Fall 2012September-October-NovemberElul • Tishri • Cheshvan • Kislev5773Vol. LIV No. 1

www.templeshalom.net

ServicesCont.page 2

Erev Shabbat Services—Labor on the Bimah, 7:30 PM

Shabbat Morning Worship & Study, 10 AMShabbat Service and Bat Mitzvah of Olivia Goodman, 10 AM

Ki Teitzei, Deuteronomy 21:10-25:19Isaiah 54:1-10Tot Shabbat, 5:30 PMWelcome Back Potluck Dinner, 6:15 PMErev Shabbat Welcome-Home-from-CampServices, 7:30 PMShabbat Morning Worship & Study, 10 AMSelichot Dessert Reception, 8 PMSelichot Coffeehouse with Gerard Edery andMalgorzata Panko, 8:30 PMSelichot Candlelit Service, 10 PMKi Tavo, Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8Isaiah 60:1-22Erev Shabbat Piano Services, 7:30 PM

Shabbat Morning Worship & Study, 10 AMShabbat Service and B’nai Mitzvah of Dylan Goldstock and Nathan Wolfe, 10 AM

Nitzavim, Deuteronomy 29:9-30:20Isaiah 61:10-63:9

Erev Rosh Hashanah Community Family-Style Service, 6:15 PMErev Rosh Hashanah Service, 8 PM

Rosh Hashanah Morning Service, 10 AMRosh Hashanah Youth Service & Activities, 10 AMRosh Hashanah Community Family Service, 2 PMTashlich, 3 PMMorning Service 2nd Day of Rosh Hashanah with flutist Mattan Klein, 10 AM

Erev Shabbat Services—FolkShabbat/Shabbat Shuvah, 7:30 PM

Shabbat Morning Worship & Study/Shabbat Shuvah, 10 AM

Vayelech, Deuteronomy 31:1-30Hosea 14:2-10, Micah 7:18-20 & Joel 2:15-27

Erev Yom Kippur/Kol Nidrei Services, 8 PMParallel Service for Grade 6+ in the Chapel, 8 PM

Yom Kippur Morning Service, 10 AMYouth Service and Activities, 10 AMPersonal & Guided Study & Meditation, 1 PMYom Kippur Community Family Service, 2 PMAfternoon Opportunities for Adults, 2 PMHealing Service, 3:30 PMYom Kippur Afternoon Service, 4:30 PMYizkor and Ne’ilah, 5:30 PMMini Break-Fast, 7 PM

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September

graphic design, cover design

and production:

laura-leigh palmer, asap graphics;

laura.leigh@asapgraphics.com

editor

Cheryl McGowan, Temple Shalom

cmcgowan@templeshalom.net

Produced by Temple Shalom

Phone: 301–587–2273

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Erev Shabbat Services, 7:30 PM

Shabbat Morning Worship & Study, 10 AM

Haazinu, Deuteronomy 32:1-522 Samuel 22:1-51

Erev Sukkot Service Under the Sukkah, 6:15 PMBYO Dinner Under the Sukkah, 7 PM

Sukkot Morning Community Service (TempleEmmanuel), 10 AM

Tot Shabbat, 5:30 PMCongregational Shabbat Dinner, 6:15 PMErev Shabbat Services & Religious SchoolConsecration, 7:30 PM

Shabbat Morning Worship & Study, 10 AMShabbat Service & B’nai Mitzvah of Benjamin and Maren Beriss, 10 AM

Exodus 33:12-34:26Ezekiel 38:18-39:7

Erev Simchat Torah Family Service, 7 PM

Simchat Torah/Sh’mini Atzeret Festival Morning& Yizkor Memorial Service (Temple Sinai), 10 AM

Erev Shabbat Piano Services, 7:30 PM

Shabbat Morning Worship & Study, 10 AMShabbat Service & Bat Mitzvah of Liza Brilliant, 10 AM

Bereshit, Genesis 1:1-6:8Isaiah 42:5-43:10

Erev Shabbat Shir Shalom Music Shabbat, 7:30 PM

Shabbat Morning Worship & Study, 10 AM

Noach, Genesis 6:9-11:32Isaiah 54:1-55:5

Erev Shabbat Services—Folk Shabbat, 7:30 PM

Shabbat Morning Worship & Study, 10 AMLech L’cha, Genesis 12:1-17:27Isaiah 40:27-41:16

Tot Shabbat, 5:30 PMCongregational Shabbat Family Dinner, 6:15 PMErev Shabbat Services—6th Grade Leads, 7:30 PM

Shabbat Morning Worship & Study, 10 AMShabbat Service and Bat Mitzvah of Penina Meier-Silverman, 10 AMVayeira, Genesis 18:1-22:242 Kings 4:1-37

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Shabbat Morning Worship & Study, 10 AMShabbat Service and Bat Mitzvah of HannahSchuster, 10 AM

Chayei Sarah, Genesis 23:1-25:181 Kings 1:1-31

Erev Shabbat Services—Soulful Shabbat Ruach,7:30 PM

Shabbat Morning Worship & Study, 10 amYoga Shalom, 10 AM

Tol’dot, Genesis 25:19-28:9Malachi 1:1-2:7 or 1 Samuel 20:18-42

“Pro-Neg” Shabbat, 5:30 PMErev Shabbat Services—College Homecoming,6:15 PM

Shabbat Morning Worship & Study, 10 AM

Vayeitzei, Genesis 28:10-32:3ßHosea 12:13-14:10

Erev Shabbat Services—Folk Shabbat, 7:30 PM

Shabbat Morning Worship & Study, 10 AMShabbat Service and Bat Mitzvah of CatherineHorowitz, 10 AM

Vayishlach, Genesis 32:4-36:43Hosea 11:7-12:12

continued from page 1

Current and back issues

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O c t o b e r

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High Holiday Parking 2012Temple Shalom parking lot

For the Rosh Hashana evening and morningservices, Kol Nidre and Yom Kippur morningservices, the Temple parking lot will bereserved for those with mobility issues or spe-cial needs and for the clergy. Please use thecheck-off box on the ticket order form torequest a parking pass. If you wish to drop offpassengers and park elsewhere, please enterfrom Keith Court, drop off your passengers at the circle and then exit at Keith Court.

