IN THIS ISSUE
  • Hanukkah Candle Lighting
  • Preschool Hanukkah Happenings
  • Latke Cook Along
  • Book Club
  • Star Wars Marathon
  • ICYMI: Interfaith Thanksgiving
  • SAC: Food Insecurity
  • Food for Thought
  • Food to Eat: Latkes!
  • Nachas Notes
  • Meet A Member
  • As 2020 Ends...
December 2020 Newsletter
Rabbi Elhanan "Sunny" Schnitzer
Kislev/Tevet 5781

CLICK for the Complete BJC December Events Calendar
Kriat HaRav—The Rabbi’s Call
Rabbi Elhanan “Sunny” Schnitzer


Special Note:  For the first time in over 40 years, the Rabbi is taking extended time off. His column will return after he does in January 2021. 
President's Column—Sandra Walter
Evolving
One of the things I admire about BJC is that we are constantly evolving as a congregation. Just look at BJC in December. 

Our Rabbi is taking a well-deserved break. While he is away, we are bringing in guest rabbis and experiencing how others conduct services. We are also benefiting from the beautiful and fresh voice of Alicia DePaolo, our Programs and Worship Coordinator, as she also takes a turn in leading Shabbat services and guiding us in meaningful reflection on Torah and words of prayer. I hope you'll join in, whether it's your first Shabbat with BJC or you are a regular.

We are evolving our staffing structure to meet current needs and opportunities. Our search is underway for a part-time Membership and Administrative Coordinator to manage financial and operational needs.  

COVID-19 hasn't stopped us from getting together for learning and fun—thanks to Zoom, it has just saved us travel time and traffic headaches. No reason to be bored when BJC has so much to offer you: 

  • discussions of fascinating books and thought-provoking films
  • adult Hebrew lessons where you learn at your own pace under the guidance of Maran Gluckstein
  • candle lighting each night of Hanukkah with our BJC youth leading us
  • social action endeavors like Get Out the Vote postcard campaign we are doing with Bradley Hills Presbyterian Church for the Georgia run-offs
  • and so much more.

Are you taking advantage of everything BJC has to offer you? Worship, programs, education, and community? BJC's Chesed Society volunteers provide a friendly ear and yiddishkeit cheer in times of ill health or sorrow, social distancing, and remembrance of loved ones. 

Get involved and give back to BJC. Use your talents to help us continue to improve and expand. Are you a finance person? Are you a social media, graphic, or web person? Can you give an hour a week or a few hours a month? Do you have a particular passion or interest in a program you want to work with the Program Committee to make happen? Please let us know how YOU want to volunteer your time with BJC and if you are interested in joining the BJC Board of Trustees or a committee. With only a small part-time staff, it takes a village of volunteers for BJC to run smoothly and robustly.

Thanks to everyone who has completed their dues payments and to those who will complete them this month.  

December is the annual launch of our Good As We Give fundraising campaign. It's the size of the heart in the gift that counts; please give generously. Consider how BJC reflects your values, your spirit, and how much you believe in BJC as a community of caring that you want to see continue to grow and flourish.

We would like to do more in the year ahead, and we won't let COVID-19 stop us. Your philanthropic support now and into 2021 will not only allow us to fund our operations, but also provide funding we can use for more innovative programs supported by our paid staff and by our volunteers.  

We all look forward to being together at 6601 Bradley Boulevard when it’s both wise and safe to do so. Until then, we'll continue to evolve as an online congregation that reflects the close-knit community of caring that we are, and we'll bring in new people who want their Jewish journey to include BJC and all of us.

Be well. Enjoy the brightness the Hanukkah lights bring to the winter's hue and the light it gives to shine on the path forward.
Education Insights
The Tichon Class: Looking at Today's World Through a Jewish Lens
By Linda Blumberg
I’m a BJC member, and I’ve volunteered to lead our Tichon class, which includes our upper grades through Confirmation.

