On Sukkot How I love Sukkot!

• Perhaps it is my artistic bent that is sparked – building the Sukkah and devising a new way each year to decorate its innards (Yes! The rabbi is a closet interior designer).

• Maybe it is the Mitzvah of eating outside, weather permitting, in the crisp fall air, appreciating the elements (Yes! The rabbi is a nature lover). En-joying the commandment of entertaining guests which forces me to cook and nurture those around me (Yes! The rabbi is a wannabe chef).

• Love to invite our ancestors, ushpizin, into my temporary home that connects me to generations of tradition (Yes! The rabbi likes knowing she is part of Jewish history).

• Relish the sweet smell of the Etrog on my hands, etrogy-fresh-good, or the rustle of the palm frond, willow and myrtle as we shake it in 6 different

directions to invoke God’s presence everywhere (Yes! The rabbi loves a connection to the Divine).

• Sharing these holy days with all of you (Yes! The rabbi enjoys hanging out with you all).

Let’s not miss those opportunities to spend time with each other. Whether it be at Religious School as we decorate the Sukkah, and wave the Lulav; or at our outdoors Sukkah Sukkot service where we welcome into our midst our new members; or at congregational events we hold under the Sach (roof of the Sukkah)…

Or, visiting your family Sukkah that you have built in your backyard. Please, please invite me to visit; I will bring an Etrog and Lulav to wave at your house, and a camera to take a photo of us all to place on our BCRC Facebook page! If you have never built a Sukkah before and want to try it out this year, just google “sukkah building plans” or order a klutz-proof Sukkah (for the building challenged like myself) from www.sukkot.com

Rabbi Linda Joseph

Mark Raffman, President

Kol Nidre Address

The following is a slightly-adapted version of the Kol Nidre address given by Mark Raffman, President, on September 25, 2012:

WelcomeIt is traditional for the President of the Congrega-

tion to give a “State of the Congregation” speech on Erev Yom Kippur at the Kol Nidre Service.

The theme of my speech this evening is:“We need your … blessings.” There are so many ways that we are blessed –

and can be blessed. Money, time, good works, posi-tive energy: these are all blessings.

So I want to start by thanking you – all of you – who support our synagogue.

Supporting us in the classroom, as teachers to our children.

Supporting us from the bimah, with prayer and song.

Supporting us with your time and service on the Board and the various committees through which we operate.

Supporting us with your children so that they may carry on the Jewish faith and culture through learning and study.

And, supporting us financially with your dues and fees, and your donations from the heart.

You make this congregation a home, and a sacred community.

What is a sacred community?What is a sacred community? What is the role

of a synagogue? Let’s take a detour. Twenty years ago we had

bookstores. People would go into the store and buy books. Now we have Amazon.com and e-books. And there aren’t any more bookstores – except for Barnes & Noble, but they only exist because they sell e-book readers and e-books as well as the ones with paper in them.

FROM THE RABBI’S STUDY

Out of the Rabbi’s Mind

FROM THE PRESIDENT

(Continued on page 6)

(Continued on page 7)

October/November 2012 Volume XI Issue I Tishrei/Cheshvan 5773

What’s InsidePage TwoCommunity Events

Page FourFall Classes

Page FiveJunior CHAVTY News

Page SevenKol Nidre Appeal

Page TenActive Retirees

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Community Events – Make a New Connection to BCRC!We joined Beth Chaverim six years ago just as my son Zach was entering first grade. During those first few years, I knew

virtually nobody – I hung out in the halls of the religious school (at that time, over at the Montessori school in Ashburn), went to the occasional service, and met a few people here and there. It was not until the middle of our second year that I took a chance and showed up at a meeting at a member’s home to help organize the annual Purim Carnival. After that meeting, our former President Tracy Cirone (who had taught Zach in first grade) asked if I would consider teaching in the religious school the next year. The rest is history – teaching led to meeting many more people, more involvement, and eventually two positions on the Board.

What I discovered along the way is that BCRC is full of amazing people. The more I get involved and make connections within BCRC, the more friends I make, and the more I get out of membership. Now that my son is in middle school, I see him starting to make those connections as well – I cannot describe how wonderful it was to watch a group of 6th graders last year spend a whole night together at a BCRC lock-in, and wake up for the first time as real friends – even though many of them have known each other for years.

I recently assumed the new Community Events VP position because I believe it is vital to promote the sense of community that I have found here. This position oversees and coordinates all of the groups in our temple that build community inside and outside of BCRC – Brotherhood, Sisterhood, the three Youth Groups, Little Latkes! and Tikva. Each of these groups is special in their own right and offers a way for you to make a new connection with BCRC – whether you have been a member for years, or are new to our community.

Our Brotherhood is an energetic group – recently, they have engaged in social events such as Grand Prix racing and dinner at local restaurants, as well as ushering at our services and building our community sukkah. Please join Brotherhood at their upcom-ing events!

Sisterhood is a diverse group of women at BCRC which sponsors social and educational programs of interest to women; raises funds for BCRC; and oversees a wide range of community service activities. Sisterhood’s kick-off event will be a Rosh Ch-odesh potluck dinner and discussion on October 16 at 6:30 p.m. In addition, Sisterhood’s annual “Share the Warmth” coat drive to benefit the Loudoun Abused Women’s Shelter is running from now until the end of October. Look for the donation box at BCRC.

Our Youth Activities are off to a great start! CHAVTY is our congregation’s high school social action group, led by teens for teens, with the guidance of Lisa Kimball. In addition to participating in local NFTY events, CHAVTY will be running various activities this fall including a funny photo contest in October and a social media class (so adults can learn how to make the best use of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other sites/applications) on November 6. For our 6th-8th graders, we have Junior CHAVTY, under advisor Bari Barton Cooper. Look for Bari’s article in this Bulletin about all the great things she has planned – including the recent and well-attended “S’mores in the Sukkah” on October 6 (and check out our Facebook site for pictures!). Finally, we are proud to launch Mini CHAVTY, our program for kids in Grades 3-5. Mini CHAVTY will be planning four events this year – including our kick-off on October 14 with a visit to the corn maze and fall festival at Temple Farm Park. Our Little Latkes! pre-school group is trying new activities, such as a weekly drop in playgroup during the last hour of Sunday School, monthly Pajama Havdalah events (pictures on our Facebook site!), and a facilitated playgroup called Bagels & Blocks.

