DECEMBER 2017

KISLEV/TEVET 5778
NUMBER 3 ProfilesofOurLEADERS
THE BULLETIN JENHalpern by Carol Backman
Ive been a member here at Agudas Achim for
the past twenty years. All my family life has
happened here, says Jen Halpern, AACs preschool
director. She converted to Judaism here in 1997, met
her husband, Hugh, at services, and got married here
in 1998. Her son, Ari, had his bris, upsherin (first
haircut), and bar mitzvah here. Jen adds that her
relationship with the synagogue is the longest of
anyone else on the senior staff.
Jen is proud to note that Agudas Achim Preschool will celebrate its
thirteenth anniversary next year in 2018. The school currently has an
enrollment of 76 students from ages two through five, six classrooms, and a
staff of fifteen excellent teachers.
She says her vision for the preschool is for every Jewish child to develop
a strong Jewish identity, and for non-Jewish students to acquire a respect for
Judaism. I want to see each child become an able and confident learner who
AGUDAS ACHIM shows kindness and respect to all, Jen emphasizes.
Jen was born near Charleston, West Virginia, and grew up in Glen Dale,
CONGREGATION west of Pittsburgh. She attended school there through tenth grade until her
parents, both teachers, decided to move to Winchester, Virginia. I was not
happy to be leaving my school and home, but my parents thought it would
give my brother and me better options for education and careers, Jen explains.
After high school, Jen received a scholarship to attend George Mason
University, and thats what brought her to Northern Virginia. She majored in
American Studies, planning for a career in law and politics, but after working at
the campus Child Development Center, Jen became interested in education. I
wasnt born Jewish, and I considered converting to Judaism while I was studying
at George Mason, Jen recalls. In 1994, Jen met a couple who attended Agudas
Achim, and with their help she began practicing Jewish customs on her own.
Later, she took Jack Molines Introduction to Judaism class.
While attending services, Jen met Hugh Halpern, whose pick up line to
her was, Can I borrow your chumash? Jen recalls that on their second date
Hugh cooked dinner for her. They got married at Agudas Achim in November
1998. They have a brick in the courtyard that reads, Met here, Dated here,
Married here Hugh and Jen Halpern. Hugh works on Capitol Hill, and
they celebrated their nineteenth wedding anniversary last month.
Jen says they had a small wedding with family and close friends, and she
and Hugh both cried throughout the whole thing. Rabbi Moline told them,
You both came to the synagogue looking for something, and you found each
other.
After graduating from George Mason, Jen worked full time at Keshet
Child Development Center, then co-sponsored by Beth El Congregation and
Agudas Achim. She later earned a Masters in Education from Marymount
University and got a job teaching third grade in Arlington County until she
got pregnant and decided to be a stay-at-home mother for Ari who is now
2908 Valley Drive fifteen. Ari graduated from Gesher Jewish Day School last year and is now a
Alexandria, V
A 2 2302 ninth grader at T.C. Williams High School. (Continued on page 3.)
 SCHEDULE OF SERVICES
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1
Candlelighting.......................4:29 p.m.
Shehecheyanu Service...........6:30 p.m.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2
Shabbat Services....................9:30 a.m.
Mincha....................following Kiddush
Havdalah Time......................5:30 p.m.
BAT MITZVAH OF TALIA HANNA MILEWICH
TALIA HANNA BAT DAVID REUVEN
VTAMARA RACHEL
PARSHAT CHAYEI SARAH
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8
Candlelighting.......................4:29 p.m.
Kabbalat Shabbat...................6:30 p.m.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 9
Shabbat Services....................9:30 a.m.
Mincha....................following Kiddush
Havdalah Time......................5:30 p.m.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15
Candlelighting.......................4:30 p.m.
Kabbalat Shabbat...................6:30 p.m.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16
Shabbat Services....................9:30 a.m.
Mincha....................following Kiddush
Havdalah Time......................5:32 p.m.
BAR MITZVAH OF LEOR DOV QUIGLEY
LEOR DOV BEN RACHEL TZIPPORA
PARSHAT MIKEITZ
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22
Candlelighting.......................4:33 p.m.
Kabbalat Shabbat...................6:30 p.m.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23
Shabbat Services....................9:30 a.m.
Mincha....................following Kiddush
Havdalah Time......................5:35 p.m.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29
Candlelighting.......................4:37 p.m.
Kabbalat Shabbat...................6:30 p.m.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30
Shabbat Services....................9:30 a.m.
Mincha....................following Kiddush
Havdalah Time......................5:40 p.m.
MINYAN SCHEDULE
Mornings................................7:30 a.m.
Monday through Friday
Evenings................................7:50 p.m.
Sunday through Thursday
Sundays and Federal
Holidays.............................9:00 a.m.
AGUDAS ACHIM CONGREGATION
RABBIS
MESSAGE
THE MIRACLE OF HANUKKAH
Just a few weeks ago two great miracles were celebrated: the 100th anniversary
of the Balfour Declaration and the Houston Astros winning the World Series.
Depending on where you are from, and your interests, each of these provides us
with an opportunity to reflect on the possibility of miracles in our own lives.
The Sages argue whether the festival of Hanukkah should last eight days or
only seven. You know the story: when the Jewish rebels cleaned up the defiled
Temple, they found a small cruse of oil that should have lasted one day but lasted
for eight. To commemorate that miracle, we light candles for eight days. But, say
some of the rabbis, the first night was not really a miracle: they expected the oil to
last one night. The holiday should last only seven nights to honor the miracle. Why,
then, do we celebrate for eight?
My answer to this question is a beautiful teaching from Rabbi David Hartman
of blessed memory. He taught that the miracle of the first night was that the Jewish
rebels the Maccabees lit the lamp at all. They had no idea if the oil would last
the eight days that it would take to procure more oil to keep the Temple light
burning. Yet they took a leap of faith and lit the lamp, trusting in Gods power and
promise. That is a miracle we can embrace every day.
What I love about Rabbi Hartmans teaching is that it tells us that Hanukkah is
essentially about mindset. So many of us take a very rational approach to life, content
with the scientific explanations of why things happen. Whether we know it or not, we
accept the view of religion espoused by Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan when he says, We
cannot, for example, believe that God performs miracles, and at the same time believe
in the uniformities of natural law demanded by scientific theory.
There is, however, another mindset, another way to live our lives and
appreciate the wonders around us. The Baal Shem Tov, the founder of Hasidism,
taught, The world is full of wonders and miracles, but man takes his little hand and
covers his eyes and sees nothing. When we are willing to look at the world around
us and believe that more is possible than meets the eye, then anything is possible.
A rabble of country priests can defeat the powerful Greek army. A small number
of Jews can sign Israels Declaration of Independence and fight off the invading
Arab armies, establishing a Jewish state (the first since the days of the Maccabees).
The shift in mindset creates opportunities and possibilities.
As we light our menorahs this month and place them in our windows to
publicize the miracle of Hanukkah, may we uncover our eyes and see ourselves as
lamplighters, lighting up the darkness, embracing the unforeseen opportunities and
possibilities that lie in front of us. And maybe, just maybe, miracles will happen.
TODA RABAH!
Casa Ana Medina, a house for women without homes and in
need of special services, was just one of the organizations
supported by donations to Puerto Rico. Mirza Lopez reports that
AAC sent 25 boxes to Puerto Rico with medical supplies,
camping stoves, water filters, and other donations from our
members. Moving forward Mirza will be continuing to collect
monetary donations to help Puerto Rico rebuild.
PAGE 2
 PROFILES OF OUR LEADERS
BY CAROL BACKMAN
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
Kenneth Labowitz (Continued from front page.)
Jen has taught kindergarten through
Jack Moline gave a series of High Holiday sermons years ago on the topic confirmation at the AAC Religious
of encouraging our young adult children to date Jews or, as he put it, the Top Ten School. She says the best class she taught
Reasons Not to Let Your Children Date Non-Jews, if I recall correctly. This was was Sexuality and Relationships
particularly relevant at the time to Jack and Ann, who had teenaged children then, Through a Jewish Lens and the most
as did Patti and I. important was the Rosh Hodesh class
Mixed marriage is a critical issue for Jews in America, where something where she formed lasting relationship
like 50-60% of all marriages celebrated with one Jewish spouse is to a partner who with many of the girls.
is not Jewish. That reality raises a range of issues for us as a religion, a Jen has also worked at Gesher
congregation, and each of us as parents. Jewish Day School, teaching grades
There is an image that I suspect each of us has in our heads of the Jewish four and five and acting as interim
mother sitting shiva upon the marriage of her son to a [ugly term for a non-Jewish elementary school director for one year.
woman]. It is always the son who has disappointed his mother by marrying a non-Jew, While at Gesher in 2014, Jen traveled to
rather than a daughter marrying a non-Jew. Note that I have removed gender Israel with a team of Jewish day school
expectations from that scene; this trope predates the marriage equality movement, but educators on a grant from Legacy
Im pretty sure that the scene is the same regardless of who the son marries. Heritage Fund. On the trip, Jen
I have been aware of this image since I was a child and I do not recall ever designed a Jewish American history
actually knowing any Jewish mother who treated her adult child as having died as curriculum for grades three through
a response to a mixed marriage. I suspect that there are real life examples out there, eight, which was later implemented at
just not in my life. Having been a Jewish young adult, I cannot say that I was the school.
inhibited in any way in my choice of companion because of my parents preference After Gesher, Jen says, I was ready
for such a companion. Thinking back, I do not recall any specific admonition from for something different. Mirza Lopez
my parents about who my sister and I should date, and no negative comments about recruited Jen for the position of director of
my Catholic senior prom date. But there were indirect expressions of preference, the preschool at AAC. After taking time
such as comments about neighbors or relatives whose children had, can you to make sure this was the right move for
imagine, married non-Jews. me, I agreed to take the job. I am now in
As parents of three Jewish young adults, Patti and I have expressed our my second year, Jen says.
hope to our children that they will find loving relationships with caring partners and Jen describes the AAC preschool
it would be a good thing if those partners were Jewish. Again, in terms of my own program as child centered and play based
experiences at that stage of my life, I wonder whether my parents preferences had and focused on helping the children
an unconscious anti-Jewish impact on who I chose to date, and would the same develop strong social-emotional skills.
happen in the minds of my children and their dating lives. Through play, the children also learn
My favorite response to this dilemma is my grandmothers reaction to early literacy, numeracy, and problem-
meeting my college girlfriend, a woman whose family is Unitarian and has a solving skills. We have no idea what
German name from long-ago immigrants. Upon meeting Jean and learning that she kinds of skills our children will need in
has a brother named Max, my grandmother pronounced them all Jews who had the workplace twenty years from now,
switched to Unitarianism to avoid bad stuff back in Germany. The problem of a but we do know theyll have to be able to
possible mixed-marriage was thereby defined out of existence. work with others, think creatively, and
solve problems, says Jen. The Judaic
component includes learning about
SISTERHOODS JUDAICA SHOPS brachot, Shabbat and holidays, Hebrew
HANUKKAH BAZAAR! language, Jewish values, and Torah
stories.
Hanukkah Bazaar Sunday December 3 from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon in the To be able to work at Agudas
Lobby. Perfect timing to do your Holiday shopping. Achim is very special for me. Its my
Questions or want to place a second home. I didnt imagine I would
special order? someday be part of the senior staff. Im
Susan - sravitz@comcast.net (703 489-5068) very happy to be serving our synagogue
Michelle - mshwimer19@gmail.com (202 288-9856) community, says Jen.

