Joel Woldman. Send Saturday, August 8: Rabbi Laurie Green donations to Bet Mishpachah, Department 0520, Washington, DC 20073-0520. Friday, August 14: Rabbi Laurie Green Thanks to Bob, Elke, and Murray for assisting with Friday, August 21: Larry Neff and Rabbi Ben Shalva shopping. Saturday, August 22: Alex Carter and Ruth Potts

July 3: Joel and Murray Woldman Oneg Shabbat and Friday, August 28: Allan Armus Kiddush Fund Saturday, August 29: Eryca Kasse July 10: Joel and Murray Woldman Oneg Shabbat and Kiddush Fund Become a Member July 11: Jessica Erfer, Michael Gonen, and Jack, in of Bet Mishpachah in 2015-2016, celebration of the Bet Mishpachah community and all that it Our 40th Anniversary Year has meant to us the last five years

July 17: Joel and Murray Woldman Oneg Shabbat and It’s time to renew your membership in Congregation Bet Kiddush Fund Mishpachah. The 2015-2016 Membership renewal packet July 24: Joel and Murray Woldman Oneg Shabbat and should already be in your mailbox. If not, you can easily Kiddush Fund download a copy from our website at www.betmish.org/ index.php/get-involved/join-us. No Muss, No Fuss with July 25: Steven Frank and Ed Knight, in memory of Len renewing your membership!!! Please look over the NEW Frank membership categories for new members, young members, August 7: Joel and Murray Woldman Oneg Shabbat and students, out-of-towners, and folks with reduced income. For Kiddush Fund those whose budgets permit, please take a look at the enhanced membership categories and be as generous as you August 8: Anonymous, in honor of Bet Mishpachah and are able for our 40th Anniversary. Choosing an enhanced Rabbi Laurie Green level of payment includes membership. August 14: Joel and Murray Woldman Oneg Shabbat and Kiddush Fund If you are not yet a member of our mishpachah, and want to attend this year’s High Holy Days services and Yom Kippur August 21: Joel and Murray Woldman Oneg Shabbat and Break-the-Fast, please fill out the membership form to assure Kiddush Fund your tickets will be in the mail in time. The dues for new August 22: Joel and Murray Woldman Oneg Shabbat and members is only $180 (and for new as well as renewing Kiddush Fund members, it’s $36 if you are under 30 or a full time student). August 28: Joel and Murray Woldman Oneg Shabbat and Kiddush Fund If you have any questions about membership, contact Eileen Greenberg VP/Membership at [email protected]. Mishpachah Matters—Elul 5775 - Tishri/Cheshvan 5776/September and October 2015 Page 12

September 2015 Member Birthdays October 2015 Member Birthdays

4 Paula Morris 1 Jerry Goldberg 15 Beverly Nissenbaum 9 Eytan Apelberg 17 Carl Spatz 9 Susan Kirshner 23 Georgia Korn 10 Murray Woldman 24 Diane Citron 12 Roger Schechter 26 Leti Gomez 17 Mary Arras 27 Ruthanna Emrys 22 Stuart Sotsky

24 Rachel Grinberg September 2015 Member Anniversaries 25 Catherine Tarabochia 5 Al Munzer and Joel Wind 27 Judith Salomon 6 Andrés Doernberg and Michael Lavers 27 Israel Sheinbein 8 Ed Blacker and Charlie Cerveny 29 Beth Cohen 14 Michael Hoffman and Mike Montanino 30 Scott Reiter 19 Robert Hollis and Donald Jewler 31 Jacob Hayim Gonen 22 Jack Hillelsohn and Charlie Stewart 31 Warren Snaider 23 James Nathan and Francisco Torres October 2015 Member Anniversaries 30 Davi LaBarre and Janet Szabo

15 Marlene Cohen and Beverly Nissenbaum Welcome to Our New Members 15 Georgia Korn and Diane Liff Jeffrey Akman Andrea Jennetta 16 Barbara Becker and Jutta Brettschneider Cookie Backelman Michael Lustig 31 Steven Frank and Ed Knight Kristin Bietsch Robert E. Margrave Edwin (Ed) Blacker Breana McHugh Ruthanna Embrys Chris Miller Mazal Tov Sarah Embrys Joseph (Yosef) Pope Timothy Gloster Beth Weisman Mazal Tov to Vinny Prell who will be teaching 5th grade English in University Park. Mishpachah Matters—Elul 5775 - Tishri/Cheshvan 5776/September and October 2015 Page 13

