NOVEMBER 2019

CHESHVAN/KISLEV 5780 SCHOLARS-IN-RESIDENCE WEEKEND

NUMBER 13 WITH JOURNALISTS JOSH KRAUSHAAR AND AMIR TIBON

THE BULLETIN FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15 - SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 17

TRIBALISM AND THE SHIFTING POLITICS

OF ISRAEL AND AMERICA

HOLDING YOUR “TRIBE” TO BASIC STANDARDS

Kabbalat Shabbat Services, Friday, November 15 | 6:00 p.m.*
(*Note special start time.)
Josh Kraushaar will speak about the challenge
of holding your own “tribe” to basic standards.
It’s very easy for each and every one of us to
point to the flaws of the “other side.” It’s easy
for Democrats to criticize Republicans for not
standing up to Trump over his racist comments,
and just as easy for Republicans to attack the
Democrats over the anti-Semitic remarks of
Ilhan Omar. But what are we doing to improve
the conduct of OUR side? Josh will present this question as the most difficult
AGUDAS ACHIM challenge we are currently dealing with – and explain why it is so hard, but
at the same time, so important.
CONGREGATION
\Myxa [Tdvga [TTlyhqOOP MODERN TRIBES OF ISRAEL
Shabbat Morning, November 16 | 9:30 a.m.
During services, Amir Tibon will speak about “The Tribes of Israel,”
based on the famous 2015 speech of Israeli
President Reuven Rivlin. Therein, Rivlin described
how Israeli society is actually carved up into several
societies, each one having its own priorities,
sensitivities, and ideology. Back in 2015, Rivlin
warned that if the different tribes won’t learn how to
live with each other, respect each other, and
cooperate on shared priorities, their fate will be
similar to the fate of the biblical Tribes of Israel.
Amir will present the president’s theory and offer an
updated analysis on how Israel is dealing with the
challenge presented by President Rivlin.

SOCIAL MEDIA AND POLITICAL TRIBALISM

Shabbat, Kiddush Lunch, November 16 | 12:30 p.m.
At a sit-down kiddush, Josh and Amir will jointly address the impacts of
social media on political tribalism. When Facebook and Twitter gained
popularity last decade, they were hailed as media platforms that will
“connect people.” Today, it is becoming increasingly clear they are doing the
opposite: They are dividing us. Their algorithms provide us with opinions
similar to ours, and block out those that would make us “uncomfortable.”
These media platforms are also the leading “spreaders” of fake news, helping
outrageous lies become “viral” all over the world. What can we do as
personal users to decrease the harm of these platforms? Are traditional media
2908 V•ALLEY D•RIVE
ALEXANDRIA, V•A 2•2302
(Scholars continued on page 2.)
 SCHEDULE OF SERVICES
NOVEMBER
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1
Kabbalat Shabbat Service......6:30 p.m.
Candlelighting.......................5:49 p.m.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2
Shabbat Services....................9:30 a.m.
Mincha..........45 minutes after services
Havdalah Time......................6:56 p.m.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8
Kabbalat Shabbat Service......6:30 p.m.
Candlelighting.......................4:42 p.m.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9
Shabbat Services....................9:30 a.m.
Mincha..........45 minutes after services
Havdalah Time......................5:49 p.m.
BAT MITZVAH OF JULIANNA SANCHEZ
RUTH MIRIAM BAT ESTHER YARDENA
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15
SCHOLARS-IN-RESIDENCE
WEEKEND
Kabbalat Shabbat Service....6:00* p.m.
*Special start time for Scholars-in-
Residence Kabbalat Shabbat Service.
Candlelighting.......................4:36 p.m.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16
Shabbat Services....................9:30 a.m.
Mincha..........45 minutes after services
Havdalah Time......................5:43 p.m.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22
Kabbalat Shabbat Service......6:30 p.m.
Candlelighting.......................4:31 p.m.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23
Shabbat Services....................9:30 a.m.
Mincha..........45 minutes after services
Havdalah Time......................5:39 p.m.
BAT MITZVAH OF LEAH ARKIN
LEAH CHEN BAT URI V’SARAH
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26
Thanksgiving Interfaith Service at
The Episcopal Church of Saint Clement
...............................................7:00 p.m.
1701 N. Quaker Lane, Alexandria
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29
Kabbalat Shabbat Service......6:30 p.m.
Candlelighting.......................4:28 p.m.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30
Shabbat Services....................9:30 a.m.
Mincha..........45 minutes after services
Havdalah Time......................5:36 p.m.
DAILY MINYAN SCHEDULE
Monday through Friday
Mornings................................7:30 a.m.
Sunday and Federal Holiday
Mornings................................9:00 a.m.
Sunday through Thursday
Evenings.................................7:50 p.m.
AGUDAS ACHIM CONGREGATION
RABBI’S MESSAGE
RABBI STEVEN I. REIN
TRIBALISM AND THE SHIFTING POLITICS
OF ISRAEL AND AMERICA
Robert Frost once said, “Before I built a wall I'd ask to know, What I was walling
in or walling out, And to whom I was like to give offense.” We always build walls.
We build walls to separate for ourselves what’s mine and what’s yours; to separate
my house from your house; my community from your community; my space from
your space. These walls are essential. They define who we are as individuals and
serve to promote self-preservation. We all stand in this world with our walls. The
challenge we face today is that we are erecting these walls not between “us” and
“them,” but between clearly delineated outsiders. Like Hagar and Ishmael being
sent away by Sarah, one of the great sociological challenges we face today in the
Western world – including the United States and Israel – is that we are erecting
walls between “us” and “us,” people who are within our society, and we are
making them the vilified “other.”
We are living in a moment of global tensions around tribalism: about the
fundamental morality of borders and boundaries, about the relationship between
solidarity and violence, about the role of ethnicity in shaping national identity, and
