Professional Documents
Culture Documents
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.
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.
May the Almighty comfort the bereaved mourners. May the Almighty comfort the bereaved mourners.
* A memorial light will be lit in the synagogue for those names marked with an asterisk
Wills, Trusts
Estate Planning & Administration
www.FishmanLawPLLC.com
3-D-4-5 For ad info. call 1-800-477-4574 www.4lpi.com 14-0995
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
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Non-Profit Org. 2908 Valley Drive
Agudas Achim Congregation