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IN THIS ISSUE
  • Virtual Events & Worship
  • Book Club
  • ANNUAL MEETING
  • ICYMI: Purim Pandemonium
  • Notes from the Chesed Society
  • Social Action: You Can Still Volunteer
  • Food for Thought
  • Food to Eat
  • Meet A Member
April 2020 Newsletter
Rabbi Elhanan ‘Sunny’ Schnitzer
Nisan/Iyar 5780

CLICK for the Complete BJC April Events Calendar
Kriat HaRav—The Rabbi’s Call
Rabbi Elhanan “Sunny” Schnitzer
In this month of Adar now ending, our Purim Pandemonium feels like the last day of “normal.” (Thanks to Ken Fine and Capitol Groove, Jason Weidenfeld , Alan Lichter , Lauren Kline , Hal and Cheryl Bordy , just to name a few who made it all a joy.)
 
Now in the month of Nisan we confront a plague in our world just as deadly and difficult as those in our Pesach story. During the 10th plague, the Israelites stayed in their houses to avoid the plague of the death of the firstborn. Today, we are commanded by local authorities to stay in our houses to avoid the plague of Coronavirus that strikes to sicken and even kill the most vulnerable among us.
 
The last two plagues, the plague of darkness and the plague of the death of the firstborn have profound meaning. The ninth event (tangible darkness) harms no one physically, but is psychologically profound; “a darkness upon the land of Egypt, a tangible darkness” (Exodus 10:21) “People could not see one another…but all the Israelites had light in their dwellings.” (Exodus 10:23) Some commentators have understood this darkness as a spiritual void. When we cannot clearly “see” each other our spirits become depressed.
 
The Egyptians who saw what was happening to the Israelite slaves, but did nothing were afflicted by a darkness of spirit instilled by their collective guilt. They became apprehensive, afraid, and depressed. They could not see even one another to offer comfort so the darkness settled deep inside.
 
The Israelites, because they reached out and touched their loved ones and supported each other through their rituals and ceremonies, had light in their dwellings. Those Egyptians who saw the oppressed Jewish slaves and tried to help them, saw hope in the future. Perhaps they became one of the mixed multitude that left Egypt with the Jewish people.
 
The Torah teaches that “God had disposed the Egyptians favorably toward the people of Israel” (Exodus 12:36) and to Moses. This is a reference to the Egyptians who could see in the darkness and who ‘lent’ the Jewish people vessels of gold, silver, copper, and bronze that would later be donated to build the Mishkan in the wilderness, the place where God would live in the midst of the people.
 
The Torah says that all the Israelites had light. This is because they had hope. That hope was nurtured by holding together as a community.
 
Also, in this Hebrew month of Nisan , we begin our annual reading of Sefer Vayikra , the Book of Leviticus. Here too are lessons for us in this moment. A large section of this book focuses on disease. Skin disease, bodily emissions, sores…many ailments that required quarantine as a part of the cure.
 
And when the disease was cured and the symptoms abated, you made a sacrifice to God and gave thanks.
 
As we cultivate patience to remain in our homes and compassion towards those who live with us as cabin fever sets in, let us look for our “cure.” Not the cure of the coronavirus (let the scientists do their work), but to cure the darkness inside those who are afraid, a cure for those who have stopped working and are unsure how they and their families will survive, for those afraid (rightly) to leave their homes even to get needed supplies, for those struck down by illness. The cure will come from staying close in spirit while unable to be close in body.
 
This virus is reminding us just how interconnected we are and how vulnerable. So, don’t forget to check in with your neighbors, family, and friends. Take them what you can safely provide when they cannot provide for themselves. Don’t forget tzedakah for food banks serving the unemployed and other institutions that will be scraping to get by during economic disruption.
 
Let us be inspired—not intimidated—by the challenges we face.
 
As my teacher, Reb Zalman Schachter Shalomi, famously and repeatedly taught: The only way to get it together, is TOGETHER!