Rock Creek Forest Elementary8330 Grubb Road, across from the Parkway Deli, Rock Creek Forest Elementary has

limited spots in their two parking areas available for Temple Shalom members.

Christ the King Catholic Church2301 Colston Drive, Silver Spring, has offered us parking for our September 25 ErevYom Kippur/Kol Nidrei services only. A map to this and other parking locations will

be sent with your High Holy Day tickets.

Neighborhood parkingMany of you will choose to park in the neighborhood. Please be respectful of our

neighbors and do not block driveways or park in illegal spaces.

PLEASE ALSO CONSIDER WALKING OR CARPOOLING WITH A NEIGHBOR!

Rear Parking Lot

Keith Courto of

Spencer Road

GrubbRoad

Front Parking Lot

TracCircle

Sun and heat are much on my mind these days. I write these wordsin the middle of July in Jerusalem, having left behind recordtemperatures and outrageously long power outages in Washington, toarrive in the desert to an apartment with no air conditioning.

So yes, it is hot at the moment and not always comfortable. And yet,and yet…

There is something about the light in Israel. It is, perhaps, areflection off the stones, a shimmering intensity, a golden power, aradiant insistence. There is something special in the light, a hint of beingable to see new things, an ongoing and renewed revelation. It is sobright it is almost blinding at times, but somehow there is a promise inthat light, that the heat can be borne. How does it glow so much?

There was a moment on the first Friday afternoon I was here, whilesitting at an outdoor service in the courtyard of a nature museum, at aKabbalat Shabbat (the early and mostly sung part of the Friday eveningservice) led by the musically oriented Jewish renewal community NavaTehillah (some of whom were with us at Temple Shalom lastDecember). It was distractingly hot until the sun passed to shadow, anda whisper of wind swept through the courtyard like a cool caress.

And suddenly I thought, as I paused, grateful for the breeze and theshade, about what that sense of relief is like in the course of our lives.

With the turning of the year and the themes of the Days of Awe, all ofus have a chance to look over our lives. Hard times are there for all of us.There is loss and separation, distance from those with whom we wouldbe close, and, if we do our work right, we experience the unrelentinglight of harsh truths about ourselves that we would rather not see.

The deepest problems in our lives are not easily solved. There are fewmagic wands in the world, or instant cures. But to solve anything, well,we have to be able to begin. We will never finish that which we neverstart. (A journey of a thousand miles...)

And in the face of blinding light and burning questions, we can, infact, help each other. We can be, for ourselves and one another, thebreeze and the shade, the hint of shelter and refreshment. We can bringenough relief, enough of a sense of security and safety, of comfort andconfidence that each of us can find a way to stand, to manage through,to move forward in the heat. Even electric power lost can lead to innerpower gained, if we manage right, if we are there for each other, and ifwe keep the right perspective.

Only a metaphor, I know. But I also know how I feel, in the breezeand the shade. It is more than my imagination. It is the embrace of theuniverse. It somehow brings a sense of being loved, of being rejuvenatedand renewed. It is a sense of rightness and relief, of support, ofwholeness, and of coming home.

This year may we be, for one another, the breeze and the shade, inthe journeys of our lives. Julie, Benjamin, Daniel and Talia join me inwishing you a warm, wonderful, loving and fulfilling new year of 5773.

L’Shana Tovah,

Michael L. Feshbach

Rabbi

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Breeze and ShadeMessage fromRabbi Michael L. Feshbach

From the Rabbi • From the President

This is my first message to you as yourPresident, in this my second opportunity to leadthe Congregation. The past year has been veryinteresting, with many highs and lows. We hadwonderful social and music events, a successfulschool program and many events sponsored byour auxiliaries. We renewed the contracts of ourSenior Rabbi and Cantor, keeping our seniorstaff intact for the foreseeable future.

Now is the time for each of us to both lookback at the past year and look forward to decidehow we will be in the upcoming year. As youknow, the High Holy Day services will bedifferent this year as we return to a single servicefor Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. I hopeeveryone will recognize the benefit ofcelebrating the holidays together in one

congregation. While there may be someinconveniences, if we all act in the spirit of theoccasion, things should be fine.

I encourage each of you to participate fully inall of the events of the season, including Selichotand the learning experiences on Yom Kippurafternoon.

I want to express my deep-felt thanks toSusan Zemsky, our Executive Director, and all ofthe office staff for all of the hard work they doeach year to allow the services to flow smoothly.

Our single biggest challenge is to grow ourmembership and improve our financial position.While we have enough money to function, ourfuture ability to continue our staff and programswill depend in part on increased membership. AsI will discuss in more detail on Yom Kippur

morning, I look to each of you to be a part ofthe Membership Committee, and to keep alertfor potential members. If we all share in theeffort, I am sure we can grow this wonderfulcongregation.

Fran and I wish all of you happy, healthy andprosperous New Year. May we go from strengthto strength.

L’Shana Tovah,

Harvey J. Berger

President

FROM THE PRESIDENT

For over a decade, members of Temple Shalomand friends and guests who have joined them havecome together on Thursday afternoons to readthrough the Hebrew Bible. We have finished theTorah, worked through the Prophets, studiedPsalms, tackled the Book of Job, and examinedthe Song of Songs. This fall, we invite you to joinus as we dive into Ecclesiastes and Lamentations.Drop by for a single session or come for the entireyear; no previous experience in Biblical study willbe needed to get a great deal out of exploring thisamazing book.

A Thursday Brown-Bag Lunch Series, taught byRabbi Michael Feshbach and others.

October 4, 11, 18, and 25

November 1, 8, 15, and 29

December 6, 13, and 20

January 3, 10, 17, and 24

February 21 and 28

March 14 and 21

April 4, 11, 18, and 25

Free of charge – 12 NOON – 1 PM

Adult Education

Didn’t have a Bar or Bat Mitzvah atage thirteen? Are you from a non-observant home where none of thechildren went to Hebrew school? Are you awoman from a family where only the boysreceived a Jewish education? Were you notJewish growing up? Or did you have a BarMitzvah when you were young, but areapproaching the age of 83 (and, since somesay that “counting begins again” at age 70,you would be turning 13 all over again)?

