When Rabbi Bill Rudolph reflects on his 32 years at Beth El, he thinks of Sully Sullenberger, the US Airways pilot who made a careful emergency landing in the Hudson River, saving everyone on board, and later modestly saying he’d been making small deposits for years in the “bank of experience, and today I made a big withdrawal.”

“That is what I have been doing at Beth El – not one big withdrawal but a series of them,” said Rabbi Rudolph in a recent interview. “I’ve had a lot of life and professional experiences, and I’ve tried to learn from them.” His success as the leader of one of the most thriv-ing Conservative congregations in the United States can be attributed to that ability to learn from a variety of experi-ences, from biblical studies to Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life.

Wealth of IdeasAlong the way, he also learned to deftly adapt to Beth El the wealth of ideas he picked up from synagogues, Hillel, uni-versities, and other sources. Since Rabbi Rudolph became senior rabbi in the fall of 2001, he has energized Beth El with strategic planning, Torah-writing projects, fun programs like Megillah Madness and the Latke-Hamantasch Debate for minor holidays, annual synagogue-wide themes, and his weekly “It’s Wednesday” online column – just to scratch the surface of the wealth of pro-gramming he put into place in a short time. His enthusiasm and drive have propelled those ideas into fresh, exciting activities.

With unerring instinct, he has known how to launch a program critical to the

S c r o l lCongregation Beth El

The Scroll is a recipient of three Solomon Schech-ter Gold Awards from the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism.

Theme Thank you, Rabbi Rudolph • 1, 2, 6-14

Library Corner • 5

4U • 15

Departments

Sisterhood • 3

Men’s Club • 4

Contributions • 17

Bulletin Board • 20

June 2015 • Sivan-Tammuz 5775 Vol. 64 No. 10

continued on page 12

Cycling Through a Rabbinic CareerBy Janet Meyers

Tour deRUDOLPH

Rabbi Rudolph receives a standing ovation at the May 17 tribute event. More photos on page 2. Photo by Mitchell Solkowitz

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S c r o l l8215 Old Georgetown RoadBethesda, Maryland 20814-1451Phone 301-652-2606 Fax 301-907-8559Web www.bethelmc.orgAffiliated with United Synagogue of Conservative JudaismSenior Rabbi William D. Rudolph wrudolph@bethelmc.orgRabbi Gregory Harris gharris@bethelmc.orgHazzan Matthew Klein mklein@bethelmc.org Executive Director Sheila H. Bellack sbellack@bethelmc.orgEducation DirectorRabbi Mark Levine mlevine@bethelmc.orgAssociate Education DirectorElisha Frumkin efrumkin@bethelmc.orgDirector of Community Engagement Geryl Baer gbaer@bethelmc.org Preschool Director Kim Lausin klausin@bethelmc.orgYouth Director Adam Zeren azeren@bethelmc.orgRabbi Emeritus Samuel Scolnic, z”lHazzan Emeritus Abraham Lubin alubin@bethelmc.orgPresidentJerry Sorkin sorkinj@executiveboard.comExecutive Vice PresidentLarisa Avner Trainor ltrainor@cig.comAdministrative Vice PresidentCarolyn Berger cbergerl@aol.comCommunications and Tikkun Olam Vice PresidentLarry Sidman larrysidman@live.comCommunity Building Vice President Ivy Fields ivyfields@gmail.comDevelopment and Finance Vice PresidentMark C. Bronfman mark.bronfman@gmail.comEducation and Lifelong Learning Vice PresidentSara Gordon saragordon18@gmail.comWorship and Spirituality Vice PresidentRebecca Musher Gross rebeccamgross@gmail.comTreasurerJoseph B. Hoffman jhoffman@kelleydrye.comSecretarySue Emmer emmerconsulting@verizon.netScroll Committee scroll@bethelmc.org Janet Meyers, Chair, Sharon Apfel, Judy Futterman, Mara Greengrass, Susan Jerison, Davida Kales, Marci Kanstoroom, Helen Popper, Marsha Rehns, Walter Schimmerling, Larry Sidman, and Jerry Sorkin. Graphic designer: Tiarra Joslyn 4U editor: Jennifer KatzScroll, USPS Number 009813, is published monthly by Congregation Beth El of Montgomery County, 8215 Old Georgetown Rd., Bethesda, MD 20814. Periodical postage rate paid at Bethesda, Maryland and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Scroll, 8215 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda, MD 20814.

Tour de RudolphMore than 600 congregants gathered in honor of Rabbi Bill Rudolph’s retirement. The shul’s central hallway will be named the Rabbi William D. Rudolph Gallery in recognition of his decades of service.Photos by David Friedlander

More photos will appear in next month’s Scroll.

Gail Fribush and Rabbi Rudolph enjoy the evening.

Singers regale the crowd with a humorous version of Dayeinu.

Tour cochairs Margie Hoffman, Joe Hoffman, and Caro-lyn Weinberg present Kiddush cup. (Not pictured: Paul Weinberg)

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Several years ago, Danielle Sultan’s parents gave her a set of turquoise-and-gold earrings, necklace, and ring that they bought on one of their frequent trips to Lebanon. It meant so much to her then, but it means so much more now. After she received that jewelry, her parents’ home was burglarized. Because these pieces were not in her parents’ home, they are the only ones that remain from all of her parents’ trips.

Marsha Liss is fortunate to have a beautiful Seder plate by Arnart. But the source of the plate is intriguing. Marsha’s father worked in New York City as a shoe salesman, fitting those who had trouble walking. One day in the early 1970s, an elegant older lady came in to be fitted. She apparently was extremely satisfied, as her driver brought her back several days later, bearing the Seder plate as a gift to the salesman. The elegant lady just happened to be Clara Fortunoff, cofounder of the Fortunoff housewares and jew-elry stores. Value Measured by MemoriesThese were just a few of the memorable tales Beth El Sister-

hood members recounted as they displayed treasured fam-ily heirlooms at the “Wear and Share a Memory” April 19 event. This was no Antiques Road Show, where preciousness is measured in dollars. Instead, the value of an item was mea-sured by the memories it evoked of loved ones.

Margi Kramer and Wynne Sitrin, event chairs, also set up a display to illustrate how cherished pieces can be mixed, matched, and repurposed to blend the past with the present.

Antique serving dishes, dinner plates, cloth napkins, and goblets were paired with candlesticks from HomeGoods and napkin rings and chargers from Pottery Barn to complete a table set-ting for a special Shabbat or holiday. Ways to bring memorable hand-me-downs out of the closet and into the light were also discussed. Examples included a jewelry box that was con-verted to a tea box, candlesticks used to create a centerpiece, and a radio cabinet that was converted into an

elegant side table when a broken top was replaced with a marble slab.

While encouraging repurposing, antiques expert and interior designer Judy Zassenhaus warned those attending to research the potential value of an item before redoing or repainting it. Encouraging attendees to make informed deci-sions on how to reuse items, Margi urged them not to keep the past hidden in basements and closets. n

Sisterhood

UPCOMING SISTERHOOD/ZHAVA EVENTSTuesdays, June 2, 9, 19, 16, 23, 30, 6:30 pm Mah JonggSunday, June 7, 11:30 am Book Chat on A Guide for the Perplexed: A Novel by Dara Horn. Cosponsored with the Library Committee.

Sunday, June 14 Sisterhood In-and-Out Brunch (off-site)

First Sisterhood Women’s Shabbat RetreatNovember 6-8, 2015

Shabbat Services, Creative Programming, Learning and Leisure

Scholar in Residence: Rabbi Mindy PortnoyThe retreat will be held at the Bolger Center in Potomac.

$365 double or $440 single occupancy (all-inclusive)

Wear and Share MemoriesBy Hanna Gutmann

A Jewish Calendar Diary for 5776/2015-2016

produced by Women’s League for Conservative Judaism

• Jewish and secular holidays beginning September 2015• Only $12 per calendarTo order, contact Ina Young at 301-907-7706 or inayoung@verizon.net, or complete the form below and send check, payable to Beth El Sisterhood, to Sisterhood, Congregation Beth El, 8215 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda, MD 20814.

Name ___________________________________________

Email ___________________________________________

Phone __________________________________________

# of Diaries _____@ $12 each • Total Cost ________Also available for purchase at the Beth El Office and Beth El Judaica & Gifts.

Danielle Sultan (right) and Susan King

4

Allen Eisenberg and Howard Hoffman won coveted Kavod Awards, and Rabbi Bill Rudolph was honored for his years of support to Men’s Club at the 2015 Kavod Award breakfast on Sunday, May 3.Allen Eisenberg

Allen received his award for Service to Congregation Beth El for more than a decade of leadership and devotion as Beth El’s senior usher for Shabbat and holiday services and for con-

tributions to our worship community. Marvin Yudkovitz in-troduced Allen as “a true mensch.” Quoting from Pirke Avot about serving others and acting humbly, Marvin said, “Allen exemplifies these teachings.”

A native of Detroit and the son of Holocaust survivors, Allen and his wife of 33 years, Connie Stromberg, have

three sons, Matthew, Ari, and Jonah. After obtaining a religious studies degree from Michigan and a law degree, Allen spent part of his professional career with the United States Agency for In-ternational Develop-ment, living in five countries including Nepal, Barbados, Ecuador, and Peru. In each country, he sought out a synagogue in order to join its Jewish community. “My Judaism was a gift – an entrée into local society that wasn’t available to my fellow Americans,” Allen explained.

