Post on 27-Jul-2020
One of the greatest mysteries of congregational life, in my opinion, is the reaction that even asmall number of people have on being asked to help participate in a service. I know many of the rea-sons people might give to decline: discomfort with a ritual, issues of belief, schedule conflicts, or eventhe fact that coming to a weekly worship service is nowhere on the radar screen of many peoples’lives. But sometimes… sometimes… when our Worship Committee calls people to ask if they willparticipate, people get angry. They can be hostile. They can be rude.
Now, by and large I am writing right now about Shabbat worship. Our High Holy Day serviceparticipants have generally accepted—or reluctantly declined—with grace and support, and our“grid” of service roles for the holidays, as much of a logistical challenge as it may be, is nevertheless arole that is filled with blessings and opportunities, gratitude and connections.
But when it comes to asking people to participate in Shabbat services, we are looking at adifferent picture.
This is not a response, by the way, that is limited to this congregation. I don’t know if that’s thegood news or the bad news. I wouldn’t know quite what to make of it if it were just us. It is,though, something I have seen in other places. I just don’t quite “get” why.
But at this season of reflection and introspection, I want to issue a challenge, and a reminder, inthe clearest way that I can.
We ask people to participate in services because services are not a one-person, clergy-centeredperformance.
We ask people to participate because there are things that can’t be done by one person, becauseJewish services have different roles for different people.
We ask people to participate in services because it is an expression of community andcommunal values.
And I ask you to remember: it is an honor to be asked!
Several things have “broken down” over the past several years, and the Worship Committee andclergy are working on these issues.
We have had a long transition in the people who do the “asking,” who call to find participants inthe service. Part of the reason for this transition is natural desire on the part of volunteers to take ondifferent tasks after doing the same thing for some time, but part of it—let’s be frank—has to dowith how hard it is to get people to accept, and also the way some people react when they are asked.Asking some of our congregants to come to a service… the way some people react you’d think youwere asking people to go on a television show where people eat insects in public.
Partly as a result of our transition with the “asking,” we have had fewer visible “honors” duringsome of our Shabbat services. Perhaps this has led to a sense that the task is a chore, and a bore,
1SUN
2MON
6FRI
7SAT
13FRI
14SAT
20FRI
21SAT
27FRI
28SAT
Kol Nidrei Services 6:30 PM & 9 PM
Yom Kippur Morning Services 8:30 AM &11:45 AM
Yom Kippur Family Service 2:45 PM
Yom Kippur Study Session 12 PM
Yom Kippur Afternoon Service 4:15 PM
Yiskor & Ne’ilah Service Approx.–5:30 PM
Erev Sukkot Service 6 PM
Festival/Shabbat Worship & TorahStudy 9AM
Shabbat Morning Service: Bar Mitzvah ofBen Kosh 10 AM
Havdalah and Tot Sukkot 6:45 PM
Parashat Leviticus 23:33-44
Simchat Torah/Consecration Service 7 PM
Oneg Shabbat Service 8:30 PM
Simchat Torah Festival/ Yizkor Service(with neighboring Temples) 10 AM
Parashat Deuteronomy 33:1-34:12
Erev Shabbat Service 8 PM
Oneg Shabbat Service 9:45 PM
Shabbat Morning Worship & Study 10 AM
Parashat Genesis 1:1-6:8
Kabbalat Shabbat Services 6:15 PM
Erev Shabbat Service 8 PM
Oneg Shabbat Service 9:45 PM
Shabbat Morning Worship & Study 10 AM
Shabbat Morning Service: B’not Mitzvahof Julia Maas & Lyla Shapiro 10 AM
Parashat Genesis 6:9-11:32
October 2006 Tishrei 5767– Cheshvan 5767Volume LXXVIII Issue 2
www.templeshalom.net
continued on page 3
Oc
to
be
r From the Rabbi
The Honor ofBeing CalledMessage from Rabbi Michael L. Feshbach
Upcoming Events & Items of Interest
Page 2
October 8th, 22nd & 29th, 2006 Join us inside the Temple office onSunday mornings for FREE Coffee or tea!Nosh a bagel*! Connect with other par-ents. Just relax. Read or lead a discussion.Volunteer to host a future Café. Make a new friend.
Café hours: 8:45 AM–1:15 PM
SUNDAY MORNINGS* Cost of your Bagel/Cream Cheese benefits theTemple Youth Group*
(This effort is generously supported by theCongregation at large, Religious Education,
Membership and Parents Café Committees and theTemple Brotherhood.)
The Parents’ Café! Temple Shalom Book Discussions 2006–2007
Sunday, November 12Joy Comes in the Morning, by Jonathan Rosen—a sympathetic novel about a woman rabbi in Manhattan
whose faith is tested
Temple Shalom, 9–10:30 AM(during the early session of religious school)
There is no fee to participate. All are welcome.