about the parameters of criticism within a framework of loyalty. What does this
mean for Americans, for Jews, for Zionism, and for the State of Israel? What
should the relationship between loyalty and criticism be within the lived reality of
nationalism? What are its limits? How might we negotiate the tension between
solidarity and violence, both of which can result from tribal affiliation? How can
we engage with nationalism in a way that allows for competing values?
This conversation will be the topic of an exciting and provocative community-
wide discussion led by our own Josh Kraushaar and Amir Tibon. Mark your
calendars for our Scholars-in-Residence weekend, November 15-17. See page 1
for more details.
(Scholars continued from page 1.)
fighting back against these trends, or surrendering to them? These questions and
others will be discussed, in the context of America and Israel.
THE AMERICAN JEWISH COMMUNITY: ONE TRIBE OR MANY?
Sunday, November 17 | 9:30 a.m.
Join the community for brunch when Josh and Amir will discuss the American
Jewish community. In the past, it was common to see news reports describing the
“Jewish community” in the United States as one monolithic political entity, with
a common set of priorities. There was a sense of broad consensus regarding
support for Israel and the promotion of moderate liberal policies within the United
States. Does that consensus still exist in 2019? Did it truly exist in the past, or was
it simply the creation of a different media environment? Is the Jewish community
becoming more fractured? And what are the issues that can unite a vast majority
of Jews, across denominational and political lines?
The brunch is free of charge, but for an accurate count please register at
https://www.agudasachim-va.org/event/scholar-in-residence.html.
SCHOLARS-IN-RESIDENCE WEEKEND EVENTS ARE SPONSORED BY
THE ENDOWMENT COMMITTEE AND THE MEN’S CLUB.
DONATIONS ARE WELCOME.
PAGE 2
 *Note: This column alternates
DEAR HAZZAN between music reviews/recommenda-
Hazzan Elisheva Dienstfrey tions and “Dear Hazzan” letters. If you
would like to introduce or suggest
recordings, or if you have a question for
JEWISH THANKSGIVING the Hazzan regarding the ritual, liturgy,
or music of the synagogue, please write
DEAR HAZZAN,
Hazzan Dienstfrey at the synagogue,
Every year as I sit around the Thanksgiving table with family and friends, I
2908 Valley Drive, Alexandria, VA
wonder to myself, should we say a Hebrew blessing? Is there something Jewish I
22302, or HazzanERLD@hotmail.com.
should be doing?
-Morris “Mo” Deem
DEAR MO,
About 20 years ago, I was talking to a friend of mine about how lucky I was CATCH EIN LANU Z’MAN
to have so many wonderful friends, to have found my soulmate, and to have ON THE RADIO
discovered a profession that I loved so much. She replied: “You aren’t lucky, Ein Lanu Z’man’s CD, “We Have
Elisheva. You are blessed.” I took her words to heart and from that moment on, I No Time,” was featured on Jewish
use the word “blessed” instead of “lucky.” Community Radio, WUST 1120, on
This seems like a tiny change – after all, one can appreciate and be grateful Sunday, October 27 on Estelle
for what they have and still feel that they are lucky. However, by acknowledging Abraham’s show.
the goodness in my life as blessing, a word commonly used in prayer, there is an Catch the broadcast online at
awareness of God’s role in my life. https://wust1120.com/en/programs/
When Tobias and I started celebrating Shabbat together as a married couple, jewish-community-radio
I wanted to follow all the traditional prayers and blessings, one of which is having Jewish Community Radio, hosted
my spouse recite Eishet Chayil, “A Woman of Valor,” Proverbs 31. This by Estelle Deutsch Abraham, includes
traditional reading, when read literally, is about a woman, a wife and mother, who music of many Jewish traditions of
never sits still, let alone rests. Her light never goes out and she rises from her bed today and yesterday, as well as other
when it is still dark. She does everything for her husband and children. As a Jewish cultural content.
literalist, I was unhappy with this custom, to say the least. Tobias and I discussed
it and decided that instead of having Tobias shower me with words I never felt I
could live up to, and ignoring all that Tobias contributes on a daily basis to the
marriage, we would take turns expressing our gratitude toward one another.
SAVE THE DATE
Again, this may seem as though it is just a small addition to our Shabbat Sunday, May 17, 2020
experience, but this custom became a large part of our Friday night dinner ritual
and once we had children, we incorporated them, as well as any guests who joined SPRING CONCERT
us for Shabbat. Inaugural David Sattler (z”l)
In a Huff Post article entitled, “To Be a Jew is to Give Thanks – By Spring Concert featuring Cantor
Definition,” Rabbi Geoffrey Mitelman reminds us of the Talmudic requirement Azi Schwartz and celebrating
for each Jew to say 100 blessings a day. “Now,” he writes, “that may sound like Hazzan Elisheva Dienstfrey’s 20
a lot of blessings to say, but if the assignment was, ‘come up with 100 things to years at Agudas Achim.
complain about every day,’ my guess is that we could all do that in about three Reservation-only congrega-
and a half minutes.” Rabbi Mitelman goes on to describe a scientific study about tional dinner in our Hazzan’s
how acknowledging blessing leads to happier and more productive lives. He also honor will follow the concert.
explains that the word from which ‘Jew’ is derived, ‘Judah’ has its root in the For details contact Ann
word for thanks in Hebrew, ‘odeh.’ Our matriarch Leah gave thanks to God (odeh Bennett, jazmom4@gmail.com.
et Adonai) when her fourth son was born, and therefore named him Judah.
You asked, Mo, if there is “something Jewish” you should be doing at your
Thanksgiving table. I would argue that if you feel what a blessing it is to be
together, and if you share those things that you are grateful for with one another,
counting all the blessings you have in your lives (whether it is 100 or 1), you are
engaging in “something Jewish.”
Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
L’shalom,
Hazzan Dienstfrey

