Tifereth Israel Congregation R - ShulCloud2 Tifereth Israel Congregation S H A B B A T FRIDAY EVENING Kabbalat Shabbat Service and Dinner Shoshana Strom • (202) 882-1605 • [email protected]

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Tifereth Israel Congregation Winter–Spring 2019/5779

Ethan Seidel Stan Dorn Chris Zeilinger

Rabbi President Vice President, Lifelong Learning

Jevera Temsky Sheri Blonder Rina Rebibo

Executive Synagogue Director of Director Administrator Education

See tiferethdc.shulcloud.com for current information on upcoming activities.

This catalog was updated 2/20/2019.

tiferethdc.shulcloud.com

Winter–Spring 2019/5779 Program Catalog 1

Dear Friends:

“Pesach is coming!” — words a college friend would utter almost every week, start-

ing right after Sukkot. And, of course, he was always right. This winter and spring,

we have a number of exciting opportunities to expand the horizons of your learning,

both leading up to and after Pesach.

Have you ever considered how Tu B’Shvat helps set the stage for Pesach? Come to

our Tu B’Shvat Seder on January 20 (p. 6) to find out.

Then you can take off in several directions. Enjoy the outdoors in February and May

on a Full Moon Hike (p. 20), or in April on the Environmental Committee’s visit to

the Tregaron Estate in DC (p. 13).

Do you crave ongoing study, culture, or the combination of the two? TI’s cycle of

Talkbacks at Theater J wraps up on March 24 (p. 18). Our video course on “Begin-

nings of Judaism” continues on eight Sunday mornings through June 2 (p. 14). And

Gevarim’s ongoing series of monthly movie screenings and discussions continues

on selected Sunday nights (p. 15).

While during Pesach, we hope everyone in the TI community will savor the taste of

matzah and join us for our Shabbat Pesach dinner (p. 6), there are also post-Pesach

programs to mark the separation of matzah and chametz, including pizza for tots and

their families right after the holiday on April 28 (p. 7).

We’ve got a veritable smorgasbord of educational and programming delights for you

to sample at TI this spring. I hope you enjoy our offerings!

Chris Zeilinger

Vice President for Lifelong Learning

T I

P R O G R A M

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For more information about programs in this catalog,

please contact Shoshana Strom, Administrative and Community

Engagement Assistant:

(202) 882-1605

[email protected]

TI is a vibrant, egalitarian Conservative synagogue, and

we’re growing with members of every description — young, senior,

married, single, intermarried, with or without children, LGBTQ,

traditionally observant or exploring Jewish observance, and more.

Come join us!

CONTENTS

Shabbat 2

Holidays 6

TI Tots 7

Youth K–5th 8

Better Together 9

Preteens/Teens 9

Kol Nashim 12

Environment 13

Gevarim 14

Social Action 16

Helping Hands 18

Adult Education 18

2 Tifereth Israel Congregation

S H

A B B A T

FRIDAY EVENING

Kabbalat Shabbat Service and Dinner Shoshana Strom • (202) 882-1605 • [email protected]

Kabbalat Shabbat (welcoming Shabbat) services are held every Friday evening

in the Reamer Chapel at 6:00 PM during the winter and at 6:30 PM during

daylight savings time. Services last about an hour and are a joyous way to

shake off the week and usher in Shabbat.

Approximately once a month, the Friday evening service is followed by a

delicious dinner, usually featuring a special program or theme. This year we

have scheduled a few shorter, earlier services for tots and families. We will

also have several teen-led services as part of the regular Friday evening

minyan. Both types of services will be followed by family dinners.

Services are open to all, but reservations are required for dinner. Sign up for

dinner via the links below.

January 18 Tots and Families • Early Service and Dinner

www.tinyurl.com/TotDinner119 by Jan 15

Social Action Shabbaton • Service, Dinner, Discussion

www.tinyurl.com/TIjan19 by Jan 15

February 15 Minyan Morashah • Sephardic Service and Dinner

www.tinyurl.com/MorashahDinner by Feb 12

February 22 USY Tzedakah Dinner • Teen-Led Service and Dinner

www.tinyurl.com/TIfeb19 by Feb 19—cancelled

April 5 Tots and Families • Early Service and Dinner

www.tinyurl.com/TotDinner419 by Apr 2.

Teens and Families • Teen-Led Service and Dinner

www.tinyurl.com/TeenDinner419 by Apr 2.

April 26 Pesach • Holiday Service and Dinner

www.tinyurl.com/TIapr19 by Apr 23.

May 10 Israeli Night • Service and Israeli Dinner

www.tinyurl.com/TImay19 by May 7.