Allen joined the shul shortly after moving to the area in 2001, quickly accepting responsibility as senior usher and often serving as gabbai. Allen said he is a believer in the concept of community. “For it to function,” said Allen, “ev-eryone has to contribute.” He urged Men’s Club members to “Find a committee that matches your interest. And if you aren’t already an usher – join us!” Allen is also proud to be a member of this year’s winning Beth El “It’s Academic” team.

Shockingly, this was the first time in 30 years that a rabbi had rejected a nominee for a Kavod Award. However, according to Kavod Awards Chairman Larry Sidman, that was because the proposed nominee

was Rabbi Bill Rudolph himself – modest as always.That didn’t stop Larry from expressing heartfelt gratitude

on behalf of the Men’s Club and honoring the rabbi for his “steadfast backing,” his “caring presence,” “wise counsel,” and “witty repartee.”

Larry thanked Rabbi Rudolph for his enthusiastic participation in Men’s Club programs – the Blue Yarmulke Man-of-the-Year Award, the Kavod Awards, and the Purim Carnival – to name a few. He expressed appreciation for the rabbi’s help in securing outstanding speakers and even for his participation in the Men’s Club “Day on the Bay” fishing

outing.Men’s Club President Jordan Rosner presented Rabbi

Rudolph with a framed and engraved work of art donated by artist Phillip Ratner. The work was an illustration of a racing cyclist, a reference to Rudolph’s passion for cycling.

Turning to Gail Fribush, Larry acknowledged Rabbi Rudolph’s wife as an “eshet chayil, a woman of great inner and outer beauty, wisdom, and warmth whose value is far greater than the most precious of gems.”

Men’s Club

UPCOMING MEN’S CLUB EVENTSThursday, June 4, 8:30 pm Hearing Men’s Voices. Paul Horn will lead a discussion on “What Makes Us Laugh?” A chance to share why laughter is important, how jokes work, and what may be off limits. All men are welcome.

Sunday, June 7, 10:00 am Anthony S. Pitch, an award-winning historian, will discuss his recent book, Our Crime Was Being Jewish.

Sunday June 14, 10:00 am Phil Hochberg, former announcer of Redskins games, will discuss Washington Jewish baseball players.

Kavod Award HonoreesBy Jon Simon

Men’s Club Honors Rabbi Rudolph and Gail FribushBy Jon Simon

Larry Sidman (left), Howard Hoffman, and Barry Elman

Photos by Mitchell Solkowitz

Rabbi Rudolph receives gift from Jordan Rosner

continued on page 16

continued on page 16

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Why read biographies? When I Googled that question, all kinds of responses popped up, some grand and lofty, others more prosaic. But whether you read biographies “to stand on the shoulders of giants” or whether (like me) you find that the life stories of famous persons offer an easy, enter-taining way to brush up on basic history, two compact new biographies on eminent Zionists fit the bill. Try Herzl’s Vi-sion: Theodor Herzl and the Foundation of the Jewish State by Shlomo Avineri and Ben-Gurion: Father of Modern Israel by Anita Shapira (both in our library). The books’ authors are distinguished Israeli professors, both recipients of the prestigious Israel Prize for their scholarship.Herzl’s VisionTheodor Herzl (1860-1904) was not the first to call for a Jewish state. Yet Herzl was crucial to the establishment of the State of Israel, contends Professor Avineri, be-cause he was the first to command attention for the cause from world leaders, the international public, and ordinary Jews. Additionally, says Avineri, the Zionist Or-ganization, founded by Herzl, created an institutional struc-ture that laid the groundwork for the Israeli state.

Born in Hungary and a longtime resident of Vienna, Herzl was a law school graduate, a respected journalist, and sometime playwright. Contrary to popular myth, insists Avi-neri, it was not the start of the Dreyfus Affair in 1894 (when the French army wrongly denounced a Jewish officer as a spy) that triggered Herzl’s Zionism. Based on a close reading of Herzl’s diaries, Avineri concludes that Herzl became con-vinced that Jews must have a state of their own by witness-ing the rise of anti-Semitism in the Austro-Hungarian Em-pire. The increasing prominence of Jews in business and in the arts and sciences provoked widespread, virulent hostility. Nationalist politicians portrayed Jews as menacing “aliens” who were penetrating European economic and cultural life.

In 1896, Herzl published The Jewish State: Proposal of a Modern Solution to the Jewish Question. An instant bestseller, The Jewish State fired the imaginations and aspirations of Jews around the world. For most of the next decade, Herzl tirelessly promoted Zionism, pressing the cause on interna-tional leaders – the German Kaiser, the Pope, and others –

until his untimely death at age 44. Ben-Gurion: Father of Modern IsraelThe inauspicious early life of David Ben-Gurion (1886-1973) offered no hint that he was destined to bring Herzl’s Zionist dream to fruition. No one could have guessed, says Professor Shapira, that he would become a significant politi-cal leader, let alone one day proclaim the State of Israel or become its first prime minister. In contrast to the cosmo-politan, sophisticated Herzl, David Ben-Gurion (born David Green) came from a humble Polish shtetl. His family could not afford to send him to high school; he largely educated

himself by reading. He had no profession or purpose until he developed a passion for Zionism and socialism and began to grow (slowly) as a leader.

For Shapira, Ben-Gurion’s most momentous actions took place during the crucial decade between 1942 and 1952. He envisioned the establishment of the State of Israel, prepared for and directed the War of Indepen-

dence, implemented mass immigration (which doubled the population), moved the capital to Jerusalem, and more. In particular, Shapira writes movingly of Ben-Gurion’s coura-geous decision to send Jews to fight and die for a Jewish homeland only a few years after the Jewish population had been decimated in the Holocaust. Despite all his achieve-ments, Ben-Gurion’s gravestone is inscribed simply, as he requested, only with his name and the dates of his birth, death, and immigration to Palestine. n

Library Corner

Big Jewish LivesBy Robin Jacobson

Beth El Book ChatSunday, June 7, 11:30 am [NOTE CHANGE OF DATE]A Guide for the Perplexed: A Novel by award-winning author Dara Horn. All are welcome to join the discussion.

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Singing LoudlyBy Janet MeyersHazzan Abe Lubin was out of town, so Rabbi Rudolph ran our oldest child’s bat mitzvah rehearsal. Zoe, a tiny, not quite 13 year old, had to hop onto the stool just to be able to see the Torah scroll. Rabbi Rudolph shook his head as he stood in the back of the room while she chanted. “You have to be louder,” he told her. “They won’t be able to hear you in the back. Practice singing louder for the next few days. Make sure you speak loudly and clearly when you read your d’var Torah.”

Zoe (now 24) nodded her head but didn’t utter a word.

For the next three days, her voice could be heard all over the house as she forced herself to belt it out – Torah readings, Haftarah, d’var Torah, over and over. On Friday, she said, “I’m hoarse from all that shouting!”

But on Shabbat morning, everyone sitting in the back rows could hear her. Rabbi Rudolph had demanded perfec-tion, and she delivered. Did he set the bar too high, demand too much? Not on your life – her sense of satisfaction and accomplishment in meeting his

challenge lasted for a long, long time. n

My mother passed away in December 2009 in Philadelphia after a long struggle with cancer. Throughout her illness, whenever I saw Rabbi Rudolph or Gail Fribush, they always asked me how she was doing, how I was doing, how we were all doing. I heard from Rabbi Rudolph right after her death. He asked, “How are you, what are the funeral plans, how can I help?” I remember one conversation with him while I was standing in my childhood bedroom, glimpsing my now much older self in the mirror. His words comforted me.

He wanted to make sure that I not only knew what

Jewish funeral practices are but why he thought they were important. He told me that Beth El was there to help. And he gave me good, practical advice about how to give a eu-logy. “Practice it until you almost know it by heart,” he said. “That way the words will have less impact on you when you deliver it, and you’ll be able to do it.” I listened and it worked. Somehow I got through that day and the weeks and months ahead. Perhaps what helped me most during that year was going to minyan at Beth El every day to say kaddish. I went the first time because Rabbi Rudolph said I should go. I kept coming back because the community around me sustained me in a way that I never expected. n

Comforting CounselBy Susan Jerison

We joined Beth El just before our oldest, Sophie, started kindergarten. At first, it took a while to get know other fam-ilies and the shul. One Sunday morning, we went to drop Sophie off at her kindergarten classroom. Her teacher was wonderful, but always late. So we waited outside the class while kids started crowding the hallways. The Gillman fam-ily was next to appear. Todd was shepherding all three of his kids. There still was no sign of the teacher, and Todd had to make two more stops so we volunteered to watch Abby. He left, and suddenly we saw Abby get a look of panic. She ran out into the lobby for something. We all dashed out to catch her. Where did she go? We spotted her in the front. She pulled on Rabbi Rudolph’s suit jacket, and he bent down

as she said something to him. Then we saw him pull out his wallet and hand her a dollar. Abby skipped back toward us, and we all resumed waiting for the teacher. Todd reappeared. He had successfully dropped off his two older children and came to check on Abby. As he got closer, he took out his wallet and told Abby she forgot her tzedakeh money. She waived her bill at him, grinned ear to ear, and said she had it.