Bagels and coffee will be served.
For more information, contact Heidi Coleman,301-588-1173
Sunday, October 22—The Temple will sponsor a scholar in
residence this year—Marc Brettler, who authored the book, How toRead the Bible. He will speak about his book at Temple Shalom. Moreinformation—see page 10. Happy Reading!!
For the entire season list please go towww.templeshalom.net
From the Rabbi • Sukkot and Simchat Torah Services
Page 3
rather than a sacred role, a communal responsibility, and an opportunityfor spiritual connection. For this I am at least partly responsible, and I willwork to better convey the full power and importance of participation, theneed for it, and my gratitude to those who step forward. We need you.And it is, in Jewish tradition and in our community, an honor to be called.
And, finally, perhaps, I do think that many people are “shy” about whatwe can call, for want of a better term, “bimah skills,” their comfort leveland familiarity with what takes place on the bimah, and during a service,or, just hesitant about being “out there” at all. In this regard I am remind-ed of the old Seinfeld episode in which the comedian reveals that people’sgreatest fear in life is public speaking. Death, by the way, was number two.We say it in jest that we’d “rather die” than do something unpleasant, butfor some people being “public” is… a real issue.
There is only one way I know to respond to an internal feeling of beinguncomfortable doing something, and that is to reveal the real truth that…you are in good company. Many people—many, many people—areuncomfortable stepping forward. I really believe that… realizing that somany others feel the same way, and doing so a few times… can really help.
But at my end I promise: we will be clear, and we will be kind… aboutthe details of what to do, how to do it, and what these roles and ritualsmean. (I can even review these roles in writing, in a future Shofar articleor elsewhere, if that would be of help.)
One more thing. We want to honor people, and to extend blessings,on the occasion of special birthdays, and anniversaries. We want to cele-brate the special moments in your lives on the sacred stage of Jewish life.You don’t have to wait to be called. If you have an anniversary comingup, if you have something you would like us to recognize at a service,please be in touch. You can let me know by phone (301-587-2273) oremail (rabbifeshbach@templeshalom.net). We want to share in your sim-chah (celebration), and to be a part of your life.
For now I just want to get across a couple of things.
Having many hands who help in worship serves to lift us all.
We need you.
We will be making a renewed effort to reach out, to solicit yourinvolvement in the weeks and months to come.
Please come.
Please be kind to those who call.
And please remember... it is an honor to be called.
Rabbi Michael L. Feshbach
� � � � � � � � � � � � � � �
SUKKOT and SIMCHAT TORAHEREV SUKKOT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Friday, October 6Outdoor Erev Sukkot Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 PM
Bring your lulav and etrog, or shake ours under the sukkah duringKiddush.
Dinner Under the Sukkah (Bring Your Own Picnic Dinner &Celebrate) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 PM
FIRST DAY OF SUKKOT . . . . . . . . . . . . .Saturday, October 7Sukkot/Shabbat and Torah Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 AM
Morning Service & the Bar Mitzvah of Ben Kosh . . . . . . . . .10 AM
HAVDALAH and TOT SUKKOTPicnic Dinner, Havdalah and Tot Sukkot Service . . . . . . . . .6 PM
EREV SIMCHAT TORAH SERVICE and CONSECRATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Friday, October 13Erev Simchat Torah Service & Religious School Consecration . . .7 PM
The end touches the beginning; the ancient words are new again.Come celebrate the cycle of Torah as we welcome our youngest stu-dents into the circle of Jewish study on the occasion of their consecra-tion, we hear the very last and the very first verses of the Torah, and wedance with the scrolls throughout the synagogue.
SHEMINI ATZERET/SIMCHAT TORAH FESTIVAL MORNINGand YIZKOR MEMORIAL SERVICE . . . .Saturday, October 14Joint Festival Morning Service of Temple Shalom, Temple Sinai andTemple Emanuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 AM
We continue our recent custom of combined Festival services with otherarea Reform synagogues. The unique joy of Simchat Torah and festivecelebration of the season, along with the remembrance of the past,through the traditional memorial prayers of Yizkor. A light Kiddushlunch follows the service.
This service meets at Temple Shalom.
� � � � � � � � � � � � � � �
From the Rabbi continued from page 1
From the Religious School
CONSECRATION
Temple Shalom Religious School welcomes all new and returning school families. Pleasejoin us for Simchat Torah Services and Consecration. Consecration is a ceremony that marksthe beginning of your child(ren)’s formal Jewish education. The service is held during ErevSimchat Torah services the evening of Friday, October 13th. The students will be called up tothe bima to receive a mini-Torah scroll and a blessing from the Rabbis, to recite the Shema,and to sing a special song. It is a special event for the whole family. Any returning studentsthat are enrolled in First grade or above and have missed out participating in a Consecrationservice please contact the school office, school@templeshalom.net or 301-587-2273, if you’dlike to participate in this year’s ceremony
From the Religious School
Page 4
Welcome back to theReligious School!
