Mishpachah Members' Monthly

JuneMishpachah 2021 Members ’ Monthly Sivan –TamuzMishpachah 5781/ June 2021 Members ’ Monthly Page Sivan/Tamuz, 5781 The Newsletter of Bet Mishpachah, Founded in 1975 by Members of the Washington, DC, Gay & Lesbian Community Issue 80.22 Table of Contents - Page 2 www.betmish.org

From the Archives Project with the goal of raising $6,000. In September, the By Joel Wind, Archivist board assessed priorities in moving to the new DCJCC. In October, rent at NCCC was increased to $2,100/month Continuing our look back at Bet and our new Yom Kippur Machzor was introduced. The Mishpachah’s history, I present board voted to allow non-Jews to participate in certain as- years 1992 – 1995. pects of the Torah Service in December.

1992: In February, a joint pro- Next month: 1996 – 1999. gram with the Gay/Lesbian Arabic Society took place and a Theater Outing to the JCC of Greater Washington’s Produc- tion of Esther in March. In April, the board voted to pursue space at the National City Christian Church. Suzanne Wan- President’s Message dersman remained as President at the Annual Meeting in By Mindy Gasthalter May. CBM moved from Christ United Methodist Church to National City Christian Church in July. CBM collected over I’m scheduled to get my second Moderna vaccine on $5,000 for Whitman-Walker at the AIDS Walk in Septem- May 23rd. I am one of the last people I know not yet ber. In October, a Family Havura Shabbat Service took fully vaccinated. One-half of DC residents have now place. An 18th Anniversary Committee was established in received at least one vaccination. I don’t expect that my November and a Theater Party to see The Lisbon Traviata in behavior will change much after mid-June. I’m not December. planning on eating at restaurants (inside or outside), or returning to the gym, or getting on an airplane, or 1993: In January, AIDS Awareness took place with CBM walking with friends without my mask. I know this may activities. In February, membership exceeds 255. April sound extreme to some, but as a client told me not too saw the National March on Washington for LGB Equal long ago, “we all need to make our own decisions about Rights Weekend. Jeff Kaye was elected President in May. what we think will keep us safe.” In August, Temple Tracker, a synagogue membership data- base, was purchased. In September, Jeff Kaye and Beth But, contrary to my not willing to do much, I know that Cohen participated on a panel discussing homophobia at there are many in our congregation who cannot wait to Congregation Beth El in Bethesda, MD on Yom Kippur af- get back to more normal behavior, which includes in- ternoon. In November, over 100 members attended our 18th person services. In April, the EDCJCC told us that they Anniversary Party at the Georgetown Holiday Inn. Project were hoping to reopen in September, but that masks Machzor was launched in December to write our own prayer would be required, social distancing would be required, it book for HHD. was “debatable” if service leaders needed to wear masks and we would not be permitted to sing. With those 1994: In March, Marvin Leibman from the National Re- restrictions, it didn’t seem to make much sense to return view spoke at Shabbat Service on his coming out as a gay to services. Yes, we could be together, but if you man and coming home to Judaism. Ruth Potts was elected couldn’t sit next to your friends, or sing, why bother? President in May and the Lesbian and Gay Chorus sang at Family and Friends Shabbat. In June, installation of Offic- Fast forward to May when on May 10th, Mayor Bowser ers took place as well as Gay and Lesbian Pride Day. In announced the removal of most Covid restrictions July, the 6th Northeast Regional Conference of Gay and Les- effective May 21st with the remainder to be removed on bian Jews took place in Montreal. In September, our new June 11th. In her announcement, she said masks will still Kol Nidre Machzor was introduced. In November, the be required indoors. The EDJCCC is now trying to get board began talks with the new DCJCC regarding space. clarification from the city on whether or not the 6-foot social distancing requirement will still be in place and 1995: In February, the first Sign Language Interpreted will keep us posted as to what they find and what the Shabbat Service took place. A Service Leaders’ Retreat was restrictions will be when they reopen to worship groups held in March. Scott Mezistrano was elected President in and if that September date has been moved ahead. April and the first Theology Class took place in May. In July, the board voted to organize a fundraising campaign to raise funds for the Holocaust Museum’s Lesbian and Gay Continued on page 3

Washington DC’s Egalitarian Synagogue Embracing a Diversity of Sexual and Gender Identities