“Where did you get that from?” he asked.“Rabbi Rudolph gave it to me,” she replied.“What? You asked the rabbi for money!” he exclaimed.“Daddy,” she said, “Rabbi Rudolph told us we could ask

him anything.”At that moment, Todd looked mortified, but we knew we

had found a home. n

Ask Him AnythingBy Mila Becker

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The most remarkable thing about Rabbi Rudolph’s d’vrei Torah is how many of them seem to be addressed directly to me at exactly the right time. I may not remember the cir-cumstance, but I remember the lesson. I remember, “Worry is the interest paid on trouble before it is due,” and “Don’t be a prisoner of your past, but an architect of your future.” Rabbi Rudolph once told a story about the importance of attitude. An elderly man was shot during a robbery. The hospital staff pretty much gave up on him, until they asked him if he was allergic to anything. “Bullets,” he replied. His humor made the hospital staff see him – and treat him – dif-ferently.

I recall in particular a d’var Torah about angels and how they find us when we need them. Not long after the angel sermon, during a particularly fraught time in my life, an an-

gel found me. The individual was so clearly my angel that I wrote to Rabbi Rudolph and told him so. In the story that Rabbi Rudolph told in his d’var Torah, as I recall it, a group of partisans was fleeing through the woods during World War II. Someone spotted a Rus-sian soldier behind a tree, and the partisans turned and ran the other way. It turned out that there were no Russian soldiers in the area that day. But had the partisans continued in the direction they were going, they would have been captured. In the d’var Torah, the angel looked like a Russian soldier. My angel was a young, blond Irishman named Patrick. n

Talking to MeBy Marsha Rehns

Thank You, Rabbi Rudolph

Rabbi Bill Rudolph and Gail Fribush appear often in our wedding video. There is Bill, under the chupah, at once the officiant and the dear friend, offering words of warmth and wisdom sprinkled with wit. When he proclaims that every-body at Beth El is overjoyed by our marriage, except the Membership Committee because the shul has lost one membership unit, laughter fills the soundtrack. There is Gail, radiant and caring, signing our ketubah as a witness. There are Bill and Gail dancing as the band plays a medley of oldies.

Bill and Gail earned their prominence in our wedding story. Knowingly, and in some instances, unknowingly, they were instrumental in bring-ing us together. Following the sudden premature deaths of each of our first spouses, Bill and Gail acted as comforters-in-chief for each of us. Although we were both members of Beth El, we did not know each other. Bill and Gail brought us together and helped us embrace life again.

The first time we met was at a Tea and Torah brunch, part of Project 613, Bill’s brainchild for transforming Larry’s dedication of a new Torah into a Beth El community-wide event. Our next encounter was at the shiva for Gail’s father. Larry’s daughter, Melissa, an aspiring law student, had an animated conversation with Jana, whom she described as

a “bubbly law professor.” Jana decided that a father who had raised such a delightful daughter might be a man worth getting to know. Then there was the epic Rosh Hashanah brunch hosted by Bill and Gail with a clear and discernable purpose beyond dipping apples into honey. We sat across from each other, this time beginning the

process of connection. Multiple Shabbat dinners hosted by various Beth El friends and congregants followed. Bill and Gail had shepherded us along the road that would lead down the aisle to our joyous ceremony under the chupah.

Bill and Gail, rabbi and matchmakers extraordinaire, we could not ask for anything more. n

Rabbi and Matchmaker, TooBy Jana Singer and Larry Sidman

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Rabbi Rudolph Continued

Hiring Bill Rudolph as “Senior Rabbi”By Arthur N. Popper In mid-2001, Beth El was looking for a senior rabbi, and as president I had to conduct a search. However, it quickly became clear that there was a strong consensus that congre-gants wanted Bill Rudolph, then associate rabbi, to become “senior” rabbi. It was also clear that Rabbi Ru-dolph would take the position if offered.

We learned, however, that the rules of the Rab-binical Assembly (RA) at that time required that shuls not “promote from within.” So we “confront-ed” the RA. After some haggling (and gentle “ar-guing” on our part), the RA agreed that we could hire Bill. On November 29, 2001, at what may be the largest congregation

meeting in Beth El’s history, a formal vote was taken, and Bill was elected senior rabbi. It was truly thrilling when, af-ter the election, Bill joined the meeting and received a long and loving standing ovation.

The next step was to install Bill as senior rabbi. This took place on Sunday, March 3, 2002. We had a lovely ceremony with a packed sanctuary. This was immediately followed by our successful search for a second rabbi – a position offered to Greg Harris.

I am truly delighted that I was able to lead the hiring of Bill and Greg. On a personal note, Helen

and I deeply appreciate the contributions that Bill has made to our congregation in general and to our lives in particular.

Unequaled Inspiration By Walter Arnheim In a city like Washington, D.C., filled with high-priced lawyers and high-powered politicians, there are probably some speakers more charismatic than Rabbi Rudolph. But I would be hard pressed to name one as his equal in terms of inspiration delivered with a personal touch.

During my term as president of Beth El, I often sat on the bimah with Rabbi Rudolph and attended a good num-

ber of the shiva services that he led. When he gave the charge to the bar or bat mitz-vah or offered words of remembrance in support of the grieving, he did so with such warmth and wisdom that I felt privi-leged to be a member of his congregation. Looking at the faces of those to whom he was speaking, it was clear that they felt the same way that I did.

Confidence in Beth El’s SuccessBy Brent BergerIn the early 2000s, Rabbi Rudolph was instrumental in helping Beth El address a significant issue concerning our Re-ligious School. At that time, maintain-ing and adding families to Beth El was particularly important, and many of our members and potential members were

moving to other synagogues because they offered classes two days a week instead of three. Other families were strongly in favor of maintaining the status quo. We were able to find only one Conservative synagogue anywhere in the country

that had successfully maintained both two-day and three-day curricula. All of the others had eventually moved to having only a two-day schedule.

As in many other situations, Rabbi Rudolph was confi-dent that at Beth El we could do what hardly anyone else could do, and he was strongly in favor of providing our families with both options. He was confident that we would succeed, even when many of the members of the Board were not. And he was right.

Beth El is fortunate to be unique as a growing and thriv-ing Conservative shul and in this, as well as in many other instances, Rabbi Rudolph’s guidance and wisdom carried us forward.

From the PresidentsReflections from the seven individuals who served as president while Rabbi Rudolph was senior rabbi.

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The Rabbi of Many (and Surprising) Virtues By Sid Getz

Over the past 15 years, I’ve had the pleasure of working closely with Rabbi Rudolph on many Beth El projects, and I was quickly impressed by his drive to get things done. Over time, I also learned about one of Bill’s less well-known vir-tues, namely, that he is unusually handy

around the house – a skill not typically associated with the

rabbinic tradition.Several years ago, during the search for a new hazzan, Bill

came to my home for a meeting. When we were finished, as Bill was leaving, he pointed out a broken outdoor electrical outlet cover outside the front door. I told him that I knew it was broken but hadn’t got around to having it fixed. But I could tell that Bill seemed slightly dissatisfied with my re-sponse. A week later, I returned home one evening to find the broken outlet cover magically replaced by a gleaming new one.

Legacy of Torah StudyBy Patricia DanoffAt the Beth El Board of Directors meetings, a member of the clergy presents a brief d’var Torah, a “word of Torah,” that is often based on the weekly parshah. The vers-es selected usually contained a lesson in leadership that encouraged board members to perform their duties in ways that best serve our kehillah kedoshah, our sacred community.

Of the many inspirational d’vrei Torah I have heard Rabbi Bill Rudolph deliver over the years, there is one that made a lasting impression. Parshah Hayyei Sarah opens with the death of Sarah, followed by Abraham’s effort to purchase from the Hittites the cave of Machpelah for her burial (Genesis 23:1-16). The word “shema” or “hear” is repeated over and over throughout the negotiation between the parties. We read: “Hear us,” “Hear

me,” “If only you would hear me out,” and “Do hear me.” Rabbi Rudolph pointed out that Abraham and Ephron the Hittite are speaking and listening but not really hearing or

understanding what the other is saying. The Torah text not only describes this well-known biblical nar-rative but also teaches us that careful listening and appreciating different points of view are essential to successful interactions with others, whether on a personal, community, or global level.

Bill Rudolph loves studying Torah and exploring the wisdom found therein. On so many occasions,

for more than 40 years, he has shared this love with college students, congregants, and Jewish and non-Jewish commu-nities. Promoting the study of Torah and the modern ap-plications of the ancient text is one of the greatest and most lasting legacies of his rabbinate.

Natural EmpathyBy David Mills

As luck would have it, several significant events in the life of Beth El occurred during my presidency, and Rabbi Rudolph’s role in those events was often pivotal. Collaborating with Bill, especially on decisions that would shape the Beth El community for years to come, was

extremely rewarding as I came to appreciate his insight, love for our community, and humor.