Our Tikva Committee, under the leadership of Ray Daffner, focuses on sponsoring programs that promote interfaith under-standing and dialogue in our community. Tikva is currently supporting The Interfaith Day of Thanks to address hunger in Loudoun County on Nov 4, hosted by Loudoun Interfaith Bridges (of which BCRC is a founding member), and held at three congregations within walking distance: one Jewish - Beth Chaverim; one Muslim - ADAMS (All Dulles Area Muslim Society in Ashburn); and one Christian - Christian Fellowship Church. Tikva and ADAMS also are planning a program in the spring of 2013 that will focus on opportunities for peace between Israelis and Palestinians, as well as other activities being planned. Watch for more information about these programs soon!

Please check out our website and Facebook page for more information on all these events. Take the first step, and make a new connection to the BCRC community this year – you will be glad that you did!

COMMUNITY EVENTS NEWS

Jen Elgin, Community Events VP

Tree of LifeMichael and Rita Butterman donated a leaf in honor of the Bat Mitzvah of Lena Butterman (10-27-12)

Daniel and Andrea Gallant donated a leaf in loving memory of Samuel Gallant

Claudia and Mark Raffman donated a leaf in honor of Sue and Marc Benezra from their Chaverim

Robert and Arlene Lapidus and Chuck and Leni Pritt donated a leaf in honor of Marc and Sue Benezra’s 45th anniversary

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(Continued on page 12)

So why do we still have synagogues? Why not Synagogue.com? “Click on the link to say Kaddish.” Can we really say Kaddish with Siri?

I don’t think it would work, and here’s why: because we derive meaning from contact with other people. Our religion teaches this in a hundred different ways. We require a minyan to say certain prayers (Kaddish among them). When we atone before God on Yom Kippur, we do it as a community. And then, we atone before God only after we have made things right between us and our fellow human beings. For some things, you’ve just got to be there.

Synagogue.com will never make it. So when they have their IPO, you can stay away.

Beit T’Filah / Beit Sefer / Beit K’nesset

In what ways does the synagogue serve as a sacred com-munity?

We often think of it in three ways: • Beit T’filah – House of Worship • Beit Sefer – House of Study • Beit Knesset – House of Gathering (or community).A synagogue is a place you can go to do all of these things

as a Jew. There’s no substitute. So let’s use this lens to talk about Beth Chaverim Reform

Congregation – where we’ve been, where we are, where we’re going.

Beit T’FilahWe’re most fortunate to have Linda Joseph as our full-time

rabbi. And we’re most fortunate as well to have Sue Mandel-Giblin, Stacy Kafka, and Sheri Kay as our regular rotation of cantorial soloists. We will also welcome back Phil Kane when-ever we can pull him back from his new Delaware home. And, of course, musical accompanists too numerous to mention who enhance our services with their melodies

Our Shabbat programs have never been stronger, or more varied. We have Shabbat services every Friday, with maybe one or two exceptions throughout the year. Our regular program-ming includes birthday/anniversary services the first weekend of the month, and a Tot Shabbat the third weekend of the month, to name just a couple. Our Jammin’ Shabbat services, maybe three or four times a year, are a major highlight. Attendance at Shabbat services has steadily grown over the year.

We have added festival programs. Do not miss Sukkot and Simchat Torah this year! And, of course, Chanukah, Tu B’Shevat, Purim, and our second night Seder. We’ve been able to beef up our festival programming because we have more vol-unteers active in making them happen. More Blessings!

Beit SeferOur religious school has transformed over the past two

years. We’ve put curriculum reforms in place so that we now have a unified curriculum for judaics and Hebrew instruction. Our teachers receive extra training (and they are true stars –

teachers you rock!). We have an amazing Education Commit-tee and set of volunteers. You see them on Sunday mornings making sure things are in order.

We’re offering additional Adult Education programs this year too. Of particular note is Rabbi Joseph’s intensive In-troduction to Judaism class, which has attracted quite a few stu-dents from inside and outside our synagogue community. Here too we could not do it without an incredibly strong volunteer effort. Still more Blessings.

Beit KnessetWe are blessed also with very active social and community

events volunteers. Our picnic attracted about 150 people last month – the biggest ever. Our Brotherhood has monthly din-ners and outings and provides volunteers such as the ushers you see in gold kippot around you this evening. Our Sisterhood runs the gift shop (sorry, closed this evening) and sponsors so-cial events and community service such as honoring our teach-ers each year.

Our Membership Committee has made strides as well, par-ticularly in the use of social media such as Facebook. Our publicity, community events, and membership volunteers work together closely to make sure we get our message out in the community and then follow up.

We have a strong interfaith presence as well. We have joint programs with our friends and neighbors from the All Dulles Area Muslim Society – we were so honored to share this very room with them during their Ramadan observance over the summer. And we participate actively in Loudoun Interfaith Bridges.

Where we are and where we’re goingLast year at this time, I kept hearing questions about wheth-

er our synagogue has a future – things like “we’re going to run out of money” or “our mortgage is too big.” Those questions are not unique to our congregation, of course. In a down econ-omy, all synagogues face challenges. But for the reasons I’ve said, they are challenges worth facing and worth overcoming.

So I’ll say again what I said last year – have no fear. Yes, we have financial challenges. Yes, we still operate at a deficit. And yes, we have a big mortgage. But these are challenges we can meet and overcome. We’re doing it.

We had a successful Kol Nidre campaign last year. We’ve increased rental income this year. We’re looking at other ways to take better advantage of our space to further increase revenue in the future.

And we’ve done all that without having to increase your membership dues and tuition fees this past year.

And I will say this – we don’t hear much about doom and gloom anymore here. We have momentum. I like to use the analogy of a freight train. Maybe it doesn’t look like it’s mov-ing very fast. But it’s hard to stop. Our progress is slow, but it is steady. We are not turning back and we are not going to stop.