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Seeking Nominations for Bet Mishpachah Annual Service Contents: Awards Page 1: From the Archives Nominations are now being President’s message accepted for our two annual Page 2: service awards to be Volunteer Recognition Shabbat presented at the Member Bet Mishpachah Book Group Volunteer Recognition on Page 3: Erev Shabbat Friday, D’rash from the past July 23rd. Please submit your nominees along with a brief description President’s message (continued) of their accomplishments no later than June 4th to Bruce Horowitz at Page 4: [email protected]. June is Pride Month Social Events Committee The Dace Stone Volunteer of the Year Award, named for congregant Page 5: Dace Stone, z”l, a distinguished social worker and LGBT and AIDS Celebrations—June Birthdays and activist, recognizes a congregational member who has made outstanding Anniversaries contributions to the Bet Mishpachah community. Michael Resnick was Thank You to our May Service Leaders our 2020 recipient. Look forward to our June Service Leaders Short Feature on Dupont Circle

The Harvey Milk Chesed Award, named for LGBT activist and openly Pages 6 & 7: Member Yartzeits gay San Francisco City Council member assassinated in 1978, recognizes an individual, member or nonmember, who has made Page 8: outstanding contributions to the wider LGBT and Jewish communities About us

of which Bet Mishpachah is a part. Ruth Eisenberg was our 2020 Page 9: recipient. Directory

We look forward to selecting our 2021 candidates for these prestigious Thinking of membership at Bet awards in our community! Mishpachah?

Membership is an opportunity to The Bet Mishpachah Book Group will be dis- develop friendships, learn, become cussing Black Radishes, by Susan Lynn Meyer involved in your heritage, and on Sunday, June 20, at 4:00 p.m. The novel, support the only LGBTQ synagogue in the Washington, DC area. appropriate both for adults and young adult audi- To join Bet Mishpachah is easy; just ences, is fiction, but was inspired by stories the visit www.betmish.org today. author heard about her father's childhood as a Jewish boy in Nazi-occupied France as he was Questions, e-mail growing up. In 1940, Gustave's family must flee [email protected]. Paris, leaving his cousin Jean-Paul and mischie- vous best friend Marcel, but Gustave works with Like our Facebook page the Resistance to come up with a risky and brave plan to help get them out of the Occupied www.facebook.com/betmish Zone. Through this adventure story, the author Please join our new facebook community group. raises questions about nationalism, equality, and identity. Available in paperback or Kindle. As always, all Bet Mish members are wel- https://www.facebook.com/groups/betmish. come. Please email [email protected] for Zoom information. This is a private group where you can have conversations with other members. This is a monitored group.

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A D’rash from the Past—April, 2005 an ardor for the culture of life. By Eva Freund This same President does not much care that Indian children were massacred in their

President who promises to protect the most vulnerable and

yours.

And in Israel we watch and listen to a Prime Minister profess commitment to a peace process -- as described by Dr. Stanley Chyet of the Hebrew Union College, is Pesach, there is also a spe- so politically insecure that he has acted time and again cial Torah reading (Numbers 19:1- to discourage this same peace process.

Moses emerged from his shame and G-d's anger to Tonight, I will address the text in Numbers. The lead his people forward both physically and spiritually. idealistic order of Moses, in spite of his flaws, is remembered as a Great Leader and a Great Teacher.

What legacy will the political and spiritual leaders of our generation leave behind them? And what legacy will we and this synagogue leave for the next generations?

"Copyright ©2021 Eva Freund. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information stor- age and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author." constant grumbling. We know that the periodic rebellions were President’s Message Continued from page 1

 The people were upset over a lack of food When we return to in-person services, we want it to be  Aaron and Miriam were upset over prophecies safe for all. The last thing that we want to do is open  before it’s safe to do so. We have immune-compromised congregants, older congregants, and some congregants who won’t or can’t get a vaccine. There are variants that  The Levites were upset over prerogatives taken are out there, and no doubt more coming. Nobody also by Moses and Aaron knows for sure how long the vaccine provides immunity. The board wants to reopen and return to “normal” as soon as it’s safe to do so and knowing that we are not putting people in harm’s way unnecessarily. We have a Reopening Committee in place and share your feedback with them ([email protected]) or me ([email protected]).

One might say that even Moses lost his faith and I too look forward to when I can feel comfortable pounded on the rock, rather than speaking to it, returning to the gym, restaurants and services. Please be just to appease his critics. For both Moses and the patient with us. We are doing the best we can under the slave circumstances and with information that changes rapidly. Hopefully, it won’t be too much longer before we can all pray together again in the same room.

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June is Pride Month! Pride Events for 2021: Friday, June 4—Tot Shabbat with GLOE Sunday, June 6—Dr. Joy Ladin speaks at Ohr Kodesh Friday, June 11—A Toast to Pride: Virtual Happy Hour Friday, June 11—Shabbat Pride service Tuesday, June 15—Interfaith Pride Service Sunday, June 20—Projects benefiting Casa Ruby Pride 1984 Details to be updated on our website and weekly electronic newsletter, “This Week and Beyond.”