NOVEMBER 2019 P AGE 3

 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S Letter of Appreciation
Dear AAC,
MESSAGE On behalf of our family, the
BARRY NOVE
Benedicta Ameege family of
Ghana, we would like to express
MANAGE YOUR ONLINE ACCOUNT, our sincere gratitude to you, the
MAKE THE MOST OF SHULCLOUD entire congregation of Agudas
Achim, for the support and the
In the last few months, our new ShulCloud member portal has helped
helping hand you extended to us
members pay dues and make donations. Two hundred households used it to
during the funeral of our mother/
register for High Holy Day tickets and more. In the coming months you’ll see us
mother-in-law Benedicta Ameege.
using it more and more in a variety of ways. However, I continue to hear people
Your supports, both moral and
say they find it a bit confusing when they seek to update their personal information.
material, have gone a long way to
So, this month I’d like to share some tips on using ShulCloud. First, if you
alleviate our pains from the sorrow
haven’t logged in before, call the office and get a temporary password. Your email
of the sudden loss of our mother.
address is your user name. If you’ve changed your email address or never
You cannot imagine how much
provided us your email address, we can update your account and email you a
strength your support gave us
temporary password.
during this difficult time. Our
Then go to our website, www.agudasachim-va.org, and login. Once logged
warmest words are too few to thank
in, click on “My Account” and select the “tile” called “Change My Password,” to
you sufficiently. Your thoughtful-
update your password.
ness, donations, and words of
By clicking on the “My
encouragement brightened our day
Profile” tile, you can update
and touched our hearts to give us
your phone number, add your
the strength to weather the storm.
date of birth, and add your
We truly appreciate your
Hebrew name. You can add
presence, your time, and the effort
yahrzeits to your account by
to stay long in the night to mourn
clicking the “My Yahrzeits”
with us, and I (KB) was personally
tile. To update your address,
touched. I take great pride in being
click on the “Edit My
part of the Agudas Achim family.
Addresses” tile.
My wife Kate and I, and the entire
The “Financial” tiles
Benedicta Ameege family, will
enable you to select and view
always remember your generosity
“Transactions”; set up
for which we are eternally grateful.
“Payment Methods” to link to
Sincerely yours,
a credit card or change which
Lawrence Mawunya-Yawson
credit card is used (the system is encrypted so the office and ShulCloud do not
(KB) and Kate Rushing
have access to your credit card number); or you can go to a tile to “Make a
Donation” or “My Recurring Payment.”
Through the “My Directory” section, you can view the congregational current
membership directory, print it, or export it to an Excel file. “My Directory” also
enables members to upload a family photo, which I encourage you to do to help
other members put a name to a face when you meet in the synagogue.
So, you may be wondering what is next in store. We plan to start emailing
statements (instead of postal mail) to those email addresses on file. From these
online statements, members will be able to make online payments without having
to log in to their accounts. The online statements will also appear in the Financial
section of “My Account” under “My Statements,” allowing you to look at your
latest statement. We will also continue to mail statements until we learn what
method of communication each member prefers. Members whose email addresses
are not on file will receive USPS mailed statements when a balance is due.
Lastly, if you do not receive the Weekly eNews, please let us know by
emailing me at bnove@agudasachim-va.org. We would like to keep our listserv
current and make sure you get all our important communications.
If you have any questions, please call the synagogue office at (703) 998-6460 or
feel free to email me at bnove@agudasachim-va.org.
AGUDAS ACHIM CONGREGATION PAGE 4
 “MAH KOREH” - WHAT’S HAPPENING IN YOUNG FAMILIES
THE EDUCATION AND YOUTH DEPARTMENT Programming and community focused
CHAYA SILVER on families with children ages 0-5.
YOUTH/EDUCATION DIRECTOR
ONGOING EVENTS
Gan Shabbat
KIDS AND GOD TALK - PART 1 Saturdays | 11:00 a.m. to noon
“Dear God, We read Thomas Edison made light. But in school they said You did Volunteer-led service for kids ages
it. So, I bet he stoled (sic) Your idea.” 0-5, with an adult. Looking for
— Sincerely, Donna (from Children’s Letters To God, compiled by S. Hample) volunteers to lead – no experience
For the past several years I have had the unique pleasure of leading our necessary.
congregation’s weekly Shabbat morning service for students in grades K – 6,
called NOAM. Attending NOAM services is a core requirement of our curriculum Oh Say Shalom Sing-a-Long and
as it gives students the opportunity to practice the skills they learn each week in Playgroup
class and to discuss challenging topics that we don’t always have the time to Sunday, November 3 | 11:00 a.m.
address during Religious School. Typically, NOAM includes a blend of tefilot Flax Family Chapel
(prayers), Jewish learning, Shabbat games, parasha study, and social time. I have Hazzan Elisheva Dienstfrey leads
come to love this time with our kids. songs for the first half-hour with free
One of the more common discussions we have in NOAM with students of all play after. No Jewish knowledge or
ages is about the relationship between science and Torah. Over the past few experience necessary. Each child re-
decades, the age at which Jewish children ask difficult questions about the quires an accompanying grown-up. The
veracity of Torah and its relationship to modern science has changed. and kids are next sing-a-long will be February 2.
asking complex questions as early as first and second grade. As the head of the
Religious School I believe it is a vital piece of my job to engage children in Shababy Kabbalat Shabbat
respectful conversations about theology and science and to help them build Friday, November 15 | 5:30 p.m.
bridges between these realms. Flax Family Chapel
As most of us know, elementary school aged children remain in the Friday night service for kids 0-5 and
developmental stage of black and white thinking, keeping a binary world view, parents with songs, instruments, scarves,
into early adolescence (if not into early adulthood). Thus, when a child has dancing, parachutes, challah, and juice. If
learned that science’s job is to describe the physical world, and that science is you are interested in volunteering to lead,
based on empirically verifiably data (truth), they struggle to understand the value sign up on the Young Families page of the
and validity of tefilah (prayer), halacha (ritual law), and the narrative of Torah. AAC website.
When asked to consider the validity of both science and Torah, many modern
children decide to discard everything Jewish because it isn’t valuable or true nor CONNECT WITH YOUNG FAMILIES
is it based on truth. For them, only science is true. How can they love Torah and Find us on the Facebook Group
Judaism if it is based on lies? As you can imagine, NOAM discussions (A.K.A. ‟Agudas  Achim  Young  Families”  to
God Talk Time) are passionate, thought-provoking, and on occasion, a bit touchy. keep track of events and receive updates!
The ability to integrate the remarkable advancements of science with the For information or to get involved contact
essential wisdom of our people requires maturity and an open mind. There aren’t aacyoungfamilies@gmail.com
easy answers when kids ask hard questions about God, birth, death, love, or
Hannah Kraushaar, Jennifer Munz,
justice. I suspect that many adults avoid talking about theology with children
Mackenzie Silverman
either because they have not invested enough time or thought into their own
personal theology or because they are uncomfortable admitting that they don’t
have the answers. Many of us adults don’t like admitting to kids that we don’t AAC OFFICE HOURS
know everything so we avoid, rationalize, deflect, or simplify things when we are CLOSED MONDAY, NOVEMBER 11
asked tough questions. Regrettably, when I am sitting on the floor on a Shabbat FOR VETERANS DAY.
MORNING MINYAN AT 9:00 A.M.
morning, surrounded by kids asking tough questions, I can’t duck and dodge. So, EVENING MINYAN AT 7:50 P.M.
when the tough questions erupt, I tell the kids they are the descendants of Jacob,
our ancestor who got the name Israel, one who struggles with God. We are the CLOSED THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28
people who struggle with God, not the people who know all answers about God. FOR THANKSGIVING.
MORNING MINYAN AT 9:00 A.M.
Donna’s letter to God suggests one way a child has tried to balance the world NO EVENING MINYAN
of science with the world of faith. Next month I will share some of what the kids
and I have discussed and discovered in NOAM. Stay tuned here or, better yet, join Regular office hours:
us in NOAM on Shabbat as we build holy community based on faith, respectful Monday-Thursday, 9:00 a.m. -5:00 p.m.
conversation, and deep inquiry. You are always welcome. Friday, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