Donations July 2015—Non-Member Donations

We appreciate the generosity of our members and friends, and Operating Fund recognize them for their support. Contributions may be made at any time during the year. To make a contribution, send a  Sandor and Florene Bernstein, in honor of Marc check payable to Bet Mishpachah, Department Bernstein and Jeff Burka 0520,Washington, DC 20073-0520.  Eleanor Frishman

June 2015—Member Donations  Timothy Gloster  Dan Najjar, in memory of Richard Spector Operating Fund Joel and Murray Woldman Oneg Shabbat and Kiddush  Ellen Fingerman Fund

 Jessica Erfer and Michael Gonen, in memory of  Randall Bell Jessica’s uncle, Norman Weinstein  Bob Hollis and Don Jewler, in memory of James Olson, partner of Jerry Goldberg

Joel and Murray Woldman Oneg Shabbat and Kiddush Fund

 Mindy Gasthalter, in memory of Jessica Erfer’s and Michael Gonen’s uncle, Norman Weinstein

June 2015—Non-Member Donations

Operating Fund

 Randall Bell  Timothy Gloster

July 2015—Member Donations

Operating Fund

 Steven Frank, in observance of the yartzeit of his grandfather, Alexander Frank  Mindy Gasthalter, in memory of Judy Barlas’ mother

Joel and Murray Woldman Oneg Shabbat and Kiddush Fund

 Mindy Gasthalter, in memory of Alexander Totz’s mother

Mishpachah Matters—Elul 5775 - Tishri/Cheshvan 5776/September and October 2015 Page 14

Member Yartzeits

September 2015

Announced Friday, September 4 (Yartzeits observed September 4-11/Elul 21-27) Carlos Doernberg September 5 Father of Andres Doernberg Gertrude Hyman September 5 Paternal Grandmother of Deb Hyman Henry Kohn September 5 Father of Margy Kohn Shirlee Lieberman Elul 21 (September 5) Grandmother of John Kaboff Mitchell Barlas September 6 Cousin of Judy Barlas Max Lewin September 6 Uncle of Larry Neff Shirley Zeizel September 6 Aunt of Michael Singer Israel Sneider September 7 Grandfather of Fran Sneider Jane Zirinsky-Wyatt September 7 Friend of Sarajane Garten Lester Greenfield Elul 24 (September 8) Uncle of Eryca Kasse Samuel Silberstein September 8 Grandfather of Eileen Greenberg Abraham Wolkowitz Elul 25 (September 9) Grandfather of Rachel Wolkowitz Marvin Spatz Elul 26 (September 9) Father of Carl Spatz Isidore Freund September 10 Father of Eva Freund Millie Weil September 10 Aunt of Gail Tannenbaum Sophie Weinstein September 10 Grandmother of Michael Singer

Announced Friday, September 11, and Saturday, September 12 (Yartzeits observed September 11-17/Elul 28-Tishri 5) Ed Gelman September 11 Friend of Catherine Tarabochia Hyman Neidich September 11 Grandfather of Michael Gonen Gloria Lev September 12 Aunt of Larry Neff Dvoire Rosetsky September 12 Grandmother of Judy Barlas Mildred September 12 Grandmother of Alicia Louis Greenwald September 13 Father of Michael Greenwald Benjamin Korn September 13 Father of Georgia Korn Bessie Klane September 13 Grandmother of Maxine Klane Joseph M. Lev September 13 Cousin of Larry Neff Jennie Woldman Elul 29 (September 13) Grandmother of Murray Woldman Joyce Leftwich September 14 Friend of Beth Cohen Anna Kagan Sotsky Tishri 1 (September 14) Grandmother of Stuart Sotsky Max Weinberg Tishri 1 (September 14) Father of Mark Weinberg Goldie Kesser September 15 Grandmother of Gail Tannenbaum Gussie Sobel September 15 Grandmother of Carol Stern Edith Snaider Tishri 2 (September 15) Aunt of Warren Snaider Frieda Waksman Tishri 2 (September 15) Grandmother of Liora Moriel

(Continued on page 15) Mishpachah Matters—Elul 5775 - Tishri/Cheshvan 5776/September and October 2015 Page 15

Member Yartzeits (Continued from page 14)