But the defining moment in my personal relationship with Bill was when we first met. We moved from Virginia

to Bethesda in 2005. We had joined a synagogue in Northern Virginia, but we never truly connected with the synagogue or Jewish community there. My background was not Conservative Judaism, and I was skeptical that any synagogue could meet our personal and familial needs.

Meeting Bill sealed the deal for us. He knew our names and backgrounds before we even met, and he seemed to understand that we needed a warm, accepting, and active Jewish community. Maybe it was his own background as a Hillel rabbi or maybe it was his natural empathy. Whatever it was, he welcomed us with an open heart and showed us that we had found our new home.

Thoughtful Approach By Dale RosenthalDuring my presidency, our Religious School considered a range of new educational programs. I enjoyed watching Bill “grapple” with the L2G model. He was so open to new ways of learning, including off-site options and using cre-ative technology.  Although L2G was a potentially “risky”

move, he clearly recognized the impor-tance of additional and alternative educa-tional models.  

His thoughtful and open approach to education is reflective of how he encour-aged all of us to engage with our Judaism in ways in which we can evolve and tailor.

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The Rudolph Years1983

n Rabbi Rudolph joins Beth El as part-time assistant rabbi.

1984 n Early Morning Shabbat Minyan begins with Rabbi

Rudolph as leader.

1994n Family Camp begins; Rabbi Rudolph and Gail

Fribush are among founders.

1996n Rabbi Rudolph becomes full-time associate rabbi.

1999n Community Torah Institute begins.

2000n Rabbi Rudolph plays guitar and begins first

alternative Friday evening service (singing service).

n Senior Caucus starts.

n First Wednesday Torah Parshah Study Group begins.

2001 n Rabbi Rudolph elected senior rabbi.

2002n Atid Committee formed (issued report in 2003).

n Megillah Madness begins.

n Ambulance donated to Magen David Adom.

2003-04 n First synagogue-wide theme (Hachnasat Orchim) for

the year launched.

2004 n Rally for Israel raises $1 million.

n Presbyterian-Jewish Dialogue with Saint Mark Pres-byterian Church begins in response to Presbyterian Church USA Israel divestment resolution.

2004-05 n Building renovation and dedication of Swoff Chapel

11

2005 n “It’s Wednesday” begins.

n Beth El Empty Nesters (BEENs) starts.

2007 n Green Tikkun committee formed.

n Hiddur Mitzvah contest judging best lulav and etrog holders on first day Sukkot and second-day Sukkot deli lunch begin.

n Rabbi Rudolph awarded Jewish Federation of Greater Washington Campaigner-of-the-Year.

2007-08 n Project 613: Writing a Torah

2008 n First Latke-Hamantasch Debate held.

2010n Interreligious Learning Institute begins.

n Rabbi Rudolph serves as president of the Washing-ton/Baltimore Rabbinic Assembly (2010-12).

2011 n Israel Media Series begins.

n Congregational Education for the 21st Century (CE21) report suggests changes in educational programs for all ages.

n Beth El is the first religious institution in Montgomery County to win certification as a “green business.”

2013 n Conversations with Key American Leaders; first

program features U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer with Ken Feinberg.

n Saul Bendit Institute renamed Rabbi Samuel Scolnic Institute.

2014 n Rabbi Rudolph helps spearhead formation of local

Ramah Day Camp.

n Bender Sanctuary renovation completed.

2015 n Rabbi Rudolph retires. Beth El has 1,100 member-

ship units, a budget of about $4 million, 550 students in the Religious School, and 130 in the Preschool.

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times. A key example was the Atid Committee formed in the tumultuous period after he became senior rabbi. Atid mapped out a blueprint for Beth El’s long-term health. Many of its recommendations have been followed over the last 14 years. “I knew from my Hillel days that the first thing a new exec should do is a strategic plan,” Rabbi Rudolph said. Finding ways to bring people together to implement those new programs and vision is also important. “To be a successful rabbi, it helps to be a talent scout and a broker,” he said.EducationWilliam David Rudolph, a native of Philadelphia, knew early on that he wanted to be a rabbi. After graduating from Temple University with a degree in psychology, he spent the summer on a kibbutz in Israel before enrolling at Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati. After his ordination, Rabbi Rudolph went to the University of Michigan in Ann Ar-bor to obtain a PhD in biblical studies. A few years later, his course work completed, he took a job as the rabbi at Michigan State Univer-sity’s Hillel, figuring he would finish his dissertation in his spare time.

That was in the fall of 1973. The Yom Kippur War erupted, and “I haven’t caught my breath since then,” he recalled half-jokingly. “I thought Israel needed defending,” said Rabbi Rudolph, who led the Michigan State Hillel students in pro-Israel rallies and never finished the dissertation. Three years later, he moved to Hillel at University of Michigan; he worked there four years before becoming the national direc-tor of personnel at Hillel’s headquarters in Washington. Alto-gether, Rabbi Rudolph worked at Hillel for 23 years.

In 1983, recently divorced, needing something else to do and a little extra cash, he became assistant rabbi of Con-gregation Beth El. He had heard about the position from Rabbi Sam Fishman, a Beth El congregant who also worked at Hillel. He started after Yom Kippur and worked about 10 hours a week. First Service, First DateOne of Rabbi Rudolph’s first responsibilities was to launch the Early Morning Shabbat Minyan for those who wanted a shorter Shabbat service. The evening that he led the very first Early Morning Shabbat Minyan in 1984, he had a date: Gail Fribush. They married the following year.

Judy Scolnic, whose husband Rabbi Sam Scolnic z”l

hired Rabbi Rudolph, re-called, “Bill was a very wel-come addition to the clergy staff. Beth El was grow-ing rapidly, and it became too much for one rabbi to shoulder an 800-family congregation himself, even though there was a very ac-tive, enthusiastic lay leader-ship.”

Although he continued to work full time at Hillel, Rabbi Rudolph found that he was increasingly drawn to pulpit work. When he was in seminary, he had not enjoyed ministering to small congrega-tions in distant towns; Judaism was so marginal in their lives, he said. But after decades of working at Hillel, he was weary of traveling and ready for a change. Also, he said, “I had a

lot of impact, but mostly I was work-ing with other rabbis. I wanted to do something more. I wanted to work with real Jewish people.”Full-Time RabbiSo when then president Leonard Beb-chick approached him in 1996 to ask if he would become full-time associate rabbi, “I said, ‘For sure,’” he recalled.

He had already become involved with Family Camp, started in 1994 by young families who wanted a pastoral

Shabbat retreat. Rob Fersh, a Family Camp founder, recalled that Rabbi Rudolph and Gail Fribush were involved in planning for the first weekend. “I have always viewed his en-thusiastic participation as well as his leading of services and study groups as integral to the success from the beginning,” he said. “The joke was, when I first approached Bill to get him involved, that he offered to be athletic director rather than rabbi. Of course, he seamlessly joined the team to make that first weekend both meaningful and fun. Gail was always deeply involved and from the very early years, among other things, designed the ‘icebreakers’ on the first night to help create community among the group.”

Rabbi Rudolph also was the key clergy member involved in Embracing the Torah, the first Torah-writing project, completed in 1997. From that experience, the idea arose for the Community Torah Institute, a day of Torah study featur-

RABBI RUDOLPH continued from page 1

continued on page 13

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ing several scholars, which began in 1999.Torah, after all, was his first passion, and it was in 2000

that he began the first of his five three-year-long Parshah Study Groups. It started, Rabbi Rudolph said, because Gail Ross, who had been taking a Saul Bendit Institute class with him, suggested Beth El have regular weekly Torah study. Rabbi Rudolph jumped at the chance. The Wednesday morning classes have been “a great anchor” to his week, he said, and have helped him to prepare for Shabbat morning. With their different life experiences, the students bring a range of perspectives to the examination of that week’s par-shah.2001 UpheavalThen came 2001. Rabbi Jonathan Maltzman resigned in Au-gust. Over the next several months, many congregants also

left and formed another congregation.

Rabbi Rudolph was quickly made the head rabbi of Beth El. He hit the ground running. Atid, the strategic planning committee, was formed with chairs Suzanne Bron-heim, Rob Fersh, and Mark Levitt. One of the changes from their report was a new structure for the Beth El Board. “It used to be 60 people,” said Rabbi Rudolph. “It’s impossible to get anything done with that many peo-

continued on page 14

My first day as Beth El’s assistant rabbi was in the summer of 2002. I walked into the building with the exhilaration of a new beginning. I said hello to Hattie Goodman in the of-fice. She told me that Rabbi Rudolph was down the hall. I walked past the courtyard which, at that time, stood outside the main sanctuary.

As I turned the corner toward the clergy offices, the old chapel, and the library, I noticed a garden hose running along the carpet. I assumed the hose was for tending to the landscaping, but I thought it was odd that it was inside. After a few more steps, I realized that the hose was going into Rabbi Rudolph’s office. I stepped in to say hello, but the office was empty. I tracked the hose back to its source, and, in a maintenance closet, Rabbi Rudolph was adjusting the hose to a sink. Hearing me, he turned his head and said, “Hi, Greg. I am just cleaning my fish tank out. I’ll be with you in a minute.” This was not how I expected to first utter this phrase that I would repeat countless times over the years, “Can I help you?” This time, Rabbi Rudolph said I should wait in his office.