NOVEMBER 2019 P AGE 5

 MARK YOUR CALENDAR
BRINGING ISRAEL TO AGUDAS IMPORTANT DATES
OUR SHLICHA, MIRI BERNOVSKY NOVEMBER 2019
Saturday, November 2
AIR POLLUTION ▪ Grades 3-6 Overnight
Last month, on Yom Kippur, I spent a lot of time reading. It’s the best thing to Sunday, November 3
do on a long day when you can’t really do much else. In one news report that was ▪ Oh Say Shalom Playgroup
published in Israel, a small fact made me smile and miss home. The report said
Thursday, November 7
that the level of air pollution in Tel Aviv measured during Yom Kippur was the
▪ Sisterhood Board Meeting
lowest of the entire year. There is nothing special or unusual about this report: It
repeats itself year after year in Israel and is practically part of the holiday tradition. Friday, November 8
The reason this happens, of course, is because 99% of Israelis don’t drive their ▪ Preschool Shabbat Dinner
cars on Yom Kippur. There is no law that forbids driving during the 25 hours of ▪ Seventh grade Life Cycle Class
the fast, but it has been a tradition ever since Israel’s earliest years that this is the begins
one day of the year when cars are off limits. Instead, people walk (mostly those Saturday, November 9
who observe the fast and walk to their synagogues) or ride their bicycles (mostly ▪ Windows on Israel,
those who don’t fast and instead go to the beach or just enjoy riding their bike Israeli speaker Haneen Shibli
freely on six-lane highways with no cars around).
Reading this routine news report reminded me how much I love Yom Kippur Sunday, November 10
in Tel Aviv – it’s unique to see an entire city with no cars on the streets for a day. ▪ Social Action Apple Gleaning
But this year, it also made me think about how much damage we are causing to ▪ Adoptive Parent Meeting
our air, waters, beaches, and generally, our world, on a daily basis. Our reliance ▪ Inclusion Parent Coffee
on cars, instead of using more public transportation, is one big part of the problem, Monday, November 11
but there are many other factors as well, such as the human addiction to plastic, ▪ Veterans’ Day / Office Closed
which over time could destroy our nature and harm our bodies. Tuesday, November 12
The environmental problems the world is facing are shared by everyone. They ▪ Senior Lunch & Learn
are relevant here in Virginia just as much as they are in Israel, where water
resources are under threat because of droughts, pollution, and mismanagement. Wednesday, November 13
Wildfires in the summer are not unique to California – we’ve had more and more ▪ Israeli Movie Night
of them every year in Israel as well – and the disappearance of birds and wild Thursday, November 14
animals from the land is taking place in the Land of the Bible just it is happening ▪ Social Action Committee Meeting
elsewhere.
In September, when demonstrations were taking place around the world to Friday-Sunday, November 15-17
raise awareness to these urgent environmental issues, there was also a ▪ Scholars-in-Residence Weekend
demonstration in Tel Aviv, attended by thousands of people. The protesters stated ▪ Shababy Service and Potluck
correctly that Israel, because of our specific location in the world, is in a unique Saturday, November 16
position of risk because of the current climate trends. If you live in Canada, maybe ▪ Scholars-in-Residence Weekend
global warming doesn’t sound like such a bad idea. But if you live in a Kibbutz ▪ Youth Group Lunch and Fun
in the Negev, even a small rise of the temperatures can be very problematic. Sunday, November 17
All of this has led me to make a “new year’s resolution” for the Hebrew year ▪ Scholars-in-Residence Brunch
5780 that just began. I’m going to drive less and use more public transportation ▪ Knitting Club
(and also walk more.) I’m going to further decrease my use of plastic, which I’ve
already been trying to do (one small step: no more plastic bottles and cups – I Sunday, November 24
carry around my reusable water bottle everywhere I go, and only get coffee and ▪ Inclusion Parent Coffee
tea at places where you can get it in a mug, not in supposedly “disposable” cups). Tuesday, November 26
I will think twice before buying something, asking myself: “Do I REALLY need ▪ Interfaith Thanksgiving Service
to have this?”
There is much more that I can do, and so can you. I’ve decided to take action Thursday, November 28
this year, because time is not on our side when it comes to this issue. ▪ Thanksgiving / Office Closed

Happy Thanksgiving

AGUDAS ACHIM CONGREGATION PAGE 6

 PRESCHOOL NEWS WELCOME
JEN HALPERN, DIRECTOR TO OUR NEW MEMBERS
A warm welcome to our newest
members:
LESSONS OF PARSHAT NOACH Debra Cagan
Most everyone is very familiar with one of this month’s parshiyot, Noach.
In it, Scott & Guergana Cohen
The Lord said, to Noah Allison Glass & David Hardison
There's gonna be a floody, floody . . .
Well Noah, he built him Daniel Herzberg & Tavor
He built him, an arky, arky . . . Sondheimer
Aside from fun songs and lots (and lots) of illustrated children’s books (such as Joshua Kagan & Kasia
my favorite, Noah’s Ark by Peter Spier -- the details are extraordinary), what else
Witkowski
does this story have to offer young children? What are the big ideas that they can
relate to and understand? Gaby Kohan & Jennifer Ty
We can use the story to teach them about caring for animals, patience (40 days
Joanna & Alon Motro
and 40 nights!), and the beauty of God’s natural world (the rainbow).
But what about the awesome power of God's natural world? About heeding a Henry Tyszler & Brian
warning, accepting that the climate is about to change dramatically, and adapting McLaughlin
accordingly? About then helping to rebuild a world that’s been destroyed?
Children aren’t too young to learn they have responsibilities to help keep our
Richard & Zhou Niemtzow
natural world clean and healthy. There’s one very easy, age-appropriate, and tangible Joseph & Natalie Powers
way to begin teaching them these lessons: Trash Free Fridays. Rather than send in
Alberto Tacher
lunch foods packaged in plastic, send sandwiches, fruits, and drinks in reusable
containers. The children take great pride in showing off their lunches that contain NO Daniel & June Wayne
trash at all. Thanks to Morah Susan in Kitah Turkiz for this splendid idea.

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wbond@4LPi.com or (800) 477-4574 x6420