The beginning of the year is very busy andit is our hope that the transition back toTemple activity has been smooth. We arelooking forward to seeing everyone at Backto School Day on October 15th, which is theday after Simchat Torah. This is an opportu-nity to meet with your child’s teacher as wellas with other parents and temple staff.
We would also like to encourage you toinvite your non-school friends to theReligious School Open House the weekbefore, on October 8th, during both sessionsof Sunday classes.This is an opportunity toshow off our school and meet members ofthe community who may be consideringTemple Shalom for their children.
We are going to be selling Dean’s BeansCoffee three more times this year to helpsupplement all of the School’s programming.Please help us reach our goal of 3,000 bagssold by June!! The next order will be in justbefore Chanukah. Check your flyer mailingsand your children’s backpacks for the Coffeeorder forms.
As always, if you have concerns or ques-tions about Religious School programming,or if you are interested in serving on theReligious Education Committee, feel free totalk to us and to JoHanna Potts, ourDirector of Education. The committee willbe studying the book “Rethinking JewishEducation” from the Union for ReformJudaism together this year.
This promises to keep us going in thedirection of building a strong and healthyJewish environment for our students.
L'shalom and Shanah Tovah,
Debbie Kopp and Marc Blumenstein
Co-Chairs Religious Education Committee
The concert will feature renowned Sephardic musicians Flory Jagoda andRamón Tasat, who will be joined by family and friends for two hours ofsong, music and storytelling. The concert will be held at Temple Shalom,which is co-sponsoring the event with Jewish Folk Arts Festival sponsor AmKolel. A reception will follow the concert.
A Celebration of Sephardic Culture and MusicSunday, November 12th, 2006 4 PM
Featuring Flory JagodaRamón TasatShir ShalomNovember 12, 4 PM
Temple Shalom (Reception to Follow)
The kick off concert for the 2006 Jewish Folk Arts Festival will celebrate Sephardic musicand culture and honor NEA National Heritage Fellow, Flory Jagoda.
As always, the meeting opened with a D’varTorah, this time led by Julie Knoll who focusedon different images we may have of Israel.
Alan Lewis gave the Financial Secretary’sreport and explained that new membership andlosses of members are about equal. There alsomay be requests for adjustments which will affectthe budget. Allison Druin and Barbara Millerinformed the Board that there are quite a fewfamilies and individuals interested in becomingTemple Shalom members. Andrea Mark sharedthat the effect of the Renaissance Committee onmembership has been very positive.
Continuing with financial matters, theTreasurer’s report was given by Scott Schreiberand Mark Ross. Our anticipated slight deficit didnot materialize. Fortunately, we have an excessof $14,000 due mainly to reduced utility costs.This is due to the efforts of Susan Zemsky andothers to modify and reduce our usage of energyin the building. Also, the increase from thosewho chose to raise their dues voluntarily helpedus to meet our budget. There followed a discus-sion about this year’s budget. JoHanna Pottsreported that the enrollment numbers for thisschool year are encouraging.
The Membership Committee Update wasgiven by Allison Druin who related that we haveexpanded our efforts for the High Holy Days,including a lobby table which will have Boardmembers there to welcome people and to giveinformation about membership. (This table alsofunctions as a “will call” place to pick up tickets.)
On October 8th, there will be a gathering atRabbi Feshbach’s house for new members. Thisyear 48 member “units” will be invited to meetunder his Sukkah. Last year’s event was veryrewarding for all involved.
Membership has also been working on astrategically placed new sign for Temple Shalomwith a new logo.
Betsy Kingery gave a report on the “CommitteeCheck In Day” with kudos to Susan Zemsky forthe idea. Five committee chairs met with AndreaMark and Betsy Kingery during which time allchairs reported one shared problem, that of findingvolunteers. Discussion then centered around seeingourselves as a co-op in which all take part on somelevel. The realization that not all people need tovolunteer as a long-term commitment was made
clear, however, we need to identify new leaders inour congregation and encourage their participationin the areas they feel most passionate about.
The Board is to have “A Day of Learning”with Rabbi Steven Kaye at Leisure World onSeptember 17th. The focus is to be on leader-ship skills and growing within our TempleShalom community.
Board members were reminded to participatein the MAC Biennial which will be held inOctober in Gaithersburg. All are encouraged toattend, including members of the congregationat large. To obtain the discount, registration
should be done by September 28th.
Some time was spent in discussing how bestto establish the fund in honor of our PastPresident, Steve Eisen. President Andrea Markspoke about the outpouring of love from thecongregation and the Board at the time of hisdeath and funeral. Harvey Berger has agreed tohelp identify an already established fund whichcould be used or whether we will need to estab-lish an entirely new one. A suggestion of havinga concert in Steve’s honor was mentioned.