DECEMBER 2017 P AGE 3

 FIFTH AND SIXTH GRADE STUDENTS
VISIT GETTYSBURG BATTLEFIELD
Under the direction of Moreh
Andrew Apt, students reflect on what
freedom means to them while visiting
the cemetery at Gettysburg. This was
a capstone field trip to their Civil War
unit in Judaic Studies.
FIRST GRADE FAMILY
LEARNING PROGRAM
Miriam and Hank Krieger
Parents and students learned together
and decorated Shma pillowcases in the
first installment of the Religious Schools
Family Learning series.
Erica and Matt Berson
AGUDAS ACHIM CONGREGATION
MAH KOREH - WHATS HAPPENING IN
THE EDUCATION AND YOUTH DEPARTMENT
Chaya Silver
Youth/Education Director
IS THERE STILL A JEWISH DECEMBER DILEMMA?
As soon as Christmas decorations and merchandise begin to appear my children
begin their annual taunt: Mom, you are such a Scrooge! You hate Christmas. I totally
disagree with them. No one enjoys seeing others celebrate birthdays, holidays, and
rituals more than me. I enjoy the beauty of Inuit totem art but I wont use these symbols
in my rituals. I can appreciate the wisdom of the Amishs Rumspringa, but it doesnt
mean I want my child to take a year away from being Jewish.
I am no Scrooge. When it comes to Christmas, I appreciate the fact that my
Christian friends have a meaningful and significant winter holiday. Growing up, it
was an annual ritual to invite my best friend Mary Carol Canonico to our familys
Passover Seder, and I was invited to her familys Christmas Eve dinner. These
experiences built tolerance and understanding. To this day, I love my culture and
traditions and I honor and respect those who have different ones.
Recently, I had quite a surprise when talking with a large group of Agudas
Achim teens. During the conversation, over half the group shared that they
consider Christmas an American holiday and not a religious one. They like the
festive decorations and general cheer. In fact they had no issues with school
Christmas concerts, decorations, or activities. To them, the holiday is a welcome
winter diversion and does not raise concerns about the separation of church and
state or the need for improved interfaith sensitivity. What had once been a concern
that Jewish kids would feel left out in December because their friends had a holiday
that was sparkly and fun, is now a concern that our kids dont recognize the Christ
in Christmas. They see it as their holiday too.
As a religious educator and a pluralist, I see faith based holidays as sacred cultural
events and not as secular festivities. I dont believe that Hanukkah is the Jewish
Christmas and see no need to include I Have A Little Dreidel in every elementary
schools choir concert. Secular holidays are things like Veterans Day, The Fourth of
July, or Thanksgiving. Not Christmas. Not Hanukkah. Not Kwanza. Including a
Hanukkah song in a Christmas concert feels like putting bacon on a bagel.
I think the new December dilemma is to teach our kids not to see Christmas as
an American holiday but as a religious one. If we make Christmas completely
secular, we move ever closer to the expectation that all Americans are alike, that
we have the same values. According to a 2017 Pew Research survey on Religion
and Public life, 30% of Americans are not Christian and among Christian sects not
all enjoy the trend toward secularization.
I teach my kids that wishing people Happy Holidays instead of Merry
Christmas in public settings is important because it honors religious diversity.
Nowadays blended faith households are celebrating the holidays of both traditions
valuing each cultures heritage without diluting Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza, or
Solstice. For Jewish households where there are grandparents and extended
families of different faiths, we can acknowledge or participate in other peoples
celebrations (as long as you dont experience proselytizing tolerance goes both
ways) and enjoy and invest in our immediate familys rituals and holidays. I fear
my concerns are futile against the tide of change. Maybe Madison Avenue millions
are simply too powerful to resist. However, each year at this season I remember
Mary Carols family dinner. How beautiful it was and how honored I was that she
shared her traditions without forcing me to become like her and how grateful I was
to go back to a beautiful warm and meaningful Jewish home that was all mine.
PAGE 4
 YOUNG FAMILIES
DEAR HAZZAN
Programming and community
Hazzan Elisheva Dienstfrey focused on families with
children ages 0-5.