3-D-4-5 For ad info. call 1-800-477-4574 • www.4lpi.com 14-0995


JOINT MEN’S CLUB / SISTERHOOD
OCTOBER BRUNCH
On October 27, the Men's Club and
Sisterhood teamed up to sponsor a joint
brunch with guest speaker Jack
Grossman, author of Child of the
Forest. Mr. Grossman's book was
inspired by the Holocaust survival story
of Charlene Perlmutter Schiff, a
prominent Agudas Achim member
before her death. Over 100 congregants
and community friends attended and
enjoyed the bagels and lox buffet.
Many purchased copies of the book
signed by the author.
ISRAELI MOVIE CLUB
Wednesday, November 13
6-8 p.m., Flax Family Chapel
In this month’s Israeli movie
club, we’ll watch the award
winning drama-comedy The
Wedding Plan. The movie focuses
on the story of Michal, an
Orthodox woman who, several
weeks before her wedding, is
abandoned by her future groom.
Instead of canceling the wedding,
she decides to go ahead with the
event, counting on God to provide
her a new groom by the time of the
event. As the clock ticks down, we
follow her funny journey looking
for “the one,” which takes her all
the way to the grave of a famous
rabbi in Eastern Europe. The lead
actress, Noa Koler, won the Ophir
Award (the Israeli Oscar) for best
actress in 2016.
AGUDAS ACHIM CONGREGATION
MEN’S CLUB MENSCHENINGS
ELLIOT PARKIN, MEN’S CLUB PRESIDENT
THIS AND THAT
You may have forgotten to send in your Men’s Club dues for 2019-20 (5780)
– particularly easy to do this year if, like me, you only received the electronic
version of the High Holidays packet. We would greatly appreciate your
support. Our nominal dues for the year are $36, but please consider donating
“Chai’er” amounts, such as $54, $72, $90, or $108. Checks should be made
payable to Agudas Achim Men’s Club. We welcome your ideas for future
events as well as your help with activities. Please contact me at (703) 575-
7879 or elliot.parkin@gmail.com with your particular interests.
Men’s Club continues its longstanding tradition of service to the Agudas
Achim community. Since September, we have provided grill masters and
bartenders for the barbecue, coordinated ushers for the High Holidays, and built
the Sukkah. We will be sponsoring the Sunday, November 17 brunch for the
scholars-in-residence weekend and assisting with the December 15 Chanukah
party. Please let me know if you can help with either of these events.
NATIONAL CAPITAL RADIO AND TELEVISION MUSEUM
Men’s Club is planning a field trip to the National Capital Radio and
Television Museum in Bowie, MD. Paul Klein, our congregant, is a docent at the
museum. We would also like to visit a local brewery or distillery. Please let me
know if you have any favorite establishments that we should consider.
ISRAEL PILGRIMAGE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
The Men’s Club Israel Pilgrimage Scholarship Program has provided 105
scholarships over the past 32 years to teens of the congregation for Israel
experiences. Scholarship award levels in 2019 are $5,000 for participation in a
program sponsored by the Conservative Movement and $2,500 for participation
in all other programs. Consult the Pilgrimage Fact Sheet on the Men’s Club page
of the AAC web site for application details.
INAUGURAL TORAH TROOP RECOGNIZED
This Simchat Torah, we honored all of our post-b’nai mitzvah teens who, by
reading at least one aliyah during the year, have qualified to be a part of our Torah
Troop for 5779:
Eli Bardash, Akiva Dienstfrey, Margalit Dienstfrey, Evan Fagen, Dalia
Fishman, Nathan Fishman, Maya Kaminiski, Noah Krischer, Isaiah Levy,
Shoshana Levy, Asher Milberg, Talia Milewich, Ari Pearlstein, Faye Rubin,
David Runkle, Lilly Finegold-Sachs, Jacob Sanchez, Avi Scheinberg,
Garbriela Selmonosky
Three teens read more than eight aliyot, and for this feat
they received Amazon gift cards. We awarded the two teens
who read the most aliyot with gift cards of a greater value:
Leor Quigley – 9 aliyot; Joel Anglister – 10 aliyot; Sam
Meyers – 18 aliyot
Mazel Tov to the entire Torah Troop of 5779!
To join the Torah Troop for 5780, you need only read
Torah at least once between this Simchat Torah and next. You
can read Torah at Agudas Achim or at any other synagogue,
minyan, Jewish day school, or summer camp. For information or to let us know
of any Torah reading you do outside of AAC, please contact Hazzan Dienstfrey,
hazzanERLD@hotmail.com, or Rachel Goldberg, rgoldberg@agudasachim-
va.org. Hazak Hazak V’nithazek!
PAGE 8
IN THE FAMILY hxpwmb
HENRY H. KREVOR FUND FOR SOCIAL ACTION
We mourn the loss of In honor of Doug Fagen’s special birthday
Nancy Siegal
Louis Horowitz z"l In memory of Dr. Harold Bernanke
A. David & Judith Bernanke
father of our preschool teacher,
In memory of beloved parents Eve M. Hartman,
Robin Pergue (Morah Robin) Henry L. Harman, and Jacob Moore
Joan Hartman Moore
Sylvia Arbesfeld z"l In memory of Rose Zafren
Jonathan & Ruth Ruskin
mother of Mark Arbesfeld and
In memory of Jerry Ainsfield
grandmother of Jaime and Ryan Arbesfeld Neale Ainsfield
In memory of Robert Blumberg
Estelle Palman z"l Sarah Blumberg
mother of Melissa McGuire and
grandmother of Bryce McGuire KITCHEN FUND
In memory of Ray Kelly
Pat Franklin
May the Almighty comfort the bereaved mourners.
MUSIC FUND
In appreciation of Joel Freed, Rabbi Rein, Ed Newberger,
MAZEL TOV TO Melissa Siskind, Karen & Elliot Parkin, Ken Lichtman and
anyone else who I’ve forgotten. Thanks especially to Tobias
Debi and David Leekoff Dienstfrey, who took me to the ER, stayed with me, and took me
On the birth of their granddaughter Madison Joanna Leekoff home.
Lynne Rosenblum
Michal Ziv-El and Eitan Boral In honor of Don Sandler’s 92nd birthday
On the birth of their son Eli Haran Ziv-El Boral Maureen & Bob Shapiro
Lenore and Phil Garon
On the birth of their granddaughter, Astrid Livia Hodge PRAYERBOOK FUND
In memory of my husband David Bicoff
Sheila Bicoff
CAMP RAMAH SCHOLARSHIP FUND
In honor of Larry Shuman’s children & grandchildren who PRESCHOOL DONATION
attended Jewish camp, with one camp Ramah marriage In memory of Alex Montanez Jr., cousin of Sharon Montanez
Deanna Shuman Maureen & Bob Shapiro
In memory of Bernice Levy Kelly
CEMETERY FUND Pat Franklin
In memory of James J. Kelly
Pat Franklin PRESCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP
In memory of Stuart B. Levy, cousin of H. Alan Young
COMMUNITY CARING FUND Maureen and Bob Shapiro
In memory of Louis David Pollner
Carole Pollner
RABBI’S DISCRETIONARY FUND
In memory of Dianne’s father, Maurice Frank
In appreciation of the Rabbi and the Hazzan for their gracious
Ronald & Dianne Spector
contributions to Jewish life in our community.
Burton Greenstein
ENDOWMENT FUND
In honor of Les Ziskind’s Bar Mitzvah aliyah
In memory of Alan Young’s first cousin, Stuart B. Levy, M.D.
Burton Ziskind
Paul & Elizabeth Frommer
In honor of Mel Stokols’ special birthday
Seymour & Diane Kaback
HAZZAN’S DISCRETIONARY FUND
In appreciation of the Rabbi and the Hazzan for their gracious In memory of Esther Gondait
contributions to Jewish Life in our community Anita Turk
Burton Greenstein In memory of Jerome Turk
In memory of Stephen A. Bodzin, beloved husband Anita Turk
Tanya Bodzin In memory of Irwin Goodwin
Hanna Hunt
(Continued on page 10.)