FROM THE PRESIDENT

(Continued from page 1)

Religious Service DescriptionsFriday Night, Traditional Erev Shabbat Service The Kabbalat Shabbat service, followed by an oneg, is appropriate for congregants of all ages.

First Friday - 7:00pm ServiceBirthdays and anniversaries of congregants occurring during the month are celebrated. Second Friday - 7:00pm Service Upper grade Sunday school classes may participate. Third Friday - 2 Services - Tot Shabbat at 6:30pm, a “preneg” at 7:00pm and Adult Service at 7:30pm.Tot Shabbat 6:30pm30 minute service that introduces children from newborn to 3rd grade to the prayers, songs, and traditions of Shabbat. Lower grade Sunday school classes often participate in Tot Shabbat services. Service followed by a “Preneg,” a joint oneg between the Tot Shabbat and adult service.

Adult Service - 7:00 “Preneg” and 7:30pm service.Regular Kabbalat Shabbat service

Fourth and Fifth Fridays - 7:00pm Service/Regular Kabbalat Shabbat and/or Jammin’ Shabbat:Quarterly Friday night service features live music and singing appropriate for all age groups. Congregants interested in participating should contact worshipvp@bcrcva.org.

SATURDAY MORNING, SHABBAT SERVICE, 10:00amSaturday morning Shabbat services usually include a Bar or Bat Mitzvah and Torah service followed by an oneg. This service is open to all congregants.

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FALL CLASSESLunch & Learn: 20th Century Spiritual PhilosophiesInstructor: Rabbi Linda JosephTime: Wednesdays 1:00pm to 2:00pmDates: October 3rd thru December 12th Location: Beth Chaverim Reform CongregationThis year on your Wednesday lunch hour, your brown bag lunch in hand, between 1pm and 2pm; we will look at some of the most great, influential spiritual philosophers/theologians of the 20th century. We will begin with Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, reading his well loved short work “The Sabbath” which is avail-able both in book and electronic form. Classes will commence immediately after the High Holy Days beginning on October 3rd, 2012 and running through December 12th.

Lecture Series: An Introduction to Jewish Mysticism and Kabbalah Instructor: Dr. Michael R.LeavittTime: Tuesdays 7:00pm to 8:30pmDates: October 30, November 13, 27 and December 4Location: Beth Chaverim Reform CongregationFrom its beginnings, Judaism has sought to understand the re-alities of our inner life as well as the world around us. Jewish Mysticism—now known as the Kabbalah—has been a primary approach for achieving that goal. This lecture series explores the history and meaning of Kabbalah—Judaism’s mystical tra-dition.

To register for any of the above offerings, or for further information, contact Shelley Sheinwald the Adult Education Coordinator at ssheinwald@comcast.net.

ADULT EDUCATION

Shelley Sheinwald, Adult Education Coordinator

BETH CHAVERIM REFORM CONGREGATION MISSION STATEMENTThe Members of Beth Chaverim Reform Congregation will provide the Jewish community with a forum for experiencing the religious, cultural and celebratory aspects of Jewish life, offering this experience in an organized, open, egalitarian environment where all members are comfortable with their diverse beliefs and Jewish heritage. Beth Chaverim will foster the viability of the Jewish people by providing Jewish religious education to our children and providing our members with an active Jewish community in Loudoun County, Virginia, and its surrounding areas.

My name is Bari Barton Cooper and I am the Youth Ad-visor for Junior CHAVTY, our congregation’s middle school youth group.

Junior CHAVTY is the youth group program for 6th-8th graders at Beth Chaverim. As advisor, I will plan fun, social activities to encourage personal growth (Hitpatchut), instill Jewish identity, further religious action (Tikkun Olam), and foster a long-term commitment to our Synagogue and the Re-form movement. Whew! Lots of big ideas and ideals, but es-sentially, Junior CHAVTY is a youth group that is run by adult volunteers within our congregation for the benefit of our teens and pre-teens.

I volunteered for this position because I strongly believe that participation in a youth group gives our children an identity that will sustain them through adulthood. I have read so many

studies that show that participation in youth group strengthens Jewish identity and keeps our children engaged in Judaism as an adult. I can certainly attest to this as I grew up in a decid-edly non-Jewish area of Northeastern Pennsylvania, and I be-grudgingly attended synagogue 4-5 times per year. It was my experiences with a Jewish high school youth group that made me feel connected to my Judaism and helped me identify with other Jewish people on a social level. It is my hope that all of you will benefit from socializing with each other outside of Religious School and feel more connected to our temple, our religion, our community.

We have an exciting calendar of events, and I plan to add even more fun activities. Below is a list of events and dates below that are definitely on the schedule:

CALENDAR FOR JUNIOR CHAVTY (GRADES 6-8) October 6, 2012 S’mores In the Sukkah All grades and their familiesOctober 28, 2012 Meeting to coordinate Mitzvah Project Household Waste Disposal Parents of Middle SchoolersNovember 17, 2012 Household Waste Disposal Program All Middle SchoolersDecember 8, 2012 Junior Chavty Laser Tag Night 7:30-10pm All Middle Schoolers January 25-27, 2013 MAJYK (Falls Church, VA) 7th and 8th grade onlyMarch 2-3, 2013 Lock in 7th Grade 7th grade onlyMarch 15-17, 2013 The Vent 8th Grade 8th graders and 9th-12th gradersApril 13-14, 2013 Lock in 6th Grade 6th grade only

A note on NFTY events (MAJYK and The Vent): These weekends away will be wonderful. For MAGYK, our 7th and 8th graders will travel to Rodef Shalom in Falls Church, Virginia for the weekend for mixers, services and other events with other DC-area Reform Jewish kids. The Vent is a color war-themed weekend away in Rockville, Maryland for 8th-12th graders. It is by far the most enjoyable event for this age group. If you attend nothing else this year, make an exception for this weekend - it is a blast!