JOSH WARSHAWSKY: ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE SAVE THE DATE

Dear Hazzan, Young Families Hanukkah
Can you tell us more about our Artist-in-Residence who will be here in January? Program
-Mara Boo Sunday, December 17 | 10:30 a.m. -
Dear Mara, 12:00 noon
This year we welcome back Josh Warshawsky, who has joined us several times ONGOING EVENTS
to celebrate with his grandfather, our congregant, Jay Warshawsky. We have Gan Shabbat
benefited from his participation in services, but now we will have an entire weekend Saturdays 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon
to learn, sing, and bond with this amazingly talented artist. Josh is currently in Rooms 1 &2
Rabbinical school at the Ziegler school of Rabbinic Studies in Los Angeles, and he Volunteer led service for kids
has spent the last three years as the artist-in-residence and music specialist at ages 0-5, accompanied by an adult.
Temple Beth Am and Pressman Academy in Los Angeles, CA, where he brought Looking for volunteers to lead no
new musical energy to children and adults of all ages. He has transformed his home experience necessary.
into a much-needed space in the LA area for Jews in their 20s and 30s of all
denominations to celebrate Shabbat and holidays together. He is a graduate of The only day of the year Gan
Columbia University and the Jewish Theological Seminary with BAs in Religion, Shabbat does not meet in 2017 is
Talmud and Rabbinics. Joshs music is a mainstay at Ramah camps and Religious Saturday, November 25.
Schools throughout the United States. Oh Say Shalom Sing-a-Long and
Although I knew Josh from when he attended services to honor his grandfather, Playgroup
I was fortunate enough to learn from him at Songleader Boot Camp last February Sunday, December 3, | 11:00 a.m.
in St. Louis. The ruach, the spirit, with which Josh sings and prays is palpable. I fell Hazzan Elisheva Dienstfrey leads
in love with his music then and was determined to bring him to Agudas to share his songs for the first half hour with free
neshama with the entire community. play after. No Jewish knowledge or
experience necessary. Each child
Ein Lanu Zman as well as the children in the Religious School have been requires a grownup.
learning Joshs music in preparation for his visit to Agudas, where Josh will lead
davenning, teach us from the bima, sing with the Religious School children on Shababy Kabbalat Shabbat
Sunday morning, and perform with Ein Lanu Zman on Saturday night after Friday, December 15 | 5:30 pm
Shabbat. Please plan to attend the entire weekends activities for Artist-in- Friday night service for kids 0-5 and
Residence, Jan. 26-28, 2018. parents with songs, instruments, scarves,
Lshalom, dancing, parachutes, challah, and juice.
If you are interested in volunteering to
Hazzan Dienstfrey lead visit the AAC website Young
*Please Note: This column will alternate between music reviews/recommendations Families page.
and Dear Hazzan letters. If you would like to introduce or recommend CONNECT WITH YOUNG
recordings, or if you have a question for the Hazzan regarding the ritual, liturgy, FAMILIES
and/or music of the synagogue, please write Hazzan Dienstfrey at the synagogue
(2908 Valley Drive, Alexandria, VA 22302) or email her at FindusontheFacebookAgudas
HazzanERLD@hotmail.com. Achim Young Families Group to
keep track of what is going on and
MUSICAL EVENTS AT AAC: receive the latest updates! For more
Artist in Residence - Save the Date information or to get involved contact:
Jan. 26-27, 2018 Hannah Kraushaar
Save the Date for our Artist-in-Residence Shabbat with Jewish musician at hannah.kraushaar@gmail.com
extraordinaire, Josh Warshawsky. This Shabbat Shirah, Shabbat of Song, come away Sarah Leffler
from services humming and smiling. The Shabbat will end with a concert featuring Mr. at lefflersarah@hotmail
Warshawsky and our own Ein Lanu Zman. Plan to join us and invite your friends! Debbie Perry
at Debbiekperry@gmail.com
Pam Kesner
at phkesner@hotmail.com.

DECEMBER 2017 P AGE 5

MENS CLUB MENSCHENINGS
Elliot Parkin PRESCHOOL NEWS
Mens Club President Jen Halpern, Director
On Sunday, November 5, Virginia
State Senator Adam Ebbin shared his
perspectives on the 2017 state elections
and his legislative interests with over 50 Since August, Ive been sharing some of the changes weve made or will be
congregants. Agudas Achim is located making in the preschool this year. Change is necessary for growth, but is often
within Senator Ebbins district. Thanks difficult. Theres a poster hanging in my office that reminds us of this: Change is
go to Harvey Stoler for arranging this Hard at First, Messy in the Middle, and Gorgeous at the End. But not all things
informative program, and to Louis necessarily require big changes, and the preschools annual Community Thanksgiving
Marcus, Al Foreman, Don Melman, Lynn Feast is one of them.
Rosenblum, Jim Alper, and Harvey Stoler Last year, I was blown away by this event. At first, I didnt believe we could
for catering the bagels and lox buffet. pull it off, but by the end, I was already looking forward to the next one.
The Mens Club Israel Pilgrimage First, we invite all our families, including siblings, grandparents, and
Scholarship Program provided six caregivers, so it really is a community event. Approximately 200 people attend, and
scholarships this past year to teens of the we have to feed them all.
Congregation. On Saturday, January 6,
2018, recent scholarship recipients will The children do all the cooking, and each class makes a specific dish to share:
speak about their Israel experiences mashed sweet potatoes, green beans, succotash, corn bread, apple sauce, cranberry
during Shabbat services. Lets have a sauce, and dessert. Families donate the ingredients, and it takes us a whole day to
good turnout to hear our teens. If you do all the prep work and baking.
have a teen who is interested in a peer trip Personally, I found making the mashed sweet potatoes to be the most fun. After
to Israel in 2018, please contact Mike roasting the potatoes whole, the skin peels right off. As for the next step, just hand
Scheinberg at mike@schuschein.com for potato mashers to a group of three or four-year-olds and stand back. Theyll figure
scholarship details. out what to do without you having to explain much. Add some butter, brown sugar,
We would greatly appreciate your and cinnamon, and you have a genuinely delicious dish that received rave reviews
support for Mens Club this coming from those in attendance last year.
year by sending in your membership In order to seat 200 people, we have to take over the social hall. Its filled with
dues for 2017-18 (5778). Our nominal every long table the synagogue has, and each of those tables must be decorated.
dues for the year are $36, but please Each class makes table decorations (which each child will take home after the feast
consider donating a Chaier amount to hopefully grace their own Thanksgiving table), ranging from cornucopias to
such as $54 (i.e. triple Chai). If you have turkeys to pieces that incorporate natural elements such as acorns or autumn leaves.
any suggestions for events or would like Volunteers come in the night before to set up the room and set the tables. It would
to help with any of our activities, please be impossible to get the job done without our amazing parents.
contact me at elliot.parkin@gmail.com.
By the time you read this, I will have enjoyed my second Community
Thanksgiving Feast as director of the preschool. As comfortable as I am with
change, when thinking about this incredible event, I cant help but remember
CARPENTER'S SHELTER: something my dad often says: If it aint broke, dont fix it.
CHRISTMAS DINNER
Agudas Achim Congregation is AAC PRESCHOOL OPEN HOUSE
hosting this annual dinner. As in years TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5 FROM 7:00 P.M. - 8:30 P.M.
past, donations of food, drinks, or cash WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6 FROM 10:00 A.M. - 11:30 A.M.
to purchase such items, and volunteers If you are unable to attend one of the Open House times, please contact Jen
for kitchen set-up, serving, and clean- Halpern, Preschool Director (703-998-6072 or preschool@agudasachim-va.org)
up are needed to make the event a great to schedule a tour.
holiday meal. Priority registration for returning families and members of the congregation
Any questions or interest in this begins on Monday, December 4.
event should be directed to Lisa General registration for members of the community begins on Monday,
Bregman at lisa.bregman@verizon.net. January 8 at 8 am. Applications must be returned in person.
Sign up to donate or volunteer at
http://signup.com/go/uwbMGOV. Applications will be processed on first come, first served basis.