NOVEMBER 2019 P AGE 9

IN THE FAMILY hxpwmb SHARE YOUR NEWS
(Continued from page 9.)
We want to support you and celebrate with you. To
RABBI’S DISCRETIONARY FUND share a newsworthy or noteworthy happening with the
In memory of Larry Shuman
Agudas Achim Community, please contact the synagogue
Joel & Sally Freed
In memory of Bert Saperstone
office at (703) 998-6460; email Erica Jacobs (ejacobs@
Stephen & Barbara Saperstone agudasachim-va.org) to make an appointment with the
clergy; or Rachel Goldberg (rgoldberg@agudasachim-
RELIGIOUS SCHOOL va.org) to put an item in the weekly enews Kvelling Corner.
In honor of our 61st anniversary Please call the Synagogue Office:
Susan & Lester Ravitz ● When you would like to have an aliyah during Shabbat
In appreciation of Sam Canel or holiday services.
Brad Canel ● To share the news of a joyous occasion, such as a birth,
an engagement, graduation, marriage, or a personal or
SEFER TORAH FUND professional accomplishment.
In honor of Jack Chesley’s friendship and acts of kindness ● To share news of illness or the death of a loved one.
Joan Hartman Moore
● When a friend or acquaintance wishes to make contact
with the synagogue or the rabbi.
SPIRO ADULT EDUCATION FUND
In memory of Charney Weber
● When you have a question of a personal or religious
Marvin & Ann Chadab nature to discuss with the rabbi.
● Anytime you would like to speak to a member of the
SYNAGOGUE FUND professional staff, please call (703) 998-6460.
Get well to Nan Berman
Sonya Singer Livingston
In appreciation of the Agudas Achim Study Group, and gratitude CREATING COMMUNITY
for an aliyah at a recent Monday morning minyan WHEN THERE IS A DEATH
Lisa Sheldone BY LYNNE SANDLER
Wishing health and happiness to all for the new year!
Marvin & Ann Chadab One of the “silent” ways our congregation creates
In honor of Jane Pollner and David Blumenstein community is when there is a death - either one of our
Ann Bennett members or of a close relative. This activates our chevra
In honor of Julia Pitkin-Shantz reading Torah and chanting kadisha (burial society) which consists of shomrim (the
Haftarah people who guard or watch the deceased before the
Pat Franklin funeral); tahara (the people who prepare the deceased for
In honor of Alex Lieberman chanting a double Haftarah for burial by performing ritual washing and dressing of the
Shabbat Re’eh/Rosh Chodesh deceased), and bereavement or chaverim (the group that
Pat Franklin
gives support to the family before and during shiva).
In memory of my beloved mother, Rose Weinstein
Helene Schrott The shomrim sit near the deceased to “watch over” the
In memory of my mother, Sarah Bronstein deceased from the time of tahara to the time of the funeral
Leah Laifsky and burial. You do not actually see the deceased who is
In memory of Max Schmier, my grandfather either in a separate room or in the coffin. Guidelines for
Max Abraham & Jasen Melson shomrim are sent to newcomers because most people are
In memory of grandfather Harry Linver terrified of participating. However, once having served as
Michael & Mina Jo Linver shomrim, many repeat whenever they are able. In fact,
In memory of Lena Finn many feel peaceful when performing this mitzvah.
Russell & Carolyn Finn When shomrim are requested, we broadcast that need
In memory of Gerald Rose and Jeanette Rose
using our congregational listserv. We do 2-hour shifts
Shirley Rose
during the day and 3-hour shifts during the night. It is
SAM AND ANITA TURK MUSIC ENDOWMENT FUND hectic getting the hours covered and a larger pool of people
In memory of Shirley B. Silberberg serving as shomrim makes this easier and enables us, as a
Howard & Lois Silberberg community, to provide comfort to the bereaved.
In memory of Robert L. Kaminsky on the 16th anniversary of his If you are interested in learning more about the role of
yahrzeit shomrim and how to perform this mitzvah, please contact
Leib Kaminsky Lynne Sandler at invite01@verizon.net.

AGUDAS ACHIM CONGREGATION PAGE 10

 SOCIAL ACTION COMMITTEE
KATHERINE ALLEN, CHAIR

SOCIAL ACTION UPCOMING EVENTS THROUGH SONG, AAC MEMBERS AND

GLEANING GUESTS RECOMMIT TO TIKKUN OLAM
Gather fallen fresh fruit at Hartland Orchards (Markham, On a beautiful
Va.) on November 10, 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m., for distribution Sunday evening during
to local food pantries. Wear closed shoes. There will be a Sukkot, close to 50
SignUp Genius set up and we will arrange carpools. Contact Agudas Achim mem-
Esther Miller at nykoftyme@gmail.com or at (703) 915- bers and ushpizin
3496 to receive the sign-up. (guests) young and
young at heart gathered
SOCIAL ACTION SHABBAT
together under the
Join us December 14-15 for a weekend of learning about
courtyard Sukkah.
how we can live out the mitzvot to care for the poor and the
Using the power of our
hungry in our own communities. Friday night, we will hear
voices to promote
from Yachad, a Jewish organization whose mission is to
social justice, Hazzan
bring communities “together” by preserving affordable
Robert Scherr led us in
homes and revitalizing neighborhoods throughout the
songs that were well-
District of Columbia and the greater metropolitan area. Each
known, uplifting, and
year Agudas Achim works with Yachad on Good Deeds Day
powerful. From old
to revitalize a home belonging to a low income family in the
familiar songs from the
area.
‘60s to more recent
Saturday morning, ALIVE! will speak about our long
songs by Fred Small, as
partnership and the ways they address needs for food,
well as Oseh Shalom
shelter, and other support in Alexandria.
and other Jewish camp favorites, we raised our voices
and jammed along with instruments. Many thanks to all
HELP FIGHT FOOD INSECURITY
who attended recognizing the power of song to make a
Participate in the Martin Luther King Day meal packing
difference and recommit to Tikkun Olam and Social
event on Monday, January 20, 2020, at Agudas Achim.
Justice.
Join congregants and our interfaith friends in assembling
20,000 ready to cook meals for hungry families in our
community. This is a fun, hands-on service project that is
suitable for all ages. In two hours, volunteers will roll up
their sleeves, don aprons and hairnets, and assemble
ingredients into nutritious vegetarian meal packages that
serve six. The meals are packaged, sealed, and distributed to
the food insecure locally. You will be deeply changed by
spending just a few hours to help feed hungry and starving
people.
Please join the Social Action Committee as we plan and
implement this program in partnership with the Outreach
Program, a nonprofit whose mission is to provide safe water,
food, medical care, and education to children and those in
need at home and abroad. A portion of the funds to cover the
costs of this program have been underwritten by the Henry
Krevor Social Action Fund. Look for information on how
you can help support this event. Sign up to be a table captain
MORE ACTIVITIES OF
(training provided) or to help with publicity. SOCIAL ACTION COMMITTEE
For information, or to get involved with the Social CAN BE FOUND ON OUR WEBSITE
Action Committee and any events, contact Esther Miller at WWW.AGUDASACHIM-VA.ORG/
nykoftyme@gmail.com or (703) 915-3496. COMMUNITY/SOCIAL-ACTION-COMMITTEE