Respectfully, Linda K Harrison, Sec.
Board Meeting Minutes • Meet Our Board
This is the 4th year I have served as the Temple Treasurer andmy 5th year on the Board of Trustees. In monitoring the finan-cial performance of the Temple, and developing the budget, Ihave the devoted assistance of a number of people, includingMark Ross, Earl Simons, Maurice Axelrad and Alan Lewis, eachof whom provides dedicated and invaluable service. I also workclosely with the Finance Committee and over the years havebeen the Board Liaison for the Tikkum O’lam, Library, Music,Adult Education, Capital Projects, Budget, and Outreach com-mittees. My Washington Jewish roots go deepin that although I was Bar Mitzvahed at EastEnd Temple in the Lower East side of New York, I was confirmed at Washington HebrewCongregation, and I was married at Adas Israel Congregation. My day job is as an attorney,where I head up my firms Securities Enforcement and Litigation Practice, and I am also activein several pro bono legal projects, including our representation of the URJ.
I am writing to report on our actual results for the fiscal year ending on June 30, 2006. Asyou may recall, at the Annual Meeting in June, I was able to provide projections as to what wethought our year end results would be based on actual financial performance for the 10 monthperiod of July through April. At that time, we had projected a deficit for the year of about$4,250. In view of the fact, however, that certain expenses we thought would be incurred inMay and June were not incurred, and therefore we did not have to pay for such expenses priorto June 30, rather than having a small deficit, we ended the fiscal year with a small surplus inthe amount of $13,000.
There is both good news and bad news with this number. While we accurately forecastedour total revenues at about $1,456,000, we did not meet our forecast with respect to member-ship dues payments. We collected about $11,000 less than we had anticipated. In view of thefact that a number of families had voluntarily increased their dues last year, this shortfall intotal dues payments indicates that to meet our budgetary goals this year, we need to increaseour membership and also strive to achieve full payment of all dues statements by the end ofthis fiscal year (June, 2007). Of course, as I also mentioned at the Annual Meeting, any rev-enues we can generate from fund raising activities would give us a cushion and permit addi-tional programming and maintenance improvements.
As to expenses, we were able to reduce the forecasted amount by about $17,000, that isfrom the about $1,459,00 forecasted to about $1,442,000, This occurred in part because wehad over estimated how soon the utilities increase would hit us and also because we deferredsome expenses. The end result for the fiscal year is that we had actual net revenues of$1,456,978 and total expenses of $1,442,225.
MEET OUR BOARDScott Schreiber,Treasurer
Page 5
Summary of the Minutes of theSeptember 14th Meetingof the Board of Trustees
Misler Adult Day Health Center
Do you know an older adult who is isolated? Who needs some assistanceand stimulation during the day? Who is staying at home alone during theday, but probably shouldn’t be?
If you know an older adult who is facing physical or cognitive challenges and needssome supervision and social stimulation, then an adult day center like the Misler AdultDay Center may be just the solution they need. Since 1978, the Jewish Council for theAging has operated the nonprofit Misler Adult Day Center, a place where older adultscome together each day for socialization, a sense of community and health supervision.Misler Center activities include stimulating discussion groups, physical exercise, musicalprograms, intergenerational programs and field trips to places such as the RattnerMuseum and Brookside Gardens. Our care includes help with activities of daily livingand medication administration (including insulin). A hot four-course Kosher lunch isserved daily. Transportation is provided from much of lower and middle MontgomeryCounty. The Misler Center operates on a sliding fee scale, and several forms of financialassistance are available.
For more information, please contact 301-468-1740 or visitwww.MislerCenter.org.
Page 7
Don't just celebratewith a quick pat on
the back or celebratewith just your
immediate family!Share your simchas, happy occasions
and your successeswith your
Temple Shalom family!
Send us your newsin an email to:
szemsky@templeshalom.net
and we'll mention it in thenext edition
of the Shofar.