…and wash your hands!

Rabbi Sunny Schnitzer
From the Director of Congregational Education— Rabbi Jennifer Weiner
From My Virtual Office
Shalom Everyone!
 
The BJC Youth Program is adapting to our virtual world. We were actually one of the first congregations to have our youth program transition to a virtual program, which was possible because we were already in the online world with individualized Hebrew instruction. We conducted additional training, and soon our teachers were meeting with students. Of course, there were a few glitches; yet, by our second week, we were all pros!
 
Our weekly parent emails now contain weekly schedules and Zoom links along with handouts. Parents are being invited to print out the handouts for class just in case of technological challenges.
 
In the coming weeks, we will be holding not only BJC Youth Program virtually, but also cooking classes, parent hangouts, and family hangouts. Look for those programs in our weekly parent emails. We hope that by normalizing our new reality as much as possible our students will not feel so stressed. Many colleagues have been reporting their students are having difficulty sleeping and/or eating and/or concentrating and many other symptoms. As adults, we are having a difficult dealing with our present situation—no wonder that our students are exhibiting signs of stress. 
 
One possible means of spending this time is to be in communication with others. Even though we cannot physically give someone else a hug, you can give a virtual hug. It is a great time to write letters, send emails, text or “see” others through online video platforms like FaceTime or Zoom. Reach out to someone living alone or someone you may not have spoken to in a while.
 
If you wish to be in touch with Rabbi Sunny or me, we are here for you. Rabbi Sunny may be reached at [email protected] . My email is [email protected] . We can meet with you by Zoom or by phone. 
 
Wishing you health and safety in the days to come!
 
L’Shalom,
Rabbi Jennifer
President's Column—Sandra Walter
Zoom with Us
Together, we are experiencing a time in our lives and in history unlike any other. To say it simply, things sure are different these days. Social distancing has both set us apart from each other—but I also think that in so many ways, it is bringing us together through the power of online communications where we can be together and see each other. BJC is making the most of technology to bring us together.
 
So, I thought I'd deliver my column via a video this month. I hope you'll watch, and I'll look forward to seeing you all online in worship, song, and study in the weeks ahead and also at our annual meeting on April 26. Be well everyone, so we can kiss this coronavirus goodbye as soon as possible and gather again in person soon.  
 
Click here for my video column. 
From the BJC Administrator—Hal Bordy
Dear BJC Community,
 
With the membership financial accounts now transferred to our new ShulCloud system, the next step will be to change to a ShulCloud on-line payment system replacing both PayPal and Clover. Members will soon be able to establish their own personal access password to log into their accounts to see balances and activity, as well as have access to their own membership records, such as yahrzeits, donations, and membership correspondence.
 
Starting with your April statements, I will be striving to send them electronically. Our long-term goal is to reduce the need for postage, as well conserve paper. Please be patient as we are in an unusual time, and transition to electronic statements will depend on elements beyond our control. 
 
I would like to take this opportunity to personally express my appreciation for the wonderful spirit of volunteerism that provides the vitality and camaraderie that I have come to really appreciate as BJC’s administrator. There are so many who contribute their time and resources to make BJC a special place. There are too many to mention at this time, but I would like to single out a few who work directly with me that make me more productive and who make my job so enjoyable.
 
I would like to thank Eliot Sternfeld , Alan Lichter , and Jeremy Mendelson who are always there to set-up and tear town for Shabbat services on Friday night, as well as Jim Korelitz who is center stage when it comes to Saturday Shabbat morning service and the High Holy Days.
 
Then there is that dynamic duo, Harri Kramer , who produces this monthly newsletter among other things, and Russ Hogya , who sees that the four marquee signs are kept up-to-date. Diane Blumenthal sees to it that new prospects for membership are communicated with and have their questions answered and, of course, Terri Reicher , who I work most closely with as we try to streamline and improve our financial operating systems. Then there is Wynne Busman who so effectively chairs our Oneg Shabbats and makes sure we have that all-necessary nosh as we celebrate Shabbat with kiddush and motzi after services.
 