May 31 Teens and Families • Teen-Led Service and Dinner

www.tinyurl.com/TeenDinner519 by May 28.

http://www.tinyurl.com/MorashahDinner


S H

A B B A T

SATURDAY MORNING

Tot Shabbat Brenda Footer • [email protected]

Tot Shabbat brings together children from 18 months to 5 years with their

parents in the Reamer Chapel. Brenda Footer — TI member, early childhood

educator, and PJ Library Director — leads this program, which includes

tefillah (prayer), songs, Shabbat stories, Torah parade, and mini-kiddush.

11:10 AM • January 5, February 2, March 2, April 13, May 4, June 1

Kehillah Kids Rina Rebibo • [email protected]

Morah Silvia leads this engaging Shabbat program for children in K–3rd

grade. Children will learn about Shabbat and chagim by singing songs, read-

ing stories, and playing games — all while having fun with their friends!

10:30 AM • January 5–June 1 • meets when Himmelfarb is in session.

Junior Congregation Rina Rebibo • [email protected]

This interactive program for 4th–6th graders is led by Maya Dimant-Lentz.

Participants will learn the Shabbat morning service and the weekly parsha.

10:30 AM • January 5–June 1 • meets when Himmelfarb is in session.

Drash Troupe: Leaving Egypt Yvonne Shashoua • [email protected]

Come for the first performance of the Tifereth Israel Drash Troupe! The group

will explore the emotions and actions of our Biblical ancestors in “Leaving

Egypt,” their interpretation of Parashat Bo, complete with music from Rabbi

Seidel (used without permission). We put the “drash” in midrash.

January 12 • approximately 10:30 AM

TI Trope Troupe: Daniel in the Lion’s Den

Hear the gripping tale of Daniel’s overnight stay in the lion’s den (Book of Daniel, Chapter 6) and brush up on your Aramaic!

May 11 (tentative) • approximately 10:30 AM


S H

A B B A T

SATURDAY AFTERNOON

Simcha Kiddush Shoshana Strom • (202) 882-1605 • [email protected]

Celebrate loved ones’ birthdays or anniversaries each month. It’s a great

way to honor a family member, friend, or yourself! Suggested minimum

donation is $36 per listing.

Sign up at www.tinyurl.com/TIbday.

January 12, February 2, March 16, April 6, May 18, June 15

Shabbat Talmud Study Andrew Reamer • [email protected]

For the last three years, Rabbi Seidel has led a regular Shabbat study of

Tractate Brachot, the first tractate of the Talmud and one of the most acces-

sible. He will resume this study on January 26. Rabbi Charles Feinberg will

lead the January 12 class while Rabbi Seidel is on sabbatical.

Even if you’ve never studied Talmud before, you might enjoy dropping in!

All readings are in English.

1:00–1:45 PM • Sponsored by Gevarim • January 12 & 26,

February 9 & 23, March 9 & 23, April 13, May 11 & 25, June 8 & 22

SHALEM Shabbat Afternoon Learning Monthly

Led by TI members and invited speakers, one or more times a month TI offers

engaging learning following lunch, beginning at approximately 1:15 PM.

January 19 MLK Social Action Shabbaton panel discussion

(see page 16 for information)

March 16 Kol Nashim Shabbat

May 11 Presentation honoring Earth Day by the Environmental

Committee

Watch for information about additional SHALEM talks later this year.

Board Game Shabbat Yvonne Shashoua • [email protected]

Please bring your favorite Shabbat-friendly board games or card games to

“Board Game Shabbat.” Everyone is invited to join friends and the TI

community after Kiddush lunch for a few hours of fun.

January 12, March 30 • 1:15 PM


S H

A B B A T

Volunteer Cooking

Join Roz Kram and a crew of volunteers in preparing delicious meals

for Simcha Kiddushim and special events. Please check the TI online calendar for up-to-date information, as dates may change.

Sign up at www.tinyurl.com/TIcooking.

Thursdays • 7:00–9:00 PM • January 10 & 31, March 14, April 4, May 16,

June 13

SATURDAY EVENING

Youth and Teen Havdalah

March 9 USY Havdalah Hangout • 6:30 PM

Sign up at www.tinyurl.com/USYhavdallah19 by Mar 5.

March 9 3rd–5th Grade Families Havdalah • 7:30 PM

Sign up at www.tinyurl.com/35havdallah19 by Mar 5.

Community Havdalah and Potluck Dinner Susan Catler • (202) 829-5144 • [email protected]

Join in the warmth and light of our community havdalah services and pot-

lucks held in congregants’ homes. Please bring a kosher dairy or vegetarian

dish, enough for eight people to share. Please remember to RSVP so the

hosts will know how many people to expect.