There are many reasons that adult Jewsgo through the relatively modern ritual ofan “adult” Bar or Bat Mitzvah. At TempleShalom we have a proud tradition ofwelcoming those who want to explore thisprocess, no matter their current level ofHebrew. We work with our adult learners toshape their Jewish studies to follow the leadsof their own interests. Think an AdultBar/Bat Mitzvah might be for you? Thenhere are two steps that might change yourlife:

Let us know you are thinking of this andthat you might be interested, by contactingLauren Harrison in Rabbi Feshbach’s office atlharrison@templeshalom.net or 301-587-2273.

Come to a meeting to explore thenext Adult Bar/Bat Mitzvah class, on

Sunday, September 23, and/or Sunday,October 14, from 9:30-10:30 AM, in

Rabbi Feshbach’s study

It’s Never Too Late!

New AdultBar/Bat

Mitzvah Classforming at Temple Shalom

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Thursday Brown-Bag LunchSeries 2012

Ecclesiastes andLamentations

Thursday afternoons, 12 NOON – 1 PM,

bring a lunch if you would like.

R a b b i ’s S t u d y C i r c l e

A new concept in congregational learning! Often our clergy encounter “core” Jewish texts whichthey believe all those interested in Judaism would benefit from learning, but which do not fit in anyobvious class offering. We are creating an opportunity to share such learning – whether classical texts

or modern poetry – in an ongoing but stand-alone series called the Rabbi’s Study Circle. It is a“Chef’s Choice” approach, with “ingredients” from the full range of the Jewish historical experi-ence. Share with our clergy team important learning. The Rabbi’s Study Circle will continue as

interest and calendar considerations allow, but for now the initial dates are:

September 6 and 13, 2012 (Thursdays), 12 NOON – 1 PMOctober 7 and 28, 2012 and November 11, 2012 (Sundays), 9:30 – 10:30 AM.

Watch for some Tuesday evening times as well.

Partnership 2000 • Mitzvah Day • From the Executive Vice President

Page 5

In the last Shofar, we helped explain “Partnership2000 - Family Heirlooms,” an internationalJewish learning project shared among three con-gregations: Kehillat Tzur Hadassah in TzurHadassah, Israel; Temple Israel in Cape Town,South Africa; and our own Temple Shalom. Atthat time the final workshop, a video conferenceamong the Temple Shalom, Israel and SouthAfrica participants, was to be held. The video con-ference took place in late April between TempleShalom and Kehillat Tzur Hadassah; the SouthAfrica group was unable to join at that time.

Temple Shalom and Kehillat Tzur Hadassahparticipants learned a little about their dailylives, school, and neighborhoods. Here are someof Dana’s, Asher’s and Ilana’s reactions.

How is life in Israel for kids your age dif-ferent from your life here?

One thing I noticed was that students havedifferent classes each school day. Also, on certainschool days, students get out earlier than onothers, and the time kids get out of school variesdepending on the grade. The life of the kids inIsrael is so different from ours. They only havefive hours of school and only have four and ahalf days of school.

What surprised you?I was surprised by the fact that hours of the

school day vary everyday. They get to stay up alot later especially on holidays. I thought it wasawesome that they seemed to share similar

interests as us.

What else would you like to talk aboutwith them?

I would like to know more about what theirdaily life is like, where they hang out with theirfriends, and what kind of music they enjoylistening to.

If the kids from Israel came here to DC,what would be the first 3 things (places,activities, thoughts) you would want toshare with them?

I would want to take them to a classicAmerican diner first, where each of them couldget chocolate milkshakes. I would then takethem to see all of the monuments and museumsin Washington, DC, and the White House. Last,I would take them to a baseball game so theycould see how baseball is played.

If we went to Israel, what would be thefirst three things (places, activities,thoughts) you would want them to sharewith us?

I would want to see the Dead Sea, the Domeof the Rock, the Wailing Wall, and the Chagallwindows. I would also want to see whatactivities they like to do with their friends.

-Dana Bederson, Asher Prusky and Ilana Simon-Rusinowitz

Our “Trip” to Israel

This past spring, we began a strategicplanning process at Temple Shalom. It is aprocess that we expect will help us as acongregation understand what we value, whatstrategic initiatives we need to undertake tosupport those values, and how we assess theseinitiatives going forward. Executive VicePresident Allison Druin, along with PastPresident Betsy Kingery and Board memberJordin Cohen, are facilitating this process. Theybegan by working with the clergy and oursenior staff. By the late summer into the fall,they will be working with the ExecutiveCommittee and Board of Trustees to furtherrefine and define strategic initiatives. We hopeby next spring to bring you the ideas from thisprocess for your feedback, input, and revision.We believe this is just one more way TempleShalom will continue to go from strength tostrength.

Allison Druin

FROM THE EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT

Temple Shalom StrategicPlanning 2012

Dear Friends,

As I begin my fifth year as Cantor ofTemple Shalom, it is hard to believe thattime has gone by so swiftly. The students Itaught in third grade are now becoming Barand Bat Mitzvah, and the students who weremy first B’nai Mitzvah class are now pastConfirmation! The cycles and seasons of liferoll past, my own children now in college.How quickly it all goes by us, and if we blinkwe might miss something!

Our synagogue family is continuallyevolving as all of us transition from one stageto the next, nurturing our children andcaring for our parents and wondering how tokeep us connected through it all. Since mychildhood, the synagogue I grew up in and,later, the ones I served, always provided mewith a sense of stability and connection toJudaism and the world. They served as aunifying common denominator, as it were, aplace through which to ground myself andinstill meaning into my life.

I see Temple Shalom very much as thatgrounding force today, for myself, for myfamily, and for the children and families andindividuals who call our sacred synagoguetheir spiritual home. We are Shalom Echad,one family united by common core values,ethical standards, study, music, socialconscience and a sense of our responsibilityto one another and the world. That’s one ofthe reasons I’m so excited about our singleservices this High Holy Day season! We willall be together in prayer for the first timesince I joined the Temple family. Manyindividuals praying together as one voice,opening our hearts to The Divine and oursouls to the still small voice within us.

