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OCTOBER 2017

TISHREI/CHESHVAN 5778 LIFELONG LEARNING


NUMBER 2 FALL 2017 CLASSES
THE BULLETIN iEngage: Israels Milestones and Their Meanings
A Shalom Hartman Institute Lecture and Study Series
Thursdays | Oct 19, 26; Nov 2, 9, 16, 30; Dec 7, 14 | 7:00 p.m.
Rabbi Steven Rein
Miri Bernovsky
The pivotal events of 1917, 1947, and 1967 are key moments when
Zionism unleashed new thinking about the meaning of Jewishness for
generations to come. Memory is a central element in defining modern Jewish
identity. As we look to Israels future, we need to engage anew with our past
and explore its meanings and consequences. This iEngage series grapples
with the different ideas and values that shape the meaning of modern Israel,
Zionism, and Jewish identity today. Together we will engage in a new
values-based discourse about Israel, including topics such as: nationhood,
land, Sovereignty, Jerusalem, Occupation and Moral Red Lines.
A Nation of Immigrants A History of Israels Aliyot
Tuesdays | Oct 24, 31; Nov 7, 14, 28; Dec 5 | 7:00 p.m.
Miri Bernovsky
For the last 130 years, the modern return to the Land of Israel laid the
foundation for the establishment of the State of Israel. Each wave of
AGUDAS ACHIM immigrants, arriving with vastly different cultures, has shaped the country
and continues to influence Israeli society to this very day.
CONGREGATION
ONGOING CLASSES
Shulhan Ivrit Conversational Hebrew
Wednesdays | Beginning Oct 18 | 10:00-11:30 a.m.
Miri Bernovsky
Learn and practice conversational Hebrew. Come to one session or come
to all to deepen your connection with Israel and the Jewish people by
speaking Hebrew.
Israel Film Series
Nov 1, Dec 13, Jan 3, Feb 7, Mar 7, Apr 4, May 2, Jun 6 | 6:00 8:00 p.m.
Miri Bernovsky
Join your fellow film lovers and Agudas members for the 2017/2018
AAC Israeli Film Series, a notable selection of Israeli films. All films will
include a brief introduction and discussion with our Shlicha. All films will
either be in English or have English sub-titles.
Israel Book Club
Nov 2, Dec 7, Jan 4, Feb 1, Mar 1, Apr 5, May 3, Jun 7 | 10:00-12:00 p.m.
Miri Bernovsky
Inspire a lasting personal connection to Israel through Israeli Literature.
Each month we will engage in meaningful dialogue about Israeli History,
reflect on the personal hopes and dreams from Jewish authors, share thoughts
on the triumphs and tragedies of Israeli heroes, and celebrate our passion for
reading and learning about the meaning of Israel through the written word.
All books will be read in English.
Library Lunch and Learn
Oct 19, Nov 9, Dec 21, Jan 18, Feb 15, Mar 15, Apr 19, May 17, Jun 21
12:00 p.m.
2908 Valley Drive Members of the senior staff take turns leading an hour of study and
Alexandria, V
A 2 2302 discussion on topics ranging from Israeli poetry to the history of cantorial
music to Talmudic tales. Bring your lunch and join the fun!
SCHEDULE OF SERVICES
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 4 RABBIS
EREV SUKKOT
Candlelighting.......................6:28 p.m.
MESSAGE
Maariv..................................6:30 p.m.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 5
SUKKOT DAY 1 HOW TO AVOID DISAPPEARING
Sukkot Services.....................9:30 a.m.
Mincha....................following Kiddush In one of his more provocative essays, entitled How to Avoid Disappearing,
Maariv..................................6:30 p.m. the late theologian and editor Arthur A. Cohen laid out the case for studying
Candlelighting After..............7:24 p.m.
Hebrew. Citing the work of Kaufman and Buber, Cohen explains that the key to a
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 6 robust, vital, and enduring Jewish culture is neither religious observance nor
SUKKOT DAY 2
Sukkot Services.....................9:30 a.m. nationalism, but the Hebrew language. We remember and are grateful to those
Mincha...........following pot luck lunch generations of Jews who conducted their cultural life in Hebrew. We forget those
Candlelighting.......................6:25 p.m. who did not. In Cohens words: It is not enough that Jews master the techniques
Kabbalat Shabbat/Maariv.....6:30 p.m. of adapting successfully to the free form of American life. Such skills will render
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 7 the body of the Jew safe and secure, while the spirit withers and dies. The Jews of
Shabbat Services....................9:30 a.m. Diaspora must maintain no less successfully the energies of classic Israel and
Mincha....................following Kiddush
Havdalah Time......................7:21 p.m. those energies are conducted through the Hebrew language. (Present Tense 5:3,
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11
Spring 1978)
EREV SHEMINI ATZERET Beginning this month, Agudas Achim will renew its commitment to the study of
Hoshannah Rabbah................7:00 a.m.
Candlelighting.......................6:18 p.m. Hebrew and its multiple expressions. We are excited that Miri Bernovsky, our
Maariv..................................6:30 p.m. Shlicha, will be teaching Shulhan Ivrit a weekly Conversational Hebrew class and
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12 a monthly Israel Film Series and Book Club. (See the front page for details). If you
SHEMINI ATZERET are interested in additional opportunities to study Hebrew, please reach out to Miri!
Shemini Atzeret Services.......9:30 a.m.
Mincha....................following Kiddush The great Israeli poet Bialik once said that reading the Bible in translation is
Erev Simchat Torah...............6:30 p.m. like kissing your new bride through a veil. Hebrew literacy is the gateway to
Candlelighting After..............7:14 p.m. Jewish life, to our heritage, to world Jewry, and to our present commitments to
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13 Israel. It means you can open up a prayer book, a Bible, or an Israeli website and
SIMCHAT TORAH you are a stakeholder in that conversation. It will ensure that we do not disappear.
Simchat Torah Services.........9:30 a.m.
Mincha................... following Kiddush I can think of no better personal educational resolution for you to make this year
Kabbalat Shababt/Mariv......6:30 p.m. than committing one day a week to the study of Hebrew.
Candlelighting.......................6:15 p.m.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14
Shabbat Services....................9:30 a.m. ANNUAL RABBI JACK MOLINE LECTURE
Mincha....................following Kiddush
Havdalah Time......................7:11 p.m. To honor and commemorate Rabbi Jack Molines many years of
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20 dedicated leadership to Agudas Achim Congregation, you are
Candlelighting.......................6:05 p.m. cordially invited to the Annual Rabbi Jack Moline Lecture.
Kabbalat Shabbat...................6:30 p.m.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21 Our Speaker will be
Shabbat Services....................9:30 a.m.
Mincha....................following Kiddush Ari Roth
Havdalah Time......................7:01 p.m.
Founding Artistic Director of the
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27
Candlelighting.......................5:56 p.m. Mosaic Theater Company of DC.
Kabbalat Shabbat...................6:30 p.m.
Please join us for the lecture and reception
Sunday, October 22, 2017, at 4:00 p.m.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28
Shabbat Services....................9:30 a.m.
Mincha....................following Kiddush
Havdalah Time......................6:53 p.m. RSVP to 703-988-6460 or to
https://goo.gl/forms/xhFDllQ0DkKEkEAC2
by October 15.
Contributions to the Jack Moline Lecture Series can be made
through the Spiro Education Fund.