AGUDAS ACHIM CONGREGATION PAGE 6

 member could just bring home six generic
BRINGING ISRAEL TO sufganiyot from the supermarket and
AGUDAS: OUR SHLICHA, receive a hero's welcome, today the
purchase has to come only after a phone
MIRI BERNOVSKY call in which all the different options are
Every year, as the month of Kislev approaches, Israeli society is torn apart by a discussed, and a decision is made.
fierce dispute. The dispute is about Hanukkah, but it's got nothing to do with the In our home, the battle lines are
religious questions that this holiday brings up. Instead, it focuses on a much more clearly drawn. I'm a huge fan of the
immediate and existential question: What's the best filling to put inside a sufganiyah? Sufganiyah Liberation Movement - I
Those readers who think I'm joking, should try to raise the question next time like to try many different kinds, enjoy
they meet me and Amir at kiddish on Saturday morning. In our home, like in many various tastes, and learn about new
other Israeli homes, this is a very serious issue, with real-life consequences. combinations. Last year, I tried
sufganyiot with Dark Chocolate cream,
In the past, things used to be very simple. Israel was a small country surrounded sweet Pistachio paste, raspberry jam,
by enemies, with one state-owned television channel and a limited number of maple syrup, and more. Amir, for his
imported food products. Back then, a sufganiyah was simply a sufganiyah - a round part, likes only one kind - the old
donut filled with a cheap and artificial strawberry jam. school, dull, boring sufganiyah with the
Over the decades, Israel's economy opened up to the world, Israelis started industrial red "strawberry" jam.
visiting foreign countries more often, and suddenly, the sufganyiot market went Luckily, though, when it comes to
through an incredible transformation. Today, when you walk into a local bakery in the question of which sufganiyot to buy,
Tel Aviv or Haifa, you can easily find ten or more different kinds of sufganyiot: I make the final decision at our home.
large and small, filled with home-made jams and with Swiss chocolates, frosted Hag Sameah!
with different creams, and of course, made out of organic wheat and based on
"natural ingredients only."
The result of this blessed progress has been the birth of a never-ending
controversy over what are the best kinds of sufganyiot. If in the past, a family

THIS SPACE IS

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

 DECEMBER LUNCH AND LEARN
WITH CHAYA SILVER
TOPIC: WHAT MIGHT THE CHOFETZ CHAYIM
TEACH US ABOUT CIVILITY IN THE AGE OF
TWEETS, TABLOIDS, AND TELEVISION?
Thursday, December 21
12:00 noon | Schonberger Library
Rabbi Israel Meir Kagan, a late
Nineteenth Century rabbi and teacher,
was influential in the Musar movement,
a Halakhist, a posek, and an ethicist.
Rabbi Kagan, called the Chofetz
Chayim, is best known for a series of
books that deal with the Biblical laws of
gossip and slander, Lashon Hara. Given
the negative tone of our cultural and
political climate, it is worth revisiting
his teachings. Join Chaya for lunch and
enjoy learning about this complex
Hassidic master as we discuss his
writings and chat about the implications
of his words for today.
SENIORS LUNCH AND LEARN
Tuesday, January 9 | 12:00 noon
Lainof Auditorium
AAC member Kyra Schuster, a
curator at the United States Holocaust
Memorial Museum/National Institute
of Holocaust Documentation, will join
us. Kyras presentation will focus on
the work done at the United States
Holocaust Memorial Museum to col-
lect and preserve original materials
that document the Holocaust, and she
will share some specific stories and
highlights from the permanent collec-
tion. Reserve early and come prepared
with your questions for the Q&A ses-
sion following her presentation.
Lunch will be served at noon fol-
lowed by the program. This event is
open to the AAC Active Seniors and
the JCCNV Active Retirees. Reserva-
tions are required and must be made no
later than Thursday, December 28.
RSVP to
Jane Bergen (703-861-6419
janebergen@verizon.net) or
Nancy Siegal (703-671-0957/
nsiegal@comcast.net).
Please let us know if you can help
in the kitchen.
AGUDAS ACHIM CONGREGATION
EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS
MESSAGE
Barry Nove
As Hanukkah approaches, I thought Id share a bit of what I talked about at
the first session of the new monthly Lunch and Learn series, held November 9,
where I spoke on An Introduction to Jewish Genealogy.
I have been researching my family history since the early 1990s. Ive even
been to my maternal great-grandparents shtetl, about twenty miles south of
Warsaw. Finding the name of that town was a matter of research, not something
my grandmother even knew.
So, where does someone start to find out things about their family history?
The first answer is start with what you know and work backward from there.
However, there are a lot more resources than just writing down what you know
or talking to family about what they know. Among those resources, you can
consider providing a DNA swab through companies affiliated with
Ancestry.com (where you can get a six month membership or even do a one-
week free trial membership) or Jewishgen.org (a free online service, the DNA
testing is not free, however, but typically runs about $200).
First step, though, is starting with what you know and asking family
members what they know including, whether they have old letters or photos.
One of my cousins had a treasure trove of Yiddish letters written to my great-
aunt just before World War II and after. I had summary translations of them done
and later met a cousin, then living in Israel, who had written many of them. In
my maternal grandmothers case, the most helpful things she had were pictures
of family from back in Europe, one of her mother with her older siblings as
children that her father brought with him to America in 1904 and a postcard
her mothers nephew and nieces sent her in 1932 before they lost contact. Id
assumed that was because the Holocaust overtook them. Turns out it didnt. My
great-grandparents moved to Indiana and my great-grandmothers family left
Poland, immigrating to Australia (how I learned that is a story for another day).
What Id like to share is how I found out the name of their shtetl in Poland.
Thats where Ellis Island comes in. Ellis Island records are available online at:
https://libertyellisfoundation.org/passenger. You become a member of the site,
but you need not pay for a membership. They will happily take donations, but
you can skip the paid voluntary membership part. Whats important here is that
once youve joined you need to keep your new member number handy. Next you
join Jewishgen.org, where again you need not pay to have a membership, but
where they truly appreciate donations. Among the databases available on
Jewishgen is an Ellis Island database, which searches just among the 2 million
Jewish immigrants who arrived at Ellis Island from 1891 through about 1924
(that may be through 1936 by now, but last time I looked it was 1924), covering
the height of Jewish immigrant to the United States.
You choose a search on Jewishgens Ellis Island white form, putting all
you know about a relative you think entered through Ellis Island. At the bottom
of the search it asks for your Ellis Island membership number, then you click
search. In my case, I researched my maternal great grandfather Velvul Osipe. His
name didnt come up as an exact match, so I did a phonetic search. That brought
up those who arrived as Asip. The name Velvul means Wolf in Yiddush, so I
did another search and voila: Wolf Osipp arrived in 1904, destination: St.
Louis, my hometown.
(Continued on page 14)
PAGE 8
IN THE FAMILY
SINCERE CONDOLENCES TO: SPIRO ADULT EDUCATION FUND
Steven Rein and family In honor of Don Sandler's 90th birthday
on the death of his grandmother, Miriam Rein Ed and Deedy Eisenson
Dale Otterness and family Joan and Don Sacarob
on the death of his mother, Marilyn Otterness In honor of Jack Weil for preparing an impressive reception for the
Joel Kravetz and family Rabbi Moline Lecture Series
on the death of his father, David Kravetz Janet Barnett
Barbara Klestick and family In honor of Vivian and Hazel Wayne, grandchildren of Ellen and Charley
on the death of her sister, Karen Klestzick Janet Barnett
Michael Goldenpine and family In memory of Ellen Wayne's father, Jack Kabcenell
on the death of his father, Sidney J. Pine Lester and Joan Edelman
Lester Ravitz and family In memory of Karen Klestzick, Barbara's sister
on the death of his sister, Marilyn Bulos Arden Levy and Anthony Sanchez
MAZEL TOV TO: In memory of Margaret Marcus
Rachel and Jamie Auslander and family Lester and Joan Edelman
on the birth of their daughter, Sarah Chava Auslander In memory of Marilyn Otterness
Barbara and Andy Effron and family Lester and Joan Edelman
on the birth of their grandson, Jayden Hudson Effron In memory of Miriam Rein
Steven and Barbara Saperstone and family Lester and Joan Edelman
on the birth of their granddaughter, Bella Ann Wuehrmann In memory of Sharyn Tureck's brother, Howard Raiten
Michael Bagel and Alissa Lustig and family Lester and Joan Edelman
on their recent marriage Mazel tov to Don Sandler with good wishes on this special simcha-
your birthday!
ESFORMES FUND Howard and Margie Weinberg
In honor of Meryl and Joel Goldhammer SAM & ANITA TURK FUND
Vic and Judy Tynes A donation
HENRY H. KREVOR SOCIAL ACTION FUND Anita Turk
In appreciation of David Blumenstein and Miri Bernovsky for their In honor of Anita Turk's great grandchildren, Ari and Samuel
enlightening sessions on YK Janet Barnett
Andrew and Barbara Effron Allan and Mickey Lazarus
In honor of Don Sandler's 90th birthday Robert and Maureen Shapiro
June Krevor In honor of Ellen Whitten's grandsons
Samuel and Carol Backman Robert and Maureen Shapiro
In memory of Harry Langbart and Gus Rosenberg CEMETERY FUND
David Langbart In memory of Irwin Goodwin
In memory of Robert and Betty Parker, Doris' parents Hanna Hunt
Allan and Mickey Lazarus COMMUNITY CARING FUND
In memory of Ruth Krevor on her yahrzeit In honor of Don Sandler's 90th birthday
June Krevor Melvin and Elaine Stokols
ENDOWMENT FUND A donation
In appreciation of my Rosh Hashanah honor Barry Landau
Arden Levy In memory of Marilyn Bulos, sister of Les Ravitz
In memory of Ethel Frommer Arden Levy and Anthony Sanchez
Paul and Elizabeth Frommer HAZZAN'S DISCRETIONARY FUND
In memory of Lester Ravitz's sister, Marilyn Bulos In appreciation of Hazzan Dienstfrey for High Holy Day services
Paul and Elizabeth Frommer Sonya Singer Livingston
In memory of Miriam Rein In appreciation of Hazzan Dienstfrey, filling the synagogue with
Paul and Elizabeth Frommer her beautiful voice and those of the Sisterhood Ensemble
Mazel tov to Don Sandler on his 90th birthday Andrew and Barbara Effron
Paul and Elizabeth Frommer In honor of Dr. Michael Linver
SCHIFF ENDOWMENT FUND Patricia Franklin
In honor of Don Sandler's 90th birthday In memory of Esther Molly Bondareff
Robert and Maureen Shapiro Erwin Bondareff
In memory of Ruth Welland In memory of Jocelyn Pearl who left us so suddenly
Marty Hallowell Klas Ringskog and Paula Hersson-Ringskog
In memory of Sheldon Kaplan In memory of Marilyn Otterness, mother of Dale, grandmother of Michelle
Marty Hallowell Mark and Gail Kutner
SPIRO ADULT EDUCATION FUND In memory of Miriam Rein, grandmother of Rabbi Rein
Get well wishes to Marcia Lawson Mark and Gail Kutner
Lester and Joan Edelman In memory of Nettie Finkelstein
Jonathan and Ruth Ruskin