January 26, 6:00 PM • at the home of Sara and Joshua Goldberg

February 23, 6:30 PM • at the home of Kim and Wylie Levone

March 9, 6:30 PM • at the home of Naomi Freeman and Morris Klein

Sign up at www.tinyurl.com/TIHavdalot.


CELEBRATE JEWISH HOLIDAYS AT TI! H O

L I D A Y S

See the TI online calendar for all holiday service times.

PURIM Wednesday, March 20–Thursday, March 21

Sun, Mar 17 Purim Carnival • 12:15 PM

Sign up at www.tinyurl.com/PurimCarnival2019

Mon, Mar 18 Prepare Hamantaschen with Rabbi Seidel

Go to www.tinyurl.com/Hamantaschen2019 for

times and to sign up.

Wed, Mar 20 TI Tots Purim Service • 5:15 PM

Pre-Purim Dinner • 6:15 PM

Sign up at www.tinyurl.com/PurimDinner19 by Mar 17.

PASSOVER Friday, April 19–Saturday, April 27

Sun, Mar 31 Haroset: Beyond Apples and Nuts • 2:00 PM

Pre-Passover Program. See page 19 for details.

Sign up at www.tinyurl.com/haroset-2019.

Fri, Apr 26 Kosher-for-Passover Shabbat Dinner • 7:00 PM

Sign up at www.tinyurl.com/TIapr19 by Apr 23.

LAG B’OMER Wednesday, May 22–Thursday, May 23

Sun, May 19 TI Tots Lag B’Omer • time TBD

Kadima Lag B’Omer Color War • 12:30 PM

SHAVUOT Saturday, June 8–Monday, June 10

Sat, Jun 8 Pre-Shavuot Dairy Dinner • 7:30 PM

Sign up at www.tinyurl.com/TIjun19 by Jun 4.

USY Shavuot Program • 8:30 PM

Tikkun Leil Shavuot • 9:30 PM

Sun, Jun 9 TI Tots Shavuot • time TBD


Welcome TI TOTS! TI takes pride in being a warm and welcoming

place for children and is happy to have them in the Sanctuary during

services. TI also offers special services and events especially for pre-

school children and their parents.

Tot Shabbat

See page 3 for information.

11:10 AM • January 5, February 2,

March 2, April 13, May 4, June 1

Family Kabbalat Shabbat Service and Dinner

Join musician Will Rivlin for a family service with plenty of singing,

activities, and ruach. Then stay for Shabbat dinner!

Sign up for the dinner at www.tinyurl.com/TotDinner119 by January 15.

January 18 • Service, 5:45 PM • Dinner, 6:30 PM

Holidays

Come to TI for holiday programs designed

especially for our little ones.

Wed, March 20 Purim Service and Dinner

Sun, April 28 Post-Pesach Pizza

Sun, May 19 Lag B’Omer

Sun, June 9 Shavuot (tentative)

Other Tot-Friendly Events

Sun, March 17 Purim Carnival

Fri, April 5 Family Kabbalat Shabbat Service and Dinner

T I

T O T S


YOUTH programs include activities for all kindergarten through 5th

grade children as well as Himmelfarb students. On Shabbat children are

invited to join activities held upstairs in the classrooms or downstairs in

the library. For information about school and Shabbat events, contact

Rina Rebibo at [email protected].

Y O U T H

K –

5TH

Parent Shmooze Rina Rebibo • [email protected]

New this year! Himmelfarb parents are invited to stay after Sunday

morning drop-off for an informal learning session. Shmooze with new friends, have some coffee, and learn a little. Possible topics include: How

to talk to your kids about hot topic issues, keeping your child engaged in

Jewish life, and more.

Sundays • 9:30–10:30 AM • January 13, February 10, March 3, April 7, May 5

K–5th Grade

Sat, March 9 3rd–5th Grade Families Havdalah • 7:30 PM

Himmelfarb School

Sun, March 17 Purim Carnival

Sun, March 31 Open House

Sun, June 2 Last Day of

School Family

Fun Festival

Kehillah Kids


Saturdays, 10:30 AM • January 5–June 1

meets when Himmelfarb is in session.

Junior Congregation


Saturdays, 10:30 AM • January 5–June 1

meets when Himmelfarb is in session.


B E T T E R

TS H E R

Back for another year, BETTER TOGETHER will be facilitated by

Maya Dimant-Lentz. TI-ers 55+ and 6th and 7th graders will form inter-

generational bonds through field trips and special programs such as

Playback Theater, mezuzah-making, and more. For more information,

contact Rina Rebibo at [email protected].