Parents, if you have a middle school-aged child and have not received an introductory email from me, please contact me to get on our email list. Please also feel free to contact me if you have any questions regarding Junior CHAVTY. My contact informa-tion is below.

B’shalom,Bari Barton Cooper, baribartoncooper@gmail.com703-542-6250 home, 703-944-7280 cell

Calling All Beth Chaverim Middle Schoolers

JUNIOR CHAVTY NEWS

Our first day of Religious School was a success! We are very excited about all the great things we will learn and do this year! Over the summer our Education Committee was hard at work. We cleaned and prepared classrooms, ordered books and supplies and planned our exciting new programs for this year!

This year’s theme will be Community. We will be build-ing bonds between classmates, teammates, and our BCRC community. We will emphasize our connections to our greater community and our connections to Israel.

Throughout the school year, we will be practicing our He-brew skills to get ready for our Hebrew Maccabiah games on April 28th! Our Blue and White teams will be practicing to prepare for the big day. During the year and throughout the

games, students will earn tickets to redeem at our Prize and Craft Fair. We will be asking parents and members to donate prizes to add to ours. Students can earn tickets for their team by showing effort, improvement and by helping fellow students. Let’s encourage positive behavior and big accomplishments!

Each of our classes is named after a city in Israel. We will learn about those cities and about Israeli culture. We also have some great Judaics arts and crafts days planned for the students.

If you’d like to be a part of helping make our Religious School meaningful and engaging for our students, contact our Education VP, Arlene Lechner at educationvp@bcrcva.org, to find out how you can help!

EDUCATION NEWS

Arlene Lechner, Education VP5

Avery Bass Avery Bass will become a Bar Mitzvah on October 20, 2012. Avery is an 8th grade honor student at Herndon Middle School where he is a community assistant for the Herndon Middle School chapter of the Na-tional Junior Honor Society. In addition to his academic excellence, Avery plays many

sports, enjoys music, and is active in his community. Avery currently plays baseball and basketball on Herndon

recreation teams, and participates in after-school intramurals. In the past, Avery has played soccer, tackle football, flag foot-ball and ice hockey. In elementary school, Avery played the violin and clarinet, sang in the All-County chorus, and served as a safety patrol for two years.

Avery currently volunteers as the classroom helper for the kindergarten class at BCRC on Sunday morning, and is a mem-ber of the Confirmation class. Avery is an amazingly proud and devoted big brother to his younger sibling, Jesse, who is 10 months old. Avery has worked hard in preparing for his Bar Mitzvah and would like to thank his tutor, Sheri Sackett, for keeping the learning environment fun and for helping him mas-ter the shofar.

Avery’s Bar Mitzvah ProjectMy torah portion is about Noah’s ark and I wanted my com-munity service project to be something that would help ani-mals. At first I wanted to volunteer at an animal shelter or at the Reston Zoo but they wouldn’t let me. Then I decided to hold a yard sale to raise money that could be donated to help animals.

My yard sale was a big success; we made over $250 and sold a lot of stuff. It made me really happy to know that it doesn’t matter who you are or where you come from you can still make a difference. The yard sale lasted from 8 to 12 on September 1 and we served over 100 people. Getting ready for the yard sale was the hard part because we had to find everything to sell and we made brownies, muffins, and lemonade to sell. We also had to advertise. We used cardboard boxes to make signs and wrote on them with a Sharpie. Then we went out for an hour and a half putting up the signs. We also put up an ad on Craig’s List and I put up a posting on my Facebook page.

I decided to donate all the money to the Washington

Animal Rescue League (WARL). I chose an animal donation because my torah portion is about Noah’s Ark and I wanted to honor my cat, Rocky who was adopted from the WARL and died four years ago.

Samuel Bradford Matson Samuel Bradford Matson will be called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah on Novem-ber 3, 2012. He is a 7th grader at Eagle Ridge Middle School in Ashburn and has two older brothers, Daniel and Andrew. Sammy is a hard-working student who takes all honors classes and earned all A+’s and A’s last year. He plays the clari-net in the 7th Grade Band, studies hip-hop and tap at Studio Bleu Dance Studio, and

wrestles with the Ranger Wrestling Program out of Loudoun County High School. Sammy enjoys playing soccer, basketball and baseball, and also running. He is a big fan of the Boston Bruins and you’ll find the team colors of black, yellow and white all around his Bar Mitzvah. Sammy is an enthusiastic and skilled video gamer, and is considering game design as a pos-sible career. However, his greatest passion, by far, is animals, especially dogs. Sammy is never too busy to give attention to pets anywhere, and has happily walked dogs and cared for pets while their owners are away.

For his Mitzvah Project, Sammy will be volunteering with the Middleburg Humane Foundation to provide TLC to the ani-mals there, as well as helping with other, more practical chores. The Foundation has a very extensive orientation program to make sure its volunteers are prepared to meet the needs of its animal friends, and he is looking forward to completing the program and working with the Foundation long-term. Samuel has been working very hard to prepare for his Bar Mitzvah and is grateful to his tutor Sheri Sackett for her encouragement and enthusiasm. He also appreciates everything he has learned from Rabbi Joseph and all his Hebrew and Judaics teachers. Sammy has really enjoyed Sunday school, as the classmates have a very strong bond, with many students having been to-gether since Kindergarten. He is looking forward to sharing this special occasion with family and friends from near and far, and with the many members of our wonderful “House of Friends.”

B’NAI MITZVAH

Sisterhood UpdateThe Sisterhood is pleased to be hosting a coat drive this year to benefit the Loudoun Abused Women’s Shelter “LAWS.” LAWS is a private non-profit in Loudoun County serving survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. This is a great time of year to go through your closets and pull out those coats that no longer fit or you just haven’t worn for a while and give them to a worthy cause. LAWS will be happy to accept women’s, men’s and children’s coats that are gently used and clean. A clearly marked collection box is located in the entrance to the synagogue. The collection runs from now through the end of October. Sunday school drop off and pick up is a great time to bring those coats! If you don’t have an opportunity to come drop them off, please email Andrea Kammann at andreakammann@comcast.net to coordinate collection.