DECEMBER 2017 PAGE 9

IN THE FAMILY
HAZZAN'S DISCRETIONARY FUND
In memory of Robert L. Kaminsky on the 14th anniversary of his yahrzeit RABBI'S DISCRETIONARY FUND
In memory of Frances and Basil Greene
Leib Kaminsky
SCHONBERGER LIBRARY FUND Joshua and Dara Greene
In honor of Don Sandler's 90th birthday-good wishes for many more In memory of Gerald Rose
from Cousin Ruthie Shirley Rose and family
Ruth Fleishman In memory of Gerry Serody
In honor of Farideh and Phil Schonberger Gwen Stokols
Vic and JudyTynes In memory of Isador Turk
In memory of Margaret Marcus, Louis Marcus' mother Anita Turk
Klas Ringskog and Paula Hersson-Ringskog In memory of Ellen Wayne's father, Jack Kabcenell
In memory of Regina and Max Rothleder who gave us all so much of Yiddish Gwen Stokols
Klas Ringskog and Paula Hersson-Ringskog Michael and Marcia Lawson
PRAYERBOOK FUND Arden Levy and Anthony Sanchez
In memory of Dorothy Levine In memory of Marilyn Otterness
Marilyn Levine Michael and Marcia Lawson
In memory of Judith Arkin In memory of Minnie Miller, my beloved mother
Michele Arkin Judy Tynes
In memory of Laura Ziegeler In memory of Miriam Rein
Gloria Canter Jack and Elinor Abraham
In memory of Yehuda Arkin Patricia Franklin
Michele Arkin Joshua and Allison Hirschorn and family
CAMP RAMAH FUND Leib Kaminsky
In memory of Joci Pearl Elliot and Karen Parkin
Allan and Mickey Lazarus Phillip and Farideh Schonberger
In memory of Miriam Rein Robert and Maureen Shapiro
Arden Levy and Anthony Sanchez Howard and Sherri Kohr
RABBI'S DISCRETIONARY FUND Gwen Stokols
Get well wishes to Ed Newberger for a speedy recovery Anita Turk
Ed and Meredith Finn Edward and Rhonda Friedler
In memory of Miriam Rein In memory of Morris Weinkrantz
Marilyn Levine Marilyn Levine
In appreciation of Rabbi Rein's inspirational leading of the High In memory of Nettie Finkelstein
Holiday services Jonathan and Ruth Ruskin
Andrew and Barbara Effron In memory of Phil Weinkrantz
In appreciation of the Cemetery Service Marilyn Levine
Anita Turk In memory of Rabbi Rein's grandmother
In honor of Don Sandler's special birthday Howard and Sherri Kohr
Barry Isaacs and Ingrid Willenz-Isaacs Gwen Stokols
In honor of Ellen and Charley Wayne's new grandchildren Anita Turk
Arden Levy and Anthony Sanchez Vic and Judy Tynes
Gwen Stokols In memory of Rabbi Rein's grandmother and in honor of his special
In honor of Mirza Lopez, her family and her efforts on behalf of Puerto Rico gift of donating bone marrow
Simon and Vicki Fishman Justin and Deborah Dunie
Elliot and Karen Parkin In memory of grandfather, Paul Gaidelman
Arnold and Susan Auerhan Jack and Elinor Abraham
Patricia Franklin SYNAGOGUE FUND
Gwen Stokols A donation
In honor of Rabbi Major Rein's military promotion Michelle Shwimer
Simon and Vicki Fishman In appreciation of the helpful assistance provided by the AAC
Patricia Franklin support staff and kitchen staff to our community
In honor of my participation in the Avodah service on Yom Kippur Andrew and Barbara Effron
Neale Ainsfield In honor of Barbara Klestzick
In honor of the marriage of Jared and Keely Goldhammer Ruth Sievers
Bruce and Marcia Brown In honor of Dene Garbow on her birthday
In memory of Edith Ziskind Gerson and Shirley Yalowitz
Klas Ringskog and Paula Hersson-Ringskog Kenneth & Judith Yalowitz
In memory of Edwin M. Rohde In honor of Don Sandler's 90th birthday
Allena Opper Lester and Jane Bergen
In memory of Florence Esbin Howard and Sherri Kohr
Barbara Esbin and Kostas Liopiros Nancy Siegal