As we entered, I noticed a huge tank with an enormous fish enjoying the bubbles from the air pump. The fish’s name was Oscar. The garden hose was syphoning water out of the tank. I immediately realized this was Rabbi Rudolph’s “hands-on” approach to jobs both large and small at Beth El.

Thirteen Years of MentoringThe past 13 years have reinforced that lesson from my first day. Rabbi Rudolph’s approach is “hands on” through his activities, the encouragement he gives to others, and the de-

tails he notices. He has been my mentor since I left the confines of the Seminary. In a profession where my colleagues’ reputations are often marked by their own grand egos, Rabbi Rudolph com-bines a vision for the community with the humility that lets others step forward to implement that vision. His style is to continually ask staff and lay leaders how we can do better, whom are we reaching out to, and is a program, a sermon, or a class relevant to where people are at to-

day? He has not done this alone, though. Gail is at his side at public and private moments. I uniquely understand the tire-less support that a rabbinic spouse quietly extends at home and within the community. As a couple, Bill and Gail have been models and friends for Rebekah and me.

There is a clear and wonderful legacy that he has created – pride in living a dynamic Jewish life, multiple entryways into our community, love of Torah study and of Israel, lead-ership within the broader Jewish community, developing new pathways for interfaith dialogues, and so much more. Beth El’s future is bright because of the foundation that he has laid. n

RABBI RUDOLPH continued from page 12

“Hands-On” StyleBy Rabbi Greg Harris

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ple.” The streamlined board was half the size. Atid also called for unifying, synagogue-wide programs and for a close look at Beth El’s educational offerings for youth and adults.

“It was a crazy year,” Rabbi Rudolph recalled. “We had to build a lot of momentum or else Beth El might well have fallen apart.” The first few months, a few members each week would tell him they were resigning. He became de-termined to make sure Beth El would succeed and thrive. “I’m motivated by challenges,” he said. When a former Beth El member hinted that the splinter synagogue would siphon off Beth El’s young families, he decided he was not going to let that happen. He called on his programming ex-perience and on key congregants who remained committed to Beth El’s success, and “we were able to stem the hemorrhaging,” he said.

Suzanne Bronheim, who was president when Rabbi Rudolph took on full-time responsibilities, was already “a big fan,” having seen his work with Embracing the Torah. The first year he was senior rabbi, “he worked day and night to hold the place together. So many people don’t know how hard he worked that year,” Suzanne said.Megillah MadnessAmong his first initiatives was Megillah Madness, congre-gant Scott Glick’s idea. “It was an amazing thing,” Rabbi Rudolph recalled of the first Megillah Madness in 2002. The sanctuary was filled to bursting; congregants rose in groups to perform songs written by other congregants. “It’s been a great community-building thing,” said Rabbi Rudolph. “It’s gotten people together and gotten them involved in the shul in a different way.”

Scott recalled that Rabbi Rudolph was immediately en-thusiastic about the Megillah Madness idea, and he asked Scott to begin planning the program for the following March. Rabbi Rudolph then asked Scott what could be done to enliven Simchat Torah, just a few weeks away.

“We discussed my putting together a band and adding the hora dancing for the hakafot,” said Scott. The events of September 11 intervened but that did not deter Rabbi Ru-dolph. “He said that we shouldn’t postpone it and that we needed it more than ever,” explained Scott. The band has performed on Simchat Torah ever since.

In 2002, Rabbi Greg Harris arrived; the two rabbis have complemented each other over the years to implement programs and attract young families. In 2003, the first syn-

agogue-wide theme (Hachnasat Orchim, welcoming guests) was launched; Rabbi Rudolph used the annual themes to give a focus to programming and conversations during the year. Also in the past 14 years, there have been rallies for Israel, new committees, and plenty of programs to make Judaism fun. In addition to Megillah Madness, there is the Latke-Hamantasch Debate, with its tongue-in-cheek presen-tations favoring one holiday food over another. The Univer-sity of Chicago held the first debate decades ago, featuring

university professors using their specialties to defend their favor-ites. And there were programs Rabbi Rudolph dreamed up on the spot, like the annual Hiddur Mitzvah contest judging best lulav and etrog holders, inspired by the variety of holders he saw con-gregants using on the first day of Sukkot. “It’s Wednesday”“It’s Wednesday,” the weekly on-line column he began in 2005, has been one of the initiatives

that “has given me the most pleasure, and the most anxi-ety,” Rabbi Rudolph said. “I go through dozens of drafts.” “It’s Wednesday” has given him a platform for discussing a wide range of topics. The column also served as another way to involve congregants in the shul. “For many people, ‘It’s Wednesday’ is their only connection with Beth El,” he said. “It’s had a lot of impact.”

Providing choices has been one of his goals. He learned from Hillel that “one size does not fit all. You need all kinds of options.” That’s why he backed two- and three-day tracks for the Religious School as well as L2G, the online educa-tional experiment that continues to evolve. Also, any chang-es, such as musical instruments at Friday evening Shabbat services, have been done “very carefully and successfully.”

Up ahead for Rabbi Rudolph in retirement? He has a long list, including continuing to do some programs at Beth El, learning a new musical instrument (perhaps the piano), helping launch the Ramah Day Camp, and working with Beth El’s Chevra Kadisha. He will perform some weddings and funerals and serve on a citywide committee on Jewish funeral practices and ensure that affordable burials can be obtained in the Washington area.

“I’ve had a job that I’ve always liked, and I am grateful for that,” Rabbi Rudolph said. “The best part is the people. I’ve had some good ideas, but they wouldn’t work in every congregation. We had the right human resources.” n

RABBI RUDOLPH continued from page 13

15

The sixth-grade Religious School tribute to Rabbi Rudolph continues with Cheryl Kreiser’s class. The students created a trivia quiz/puzzle about Rabbi Rudolph.

4U!MORE FUNwith Rabbi RudolphThe Sixth Grade Rabbi Rudolph Trivia Quiz

Across Down 4. Lived here in Ohio 1. Why he chose to become a Rabbi 8. Favorite book 2. Most important Jewish value 11. Favorite hobby involving wheels 3. Beth El hero who is a Supreme person 12. Beth El hero with initials J S 5. A favorite childhood gift 16. A favorite Beth El memory 6. Favorite hobby involving carving tools 19. Years at Beth El 7. Favorite country 20. What Rabbi Rudolph will miss about Beth El 9. Would like to have this super power 21. Lived here in Pennsylvania 10. Favorite prayer 22. Favorite hobby involving dirt 13. Oldest penny found 23. As a child dreamed of playing centerfield 14. Favorite Torah portion 24. Could bike forever with two of these 15. Favorite Star Wars character 25. Most important mitzvah 17. Would like to play this brass better 18. Lived here in Michigan Aleinu Ann Arbor To help people Ki teitzei Israel Cincinnati Thirty one Baseball Dedicating the sanctuary Stephen Breyer Trumpet Luke Skywalker The Torah Jerry Sorkin Gardening Philadelphia Everything Woodworking Love your neighbor as yourself Strong knees Airplane models Mind reading Biking Nineteen o nine Derech eretz

Across 4. Lived here in Ohio8. Favorite book 11. Favorite hobby involving wheels 12. Beth El hero with initials J S16. A favorite Beth El memory 19. Years at Beth El 20. What Rabbi Rudolph will miss about Beth El21. Lived here in Pennsylvania22. Favorite hobby involving dirt 23. As a child dreamed of playing centerfield 24. Could bike forever with two of these 25. Most important mitzvah

Down1. Why he chose to become a Rabbi2. Most important Jewish value3. Beth El hero who is a “supreme” person5. A favorite childhood gift6. Favorite hobby involving carving tools7. Favorite country9. Would like to have this super power10. Favorite prayer13. Oldest penny found14. Favorite Torah portion15. Favorite Star Wars character17. Would like to play this brass better18. Lived here in Michigan

Aleinu Ann Arbor To help people Ki teitzei Israel Cincinnati Thirty one BaseballDedicating the sanctuary Stephen Breyer Trumpet Luke Skywalker The Torah

Jerry Sorkin Gardening Philadelphia Everything Woodworking Love your neighbor as yourself Strong knees Model airplane Mind reading Biking Nineteen o nine Derech eretz

Rabbi Rudolph Trivia Quiz

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Howard HoffmanHoward was honored for Service to the Community at Large in recognition of his “ground-breaking contributions” to the environment and years of “dedicated and relentless work” at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Barry Elman recognized Howard for three decades in the field of environmental protection. “Despite his modest, soft-spoken demeanor,” remarked Barry, “Howard’s influence on air pollution policy and regulation has been far-reaching and substantial.” Explaining how he and Howard had first met as young attorneys in the EPA general counsel’s office, Barry said Howard “played a significant role in drafting the 1990 Clean Air Act amendments – at the time, the biggest and most expensive peace-time legislation ever enacted. That legislation has touched the lives of every American.”

Accepting his award, Howard said he was “truly honored and delighted.” He reminisced about how Rabbi Rudolph had officiated at his daughter’s baby naming and his son’s

bris; both Elana and Adam watched as their father was hon-ored.