Better Together Meetings

TI-ers who are 55+ are invited to share

their experiences and wisdom while get-

ting to know TI’s 6th and7th graders and

enjoying monthly interactive programs.

Sundays • 10:30 AM • January 27,

February 24, March 31, May 5

Saturday, March 9 • 7:30 PM • Havdalah program

Closing Dinner

Better Together participants and their families will share a special dinner

together to end the year.

Sign up at www.tinyurl.com/BTdinner19 by May 28.

Sunday, June 2 • 6:00 PM

P R E T E E N S / T E E N S

TI offers many activities for PRETEENS AND TEENS, from classes

to Shabbat events to programs with the USCJ Youth Movements,

Kadima and USY.

World Jewry 1945–Present Aaron Bregman

This high school seminar is open to those in grades

9–12, and will consist of two 45-minute discussion

sessions each evening, with a pizza dinner in between.

The course will focus on the following topics this year:

the Six Day War, historical revisionism and holocaust

denial, Soviet emigration, the Israeli/Palestinian peace process, and the

threat of anti-Semitism in the 21st century.

Aaron Bregman is the Jewish History Department Chair at the Charles E. Smith

Jewish Day School.

Sundays • 6:00–8:00 PM • January 27, February 24, March 3, April 7, May 19



Kadima (6–8th Grade)

BOARD GAME & BREW Choose from over 500 board games while enjoying delicious snacks and hot chocolate, as TI’s Kadima takes over Board and Brew in College Park, MD.

Sunday, March 3 • Leave TI at 12:30 PM

LASER TAG See page 11.

CHOCOLATE SEDER Experience a seder with a twist, turning hardboiled eggs to chocolate eggs, celery to chocolate-covered strawberries, charoset to chocolate pudding, and so much more!

Sunday, April 14 • 12:30 PM

KADIMA LAG B’OMER COLOR WAR Put your knowledge, athleticism, and teamwork to the test as you compete in the Inaugural TI Kadima Color War.

Sunday, May 19 • 12:30 PM

6th Grade Retreat Rina Rebibo • [email protected]

A Shabbaton will be held in Gaithersburg, MD for 6th graders as they prepare for their Bnai Mitzvah. Built to foster understanding of what the Bnai Mitzvah means to each student and to strengthen friendships, the retreat starts with Kabbalat Shabbat and dinner, is filled with interactive workshops and social activities, and ends with Kadima/USY Laser Tag on Saturday night.

Friday–Saturday, February 8–9

TI is proud to support USY AND KADIMA. At TI we use the motto

Friends, Family, Home to encapsulate the transformative impact Kadima and USY can have on our teens. Through inspiring Shabbat services, com-mitment to social action, and non-stop fun programming, our teens build leadership skills and become part of a dynamic Jewish community. We invite all TI teens to join our welcoming, supportive, and exciting chapter. For more information contact Adam Rosen at [email protected].


USY (9–12th Grade)

LASER TAG For Kadimaniks and USYers: our teens will have a chance to show their

laser tag skills at this widely requested and popular late-night event.

Sunday, February 9 • 8:30–10:15 PM at Shadowland in Gaithersburg

HAVDALAH, HOT COCOA, AND HANGOUT

Unwind from school, recover from latke season, and enjoy the comfy furni-

ture in our new TI youth lounge with hot cocoa and friends new and old..

This program is open to 8th-12th graders.

Saturday, March 9 • 7:30 PM

PURIM CARNIVAL and USY AFTER-PARTY

First, help design and run TI’s annual Purim carnival. Then stay for USY’s

After Party as our teens take over the inflatables, games, music, and fun.

Be sure to dress in your best costume!

Sunday, March 17 • Carnival, 12:30 PM • After Party, 2:45 PM

MYSTERY PROGRAM Don’t miss out on this intriguing, captivating, new mystery event

planned by the TI USY Teen

Executive Board.


USY CITY HUNT DC

With the nation’s capital in our

backyard, it’s easy to forget about

how many exciting sights, sounds, and

monuments are accessible on a daily

basis. Unleash your inner tourist during

the ultimate DC scavenger hunt.

Sunday, May 5 • Leave TI at 12:30 PM

SHAVUOT PROGRAM and END OF YEAR PARTY

As our year with USY winds down, enjoy one last event to celebrate

Shavuot and the incredible year USYers had together. Of course, plenty

of dairy treats will be in store.