AGUDAS ACHIM CONGREGATION PAGE 10

 IN THE FAMILY
SYNAGOGUE FUND MUSIC FUND
In honor of Hazel and Vivian Wayne, born to Joey and Hannah Wayne In loving memory of Joe and Nancy Schifrin
Howard and Sherri Kohr Klas Ringskog and Paula Hersson-Ringskog
In honor of Joel and Meryl Goldhammer In memory of Dale Otterness's mother
Valerie J. Cooke Edward and Rhonda Friedler
In honor of the staff and volunteers at AAC who helped make the In memory of Ellen Wayne's father, Jack L. Kabcenell
HHD services so meaningful Vic and Judy Tynes
Howard and Sherri Kohr Edward and Rhonda Friedler
In memory of Ellen Wayne's father, Jack Kabcenell In memory of Ellen's beloved sister, Barbara Tregub
Howard and Sherri Kohr Gordon and Ellen Horwitz
In memory of Ellen's dear mother, Anne Schwartz In memory of Susan's father, Eugene Loble
Gordon and Ellen Horwitz Arnold and Susan Auerhan
In memory of Jocelyn Pearl In memory of father, Monroe Lange
Andrew and Barbara Effron Jack and Elinor Abraham
In memory of Lillian Richer, Mark's mother In memory of grandmother, Anna Lange
Leib Kaminsky Jack and Elinor Abraham
In memory of Morris Gutterman PRESCHOOL DONATIONS
Hanna Gutterman In memory of sister, Janet Distler
In memory of Pearl Chaiken Robert and Judith Bregman
Rose Grossman In appreciation of Chaya Silver and Jen Halpern for the
In memory of Samuel Gerstein educational programs provided to the children of AAC
Linda, Michelle and Dale Otterness Andrew and Barbara Effron
In memory of Sharyn Tureck's brother, Howard Raiten In honor of Anita Turk's twin great grandsons' births
Nancy Siegal Edward and Rhonda Friedler
Stanley and Rhoda Sulak In honor of Charley and Ellen Wayne's new grandchildren
In memory of Vivian Kabcenell, Ellen Wayne's mother Bruce and Marcia Brown
Allan and Mickey Lazarus Vic and Judy Tynes
In memory of beloved father and husband, Norman Schrott In honor of Harry Morris Perlman
Helene and Howard Schrott Evan Perlman and Catherine Crow
In memory of my beloved mother, Minnie Miller In honor of Wyatt Brechbill
Judy Tynes Nick and Jennifer Brechbill
In memory of my father, Francis Siegal In honor of grandparents Barbara and Andy Effron on the birth of their grandson
Nancy Siegal Edward and Rhonda Friedler
In memory of our parents, Norton Dahne, Leon Levin and Bebe In honor of grandparents Charley and Ellen Wayne's new granddaughters
Levin Edward and Rhonda Friedler
Arnold and Ellen Levin In memory of Maurice Wolf
Welcoming Barry Nove, our Executive Director Yolanda Wolf
Andrew and Barbara Effron In memory of Susan's mother, Naomi Loble Stern
SEFER TORAH FUND Arnold and Susan Auerhan
In honor of Don Sandler's birthday RELIGIOUS SCHOOL DONATIONS
Patricia Franklin In honor of Nan Berman earning her Master of Social Work degree
In honor of Josh Greene's kindness Robert and Maureen Shapiro
Patricia Franklin TZEDEK FUND
In honor of Miriam Perlberg for reading Torah In memory of Herbert I. Jacobson
Patricia Franklin Alan Jacobson
YOUNG FAMILIES PROGRAMMING
In honor of Phil Lurie for reading Torah
Patricia Franklin In honor of Jack Berman's retirement
In memory of Irving and Shari Weinberger Robert and Maureen Shapiro
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
Leonard Guedalia and Rochelle Weinberger
In honor of the birth of Jayden Hudson Effron, grandson of
In memory of my father, Abraham Miller
Barbara and Andy Effron
Judy Tynes
Elliot and Karen Parkin
JACK MOLINE LECTURE SERIES
In honor of Jack Moline Lecture Series In honor of the birth of granddaughters, Vivian and Hazel Wayne
Anita Turk Elliot and Karen Parkin
MUSIC FUND In memory of Ellen Wayne's father, Dr. Jack Kabcenell
In honor of Don Sandler's 90th birthday Bruce and Marcia Brown
Edward and Rhonda Friedler Elliot and Karen Parkin
Melvin and Dene Garbow In memory of Howard Raiten, brother of Sharyn Tureck
In honor of Elisheva Dienstfrey Elliot and Karen Parkin
Michael and Mina Jo Linver In memory of Leo Esbin
In honor of the Effrons new grandchild Barbara Esbin and Kostas Liopiros
Arden Levy and Anthony Sanchez In memory of Melvin Finn
Russell and Carolyn Finn
DECEMBER 2017 P AGE 11
 MINYAN ON THE MOUNTAIN - FALL
HIKE RESCHEDULED
Sunday, December 3
Carpools leave from AAC at 8:30 a.m.
This fall favorite has been rescheduled
for Sunday, December 3. Moderate to
easy-side-of-moderate hike featuring
cascades, stream crossings, water pools
and dramatic mountain vistas. Dinner on
the way home in quaint historic
Warrenton. Men are invited to join us as
well. RSVP by Thursday November 30 to
Judith Fogel (jfogel2000@aol.com or
703-801-8088).
CHOCOLATE PARTY
Sunday, December 10 | 2:00 p.m
Sisterhood is bringing back the
wildly popular Chocolate Party! Thank
you to Elizabeth Margosches for opening
her home. Please bring some chocolate in
any form to share. Pastry, treat, candy,
drink, confection. Volunteers needed for
cleanup. Please RSVP to Judith Fogel,
jfogel2000@aol.com, 703-801-8088 by
Thursday December 7.
SISTERHOOD DOINGS
Networking to engage and empower Conservative Jewish women.
By Judith Fogel
Supper in the Sukkah: Sisterhood joined hands with Men's Club for this elegant dinner
on October 10. We sold out the sukkah and the temperatures were warm enough to
shed our sweaters well into 10:00 pm! Blessedly, the threatened rain held off.
Thank you to our indispensable volunteers without whom we could not
possibly have pulled off this yuntiff celebration: Al Forman, Liz Frommer, Lynne
Rosenblum, Harvey Stoler, Don Melman, Meredith Ludwig, Susan
Auerhan, Joan Arsenault, Karen Parkin, Ken Notis, Arden Levy, Nancy Siegal,
Sara Naphtali-Krumbein, Robin Braverman, Jodi Wittlin, Stacy Kreppel,
and Sharon Saferstein. Special kudos to Cheryl Nelson and Diana Weil for their
kitchen expertise. And to KB for all he does. Many thanks to Sisterhood president
Lenore Garon and Men's Club president Elliot Parkin for saying yes to the
creation of this event. With gratitude, from Judith Fogel and Louis Marcus,
Dinner Chairs.
Sisterhood Soiree: The women of Sisterhood gathered in the Lainof Auditorium
Sunday November 5 for a festive evening of wine, good conversation, sisterhood
and a yummy Greek buffet. Thank you to the following volunteers who lit up the
evening with floating candles, poured the wine, decorated the tables with festive
fall colors, checked in the guests and worked diligently in the kitchen for hours:
Liz Frommer, Susan Auerhan, Lynne Rosenblum, Karen Maline, Judith Fogel,
Mackenzie Silverman, Gloria Canter, Joan Arsenault, Jane Bergen, Sara
Naphtali-Krumbein, Nancy Siegal, Robin Braverman, Jodi Wittlin, and President
Lenore Garon,