Doris Winer September 15 Mother of Diane Citron Bernard Lev September 16 Uncle of Larry Neff Louis Kasse Tishri 4 (September 17) Grandfather of Eryca Kasse Freda Steinberg Lev September 17 Aunt of Larry Neff Bernard Most September 17 Cousin of Morris Umansky Sylvia Nakrin September 17 Mother of Jeffrey Nakrin Ilene Brana Skuratofsky September 17 Niece of Morris Umansky Joseph Umansky September 17 Grandfather of Morris Umansky Goldie Lax Sotsky Tishri 5 (September 18) Mother of Stuart Sotsky

Announced Friday, September 18 (Yartzeits observed September 18-24/Tishri 6-12) Lena Cohen Tishri 6 (September 19) Grandmother of Marlene Cohen Jack D. Edwards September 19 Friend of Sarajane Garten Luciano Vitale Tishri 7 (September 20) Father of Loretta Vitale Saks Daniel Eneman Tishri 8 (September 21) Uncle of Jeffrey Berns Ida Fox Tishri 8 (September 21) Grandmother of David Fox Barrett Brick September 22 Member and Past President of Bet Mishpachah Esther Eisenberg Tishri 10 (September 23) Grandmother of Ruth Eisenberg Reuven Eisenberg Tishri 10 (September 23) Grandfather of Ruth Eisenberg Jerome Nakrin Tishri 10 (September 23) Father of Jeffrey Nakrin Gadi Raz Tishri 10 (September 23) Cousin of Liora Moriel Meier (Y’chiel) Szachter Tishri 10 (September 23) Grandfather of Ruth Eisenberg Milton Berelson September 24 Grandfather of Joel Berelson Ted Hyman September 24 Father of Deb Hyman Joseph Sotsky Tishri 12 (September 25) Grandfather of Stuart Sotsky

(Continued on page 16) Mishpachah Matters—Elul 5775 - Tishri/Cheshvan 5776/September and October 2015 Page 16

Member Yartzeits (Continued from page 15)

Announced Friday, September 25, and Saturday, September 26 (Yartzeits observed September 23-October 1/Tishri 13-19) Elsie Goldfield September 26 Grandmother of Martin Daniel Robinson Goody Gottfried September 26 Great Aunt of Joel Berelson Himey Snaider Tishri 13 (September 26) Father of Warren Snaider Leonie Doernberg September 27 Mother of Andres Doernberg Helen Aiken Estrin September 27 Grandmother of Don Jewler Ruth Magid Jacobs Tishri 14 (September 27) Aunt of Carl Spatz Robbie Floyd September 28 Mother of Devra Floyd Helen Smirnoff Spatz Tishri 16 (September 29) Grandmother of Carl Spatz Celia P. Feldman September 30 Grandmother of Steven Frank Mary Levitt Tishri 17 (September 30) Mother of Morris Levitt Anton Weber September 30 Stepfather of Denise Leish Judah Chiprut Tishri 19 (October 2) Grandfather of Beverly Nissenbaum Frances Isaacs Garten Tishri 19 (October 2) Mother of Sarajane Garten David Wandersman Tishri 19 (October 2) Father of Suzanne Wandersman

October 2015

Announced Friday, October 2 (Yartzeits observed October 2-8/Tishri 20-26) Rosalyn Carb Tishri 18 (October 1) Mother of Alan Carb Linda Lev Cohen October 2 Cousin of Larry Neff Estelle Dembo October 2 Aunt of Jocelyn Kaplan William Carter October 3 Father of Alex Carter; Father-in-law of Ruth Potts Tiffany Lauren Williams October 3 Niece of Sonja Williams, Devra Floyd's loving partner Scott Balotin Tishri 20 (October 3) Friend of John Winterson Anna Reich Lifshitz October 4 Grandmother of Diane Liff Selma Silberstein October 4 Aunt of Eileen Greenberg Esther Rosenberg Lax Tishri 22 (October 5) Grandmother of Stuart Sotsky Benny Waxman Tishri 24 (October 7) Friend of Stuart Sotsky and Larry Neff, past board member Martin H. Berman Tishri 25 (October 8) Father of Larry Berman Rose Youngman Tishri 26 (October 9) Grandmother of Joel Wind

(Continued on page 17) Mishpachah Matters—Elul 5775 - Tishri/Cheshvan 5776/September and October 2015 Page 17

Member Yartzeits (Continued from page 16)