Saturday, June 8 • 8:30 PM



2019 Events

Sat, February 2 Game Night • 7:00–10:00 PM

Sat, March 16 Kol Nashim Shabbat —

Luncheon, 12:30 PM • SHALEM, 1:15 PM

Sun, May 19 Brunch and Speaker • 10:15 AM

Game Night Co-sponsored by Kol Nashim and Gevarim

All sorts of board games will be provided, plus cards, mah jongg, or bring

your favorites. Poker players — come with your chips! Not a game player?

Experts will be on hand to assist with your knitting or crocheting projects.

Enjoy a variety of snacks, hot cider, and cold drinks. All ages are welcome!

Cost: $5 per person, $15 family maximum

Sign up at www.tinyurl.com/TIgames19 by January 29. Not signed up? Come

anyway and pay at the door.

Saturday, February 2 • 7:00–10:00 PM

Book Club Jessica Weissman • [email protected]

The Kol Nashim book club reads fiction and non-fiction books that appeal to

a wide variety of interests and tastes, and range over many topics and genres.

The group looks for books with Jewish content that stimulate discussion and

are readable by a person with other obligations in life during the month

between meetings.

The Book Club meets once a month in members’ homes. All are welcome to

the meetings, including people who have not finished the books. Come,

discuss, kibbitz, and enjoy.

January 15 The Lemon Tree: An Arab, a Jew, and the Heart of the

Middle East, nonfiction by Sandy Tolan

February 19 Eternal Life, a novel by Dara Horn

Tuesdays • 7:30–9:00 PM • Other dates: March 19, April 16, May 21, June 18

Add your voice to ours! KOL NASHIM (the Voice of Women)

engages and connects the women of TI. Kol Nashim acts for change

in the religious and secular worlds, because women have much to say.

Kol Nashim sponsors and supports activities and special interests of

TI women (e.g., Book Club, cooking demonstrations, women’s health

issues, guest speakers). Questions? Talk with a Kol Nashim Board

member at lunch, or email [email protected].

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Kol Nashim Rosh Chodesh Group

Michele Sumka • [email protected]

Every month, on or around the New Moon, the group will gather to explore and discuss Jewish women’s issues, including themes of each Jewish month, celebrations, feminine spirituality, and ritual.

The first few meetings will be open to any woman who is a TI member. Thereafter, the group will be limited to those who have attended at least one previous gathering. Come share your ideas for this new circle of women.

Sundays, January 6 and March 10, 4:00–6:00 PM • Monday, February 4,

7:00–9:00 PM • Other dates to be announced.

2019 Events Sun, Jan 20 Tu Bishvat Seder • 6:00 PM

Sun, April 7 Tour of the Tregaron Estate • 4:00 PM

Sun, April 14 Environmental Film • 7:30 PM

Sat, May 11 Environmental Shabbat —

Dvar Torah, 10:30 AM • SHALEM, 1:15 PM

Tour of the Tregaron Estate Carla Ellern • [email protected]

The Tregaron Conservancy estate is a historic woodland garden located in Northwest DC, designed by pioneer landscape architect Ellen Biddle Shipman in 1912. Come join us for a free guided tour with the conservancy’s Execu-tive Director Lynn Parseghian.

For more information: www.tregaronconservancy.org


The ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE connects TI to our natural world. Through a grant from the city and the generosity of the TI commu-nity, TI completed its Rain Garden Project in 2014. Our rain garden helps to minimize polluted runoff going to the Chesapeake Bay, and shows how we are implementing tikkun olam (repair the world) and shmirat ha’admah (stewardship of the land) here at TI, our community home.

E N V I R O N M E N T

http://www.tregaronconservancy.org/


G E

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GEVARIM is the men’s network at Tifereth Israel. It organizes activities

that offer opportunities for connection, growth, and enjoyment in the

physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual realms. People of all

genders are welcome. For more information, please contact Gevarim

president Andrew Reamer at [email protected].

Shabbat Talmud Study Andrew Reamer • [email protected]


1:00–1:45 PM • January 12 & 26, February 9 & 23, March 9 & 23, April 13, May

11 & 25, June 8 & 22

Beginnings of Judaism (586 BCE–135 CE) Cynthia Peterman • [email protected]

This video course is taught by Isaiah M. Gafni, Sol Rosenbloom Professor

of Jewish History, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and covers the

history of Judaism from the destruction of the First Temple, through the

destruction of the Second Temple, to the end of the Bar Kokhba revolt.

Led by Cynthia Peterman, each class includes one hour of video lecture

and 45 minutes of discussion.

January 6 Translating the Bible —The Septuagint

Adding to the Bible —The Apocrypha

January 20 Tobit—A New Path of Righteousness

Retelling the Bible —The Book of Jubilees

February 3 Revealing the Unknown

“Judaism” or “Judaisms”?