Chavurah Happenings
Over the next few months,Temple Shalom will be encour-
aging the formation of newChavurot. A Chavurah work-
shop will take place on Sunday,October 29th at the Parents’
Café during early and late ses-sions. In the mean time if youhave any questions, feel free to
contact Lynda Honberg atrhonb1834@aol.com
October 200610 AM Family Sukkah Building & FamilyEducation
6:30 PM Religious School–No EveningSession
6:30 PM Erev Yom Kippur–Kol Nidrei–Early Service
9 PM Erev Yom Kippur–Kol Nidrei–Late Service
Office closed in observance of Yom Kippur
8:30 AM Yom Kippur–Early Service
11:45 AM Yom Kippur–Late Service
2:45 PM Yom Kippur Afternoon Study &Discussions (Adults)
2:45 PM Yom Kippur Family Service
4:15 PM Yom Kippur Afternoon Service,Yiskor and Nei’ilah
4:30 PM Hebrew School
4:30 PM Hebrew School–Early Session
6:30 PM Brotherhood Meeting
6: 45 PM Confirmation Class
6:45 PM Hebrew School–Late Session
12:15 Lunch with the Prophets
7:15 PM Shir Shalom Choir Practice
7:30 PM Introduction to Judaism Classes–Northern VA
6 PM Erev Sukkot Service–Under theSukkah
7 PM Picnic Dinner Under the Stars
9 AM Torah Study
10 AM Shabbat/Sukkot Service and BarMitzvah of Ben Kosh
6 PM Picnic Under the Sukkah
6:45 PM Havdalah & Tot Sukkot Service
8:45 AM Parents Café
8:45 AM Religious School–Early Session
8:45 AM 4th Grade Family Education
9 AM Religious School Open House
10:45 AM Consecration Rehearsal
11:15 AM Religious School–Late Session
11:15 AM 4th Grade Family Education
6:30 PM Confirmation Class
6:30 PM Religious School–Evening Session
6:30 PM Sisterhood Meeting
7:30 PM Women’s Torah Study Group (Offsite)
7:30 PM Introduction to JudaismClasses–MD/DC Classes
4:30 PM Hebrew School
7:30 PM Taste of Judaism
4:30 PM Hebrew School–Early Session
6:45 PM Confirmation Class
6:45 PM Hebrew School–Late Session
12:15 PM Lunch with the Prophets
7:15 PM Shir Shalom Choir Practice
7:30 PM Introduction to JudaismClasses–Northern VA
7:30 PM Board of Trustees Meeting
7 PM Simchat Torah/Consecration Service
8:30 PM Oneg Shabbat
10 AM Simchat Torah Festival/YizkorService (with neighboring Temples)
8:45 AM Parents Café
8:45 AM Religious School–Early Session
9 AM Religious School–Back to School
9 AM Talmud Study
11:15 AM Religious School–Late Session
11:30 AM Religious School–Back to School
6:30 PM Confirmation Class
6:30 PM Religious School–Evening Session
6:30 PM Chai School Back to School
7:30 PM Introduction to JudaismClasses–MD/DC Classes
4:30 PM Hebrew School
5:15 PM Back to School
7:30 PM Taste of Judaism
4:30 PM Hebrew School
5:15 PM Back to School
4:30 PM Hebrew School–Early Session
6:45 PM Confirmation Class
6:45 PM Hebrew School–Late Session
7:30 PM Back to School
12:15 PM Lunch with the Prophets7:15 PM Shir Shalom Choir Practice7:30 PM Introduction to JudaismClasses–Northern VA
19THURSDAY
18WEDNESDAY
17TUESDAY
16MONDAY
15SUNDAY
14SATURDAY
13FRIDAY
12THURSDAY
11WEDNESDAY
10TUESDAY
9MONDAY
8SUNDAY
7SATURDAY
6FRIDAY
5THURSDAY
4WEDNESDAY
3TUESDAY
2MONDAY
1SUNDAY
TempleShalom’sIsraelAdventure
COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Photos by Joan Barkin, Miles Kahn and Ken Norkin
Photos from left to right:
Miles Kahn floats in the Dead Sea.
The tour’s first view of Jerusalem fromMt. Scopus.
Phyllis Slesinger emerges from the cavesat the archaeological dig at Tel Maresha.
For more photos and information about theadventure go to page 11!