As our temple family grows, so too doesour opportunity to become more involvedwith its future. The leadership of the temple

is working hard to engage and tap into everyperson we serve to get feedback, encourageparticipation and facilitate new and excitingprograms and worship. It is an exciting timeto belong to Temple Shalom and feel thesense of belonging pervading everything wedo. We cannot wait to share all that thefuture will bring.

Electronic emails and social mediacontinue to play a more important role inkeeping us connected, but there is nosubstitute for showing up every Friday nightand Saturday morning so we can share facetime and catch up. I look forward to doingthat with all of you soon.

I am so excited to be part of the past,present and future of a Temple Shalom.Together we are truly Shalom Echad, onevoice striving for wholeness and peace. As wehead into this season of reflection, may oursacred journey be blessed by our love for oneanother and our hopes for a strongorganization with a prosperous future.

L’Shana Tova Umetukah,

Cantor Lisa

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Message from Cantor Lisa L.Levine

From the Cantor

Page 6

Sam Glaser, who is, according to JewishMusic Group Online, “the hardest workingman in Jewish music today,” performed atTemple Shalom on May 20, 2012. We willwork hard to continue to include specialmusical programming throughout this

coming school year

E n e r g e t i c C a n t o r S e e k s S i n g e r sf o r H a r d -Wo r k i n g A d u l t C h o i rThe rewards are great, the

time is well spent. We are awarm, fun and loving group ofpeople. We love long warm upsand singing with the band.Ifyou share same interests,

please meet us:W e d n e s d a y s a t 7 : 3 0 P M

C a l l f o r d e t a i l s : 3 0 1 - 5 8 7 - 2 2 7 3C a n t o r l i s a@ T e m p l e S h a l o m . n e t

Upcoming

Special Music Shabbat ServicesShir Shalom Music Shabbat

October 19thSoulful Shabbat Ruach

November 16th

Temple Shalom’s Special Purpose Fundswere established a number of years agoby some very forward-thinking mem-bers of our Board of Trustees. The major goalof this program is to fund a number of keyactivities of special interest to members thatwould not impact on the Temple’s operatingbudget.

Thanks to the generous support of ourcongregants, the Temple’s Special PurposeFunds have achieved the following over thepast fiscal year:

• Enabled 14 students enrolled in ourReligious Education Program to attendJewish summer camps.

• Enabled three young people to participatein study-in-Israel programs over the sum-mer.

• Subsidized concerts and musical pro-grams planned and conducted by CantorLevine.

• Subsidized a number of speakers andresource personnel for Brotherhoodbunches and meetings.

• Provided financial assistance to ourReligious Education Program for specialevents.

• Assisted Religious School staff and faculty inattending special workshops designed tobroaden their skills and Judaic knowledge.

• Provided financial assistance in the plan-ning and organization of our annualTemple gala.

• Purchased and repaired prayer books forTemple religious services.

• Purchased floral arrangements for Templereligious services.

• Provided funds for our Saturday morningTorah study programs.Approximately $26,000 was earmarked for

the above activities. This could not have beencarried out without the generous and loyalsupport of our Temple members.

While the generosity of current and formerTemple members has provided these funds,several of them are in need of additionalfunding in order to continue to support theirfunctions. The Levinsohn-Feinberg CampFund is particularly in need of additionalfunds.

Please consider that Fund or any of theothers listed in the Shofar when you arelooking to mark a special event or birthday, tothank someone who has helped you or yourfamily, or any other occasion.

Thank you for your support!

Earl Simons, Administrator

Temple Shalom Special Purpose Funds

Special Funds • Rabbi’s Study Circle

SPECIAL FUNDS

THE MITZVAH OF GIVING

Page 7

Thank youto this year’s

ConfirmationClass for their

generous contribution to

theLevensohn Feinberg

Camp Fund

Thank youTo the

Wednesday MorningMinyan

for their generous contribution to the

Levensohn Feinberg Camp Fund

S e e k i n g P h a b u l o u s P h o t o s !Our web site needs photos to give it morepow and pizzazz, interest and

intrigue, and general awesomeness!If you have a digital or hard-copy photo of a Temple

event or a beautiful shot of the Temple itself, we welcomeyou to drop it off or e-mail it to

Cheryl McGowan at the Temple office: cmcgowan@templeshalom.net. Hard copies will be returned.

Thank youto our fabulous

Lay Rabbi and Cantor Corpfor their

beautiful Shabbat SummerServices!

You are all appreciated!

On the blackboard, my Rabbinic Practiceteacher Rabbi Don Goor wrote the let-ters “GE.”“It is very important that you understand

what this means,” said Rabbi Goor, before aclass of antsy second-year rabbinic studentsanxiously anticipating the upcoming High HolyDays which we would be leading. On our own.For the first time.

“Do you know what it means?” he asked.

We looked back quizzically.

“‘Good enough,’” he explained, “It means‘good enough.’ During the next few weeks youhave services to plan, sermons to write, a newcommunity to get to know, in addition to yourschool work. There is not enough time foreverything you do to be amazing. During thenext few weeks, you will sometimes need tosettle on products that are ‘good enough.’”

While perhaps not what congregants want tohear, this was a crucial message to us as studentsserving congregations in remote communitiesaround the western part of the United States. Wewere gearing up for our first experience leadingHigh Holy Day services as rabbinical students.With all the other things going on, despite ourbest efforts, some things were only going to be“good enough.”

“Good enough” is critical to each of us indifferent times and places. Whether in the workforce, home life, school work, or parenting,sometimes the things we do will only be “goodenough”—for the A, for the costume for theschool play, for the fifth paper being written ina week. Sometimes, despite our desires, we canonly be “good enough.”

And, while “good enough” serves animportant purpose, a problem arises when“good enough” becomes our only mode ofoperations, when we cease striving towardexcellence. Sometimes, when we have a goodthing going, we do not want to mess with it.We want to make sure that, “If it ain’t broke,don’t fix it.”