March 3 Sectarianism —Pharisees and Sadducees

Out of the Caves —Discovery at Qumran

March 17 The End of Days —Messianic Eschatology

Other Lands, Other Jews —The Diaspora

March 24 Judaism in the Hellenistic World

Changing God’s Address —Temple to Synagogue

April 7 Rome Arrives in Jerusalem

Parting with the Temple

April 28 From Jerusalem to Yavneh —Rabbinic Judaism

The Shaping of Rabbinic Judaism

June 2 A Violent Epilogue —Bar Kokhba

From “Roots” to “Tree”

Sundays • 10:30 AM


Movie Nights at TI Andrew Reamer • [email protected]

Come to TI’s Movie Nights! Monthly Jewish-themed movies range from

dramas to comedies to documentaries, from the newly released to the silent,

and from made-for-theaters to made-for-TV. All non-English films will be

shown with subtitles, when available.

All showings are free to TI members and are followed by a 20–30 minute

discussion led by TI members. Go to the links below for more information

about the films.

January 27 The Thomashefskys: Music and Memories of a Life in the

Yiddish Theater

https://www.thirteen.org/13pressroom/press-release/2169-2/

February 24 Jewish Luck

http://www.berdichev.org/jewish_luck.htm

March 17 La Rafle

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Round_Up_(2010_film)

Sundays, 7:30 PM • Other dates: April 14, May 19, June 23

Titles to be announced.

The New American Judaism JTS Livestream: A Henry N. and Selma S. Rapaport Memorial Lecture Andrew Reamer • [email protected]

Come for a lecture livestreamed from the Jewish Theological Seminary that

examines the implications of Dr. Jack Wertheimer’s acclaimed new book,

The New American Judaism. In his book, Dr. Wertheimer, the Joseph and

Martha Mendelson Professor of American Jewish History at JTS, takes a

fresh look at American Judaism today, setting out to discover how Jews of

various orientations practice their religion in a radically altered landscape.

Following the livestream, stay for comments and discussion.

Sign up will be at www.tinyurl.com/TILive0305.

Date and Time TBD (program is being rescheduled)

Post-Passover Tour of Denizens Brewing Co. Andrew Reamer • [email protected]

Meet at Denizens for an on-site tour. Cost at Denizens of $10 per person

includes a pint of beer. Each tour is limited to 20 people.

Sign up at https://tiferethdc.shulcloud.com/event/denizens2019.


G E

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Round_Up_(2010_film)


S O

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A C T

I O N

Social justice is an important part of being Jewish and has been one of

the most meaningful commitments of Tifereth Israel Congregation. TI’s SOCIAL ACTION COMMITTEE meets on the third Wednesday of each

month to promote social justice initiatives for TI’s Tikkun Olam agenda.

For more information contact the Social Action VP, Varda Fink

([email protected]) or Social Action Committee

members Claudine Schweber ([email protected]), Gene Herman

([email protected]), or Larry Baizer ([email protected]).

MLK Social Action Shabbaton: The Current State of Intolerance in America Gene Herman • [email protected]

TI’s annual tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. will highlight efforts to combat

poverty and the growth of intolerance in America.

Following the Friday evening service and dinner, Katy Joseph from the

AVODAH Alumni Justice Ambassador Program

will lead a discussion on Working to End Intolerance:

Direct Service & Root Causes. This is an Avodah

program that examines poverty and places direct

service efforts within the broader context of systemic

intolerance and inequality.

On Saturday, the program shifts focus to intolerance and racism. Lecia

Brooks, Outreach Director for the Southern Poverty Law Center, will begin to

outline the problem in her drash. After lunch, a panel discussion will identify

issues affecting communities that have been the target of intolerance. The

panel will be moderated by Ms. Brooks and will include Ira Forman, for-

merly president Obama’s Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-

semitism; and G. Derek Musgrove, Associate Professor of History at the

University of Maryland, Baltimore County, who has written articles and

books on post–civil rights era black politics.

Friday, January 18 • Service, 6:00 PM • Dinner, 7:00 PM • Speaker, 8:00 PM Saturday, January 19 • Morning Drash, 10:30 AM • Panel Discussion, 1:15 PM

Passover Food Delivery Larry Baizer • [email protected] or Gene Herman • [email protected]

Deliver bags of holiday groceries to Jewish seniors and others in need.

Sign up at www.tinyurl.com/PesachFood19.