This year’s Tichon class is focusing on Judaism and social justice. So far, we have explored the ways in which “Exodus consciousness” and “Sinai consciousness” combine to form a strong basis for Jewish sensitivity and activism for social justice issues.

We went from listening to social justice-oriented music and poetry to trying our hand at writing our own. We have learned what Jewish law says about criminal justice and have related that to the Black Lives Matter movement. We will continue that lesson this month with a discussion of how non-Black people can be effectively involved in supporting anti-racism efforts.

We look forward to learning what Judaism has to say about a range of issues, from environmental justice to LGBTQ rights to health care issues, housing issues and beyond. We would love to have more members of this engaged, lively group, and it is not too late to join our monthly Saturday morning class (10:30 am to 12:00). If you would like more info, feel free to email me.
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 I'm away, if you have a pastoral need, please call my cell (703) 362-2679.
EVENTS
Click for the complete BJC December Calendar
 
NOTE: You can also consult the December calendar, which lists the service leaders for our regular Shabbat services. As a reminder, Friday Shabbat worship is at 7:30 PM and Saturday Shabbat worship starts at 10 AM. Zoom links will also be provided in BJC Now.  
SHABBAT SERVICE SCHEDULE
Friday, 12/4 with Rabbi David Evan Markus
Friday, 12/11 with Rabbi David Evan Markus
Friday, 12/18 with Rabbi David Evan Markus
Friday 12/25 with Rabbi David Evan Markus
Meeting ID: 985 602 4728
Passcode: 496875
Saturday, 12/5 with Alicia DePaolo
Saturday, 12/12 with Alicia DePaolo
Saturday, 12/19 with Alicia DePaolo
Meeting ID: 985 602 4728
Passcode: 496875
Saturday, 12/26 with Rabbi Mark Novak
Saturday, 1/2 with Rabbi Mark Novak
Friday, 1/1 with Alicia DePaolo
Meeting ID: 985 602 4728
Passcode: 496875
HANUKKAH CANDLE LIGHTING
Beginning Thursday, December 10, 6:30 PM and each night of Hanukkah
Light Candles with Us
on All 8 Nights!

Join us on Zoom for Hanukkah candle lighting, songs, and stories! A different BJC family will host each night. Bring your favorite song, Hanukkah memory, or Hanukkah picture book to share.
Meeting ID: 897 0368 2385
Passcode: 520824
Preschool Hanukkah Happening!
Sunday, December 18, 9-9:30 AM

Join us on Zoom for a preschool Hanukkah Happening designed for ages 2-5. Enjoy a puppet show telling the story of Hanukkah, candle lighting, songs, and more!

This half-hour program is free. Register on Signup Genius and we will send you the Zoom link.

Click here to register. 
Book Club
Wednesday, December 16 & January 27, 8 PM

Due to the social distancing guidance, the BJC Open Book Club will continue to meet virtually for the foreseeable future. We usually meet at 8 PM on the fourth Wednesday of the month, but we are shifting to the third Wednesday in December because of holiday.

December 16 (3rd Wednesday): the discussion will be about An Artist of the Floating World by Nobel Prize winner, Kazuo Ishiguro. The novel is set in post-World War II Japan and is narrated by Masuji Ono, an ageing painter, who looks back on his life and how he has lived it.

January 27: The Splendid and the Vile: A Saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance During the Blitz by Erik Larson details Churchill's first year as Prime Minister during WWII and captures the challenges, the bravery, the destruction, and the beauty of London during this period.

Evelyn Ganzglass will send out the Zoom link prior to each meeting. If you are not already on the book club’s email list and would like to join us for any or all of these meetings, please let Evelyn know and she will add you to the list.
Latke Cook Along
Sunday, December 13, 3 PM

Join us on Zoom and fry up some delicious latkes for your Hanukkah dinner! 

We’ll be sending around recipes and ideas to those who RSVP. See our recipe below for just a sample of some great ideas that could come your way.