Highlight on the Social Events Committee The Social Events committee’s purpose is to create social events for congregants across all age groups. Of course, we Pride 1994 haven’t had any in-person social events since March 2020, but in the past, our most popular event was our congregational Shabbat dinner, held at the EDCJCC. We would often tie it to a special service such as installation Shabbat to make it a more festive evening. We would order food from Moti’s (kosher) in Silver Spring, light candles and make motzi together and enjoy the meal and each other’s company. Often, Pride 2010 more than 40 people attended.

Our second most popular event was our Christmas Day movie and Chinese food. We would find a newly released movie at either E Street Cinema or Gallery Place Cinema and then con- tinue on for dinner afterwards at a nearby Chinese restaurant. Several different congregants have volunteered to organize this event in the past and we would have ten or more attend- ing. Pride 2012 In 2019 and 2020, we had very well attended brunch and theater events with Adam Immerwahr, the Artistic Director from Theater J. Over brunch, Adam shared his insights about theater and what to look for when watching a play, and then we would head upstairs to the theater to watch the play. These events were quite a treat for all who attended, and in 2020, we were surprised by having Joy Zinoman, the founder of Studio Theater, in attendance and the dialogue between her and Ad- Pride 2014 am was quite special.

These three events were our main highlights under the Social Events committee. We’ve also biked the Capital Crescent trail, gone to theater as a group, had a private docent led tour Pride 2017 at the Holocaust Museum (by our own Al Munzer), joined GLOE at the Holocaust Museum for a private tour, and joined the Education Committee for co-sponsored bagel brunches and lectures. When we are able to reconvene in person again, we expect to restart our social events. If you would like to volunteer to help organize an event (virtual or outdoor ideas are also welcome), please email [email protected].

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June Birthdays June Anniversaries

Cookie Backelman Howard Menaker and Patrick Gossett Larry Berman Howard Start and Rene Rodriguez Kasey Bigsby Rabbi Bob and Loretta Saks Jutta Brettschneider Jeff Burka and Marc Bernstein Phil Budashewitz Hank Londner and Keith Pickerel Gordon Cohen Marisa Uchin and Molly Kelly James Fortinsky David Fox Sarajane Garten Michael Hoffman Thank You to Our May Service Leaders Hazel Groman Maxine Klane Friday, May 7: Rabbi Jake Singer-Beilin James Nathan Saturday, May 8: Jeff Burka and Marc Bernstein Alicia Saffer Friday, May 14: Scott Reiter and Rabbi Ben Shalva Mark Friday, May 21: Rabbi Jake Singer-Beilin Morris Levitt Saturday, May 22: Rabbi Jake Singer-Beilin Diane Liff Friday, May 28: Allan Armus Elyse Wander Deborah Kramer  Carol Wayman Steven Weinberg We Look Forward to Our June Service Leaders Noah Wofsy Joel Wind Friday, June 4: Paula Morris Friday, June 11: Rabbi Jake Singer-Beilin and Robyn Helzner Saturday, June 12: Larry Neff Our member, Larry Neff and Bet Mishpachah fea- Friday, June 18: Allan Armus tured in short film Friday, June 25: Rabbi Jake Singer-Beilin Saturday, June 26: Rabbi Jake Singer-Beilin Dante Schulz, the Assistant Video Editor for George Washington University's independent student newspaper,  The GW Hatchet, has been filming a "Mapping D.C. Neighborhoods" video series to highlight the unique cul- tural elements found throughout the District. The first two videos on Chinatown and the U Street Corridor can be viewed on youtube.com.

He has just released his latest video about DC neighborhoods — this time about Dupont Circle as the hub of the LGBTQ community in the DC area. He interviewed our own long-time member, Larry Neff about Bet Mishpa- chah’s role in the neighborhood. You can watch the film with this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=wCkX2sz0nEI

Kol Ha Kavod Larry! Thanks for participating in this project.