Announced Friday, October 9, and Saturday, October 10 (Yartzeits observed October 9-15/Tishri 27-Cheshvan 3) Arthur M. Hollis October 9 Father of Robert Hollis Bertha Halpern October 10 Grandmother of Roger Schechter Rose Kahn October 10 Grandmother of Jeffrey Kahn Sol Weinshelbaum Tishri 27 (October 10) Grandfather of Eryca Kasse Fannie Blum Neff October 11 Grandmother of Larry Neff Eva Leabman Tishri 29 (October 12) Mother of Arthur Leabman Ada Solomon October 13 Aunt of Steven Frank Steven Greenfield October 14 Cousin of Eryca Kasse Fay Reflowitz Most October 14 Aunt of Morris Umansky Ruth Pomper Cheshvan 1 (October 14) Grandmother of Joseph Pomper Alexander Dardikman October 15 Grandfather of Liora Moriel Mollie Cheshvan 2 (October 15) Mother of Hazel

Announced Friday, October 16 (Yartzeits observed October 16-22/Cheshvan 4-10) Carole Bibula October 16 Aunt of Mindy Gasthalter Esther Cohen October 16 Aunt of Denise Leish Louis Wolpert October 16 Friend of Catherine Tarabochia Sarah Accornero October 17 Aunt of Denise Leish Ruth Elving Castle October 18 Cousin of Larry Neff Reva L. Hoffman Cheshvan 5 (October 18) Mother of Michael Hoffman Lillian Masia October 18 Grandmother of Martin Daniel Robinson Cliff I.S. Leabman Cheshvan 6 (October 19) Father of Arthur Leabman Fred Lomberg Cheshvan 6 (October 19) Brother-in-law of Allan Armus Marya Kirshner October 20 Sister of Susan Kirshner John Samuel Winterson October 20 Father of John Winterson Hershel Greenberg October 21 Father-in-law of Davi LaBarre Jean Greenberg October 21 Mother-in-law of Davi LaBarre Marian Smolin October 21 Aunt of Michael Singer Blanche Tannenbaum October 21 Grandmother of Gail Tannenbaum Milton Tannenbaum October 21 Grandfather of Gail Tannenbaum Bryan Akman October 22 Brother of Jeffrey Akman

(Continued on page 18) Mishpachah Matters—Elul 5775 - Tishri/Cheshvan 5776/September and October 2015 Page 18

Member Yartzeits (Continued from page 17)

Announced Friday, October 23, and Saturday, October 24 (Yartzeits observed October 23‑29/Cheshvan 11-17) Bruce Elliot Shaewitz October 23 Father of Dahlia Shaewitz Alvin Baraff October 24 Member of Bet Mishpachah William Verdin October 24 Grandfather of Catherine Tarabochia Marie Bollinger October 25 Aunt of Charles Stewart David Isaacs Cheshvan 12 (October 25) Friend and partner of John Kaboff Marsha Levy October 25 Member of Bet Mishpachah Allan Nesvisky October 25 Cousin of Larry Neff Arthur L. Wolf October 25 Uncle of Jerald Goldberg Sylvia Casel October 26 Cousin of Larry Neff Theodore Isaacs Cheshvan 13 (October 26) Grandfather of Sarajane Garten Fay Stoler Cheshvan 13 (October 26) Mother of Harvey Stoler Freda Dobkin Casel October 27 Great-Aunt of Larry Neff Rene Rodriguez October 27 Father of Rene Rodriguez Mildred Backelman October 29 Mother of Cookie Backelman Vasco T. Jones October 29 Stepfather of Devra Floyd Gedalia Londner October 29 Father of Hank Londner

Announced Friday, October 30 (Yartzeits observed October 30-November 5/Cheshvan 18‑24) Dorothy Levy October 30 Mother of Ellen Levy George Preston Cheshvan 17 (October 30) Uncle of Joel Wind Edward Ross Cheshvan 18 (October 31) Father of Rodney Ross Abe Schoenfeld Cheshvan 18 (October 31) Uncle of John Kaboff Margot Hirsch Cheshvan 19 (November 1) Aunt of Jack Hillelsohn Bernice Winterson November 3 Mother of John Winterson Chana Goldberg November 4 Grandmother of Alvin Stern Eliyahu Goldberg November 4 Uncle of Alvin Stern Moshe Goldberg November 4 Grandfather of Alvin Stern Mishpachah Matters—Elul 5775 - Tishri/Cheshvan 5776/September and October 2015 Page 19