Get in touch with Joan or Diane to register or if you have questions.


Meeting ID: 811 7345 3647
Passcode: 300667
Star Wars Marathon
Friday, December 25, starting at 10 AM & running all day
Let the Force be With You this Christmas Day!  Join the BJC Star Wars Movie Marathon. We will start streaming at 10 AM. 

Grab some snacks and your coziest blanket and join us for a Star Wars marathon! We will be streaming all day from Zoom. Feel free to join in throughout the day.

As we get closer to the big day, we’ll publish a schedule and remind you of the particulars on how to join. Watch for this information in BJC Now.



Meeting ID: 884 9036 3472
Passcode: 978414
In Case You Missed It: Interfaith Thanksgiving Service & Discussion
By Marty Ganzglass
Wow. If you missed the annual BJC/BHPC/Macqoom Ibrahim, Idara e Jaferia, and the Islamic Cultural Center of Potomac Interfaith Thanksgiving Service, you really missed a fantastic event. Approximately 300 people participated in our first and hopefully last virtual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, November 15th from 10:30 to 1 PM.

Led by Reverend David Gray, Rabbi Sunny Schnitzer, and Imam Tariq, the service—in these troubling times—was a wonderful spiritual, uplifting experience. All three of the religious leaders emphasized that although we were physically separated, we were spiritually intimate and together, in friendship and collaboration, which is especially important in these divisive times.

Reverend Gray recounted the 53-year history of BJC and BHPC sharing sacred space and the 10-year relationship with the Idara Mosque, which illustrates our unique witness of interfaith understanding and the seeds of unity.

Imam Tariq told us that when God created human beings, He divided us into different peoples so we can get to know each other. If one sincerely believes in God, it must be manifested by one’s actions. Arrogance, that is thinking one is better than other people who are different, is the worst of sins. One has to search for common ground; love is truth and hate is motivated by ignorance. If one seeks the broadest term of commonality, for example, we are all Americans, and then it is more difficult to sink into tribal identity and the dangers of us against them.

Reverend Gray emphasized the unity of people of faith and the need to heal during these divisive times. If we get it right, we will make progress. The important and difficult challenge is to love thy neighbor even when you think your neighbor is wrong. If we struggle, and he admitted it was hard work, but loving thy neighbor as thyself was part of the calling for people of faith. By praying for a person who disagrees with you, you free yourself from the burden of hate.

Rabbi Sunny said that loving thy neighbor is at the heart, literally at the middle of the Torah scroll. Later, the Torah instructs us to rebuke our brother and to speak the truth. By this dialogue, we may get to the place of our common humanity. Referring to the informal prophet Sting, the Rabbi recalled a song asking, “Do the Russians Love Their Children Too,” pointing out that our fear of them at the height of the Cold War could be lessened by the universal emotion of parents loving their children. Today, we are united in our fear—fear of infection, of contagion, of the “other. “All of us are afraid, he said. We should ask those people who don’t agree with us what are they afraid of and thus discover their humanity and our commonality with them. Our motivations are the same. We differ on how to conquer what we are afraid of.

Associate Pastor Eunice Yang (who many of us met virtually for the first time) suggested that we put ourselves in God’s mind and heart, understanding that He loves the person who disagrees with you as much as he loves you.

Alicia DePaolo advised that although we may disagree with a person, we should never diminish them as people. In addressing those who make hostile or racist comments, we should ask that person ,“I didn’t understand what you said. Could you please explain that?” This gives them time to reflect and discuss absent some of the hostile tone and continues the dialogue rather than shutting it down. It also requires you to listen and respond.

Interspersed throughout the inspiring service, were the singing of hymns, such as the familiar “Come You Thankful People Come” by the beautiful voices of four members of the BHPC Choir, organ music, and Rabbi Sunny playing “Please Heal Us Now.” 