AGUDAS ACHIM CONGREGATION PAGE 2


MINYAN SCHEDULE
Mornings................................7:30 a.m.
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE Monday through Friday
Kenneth Labowitz Evenings................................7:50 p.m.
Sunday through Thursday
Sundays and Federal
Holidays.............................9:00 a.m.
I grew up in Kemp Mill in Silver Spring. Back then, Kemp Mill was not the
Minyan on October 9
Orthodox enclave it has become; it was developed by the (Jewish) Kay Brothers (Columbus Day) will be at 9:00 a.m.
builders as an open housing community, which was 1950s code for the fact that
the Kays would sell a house to anyone who could afford a mortgage. That meant Please check the service schedule on
Christians, Jews, Asians, and Blacks could live in close proximity in a pleasant page 2 for minyan/morning service
changes related to Sukkot, Shemini
suburban neighborhood. Atzeret, and Simchat Torah
By contrast, the deeds in the close-by Woodland Hills community came with
restrictions: houses could not be re-sold to non-whites. Of course, Jews qualified
as non-white. All of this became illegal in the 1960s, but the deeds are still around; WEEKLY TALMUD AND SHABBAT
I have seen such restrictions for houses in McLean that, while unenforceable, are a LEARNING
reminder of a troubling past.
Daf HaShavua Weekly Talmud Study
Kemp Mill was a product of a particular time, as was the concept of exclusions Fridays | 9:00 -10:00 a.m.
aimed at you and me. What brings all of this to mind is the fate of the Meyerland Rabbi Steven Rein
community in Houston.
And God blessed the seventh day
It sounds like Meyerland and Kemp Mill were developed in the same era of the and declared it holy, because on it God
mid-1950s. Meyerland (doesnt the name give a hint of who lives there?) attracted ceased from all the work of creation that
Jewish families from the start and remains a place where children buy houses in the God had done (Gen 2:3). Shabbat, the
vicinity of the synagogues where they grew up. There are good schools and it is a most sacred day of all, has been adorned
vibrant, secure Jewish suburban neighborhood with the aura of legend; it is a day of rest
Except for one thing: it floods. A lot. After three floods in three years, many and sanctity, Gods gift to all of us. The
residents are compelled to consider abandoning the area. An area that has been a laws, narratives, and theology of
solid, largely Jewish community may now be at the end of its life if everyone is Shabbat will crystalize in our study of
forced to move. There is a biblical tone to all of this, that no place is safe forever Masekhet Shabbat Tractate Shabbat.
and there is always the threat of a diaspora. What had been a haven, a place where (No prior Talmud study required; texts
people could live where their forebearers had lived, may well be no more as the will be in English)
residents scatter across the Houston metro area. Synagogues that served the Parashat HaShavua
community for three or four generations (and which have also flooded) will lose Every Shabbat | 9:00 - 9:30 a.m.
their congregants, and the stores, schools, and other institutions that have served the Rabbi Steven Rein
community will disappear as well. Participate in a lively discussion of
I am saddened by all of this. At the same time, I have greater appreciation for the weeks Torah portion for half an
what we have at Agudas Achim. Among the many issues that we as a community hour before the start of Shabbat
have to deal with, one we do not have is flooding. For better or worse, we live morning services. Newcomers always
across a large swath of Northern Virginia and a single calamity is unlikely to affect welcome!
all of us as it has Meyerland. Our children face no restrictions on where they want
to live, or really any other aspect of their lives. The institution that is Agudas
Achim will be here for our children and their children, not just as it has been, but
even better by our stewardship.
We enter the new year with compassion for our brothers and sisters in Texas
and Florida and with appreciation for what we have.

AGUDAS ACHIM CONGREGATIONS ONLINE MEMBER SURVEY IS HERE!


To participate, go to: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/AgudasAchim2017
Hard copies will be available in the office. Make your voice heard. Share your experiences, ideas, and suggestions to
make our kehillah (synagogue community) the best it can be!
Questions? Contact: Rachel Goldberg (rachelfgoldberg@gmail.com), Jim Robbins (james.robbins1@gmail.com), or
Rabbi Rein (srein@agudasachim-va.org)

OCTOBER 2017 P AGE 3


USY/KADIMA NEWS MAH KOREH - WHATS HAPPENING IN
THE EDUCATION AND YOUTH DEPARTMENT
Chaya Silver
Youth/Education Director