Howard touted the work of three Israeli environmental groups, a subject near and dear to his heart – EcoPeace/Friends of the Earth Middle East, Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel, and the Arava Institute for Environmen-tal Studies, known for its “Israel Ride” bike tour in which Rabbi Rudolph and several congregants have participated. Discussing Israel’s environmental suitability, Howard said that Israel’s low-growing shrubbery, well suited for goats, and its bee-attracting wildflowers or date trees may have inspired the phrase “zavat halav u‘dvash,” a land “flowing with milk and honey.”

Also during the morning program, Larry Sidman, Kavod Awards Chairman, thanked Jordan Rosner, outgoing Men’s Club President, for his “dedication, talents, and boundless energy in revitalizing the Men’s Club and helping it to be-come a more vibrant and youthful organization.” n

MEN’S CLUB RUDOLPH continued from page 4

Larry explained how the Men’s Club benefitted from Rabbi Rudolph’s love of sports, how he had attended nearly every Beth El softball game – even wearing colors representing both teams – and praised the rabbi for “always being accessible, encouraging others to experiment and fulfill their potential.”

“You have never proclaimed your worth,” said Larry. “It is self-evident to all of us.” Comparing aspects of Rabbi Ru-dolph’s leadership style to that of Moses, Larry said, “Your leadership is based on humility and empowering others through delegation. We thank you for the smiles you have brought to our lips, the passion you have brought to our ears, the insights that you have brought to our minds, and the inspiration that you have brought to our souls.” n

A fun-filled competition brought out 11 congregants to cook kugel on Sunday, April 26. Judging the bakers were local “celebrity” judges Sara Milner, cofounder of Sunflower Bakery, and Mark Bucher, congregant and founder of the BGR The Burger Joint and Medium Rare restaurants. Win-ners were selected in two categories. Rachel Stein won the savory kugel category for “Three Cheese and Spinach Kugel,” and Phyllis Dickler won in the sweet for her “Sweet Noodle Kugel.”

Recipes for all the contestants’ kugels can be found on Beth El’s website at www.bethelmc.org/r2TUR. n

Kugel Cook-Off Winners

KAVOD AWARDS continued from page 4

Hazzan Matthew Klein joins members of Ezuz, the Philadelpha-based ensemble that performed a range of Jewish music at a special concert on April 19. Photo by David Friedlander

Phyllis Dickler serves Rabbi Rudolph. Photo by Tiarra Joslyn

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Donations made from March 20 to April 21Beth El ForestIn Honor Of: Chana Rose Levita’s first birthday by David and Sonja SchultzIn Memory Of: Adrienne M. Friede Krausz, my mother, by Mariette KleinEsther Weisberg by Stuart and Beth WeisbergJesse Samuel Gutmann, brother of Hanna Gutmann, by Joan

and Joel SimonLudwig Meyerhoff, my father, by Gabriela BebchickAndrea Shandell’s sister, Deborah Shandell, by Joan and Joel

SimonSeymour Gross by Julia P. CoppermanBeth El Israel FundIn Memory Of: Karen Dubin by Robert LitowitzEvelyn Grunley by Nancy GrunleyRuth Seewald Amchan, mother of Sonja Schultz, by Sonja and

David SchultzDorothy Beverly Kitchen FundIn Memory Of: Lillian Seigel, my mother, by Ann GoodmanSarah Adella Ozarin by Lucy OzarinBuilding Fund/Capital CampaignIn Honor Of: Howard Hoffman for receiving the Beth El Kavod Award for

Service to the Community at Large by Rita and Irwin KopinIn Memory Of: Emma Goldberger by Martin GoldbergerCantor’s FundIn Honor Of: Hazzan Klein for his kindness following the passing of my

mother, Estelle Keilson, by Jerrold Keilson and Ellen SilverHazzan Klein for preparing Nate to become a bar mitzvah by

Rebecca and Dan FarringtonHazzan Klein for his guidance and support on the occasion of

Isabelle Carlisle’s bat mitzvah by the Carlisle familyHazzan Matthew Klein by Craig Yokum and the Golden ShiurIn Memory Of: Miriam Lubin by Hazzan Abraham LubinSeymour Gross by Jerome and Ina WernickJesse Samuel Gutmann, brother of Hanna Gutmann, by Judy

and Stanley BaldingerChevra Kadisha FundIn Memory Of: Benson Adams by Natalie AdamsDeborah Shandell, sister of Andrea Shandell, by Brenda and Jim

SchmandBerta Roth by Henry RothFine Arts FundIn Memory Of: Nettie Rauch by Dr. and Mrs. Bernard A. HeckmanGeneral FundIn Honor Of: Rabbi Bill Rudolph on his retirement and Gail Fribush by Rita

and Irwin Kopin, Beth and Sid Groeneman, and Ellen and David Darr

Engagement of Leah Hoffheimer and Daniel Broder by John Broder and Karolyn Wallace

David Mills, for outstanding leadership, by Walter Arnheim and Marsha Rehns

Marriage of Jessie Qiu and Phillip Arnheim, son of Marsha Rehns and Walter Arnheim, by Beth El Opera Havurah

Lisa and Joel Weissfeld for ushering at Nate’s bar mitzvah by Rebecca and Dan Farrington

Carolyn and Paul Weinberg for ushering at Nate’s bar mitzvah by Rebecca and Dan Farrington

David Farber for reading Torah at Nate’s bar mitzvah by Rebecca and Dan Farrington

Allen Eisenberg for serving as gabbai at Nate’s bar mitzvah by Rebecca and Dan Farrington

Engagement of Samantha Himelman to Seth Niedermayer, son of Gail Ross and Roy Niedermayer, by Beth El Opera Havurah

Eric Forseter’s 40th birthday by Susan and Edoardo Kulp and Jonathan Polon and Jennifer Latz

In Memory Of: Tatyana Glickman and Alex Voronchlik by Etia DvorkinaEmanuel “Mike” Gruss by Jonathan Band and Leesa Fields, Judy

and Arnold Marcus, Howard J. Hoffman, and Michael and Suzanne Feinstein

Lore David, mother of Rayah Blumenthal, by Daniel and Tamara Stern

Harlene Cohen by Susan and Edoardo KulpLucy Weiss by Richard WeissMy father, Sol Gabry, by Mona and Jerry GabrySeymour Gross, beloved uncle of Gail Verona Paczkowski, by

Linda and Roger Cohen and familyMy beloved sister, Nettie Sanders, by Sabina ShalomDoris King, mother of Bert King, by Gail Ross and Roy

Niedermayer and Linda and Jerry HermanMurray Elias Jarvik by Laurence JarvikGloria Orin by Rhonda EisensteinRobert Wantz, beloved grandfather, by Tiarra JoslynHarold Fink, beloved father of Michael Fink, by Ellen TillmanMartha Strauss by family of Gail and Steve Bernstein and Alice

GrochalAmalia van Dam-Vromen and Marianna de Vries by Josephine

and Filip SandersSam Bayliss, my father, by Susan StrombergHarvey Deutsch, brother of Stewart Deutsch, and Frank Lissy,

father of Myra Deutsch, by Myra and Stewart DeutschBennett Fidellman by Shelah and Michael LynnLabel Forman, our beloved uncle, by Julian Levin and Sondra

BrodyMathilde Colon, mother of Jose Araujo, by Jon and Sandy

SimonRuth Korb by Gail KorbRobert Weisz and Kurt Weisz by Helene Weisz and Richard

Lieberman, Bernie and Janyse Weiss and familySuzin Glickman Bobeck by Jill Herscot and Andrew BartleyLeon Polis by Sheryl and Ira FishmanHoward Cohen, brother of Barbara, and son of Ruth and Ben

Cohen, by Susan and Bert KingDeborah Shandell by Howard J. Hoffman and Cary and Nancy

FeldmanAlvin Reiser by Deborah Reiser

ContributionsPlease remember that contributions can be made easily, quickly, and securely via our webpage – www.bethelmc.org

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Cecilia Eyzyk by Walter Schimmerling, Carol Asch, Karina Cramer, and Ernest Schimmerling

Lee Askin by Sara LiebermanMerwin Lavine by Phyllis and Jeff LavineIda Cohn by Dale and Harvey GoldMartin Gillman by Todd GillmanCarol Carlisle by Halina PodilipskyRob Futterman by Craig and Judy FuttermanElaine Silverman Gessow College Activities FundIn Memory Of: Harry Golubcow by Saul Golubcow and Hedy Teglasi.Green Tikkun FundIn Honor Of: Good Deeds Day Paper Shredding Event by Myra and Gordon

Gondos, John and Marjorie Gustafson, Antoine W. Van Agtmael, Mary Krill, Kathy Sklar, Evelyn Karson, Nancy Olins, Steven and Shelley Robinson, Aaron Arnold and Phyllis Pomerantz, Rosalyn Bass, Marge and Shelly London, Anonymous, David Brooks, Bob Bayer, and Elizabeth Kellar

In Memory Of: Vera Lieban-Kalmar, beloved mother, mother-in-law, and omi,

by Michele Lieban Levine and familyLivia Levine, beloved mother, mother-in-law, and grandma, by