NOVEMBER 2019 P AGE 11

 KADIMA AND USY AT AAC
KYRA SCHUSTER, COORDINATOR
Seaboard Region USY (grades 9-12) and Kadima (grades
6-8) youth groups spread throughout all of Maryland,
Virginia, the District of Columbia, and northeastern North
Carolina. Empowering teens to lead meaningful Jewish lives
through fun programming, prayer, social action, leadership
development, and immersive travel, our AAC USY (teen)
Chapter is coordinated by Kyra Schuster and Chapter
President Avi Scheinberg. Questions? Contact Kyra Schuster
at kyra@schuschein.com.
UPCOMING
November 22-24: Seaboard Region USY Fall Convention,
co- chaired by our very own Avi Scheinberg, and Fall Kadima
Kallah
Community Event
MASA ISRAEL GAP YEAR FAIR TOUR
Wednesday, November 13 | 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School Upper School
Campus
https://www.masaisrael.org/
Join Masa Israel Journey for an evening of food,
raffles and learning about opportunities to get to Israel.
THIS SPACE IS
3-D-4-5 For ad info. call 1-800-477-4574 • www.4lpi.com 14-0995
ACTIVE SENIORS PROGRAM
Tuesday, November 12 | 12 p.m. - 2 p.m.
We recently learned that our announced speaker, Julie
Carey of station WRC 4, had to cancel due to a session in
Richmond which she was tasked to cover.
That said, we are delighted to announce that former
Congressman Martin Frost has agreed to step in and give
us a post election analysis (election day is Tuesday,
November 5). This election is especially critical as all seats
in the House of Delegates and the Senate are up for re-
election; it could mark the change in which party has
control of the Commonwealth’s legislature.
Reservations are required. Contact Jane Bergen
(703-861-6419; janebergen@verizon.net) or Nancy
Siegal (703-671-0957; nsiegal@comcast.net). Suggested
dona-tion of $5/person is appreciated.
Please spread the word to your friends…this event is
open to all. but reservations are a must.
Community Event
NOVA JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL
November 7-17, 2019
Celebrating the scope of Jewish life, culture, and
identity on the big screen. Schedule and tickets at www.
theJ.org/NVJFF.
 IN MEMORIAM
NOVEMBER 1, 2019 3 CHESHVAN 5780 Minnie Miller NOVEMBER 20, 2019 22 CHESHVAN 5780
Samuel Gerstein Florence Rawson * Judith Arkin
Samuel Goldfarb Israel Sherry * Nathan Botuck
* Harry Rosenblatt * Robert Feller
NOVEMBER 11, 2019 13 CHESHVAN 5780
Norman Shapiro Arne Fliflet
Bebe Levin
* Helen Singer
NOVEMBER 2, 2019 4 CHESHVAN 5780 Norman Perlberg
* Ruth Krevor Phoebe Saperstone NOVEMBER 21, 2019 23 CHESHVAN 5780
Marjorie Levant Athel Serra * Jacob Finn
* Samuel Wall Fay Stoler * Harry Richman
NOVEMBER 3, 2019 5 CHESHVAN 5780 Dorothy Zitrin * Leah Spiro
Yehuda Arkin Nathan Spiro
NOVEMBER 12, 2019 14 CHESHVAN 5780
Milton Israel * Sara Warshawsky
Miriam Greenblum
Richard Massell Claire Munz NOVEMBER 23, 2019 25 CHESHVAN 5780
Irene Sharp Kay Shapiro Judy Chesley
NOVEMBER 4, 2019 6 CHESHVAN 5780 Samuel Sutin Meyer Klestzick
* Kenneth Barnett Leonard Sattler
NOVEMBER 13, 2019 15 CHESHVAN 5780
Beth Berkowitz Marc Walter
Lena Baker
Nettie Finkelstein Phil Weinkrantz
* David Freed
* Raymond Salkin * Anita Friedman NOVEMBER 24, 2019 26 CHESHVAN 5780
NOVEMBER 5, 2019 7 CHESHVAN 5780 Karen Klestzick * David Cohen
* Harold Bumberg * Roslyn Lurie * Evelyn Levine
Kenneth Gutterman * Max Stein * Ada Wachtel
Esther Kay Ray Wiener NOVEMBER 25, 2019 27 CHESHVAN 5780
NOVEMBER 6, 2019 8 CHESHVAN 5780 NOVEMBER 14, 2019 16 CHESHVAN 5780 * Judith Friedel
Marilyn Greenberg Melvin Passner Bette Levin
Dorothy Komisar Rachael Kaflowitz * Mildred Kaufman
Leon Levin George Kornfein
NOVEMBER 15, 2019 17 CHESHVAN 5780
Eliza Rosen Lillian Rosenthal
Louis Cylinder
* Evelynne Schuchner Judith Scherr
Louis Finkelstein
Marian Shapiro Herman Garbowitz NOVEMBER 26, 2019 28 CHESHVAN 5780
Jeffrey Stern Louis Gollomp Albert Arsenault
Michael Tureck David Kraushaar Marija Kotler
Melissa Zuckerman Robert Kushnir Nathan Perlman
NOVEMBER 7, 2019 9 CHESHVAN 5780 Itzhak Lieberman Helen Trockman
Isadore Bob Ann Singer * Nora Woolf
Alex Holtzman NOVEMBER 16, 2019 18 CHESHVAN 5780 NOVEMBER 27, 2019 29 CHESHVAN 5780
Harry Lavine Vivian Eicher Augusta Dorsen
Ruth Welland Florence Esbin Eleanor Roth
NOVEMBER 8, 2019 10 CHESHVAN 5780 * Ethel Frommer Mary Rothberg
Marilyn Aggleton Judith Katz-Berger NOVEMBER 28, 2019 30 CHESHVAN 5780
* Rose Beck Nathan Rosenblum Donald Hirschfeld
* Julian Friedman Henrietta Rustwijk Harold Yatt
Rosalind Salomon NOVEMBER 17, 2019 19 CHESHVAN 5780 NOVEMBER 29, 2019 1 KISLEV 5780
John Sandler Phillip Abraham * Beatrice Guedalia
NOVEMBER 9, 2019 11 CHESHVAN 5780 Irving Spector * Allan Labowitz
Marilyn Bulos NOVEMBER 18, 2019 20 CHESHVAN 5780 Rafael Lopez Sr.
* Louis Chaiken Selma Borger * Isidore Shapiro
Katherine Kohr Louis Dorfman Edward Yalowitz
* Richard Levine Oscar Fiedler NOVEMBER 30, 2019 2 KISLEV 5780
* Norman Schrott David Kamely * Ruth Frank
* Irving Shantz Victor Levine Jack Meritz
NOVEMBER 10, 2019 12 CHESHVAN 5780 Laura Ziegeler Alvin Rosenbloom
Helen Friedman NOVEMBER 19, 2019 21 CHESHVAN 5780 Gladys Schoenberg
Anna Helman Fatima Frapolli James Sharp
Michal Kamely Sol Goldberg * Jennette Sherter
* A memorial light will be lit in the synagogue for those names marked with an asterisk.
NOVEMBER 2019 P AGE 13
 SISTERHOOD DOINGS
JUDITH FOGEL, PROGRAMMING VICE PRESIDENT