We are very lucky to have a thriving religious school that engages children
ages 5 to 18. We have added a variety of field trips, special holiday programs, and
school-wide learning days designed to excite, challenge, and inspire. We are
recruiting and retaining wonderful teachers, and our Youth and Religious School
Committee (YRSC) composed of parents from the religious school community
and area day schools works hard to make our program the best it can be. This
AAC USY/Kadima members enjoying year, with support from many individuals and groups, we will be adding a new
this past summers USY Encampment piece to our program: Family Education.
/Kamp Kadima. Jewish Family Education is the process of ongoing development of Jewish
family life aimed towards families taking responsibility for achieving and
JOIN US! integrating Jewish practice, ritual, knowledge, and values into the fabric of their
OCTOBER 4 | 5:30 P.M, home life and their lives outside the walls of the synagogue. Jewish family
Shake it Up! - Sukkah pizza party and education programs are designed to empower parents to realize their strengths and
milkshakes skills as educators while serving as role models for their children. Family
OCTOBER 18 | 6:30 P.M. education programs create opportunities for parents and grandparents to learn
Spooktacular Social Action - No tricks, alongside their children and grandchildren. In family education programs, adults
just treats learn from children and children learn from adults. Children see first-hand that
Judaism is important not because their parents tell them it is important but because
OCTOBER 27-29 their parents show them.
Fall Kadima Kallah
Capital Camps, Waynesboro, PA The family is the single most important influence on Jewish identity
development not just for children, but for adults as well. There is no greater
NOVEMBER 8 | 6:30 P.M.
immersive experience than the home. No matter how wonderful our Jewish
Lounge Night - Make chapter banner
summer camps, religious schools, and day schools, there is no substitute for a warm
for Fall Convention
positive Jewish home when it comes to educating the next generation of Jews.
NOVEMBER 17-19
When it comes to raising educated, proud Jewish kids, a good Jewish home can
USY Fall Convention
be an interfaith home, an observant home, or a secular Jewish home. Loving Jewish
Capital Camps, Waynesboro, PA
homes can be built with involved Jewish grandparents, single parents, or LGBTQ
NOVEMBER 29 | 6:30 P.M. parents. Given the importance of building Jewish homes, the role of the
USY/Kadima Peer-led Ed synagogues educational team has expanded in order to provide opportunities for
Contact Kyra Schuster all these home settings giving parents and children, teens and grandparents, or
(kyra@schuschein.com) parents and grandparents dynamic, creative, and safe learning environments in
for more information. which to explore ancient and modern values, traditions, and questions.
One of our programs goals is to provide parents and grandparents who may not
have extensive Jewish backgrounds with tools to make their Jewish home life more
engaging and to give parents with strong Jewish backgrounds opportunities for
enrichment and new perspectives. The goal of our Religious School Family
Education Program is to give children the chance to learn from and with their
most influential and important teachers. It is also a chance for adults to carve time
out of their busy lives to listen to their children, to focus on Jewish values, and to
truly put into practice the phrase ldor vador (literally from generation to
KNITTING CLUB generation). Jeff Janeczko, an ethnomusicologist at UCLA, wrote Put simply, ldor
vador refers to continuity, to the responsibility of passing on spiritual knowledge and
October 15 | 12:00 noon cultural traditions from generation to generation for the purpose of sustaining the
AAC Lobby customs, heritage, and collective memory of the Jewish people. This is our goal.
If you love to knit or have ever Special thanks for making this years program possible goes to the YRSC for their
wanted to learn, join us on the third support, to the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington for their financial support of
Sunday of the month for fellowship the Shaliach Program, and to the Agudas Achim Congregations Endowment Fund for
and creativity. making this years Family Education program possible.
AGUDAS ACHIM CONGREGATION PAGE 4
Shanah Tovah umetukah may
DEAR HAZZAN you have a sweet New Year.
Hazzan Elisheva Dienstfrey
Lshalom,
Hazzan Dienstfrey
*Please Note: This column will
SABBATICAL SUMMARY alternate between music
Dear Hazzan, reviews/recommendations and Dear
You were very excited about your Sabbatical. How did it go? Hazzan letters. If you would like to
-Or Ganize introduce or recommend recordings, or
Dear Or, if you have a question for the Hazzan
My Sabbatical was wonderful. As I indicated in previous columns, I spent regarding the ritual, liturgy, and/or
much of my Sabbatical cleaning out my office. After 17 years, I have accumulated music of the synagogue, please write
many, many things. And though I love to claim I am a very organized person, even Hazzan Dienstfrey at the synagogue
the most organized people can let things pile up over time. So I was grateful for (2908 Valley Drive, Alexandria, VA
the opportunity to go through everything and reorganize. 22302) or email her at
HazzanERLD@hotmail.com.
The best part of the Sabbatical, however, was one simple thing: TIME. I had
TIME to reorganize and clean up. I had TIME to exercise every day. I had TIME
to spend with my family. I had TIME to cook, to clean, and to read.
This time apart from work (even though I did spend much of it in my office)
made me realize how much I needed to take that time for myself, for my family,
and yes, even for Agudas Achim. Now that I have had these weeks to take care of ARE YOU INTERESTED IN
myself (and my office), I feel I have that much more energy to give to the READING TORAH?
community. By leaving the pulpit even for a few Shabbatot, I realized how much
Has it been a while since you've
I love to daven, and more specifically, how much I love to daven HERE at Agudas.
read? Perhaps you're looking for a new
I did take three Shabbatot to explore other synagogue communities, which year's resolution this Rosh Hashanah?
taught me a great deal about the experience of being a Jew in the Pew. I loved it
Terrific! We are assigning available
for a few weeks. One Shabbat I spent at Adas Israel with my friend and colleague
Shabbat Torah readings for the next few
Hazzan Ari Brown, who has the voice of an angel, and was davenning with
months and would love to have you join
another one of my favorite voices, Robyn Helzner. Another Shabbat, we went to
our enthusiastic and talented volunteers.
Beth El Hebrew Congregation here in Alexandria where I had the pleasure of
singing (from my seat) with Cantor Jason Kaufman not only a delightful mensch, My name is Margot Carter, and
but a talented clergyman. He led the service by himself with finesse and love. And I'm honored to be the new contact for
one Shabbat Tobias and I biked 18 miles (each way!) to Beth El Congregation of Torah readings (replacing Barbara
Montgomery County, where our own Matt Klein was the Hazzan for several years. Elkin). Please feel free to e-mail me at
Unfortunately, Matt and his beautiful family left for another pulpit in Ohio a Margot.Carter@hotmail.com, or, if
couple of weeks prior to our attending, so instead I heard his successor, Hazzan you're more of a phone person, you can
Asa Fradkin, and I learned from my friend, Rabbi Greg Harris, who I have known call me at (202) 680-0904. We can set
since I began at JTS. you up with a reading, and if you
haven't read in a while, you'll get a
Probably my favorite Shabbat was when I was with my extended family my
chance to hone your skills and
parents, my sister and brother, their families, and of course, our little crew of the
practice with Hazzan Elisheva
Dienstfrey 6. We were at the beach, and since there were 10 Jewish adults there,
Dienstfrey. I look forward to hearing
we were able to daven Kabbalat Shabbat and Maariv at sunset on the beach.
from you!
Wow. That was truly special.
I loved sitting back and being able to just enjoy Shabbat. But when my THE CONGREGATION IS
Sabbatical was over, I was ready to go back to Agudas. There is something
REMINDED THAT CARRYING
exceptional about our community that I didnt see elsewhere not even on the
beach that beautiful Friday night. And now that I am back, I know what it is: YOU. CONCEALED WEAPONS
So, thank you all for being the reason I am thriving as a Hazzan. I look forward ANYWHERE ON THE
to continuing to learn, to daven, and to spend time with all of you at Agudas SYNAGOGUE PREMISES IS
Achim Congregation. PROHIBITED BY STATE
(Continued in column to right.) STATUTE.