Adult Education Anne Feinberg
ARZA Joan Kalin
B’nai Mitzvah Marney Jacobs
Brotherhood Myles Levin
Capital Projects Mark Ross
College Outreach Mary Jacobs
Communications Ken Norkin
Finance Committee Marc FeinbergKenneth Kramer
Founders Ed Beeman
Historian/Parliamentarian Sandy Kamisar
House & Grounds Mike Gurevich
Leadership Julie Knoll
Legal Counsel Ken Pollack
Membership Allison Druin
Mitzvah Corps Wilma Braun
Music Debra Udey
Nominating Marilyn Ripin
Outreach Committee TBD
Religious Education Debbie KoppMarc Blumenstein
Renaissance Committee Francine Simons
Sisterhood Andrea KarpSusan Stamm
Special Funds Harvey Berger
Tikkun Olam Caryn Anthony
Worship Marty Shargel
Youth Committee TBD
9 AM MAC Regional Biennial8 PM Erev Shabbat Service
9 AM MAC Regional Biennial
10 AM Shabbat Morning Worship & Study
8:45 AM Parents Café
8:45 AM Religious School–Early Session
8:45 AM 3rd Grade Family Education
9 AM Marc Brettler Book Review &Signing
9 AM Talmud Study
9 AM MAC Regional Biennial
9:40 AM Renaissance Group Trip toNational Zoo
11:15 AM 3rd & 7th Grade FamilyEducation
11:15 AM Religious School–Late Session
4 PM Rosh Hodesh–“It’s a Girl Thing”Meeting
6:30 PM Confirmation Class
6:30 PM Post Confirmation
6:30 PM Religious School–Evening Session
6:30 PM 7th Grade Family Education
7:30 PM Introduction to JudaismClasses–MD/DC Classes
4:30 PM Hebrew School
7:30 PM Taste of Judaism
4:30 PM Hebrew School–Early Session
6:45 PM Confirmation Class
6:45 PM Hebrew School–Late Session
25WEDNESDAY
24TUESDAY
23MONDAY
22SUNDAY
21SATURDAY
20FRIDAY 12:15 PM Lunch with the Prophets
7:15 PM Shir Shalom Choir Practice
7:30 PM Introduction to JudaismClasses–Northern VA
7:30 PM Executive Committee Meeting
6:15 PM Kabbalat Shabbat Service
7 PM Pot Luck Dinner
8 PM Erev Shabbat Service
9:45 PM Oneg Shabbat Service
10 AM Shabbat Morning Worship andStudy
10 AM Shabbat Services and B’notMitvah of Julie Maas/Lyla Shapiro
8:45 AM Parents Café
8:45 AM Religious School–Early Session
8:45 AM Kindergarten Family Education
9 AM Talmud Study
11:15 AM Religious School–Late Session
11:15 AM 6th Grade Brunch
2 PM Sisterhood: Kreeger TheatreTrip–“Nine Parts of Desire”
6:30 PM Confirmation Class
6:30 PM Religious School–EveningSession
7:30 PM Introduction to JudaismClasses–MD/DC Classes
4:30 PM Hebrew School31TUESDAY
30MONDAY
29SUNDAY
28SATURDAY
27FRIDAY
26THURSDAY
How to Readthe Bible
Presentation, and Book Signing,
Dr. Marc Brettler
Sunday, October 229–10:30 AM
at Temple Shalom
We come together for this extraordinary opportunity,to study with renowned
Bible Scholar Marc Brettler,featuring presentations onthe topics in his new book,
How to Read the Bible
Professor Marc Brettler is the DoraGolding Professor of Biblical Studies,
and Chair of the Department of Near Eastern and Judaic Studies at
Brandeis University.
Free and open to the public.
Also watch for Professor Brettler as thekeynote presenter in our first ever November
Beit Midrash Study Sessions,On Tuesday nights in November.
Book Presentation • Financial Secretary • Sisterhood
Page 10
The Temple’s Operating Income.Support for the Annual Operating Budget isbased on a fair share dues structure. This is aBoard of Trustees-approved program that seeksan annual commitment of at least 1.5% of amember’s or family unit’s total income beforedeductions and taxes. This gross incomeincludes all salaries, dividends, investments, etc.You can find that number on your FederalIncome Tax Return form. Members who areable to pay above that level are asked to do sobecause there are members who are unable tomeet the 1.5% figure. Because we turn no oneaway from membership, we ask those who “can”to help those who “aren’t able to” participate atthe full level.
The terms “member” and “family unit” areoften used interchangeably in our literature.The basic membership unit might better bedescribed as a household, whether that house-hold is a single person living alone or a multi-person household and likely a multi-genera-tional one. Thus, membership unit or just unitis often the most accurate way to describemembership in the Temple. In addition to the1.5% dues, during the first five years of mem-bership, there is a requirement to contribute tothe Sanctuary Fund which is the source of theTemple’s Capital Projects Budget. These fundsare used for projects with a cost of more than$1,000 and that have a “useful life” of morethan one year. In recent years, capital projectshave included re-roofing, landscaping, renova-tions in the School wing, replacing compo-nents in the heating and air conditioning sys-tems, etc. This Sanctuary Fund is establishedas a single, one-time assessment that is payableover the first five years of membership. Thisfive year commitment is calculated on a six stepsliding scale ranging from family units withannual gross incomes below $40,000 ($1,000or $200/year for the 5-years) to incomesabove $120,000 ($3,500 or $700/year for the5-years.).
After completion of the Sanctuary Fundrequirement and annually thereafter, an annualcontribution to the Mortgage Maintenance
Fund is required. These funds go into theAnnual Operating Budget to pay the intereston our mortgage and otherwise supplementthe dues. This annual fee is calculated at 18%of the member’s annual dues commitment(18% of the 1.5% of gross income).
In recent years, the Rabbi Bruce E. KahnEndowment Fund was created. Each year,income derived from the Fund is transferred tothe Operating Budget, thus adding to theamount raised from Dues and MortgageMaintenance.