There are so many who offer to assist me; don’t feel you are not appreciated. I plan to do "thank yous" as a regular part of my monthly message. Going forward, there will be additional volunteers who will be helping once normalcy returns to our world. In the meantime, be well, and please make the best of things during the health crisis and …
 
B’Shalom .
Rabbi's Message
Please be in touch with me in times of joy, sadness, or illness in your life or in the lives of a loved one or another member of the congregation. This is particularly necessary now that HIPAA regulations have made getting information from hospitals extremely difficult. I greatly appreciate your help keeping me informed of the health needs of our congregation. While we're forced apart, please call my cell: 703-362-2679.
EVENTS

Click for the complete BJC April Calendar

We're doing everything we can to continue with our services and programs, as well as provide additional opportunities to stay connected. The latest information will be posted on the website and in BJC Now!
Congregational Seder



BJC'S VIRTUAL CONGREGATIONAL SEDER AND SEDER RESOURCES WILL BE ANNOUNCED SOON.


CHECK YOUR BJC NOW ON APRIL 1 FOR UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION
Book Club
Wednesday, April 22 & May 27, 8 PM

 
This is a great time to check us out since many of your regular activities are cancelled. Please let Evelyn Ganzglass [email protected] know if you’d like to join us in April.

The Zoom Link is:   https://zoom.us/j/9856024728
Meeting ID: 985 602 4728
Voice only by telephone (301) 715 8592

 April 22 : Celestial Bodies by Jokha Alharthi, winner of the 2019 Man Booker International Prize, is a novel about three Omani women and their families told against the backdrop of a rapidly changing Omani society. Through the sisters, the reader glimpses a society in all its degrees, from the very poorest of the local slave families to those making money through the advent of new wealth.

May 27 : Talking with Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell examines the varying ways we misinterpret or fail to communicate with one another.
BJC Annual Congregational Meeting
Sunday, April 26, 6:45 PM
The BJC Annual Meeting will be held as scheduled on April 26, 2020. To comply with closures and social distancing guidance to prevent spread of the coronavirus, the meeting will take place using the Zoom platform BJC has been using for worship, meetings, and programs since mid-March.
 
So that everyone can fully participate in the annual meeting and other BJC programs on Zoom, please let us know if you would like some help understanding how to use Zoom. This includes being able to MUTE yourself so others cannot hear you, being able to set up your computer camera so you can be seen clearly, and knowing how to use your phone to call in to the Zoom Room if the audio on your computer does not work. If you would like assistance, please email Hal at [email protected], and he will put someone in touch with you to help.
 
The main agenda items include reports from the President, the Rabbi, a review and passage of a budget for the next fiscal year, and review and approval of nominations for the BJC Board.
 
BJC uses a nominating committee process and will provide you with the list of candidates and their qualifications in the meeting packet you will receive in advance. You'll also receive the BJC proposed budget in that packet.   
 
Please save the date and plan to join us. The Zoom Room will open for the meeting at 6:30 PM with a tech tutorial for anyone who wants to learn how to use the basic functions of Zoom. We ask all members to sign-in/log-on by 6:45, so we can start the meeting promptly at 7 PM. At the start of the meeting there will be instructions about how voting will be conducted and how questions and comments to agenda items can be submitted.
 
We look forward to seeing everyone there. Thanks for your participation and for your belief and commitment to BJC. 
In Case You Missed it: Purim Pandemonium
By Alan Lichter
On the evening of March 7th, after Havdalah and a reading of the Megillah , the party began. The Haight Haman Purim Pandemonium was a rousing celebration. Ken Fine ’s Band, The Capitol Groove, played an amazing variety of music from the 60s to the 80s and had the celebrants dancing the night away. Most of the attendees dug deep into their closets to retrieve era-sensitive costumes.
 