OCTOBER 2017 P AGE 5


CELEBRATE
SIMCHAT TORAH PRESCHOOL NEWS
Thursday, October 12 | 6:30 p.m. Jen Halpern, Director
Lainof Auditorium
The entire Agudas Achim
Congregation is invited to join together
to celebrate the end of one Torah cycle The week before school started, our teachers attended a workshop entitled The
and the beginning of another. We will Environment as the Third Teacher. (In case youre wondering, the other two
see the entire Torah unfurled as we teachers are first and foremost the childs parent and later on their classroom
dance and sing. teacher.) By seriously considering the space in which children learn, and the
Our congregations Kindergarten materials that are available to them, classroom teachers demonstrate respect for
children will be honored with a mini- children. The right kind of classroom environment creates a sense of safety and
Torah to mark the beginning of their warmth; it invigorates children and leads to excitement and joy, discovery and
journey through Jewish education. collaboration. The wrong kind of environment stifles and distracts from real
learning.
When classroom environments are constructed thoughtfully, teachers also
begin to view their role differently. They come to regard themselves less as
conveyors of information and more as facilitators of learning.
Preschool classrooms can and should be beautiful. They should be warm and
welcoming and aesthetically pleasing. They should look more like a home and less
like an elementary school. Rooms that are cluttered are distracting; rooms that are
splashed with nothing but primary colors are overwhelming. Natural light (which
we thankfully have in abundance!), houseplants, neutral colors, well-organized
spaces, and a variety of materials discourage chaos and invite reflection and
creativity.
NEWS FOR THE NEW YEAR FROM
Even the placement of classroom supplies is worth careful consideration. When
THE AAC CARING COMMITTEE
a teacher places art materials on a high shelf, they are sending a message: the
AAC Caring Committee is children in this classroom arent trusted to use glue and scissors on their own. They
excited to announce AACs new must first ask for permission to create. The teacher is completely in control. When
partnership with NV Rides. Through those same materials are kept at the childs level, the children know they are trusted.
this partnership, AAC Caring They understand that they can draw and paint and cut and glue when they want to.
Committee will be expanding its They learn how to use the materials safely, and they learn how to be responsible by
ability to offer rides to congregants putting the supplies away when they are finished. They are given the opportunity to
demonstrate that they are capable and competent.
and volunteer opportunities for
drivers. Watch for program details in When teachers take advantage of their environment, real learning happens.
the upcoming months. Rather than deciding months in advance that a unit on hibernation is called for when
its wintertime, taking advantage of a squirrel sighting on the playground can lead
Both the Caring Committee and to an investigation. The children spot the squirrel burying an acorn and ask
Bereavement Committee are questions. Rather than give them information, the teacher wonders how to find the
looking for volunteers to help answers to the questions. That leads to a trip to the class library. Soon the children
fellow congregants by preparing are spotting squirrels everywhere, counting them, wondering if its the same
meals, visiting, doing errands, squirrel or many squirrels. Theyve become acute observers. The teacher provides
taking a Shomer/Shomeret shift, them with clipboards and paper and writing materials to draw what they see. Now
and other activities. Please contact theyve become scientists. One thing leads to another every decision the teacher
the AAC office to volunteer. makes to further learning creates deeper meaning and understanding for the
children. And the children are learning much more than just facts; theyre learning
how to learn. This can only happen when the teacher understands and respects the
possibilities that the environment provides.
This year in the preschool were focusing on our environment, on making it
more beautiful and accessible, and learning how to take better advantage of it. One
small step in that direction was to paint all the classroom doors white over the
(Continued on page 7)

AGUDAS ACHIM CONGREGATION PAGE 6


MENS CLUB MENSCHENINGS PRESCHOOL HAPPENINGS
BY ELLIOT PARKIN, MENS CLUB PRESIDENT BY JEN HALPERN
Mens Club continues to provide service to the Agudas Achim community. Many (Continued from page 6)
thanks to: Harvey Stoler and his Grill Masters for flipping burgers and turning hot summer. The hallway looks so much
dogs at the AAC Annual Barbeque; Doc Shantz, who coordinated the ushers for the brighter and fresher; thank you again to
High Holidays; and Brian Kolstad, who coordinated the building of the Sukkah. all the parents, grandparents, alumni,
Our first event of the New Year is a joint dinner with Sisterhood in the Sukkah on friends, and spouses who volunteered.
Tuesday, October 10 . Louis Marcus and Judith Fogel are working hard to make this Weve also begun purging some of the
an enjoyable evening for all who attend. See the Sisterhood column for more details. clutter thats accumulated over the
years to make room for more creative
On Sunday, November 5, State Senator Adam Ebbin will be our guest speaker at and open-ended toys and materials.
our first brunch. Senator Ebbin will provide his insights on the Virginia gubernatorial Teachers are also rethinking their
election and how upcoming legislation in the Virginia Statehouse might affect the lives classroom spaces and finding ways to
of his constituents and Northern Virginians. Join us in the Lainof auditorium at 10:00 use them differently. Finally, teachers
a.m. and bring a hearty appetite for bagels, lox, and politics. are always encouraged to take
The Mens Club Israel Pilgrimage Scholarship Program provided six advantage of learning opportunities
scholarships this past year to teens of the Congregation for Israel experiences. We that present themselves, even if that
plan to have some of the recent scholarship recipients speak to the Congregation. means ditching a planned activity.
If you have a teen who is interested in a peer trip to Israel, please contact Mike Children will learn the skills they need
Scheinberg at mike@schushein.com for details. to learn regardless of the content, and
if they are invested in the content,
We would greatly appreciate your support for our Mens Club this coming year
theyll learn and retain the skills better.
by sending in your membership dues for 2017-18 (5778). Our nominal dues for
Im looking forward to an exciting year
the year are $36, but please consider donating a Chaier amount such as $54 (i.e.,
full of new possibilities!
triple Chai). If you have any suggestions for events or would like to help with any
of our activities, please contact me at elliot.parkin@gmail.

3-D-4-5 For ad info. call 1-800-477-4574 www.4lpi.com 14-0995


YOUNG FAMILIES EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS
Programming and community MESSAGE
focused on families with children
ages 0-5. Barry Nove

ONGOING EVENTS LShanah Tovah. I must begin by thanking all the volunteers and members
GAN SHABBAT of the staff for all theyve done for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. I would
Saturdays 11:00-12:00 a.m. like especially like to thank our congregations President, Ken Labowitz,
Rooms 1 & 2 Financial Vice President, John Ehrman, Administrative Vice President,
Volunteer-led service for kids ages Meredith Ludwig, and our Building and Grounds Chair, Gail Bentkover for
0-5, accompanied by an adult. Contact all their help and support and advice as Ive been making the transition, which
lefflersarah@hotmail.com if you are has had many challenges. Everyones been incredible and they have all worked
interested in leading. hard to make the services and experience run as smoothly as possible, both
OH, SAY SHALOM SING-A-LONG AND within the building and without just ask anyone who enjoyed the family tent
PLAYGROUP service each morning.
Sunday, October 1 | 11:00 a.m. The senior staff and office staff have been very helpful during my first
Hazzan Elisheva Dienstfrey months here. You will notice some changes in the office, including some new
leads songs for the first half hour faces we have a new book-keeper, as well as a consulting comptroller, Tracey
followed by free play. No Jewish Bible, who will be with us from time to time.
knowledge or experience necessary.
Each child requires a grownup. This month there will be another change. Sheila Thomas, who has been our
administrative assistant, working the front desk and who took over from her
SHABABY KABBALAT SHABBAT sister Bolade in July, is leaving. We wish her and her new husband all the best
Friday, October 20 | 5:30 p.m. in North Carolina.
Friday night service for kids 0-5 and
adults with songs, instruments, scarves, Ive met so many of you and Im grateful for all your support. Im looking
dancing parachutes, challah, and juice. forward to sharing more positive changes as we continue to improve our facility
Contact lefflersarah@hotmail.com if and our services to you. Please stop by and share any concerns or thoughts with
you are interested in leading. me.
SAVE THE DATE Barry Nove
YOUNG FAMILIES SUKKOT bnove@agudasachim-va.org
Sunday, October 8 | 10:00 a.m.-12:00 noon
Activities for families with children
SHABBAT AT AAC IN 5778
ages 0-5 celebrating Sukkot. Learners Minyan
Registration details to follow. Nov 4, Jan 6, Mar 3, Apr 21, Jun 2 | 10:00-11:00 am
CONNECT WITH YOUNG Rachel and Rich Albert, Pablo Zylberglait
FAMILIES Learn about the meaning and choreography of the Shabbat morning service.
Become more comfortable with the Hebrew text. Using Siddur Lev Shalem, we
FindusontheFacebookAgudas will learn, discuss, and pray, becoming a community of pray-ers. No prior
Achim Young Families Group to knowledge of prayers or Hebrew necessary.
keep track of what is going on and
receive the latest updates! For more Kavanah Minyan
information or to get involved contact: Dec 2, Feb 24, May 5 | 10:00-11:00 am
David Blumenstein, Doug Fagen
Hannah Kraushaar Kavanah Minyan is an hour-long exploration of Jewish meditation, chant,
at hannah.kraushaar@gmail.com and other spiritual practices. No prior experience is necessary. While each
Sarah Leffler session begins formally at 10:00 am, the chapel will be available as early as 9:30
at lefflersarah@hotmail am for a period of silent contemplation.
Debbie Perry
Windows on Israel
at Debbiekperry@gmail.com
Nov 11, Dec 16, Jan 13, Feb 10, Mar 10, Apr 7, May 12, Jun 6 | 10:00-11:00 a.m.
Pam Kesner
Miri Bernovsky
at phkesner@hotmail.com.
Monthly discussion on interesting aspects of Israeli society. Topics to
include: religious feminism in Israel; a personal presentation about life on the
Gaza border; Israel's humanitarian involvement in the Syrian civil war; and more.