Sunday, April 14 • 9:00 AM

SPECIAL EVENTS


ONGOING ACTIVITIES

Coffee Co-op Carolivia Herron • [email protected]

Purchase coffee to help support a cooperative of coffee farmers organized by

Abayudaya Jews in Uganda. Coffee is delivered for pickup at the TI office.

Order coffee at www.tinyurl.com/TIcoffeeSC.

Food and Clothing Collections Jeri Roth Lande • [email protected]

Donate food, clothing, other items for distribution to local organizations.

Items collected change every few months.

Martha’s Table Van Run Gene Herman • [email protected]

Serve dinner to the homeless on the streets of Washington.

Second Sundays • 4:30 PM • January 13,

February 10, March 10, April 14,

May 12, June 9

Refugee Assistance Janet Nesse • [email protected]

Provide help to TI’s adopted

refugee family.

Shepherd Tutoring Program [email protected]

Provide educational assistance to students from TI’s local school.

Sign up to be a tutor at https://tinyurl.com/ShepherdTutor.

Sundays • 5:00–6:00 PM • Weekly tutoring begins on January 5. The program

meets when school is in session; check the TI online calendar for updates.

SOME Shelter Casseroles Stephanie or David Rubin • [email protected]

Prepare a casserole for the shelter operated by So Others Might Eat (SOME).

Bring casseroles to TI on the dates listed below (by 3:00 PM on Tuesdays).

Or contact the Rubins to bring frozen casseroles to their house.

Sundays–Tuesdays • Jan 13–15, Feb 17–19, Mar 17–19, Apr 14–16, May 12–14,

Jun 16–18

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New Adult Bar/Bat/Anshei Mitzvah Class Meeting Janet Nesse • [email protected] or Rabbi Avis Miller • [email protected]

Rabbi Avis Miller and Janet Nesse are holding an introductory meeting to

explore the possibility of forming a new Adult Bar/Bat/Anshei Mitzvah

class. Come even if you are not sure whether you are interested, and bring

friends. Students need not be members of TI. Our motto is, “It’s more fun

than you think — really!” Open to people who have and haven’t already

had a Bar or Bat Mitzvah.

Wednesday, February 6 • 7:30 PM

TI Talkback at Theater J Lisa Traiger • [email protected]

TI members can engage in a discussion following the March 24th showing

of Theater J’s production, Jewish Queen Lear. Rabbi Seidel and/or TI-er

Lisa Traiger, theater critic for the Washington Jewish Week, will lead a “talkback” after the play. Please note: the production is at another venue

since the DCJCC is undergoing major renovation.

To purchase tickets, call the Theatre J box office: 202-777-3210.

Sun, March 24 • 7:30 PM • at Georgetown University

PROGRAMS AND CLASSES

Helping Hands and Tifereth Israel’s Caring Community Susan Catler • (202) 829-5144 • [email protected]

Tifereth Israel’s Caring Community facilitates congregants helping fellow

congregants in times of need. Volunteers bring meals, provide rides, run

errands, and let the community know when congregants need visits or

calls. The group can also bring Shabbat Boxes — with candles, juice, and

challah — to congregants in the hospital or rehab over Shabbat.

This program uses a computer service called Lotsa Helping Hands to

schedule help and alert volunteers when help is needed. Each time someone

volunteers, it is a one-time commitment.

Please contact Susan Catler with questions, suggestions, to register as a

volunteer, or to request assistance. Remember, the TI community can only

help out if you let us know when help would be appreciated.

Sign up to request assistance or to volunteer at

www.lotsahelpinghands.com/c/642923.

H E L P I N G

H A N D S


How to Get More Out of Synagogue Services Barbara White • (202) 726-1034 • [email protected]

Newcomers are welcome in this ongoing class. This fall, the class examined

and discussed much of the Sh’ma prayer, as well as the general topic of mak-

ing prayer more meaningful. In the first session or two of 2019, the class

will wrap up discussion of the Sh’ma and go on to other elements of the

Shabbat morning service. No knowledge of Hebrew is needed. Classes last

one hour. For questions, please email or speak to Barbara.

Sundays • 11:00 AM • January 27, February 3 & 24, March 10 & 24, April 7,

May 5 & 12

Haroset: Beyond Apples and Nuts Yvonne Shashoua • [email protected]

The ingredients and flavors of haroset go far beyond the Eastern European

apple-nut mixture on most American Seder tables. Haroset varies greatly by

cultures and cuisines. Explore some of the history, varied ingredients, and

special traditions of haroset, from Turkey to Persia to Morocco. Taste samples

and go home with recipes and ideas for haroset activities at the Seder. Regis-

tration information will be available soon.