All the participants were masked and socially distant, underscoring this service was conducted during the pandemic, dividing us physically, but not spiritually. When the service ended, Reverend Gray, Associate Pastor Eunice Yang, Rabbi Sunny, Alicia DePaolo and Tasmea Noor led us in an intense Zoom discussion. Someone noted it was nice to see so many people without masks (on screen of course).

Among the many comments were:
  • Rabbi Sunny’s that pointing fingers of blame is not helpful in uniting us or getting to love thy neighbor.
  • Faisel’s statement that the only thing he can change is himself and he has to be able to listen without getting angry. 
  • We should try and invite other congregations or search within our own for people with different points of view and learn to listen and engage in civil dialogue.

The group then divided into separate break through discussion rooms, thanks to Alicia’s technical expertise, and then reconvened for final comments.

The morning concluded with Reverend Gray fervently hoping “next year in Memorial Hall,” and with a reading of Janet Ballentyne’s prayer about the benefits of science--made all the more important in light of the attacks on science today.

“In the spirit of Averroes, a Muslim geographer and mathematician
and in the spirit of Maimonides, a Jewish astronomer and physician, let us pray.

We give thanks for microscopes and telescopes
and for the people who use them.
We give thanks for quarks,
which scientists say
are the building blocks of hadrons
and for other things we don't understand.
We give thanks for calculus,
which is used to quantify derivatives and integrals
and for other things we've long forgotten.
We give thanks for quantum physics
and wonder at what it tells us:
that a particle can be of two states
at the same time.
We give thanks for anthropology
and wonder at what it tells us:
that the human state
is connected to fossil hominids
and to the dust of stars.
We give thanks for nuclear power
and the power of love.
And we pray that we would use one with caution
and the other with abundance.
We give thanks for Buddhist biologists
and Muslim meteorologists,
for Sikh psychologists
and Jewish geologists.
We give thanks for atheist astronomers
and Christian chemists
and for Hindu hematologists.
We give thanks for grace
and peace
and kindness
and respect.
And we give thanks for the ways in which
we are bundled together
as creatures and as creation.
For science and spirit,
we pray with thanksgiving.
Amen."
COMMITTEE NEWS
SOCIAL ACTION WANTS YOU TO KNOW: Food Insecurity is Real
By Harri j. Kramer, Chair, Social Action Committee
MANNA

While many of us found a way to have a modified Thanksgiving feast, too many in our midst are still food insecure. Please continue to support Manna.  

Click here to donate.

To learn more about how MANNA is operating during the pandemic and how you can help, click here.
BLACK LIVES MATTER

BJC still has Jewish-themed Black Lives Matter signs. For a recommended $18 donation, you, too, can have this important statement about the dignity of all people.

Here’s how to order yours: 
  • Donate by check, send to BJC and note “Social Action/ BLM.”
  • Donate online here. Choose "Donation BLM Social Action Sign" as type.
  • If you want multiple yard signs, detail in the Notes section.
  • If you need delivery, also detail in the Notes section.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT:
Reflections When Joe Biden was Declared President-elect
By Josh Silver
I can breathe.

This year was tragically epitomized by an African American man who said I can’t breathe.

In his memory, many of us can now breathe.

I don’t want to gloat. I am relieved by the victory of Joe Biden, but there is so much damage to repair.

I was talking to an African American male voter in Ohio when I was calling for Biden during the campaign. He thought both Biden and Trump were racists. I replied that I think Biden has changed since the 1970s. But the first step for all of us who want to see positive change is to be able to walk down the street in safety. To be able to breathe.

When a President says that “there are fine people on both sides,” on a tragic day in one of America’s cities during neo Nazi marches, we can’t breathe. A Jewish synagogue was menaced that day. African Americans were menaced that day. A woman was murdered by a madman. I thought we were past this type of hatred.

A little while later, a deranged man walked into a synagogue and murdered innocent Jews who were praying.