AGUDAS ACHIM CONGREGATION PAGE 8


IN THE FAMILY
We mourn the loss of our longtime member We mourn the loss of our longtime member

May the Almighty comfort the bereaved mourners. May the Almighty comfort the bereaved mourners.

SINCERE CONDOLENCES TO: PRAYERBOOK FUND


Andrew Swers and Family In honor of Gwen Stokols
on the death of their grandfather, Ralph Herman Melvin and Elaine Stokols
Jon Silberman and Family In memory of Bea Goldhirsch
on the death of his mother, Phyllis Silberman Bruce and Cheryl Goldhirsch
REFUAH SHLEMAH TO: In memory of David Aaron Lipnick
Mickey Lazarus Robert Lipnick and family
In memory of Nathan Levine
MAZEL TOV TO: Marilyn Levine
Ellen Whitten and Anita Turk RABBI'S DISCRETIONARY FUND
on the birth of their grandsons/greatgrandsons, In honor of Rabbi Rein for his kindness
Ari and Sam Feuerstein Patricia Franklin
Joel and Meryl Goldhammer In memory of Albert Woolf, beloved father of Elaine, grandfather
on the marriage of their son, Jared to Keely Comen of Gwen
SCHIFF ENDOWMENT FUND Melvin and Elaine Stokols
In appreciation of the presentation by the Holocaust Museum In memory of Bessie Rapoport
curator Pearl Shuman
Marty Hallowell In memory of Eva Turk
In memory of Margaret Marcus Anita Turk
Barry Landau In memory of Raymond Stokols, brother of Melvin
SPIRO ADULT EDUCATION FUND Melvin and Elaine Stokols
In memory of Dr Robert L. Evans, my late father Wishing my AAC friends a healthy and happy new year
Amy Levin Shulamith Shafer
SAM & ANITA TURK FUND SYNAGOGUE FUND
A donation A donation for Yom Kippur
Anita Turk David and Barbara Ross
In honor of Anita Turk's new great grandsons - Mazel tov! In honor of Nan Berman's graduation
Sonya Singer Livingston Eric and Laurie Winakur
Mazel tov to the Turk family on the birth of the new babies In memory of Jocelyn Pearl
Shulamith Shafer Gordon & Myra Gondos
CEMETERY FUND Alan and Mindi Maline
In memory of Regina Rothleder and Max Rothleder SEFER TORAH FUND
Hilda Froelke In honor of Miriam Perlberg for reading Torah and chanting
In memory of father, Roswell T. Franklin Haftarah
Patricia Franklin Patricia Franklin
COMMUNITY CARING FUND In honor of all the bima participants on Shavuot
In honor of an aliyah on Ekev Patricia Franklin
Neale Ainsfield JACK MOLINE LECTURE SERIES
HAZZAN'S DISCRETIONARY FUND In honor of Rabbi Moline's significant birthday
In memory of Louis Chester Barry Landau
Beatrice Sklarewitz MUSIC FUND
Wishing my AAC friends a happy and healthy new year In honor of a melodious closing of the Ark cover in April
Shulamith Shafer Patricia Franklin
KABACK FUND PRESCHOOL DONATIONS
In memory of mother, Sarah Goldberg In honor of all the teachers and staff of the preschool
Anita Deitch Michele and Steve Silverman
SCHONBERGER LIBRARY FUND In honor of the AAC Preschool
In honor of the 33rd wedding anniversary of Arnold and Joan Karen Kaufman and Al Barke
Hartman Moore on 4-14-17 In honor of the Halpern family
Judy Davis Richard and Rachel Albert
In memory of Carolyn D'Aprix Franklin RELIGIOUS SCHOOL DONATIONS
Patricia Franklin Get well wishes to Marion Wachtel - wishing her a full recovery
In memory of Margaret Marcus, Louis Marcus' mother Shulamith Shafer
Phillip and Farideh Schonberger In honor of Adella, Emmory, and Israel Perkal
In memory of beloved grandfather, Harry Schonberger Lester and Jane Bergen
Phillip and Farideh Schonberger