Sunday, March 31 • 2:00 PM

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WEEKLY CLASSES

Advanced Beginning Hebrew Stephanie Rubin • [email protected] If you can read Hebrew, even haltingly, this class will help build up your

knowledge of grammar and vocabulary.

Materials fee for the textbook Using Prayerbook Hebrew the Easy Way: $25

Sundays • 9:15–10:15 AM • weekly classes meet when Himmelfarb is in

session through June 2

Jewish Meditation Moment Michele Sumka • [email protected]

Join Michele Sumka and Rabbi Devorah Lynn just before the weekly Para-

shat HaShavua class. Each session begins with a short introduction connect-ing that week’s parashah with the focus for the week, followed by a brief

guided meditation and 15 to 20 minutes of silent meditation. Beginners and

advanced meditators are encouraged to join.

Mondays • 10:15 AM


Parashat HaShavua TI office • (202) 882-1605 • [email protected]

Discuss insights from the Torah portion of the week. Sessions will be led by

either Rabbi Seidel or a member of the class. Bring your questions and an

open mind; no Hebrew skills necessary.

Mondays • 11:00 AM

Hebrew Fiction Book Group Naomi Morse • [email protected]

The Hebrew Fiction Book Group, reading in Hebrew without vowels, meets

Monday afternoons at 1:00 in one of the upstairs classrooms at TI. The group

reads modern Hebrew novels, preparing several pages ahead of time for

each session. If you’d like to join this group, please contact Naomi Morse

for more information.

Mondays • 1:00 PM

Intermediate Hebrew/Beginning Tanach Stephanie Rubin • [email protected]

This class is designed for people who have completed Rabbi Seidel’s

Beginning Hebrew class or the equivalent. Focusing on Va’yikra, the class

will read the verses in Hebrew, then translate, review grammar, and discuss.

Thursdays • 10:00 AM

Advanced Hebrew/Psalms Rabbi Ethan Seidel • [email protected]

This class is designed for people who description coming

Fridays • 11:00 AM • Class begins March 1.

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Special thanks to Jeff Peterman for many photos used in this catalog.

Full Moon Hikes John List • (703) 624-1467 • [email protected]

Enjoy nature at night on a Full Moon Hike!

Each hike is about two miles round trip and

is scheduled for the Sunday night closest to

the full moon. Plan on about 90 minutes of

fun, adventure, and friendship, with

chocolate treats at the half-way point.

Contact John List for details before each

hike.

February 17 • 7:30 PM

May 19 • 8:30 PM

BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE!

As you thumb through this catalog, you’ll see an amazing number of classes, programs, and other activities at TI throughout the winter and spring. Here’s a brief taste of offerings, plus some reminders of what the community is already doing.

Don’t Just Sit There, Do Something A key part of what makes the Tifereth Israel community special is our commit-ment to social action. Take note of the January MLK Shabbaton, as well as the many ways you can join with the Social Action Committee in doing good deeds around the DC area (pp. 16–17).

Don’t Just Do Something, Sit There We’ve just launched a Monday morning meditation group, coordinated by Michele Sumka and Rabbi Devorah Lynn (p. 19). Are you craving the opportu-nity to become quietly centered on Monday mornings? Come to TI. Curious? Ask Michele or Devorah for details.

We’re Not All Ashkenazi Planning is underway for programs that celebrate the diverse Jewish back-grounds in the TI community. Quite a few of our founders and some long-time families have Sephardic, Mizrachi, Ethiopian, and other ancestry. Plans are afoot to bring this diversity into the present day, with food, ritual, and more. We’re starting with a Sephardic Friday night service and dinner (p. 2) and a cooking demonstration featuring haroset prepared in several Middle Eastern traditions (p. 19).

Stay Informed Whether it’s updates on the morsels mentioned above, or reminders about ongoing programs, classes, or activities, TI has many ways to keep you in-formed: Like the TI Facebook page. Peruse TI Tidbits, which comes to you via email each Wednesday. Read our monthly newsletter the Menorah. View fliers on the kiosk in the Juniper Street lobby. Listen to the announcements we make at the end of Shabbat morning services. Subscribe to the TI listserv, and see the items that are announced and discussed in those emails. Talk to your fellow TI members, and don’t be shy about asking questions.

We hope to see you at many of the activities listed on these pages!

Tifereth Israel Congregation 7701 16th Street NW Washington, DC 20012

(202) 882-1605 www.tifereth-israel.org

Documents

Tifereth Israel Congregation R - ShulCloud2 Tifereth Israel Congregation S H A B B A T FRIDAY EVENING Kabbalat Shabbat Service and Dinner Shoshana Strom • (202) 882-1605 • [email protected]