I want an America where Jews, Muslims, and Christians can walk into places of worship and feel safe, feel serene. Feel like they can breathe.

I have friends and family on Facebook who are Republican and who are reading this. I hope they haven’t stopped reading. We need to unite.
 
I reach out to them in hopes of playing a role in unifying us. Diversity is our strength, not our weakness.

There is nothing wrong with disagreeing with me on fiscal or regulatory policy. I hope we can get back to the days where I can debate my Republican friends about policy…and we are not pitted against each other because a President calls neo-Nazis “fine people.”

A word about policy. My GOP friends – Joe Biden will not tax you to the poor house. He wants to restore the corporate tax rate to pre-Trump levels of 28%...a level at which corporations thrived and were profitable. Yes, it is possible to tax too much, but we are nowhere near that level. The corporations can afford to pay more in my estimation.

And yes, the rich can afford to pay more as well. I pay a lot of money in taxes; I am a liberal; I put my money where my mouth is. I expect my government to offer superior services and a social safety net. And I get angry and hold them accountable when they do not.

Regulations will not stifle the economy. An absence of regulations will. The financial crisis was caused by too little regulations and abusive lenders making deceptive loans that millions of people could not afford to repay. If you don’t believe me about the need for regulations, then read Joseph Stiglitz, a Nobel prize-winning economist. He talks about how markets can only work when there is not an imbalance of knowledge. When there is an imbalance, the sellers will take advantage of the buyers. That’s what happened in the subprime crisis. If you are still skeptical, consider the opioid crisis.

My Republican friends -- you and I can debate policy; that is fair game. But please help me ensure that all of us can breathe. Please purge politicians from your party who say “there are fine people” on both sides in the aftermath of a neo-Nazi parade.

And we must elect leaders who believe in science to fight the pandemic and climate change so we can breathe again.

This is my rant. I hope you stayed through it to read it. I don’t bear grudges. I simply desire a country where all of us are safe and can breathe and don’t have to fear the knee on the neck or violence in a place of worship.

Let’s give diversity a chance to make our country great.

Let’s give Mr. Biden and Ms. Harris a chance to heal our country.

Let’s try some bipartisanship, at the least on the most important issues like fighting this pandemic.

Thank you for listening.

Sincerely,
A humble Jew hoping for a better tomorrow
FOOD TO EAT!
Editor’s Note:  Here's where we share recipes. Please submit your favorites! Send to [email protected].
This recipe is courtesy of Joan Kaufman with Kudos to Martha Stewart.
Carrot & Potato Latkes

Click here for a pdf of the recipe.

Martha's Note: “Whereas traditional latkes are deep-fried in oil, these lighter latkes are pan-fried, then finished in a hot oven until they are crispy. Plain yogurt makes a healthy stand-in for a traditional accompaniment, sour cream.”

Ingredients
 
  • 1 lb potatoes or use grated potatoes from the refrigerated section
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • ½ lb (about 3 medium) carrots, peeled and coarsely grated
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour or matzoh meal
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
  • 6-9 tablespoons canola oil
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • yogurt and/or applesauce (as a condiment)
Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and prepare a baking sheet.
  2. Peel potatoes and coarsely grate into a colander. (Note: I use grated potatoes, sold in the refrigerator section of Giant.)
  3. Mix in lemon juice and drain for 5 minutes.
  4. In a medium bowl, stir together the carrots and egg. Stir in the flour, salt, and pepper.
  5. In a large (at least 10-inch) heavy nonstick skillet, heat 2 tablespoons oil over medium heat.
  6. Spoon 1/4 cup of the mixture loosely in the pan so it forms a pancake. Repeat to make 3 more pancakes. Press on each lightly with a flat spatula to make a cake about 1/2 inch wide.
  7. Cook until browned on one side, about 3 minutes. Turn the cakes over and brown the other side, about 3 minutes.
  8. Transfer to the baking sheet.
  9. Repeat with remaining pancake mixture, adding 1 to 2 tablespoons of oil to the pan with each batch, depending on how much oil is remaining in the pan. 
  10. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes to cook the pancakes through.
  11. Drain briefly on paper towels. Season with salt and pepper. Serve while hot, with yogurt and/or applesauce.
OUR MEMBERS
NACHAS NOTES
Editor’s Note: Now, more than ever, we all need some good news. Send to: [email protected]