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More Salt In The Potato SaladMy father passed away earlier this year. He was 88, a suc-

cessful grocer, extraordinarily charming and my hero. In no particular order, he loved my mother, the U.S. Navy, Loretta Young, the movie Lost Horizon, us kids, soft-serve ice cream and cocoanut custard pie. I knew my father as well as any son can know his dad, but I did not know the man.

I grew up in Trenton New Jersey which had a sizable and vibrant Jewish community. My family belonged to the large conservative temple – the Adath Israel; about 1500 families. Like today, the majority of the congregation would come for the High holy days. Families of long standing, those who’d been members since its’ founding in the 1920’s, got to pray in the ornate main sanctuary. The families who joined after World War II were relegated to the basement and the post-modern and vaguely sterile Alexander auditorium which sat 1200 and had three sections like a theater. Our seats were in the very front row of the right section and my father liked sitting there because he could rest his feet on the choir stand directly in front of us. Additionally, the exit door immediately to our right afforded my mother the opportunity to periodically slip out and curb her nicotine jones, and us a fast getaway at the end of services. It was all very civilized.

Regardless of where you sat, when you got there, there were two prayer books and the Kol Nidre pledge card on each chair. Every year was the same: my father would pick up the pledge card, sit down, slowly shake his head and place the tithe request into his coat pocket.

Years later and I’m sitting in my brother’s living room. My father had died earlier in the day and the family was gathering to console each other and prepare for the coming funeral. And as is typical for my family regardless of the occasion, we remi-nisced. Eventually, the conversation got around to the syna-gogue and I chimed in about how dad loved our High Holiday seats and was less than thrilled about giving to the synagogue.

My mother just looked at me. “Your father hated those

seats. The choir was too loud for him and the only reason we sat there was because no one else wanted to.”

“Well what about the whole charity thing – dad-did-not-like-giving- to-the-synagogue.”

My mother just laughed, “I was the one who didn’t want to give to the synagogue. “Your father however, was of a com-pletely different mind. He did not believe in charity, but he did believe in social justice - without fanfare, without applause. What you took for disdain, was your father struggling with how to contribute more, especially given our limited circum-stances. Remember, your father grew up very poor and took great pride in supporting the many families he provided for – ours, the synagogue and those of his customers who couldn’t afford their grocery bills.”

“Unlike you, Michael, he enjoyed being in the synagogue. “He found great peace and comfort there - especially when it was empty. Your father even told me once that G-d spoke to him while he was sitting in the main sanctuary.”

I didn’t believe it. “What did dad say G-d said to him?” My mother smiled and said, “More salt in the potato

salad.”I had never witnessed or experienced the peace and tran-

scendental calm that my father found in the synagogue….until last Sunday, in Rabbi Joseph’s “Introduction to Judaism” class. There, I listened to the aspiring converts and lapsed believers, each describing their journey to and through Judaism and what they hoped to gain from it. They did so in reverential tones and tenors that said, “I am coming home. I am safe.”

And it was then and there that I finally got it - what my father had always known and what I had never truly embraced or understood: that family is more than our spouses and parents and children and siblings. That Family…is all of us, the collec-tive community we choose to be a part of. And that this place is our home. And the magic and majesty here that sustains us all – it too requires nurturing and sustenance.

KOL NIDRE APPEAL

Michael Zuckerman

On Simchat TorahAt the end of Sukkot, comes another festival, Simchat Torah. After exposure, we are taught of endings and beginnings, when we finish the reading of the Torah scroll and then move immediately to begin again the liturgical cycle of storytelling. In this fragile existence, there are always endings and beginnings. As our sages taught, Gam Zeh Ya’avor (also this passes); Gam Zo L’Tovah (also this is for good).

We will mark Simchat Torah by:• Ending and beginning the cycle of Torah reading (Yes! The

Rabbi loves retelling a good story). • Giving out the greatest honors of the Jewish year, Chatan/

Kallah Torah — groom/bride of the Torah, the final aliyah of the year; and Chatan/Kallah Bereshit, groom/bride of the beginning, the first aliyah of the year (Yes! The rabbi loves to honor those who have done special things for our com-munity).

• Dancing around the sanctuary 7 times with our Torah scrolls (Yes! The rabbi looks forward to a spiritual work out).

• Imbibing in a little spiritual liquor to make the dancing merrier (Yes! The rabbi is happy when all are happy).

• Dedicating the Torah cover donated by the Confirmation Class of 5772 in honor of their continuing Jewish lives (Yes! The rabbi loves our dedicated young people).

Chag Sameach! Happy festival –ing to you all! I look forward to these good times together!

FROM THE RABBI’S STUDY(Continued from page 1)

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Shabbat Service ScheduleDATE SERVICE COORDINATING HELPINGOct 5 New Member Celebration/Erev Shabbat Family Service Saferstein, Sammons, with dinner in the Sukkah 7:00pm Medoff Sandler, Schultz, Sexton-Fuller

Oct 6 Feldman Baby Naming 11:00am Pajama Havdalah 4:30 pm Jr. Chavty S’mores in the Sukkah 7:30pm

Oct 12 Simchat Torah/Torah Cover Dedication Shapero, Sheinwald, Erev Shabbat Family Service 7:00pm Raffman Shinberg, Shoup, Shuman

Oct 19 6:30pm Tot Shabbat Followed by Adult Service Goldberger Skaer, Slatkin, C&J Smith, J&B Smith, Soifer

Oct 20 Morning Shabbat Service and Avery Bass Bar Mitzvah 10:00am

Oct 26 Erev Shabbat Family Service 7:00pm Solomon, Sparer, Steil, Suitor, Thorner

Oct 27 Morning Shabbat Service and Lena Butterman Bat Mitzvah 10:00am Katz

Nov 2 Jammin’ Shabbat Erev Shabbat Service 7:00pm Tiller, Trost, Tucker, Villagomez, Vought

Nov 3 Morning Shabbat Service and Samuel Matson Bar Mitzvah 10:00am Pajama Havdallah 4:30pm Cirone

