ii H STREET TEMPLE RODEF SHALOM 2100 WESTMORELAND FALLS CHURCH. V$RGINIA 223 Te1eson.: 70-5322217 Interim Bulletin January 1983 #1A The correct date for the next Teinole Rodef Shalom Congregational Meeting is Mondaj,Janury 24, 1983 at 8:00 p.m. This date has been erroneously report- ed twice - our atoicgies, we hope it has not created a problem. The agenda for this meeting is as follows: Minutes ...............................Jeffrey Rosenfeld Treasurers Report ...................Peter Elinsky, Eleanor Linde Select Nominating Committee Slate • Sabbatical Report ....................Peter Latkin Reli gious Practices Report ...........Carl Checknoff Rabbis Contract .....................Carl Ch€.cknof, 1, Armand Weiss Announcements .........................1. Nan Rudin 2. Sisterhood Anyone wishing to add to this list, please call the Temple office as soon as possible. (532-2217) C MID-ATLANTIC CONFERENCE -- WILLIAMSBURG, 1982 From : Marian Goldberg, President - On December 2-5, Temple Rodef Shalom shared a memorable Mid--Atlantic Council meeting in Williamsburg. The following resolution was passed: Recognizing that Rabbinic students are given inadequate formal training regarding todays youth, a resolution was introduced at the plenary session by the Youth Committee of the Mid-Atlantic Council recommending that specific . coursework and/or practical experiences with youth he incorporated into the curriculum of FIUC-TIP, programs." The resolution was passed. Paraphrased by Judy Seiff Report by Ruth Checkoff (Past President) I served as chairperson of the MAC nominating committee, Leo Rosenbaum was elected as a delegate from the Region to the National Board of the UAHC, Hank Self f was newly elected to the MAC Board, Judy stepped down as secretary and I am moving into that position. At this particular Biennial, as we have in the past, many of us chaired, spoke or served as Resource people for the workshops. My "personal" report: Each of us chose workshops that would help us in the work we do for the Temple, or in which we have a personal interest - perhaps those are the same. I attended a session on Synagogue Music, one on Nuclear Proliferation and the workshop on "Directions in Worship", which I chaired and Rabbi Berkowits was a speaker. From the one on music I came away feel- ing that we do not involve our congregants enough in learning the music so that we can all sing music we know and find spiritually satisfying. Admiral La Rocque and Rabbi Haberman were the speakers at the session on Nuclear Proliferation, Sam Simon was Chairman. Both speakers were brilliant with compelling arguments for stopping the production of arms and delivery systems. (Last year the UAHC Plenary voted to support a Nuclear Freeze). I hope we can schedule Admiral La Rocque to speak at Rodef Shalom in the near future. I am convinced that this issue should have a very high prior- ity on everyones agenda! The workshop on Worship dealt with the issue of classical Reform vs Traditional practices in todays Reform congregations. This subject is very relevant to the discussions we on the Religious Practices Committee have been having and I would like t6 see us hive a Friday Night Forum on 0 this. Our Rabbi is also involved in this through his work on the UAHC Commission on Worship. It could help our members clarify their thinking on this and raise everyones consciousness. I would be happy to work on this. By the way, on the UAHC Long Range Planning Committee this has also been a very hot issue. In addition to the distinguished Jewish historian, Dr. Jacob Radner Marcus, who spoke at the Saturday evening banquet, there were two other scholars for the weekend: Rabbi Sanford Seltzer, Director of the Commission on Worship, who gave the keynote address for the theme of the meeting, Reform Judaism: Facing the Crises of Our Time" and Rabbi Harold Kushner, author 9 of "Why Bad Things Happen to Good People" who delivered the sermon at the Service on Friday at the Bruton Parish Church and gave two seminars on Sat- urday and Sunday. Unfortunately the lessons we learned from the sermon and seminars had to be put to a practical test because of the death of one of the delegates from Baltimore. Our hearts went out to his family, but we, as a group of synagogue leaders, also had to deal with this unfathomable event. It was very upsettinu to all even those who didnt know him person- ally. To Carl and me it was all the more poignant because through our association with the Region, we had just begun to know him and like him. As I write, I realize how much I personally got from this meeting and I would like to express my appreciation for the philosophy we have at Rodef Shalom of encouraging our participation in this kind of event and in Jewish affairs in