A special shout out to Lauren Kline for overseeing the Hamantashen “bakery” on Thursday and Friday. The sweet treats were a wonderful contribution.
 
Columbia Catering provided a generous array of hot and cold hors d’oeuvres. Our friend, Doug Campbell, provided the servers and bartenders for the evening. Thanks also to R’Sunny , Hal and Cheryl Bordy , and the many board members who helped throughout the evening and clean-up process.
 
Pictures tell the story...
You Haven’t Missed It Yet—More Online Services
Here are two congregants’ perspectives on what the online services have meant to them.
Saturday Mornings
By Diane Blumenthal
I attend most Shabbat morning services at BJC. About 10 “regulars” show-up each week; sometimes our numbers are larger and recently they seemed to have been growing. However, as I write this in late March, it’s been two weeks since we last met at 6600 Bradley Boulevard and attendance at Shabbat morning services has already doubled. Over 20 people were online for the Rabbi’s first Zoom service.
 
As someone who finds Saturday morning services particularly uplifting, I recommend you attend one online. It’s very reassuring just to see the Rabbi and Rebbetzin and fellow congregants.
 
But what most defines the Shabbat morning service is that after reading from the Torah, the Rabbi’s dvar torah gives meaning to the words of our ancestors by providing spiritual and concrete guidance on how to live thoughtfully in the present moment.
 
Because, as the Rabbi says, “prayer is not a spectator sport,” connecting online is the perfect chance to become familiar with the liturgy without being self-conscious about stumbling over Hebrew or losing your place in the siddur . If you’re on Zoom and you sing off key like me, you can mute your microphone so no one else can hear you. It’s your choice to let others see you. These are uncertain times, but you have a lot of control over your online worship, so I recommend you take advantage of the opportunity. 
Friday Evening: #Shabbat-Online—Trending at BJC!
By Terri Reicher
 
Are you feeling isolated? Is social distancing starting to fray your nerves? We’ve undergone changes we could not have imagined a month ago, but Shabbat Online is a good change, and a way to connect to friends and community.
 
Join Rabbi Sunny, Rebbetzin Yaffah, and scores of your friends at services from the comfort of your own living room (or office, or wherever you want to set up). The technology is easy enough for even the most challenged of us (including yours truly)—you click on the link provided, and poof! you’ve entered our virtual service. We each light our own Shabbat candles. The service combines the prayers and music we all love, plus a really unique opportunity to exchange thoughts, joys, and anxieties with each other. We start at 8 and are finished by 9, when Rabbi Sunny blesses the wine, and the optional schmoozing starts.
 
We started our first service with about 40 viewers. The second Friday night service had 67 separate viewers, and many of them were couples. Shabbat online is a special experience that gives comfort and hope in trying times—try it and see if you don’t come back next week. 
* * * * *
 With a nod to David Letterman:
The Ten Lamest Excuses Not to Attend Friday Night Online Services
 
10. “That’s our child’s football/basketball/soccer game, and we can’t miss it.”        
         
9. “I haven’t worn makeup or anything but yoga pants since this whole thing started.”
The software allows you to turn your webcam off—you can attend in your PJs and nobody will be the wiser. Anyway, we love you as you are!
 
8. “By the time I get home from work and get dinner on the table, it’s too late.”
Your commute is much shorter now.
 
7. “I can’t sing.”
That’s why there’s a handy “mute” icon on your screen.
 
6. “I finally got tickets to ‘Hamilton’ on Broadway.”
They’re dark.
                  
5. “I don’t have a prayer book at home.”
Nice try. Rabbi Sunny shares his screen with the prayers, so we can all read them together.
 
4. “We’re leaving for a long weekend to the shore/mountains/NYC.”
Everything’s closed!
 
3. “I’m terrible with computers.”
If you can find “Baby Shark” on YouTube or your iPad, you can click on the one link to get into services. And there’s a whole BJC community out there who will help you get online and into services.
 