Nov 9 Erev Shabbat Family Service 7:00pm Elgin Waldman, Weiner, Weiz, E&J Zelman, J&S Zelman

Nov 16 6:30 pm Tot Shabbat Special Service with Zimmet, Zuckerman, Cantor Robert Michael Esformes 7:30pm Lourenco Andruzzi, Angioli, Arbetter

Nov 17 Special Service with Cantor Robert Michael Esformes Meditation and Kabbalah 10:00am

Nov 30 Jammin’ Shabbat Erev Shabbat Service 7:00pm Barron, Belt, Benezra, Berman, Bernier, Berry

CALLING ALL HELPER FAMILIES - WE NEED AND WE GREATLY APPRECIATE YOUR HELP!About twice a year, each Beth Chaverim member (family or individual) is called upon to serve as a Helper Family at either

our Shabbat services or a holiday event. Dates are announced in advance in an email, weekly email news blast, and the Chaverim Bulletin. In addition to bringing food or drinks for the Oneg, we ask that you arrive at services early to help set up and then stay afterwards to help clean up.

The Worship Committee has assigned each member a date. If a date is not convenient for you, we ask that you let the Worship Vice President know a date that would work. Then plan on being at the service on your date to help. Fulfilling your obligation to the temple is truly a mitzvah.

Mutual Review Committee (MRC) - What’s On Your Mind?The Mutual Review Committee (MRC) was established so that any congregant can go to any member of this committee with their thoughts regarding any aspect of the temple. First and foremost, the MRC is an extension of the congregation and your voice matters greatly. To ensure the MRC hears you, please tell us what you think as often as you would like! We welcome your feedback, ques-tions, and comments any time via email at mrc@bcrcva.org or you can contact Tracy Cirone, Jason Cooper or Shelley Sheinwald directly. Please tell us what we are doing right, what we should continue to do and, more importantly, where there is room for im-provement (all comments can be made anonymously). As the “eyes” and “ears” of the congregation, the members of this committee have the opportunity to discuss these matters with Rabbi Joseph at MRC meetings held quarterly.

Rabbi Joseph’s Office Hours Rabbi Linda Joseph will have office hours on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 2 pm to 5 pm.

Other times can be made by appointment. Rabbi Joseph can be contacted at rabbi@bcrcva.org or (703) 729-1659.

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Board of Directors – 2012 - 2013 NAME POSITION EMAILMark Raffman President president@bcrcva.orgLarry Deigh Executive Vice President executivevp@bcrcva.orCarol Currier Worship Vice President worshipvp@bcrcva.orgJonathan Goldberger Facilities Vice President houseaffairsvp@bcrcva.orgArlene Lechner Education Vice President educationvp@bcrcva.orgBrian Giblin Membership Vice President membershipvp@bcrcva.orgAmy Lourenco Communications Vice President communicationsvp@bcrcva.orgJennifer Elgin Community Events Vice President communityeventsvp@bcrcva.orgHeather Katz Finance Vice President treasurer@bcrcva.orgShelly Slebrch Secretary secretary@bcrcva.org Tracy Cirone Past President 1 nmcrjc@verizon.netMarshall MedoffOther Helpful Contacts Past President 2 colbyseider@gmail.com

OTHER HELPFUL CONTACTSLisa Kimball CHAVTY Coordinator chavty@bcrcva.orgBari Cooper Junior CHAVTY Coordinator jrchavty@bcrcva.orgStephanie Meister Bulletin Editor bulletinvp@bcrcva.org[Vacant] Sisterhood sisterhood@bcrcva.orgDan Gallant Brotherhood President brotherhood@bcrcva.orgAdrienne Skapura-Butterman/Jennifer Kasmer Financial Secretaries financialsec@bcrcva.orgNeil Frank/Amy Steil Social Committee Chairs social@bcrcva.org[Vacant] E-Mail Blast Editor blast@bcrcva.orgShelly Slebrch Calendar Editor [Vacant] Public Relations publicrelationsvp@bcrcva.orgRay Daffner Tikva Committee Chair tikva@bcrcva.orgCheryl Suitor & Rabbi Joseph Caring Committee Coordinators Debbie Sexton Fuller/Janice Shinberg B’nai Mitzvah Coordinators bnaimitzvah@bcrcva.orgRabbi Linda Joseph rabbi@bcrcva.org

Summary of Board Meeting held Thursday, August 9, 2012

1. Treasurer reported on congregational finances.2. Membership reported that we had one new family join.

Membership calls are being made.3. Worship reported that the High Holy Days committee it

on track.4. Report on progress with ADAMS. A contractor provided

an estimate. Pricing negotiations are going on.5. House Affairs reported a list of repairs before the start of

religious school.6. Discussion of Bulletin – discontinue it altogether, pos-

sibly change it to quarterly, or send a special blast with a link to read the blast with a list of headlines. Checking with the URJ to see what other temples are doing.

7. A motion carried regarding the Bridges program for Fall 2012.

8. Continued discussion of volunteer roster.

Summary of Board Meeting Held Thurssday, September 13, 2012

1. Thanks were given in regards to the very successful picnic.2. Education reported that we are at capacity for pre-K and

Kindergarten this year. Trying to collect items or pictures of Israel as that is the theme this year.

3. Treasurer reported on congregational finances.4. Membership reported that we have five new members. 5. Report on progress with ADAMS. Cost of expansion is

still in discussion.6. Update on Bridges program status – program cannot be

held until March.7. Loudoun County performance bond is up for renewal and

is being reviewed to ensure we are in compliance.8. Discussion of formation of Strategic Review task force.

FROM THE BOARD

Shelly Slebrch, Secretary

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Leesburg Area Active Retirees We did not meet in September, due to the Rosh Hashanah holiday. I wish you all a happy and healthy Jewish New Year and

look forward to seeing you in October. On October 15, an AARP representative will facilitate a “listening session” with our group, soliciting your views about proposed changes to Social Security.

Also, please save the date for our November meeting on November 19. We are very much honored that Rabbi Michael Ragozin of Congregation Sha’are Shalom will be coming to speak to us about the Jewish Way in Death and Mourning.