Contact Benjamin Rancman to place an ad today!

brancman@4LPi.com or (800) 950-9952 x5857

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

 IN MEMORIAM
DECEMBER 1, 2017 KISLEV 13, 5778 DECEMBER 11, 2017 KISLEV 23, 5778 * Hyman Stokols
* Hyman Nathanson Brown * Victoria Landau DECEMBER 22, 2017 TEVETH 4, 5778
* Mildred Isaacs Esther Ludwig * Richard Hodges
Nathan Kahn DECEMBER 12, 2017 KISLEV 24, 5778
* Braine Hoffman
Philip L. Kay * Mary Lee Edelstein
* Jacob Homes
* Jack Koso * Bessie Fagelson DECEMBER 23, 2017 TEVETH 5, 5778
* Ellis Joel Rabinowitz Mary Meritz * Roselyn L. Arons
* Louis M. Teitelbaum Anna Shapiro Raymond Beans
DECEMBER 2, 2017 KISLEV 14, 5778 Meyer Shapiro * Minnie Beekman
* Ernest Ceisler Sam Shapiro * Frank Elster
John Krieger Flora Leyens Switzer * Abraham Goldberg
William Kushnick * David Tauber * Basil Greene
* Doit Shotts Maurice Wolf Doris Holtzman
DECEMBER 3, 2017 KISLEV 15, 5778 DECEMBER 13, 2017 KISLEV 25, 5778
* Gertrude Kushner
* Ruth Blacker Sylvia Schwartz Ashkenas
Blanche Melman
* Morris Schwarzman Anna Gerner
* Evelyn Rosen
* Max Snyder * Samuel Jurin
Beatrice Sadowsky
* Harry Stych * Soloman Rossio DECEMBER 24, 2017 TEVETH 6, 5778
Hazel Tynes DECEMBER 14, 2017 KISLEV 26, 5778
* Ruth Adler
DECEMBER 4, 2017 KISLEV 16, 5778 Seymour Goldhammer
Sorita Barder
Rita Dorsen Rabbi Israel Meyer Levitan
Esther Shalloway Bohrman
* Allan Goodman * Ruth Rickard
* Haskell David Cohen
Bruce H Millen David Spector
DECEMBER 15, 2017 KISLEV 27, 5778 * Rose Hayman
Nancy Miller
DECEMBER 5, 2017 KISLEV 17, 5778 * Felix Lieberman * Leonard Roberts
Sonya Dunie Nathan Newberger Arthur Rose
Marie Langbart Helen Quint Anna Wengrovitz
DECEMBER 6, 2017 KISLEV 18, 5778 Stanley Weingast * Shirley Woolf
Joseph Graboyes * Hyman Zalkind
DECEMBER 25, 2017 TEVETH 7, 5778
Arlene Katz DECEMBER 16, 2017 KISLEV 28, 5778 * Mortimer Cohen
Lawrence Salzberg Fred Bergen * Milton Frank
* Jacob Serody Louise Chapman Florence Gaffen
DECEMBER 7, 2017 KISLEV 19, 5778 Lena Kaback * Samuel R. Kaufman
* Julius Abramson Morris Labowitz Michael Kornfein
Joseph Chapman * Cecelia Sheinoff Rose Terner
* Michael Friedson Myer Simon Tulkoff
DECEMBER 26, 2017 TEVETH 8, 5778
Sadelle Lazarus Hyman Glasser
Ethel Zenn
Eve Mamber DECEMBER 17, 2017 KISLEV 29, 5778 Harry Greenberg
Sylvia Zetkin Saiger Rebecca Axelrad * Merlin Kutchinsky
Stanley Stier Roslyn Meyers * Allen Sorens
* Pearl Stokols Frances Myerson * Minnie Stein
Aaron Wigutow Daniel Sprecher * Julius Stone
DECEMBER 8, 2017 KISLEV 20, 5778 DECEMBER 27, 2017 TEVETH 9, 5778
Harry A. Tropp
Helene Alper Ben Fagen
Dorothy Wiener
* Judith Goldberg DECEMBER 18, 2017 KISLEV 30, 5778 Louis Keller
DECEMBER 28, 2017 TEVETH 10, 5778
* Mildred Kutner Esther Heitin
Clair Berger Begun
Freda Langbart Bernice Morse
Seth Fingerman
Morris Yutz Samuel Wagner
DECEMBER 9, 2017 KISLEV 21, 5778 DECEMBER 19, 2017 TEVETH 1, 5778 * Janie Cohen Kleiman
* Maurice Henry Binder Morris Friedman * Ben Zion ben Tzvi Mendelson
* Isadore Bregman Arthur John Iller Anna Newman
Sanders Levine * Reva Kramer Murray Rosen
DECEMBER 29, 2017 TEVETH 11, 5778
* Theodore Lurie Joseph Langbart
DECEMBER 10, 2017 KISLEV 22, 5778 Florence Barnett
Linda Morse
Helen Andler Max Haber
* William Narden
Martin Bookfor Edward Meritz
Robert Potash
Libby Diamond DECEMBER 20, 2017 TEVETH 2, 5778 * Nosan Rubin
Shimon Frost * Milton Alexander Jacqueline Russler
DECEMBER 30, 2017 TEVETH 12, 5778
Shirley Graboyes * Frieda Friedson
* Bernard J Lowell
Ivan Hamberg Mark Goldman
Albert Leito Mourad
Helen Krieger * Rae Levy
Karyn Poole
* Stanford M. Levin Laurence Pitkin
DECEMBER 21, 2017 TEVETH 3, 5778 Jack Stoler
Herbert Moline DECEMBER 31, 2017 TEVETH 13, 5778
B. Pat Sherry * Miriam Friedman
* Delphine Landau
Rose Kramer Sokolove * Edward Goldberg
Marie Reif
DECEMBER 11, 2017 KISLEV 23, 5778 * Eleanor Schwartz Pearl
Adam Scher
* Bashe Fagelson * Bella Schwarzber
Kate Schneider
* A memorial light will be lit in the synagogue for those names marked with an asterisk