CARPENTER'S SHELTER
RECENT AND UPCOMING EVENTS
CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER
Sisterhood co-sponsored the Great Challah Bake Program held at the JCC and
enjoyed our kick-off Brunch, held September 8. Ice breaker questions and Agudas Achim Congregation will
discussions helped us get to know each other better and Sisterhood Officers were host the Carpenter's Shelter
Installed. Christmas Eve dinner on Tuesday,
December 24. As in years past,
SISTERHOOD SOIREE donations of food, drinks, or monetary
Sunday, November 10 | 5:30 p.m. donations to purchase such items, and
Paid-Up membership program. Please remember to send a check to AAC volunteers for kitchen set-up, serving,
Sisterhood for your $36 dues. Come and enjoy some “us time” with your fellow and clean-up are needed to make the
sisters. Make sure to bring your dancing shoes for a fun filled Flamenco themed event a great holiday meal. The shelter
night! is still housed in its temporary location
Sisterhood Ensemble is the featured act at this paid-up membership dinner at the Macy’s Building at Landmark
party. The a cappella choir will delight the audience with several musical Mall, so there are no ovens, limited
selections. Sisterhood will also pay tribute to Hazzan Elisheva Dienstfrey that microwaves to heat food, and
evening for her incomparable musical direction and dedication to the Sisterhood restrictions on leftovers.
choral ensemble. Hazzan Dienstfrey has served our congregation for 20 years. Questions or to sign up for food
donations or hands-on support shmay
AAC Scholars-in-Residence Weekend | November 15-17 be directed to Lisa Bregman at
lisa.bregman@verizon.net or (571)
“Chorus Line” Matinee at the Signature Theater | Sunday, December 1 218-4526 (day) or (571) 643-8272
(evenings and weekends). Monetary
December Sisterhood Brunch | Sunday, December 22 donations be submitted no later than
Mark your calendars for a brunch on Sunday, December 22 at 9:30 a.m. when December 19 to be used specifically for
we will learn about the mitzvah of Bikkur Cholim, visiting the sick. This program the dinner. Unused funds or funds
is being held in loving memory of our longtime friend and member Alice Quint, received after December 24 will be
who touched many lives with her devotion to this practice. used to purchase Target gift cards for
shelter residents to use during the year.
Sisterhood Shabbat | January 17-18, 2020 Checks made payable to Agudas
Following services on Friday evening, January 17 (approximately 7:30 p.m.), Achim Sisterhood with Carpenter's
we will have Shabbat Dinner with Margie Miller. Shelter Dinner on the memo line can be
Look for opportunities to participate in Sisterhood Shabbat Services, January mailed to Agudas Achim Congregation
18, 2020, 9:30. or delivered to the shul office in a
sealed envelope marked “Agudas
Achim Sisterhood.”
Cash or Target gift card donations
JUDAICA CHANUKAH BAZAAR (no grocery store gift cards) can be
Mark your calendar… Chanukah Bazaar, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., Sunday, dropped off at the shul office in a sealed
December 8, in the lobby. envelope marked “Agudas Achim
Sisterhood Carpenter's Shelter
Dinner.” Please drop off food on
JUDAICA SHOP December 24, 10:00 a.m. - noon at one
Sisterhood’s Judaica Shop carries everything from tallit to toys. of these locations:
All proceeds go to help AAC and other worthwhile causes that Sisterhood ● Nan Berman, 2420 Cameron Mills
supports. Road, Alexandria 22302
Open on Sundays when Religious School is in session (9:00 a.m. - 12:00 ● Ellen Balis, 2703 George Mason
p.m.) and by appointment. Please contact Michelle at (202) 288-9856 or Place, Alexandria 22305
Susan at (703) 489-5068. ● Lisa Bregman, 5864 Lowell
Avenue, Alexandria 22312

AGUDAS ACHIM CONGREGATION PAGE 14

 Enjoy the Carefree Lifestyle You Deserve! RABBI MICHAEL HENESCH
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Agudas Achim Congregation WHAT’S INSIDE . . .
2908 Valley Drive SCHOLARS-IN-RESIDENCE WEEKEND:
Alexandria, VA 22302 (ONEG, KIDDUSH & BRUNCH)............page 1
Phone: 703-998-6460 Fax: 703-998-5843 RABBI’S MESSAGE...........................page 2
SCHEDULE OF SERVICES..................page 2
The Bulletin is published monthly - ISSN1084-9858 DEAR HAZZAN.................................page 3
Rabbi ...….................................................................….………Steven I. Rein EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE...page 4
YOUNG FAMILIES.............................page 5
Hazzan..........................................................................Elisheva R. Dienstfrey
EDUCATION AND YOUTH...................page 5
Rabbi Emeritus...............................................................................Jack Moline
BRINGING ISRAEL TO AGUDAS ........page 6
Executive Director.....................................................................….Barry Nove
Youth/Education Director...........….……….................................Chaya Silver MARK YOUR CALENDAR..................page 6
Preschool Director……............................................................….Jen Halpern PRESCHOOL NEWS..........................page 7
Shlicha.………………………………………………………Miri Bernovsky ISRAELI MOVIE CLUB.......................page 8
President……..……………………………………………Meredith Ludwig MEN’S CLUB MENSCHENINGS...........page 8
Sisterhood Co-Presidents..............................Lenore Garon and Susan Auerhan IN THE FAMILY.................................page 9
Men’s Club President..........................…..………………………Elliot Parkin SOCIAL ACTION COMMITTEE..........page 11
Communications Coordinator....…………….………………Rachel Goldberg SENIOR LUNCH AND LEARN...........page 12
COMMUNITY EVENTS......................page 12
Email: synagogue@agudasachim-va.org Twitter: @agudasachim YOUTH GROUPS............................page 12
Web: www.agudasachim-va.org Facebook: facebook.com/agudasachim
IN MEMORIAM................................page 13
SISTERHOOD DOINGS.....................page 14
WHAT’S AHEAD . . . JUDAICA SHOP..............................page 14

Fridays, 9:00 a.m...........................................................Talmud Study Class

Saturdays, 9:00 a.m. ....................................................Parashat Ha’Shavua
Saturdays, 11:00 a.m.................................................................Gan Shabbat
Saturdays, 10:00 a.m...............................................NOAM Shabbat Service

THE MONTH AT-A-GLANCE

Sunday, November 3...........................................Oh Say Shalom Playgroup
Friday, November 8............................................Preschool Shabbat Dinner
Saturday, November 9......................................................Windows on Israel
Monday, November 11....................................Veterans Day (offices closed)
Tuesday, November 12............................................Active Seniors Program
Friday, November 15..........................................Shababy Kabbalat Shabbat
November 15-November 17......................Scholars-in-Residence Weekend
Tuesday, November 26...............................Interfaith Thanksgiving Service
Thursday, November 28..........................Thanksgiving Day (offices closed)

Time Value
Alexandria, VA
Permit No. 263 Address Service Requested
PAID
U.S. Postage Alexandria, VA 22302
Non-Profit Org. 2908 Valley Drive
Agudas Achim Congregation