Alan Lewis
Financial Secretary
From the Financial Secretary
We hope you had a happy new year.Hopefully, the new year brings a sense ofrenewal and is a happy time for you and yourfamily. There are a lot of fun and interestingprograms the Sisterhood has planned for thisyear. Please join us for Mah Jongg onSundays, from 11:15–1:15 beginningOctober 8. Sunday, October 29, a matineeperformance of Nine Parts of Desire at theArena Stage, and the charge is $45—all arewelcome. Feel free to come to anySisterhood meetings which are held on thesecond Sunday of each month at 6:30 PM.
~Andrea KarpSisterhood Co-President
SISTERHOODMah Jongg, Sundays,11:15 AM–1:15 PM
beginning October 8
Sunday, October 29, matinee of NineParts of Desire, Arena Stage, $45
Meetings, October 8 (2nd Sunday),6:30 PM
Part IIAt the June Annual Meeting, Alan Lewis was elected to the position of Financial Secretary. This is the second of two articles by him on the administration of Temple Shalom’s dues program.
Temple Shalom’s Israel Adventure
Page 11
Temple Shalom’s Israel AdventurePhotos by Joan Barkin, Miles Kahn and Ken Norkin
Led by Rabbi Feshbach and tour directorMarilyn Goldfarb, 40 members and friends ofTemple Shalom traveled to Israel in July. Whilethey heard the breakout of hostilities on theirsecond day and for a while were running justahead of the rockets, they felt a deep and imme-diate connection and stayed their full scheduledtwo weeks before returning home safely.
Tour participants prayed at the Western Wall,visited the birthplace of Kabbalah, swam in theGalilee, walked ancient Roman streets, stood onthe Golan Heights, hiked down Massada — andnever once considered coming home early. Most,if not all, left with a resolve to return. Soon.
The tour group learned that some Jerusalem neighborhoods reflect the architecture and lifestyle of Poland from 300years ago.
Tour guide Arie Mizrachi-Shoham discusses the originsof Kabbalah in the northern Israeli town of Tzfat. Lessthan 90 minutes after this photo was taken, with thetour group headed to its next destination, the townwas hit by Hezbollah rockets.
Ken and LindaNorkin sift thecontents of TaliaFeshbach’sbucket at thearcheologicaldig.
Marty Shargel and Myles Levin (lower right) bask in the glow at the Western Wall moments before the tour group’sShabbat evening service.
As the Israel tour group marveled at this view of Haifafrom the Bahái Gardens, many heard the initial Israeliartillery response to that morning’s cross-border raid.
The Renaissance Group will
Visit the National Portrait GalleryJoin us on Sunday,
November 12th at 1 PMfor a docent-led tour of the newly remod-
eled National Portrait Gallery.
We will meet for brunch before the tour at:
Clyde's Restaurant, 707 7th St., N.W. at 11 AM
To make a reservation please send a check for $5.00 made out to Temple Shalom to:
Francine Simons, 311 Farragut Ave., Rockville, MD 20851
Deadline for reservations is Monday, November 6th.Plans for later in the year include a tour of the National Portrait Gallery in November,
dinner at Tragara’s in Bethesda in December, and a film and dinner at the Temple inJanuary. In March, we have arranged for tickets to a BSO Pops concert at Strathmore Hall,
and in April we will visit the Jewish Chapel at the Naval Academy at Annapolis.
For further information about the Renaissance Group, contact me at francine311@com-cast.net, 301-838-9530.Also, please let me know if you wish to be added to the RenaissanceGroup’s email list. If you already have asked to be on this list but have changed your emailaddress in the last six months, please forward your new address to me.The Temple ShalomRenaissance Group is for Temple members over 50 who want to join other members in a
variety of social activities.Please join the Renaissance Group when we visit the National Zoo on Sunday, October 22.
Details are on page 2.