We’d love to see more Beth Chaverim members, friends and family at our programs. All are welcome! We meet in the Mon-roe Auditorium in the Leisure World Clubhouse, but this JCCNV outreach effort is for active retirees throughout the Leesburg area. Our regular meeting date is the third Monday of the month, from 10:30 a.m.-noon. If transportation is an issue, please contact me at budoff3@cox.net, and I will try to arrange to pick you up on my way to Leisure World.

Please mark your calendars for the following:

You’ve Earned a Say in the Future of Social Security – AARP Listening Session AARP wants to hear from you! On Monday, October 15, from 10:30-noon, AARP will be sending a representative to facilitate

a “listening session” with our group to find out what you think about several legislative proposals affecting Social Security that are being debated before Congress and on the campaign trail. This is a nationwide program to assist the AARP in formulating the positions it will advocate on your behalf. The proposals include: 1) raising the eligibility age to collect full Social Security ben-efits; 2) reducing Social Security cost of living adjustments; 3) reducing benefits for wealthy individuals; and 4) increasing payroll taxes. The AARP representative will give us the straight facts about the current condition of Social Security and provide informa-tion about the legislative proposals currently being considered. This is a unique opportunity to help shape positions to be taken by AARP on behalf of seniors with respect to these proposals. You’ve worked hard for your Social Security benefits and have earned the right to provide your input. Please participate in this important “listening session” so your voice will be heard. RSVP: Sheila Budoff at leesburgseniors@gmail.com or (703) 537-3068.

The Jewish Way in Death and Mourning Death is a subject most painful to discuss, yet Jewish tradition is a wellspring of guidance and wisdom concerning the

many questions that arise during this most difficult period of time. On Monday, November 19, from 10:30-noon, Rabbi Michael Ragozin, of Congregation Sha’are Shalom, will be our very special guest speaker to help us deal with this difficult subject. To-gether, we will explore the practical and spiritual aspects of Jewish funeral, burial, and mourning traditions. RSVP: Sheila Budoff at leesburgseniors@gmail.com or (703) 537-3068.

The Active Retirees are a warm and friendly outreach group of men and women age 55+. Newcomers are always welcome! Our meetings are usually on the third Monday of the month in the Clubhouse at Leisure World at 10:30 a.m. Please join us for guest speakers, trips, holiday celebrations and “schmoozing.” The cost is $2 for members of the JCCNV or any synagogue or residents of Leisure World, and $4 for non-members. All are welcome!!

For more information and to RSVP, please contact Sheila Budoff at (703) 537-3068 or e-mail leesburgseniors@gmail.com.

ACTIVE RETIREE

Sheila Budoff, Coordinator

OctoberChris Smith & Jill Eskin-Smith October 2 Joe & Dianne Andruzzi October 4Scott & Valerie Horowitz October 7Andrew & Debbie Pelletz October 10Bill & Cindy Hack October 13 Richard & Eric Louis October 13Anthony & Amy Lourenco October 13Marty & Faith Shoup October 14Brian & Bethany Freed October 21John Bloom & Daryl Braiman Bloom October 23Steve & Cindy Perkins October 23

Phil & Ellen Kane October 26Steven & Robin Pergament October 28

NovemberBob & Leann Arbetter November 7 John & Marcy Manning November 8Jeffrey & Carolyn Eckhaus November 15Ken & Amy Tucker November 20Jeffrey & Andrea Elbaum November 21Edward & Anna Hild November 22Scott & Janice Shinberg November 22 Albert & Francie Bernier November 24

ANNIVERSARIES

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OctoberSamuel Benezra Father of Marc Benezra Bessie Berman Grandmother of Renee Gupp Stacey Berry Daughter of William Berry Max Cohnreich Grandfather of Claire BrunnerSylvia Dozier Mother of Jill Zelman Henry Ellen Grandfather of Betsy SmithHenry Frank Uncle of Neil Frank Lawrence Green Father of Karen Harris Elli Wurtzberger Gupp Mother of William Gupp Benjamin Kessel Brother of Jan SafersteinPhyllis Kessel Sister-in-Law of Jan SafersteinHerman Kestenblatt Grandfather of Stephanie MeisterLillian LassoverPaul Lovejoy, Jr. Brother of Billie MedoffMartin Slobodkin Cousin of Caren ThornerAnne Steier Grandmother of Eric MeisterFrances Tamarkin Aunt of Ellen KaneVeryle Whitney Mother of Leann Arbetter Calvin Wright Father of LuAnn Rubenstein

NovemberNorbert Bold Father of Nancy Frank Katharine Currier Mother of Carol CurrierRenee F. Denmark Mother of Marcy ManningViolette Eskenazi-Assayas Mother of Danielle Edgell Ilse Frey Grandmother of Andrea Kammann

YAHRZEITS

OctoberAllison Raffman October 2Danielle Edgell October 4Robert Lapidus October 4Amanda Rosas October 4Joel Halpern October 5Ben Lechtman October 5Evelyn Ikner October 6Samuel Matson October 8Emilia Boehm October 10Ame Persaud October 10Stacey Randolph October 10Robert Rubenstein October 12Lauren Deigh October 16Valerie Nagler-Levi October 18Cindy Blistein-Mayer October 20Neal Cirone October 21Sasha Grady Zuckerman October 21Michael Halpern October 22Cindy Perkins October 22Suzanne Slatkin October 23Rachel Andruzzi October 24Brendan McGrath October 25

Daniel Pergament October 25Tony Welz October 27Michelle Harper October 28 Kayla Pelletz October 28Jack Waldman October 28Leann Arbetter October 29Jordyn Bauman October 29Sophie Cooperman October 29Ethan Fuller October 29Jeffrey Elbaum October 30David Mendelsohn October 30

November Allen Sparer November 3Alexander Hild November 4Karl Kammann November 4Rebecca Pelletz November 6Scott Shinberg November 6Hernan Villagomez November 6Phyllis Scherer November 7Danny McGrath November 8Charles Brunner November 9