Robert Levine and familyGroner Ramah Scholarship FundIn Honor Of: Arnold Marcus by Erwin and Leena GronerIsrael Experience Teen FundIn Memory Of: Morris Heckman by Bernard and Ruth Ann HeckmanHarvey Shapiro by Melvyn F. ShapiroKesher Nashim FundIn Memory Of: Suzin Glickman Bobeck by Judy and Stanley BaldingerKimball Nursery School FundIn Memory Of: Leonard Neumann by Hillary, Scott, Sammy, Jack, and Isaac

BermanLouise C. Schrier by Helene and Ken NankinBernardo Kotelanski, M.D. Marriage Education FundIn Memory Of: William Ginsberg by Phillip and Vivian GordenSadie Gorden by Phillip and Vivian GordenLibrary FundIn Memory Of: Kalman Seigel, our beloved father, by Carolyn Shanoff and Ann

GoodmanLillian Seigel, our beloved mother, by Carolyn Shanoff and Ann

GoodmanJack J. Brown, beloved father, by Mr. and Mrs. Irvin WeissFrieda Troffkin by Howard and Rhea TroffkinLitman Holocaust Education FundIn Memory Of: My father, Max Kahn, by Fred A. KahnLeopold Zweig by Michele Greenberg

MazonIn Memory Of: Doris King by Rachelle Bernstecker and Bob AbramsonHerbert Kappel by Ellen Kappel BermanLewis D. Prag by Dianne LernerMorris Lerner and Dora Prag by Dianne and Herb LernerElana Patrice Stein, beloved daughter of Linda Katz and Don

Stein and sister of Alyssa Stein, by Joan and Brian Ochs, Randy and Matthew

Rose Birnbach by Sarah BirnbachMindy Lieberman FundIn Memory Of: Our beloved daughter-in-law, Mindy Lieberman, by George

and Jackie GoldstoneMintz Landscaping FundIn Memory Of: Amalia van Dam-Vromen by Davida and Andrew KalesMorning Minyan FundIn Honor Of: Siyyum for the first born by Stuart WeisbergIn Memory Of: Harry Brody, my father, by Gerald BrodyHarry Burkom by Ruth GreenbergSeymour Gross by Cary and Nancy Feldman and Diane MaiselMurray Foss by Anne M. FossA. Abba Koblenz and Michael Abrams by Andy and Katey

KoblenzGlen Samet by Robert SametLouis Lerman by Allen and Barbara LermanRuben Kaplovsky by Lillian and Jay MillerPerspectives FundIn Honor Of: Allen Eisenberg for receiving the Beth El Kavod Award for

Service to Beth El by Rita and Irwin KopinPrayerbook FundIn Memory Of: Barney Barr by Solomon and Rita BarrSeymour Gross by Sondra Brody and Julian LevinRabbi’s FundIn Honor Of: Rabbi William Rudolph on his retirement by Craig YokumRabbi Rudolph for his support during my husband, Mervyn’s,

illness and following his death by Marcia JeffriesRabbi Rudolph, Rabbi Harris, Hazzan Klein, and Peter

Novick for leading shiva minyan for Mervyn Jeffries by Marcia Jeffries

Rabbi Rudolph and Rabbi Harris for their kindness following the death of my mother, Estelle Keilson, by Jerrold Keilson and Ellen Silver

Rabbi Greg Harris for his hard work by the Rabbi Search Committee

Rabbi Harris for preparing Nate to become a bar mitzvah by Rebecca and Dan Farrington

Rabbi Harris for his guidance and support on the occasion of Isabelle Carlisle’s bat mitzvah by the Carlisle family

Rabbi Bill Rudolph by Mark GladstoneIn Memory Of: Leah Auerbach by Fran Rubin

Contributions Continued

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Contributions ContinuedLee Bernstein by Harvey N. BernsteinEthel Levy by Joel and Joan SimonDeborah Shandell, sister of Andrea Shandell, by Tricia and

Howard SachsMy beloved uncle, Richard Sodikow, by Sarah BirnbachMy father, David Kaufman, by Amy Kaufman GoottEmanuel Gruss, beloved father of Brenda Gruss, by Liz

Schrayer and Jeff Schwaber and Ellen and David EpsteinAnne Ratcliffe by Mary and Arthur BlitzSamuel Scherr by David J. MannGoldie Hamond by Mona and Jerry GabryFaye Amster by Jayson Amster and Tessie HannaAbraham Dosik by Howard BenderLeo Schimel by Barry and Elinor SchimelRose Teicher by Bert and Judy SpectorJack Amster by Jayson Amster and Tessie HannaSuzAnne Gladstone by Mark GladstoneScolnic Adult Institute FundIn Honor Of: Irwin Kopin by Rita KopinCary Feldman for coordinating the Beth El fishing trip by Rita

and Irwin KopinIn Memory Of: My beloved father, Louis Cherkas, by Rhoda NichamanMy father, Elias Bezner, by Steven BeznerMartha Strauss by Anne and Martin Rosensky and Ilse SteinHenry Cutler by Michael Cutler and Dale RosenthalLilyan Margolius, mother of Philip Margolius, by John and Sue

RosenthalBenjamin Rosenthal by Sue and John RosenthalSenior CaucusIn Memory Of: Thelma Menter, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, by

Audrey Berger and familyJudy Moskowitz by Dan and Carol MoskowitzDr. Elaine L. Shalowitz Education FundIn Memory Of: My father-in-law, Albert Langerman, by Erwin ShalowitzElaine Shalowitz by Sam LangermanSimos Music FundIn Memory Of: Seymour Gross by Debbie and Scott GlickAlbert Glick, father of Scott Glick, by Scott and Debbie GlickHoward Cohen, beloved son of Ben and Ruth Cohen, and

beloved brother of Barbara Cohen, by Debbie and Scott Glick

Sisterhood Kiddush FundIn Honor Of: Barbara Friedman, for the beautiful kiddush at the baby

naming for Arielle Williamowsky, by Jackie and Adam Williamowsky

Judy Blank and Sisterhood for Sisterhood’s extra efforts for Passover desserts for Nate’s bar mitzvah kiddush by Rebecca and Dan Farrington

In Memory Of: Pauline Heckman by Bernard and Ruth Ann HeckmanHoward Cohen, beloved son of Ruth and Ben Cohen, by

Margy Nurik

Sisterhood Shiva Meal FundIn Memory Of: Doris King, beloved mother, grandmother, and great-

grandmother, by Julian Levin and Sondra BrodyMollie Luks Raffes, my dear mother, by Ellen EuleSocial Action FundIn Memory Of: Doris King by Linda and Ace LipsonSadye Moshman by Annette MoshmanElaine Tanenbaum Religious School Enrichment FundIn Honor Of: 50th wedding anniversary of Josephine and Filip Sanders by

Amy and Arthur KalesIn Memory Of: David Brooks by Herb TanenbaumElaine Tanenbaum, my wife, by Herbert TanenbaumTorah Scroll FundIn Memory Of: Ben Cohen, beloved father-in-law, by Rita LiebowitzTransportation FundIn Memory Of: Martha Strauss by Alice Scher, Susan R. Bernstein and Joshua

M. Pruzansky, and Rebecca and Scott RothneyBenjamin Forstein, father of Sam Forstein, by Esther and Elliot

WilnerDavid Brooks by Carolyn Shapiro and Sarah ShapiroMartha Strauss by Howard and Holly SteinWerner Liturgical Music FundIn Memory Of: Beloved brother, Jerome, by Rita LiebowitzCyma Heffter, my wife, by Jerome HeffterSeymour Gross by Bernard T. ResnickBarbara Wolf “Israel Quest” FundIn Memory Of: Sy Wolf by Faye R. Wolf

Beth El Judaica & GiftsLots of new jewelry and gifts.

Also great sleep-away camp goodies.Summer hours by appointment.

Beth El Judaica & Gifts is a project of Beth El Sisterhood.

Box Tops for EducationPlease cut out the Box Tops for Education labels found on many of the products you buy. Sisterhood collects the labels in a canister on top of the security desk in the Beth El lobby and donates them to Weller Road Elementary School in Silver Spring. The school cashes in the Box Tops for supplies that are sorely needed. Thank you to all who have made the effort to clip and drop off Box Tops.

While we know you’ll want to read every word in this issue of the Scroll, when you’re finished, please recycle it.

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C o n g r e g a t i o n B e t h E l 8215 Old Georgetown RoadBethesda, Maryland 20814-1451

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Mazal Tov toWalter Arnheim and Marsha Rehns on the marriage of

their son, Phillip Arnheim, to Jessie QiuSharon Markus and Rob Fersh on the birth of their first

grandchild, Jordan Fred Knaani, son of Rachel Fersh and Shay Knaani

Jonathan Greenblatt on his appointment to the position of national director of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). Jonathan, his wife Marjan, and their family will move to New York this summer.

Ilene and David Jacobowitz on the forthcoming marriage of their son, Robert, to Karen Johnson

Karen and Bill Lebovich on the engagement of their daughter, Jennifer, to Michael Cherner, the son of Nancy and Stuart Cherner of Potomac

Condolences to Harriet Brooks on the death of her husband, David

BrooksLaura and Michael Cutler on the death of Laura’s father,

Stanley KoganNancy Grunley on the death of her father, Martin

GrunleyMildred Hamer on the death of her husband, Joseph

HamerBert and Susan King on the death of Bert’s mother,

Doris KingAndrea Shandell and Russell Fox on the death of

Andrea’s sister, Deborah ShandellBill and Paula Whyman on the death of Bill’s father,

Frank Sanford Whyman

NoteworthySenior Caucus Meeting, Wednesday, June 3, 1:00 pm. These vibrant active retirees join to hear about the ongoing programs and plan new activities. Be one of them.