But sometimes things need to change.When “good enough,” becomes the new

“excellent” on a regular basis, we becomestagnant. We are pleased enough with theproduct (and often our constituents are, aswell), so we settle for a lack of excellence.

From my experiences over the past year, ithas become clear to me that we have a “good”religious school at Temple Shalom. Ourstudents enjoy religious school, we haveincredible and dedicated teachers, our retreatprogram is impressive. We are good enough.

But, as my Leadership and Managementprofessor, Dr. Michael Zeldin, used to tell us,“We will not reach perfection, but we ought tostrive for excellence.”

With a bit longer than a year gone by since Ibegan this work, one full year of listening, oflearning about some of our likes and gripes as aschool community, I am looking forward toexploring with you how we can move ourselvestoward excellence.

We are privileged during this next year to beembarking on an educational vision journeythrough the Partnership of Jewish Life andLearning. We will bring together a diverse andcongregationally representative group ofstakeholders of our religious school communityand begin the CE21 module, Taking YouthEducation from Good to Great. A leadershipteam and task force of students, parents,teachers, clergy, and other Temple Shalommembers will gather to reflect on our school,our programs from tot through post-Confirmation, and explore our visions, dreams,and goals for the future of our school. We willengage in conversation with stakeholdersthroughout our Temple Shalom community andlisten to the voices of our community. While theprocess may end with the creation of new ideasand programs, the crux of this process isthinking critically about our school, what is“good” about it and what a “great” TempleShalom Religious School community can looklike, the values it would embody, and how ourpractices are or are not in line with our vision.

Although often overused, my favorite Jewishteaching is from Pirkei Avot. Rabbi Tarfon says,“Lo alecha hamlacha ligmor v’lo atah bein chorin

l’hibateil mimenah.” It is not our task to completethe work, nor are we free to desist from it.

In one year, we will not radically change ourschool, but we will begin the journey oftransition to a school that is “good enough” toone that is “great,” striving toward excellence.From a school with many happy children, toone where most of our students feel deeplyengaged and excited to walk through the doorsof our synagogue, from a school with incredibleteachers and parents to one where the adults inour community have a clear understanding ofthe goals and vision for the future and haveclarity on their roles in passing on Judaism l’dorvador, from generation to generation.

We are good enough, but we are ready tomove to great!

If this sounds like an exciting initiative toyou and you would like to be involved in thisprocess as part of our leadership team or taskforce or in another capacity, please contact meat rabbiackerman@templeshalom.net or at 301-587-2273. I look forward to embarkingon this journey with you.

L’Shalom,

Rabbi Rachel Ackerman

From the Director of Education

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F A Q F I N D E RFrequently Asked Questions Regarding Your Temple

StatementHave you ever asked the following............* What is the Temple’s fiscal year?* How will I be billed for Temple charges?* Why do I have to pay religious school charges

up front?* When are payments due?* I’m confused about the differences between pay-

ments for Membership, Sanctuary Fund, andMortgage Maintenance. Please explain!

Answers to these questions can be found on theback of your Temple Statement.We have been asked why payments need to be sentto Pittsburgh, PA. Payments are mailed to a pro-cessing company located in Pittsburgh. After deposit-ing the checks to our account, the bank forwardsthe deposit record to the temple office; this processoccurs in a timely manner. Please allow a weekbetween the mailing of your check and posting inthe office. Using the payment processing companysignificantly reduces the amount of time office staffspend on this task at a nominal cost.

GE, Good Enough

Rabbi Rachel AckermanDirector of Education

Religious SchoolCalendar Fall 2012 Monday, September 3—B’naiMitzvah Fall Harvest at CantorLisa’s HomeFriday, September 7—WelcomeBack from Camp Shabbat for AllGrades and FamiliesSunday, September 9—OpeningDay of Temple Shalom ReligiousSchool ProgramsTuesday, September 11 andWednesday, September 12—Opening Days of Temple ShalomHebrew SchoolSeptember 21-23—NFTY-MARJELL-OSeptember 23—Kindergarten JFE—ConsecrationSunday, September 30—ReligiousSchool Sukkah BuildingFriday, October 5—New StudentsConsecration ServiceSunday, October 14—1st GradeJFE—Noah’s Ark at the NationalZooFriday, October 19-Monday,October 22—Confirmation Trip toNYCFriday, October 26-Saturday,October 27—Chai SchoolShabbatonFriday, November 2—6th GradeLed Shabbat ServiceSunday, November 4—TempleShalom Mitzvah DaySunday, November 11—3rd GradeJFE—Ratner MuseumFriday, November 16-Sunday,November 18—7th Grade RetreatFriday, November 16-Sunday,November 18—NFTY-MAR FallKallahSunday, November 18—Back-to-School Sunday SchoolFriday, November 30-Monday,December 3—L’Taken Social JusticeSeminar (9th-12th Grade)

October 28, 2012Start-Up Nation: The Story of Israel’sEconomic Miracle by Dan Senor and Saul Singer

Start-Up Nation addresses the trillion-dollarquestion: How is it that Israel—a country of7.1 million, only 60 years old, surrounded byenemies, in a constant state of war since itsfounding, with no natural resources—producesmore start-up companies than large, peaceful,and stable nations like Japan, China, India,Korea, Canada and the U.K.? With the savvy offoreign policy insiders, Senor and Singer exam-ine the lessons of the country’s adversity-drivenculture, which flattens hierarchy and elevatesinformality—all backed upby government policiesfocused on innovation.

December 2, 201297 Orchard: An EdibleHistory of FiveImmigrant Families inOne New York Tenement by Jane Ziegelman

Five fascinating and inter-weaving chapters present theculinary history of five differ-ent immigrant families whoresided in 97 Orchard Streetover the course of a 70-yearperiod. First, the Glocknerfamily from Germany, thenthe Moores from Ireland, theGerman Jewish Gumpertzfamily, the Russian-JewishRogarshevskys, and theBaldizzis from Italy. Eachlived in the crowded tene-ment, and each contributedtheir culinary traditions towhat we Americans eat today.