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We extend our sincerest sympathy to our members who have experienced recent losses: Mark Agrast on the loss of his father, Harold Agrast Alix Dobrin, activist and women's music pioneer

Member Yartzeits

Announced Friday, May 28 (Yartzeits observed May 28 –June 3; 17 – 23 Sivan)

Samuel Groman, Father of Hazel Groman May 28 (Sivan 17) Morris Milgram, Father of Betty Milgram May 28 (Sivan 17) Anna Cela Greenberg, Niece of Eileen Greenberg May 28 Albert Jaco, Grandfather of Tom Sachs May 28 David Sikowitz, Grandfather of Judith Retchin May 29 Henrietta Isom, Grandmother of LySandra Brady May 30 Namon Johnson, Sr., Father of LySandra Brady May 30 William Greenberg, Father of Eileen Greenberg May 31 Phil Rosenbloom, Grandfather of Jeff Burka May 31 (Sivan 20) Frank Gasthalter, Uncle of Mindy Gasthalter June 1 Murray Jaco, Uncle of Tom Sachs June 1 Samuel Sendrowitz, Grandfather of Lawrence Berman June 1 (Sivan 21) Anna Smelo, Grandmother of Betty Milgram June 2 (Sivan 22) Nettie Wofsy, Mother of Noah Wofsy June 2 (Sivan 22) Edward S. Levy, Sr., Grandfather of Ellen Levy June 3

Announced Friday, June 4 (Yartzeits observed June 4 - 10; 24 - 30 Sivan)

Selma Reid, Aunt of Devra Floyd June 4 Jerald Weinstein, Cousin of Mindy Gasthalter June 4 Joel McBee, Father of Reggie McBee June 4 Mary Ann Cohen, Aunt of Larry Neff June 4 Jay Gilbertson, Friend of Catherine Tarabochia June 4 Marjorie Weber, Mother of Denise Leish June 5 Anita Morris, Mother of Ronni Karembalas June 5 (Sivan 27) Anita Morris, Mother of Paula Morris June 5 (Sivan 27) Helene Rausch, Grandmother of Jeremy Rausch June 6 Gertrude Armus, Mother of Allan Armus June 6 (Sivan 28) Arvin Cohen, Uncle of Marc Bernstein June 6 (Sivan 28) Sarah Elman, Grandmother of Diane Liff June 6 (Sivan 28) Jan Berelson Dickstein, Mother of Joel Berelson June 8 Leo Stern, Uncle of Larry Neff June 8 Clara Sachs, Grandmother of Tom Sachs June 8 Bill McCreight, Friend of Ruth Potts June 9 Pearl Magid, Aunt of Carl Spatz June 10 (1 Tamuz)

Announced Friday and Saturday, June 11 and 12 (Yartzeits observed June 11 - 17; 1 – 7 Tamuz)

Sedonia Cohn Sneider, Grandmother of Fran Sneider June 11 Brian Meringoff, Cousin of Larry Neff June 12 Leonard Sneider, Father of Fran Sneider June 12 Jimmy Cockerham, Friend of Charles Stewart June 12 Alfred Lehman, Cousin of Michael Hoffman June 12 Alexander Cohen, Uncle of Larry Neff June 13 Murray Backelman, Father of Cookie Backelman June 13 Elizabeth Jacobson, Partner of Eileen Greenberg June 16 Roberta Clair Hyman, Sister of Deb Hyman June 16 Kato Samuels, Cousin of Howard Stark June 17 Elizabeth Weissman, Grandmother of Jeffrey Kahn June 18

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Announced Friday, June 18 (Yartzeits observed June 18 - 24; 8 – 14 Tamuz)

Hyman Lev, Uncle of Larry Neff June 18 Elise Hanline Cheslock, Aunt of Joanna Cohan Scherer June 19 Salvatore "Ben" Zinnanti, Uncle of Alex Carter June 20 Fred Kalapinsky, Uncle of Alan Carb June 20 George Cross, Father of Belinda Cross June 20 Morris Hyman, paternal Grandfather of Deb Hyman June 20 Isadore Kaboff, Grandfather of John Kaboff June 20 (Tamuz 10) Marc Rubenstein, Cousin of Roger Schechter June 21 Max Morris, Grandfather of Paula Morris June 21 (Tamuz 12) Max Morris, Grandfather of Ronni Karemalas June 21 (Tamuz 12) Edgar Halpern, Uncle of Roger Schechter June 22 Hazel F. Boland, Close friend of Devra Floyd June 22 Ben Snaider, Uncle of Warren Snaider June 22 (Tamuz 13) Philip N. Woldman, Father of Murray Woldman June 22 (Tamuz 13) Eva S. Baer, Grandmother of Ellen Levy June 23 John Willig, Friend of Larry Neff June 23 Samuel Masia, Grandfather of Martin Robinson June 23 Albert Saks, Father of Rabbi Bob Saks June 24

Announced Friday and Saturday, June 25 and 26 (Yartzeits observed June 25 – July 1; 15 – 21Tamuz)