2. “I might miss the latest Coronavirus-Update-Breaking-News-Alert on CNN.”
This is the best reason to attend services! You need a break.
 
And the very LAMEST excuse not to attend Friday night online:
 
1. “The traffic’s just too heavy on Friday night.”  
COMMITTEE NEWS
The Chesed Society is Here for You
By Lorrie Van Akkeren, Chair
 
The Chesed Society continues, even in these trying times, to be of service to members of BJC. While friendly visits, errands, rides, or meals are contra-indicated at this time of physical distancing and quarantine, the members of the Society are happy to augment all that the Rabbi is doing and all the Zoom sessions he is providing. If stress and cabin fever are getting you down, please use the contact information provided at the end of this article to get in touch. Confidentiality will be maintained. In addition, cards for sorrows and condolence and congratulations for simchas are still being sent.
 
Aside from the many opportunities being presented through Zoom, here are some of the things Chesed Society members are doing with all that extra time on their hands. We share our list in the hopes it will enrich your days and weeks until life returns to normal.
 
  • Take walks in the neighborhood using social distancing if you have companions and/or tele-walk with a friend who is not nearby. (You each walk in your locales and converse via cell phone the whole time.)
  • It is spring, so there is lots to do in the fresh air in the yard.
  • Plan time every day to use in-home exercise equipment.
  • Stay in touch with family and friends by calling more often than normal. If you have never used Skype or FaceTime, now is a good time to try. E-mail and text messages are also welcome.
  • Bake—there is time to do something time-consuming, like bread. Try a challah recipe; children will especially like the kneading and the braiding.
  • Include humor in your reading choices.
  • Have you ever wanted to explore your family’s roots? Why not now?
  • Bring music and art into your home to brighten your day. Try creative writing. Listen to music, play instruments, or sing. Arts and crafts and needlecraft of all kinds can while away many an hour and are great alternatives to the TV and the news.
  • Remember Trivial Pursuit and War and Uno? Play card or board games with other members of your household or Solitaire. Now is the time to do the jigsaw puzzles that have been sitting on the shelf for ages.
  • Take a drive to nowhere. Enjoy the spring scenery; just do not get out of the car until you get back home. This is good for your vehicle if it is a hybrid.
  • County government websites are a good source of useful information. Check them out regularly.
 
Now here are some ideas that are not quite as entertaining, but will lead to a wonderful sense of accomplishment.

  • Scan all those old family photos. Recalling the memories is priceless, and sharing them later will be easier.
  • De-clutter those drawers and closets and home filing cabinet. When the pandemic is over, you will have lots of things packed up and ready to donate. 
  • And as long as you are cleaning out, include the computer. There are always pesky files and e-mails you no longer need to keep.
 
If the Chesed Society can help you bear up, please contact the Rabbi or me at 301-946-0275 or [email protected] . (And if you wish to volunteer, please let one of us know.)  
SOCIAL ACTION: WANTS YOU TO KNOW:
You Can Still Volunteer
By Harri j. Kramer, Chair, Social Action Committee

Stipulated—we’re all prohibited from doing our regular good deeds—at least for the foreseeable future. But there are still ways you can volunteer.
 
First, there is a desperate blood shortage . Please donate. Get in touch with the American Red Cross or the NIH Blood Bank . Remember, it’s very important to call ahead and not just show up. 
 
Second, as you may know, BJC supports Stepping Stone Shelter . While we cannot go in person, they still have urgent needs to support their clients. Please consider donating and the commodities will be delivered directly to them.
 
Third, Montgomery County’s Volunteer Center has a special page for volunteering now. Click here .
 
Fourth, get creative. I can’t visit my friends at the Hebrew Home. But I write emails that staff read to my regulars. See the article from the Chesed Society above for more ideas how to connect in your neighborhood.
 