  • Kudos to Gary Ratner for the publication of his Letter to the Editor in the Washington Post on November 6, 2020 regarding the civil service. (Scroll a bit to get to Gary's letter.)
MEET A MEMBER: Ken Fine & Family
In his own words
My family, including my wife Dionne and our children, Leah and Ethan, have been members of BJC for approximately 16 years, since Leah began kindergarten at BJC. We joined BJC and continue to enjoy the spirit of BJC because of its openness to varied traditions. I had a strong relationship with the Reform Jewish movement, being a camper and staff member of Eisner Camp for 10 years. Dionne was raised in a liberal Catholic household and has subsequently converted to Judaism. She feels comfortable and welcomed within the BJC community. We have raised our children in the Jewish tradition at BJC. 

I am an orthopaedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine, and Dionne is a law professor and associate dean. When not operating on broken joints, I play guitar in a Motown/Rock/cover band. You may have seen us as my band has played for partying crowds at BJC, including at the most recent Purim Spiel. I also played guitar on one of the NFTY albums that were meant to introduce people to the rising rock/folk influence of new Jewish music. 

More recently, I have also been serving on the BJC board. Leah and Ethan are both college students and enjoyed their Jewish upbringing within BJC. We especially enjoy the interfaith program opportunities in our community.
REMEMBRANCES

We mourn the recent passing of Sonia Gordon Hess, mother of Barbara Hess.

Yahrzeits: December 2020

Evelyn Adlerstein, mother of Maran Gluckstein
Kermit Bailer, father of Byron Bailer
Henry Barak, father of Diane Horn
Robert Blaney, father of Maureen Pelter, grandfather of Jeremy Pelter
Herbert Blumenthal, father of Diane Blumenthal
James Brenits, brother of Don Brenits
Ann Clofine, grandmother of Elizabeth Clofine
Sarah Dash, mother of Judi Dash
Sidney Fink, father of Lisa Savitt
Phyllis Frank, mother of Stuart Frank
David Friedman, father of Hannah Friedman
Harry Goldstein, grandfather of Laurie Mabile
Martha Edelstein Jacobson, mother of Martin Blank
Max Kurz, father of Robert Kurz
Clara Landaw, grandmother of Lance Pelter
Herbert Maiman, father of Lois Maiman
Jeff Schaffer, beloved of Carie Schaffer
Cookie Solomon, aunt of Burt Bachrach
Jerden Stepper, father of Shirley Altschuler
Lisa Sternfeld, sister of Eliot Sternfeld
Yetta Sternfeld, mother of Eliot Sternfeld
Joseph Sugarman, father of Elsa Weinstein
Irving York, father of Barbara Silberman
Mel Zimmers, father of Marla Hewitt & Gary Zimmers
ShulCloud 101: Let's Get Started!
ShulCloud is up and running! Once you’re in, you can see your member account, make payments and donations online, look up other members in the directory, and access the growing content on our website. We have worked very hard to migrate our records, get this site up and running, and we’re ready for you!

If you have not already, you will soon receive an email invitation from BJC to register with ShulCloud. The email subject is “ShulCloud Login Link” and here is the text:

Hi (Member’s first name),
Click here to log in to your ShulCloud account. If you have any questions, please email us at [email protected]
Bethesda Jewish Congregation
https://www.bethesdajewish.org/

Click where it says, “Click here,” and you will be taken to the BJC website, and you can register with ShulCloud. Once you pick a password and log in, you can input information about you, your family, lifecycle events, and other information that will enable BJC to meet your needs more effectively. 