OCTOBER 2017 PAGE 9


DOMESTIC ABUSE AWARENESS
SHABBAT SPEAKER SISTERHOOD DOINGS
OCTOBER 28 NETWORKING TO ENGAGE AND EMPOWER CONSERVATIVE JEWISH WOMEN.
BY JUDITH FOGEL
Stacy Lang, PhD, LCSW-C
Outreach Director for JCADA Sisterhood/Mens Club Joint Event
(Jewish Coalition Against Domestic Supper in the Sukkah
Abuse) Tuesday, October 10 | 7:00 pm.
You are invited to a festive yuntiff dinner in the AAC Sukkah under the stars:
baked chicken, roasted potatoes, wine, apple crisp and more. $36 per person.
Bring the whole family! Children 0-5 free, 6-12 $18.
RSVP by October 4 to Judith Fogel: JFOGEL2000@aol.com/703-801-8088
or Louis Marcus: dej1946@aol.com/703-964-6280.
Mail checks to Judith Fogel (payable to AAC Sisterhood), 3001 Park Center
Drive #1220, Alexandria, Virginia 22302 or drop off at the shul in the Sisterhood
mailbox, made payable to AAC Sisterhood.
If it rains, we'll dine in the Social Hall. Volunteers needed.
Minyan on the Mountain
SENIORS LUNCH AND LEARN Sunday, October 15 | 8:45 a.m.
PROGRAM Sisterhood Hikes returns for another year of adventure in the woods. Come
Tuesday, November 14 trek the trails at Shenandoah National Park in all their crimson color! This is our
12:00 noon 2:00 p.m. first joint venture with Olam Tikvah (Fairfax) Sisterhood and is an all day
Lainof Auditorium program. Optional restaurant dinner follows. This is a moderate to easy-side-of
moderate hike, featuring waterfalls, rivers, cascades, and a vista. No scrambling.
Join us November 14, 2017 when We will have two groups, a faster and slower. Carpools leave from both
the AAC Seniors welcome Harrison synagogues. Drivers needed. Cost: $5.00 to your driver. Pay your dinner bill
Smith, a member of the Washington individually. Pack daypack, national parks pass, lunch, water, sunblock, hat,
Post obituary section staff. Mr. windbreaker or sweatshirt. RSVP by Wednesday, October 11 to Judith Fogel:
Smiths presentation entitled: The JFOGEL2000@aol.com/703.801.8088.
Dead Beat: Inside The Washington
Posts obituary section will review A SNEAK PEAK AT OUR NOVEMBER PROGRAMS!
all aspects of how the Post selects its Sisterhood Soiree
obituary subjects to what makes an Sunday, November 5 | 7:00-10:00 p.m.
engaging obituary. Please reserve Calling all paid up Sisterhood members to come out and party with us.
early and come prepared with your Featuring food, wine, laughter and good conversation.
questions for the Q&A session fol-
lowing his presentation. There's No Business Like Show Business - Signature Theatre
We will serve lunch at Noon in Sunday, November 19 | Matine 2:00 - 5:00 p.m.
the Lainof Auditorium at Agudas Grab your discounted price tickets to Signature Theatre's production of Crazy for
Achim Congregation, followed by You before they are snapped up! Contact Gloria Canter (gloriacanter@comcast.net)
the program. This event is open to to purchase tickets at $70 per person. Invite your friends, relatives and significant others.
the AAC Active Seniors and the JC-
CNV Active Retirees. Reservations
are required and must be made no SISTERHOODS JUDAICA SHOP
later than Thursday, November 2. WELCOMES YOU!
You will be delighted with many new offeringseverything from kippots to
RSVP to Jane Bergen at 703-861 gift items, havdalah candles to wine bottle stoppers, to toys! Enjoy visiting the
6419 (janebergen@verizon.net) or Shop. We love to see you and you have told us you love supporting the many
Nancy Siegal at 703-671-0957 endeavors that Sisterhood funds.
(nsiegal@comcast.net). NO SHIPPING COSTS EVER!
Please visit us on Sundays during Religious School hours. Any questions or
Please let us know if you can help in special requests please contact the Judaica Shop chairs:
the kitchen or can provide transpor- Michelle Shwimer 202-288-9856 or Susan Ravitz 703-489-5068.
tation.

AGUDAS ACHIM CONGREGATION PAGE 10


ProfilesofOurLEADERS
SAMARAWEINSTEIN by Carol Backman
Department of Defense and she was at H.H.S. He did guns
and I did butter, she joked. We were friends for a long
time, says Samara. They were married by Rabbi Jack Moline
in 1999 at Agudas Achim. Once married, the Goldsteins
started a newlyweds Chaverah (group of friends) at Agudas
Achim which grew to include many couples who became
long-time friends. Samara and Jeff have two teen-age
daughters: Hannah, 16, a junior at Wakefield High School in
Arlington, and Shira, 13, who attends Kenmore Middle
School. Both girls were named and became Bat Mitzvahs at
Agudas Achim.
After her children were born, Samara decided to become
a full-time stay-at-home mom. She actively volunteered at
Agudas with the Gan Yeladim playgroup (precursor to
AACs Preschool), as a Girl Scout Troop leader, with
Hadassah, and as PTA President. While taking an active role
This past June, Samara Weinstein was awarded the in the AAC youth programs, she recalls: Although there
Heart of the Congregation Award for her work as Chair of were wonderful activities going on with ALIVE and the
the Social Action Committee. Samara comes to her job with Carpenters Shelter, I felt that social action was missing at our
an impressive background. She was born in New York City synagogue. She met with Hazzan Elisheva Dienstfrey and
and grew up in Belmont, Massachusetts, outside of Boston. Youth/Education Director, Chaya Silver. At that meeting last
Her family attended Beth El Temple, where she became a Bat year, Samara volunteered to chair the synagogues newly
Mitzvah. Samara actively participated in NFTY, the Reform formed Social Action Committee. I feel that there was more
movements Youth Group. She participated in NFTYs that we should be doing and our actions should reflect our
summer high school program in Israel, worked at Camp values as part of the Conservative Movement, says Samara.
Ramah in New England, and spent her Junior year of college
at the Rothberg School for Overseas Students at Hebrew We decided to pick one issue to concentrate on that
University of Jerusalem. Living and studying in Jerusalem year, notes Samara. Taking as its call to action racial
was amazing, Samara recalls. injustice in Ferguson, Charleston, Baltimore, and elsewhere,
Agudas Achims Social Action Committee focused
Samara graduated from the University of Hartford with a programming on the issue of racial justice. They held a series
degree in Politics and Government. While in college she of open monthly educational dialogues on Sunday mornings
worked for Senator Joe Liebermans campaign for Attorney facilitated by alumni from AVODAH, the National Jewish
General, Senator Chris Dodds District Office, and interned Service Corps.
in Washington, D.C. for the Council of Jewish Federations.
We first wanted to educate ourselves and brought in
After college, Samara worked for the Girl Scouts in these well-trained young people to help facilitate these
Boston and Los Angeles and then returned to Washington, difficult conversations using a Jewish lens, Samara explains.
D.C. to earn a Masters in Public Administration at the The dialogues used the video series Under Our Skin
George Washington University. While in graduate school developed by the Seattle Times as a jumping off point to
Samara worked for Senator Ted Kennedy, then-chairman of understand tough topics, followed by discussions, readings,
the Labor and Human Resources Commission, on and thinking about tough topics as individuals and as Jews.
homelessness. She was awarded a Presidential Management What is most exciting is that people from all demographics
Internship and hired by the Administration for Children and of our congregation have become engaged and involved.
Families at the Department of Health and Human Services.
Samara started out working on youth programs and welfare Following the Dialogues on Race, the Social Action
reform. Her last job there was serving as the Acting Director Committee began a series of conversations with members of
of the office that administers the federal welfare program. the Alfred Street Baptist Church. Members of the Alfred
Street church attended Friday night Kabbalat Shabbat
Samara met Jeff Goldstein in 1992, when they were both Services at Agudas, and in return Agudas Achim members
Presidential Management Interns. Jeff worked for the
Continued on page 12