Last, use this time to remember what you’ve done before coronavirus, and tell us what you’ve accomplished as a volunteer. Go to our simple reporting form by clicking here .
 
IF we were in the building, you could check out the bulletin boards to learn what we’ve accomplished so far. Instead, I’ll share that we’ve heard from only 20 of you. The great news is of that 20 individuals, 85 percent had been regular volunteers.
 
Won’t you use this new found time to figure out how you can contribute, Show You Care, and let us know? Any questions? Write to [email protected] .
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
We asked a few of our regular contributors what was on their mind as we all ponder our new normal and what may be. Of the writings we received, here are two. These are the perspectives of the respective authors and are posted here to provide different viewpoints. 

Let the rest of us in on your thinking. Youth of all ages are especially encouraged to share. Send your thoughts to:  [email protected]
A Teenager’s Reaction to Covid-19
By Sammy Peterson
 
People are reacting to our current crisis in a million different ways: fear, anger, stress, anxiety, and confusion. For me, the coronavirus has manifested itself in frustration.
 
Recently, my mom spent hours trying to order groceries online. The websites said products were in stock. The checkout page claimed delivery would be in a few hours. Yet, when she clicked the order button, an error message popped up, revealing that the attempt was futile. The simple struggle over ordering groceries online is symbolic of this entire crisis.

  • At the societal level, hospitals can’t get hold of enough masks or pieces of personal protective equipment for our doctors. (There’s nothing that we can do about this—we must put our faith in Congress and the Executive Branch to get the job done. Oy vey.)
  • Closer to home, to respond to those who simply wouldn’t follow social distancing recommendations, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser finally ordered the National Guard and DC Police to bar visitors from their annual pilgrimage to gawk at the cherry trees.
  • I am a high school junior. This is the most important school year of my—the last full year before college applications are sent out. Montgomery County students haven’t been to school since Friday, March 13th. First, we were scheduled to go back at the end of March, now it will be the end of April. I highly doubt we will return at all after Virginia Governor Ralph Northam of Virginia issued an order closing all his state’s schools for the remainder of the academic year.
  • I am in four AP classes. My parents have paid hundreds of dollars for standardized exams scheduled for May. My classes spent the entire year preparing for the format that the College Board will be testing us on. An announcement recently came that all of the exams—three, four, and five hours long—are to be done at home in 45 minutes on the computer. We have no clarity on what this new format will look like.
 
Like most of you, I also have older family members and family members with underlying health conditions. I normally see my grandma once a week. Now, her retirement community is in lockdown. This is also the case with my other grandmother, who lives in New York.
 
While I wish I could see the people I normally do, what is more frustrating is the loss of control.
 
For most things in life, we know that if we take the right steps, things will be fine. The difference in our current situation is that we now have to trust the rest of the public to take the right steps. That is extremely frustrating, especially when looked at through the hordes of “spring breakers” on Florida beaches or in crowds at the Tidal Basin.
 
This crisis requires us to have faith in our fellow Americans to make smart choices.
 
And that is where my frustration morphs into fear.
A Social Distance that is Closer to God
By Barry Dwork

What’s the hurry? Everybody, including the host and speakers, will be late to the next engagement. Plus, God was never going to be found stuck in traffic on the Washington Beltway.
 
The silver lining in the world’s current situation is the opportunity to distance ourselves from a social impatience between ourselves and others. We instead need to find the spirituality that is sometimes closer than we think. It can be found in the labor and love put into the design and building of the interior and exterior of our homes. It can be found when we take a walk on a nearby block during a sunny day, observing birds flying in the vicinity. It can also be taking a walk near a body of water, observing the many number and sizes of ripples on it, or its reflection from the sun. 