Roundtable with the Rabbi, Wednesday, June 3, 2:00 pm. Join us to celebrate June’s birthdays (yours and those of others) with desserts, coffee, and a lively discussion led by Rabbi Harris. Birthday celebrants receive a special invitation, but all are welcome.  

Senior Caucus, Thursdays, June 4, 11, and 25, noon. Brown Bag lunch. Come and socialize with your friends and enjoy refreshments and dessert.

Senior Caucus–Vatikkim Luncheon Program, Thursday, June 18. Starts with lunch at noon. Following lunch, Shoshana Pearlman, clinical social worker and JSSA liaison to Beth El, will  speak about “Humor: The Best Medicine at Any Age.” Lunch costs $10. To RSVP for lunch, call Ricardo Munster 301-652-2606, ext. 316, or rmunster@bethelmc.org, by Tuesday, June 16. The program is free and begins at 1:00 pm.

Bridge – the greatest game ever!  Join us every Monday and Thursday (except the third Thursday) from noon to 4:00 pm. Drop in and join a game; no partner necessary. For information or transportation, contact Ricardo Munster at 301-652-2606, ext. 316, or rmunster@bethelmc.org.

Descriptions of ServicesMinyan Chaverim offers the ruach of the Shabbat services in USY, BBYO, and Hillel. We have a lay-led, traditional, participatory, spirit-filled service, including full repetition of the Shacharit and Musaf Amidah, as well as the full Torah reading with an interac-tive Torah discussion. A pot-luck lunch follows the service at a nearby home. For information, contact Debbie Feinstein at debbie_feinstein@yahoo.com or Sheryl Rosensky Miller at sherylrosemiller@gmail.com.

The Worship and Study Minyan is conducted by members of the congregation and combines evocative Torah study with ample singing and ruach. Children are welcome, although the service is oriented toward adults. For information, contact Dan Hirsch at 301-654-7289, DOHirsch@gmail.com Sid Getz at 301-530-2215, sidgetz01@gmail.com Mark Levitt at 301-365-5365, MLevitt@Nelliscorp.com.

Minyan Olamim, led by Hazzan Klein and guests, includes chanting, niggunim, meditation, and a focus on the inner journey of the prayers. Mixing Hebrew and English, it is an opportunity for people of different backgrounds to sing, pray, converse, and find a deeper spiritual meaning in their Shabbat experience.

Youth /Family Services, for information, contact Elisha Frumkin, 301-652-8573, ext. 319, efrumkin@bethelmc.org.

B e t h E l C a l e n d a r&We e k l y P a r a s h i o t

Daily Services M-F 7:30 am Sun-Th 8:00 pm Fri 6:30 pm Sun 9:00 am

Shabbat Services (all services are weekly, except as noted) Early Morning Service 7:30 am Main Service 9:30 am Babysitting (2-6 years old) 9:15 am Minyan Chaverim (3rd Shabbat) 9:30 am Minyan Olamim (4th Shabbat) 10:45 am Worship and Study Minyan (1st Shabbat) 9:45 am

Youth Shabbat Services Teen Service (1st Shabbat) 10:00 am Junior Congregation (5th grade +; Library) 10:00 am Shitufim 10:30-11:30 am (2nd– 4th grades; 2nd & 4th Shabbat; Zahler Social Hall)

Gan Shabbat (kindergarten-2nd grade; 1st & 3rd Shabbat; MP 1&2) 10:30-11:30 am Nitzanim (birth - kindergarten; 2nd, 4th, 5th Shabbat; MP 1&2) 10:30-11:30 am

Weekly ParashiotSource: Siddur Sim Shalom

B’ha’alot’khaJune 6, 19 SivanGod charges Aaron to light the seven-branched menorah. The Levites are purified; a second pesach offering is ordained for those unable to participate in the first. Israel sets forth from Sinai. As the Ark is car-ried forward, Moses cries, “Arise, Adonai! May Your enemies be scattered; may Your foes be put to flight.” When the Ark rests, Moses declares, “Adonai, may You dwell among the myriad families of Israel.” In the wilderness, Moses’ leadership is challenged several times.

Sh’lach L’khaJune 13, 26 SivanMoses dispatches 12 spies to Canaan. Ten report that the land is unconquerable. The people panic, want-ing to return to Egypt. Caleb and Joshua exhort Israel to fulfill God’s plan. The uprising persists, and God condemns the people to wander in the desert for 40 years. God also commands the wearing of tzitzit, in order to prompt Israel to remember and to observe all of God’s mitzvot and to be holy before God, who has brought them out of Egypt to be their God.

KorachJune 20, 3 TammuzKorach leads a rebellion against Moses and Aaron. God causes the earth to open, swallowing Korach and his followers. These deaths lead to grumbling among the people, further provoking God’s wrath. A plague befalls the people, killing many. God arranges for a divine sign—the flowering of Aaron’s rod—to affirm Aaron’s priesthood and quiet the people. God reiter-ates the duties of priests and Levites.

HukkatJune 27, 10 TammuzGod ordains the sacrifice of a red heifer to purify those having contact with the dead. Miriam dies. When the people complain about a lack of water, Moses strikes a rock instead of speaking to it as God instructs. Consequently, God informs Moses, Moses may not enter the Promised Land. The Israelites skirt Edom when it refuses them safe passage. Aaron dies. After conquering the Canaanites and Amorites, Israel encamps on Moab across the Jordan from Jericho.

SHITUFIM, JUNIOR CONGREGATION, AND TEEN SERVICE WILL RESUME IN SEPTEMBER.

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday1 1 2 3 4 5 Candles 8:12 pm 6

7 8 9 10 11 12 Candles 8:16 pm 13

14 15 16 17 18 19 Candles 8:19 pm 20

21 22 23 24 25 26 Candles 8:20 pm 27

28 29 30 27 28 29 Candles 8:07 pm 30

C o n g r e g a t i o n B e t h E lMonthly Calendar

9:00 am Minyan9:30 am Men’s Club Breakfast10:00 am Men’s Club Program10:00 am Sisterhood In & Out Brunch

(offsite)

12:30 pm Bridge7:30 pm Boy Scouts7:30 pm Religious School Committee

8:15 am A Taste of Talmud6:30 pm Mah Jongg7:30 pm BEPS Board Meeting

9:30 am M. Fine Class Noon Senior Caucus Brown Bag Lunch1:00 pm Bridge

6:30 pm Friday Evening Service 7:30 am Early Shabbat Service9:30 am Main Shabbat Service9:30 am Samantha Levine Bat

Mitzvah9:30 am Vivianna Arnold Bat Mitzvah10:30 am Nitzanim

9:00 am Minyan9:30 am Men’s Club Breakfast10:00 am Men’s Club Program11:30 am Book Club

8:15 am A Taste of Talmud6:30 pm Mah Jongg7:00 pm BEST Parent Orientation

Rosh Hodesh Tammuz9:30 am M. Fine Class7:30 pm Rosh Chodesh: It’s a Women

Thing

Rosh Hodesh TammuzNoon Senior Caucus Luncheon7:00 pm Knitting Group7:30 pm BEPS New Parent Orientation

5:00 pm Senior Caucus Shabbat Dinner6:30 pm Kol Haneshama Friday Evening

Service

7:30 am Early Shabbat Service9:30 am Main Shabbat Service9:30 am Neil Abramowitz Bar Mitzvah9:30 am Minyan Chaverim10:30 am Gan Shabbat

Father’s Day9:00 am Minyan9:30 am Men’s Club Breakfast10:00 am Men’s Club Program

12:30 pm Bridge 8:15 am A Taste of Talmud6:30 pm Mah Jongg7:00 pm The Red Stone Group7:30 pm Board Meeting

9:30 am M. Fine Class Noon Senior Caucus Brown Bag Lunch1:00 pm Bridge

6:30 pm Friday Evening Service 7:30 am Early Shabbat Service9:30 am Main Shabbat Service10:30 am Nitzanim

9:00 am Minyan9:30 am Men’s Club Breakfast10:00 am Men’s Club Program

12:30 pm Bridge

6:30 pm Friday Evening Service 7:30 am Early Shabbat Service9:30 am Main Shabbat Service9:30 am Taylor Haber Bat Mitzvah9:45 am Worship & Study Minyan10:30 am Gan Shabbat

9:30 am Knitting Group12:30 pm Bridge7:30 pm Boy Scouts

8:15 am A Taste of Talmud6:30 pm Mah Jongg

Last Day of BEPSNoon Senior Caucus Brown Bag Lunch1:00 pm Bridge8:30 pm Hearing Men’s Voices

June 2015Sivan-Tammuz 5775

12:30 pm Bridge7:30 pm Boy Scouts

9:30 am M. Fine Class2:00 pm Roundtable with the Rabbi

8:15 am A Taste of Talmud6:30 pm Mah Jongg