OCTOBER 2017 P AGE 11


PROFILES OF OUR LEADERS: SAMARA WEINSTEIN meaningful the seder was for all who attended, and many are
(Continued from page 11) looking forward to doing it again next year, observes
were invited to a Sunday morning service at the Alfred Street Samara.
Baptist Church where the sermon included the idea of both In the spring the Social Action Committee was able to
communities coming together. They even had a kosher meal get 70 tickets to the new Smithsonian African American
for us after the service, says Samara. Museum of History and Culture in Washington. To prepare
Shortly after Passover they organized a Community for this trip, Dr. Suzanne E. Smith an AAC Congregant
Social Justice Seder at Agudas Achim where over a hundred and professor at George Mason University specializing in
people came together from both congregations. The program African American history shared the history, background
followed a Haggadah created by Deborah Siegel. Rabbi and logistical overview of the museum as well as helpful
Steven Rein and Dr. Reverend Fentress-Williams, along with hints to get the most out of the visit.
Hazzan Dienstfrey and children from the two congregations My work with the Social Action committee is probably
read from the Hagadah. Passover traditions like drinking the most valuable and meaningful thing I have ever done,
four cups of wine (grape juice), dipping herbs into salt water, Samara says. This year Samara hopes to continue the
and eating matzoh, the bread of affliction, were incorporated partnership with the Alfred Street Baptist Church and engage
along with modernized versions of prayers and songs. children and teens from both communities. The Social Action
Each table discussed modern day plagues such as: Police Committee plans to examine a range of issues such anti-
Brutality, Housing Redlining, Mass Incarceration, Black Semitism, gun violence, domestic violence, and disability
Unemployment, Genocide, Poverty, Racism, Anti-Semitism, awareness. If you are interested in getting involved with the
Lack of Healthcare, and Homelessness. The Social Justice Social Action committee, please contact Samara Weinstein at
Seder meal was sponsored by the AAC Henry and June samarajw@yahoo.com or 703-243-9099.
Krevor Social Action Fund. What struck me is how

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IN MEMORIAM
OCTOBER 1, 2017 TISHRI 11, 5778 OCTOBER 13, 2017 TISHRI 23, 5778 OCTOBER 22, 2017 HESHVAN 2, 5778
Miriam Barber * William Grossman Dorothy Barke
Mary Cooper Alice Frapolli Iller Iris Bashkin
Hyman Kaback * Sarah Isaacs Arnold Berson
Yehoshua Montanez Ida Linver Herman Dorsen
OCTOBER 2, 2017 TISHRI 12, 5778 Sue Magnes * Nachmen S. Mendelson
* Carlyn Herman Ruth G. Maline OCTOBER 23, 2017 HESHVAN 3, 5778
Alvin Ring Gus Rosenberg Samuel Gerstein
Roy Ruben Rose Albert Weber * Jacob Kleinman
* George Silverman * Maurice Woolf Margaret Loewith
Jerome Turk OCTOBER 14, 2017 TISHRI 24, 5778 * Harry Rosenblatt
OCTOBER 3, 2017 TISHRI 13, 5778 * Gitla Fagelson OCTOBER 24, 2017 HESHVAN 4, 5778
Elaine Browner * Nathan Gerstein * Beatrice Goldberg
Jerome Chapman Monroe Lange * Ruth Krevor
* Janet Distler * Louis Julius Weiner Marjorie Levant
Benjamin B. Garbow * Harold Worthman * Yehuda M. Rubin
* Esther Goldberg OCTOBER 15, 2017 TISHRI 25, 5778 * Samuel Wall
Irene Goldhammer * Ida Berg OCTOBER 25, 2017 HESHVAN 5, 5778
Robert Rubinstein * Shirley Binder Yehuda Arkin
* Rabbi David M. Shohet * Morris Blatt * Benjamin S. Engel
OCTOBER 4, 2017 TISHRI 14, 5778 Norton Dahne Louis Gollomp
* Jacob Abraham Henry Hans Frenkel Milton Israel
* Bessie Rossen * Robert Seidenberg Richard Massell
* Bertha G. Teitelbaum OCTOBER 16, 2017 TISHRI 26, 5778 OCTOBER 26, 2017 HESHVAN 6, 5778
OCTOBER 5, 2017 TISHRI 15, 5778 Anna Brager * Kenneth Alan Barnett
Eugene Loble * Rosa Lee Chadekel * Louis Baum
Betty Ravitz * Edward Chitlik Beth Lynn Berkowitz
George Rollins Sidney Deutchman Paul Browner
* Anita Weiner Wiesman Elliot Goldberg * Isidore Eichler
OCTOBER 6, 2017 TISHRI 16, 5778
* LtCol Herbert Quint Nettie Finkelstein
* Anna Levinson
* Goodman Rubin Herbert Pollak
* Victor I. Romano
* Samuel Samuelson * Raymond Salkin
* Gwen Marilyn Swers
Rita Skirble Sophie Yetta Stier
Justin Wilson OCTOBER 27, 2017 HESHVAN 7, 5778
OCTOBER 7, 2017 TISHRI 17, 5778 * Ruth Springer
Ramond David Wilensky * David Abraham
Gladys Notis
OCTOBER 17, 2017 TISHRI 27, 5778 Kenneth Gutterman
* Robert Roberts
OCTOBER 8, 2017 TISHRI 18, 5778 Sheldon Kaplan Esther C. Kay
Dorothy Bodzin * Julius Mintz Michael Tureck
Rudy Perkal OCTOBER 28, 2017 HESHVAN 8, 5778
James Mark Kranz
* Marion Shotts Nathan Bernstein
* Lottie G. Schwartz
OCTOBER 9, 2017 TISHRI 19, 5778 OCTOBER 18, 2017 TISHRI 28, 5778 * Sol Cotton
Carl David Bea Fagen Marilyn Greenberg
Rose Flax Anna Lange Leon Levin
Dorothy Landman * Dorothy Levine * Frances Riegel
OCTOBER 10, 2017 TISHRI 20, 5778 * Evelyn Matzkin Eliza Rosen
* Gitelle Amorky Isidor Turk * Evelynne Schuchner
* Marvin J. Brandt OCTOBER 19, 2017 TISHRI 29, 5778 Marian K Shapiro
* Dora Chadab * Ira Berg Jeffrey Stern
* Samuel Goldstein * Esther Bondareff OCTOBER 29, 2017 HESHVAN 9, 5778
* Herman Grenadier Seymour Gould * Sara H. Bierman
Ruth Milzman Sam Pack Alex Holtzman
OCTOBER 11, 2017 TISHRI 21, 5778 * Susan Steiner Harry Lavine
* Nathan Kramer Ellen Levin Swanson Ruth Welland
* Mary Mendelson OCTOBER 20, 2017 TISHRI 30, 5778 OCTOBER 30, 2017 HESHVAN 10, 5778
Doris Rosenblum W. Ken Brown Marilyn Aggleton
* Morris Shuman Leo Esbin Rosalind Aron
* Francis Siegal Fred Goldsmith * Rose Beck
* Kate A. Woolf Marshall Klein * Julian Friedman
Stuart Young * Chayah Sarah Rubin John Sandler
OCTOBER 12, 2017 TISHRI 22, 5778 Dora Rutman OCTOBER 31, 2017 HESHVAN 11, 5778
Ilse Bergen Albert Ziskind * Villa Buns
Rabbi Hersch Z'vi Fogel OCTOBER 21, 2017 HESHVAN 1, 5778 * Louis Chaiken
Harvey Frank Helen Horwich Katherine Kohr
Morris Kesner * Martin Leonard Kaufman Richard Joel Levine
Helen Klein Dr Gerald Rose * Norman Schrott
* Yetta Rubin * Irving Shantz

* A memorial light will be lit in the synagogue for those names marked with an asterisk