January 13, 2013The Coffee Trader by David Liss

The Coffee Trader immediately engages thereader in a vibrant world of intrigue and high-stakes speculation in an unlikely but wonder-fully exotic setting—Amsterdam in the middleof the Dutch Golden Age of the 17th century.

It is a story of loyalty vs. betrayal, honesty vs.duplicity, familial battles and unpredictablealliances. David Liss captures the colorfulworld of Sephardic Jews, who, having escapedthe inferno of the Spanish and PortugueseInquisition, struggle to find their identity intheir New Jerusalem, the sometimes not-so-tolerant Dutch Republic.

March 3, 2013Those Who Save Us by Jenna Blum

Shifting back and forth between Minneapolisin the late 1990s and Weimar, Germany, dur-ing the war, this novel centers around a moth-

er/daughter relationship,specifically, the mother’sactions during the war andthe daughter’s grappling tounderstand who she is andher family history. As areader, you’ll feel horrified,moved, uplifted, angry, sur-prised and hopeful, amongstother emotions that trulyrun the gamut.

May 12, 2013Unorthodox: TheScandalous Rejection ofMy Hasidic Roots by Deborah Feldman

Deborah Feldman’s story istruly amazing. The book isabout a girl growing up in theSatmar community who is dis-enchanted, while everyonearound her is spellbound. Shedares not let even her bestfriends know that she does notbelieve in all of the rituals. Shequestions whether this is whatGod really intended. She recog-

nizes that the Satmar way of life, created just sixtyyears ago by a charismatic leader, is a distorted versionof Judaism. She dreams of escaping. The Satmarcommunity has so many structural/societal restraintsto prevent rebellion that Deborah Feldman’s journeyto leave this community is both heroic and inspira-tional.

RE Calendar • Book Group

TEMPLE SHALOM BOOK DISCUSSIONS

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The Temple Shalom Renaissance GroupInvites You to Attend Their—

12th Annua lMeet ing and

Dessert Soc ia lSunday, October 28, 2012

7 pm Temple Shalom

Mark your calendars for our opening meeting on Sunday,October 28. Our guest speaker is Darren Popkin, Sheriff ofMontgomery County, who will discuss crime trends in the

county, including anti-Semitism and identity theft.

In addition, you will have an opportunity to meet the mem-bers of the Renaissance Group Steering Committee and get a

preview of events planned for this year.And, of course, a delicious dessert will be served!

RSVP by October 14 to

Francine Simons301-838-9530

Email francine1938@verizon.net

Letter from the Women of Reform Judaismaka Temple Shalom Sisterhood (excerptedfrom Annual Meeting address):

NPR recently aired a program in whichnuns and priests discussed the direction of theCatholic Church with respect to women’sissues. A female Catholic Priest? To date, thisdoes not exist.

Contrast this with a recent email I receivedfrom the Women of Reform Judaism list serve.Rabbi Wendi Geffen, a Reform Rabbi forNorth Shore Congregation in Glencoe, IL,asked her four-year-old child, “What do youwant to be when you grow up?”

The child responded, “Well I’d like to be aRabbi but I can’t because I am a boy.”

It is wonderful to be part of the TempleShalom community, where daily we see ourTemple leaders, men and women alike, live astrong Jewish life governed by strong Jewishvalues and lead accordingly.

The women’s seder was the best ever atTemple Shalom, led by our very own RabbiRachel and Cantor Lisa. Susan Gerechtorganized a Women’s Retreat at theLandsdowne Resort, where Temple womenshared in Torah study and the joy of Shabbat.

Infused with energy, new leaders steppedforth to volunteer their efforts, ideas andpassions. We had a successful Yenta Eventa,where Richard Udell showed off his culinaryskills and Karen Safer organized our theateroutings.

The 2012-2013 WRJ officers and Boardmembers are:

President: Linda Gurevich

Treasurer: Susan Gerecht

Secretary: Karen Safer

Board Members: Bev Cohen, JeanetteGordon, Margo Gottesman, Beth Janoff, RitaKlein, Andy Mark, JoHanna Potts, StefanieWeldon, and Karen Young.

Please contact us for more informationabout events or how you can become involvedwith WRJ.

In order to meet increasing costs and to beable to raise more monies for a Youth

Engagement Project and fund nationalwomen’s issues, the WRJ at the URJ biennialvoted to increase Sisterhood dues from $15 to$18 per member. That means our Sisterhood,after paying its National and Mid-Atlanticdues, will have fewer funds. Despite thisincrease, we are holding dues at $36. TheJudaica Shop (which is being resurrected byBeth Janoff and Stefanie Weldon) and thewinter Chanukah Mart (under the initiative ofBev Cohen) will allow us to continue togenerously support Temple activities.

This year the Sisterhood gave to the HighHoly Day Appeal, Gala, Silent Auction,Cantor’s Showcase, Cuba relief mission, MLKconcert, Moishe House, Jewish WomenInternational Teen financial program, B’naiMitzvah gifts and more. Our National andMid-Atlantic WRJ dues mingle with those ofother Reform congregations across the

country, doing good in ways we can’t doalone. We contributed $5,436.52 to Templeprogramming and appeals, which included a$2,500 end-of-the-year gift for thebeautification and maintenance of the groundsof Temple Shalom. Your dues and fundraisingallowed for all of this.

The Temple Shalom Sisterhood is not herejust for the women. This past year theSisterhood Board met with Brotherhood andRenaissance members and envisioned a goal ofmore shared and coordinated activities. We willmake every effort to support the auxiliaries ofTemple Shalom, as we are all one.

Thank you to Karen Safer for her years asSisterhood President.

SISTERHOODby Linda Gurevich, President, Women of Reform Judaism of Temple Shalom

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Sisterhood • Chavurah

WOMEN OF REFORM JUDAISMstronger together

Women of Reform Judaism 2012-2013 Calendar of Events and MeetingsSunday, October 14, 2012 3 PM to 5 PM “Chai Tea”—A Rosh Chodesh celebration

for Sisterhood members, followed by WRJmeeting, 5 PM to 6 PM

Friday-Sunday, October 18-20, 2012 WRJ Regional Conference, Wilmington,DE

Sunday, November 18, 2012 9 AM to 2:30 PM Chanukah Mart—shop for the holidays fromunique vendors

Tuesday, December 4, 2012 7:30 PM WRJ MEETING

January 25-27, 2013 all day Retreat at Landsdowne Resort and Spa—Shabbat celebration, Torah study,and…laughter!