Cle
rgy
& S
taff
Seni
or R
abbi
Mich
ael L
.Fes
hbac
hA
ssoc
iate
Rabb
i Ger
ald S
erot
taC
anto
r D
r.Ra
món
Tasa
tRa
bbi E
mer
itus
Bruc
e Ka
hnC
anto
r Em
eritu
s Sa
ul R
ogol
sky
Susa
n Z
emsk
y,Ex
ecut
ive D
irect
or
JoH
anna
Pot
ts,D
irect
or o
f Edu
catio
n
Bo
ard
of
Tru
ste
es
Ex
ecu
tiv
eC
om
mit
tee
A
ndre
a M
ark,
Pres
iden
tBe
tsy
King
ery,
Exec
utive
Vice
Pre
siden
tM
ark
Ross
,Vice
Pre
siden
tM
auric
e A
xelra
d,Vi
ce P
resid
ent
Kenn
eth
Kram
er,V
ice P
resid
ent
Lind
a G
urev
ich,V
ice P
resid
ent
Lind
a H
arris
on,S
ecre
tary
Scot
t Sch
reib
er,T
reas
urer
Alan
Lew
is,Fin
ancia
l Sec
reta
ryM
arily
n Ri
pin,
Past
Pre
siden
t
Trus
tees
Larr
y A
kman
,Car
yn A
ntho
ny,A
llison
Dru
in,M
arc
Fein
berg
,Dav
id F
rage
r,D
anFr
eedm
an,M
argo
Got
tesm
an,R
oyal
Hut
chin
son,
Scot
t H
orne
,Lin
da K
ushn
er,
Ken
Nor
kin,
Barb
ara
Mille
r,Lo
u N
ovick
,Ea
rl Si
mon
s,M
arta
Tan
enha
us
Voti
ng A
uxili
ary
Mem
bers
M
arily
n Ri
pin,
Past
Pre
siden
t;M
yles
Levi
n,Br
othe
rhoo
d;M
icah
Har
rison
,TaS
TYPr
esid
ent,
And
rea
Karp
,Sist
erho
od
Voti
ng A
uxili
ary
Mem
bers
Ex
Offi
cio
(Non
-Vot
ing)
Rabb
iM
ichae
l Fes
hbac
h;Jo
Han
na P
otts
,D
irect
or o
f Edu
catio
n;Su
san
Zem
sky,
Exec
utive
Dire
ctor
;San
dy K
amisa
r,U
RJEx
ecut
ive B
oard
Mem
ber;
Step
hen
Sack
s,U
RJ C
ouns
el;E
d Be
eman
,Fou
nder
's Re
p;Ke
n Po
llack
,Tem
ple
Coun
sel
Tem
ple
Sha
lom
ww
w.t
empl
esha
lom
.net
Phon
e: 3
01-5
87-2
273
• Fa
x: 3
01-5
88-9
368
84
01
Gru
bb
Ro
ad
• C
he
vy
Ch
ase
, M
D 2
08
15
Con
trib
utio
ns a
re w
elco
me
to a
ll Tem
ple
Shalo
m S
pecia
l Pur
pose
Fun
ds;in
deed
,you
r do
natio
ns a
re w
hat m
ake
the
activ
ities
sup
port
ed b
y ea
chfu
nd p
ossib
le.T
en d
ollar
s is
the
min
imum
con
trib
utio
n fo
r ea
ch fu
nd (
$36
for
the
Pray
erbo
ok F
und
beca
use
that
buy
s a
pray
erbo
ok w
ith y
our
insc
riptio
n on
a b
ookp
late)
.Ple
ase
send
you
r co
ntrib
utio
n to
the
Tem
ple
Offi
ce,w
ith a
not
atio
n of
who
m th
e do
natio
n ho
nors
or
mem
orial
izes,
and
it w
ill ap
pear
in th
e Sh
ofar
.The
rec
ipie
nt w
ill als
o re
ceive
a le
tter
tellin
g of
you
r do
natio
n.Th
is is
a te
rrific
way
of t
ellin
g pe
ople
that
you
car
e.
�Ra
bbi F
eshb
ach’s
Mitz
vah
Fund
�Ra
bbi S
erot
ta’s
Mitz
vah
Fund
�C
anto
r Tas
at’s
Mitz
vah
Fund
�Ra
bbi K
ahn’s
Mitz
vah
Fund
�Ra
bbi B
ruce
E.K
ahn
Endo
wm
ent F
und
�O
scar
Fel
ker
Fund
�
Dav
id M
ark
Gild
enho
rn F
und
�Bu
rton
Hof
fman
Mem
orial
Fun
d �
Levin
sohn
-Fei
nber
g C
amp
Fund
�A
dele
D.L
ewis
Mem
orial
Teac
hers
Fun
d�
Libr
ary
Fund
�Si
gmun
d M
ayer
,Jr.P
raye
r Bo
ok F
und
�M
emor
ial P
laque
�M
itzva
h C
orps
Fun
d�
Mus
ic Fu
nd�
Stan
ley
Neh
mer
Spe
cial E
vent
s Fu
nd
�El
i New
berg
er S
peak
ers
Fund
�D
avid
Rifk
ind
Flow
er F
und
�H
erm
an R
osen
feld
Fun
d�
Sanc
tuar
y Fu
nd�
Shalo
m L
’Olam
Cam
paign
�Ta
nakh
Don
atio
n�
Tree
of L
ife�
Yout
h Fu
nd�
Yahr
zeits
Occ
asio
n __
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
__
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
_
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
_
From
___
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
_
Phon
e __
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
_
Plea
se in
form
:
Nam
e __
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
_
Add
ress
___
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
__
City
___
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
__
Stat
e __
____
____
____
____
_
Zip
____
____
____
____