DECEMBER 2017 P AGE 13

 HOW TO SPONSOR
THE BLACK-JEW DIALOGUE EVENT
The Krevor Family Social Action
Endowment Fund has made it possible to
bring this special program to our
community but we could use your support
as well. Please help sponsor this program.
For $50 you will receive 2 tickets, special
seating, acknowledgement in the program
and the opportunity to meet the performers
at a reception prior to the show.
To sponsor this event, please call
the Agudas Achim Office or visit
http://bit.ly/bjdialogue.
KAVANAH MINYAN
Saturday, December 2 | 11:00 a.m.
Flax Family Chapel
Join AAC Members Doug Fagen
and David Blumenstein for an hour-
long exploration of Jewish meditation,
chant and other spiritual practices. No
prior experience is necessary.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS MESSAGE
(Continued from page 8)
What appears on your screen is a
typed list of any other family members
traveling with the person on the
search. You then select the original
manifest button and the Ellis Island
database shows you the ship and details
about it. You can also order a printout
of the passenger manifest for a fee. I
generally just hit print screen on my
keyboard and paste the image on the
screen into a Word document.
What is really important in a
passenger manifest is that it asked what
town and country a person came from. In
Wolf Osipes case the answer was
Parysow, Poland which gave me the
opportunity years later to walk through
its streets and say kaddish at its cemetery.
This is just one of the getting
started pieces I shared at the Lunch
and Learn. Mens Club is having me
speak on a related topic in the coming
months. In the meantime, I hope youll
consider attending one of the other
Lunch and Learns featuring our senior
staff in the coming months. (See page 8
for this months topic.)
AGUDAS ACHIM CONGREGATION
SOCIAL ACTION COMMITTEE
Tikkun Olam (Repair the World)
DECEMBER EVENTS
Jewish Perspective on Guns
Sunday, December 3 | 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Flax Family Chapel
Join the Social Action Committee for our second hot topic forum on Safe
Spaces. In light of the recent epidemic of gun violence the Social Action
Committee December Forum will focus on Guns. The goal of this program is to
have an informed, balanced and thoughtful conversation with an opportunity to
listen, learn and ask questions -- using a Jewish lens. Speakers include Rabbi Jack
Moline, Rabbi Emeritus at Agudas Achim Congregation and Executive Director of
the Interfaith Alliance; Josh Horwitz, Director of the Coalition to Prevent Gun
Violence; and Miri Bernovsky, Shlicha (Israeli Emissary).
Northern Virginia Legislative Reception at the JCC of Northern Virginia
Tuesday, December 12 | 7:00 p.m. 9:00 p.m.
Make your voice heard through one-on-one discussion with your state
legislators on issues that matter to you. Visit http://www.jcouncil.org to RSVP.
SAVE THE DATE FOR
SOCIAL ACTION SHABBAT
To recognize the Jewish role in the fight for racial equality, civil rights and
social justice, Agudas Achim will honor the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with
Social Action Shabbat. Mark Your calendar for a weekend of special activities,
including a night of comedy and conversation.
Friday, January 12 - Kabbalat Shabbat Service with guest speakers from
Operation Understanding DC. Operation Understanding DCs mission is to
build a generation of Black and Jewish community leaders who promote
respect, understanding, and cooperation while working to eradicate racism,
anti-Semitism, and all forms of discrimination.
Saturday, January 13 - Shabbat Morning Service with guest speaker Dr.
Suzanne E. Smith. Dr. Suzanne E. Smith, AAC member and professor at
George Mason University, specializes in African-American history with a
particular interest in exploring how the history of African American
entrepreneurship can transform our understanding of African-American culture.
Dr. Smith will share some background and history on Jews role in the Civil
Rights movement and her experience as a white, Jewish African-Americanist.
Sunday, January 14 - AAC 5K Race benefiting A.L.I.V.E. and The Black-
Jew Dialogues. From the inception of the N.A.A.C.P to black newspapers
being first in decrying the abuse of Jews in Nazi Germany to the civil rights
movement here, blacks and Jews have been arm-in-arm in their fight for social
justice. Through laughter, honesty and conversation, The Black-Jew Dialogues
is the Social Justice Theatre Company's attempt to revive this all-important
union. The Black-Jew Dialogues explores the absurdity of prejudice and racism.
The actors engage in a cross-cultural and cross-generational dialogue and use
the light touch of humor to challenge long-established taboos. Through fast-
paced sketches, improvisations, puppetry, a game show, and other multimedia
arts, the program primes viewers for a post-show discussion where stereotypes
and bigotry are confronted. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for teens. To
purchase tickets visit http://bit.ly/bjdialogue.
(See left column for sponsorship information.)
PAGE 14
 Dan Schwartz, MBA
REALTOR RABBI MICHAEL HENESCH
Century 21 Redwood Realty
Cell: (914) 954-6673 ~ Certified Mohel ~
Office: (703) 528-8195 Maryland, D.C.,
1934 Wilson Boulevard | Arlington, VA 22201 Virginia and Beyond
danschwartz.c21redwood.com
Email: dan.schwartz@c21redwood.com 1-877-990-BRIS
10% of my commission is donated back to the temple or a 501(c)(3)
organization of your choice mysonsbris.com

Kenneth Matzkin, ABR

Commercial & Residential Real Estate
BUCK & ASSOCIATES, REALTORS
Arlington, Virginia 22201

(O) 703/528-2288 (H) 703/243-5787

ken@buckrealtors.com
Mercedes-Benz
of Alexandria They are happier at home.
703.341.2100 Have the peace of mind that they are safe and well cared for.

Our experienced and compassionate caregivers are here to help!

One-on-One in homecare Servicing Northern Virginia
for 13 Years
Patrick Cavanagh Live-in and hourly care
703.525.2100
703-354-3531 703.525.5900 www.NurtureCare.com
justmercedes.com www.alexandriaroofing.com

THIS SPACE IS Call LPi at Fishman Law, PLLC

1.800.477.4574
for more Vicki E. Fishman
information. 571-210-0580
vfishman@fishmanlawpllc.com

This Space Wills, Trusts

Estate Planning & Administration
is Available
www.FishmanLawPLLC.com
3-D-4-5 For ad info. call 1-800-477-4574 www.4lpi.com 14-0995
Agudas Achim Congregation WHATS INSIDE . . .
2908 Valley Drive
Alexandria, VA 22302 PROFILES OF OUR LEADERS.............page 1
Phone: 703-998-6460 Fax: 703-998-5843 SERVICE SCHEDULE.........................page 2
RABBIS MESSAGE...........................page 2
The Bulletin is published monthly - ISSN1084-9858 PRESIDENTS MESSAGE...................page 3
JUDAICA SHOP HANUKKAH BAZAAR page 3
Rabbi ......................................................................Steven I. Rein MAH KOREH....................................page 4
Hazzan..........................................................................Elisheva R. Dienstfrey DEAR HAZZAN.................................page 5
Rabbi Emeritus...............................................................................Jack Moline YOUNG FAMILIES.............................page 5
Executive Director......................................................................Barry Nove PRESCHOOL NEWS..........................page 6
Youth/Education Director.............................................Chaya Silver MENS CLUB MENSCHENINGS...........page 6
Preschool Director.............................................................Jen Halpern CARPENTERS SHELTER
Shlicha.Miri Bernovsky CHRISTMAS DINNER.........................page 6
President..Kenneth Labowitz PRESCHOOL OPEN HOUSES.............page 6
Sisterhood President...............Lenore Garon BRINGING ISRAEL TO AGUDAS.........page 7
Mens Club President............................Elliot Parkin EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS MESSAGE...page 8
Communication Specialist......Marya Runkle MONTHLY LUNCH AND LEARN..........page 8
SENIORS LUNCH AND LEARN............page 8
Email: synagogue@agudasachim-va.org IN THE FAMILY.................................page 9
Web: www.agudasachim-va.org Facebook: facebook.com/agudasachim SISTERHOOD DOINGS.....................page 12
YAHRZEITS....................................page 13
WHATS AHEAD . . . SOCIAL ACTION COMMITTEE .........page 14
Fridays, 9:00 a.m...........................................................Talmud Study Class KAVANAH MINYAN.........................page 14
Saturdays, 9:00 a.m. ....................................................Parashat HaShavua
Saturdays, 11:00 a.m.................................................................Gan Shabbat

Saturday, December 2........................................................Kavanah Minyan

Sunday, December 3.................................Judaica Shop Hanukkah Bazaar
Jewish Perspective on Guns
Oh, Say Shalom Playgroup
Sisterhood Hike
Tuesday, December 5................................................Preschool Open House
Wednesday, December 6...........................................Preschool Open House
Sunday, December 10........................................Sisterhood Chocolate Party
Wednesday, December 13....................Religious School Hanukkah Dinner
Friday, December 15..........................................Shababy Kabbalat Shabbat
Sunday, December 17..............................Young Families Hanukkah Event
Thursday, December 21......................................Monthly Lunch and Learn
Monday, December 25...................................................AAC 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