general. -2- - Is Report by Nan Rudin A MOVING EXPERIENCE Im sure that none of the delegates to the Mid-Atlantic Council Biennial of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations will ever forget the weekend in Williams- burg this year, on December 3-5. The theme was "Reform Judiasm": Facing the Crises of our Time". I was a delegate from our Temple; there were 8 of us, plus our Rabbi and alternates and others representing Rodef Shalom - gaining insights and understandings that we can hopefully translate into more meaningful work and study at our Temple. The delegates came from congregations from Delaware to North Carolina - over 300 of us in the Mid-Atlantic region as palt of the Reform Movement. We adhere to the tenent that creativity and progress are essential to the religious life and that we must seek to bring contemporary relevance to the beliefs and practices of our Reform tradition. Rabbi Richard Sternberger was director of the convention. The theme was offered in various workshops during the weekend, by the keynote• speaker, and by sermons and speeches by rabbis who are leaders in Reform move- ruent. The Shabbat Service at the Bruton Parish Church had as its sermon: "Crisis of Faith" - delivered by Rabbi Howard Kushner, author of the book, "Why Bad Things Happen to Good People" - a "best-seller" nationwide. Workshops Saturday and Sunday further explored this theme. indeed,what happened Saturday evening provided a "crisis in faith" because one .W of the delegates from Baltimore was stricken with a heart attack and passed away minutes before the banquet was to begin. The shock to his wife and friends was unimaginable. The grief and pain caused by this sudden death were felt by everyone, even those of us who didnt know the victim of this tragedy. At Rabbi Kushners workshops the next morning we explored the impact of this happening - particularly as it related to the theme of the weekend and to Rabbi Kushners book and his theological approach. Thus, the convention was a blending of conviviality, education, inspiration, pathos and sharing. Communication was the key word - fellow Jews were united in a common experience - its impact transcended other emotions. The dialogue made possible by meetings such as this is invaluable to Rabbis and lay leaders of congregations. We focused in on vital issues such as outreach programs for Jews by choice, meeting family needs by the "caring" congregations. "Why bad things happen to good people", Jewish ethical wills, problems and opportunities for Reform Judiasni in Israel, nuclear proliferation and the critical debate to limit nuclear weapons. Critical issues in contemporary socities, education, youth programming, worship, music and liturgy, anti-semitism: indeed, all these subjects are critical, worthy of thought and study and sharing ideas. As social action co-chairman of the Temple, I came away from the convention with my head swimming with ideas and new themes for us to pursue. Im sure if you get in touch with any of our delegates, or our Rabhi, we can discuss with you the areas of your own interests and how you can jon with others in exploring sp new challenges. -. - The beautifully planned Bienniel provided a focus. And the incident of the death of a delegate caught this particular delegate up, once again, with the fragility of life. All the speakers, and Rabbi Kushner in par- ticular, pointed the way for us to take on needs and challenges with ugrency, now- The workshops on nuclear proliferation was perhaps the most dramatic way to confront the crucial iue, and the fact that the time is NOW. I came away with the feeling that the time is short and we all, together, must do everything we can for our personal lives and for the community and the world. Thus, the impact of this Bienniel was very strong, for me, and Im sure for us all. AUCTION I notice - notice - notice Many thanks to the members of our congregation for their generous donations which made the auction such a success. Donor forms are available in the Temple office for those who do not yet have them. You will need this form if you wish to claim your donation as a tax deduction for 1982. Be aware, however, that the burden of proof rests upon you when it comes to sub- stanciating your claim of their value to the IRS. Sisterhood is planning a new Uniongram project which promises to bring more of the personal touch to the Congregation. Each month we will publish the birthdays and anniversaries of the adult members of the Temple. In this way, members may remember their friends by sending a Uniongram and at the same time contribute to our Sisterhood. The form below will aid us in facilitating this program. Please fill out and return it to: Jackie Goldman, 1.052 Bellview Road, McLean, Va.