ShulCloud has tutorials. For a custom touch, BJC will be conducting “ShulCloud 101” sessions this winter, but we wanted to get you through the first step, which is to register. 

Please take a little time this week to try out ShulCloud—if you have questions, please email [email protected] , and one of us will get back to you to walk you through.
Holiday Shopping?

Here’s an easy way to help BJC. By signing up for AmazonSmiles, BJC gets 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible products—and it doesn’t cost you anything. AmazonSmiles is a website operated by Amazon with the same products, prices, and shopping features as Amazon.com. 
THANK YOUS
Editor’s Note: Help us help you get the recognition you deserve. If sending a check, please use the “memo” line to let us know what the check is for.  

GENERAL FUND/AS GOOD AS WE GIVE

Anonymous, in memory of Susan Berkowitz
Diane Blumenthal & Craig Winslow
Diane Blumenthal & Craig Winslow, in memory of Henry Winslow
Cheryl & Hal Bordy
Judy & Al Folsom, in memory of Mildred Ziesan
Michelle & Jim Goldstein
Miriam & Mark Hetfield
Harri Kramer & Russ Hogya, in memory of Sonia Gordon Hess
Alan Lichter, in memory of Rosalie Lichter
Lorrie Van Akkeren

RABBI’S DISCRETIONARY FUND

Lorrie Van Akkeren 
 
And to all of our members who “round up” their synagogue support and donate their time.
A Final Thought: 2020 HAS COME DOWN TO THIS…
Shared by Craig Winslow

  1. The dumbest thing I ever bought was a 2020 planner. 
  2. I was so bored I called Jake from State Farm just to talk to someone. He asked me what I was wearing.
  3. 2019: Stay away from negative people2020: Stay away from positive people.
  4. The world has turned upside down.  Old folks are sneaking out of the house & their kids are yelling at them to stay indoors!
  5. This morning I saw a neighbor talking to her dog. It was obvious she thought her dog understood her. I came into my house & told my cat.  We laughed a lot.
  6. Every few days try your jeans on just to make sure they fit. Pajamas will have you believe all is well.
  7. Does anyone know if we can take showers yet or should we just keep washing our hands?
  8. This virus has done what no woman has been able to do. Cancel sports, shut down all bars, & keep men at home!
  9. I never thought the comment, “I wouldn't touch him/her with a 6-foot pole” would become a national policy, but here we are!
  10. I need to practice social-distancing from the refrigerator.
  11. I hope the weather is good tomorrow for my trip to the backyard. I’m getting tired of the living room.
  12. Appropriate analogy. "The curve is flattening so we can start lifting restrictions now” is like saying: “The parachute has slowed our rate of descent, so we can take it off now.”  
  13. Never in a million years could I have imagined I would go up to a bank teller wearing a mask & asking for money.
  14. The spread of COVID-19 is based on 2 things: (1. ) How dense the population is. (2.) How dense the population is.
Board of Trustees (as of 7/1/2020)
President Sandra Walter
Vice-President Jeremy Pelter
Treasurer Terri Reicher
Secretary Lorrie Van Akkeren

Trustees
Ken Fine
Karen Levi
Karen Levy
Alan Lichter
David Slacter
Steve Turow
Committee Chairs
Communication
Education Issie Resti
Financial Advisor
High Holy Days Jim Korelitz
Student Representative Sammy Peterson Intercongregational Partnership Liaison
Marty Ganzglass
Membership Diane Blumenthal
Past President Shoshanah Drake
Programs Diane Horn & Joan Kaufman
Social Action Harri j. Kramer

BJC Administration
Spiritual Leader Rabbi Sunny Schnitzer
Program & Worship Coordinator Alicia DePaolo
Membership & Administrative Coordinator: we're hiring!

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

DEADLINE FOR THE NEXT ISSUE: December 25, 2020

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