OCTOBER 2017 P AGE 13


REMINDER SOCIAL ACTION COMMITTEE
Tikkun Olam (Repair the World)
AAC OFFICES CLOSE AT
1:00 P.M. ON WEDNESDAY Social Action Program for Young Children
OCTOBER 4 AND 11 Sunday, October 1 | 10:00 a.m.
Flax Family Chapel
AND REMAIN CLOSED ON Social Action Program especially for families with kids under 9 (but all ages
OCTOBER 5 AND 6 welcome) on doing Jewish by celebrating diversity. We will read stories
AND embracing racial and ethnic differences with a tikkun olam activity to follow, and
OCTOBER 12 AND 13 provide parents with resources for discussing these issues with your children.
Social Action Committee Monthly Meeting
Thursday, October 19 | 7:00 p.m.
CONGREGATION FUNDS Get involved and make a difference. Tikkun Olam (Repairing the World) is
Celebrate the good times make a our Jewish mandate to do what we can to make the world a better place. Get
contribution to an Agudas Achim fund in involved with the re-invigorated Social Action Committee. Join us as we continue
honor of a birthday, an anniversary, a our work on Racial Justice and building our partnership with Alfred Street Baptist
special occasion or just because you care. Church, and address hot topics, including the rise in anti-Semitism and racism, gun
And, remember the sad times make a violence, disability awareness, refugees, hunger, and more.
contribution in memory of a loved one. Community Apple Picking
Contributions in any amount may be Sunday, October 22
made to these funds. A minimum Hartland Orchard, Markham, VA
donation of $10 is requested for an Join our Agudas Community for a fun fall afternoon of apple picking. Do a
acknowledgement card to be sent by mitzvah (good deed) and donate a portion of your apples to local area food
mail. All donations will be acknowledged pantries.
in the In the Familycolumn in The Hartland Orchard is connected to Hartland Farm. That day Hartland Farm will
Bulletin. be hosting the Hartland Farm Fall Festival with Corn Maze, hayrides, Jumping
Pillow for ages 3-12, 60-foot slide mountain, Duck Races, Corn Hole, Giant Chess
Set, Pumpkin Bowling, Farm animals, and more! If families choose to attend the
festival before or after apple picking tickets to this festival are $10 per person.
SAVE THE DATE
Forum on the Rise in Anti-Semitism and Racism
Sunday, November 19 | 10:00 a.m.
Flax Family Chapel
MORNING/EVENING MINYAN Program on the rise in anti-Semitism including how to recognize and respond
Please help us to maintain our to it as individuals and a community. Confirmed speakers include: Doron F.
daily minyan. If someone is saying Ezickson, Regional Director of Anti-Defamation League and Ron Halber,
kaddish and we dont have ten people, Executive Director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater
kaddish cannot be recited. Washington. All are invited to attend -- please help spread the word.
Morning minyan meets at 7:30 am, Forum on Gun Violence from a Jewish Perspective
Monday-Friday. Evening minyan Sunday, December 3
meets at 7:50 pm every night except for
Friday when we have Kabbalat Social Action Shabbat Weekend
Shabbat, and Saturday (unless someone January 12 - 15
requests a minyan on Saturday evening To recognize the Jewish role in the fight for racial equality, civil rights and
for saying kaddish). social justice, Agudas Achim will honor the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with
Social Action Shabbat. Activities will include special Shabbat evening and
Some of the regulars say that
morning speakers, programs for youth on Tikkun Olam, AACs 5K Race
attending minyan gives them a
benefitting ALIVE, and a Sunday evening program of comedy and conversation
wonderful start or end for the day, and
by the Black-Jew Dialogues on Diversity.
that the friendships they have made
there have been true and lasting. Check
for yourself join us at one of these
times whenever you can.

AGUDAS ACHIM CONGREGATION PAGE 14


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Agudas Achim Congregation WHATS INSIDE . . .
2908 Valley Drive
Alexandria, VA 22302 LIFELONG LEARNING........................page 1
Phone: 703-998-6460 Fax: 703-998-5843 SERVICE SCHEDULE.........................page 2
RABBIS MESSAGE...........................page 2
The Bulletin is published monthly - ISSN1084-9858 JACK MOLINE LECTURE SERIES.......page 2
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE...................page 3
Rabbi ......................................................................Steven I. Rein TALMUD AND SHABBAT LEARNING...page 3
Hazzan..........................................................................Elisheva R. Dienstfrey ONLINE MEMBER SURVEY................page 3
Rabbi Emeritus...............................................................................Jack Moline MAH KOREH....................................page 4
Executive Director......................................................................Barry Nove USY/KADIMA NEWS.........................page 4
Youth/Education Director.............................................Chaya Silver KNITTING CLUB...............................page 4
Preschool Director.............................................................Jen Halpern DEAR HAZZAN.................................page 5
Shlicha.Miri Bernovsky INTERESTED IN READING TORAH?....page 5
President..Kenneth Labowitz CELEBRATE SIMCHAT TORAH...........page 6
Sisterhood President...............Lenore Garon PRESCHOOL NEWS..........................page 6
Mens Club President............................Elliot Parkin AAC CARING COMMITTEE................page 6
Communication Specialist......Marya Runkle MENS CLUB MENSCHENINGS...........page 7
EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS MESSAGE...page 8
Email: synagogue@agudasachim-va.org YOUNG FAMILIES.............................page 8
Web: www.agudasachim-va.org Facebook: facebook.com/agudasachim
SHABBAT AT AAC IN 5778..............page 8
IN THE FAMILY.................................page 9
WHATS AHEAD . . . SISTERHOOD DOINGS.....................page 10
Fridays, 9:00 a.m...........................................................Talmud Study Class SENIORS LUNCH AND LEARN..........page 10
Saturdays, 9:00 a.m. ....................................................Parashat HaShavua PROFILES OF OUR LEADERS..........page 11
Saturdays, 11:00 a.m.................................................................Gan Shabbat YAHRZEITS....................................page 13
SOCIAL ACTION COMMITTEE .........page 14
**Holiday Service Schedule on Page 2**
Sunday, October 1, 10:00 a.m.............Social Action Program for Children
11:00 a.m - Oh, Say Shalom Playgroup
Sunday, October 8, 10:30 a.m.....................Young Family Sukkot Program
Tuesday, October 10, 7:00 p.m...................................Supper in the Sukkah
Thursday, October 12, 6:30 p.m....................................Simchat Torah and
Kindergarten Torah Presentation
Sunday, October 15, 12:00 noon.............................................Knitting Club
Thursday, October 19 and 26, 7:00 p.m............................Rabbi Rein Class
Thursday, October 19, 12:00 noon....................................Lunch and Learn
Friday, October 20, 5:30 p.m.............................Shababy Kabbalat Shabbat
Sunday, October 22, 4:00 p.m...........................Rabbi Jack Moline Lecture
Time TBA - Community Apple Picking
Tuesday, October 24 and 31, 7:00 p.m...............Class with Miri Bernovsky
Saturday, October 28......................................Shabbat Speaker: Stacy Lang

Time Value
Alexandria, VA
Permit No. 263 Address Service Requested
PAID
U.S. Postage Alexandria, VA 22302
Non-Profit Org. 2908 Valley Drive
Agudas Achim Congregation

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