Doiv Ber Berlas, Father of Judy Barlas June 25 David Nissenbaum, Father of Beverly Nissenbaum June 25 (Tamuz 16) Ruth Barlas, Mother of Judy Barlas June 26 Hannah Lippert, Great aunt of Deb Hyman June 26 Marta Kusic, Friend of Reggie McBee June 26 Genia Gloger, Grandmother of Erica Gloger June 27 Charles Lewis, Father of Barbara Lewis June 27 Lillian Spindel, Mother of Carol Stern June 27 Lee Dannick, Uncle of Marlene Cohen June 27 (Tamuz 18) Leon Deutsch, Father of Nathaniel Deutsch June 28 Chad Allen, Cousin of Larry Neff June 28 Ruth Verdin, Aunt of Catherine Tarabochia June 28 Samuel Gasthalter, Grandfather of Mindy Gasthalter June 29 Ursula Petersen, Friend of Elke Martin June 29 Harry Reiter, Grandfather of Scott Reiter June 29 Sam Sharp, Grandfather of Murray Woldman June 29 (Tamuz 19) Ruth Friedman, Grandmother of Louis Blank June 30 Martha Spatz Cohen, Aunt of Carl Spatz June 30 (Tamuz 20) Sheba P. Scher, Aunt of Ruth Potts July 1 (Tamuz 21) Zelda Gordon, aunt of Maxine Klane July 1 George Singer, Uncle of Michael Singer July 1 Alessandro Nobile, Nephew of Catherine Tarabochia July 1

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Shabbat Services Bet Mishpachah Newsletter While the Edlavitch JCC building is closed for the Our newsletter, Mishpachah Members’ Monthly, is pandemic, all Bet Mishpachah Shabbat services will be published monthly by Bet Mishpachah, P.O. Box 1410, held virtually by Zoom. Please check our website for Washington, D.C., 20013. The newsletter is sent to details on connecting or our weekly electronic members and posted on our website. Articles, columns and newsletter, “This Week and Beyond.” content should be submitted by the 10th of the month prior to publication. Email them to [email protected] Bet Mishpachah holds Shabbat services every Friday at 8:00 pm, followed by a virtual Oneg Shabbat social Weekly Email Broadcast hour, and on the second and fourth Saturday of every The congregation also distributes a weekly email blast, This month at 10:00 am. Saturday morning services include Week and Beyond, which contains late-breaking a short Torah reading, a lively Torah discussion (in lieu congregational news about upcoming programs, as well as of a sermon) and a virtual Kiddush lunch. other Jewish and/or LGBTQ news of partner organizations. To receive our weekly email broadcasts, send an email to [email protected] Sign Language interpretation for Shabbat services is available by sending an email request Congregational Website to [email protected] with a minimum of two weeks Be sure to check out our website at www.betmish.org with notice. information about our congregation’s current and upcoming programs, our rabbi, and our history, as well as links to Any changes to our regular Shabbat service other websites of interest. schedule (e.g., due to inclement weather) will be posted on our website (www.betmish.org) and will be included Reprints. Information in any of our publications may be in our weekly email broadcast reprinted without permission, but acknowledgment of the source is required. To Schedule a Bet Mishpachah Event, email the date, and number of expected attendees Communications Policy. For questions about our editorial to [email protected] or advertising policies, send an email to [email protected] Bet Mishpachah’s Affiliations Bet Mishpachah is a member of the: Membership * World Congress of GLBT Jews: Keshet Ga’avah To join our Bet Mishpachah family and become a * Jewish Community Council of Greater Washington member, email [email protected] * Jewish Funeral Practices Committee of Greater Reduced membership is available for students, young Washington people, new members, and those who live outside the DC * Network of Independent Jewish Communities metro area. and Havurot Address, Phone, and Email Updates Send your name and old and new information Mishpachah Members’ Monthly Newsletter Staff to [email protected] Coordinator — Liat Novek Design/Layout — Liat Novek Bikur Cholim — We Care About You Proofreaders — Mindy Gasthalter, Nathaniel Deutsch Become a partner in the mitzva of Bikur Cholim — visiting and Elke Martin the sick — by advising our Bikur Cholim Committee, rabbi, Transliteration Macher — Scott Reiter or president when you or a relative is hospitalized. We can Secretary — Erica Gloger stay informed ONLY if we receive the information. Please Communications Chair — Mike Goldstein email us at [email protected].

Donations Death Notices, Bereavement Services To donate to our congregation, please mail your check to If you are in need of bereavement services or to announce a Bet Mishpachah, P.O. Box 1410, Washington, D.C. death in your family, email [email protected]. 20013 or donate via PayPal from the “Donations” page on our web site, www.betmish.org

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