Friday, February 22, 2013 7:30 PM Sisterhood Shabbat featuring the music ofCantor Lisa Levine with some special treats

Tuesday, March 5, 2012 7:30 PM WRJ MEETING

Sunday, March 17, 2013 5 PM to 8 PM Women’s Seder

Yenta Eventa – Time and date TBD

Please introduce yourself to your WRJ Board and join us.

Mah Jongg Group – Meets every Sunday during the school year at 11:15 AM. Contact rdinerman@verizon.net

This has been another good year forBrotherhood.

We held our customary four Sundaybrunches. The first featured Rabbi Feshbach,followed in February by our own Dr. Eric Clinespeaking on his latest archeological digs in Israel.In April we had a large crowd for Mark Plotkin,the well-known political commentator; andNatasha Barrett, local TV reporter andinterviewer, spoke at our pre-Mother’s DayBrunch in May. We want to give special thanksto the Eli Newberger Speakers Fund for fundingthe presentation at each of those events.

As usual, Brotherhood held a Passover winesale, sold Entertainment books, and presenteda Kiddush cup to each child who became Baror Bat Mitzvah and gave Yom Ha Shoahcandles to all students. We also hosted ourvery popular year-end picnic for Sunday Schoolkids and their families.

We initiated several events which proved sopopular that we plan to make them part of ourregular program. In October we had a tailgateparty before the Washington Redskins footballgame. We will repeat the event on September23, and we hope to see all of you for hot dogsand hamburgers starting at 12 NOON and thegame at 1 PM.

In the spring, we expanded our poker nightinto a games night. In addition to the usualcompulsive gamblers, it attracted a number ofScrabble players who we hope will join usagain on October 17 for food and fun. Weenjoyed providing a Chanukah latke fry forSunday School students and will do it again onDecember 2. We also sponsored a contest forthe students to draw illustrations for theTemple’s New Year’s cards. We congratulatethe winners, three budding artists JonathanHorowitz, Sophia Morse and GideonSchwartz. We hope that all Temple memberswill sign our New Year’s cards this year.

One very special new event will be the firstHal Bruno Memorial Brunch. Hal was a goodfriend of Brotherhood and his annualpresentation on the political scene was a can’t-miss brunch. Rick Kaplan, his successor atABC News, has agreed to be our speaker. Soplease save the date of November 11 and planto join us to honor Hal’s memory.

As a group dedicated to service to theTemple, during the past year Brotherhood

contributed $900 to the Temple and itsvarious programs. At the annual meeting wewere pleased to present to the Temple anadditional gift of $2,500, specificallydesignated for a decorative sign identifyingTemple Shalom at our front door.

Brotherhood invites Temple men of all agesnot only to become members but also toparticipate in our activities and help us toidentify new ones. If you have not made it to

any of our meetings the first Wednesday ofeach month, please join us for a deli meal at6:30 PM and a brief business session thatusually ends around 8 PM. We come togetherto serve the Temple and to have a good time.

We look forward to seeing you atBrotherhood meetings and functions.

Maurice Axelrad

Brotherhood President

Brotherhood

MESSAGE FROM BROTHERHOOD

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Sept. 23 Redskin Tailgate Party, 12 NOON

Oct. 17 Game Night

Nov. 11 Hal Bruno Memorial Brunch

Dec. 2 Latke Fry

Dec. 6 Hershey Bears Hockey, Verizon Ctr.

Dec. 22 Dinner and Movie Night

Jan. 6 Brotherhood Brunch

Mar. 3 Brotherhood Brunch

Apr. 19 Brotherhood Shabbat Dinner & Service

May 5 Pre-Mother’s Day Brunch

May 12 End of Religious School PicnicBR

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2012

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The High Holy Days are a time of renewal,when we have an opportunity to reinventourselves in ways large and small. As anindividual, I look for ways to heighten myspiritual awareness. As a temple administrator, Ilook for ways in which to lighten the temple’scarbon footprint and conserve resources of allkinds.

This year we are paying particular attentionto creative fixes for long-standing issues, one ofwhich is the paper glut of the High Holy Daymailing. With every form and information sheettaking at least one page, we have in the past sentout between 15 and 20 sheets in a largeenvelope. As an experiment, our High Holy Daypacket—which I hope you have already received(call if you haven’t!)—is typeset, stapled andfolded in booklet form with a return envelopeslipped in for good measure.

We hope to save paper, toner, postage, timeand energy with our new mailing strategy. Asalways, I am open to feedback fromcongregants, so please do not hesitate to e-mailme at szemsky@templeshalom.net with yourcomments and suggestions. Or better yet, comesee me in person so we can spend some timetogether.

I have to thank my wonderful staff forpartnering with me every day and to the manyvolunteers that make Temple Shalom awonderful, caring community.

My best wishes to all of you for a HappyNew Year and a wonderful year to come!

Susan Zemesky

Executive Director

Message from SusanZemskyExecutiveDirector

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Adult Education Steve Hirschfeld

ARZA Joan Kalin

B’nai Mitzvah Rita Klein

Brotherhood Maurice AxelradLynn Kanowith

Capital Projects Mark Ross

Cemetery TBD

Chavurah Rick Meyers

College Outreach Barbara Shulman

Communications TBD

Finance Marc Feinberg

Kenneth Kramer

Founders Jean Beeman

Historian/Parliamentarian Sandra Kamisar

House/Grounds Mike Gurevich

JCC Delegate Joan Kalin

Leadership Anne Feinberg

Legal Counsel Marc Feinberg

Membership Leslie RubinLinda Aldoory

Mitzvah Corps Wilma Braun

Music Emily Meyer

Nominating Miles R. Levin

Outreach TBD

Religious Education Jeffrey Steger

Renaissance Lynn Kanowith

Sisterhood Karen Safer

Linda Gurevich

Special Funds Earl Simons

Tikkun Olam Josh Silver

Worship Marty Shargel

Youth Bonnie Green

COMMITTEE CHAIRS

J o i n A R Z A !