What we really need to do is find a brand-new pair of eyeglasses. Its prescription should enable us to reduce all the comparatively extraneous stuff that we see and enable us to notice what is more natural and essential for our lives.
FOOD TO EAT!
Editor’s Note:   Here’s where we share seasonal recipes. Please submit your favorites! Send to [email protected]  

DRUNKEN TZIMES
From the kitchen of Shoshanah Drake’s mom, Elaine Wolfe
3 large carrots, sliced
1 ½ cups sliced yams
10 pitted prunes
2 apples, sliced (McIntosh)
½ cup raisins
½ cup chopped pecans (optional)
1 (8 ounce) can crushed pineapple, with juice
¾ cup firmly packed brown sugar (can cut to ½ cup if you want)
½ cup orange juice
¼ cup rum or sweet red wine (concord grape works)
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground ginger
½ teaspoon allspice
 
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Pour into a well-greased 2 quart casserole and bake, covered, in preheated 300 degree oven for 3 to 4 hours. 6–8 servings
AUNT GLADYS’ APPLE MATZO KUGEL
A tradition from Harri Kramer’s family
 
(Note: From Gladys' cookbook, “You Litvaks and others who like sweet kugel as a side dish with your meat, ‘ Geh gesunterheit und ess gessanterhet’ (by all means do as you like), what could be bad?”)
 



Ingredients
4 matzos
3 eggs, well beaten
½ tsp. salt
½ cup sugar
¾ cup melted butter, chicken fat, or pareve margarine
1 tsp. cinnamon
½ cup chopped walnuts (optional)
2 large apples, pared and chopped
½ cup raisins
Extra butter, chicken fat, or pareve margarine for the topping
 
Directions
Break matzos into pieces.
Soak in water until soft. 
Drain but do not squeeze dry. 
Beat eggs with salt, sugar, melted fat, and cinnamon.
Add to matzo mixture. 
Stir in chopped nuts, chopped apples, and raisins.
Dot with additional fat.
 
Use an 8” or 9” pan for a fluffier kugel or a 9”x11” for a flatter one. Serves 6. Bake in 350° oven, 45 minutes or until lightly browned.  
NACHAS NOTES
 Editor’s Note: We all need some good news. Send to: [email protected]

  • Kudos to Linda Blumberg, who was cited by name for her work on Medicaid at the Urban Institute by the Washington Post Editorial Board on March 28.
MEET A MEMBER: Alan Lichter
In his own words
I grew up in Baltimore as a 4th generation member of Baltimore Hebrew Congregation. I met R’ Sunny when we were in high school through the Mid-Atlantic Federation of Temple Youth, MAFTY. I went to University of Cincinnati with the plan to go to Hebrew Union College, which was right down the street. Then the politics of the late 60s took over and rabbinical school became the road not taken. The way that road wound around and reappeared is a story for another day. I’m happy to share if you ask. 
 
The search for spirituality has always been part of my life with Judaism as the comfortable anchor. I believe we are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.
 
While managing a natural food store in downtown Baltimore in the 70s, I learned about chiropractic. What hooked me into studying at Sherman Chiropractic College in Spartanburg, SC, was that it was multi-faceted. It provided a way of being of service, helping people attain a higher level of health and expressing more of their human potential, and, possibly most important was the philosophy of chiropractic. It is based on 33 core principles. The major premise is that there is a Universal Intelligence in all things and that there is an Innate Intelligence in living things which is a part of, yet apart from the Universal Intelligence. This allowed my practice and my spiritual life to exist on the same path. Every day and every practice member was a prayer. 
 
I became the DC representative on the International Chiropractors Association Representative Assembly, RA. I served as Resolutions Committee chair and as secretary of the RA. In 2017, I retired after 33 years of active practice on K St., just blocks from the White House.
 
I have been married to Deborah for 30 years. My son, Andrew is pursuing a PhD in Philosophy at University of Arizona.
 
You have seen me at the sound board for the High Holy Days and helping with sound at Simcha B'Shabbat . I assist with various other events as well, including joining the Board in May 2019. I realized a few years ago that I have been on the board and/or an officer of every organization I have participated in since high school. My first-grade teacher wrote in my report card, “Alan has a wealth of information that he is anxious to share.” Apparently, she was right.
 