BIRTHDAYS

Charles Gardner Father of Sheldon Garder, Grandfather of Elizabeth MatsonHarry Grover Grandfather of Muriel Gardner,

Great-grandfather of Elizabeth MatsonBeatrice Holoboff Grandmother of Faith ShoupJacob Horner Grandfather of Susan BenezraRachel Jacobs Grandmother of Dianne AndruzziHarry Mendelsohn Father of David MendelsohnCarol Mermelstein Mother of Abby ChampagneClaire Miller Blumber Molleye Grandmother of Andrew KasmerHansi Morbach Grandparent of Andrea KammannRalph Nadler Father of Barbara MendelsohnMollie Roberts Mother of Burt RobertsStephen Rudnick Minnie Saferstein Mother of Soop SafersteinArthur Scherer Father of Jan Lissak Arthur Scherer Husband of Phyllis SchererDorothy Simon Grandmother of Jennifer TrostPaul Stein Grandfather of Jan LissakPaul Stein Father of Phyllis Scherer Sidney Stein Uncle of Jan Lissak Sidney Stein Brother of Phyllis SchererRaymond Strasburger Uncle of Muriel GardnerSylvia Strasburger Ingram Mother of Muriel Gardner, Grandmother of Elizabeth MatsonHerbert Weiner Father of Jan WeinerJacob Zubin Grandfather of Jennifer Trost

Lisa Carlson November 9Ellen Kane November 9Janice Siegel November 9Max Gallant November 12Evan Slebrch November 12Amy Tucker November 12Michael Goodman November 13Stephanie Meister November 13Leslie Skaer November 13Ella Freed November 14Burt Roberts November 14Gary Lissak November 17Erin Louis November 20Holly Sammons November 20Joseph Cirone November 22Jordan Gupp November 25Kelsey Medoff November 26Steve Perkins November 26Lily Horowitz November 29

12

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Kol Nidre AppealAnd now I will return to my theme, but

with a typographical catch:“We need your Ble$$ings.”We have a Kol Nidre appeal this year.

Pledge cards are prominently displayed at the synagogue. And there is now a Kol Nidre Appeal section on our website.

It’s normal to have an appeal. We do it every year. So do other synagogues.

It’s how we make ends meet. It’s how we’ll continue to make our re-

ligious school available, at no cost, to fami-lies who are unable to afford it.

It’s how we’ll continue to provide a full-time rabbi for our bimah and for life cycle events, both joyous and sad. We’re

here when you need us. Or more accurate-ly, we’re here because we need each other.

But only because – together – we make it so -- by what we do voluntarily with our gifts from the heart.

We’re looking to raise $75,000. It’s doable if you’ll join us. With some

runs up the middle and a few long passes we can get in the end zone. On behalf of

BCRC, we ask you to get in the game and do what you can.

Every donation is important. I would be so proud to stand before you at the end of the campaign, or at our annual meeting, and announce that we have 100 percent par-ticipation of our members. Let’s do that.

Thank you and L’Shanah Tovah to you all.

FROM THE PRESIDENT

(Continued from page 1)

13

For the latest calendar please click here http://www.bethchaverim.org/calendar.htm

Building FundBari and Jason Cooper donated in honor of their HHD honorAlison and Don Rosen donated in honor of their HHD honorShelley Sheinwald donated in honor of Marc and Sue Benezra’s

45th wedding annniversaryShelley Sheinwald donated in memory of yahrzeit for Frances

Namanowich, mother of Shelley SheinwaldGeneral FundDanielle and Don Edgell donated in honor of Sue’s birthday and

Marc and Sue’s anniversaryMuriel and Sheldon Gardner donated in honor of Marc and Sue

Benezra’s 45th anniversaryStanley and Mikki Glantz donated in memory of the Ulrich

FamilyRoberta Livingston donated with appreciation for the prayers by

the congregation for the health of my friends and familyJohn and Marcy Manning donated in honor of Marc and Sue’s

45/65 celebrationJohn and Marcy Manning donated in memory of Violette

Eskenazi Assayas, mother of Danielle EdgellJohn and Marcy Manning donated in honor of Adina Shoshana

Ross, granddaughter of Barbara and David MendelsohnJohn and Marcy Manning donated in gratitude for Barbara

Mendelsohn’s and Carol Currier’s recoveriesJohn and Marcy Manning donated in memory of Esther Horner,

mother of Sue BenezraJohn and Marcy Manning donated in memory of Rubin

Sheinwald, father of Jesse SheinwaldJohn and Marcy Manning donated in memory of Ronni, Jeff,

Lexi and Carlie UlrichDavid and Barbara Mendelsohn donated in honor of Marc and

Sue Benezra on their joyful anniversary and birthday

David and Barbara Mendelsohn donated in memory of Orville Zuckerman,m father of Michael Zuckerman

David and Barbara Mendelsohn donated in honor of Danielle and Don Edgell on the birth of their granddaughter

Sheila and Burt Roberts donated in honor of Sue and Marc Benezra’s 45th anniversary and Sue’s 65th birthday

Michael Skalka and Nicole Thomas donated in honor of joining Beth Chaverim

Library FundAmy Lourenco donated in honor of Marc and Sue Benezra’s

45th wedding annniversary and Sue Benzra’s 65th birthdayPrayer Book FundSandy Frager donated in memory of Al FragerHeather Kern donated in memory of David ChelnikJan and Soop Saferstein donated in memory of Jan’s parents,

Sadie and Norton KesselJan and Soop Saferstein donated in memory of Soop’s parents,

Minnie and Abe SafersteinJan and Soop Saferstein donater in memory of Soop and Jan’s

brothers, Don Saferstein, Ben Kessel and Art KesselJill and Jan Weiner donated in honor of Sue and Mark Benezra’s

45th anniversaryTorah FundAmy Lourenco donated in memory of Orville Zuckerman, father

of Michael ZuckermanKol Nidre AppealAbby ChampagneRyan and Amanda GreenBarbara and David MendelsohnMartin and Linda KatzAllen Sparer

THANK YOU