Be a proud sponsor of Israel and join ARZA – the Association of Reform Zionists of

America. ARZA’s mission is “to strengthen and enrich the identity of Reform Jews

in the United States by ensuring that a connection with Eretz Israel is a fundamen-

tal part of that identity” through education, advocacy, creating partnerships, travel

and study. It is a vital source of support for IRAC – the Israel Religious Action

Center and IMPJ – the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism. Just $36 makes

you a member! For more information please contact ARZA Chair Joan Kalin at

joankalin@verizon.net.

Best wishes for a Happy, Healthy, Sweet New Year and one of peace!

As was pointed out in the Chavurah article in the summer edition of the Shofar, you can’t havetoo many friends—and that’s what joining a Temple Shalom Chavurah is all about.

To reiterate, a Chavurah is a group of 6 to 10 families, or up to 20 individuals, who are TempleShalom members, and who get together regularly (e.g., monthly) to enjoy an event that one ormore of the members has planned. The Chavurah does what its members what to do—there areno rules and no leader. At an annual meeting, the group will determine the types of activities inwhich it wants to engage. Events can be planned for the entire family, for adults only, or both.The key point here is that joining a Chavurah is a terrific way to get connected within the Templecommunity, in essence creating a small community within the larger one, in which the membersbecome not just friends, but an extended family.

Following the summer Shofar article, I’ve received applications from a number of congregantswho are interested in forming or joining a Chavurah. It’s a good start, but I need to hear frommany more of you so that I can match you with these people and with others of similar interestsand family status (e.g., single-faith or interfaith couples with younger or older children, or withoutchildren, singles and single parent families, empty nesters, etc.).

If you are interested and you have not yet contacted me, please call me at 301-384-6170 or e-mail me at peachwood1270@verizon.net. Or, call the Temple office at 301-587-2273 and tellthem that you’re interested in joining or forming a Temple Shalom Chavurah, and they will passon the information to me.

I am certain that you will be glad you made the choice to participate in the Temple ShalomChavurah program. As members of the Silver Spring Chavurah since 1988, it is one of the bestthings that my wife and I have ever done.

I very much hope to hear from you soon.

Rick MeyersChavurah Committee Chair

Chavurah

Reminder – You Can’t Have TooMany Friends

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SelichotSaturday, September 8

Reception, 8 PM

S’lichot Coffee House with Gerard Edery & Malgorzata Panko, 8:30 PM

Candlelit Service, 10 PM

Erev Rosh HashanahSunday, September 16

Early Family Friendly Informal Service, 6:15 PM

Late Traditional Temple Shalom Service, 8 PM

Rosh HashanahMonday, September 17

Adult Morning Service, 10 AM

Youth Service (2nd – 4th grade), 10 AM

Family Service, 2 PM

Tashlich, 3 PM

Second Day Rosh HashanahTuesday, September 18Morning Service, 10 AM

Erev Yom KippurTuesday, September 25Kol Nidrei Service, 8 PM

Parallel Service for Grade 6+ in Chapel, 8 PM

Yom KippurWednesday, September 26 Adult Morning Service, 10 AM

Youth Service (2nd – 4th grade), 10 AM

Study Sessions, 1 PM

Family Service, 2 PM

Afternoon Study and Discussion, 2 PM

Healing Service, 3:30 PM

Yom Kippur Afternoon Service, 4:30 PM

Yizkor (Memorial), and Ne'ilah

(Concluding) Service, 5:30 PM (approximate)

Mini Break Fast, 7 PM

Erev SukkotSunday, September 30

Service under the Sukkah, 6:15 PM

Picnic Dinner under the Stars following the service

(Approximately 7 PM)

SukkotMonday, October 1

Joint Reform Festival Morning Service, 10 AM

(at Temple Emanuel)

Erev Simchat TorahSunday, October 7

Erev Simchat Torah Service, 7 PM

Sh’mini Atzeret/Simchat TorahMonday, October 8

Simchat Torah Festival Morning Service,

including the Yizkor (Memorial) prayers, 10 AM

(at Temple Sinai)

HIGH HOLY DAY SCHEDULE2012 - 5773

Clergy & Staff Senior Rabbi Michael L. Feshbach Cantor Lisa L. LevineSusan Goutos Zemsky, ExecutiveDirectorRabbi Rachel Ackerman, Director ofEducationRabbi Emeritus Bruce E. KahnCantor Emeritus Saul RogolskyCheryl McGowan, ExecutiveAssistantLauren Harrison, Clergy AssistantBarbara Berney, School AssistantLois Simpson, BookkeeperJossie Lerner, Office Assistant

Board of Trustees ExecutiveCommittee Harvey Berger, PresidentAllison Druin, Exec. Vice PresidentLinda Gurevich, Vice PresidentMark Ross, TreasurerLynn Kanowith, Financial SecretaryPeg MacKnight, SecretaryRita Klein, Financial Secretary (intraining)

TrusteesJordin Cohen, Steve Hirschfeld, LindaAldoory, Rita Klein, Kenneth Kramer,Peg MacKnight, Seth Maiman, MichaelRichards, Leslie Rubin, Marty Shargel,Jeffrey Steger, Richard Udell, StefanieWeldon, Richard WeitznerVoting Auxiliary Members Myles R. Levin, Immediate PastPresident; Maurice Axelrad andAlan Lewis, Brotherhood Co-Presidents; Zach Kushner & BenFeshbach, TaSTY; Karen Safer andLinda Gurevich, Sisterhood Co-PresidentsAuxiliary Members Ex Officio (Non-Voting)Rabbi Michael FeshbachCantor Lisa LevineSusan Goutos Zemsky, ExecutiveDirectorRabbi Rachel Ackerman, Director ofEducationSandy Kamisar, URJ Board MemberStephen Sacks, Chairman of URJBoardJean Beeman, Founder’sRepresentativeMarc Feinberg, Temple Counsel