I feel my life purpose is about service to others, and I invite you to join me in finding the joy in service to your community both at BJC and your home communities. 
Yahrzeits

APRIL 2020

Larry Adlerstein, father of Maran Gluckstein
Charles Altschuler, brother of Bernard Altschuler
Emily Austin, sister of Laurie Mabile
Jack Blagman, father of Diane Blagman
Leo Blumberg, grandfather of Mark Blumberg
Nancy Brenits, mother of Donald Brenits
Susan Cahan Ferguson, mother of Sandra Walter
Dorothy Coplan, mother of Lois Rose
Helga Deda, aunt of Shirley Altschuler
Rose Dubrow, mother of Laurie Dubrow
Annette Franzel, aunt of Maran Gluckstein
Richard Getter, father of Lisa Getter
Joe Glassman, father-in-law of Nancy Glassman
Rose Krettmeyer, mother of Nancy Glassman
Lily Laufer, mother of David Laufer
Alice Lieberman, mother of Ruth Rosenberg
Duane McMillen, father of Dale McMillen
Richard Fredric Pelter, brother of Lance Pelter
Sidney Robbins, grandfather of Richard Kochman
Laurence Rosenberg, husband of Ruth Rosenberg
Selma Saxe, grandmother of Gary Kotz
Charlotte Stein, mother of Vivian Finkelstein
Harry Stein, father of Vivian Finkelstein
Shu-Chin Yang, mother of Catherine Yang  
Thank You

Ed note: As the BJC office had to close before the end of the month, this list acknowledges donations as of March 20. All other donations will be acknowledged later.

Donations are still welcome. Send a check to the office via snail mail or by clicking here to donate online via PayPal. 

Donations to the General Fund/Good As We Give

Eliot Sternfeld
Joan Bardach, in memory of Adrienne Winslow, mother of Craig Winslow
Alan Lichter, in memory of his father, George Lichter
 
Diane Blumenthal & Craig Winslow, in support of Purim Pandemonium
Wynne & Bruce Busman, in support of Purim Pandemonium
Sarah & Jeremy Pelter, in support of Purim Pandemonium
Lauren Kline, in support of Purim Hamantaschen Baking
 
Donations to the Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund

Dr. Howard Teitelbaum, in appreciation of Rabbi Sunny Schnitzer
Ellen & Marvin Sirkis, in appreciation of Rabbi Sunny Schnitzer

A Shout Out to our Oneg Hosts in March (before we moved to Virtual Services)
 
Linda Engel & Mike Goldstein
   
A Special Thank You

And to all of our members who “round up” their synagogue support and donate their time, as well as donate their time to volunteer.
Board of Trustees
President Sandra Walter
Vice-President Jeremy Pelter
Treasurer Terri Reicher
Secretary Lorrie Van Akkeren

Trustees
Jason Engel
Ken Fine 
Alan Grunes
Alan Lichter
Ted Posner
David Slacter
Committee Chairs
Communication [An Opportunity!]
Education Issie Resti
Financial Advisor Jason Engel
High Holy Days Jim Korelitz
Student Representative Sammy Peterson Intercongregational Partnership Liaison
Marty Ganzglass
Membership Diane Blumenthal
Past President Shoshanah Drake
Programs Jaon Weidenfeld
Social Action Harri j. Kramer

BJC Administration
Spiritual Leader Rabbi Sunny Schnitzer
Director of Congregational Education Rabbi Jennifer Weiner
Synagogue Administrator Hal Bordy

BJC News
Newsletter Editor Harri j. Kramer [email protected]

DEADLINE FOR THE NEXT ISSUE: April 23, 2020

Bethesda Jewish Congregation
6601 Bradley Boulevard
Bethesda, MD 20817-3042
Tel: 301-469-8636

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