FEBRUARY 2018

SH’VAT/ADAR 5778
NUMBER 5

THE BULLETIN

Agudas Achim will join together with other Jewish organizations

and communities to raise awareness and champion the rights of people
with disabilities. Please join us for the following events.
Friday, February 9
Chaya Silver, Agudas Achim’s Youth and Religious School
Director, will speak during Kabbalat Shabbat Services about our
AGUDAS ACHIM ongoing efforts to ensure inclusion in the AAC Religious School, as
CONGREGATION well as various inclusion models for Jewish learning.
Saturday, February 10
During Shabbat Services, Judith Heumann, internationally
recognized advocate and expert on disability rights, will address the
Congregation on Disability Inclusion in Jewish Life. Judy has been a
member of Adas Israel since 1993, serving two terms on the Board of
Directors, and as the co-chair of the Adas Israel Inclusion Taskforce.
Judy’s career has included working with non-profit disabled
people's organizations in the United States and around the world,
serving as an Assistant Secretary at the Department of Education in
the Clinton administration as the first Advisor on Disability and
Development at the World Bank, and most recently as the first
Special Advisor for International Disability Rights at the State
Department working in the Obama administration. She is currently a
Senior Fellow at the Ford Foundation. Following Kiddush, please join
Judy for an informal question and answer session.
Sunday, February 11 | 9:45 – 11:45 a.m.
Join us as for a mini-film festival about disabilities and inclusion in
the Jewish Community and a post-screening discussion. We will view
three short films including an Israeli film about a young man who is
losing his hearing and does not want to give up ice skating; a film about
a young man on the Autism spectrum who used assistive communication
devices to enable him to have a Bar Mitzvah; and a short video about the
best buddies program at Camp Ramah.

2908 V•alley D•rive

Alexandria, V•
A 2• 2302
 SCHEDULE OF SERVICES
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2
Candlelighting.......................5:13 p.m.
Shehecheyanu Service...........6:30 p.m.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 3
Shabbat Services....................9:30 a.m.
Mincha....................following Kiddush
Havdalah Time......................6:14 p.m.
BAT MITZVAH OF MICHAELA HOPE CURRAN
AVIVA BAT YOSEFA LEAH
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9
Candlelighting.......................5:21 p.m.
Kabbalat Shabbat...................6:30 p.m.
SATURDAY. FEBRUARY 10
Shabbat Services....................9:30 a.m.
Mincha....................following Kiddush
Havdalah Time......................6:21 p.m.
BAR MITZVAH OF
WILSON CARRICK WEINGAST
SHLOMO AVNIEL BEN ELCHUNUN V’SARAH
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16
Candlelighting.......................5:29 p.m.
Kabbalat Shabbat...................6:30 p.m.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 17
Shabbat Services....................9:30 a.m.
Mincha....................following Kiddush
Havdalah Time......................6:29 p.m.
BAT MITZVAH OF AVIVA CHAYA ALBERT
AVIVA CHAYA BAT AVRAHAM
V’RACHEL ELISHEVA
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23
Candlelighting.......................5:37 p.m.
Kabbalat Shabbat...................6:30 p.m.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 24
Shabbat Services....................9:30 a.m.
Mincha....................following Kiddush
Havdalah Time......................6:36 p.m.
MINYAN SCHEDULE
Mornings................................7:30 a.m.
Monday through Friday
Evenings................................7:50 p.m.
Sunday through Thursday
Sundays and Federal
Holidays.............................9:00 a.m.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 19
THE AAC OFFICES WILL BE
CLOSED AND MORNING
MINYAN WILL BE HELD AT
9:00 A.M. IN OBSERVANCE
OF PRESIDENTS DAY.
AGUDAS ACHIM CONGREGATION
RABBI’S
MESSAGE
NES GADOL HAYA PO – ISRAEL @ 70
Agudas Achim is going to Israel! As I announced on the High Holidays, we will
be traveling to Israel in December – celebrating Hanukkah in the land of miracles,
70 years after its most modern miracle.
When: Friday, November 30 – Sunday, December 9
Departing Washington Thursday evening, November 29
Returning Monday, December 10
Who: You!! This trip has been designed so that seasoned Israel travelers will
experience Israel like never before. Several options for “first-timers” will
also be included.
How: Seats will be available on group flights from Washington to Tel Aviv on
Thursday November 29 and for the return trip late on the evening of
December 9. You are also welcome to make your own arrangements and
meet the group in Tel Aviv on the morning of November 30.
What: What: An exploration of Israel @ 70 – Miracles of the Past and
Opportunities for the Future
Highlights
● Travel with Rabbi Rein, Miri Bernovsky, and the AAC community to our
Jewish Homeland
● Discuss the issues of the day – geopolitical, religious pluralism, Jewish
peoplehood
● Tikkun Olam (social action) in Israel – disabilities, immigrants, Jewish and
Arab coexistence
● Celebrate Shabbat in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, lighting Hanukkah candles
throughout
● Special visit to Kibbutz Nachal Oz led by Miri and a tour of the Lebanese
border with Maj Gen (ret) Noam Tibon
Join us for an information session! This is your opportunity to learn more about
the trip, including details of the itinerary, and to ask questions.
Information Sessions
● Sunday, February 11 |12:00 noon
● Tuesday, February 13 | 7:00 p.m.
Come be a part of the great miracles happening in Israel!
World Wide Wrap Kavanah Minyan
Saturday, February 24
Sunday, February 4
Morning Minyan 9:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon
Flax Family Chapel Flax Family Chapel
Participate in the mitzvah of wearing Kavanah Minyan is an hour-long
teffilin as part of the Federation of Jewish exploration of Jewish meditation, chant
and other spiritual practices. No prior
Men’s Clubs World Wide Wrap. Join us
for a bagel and lox brunch at 10:00 a.m. experience is necessary. While each
when Executive Director Barry Nove session begins formally at 11:00 am, the
will speak on The History of Jewish chapel will be available as early as
Surnames from Eastern Europe. 10:30 am for a period of silent
contemplation.
PAGE 2
 ACCOUNTING UPGRADE UPDATE MEN’S CLUB MENSCHENINGS
As has been shared previously with the congregation, since the High Holy Days Elliot Parkin
we have been carefully reviewing our accounting systems and processes. Most Men’s Club President
important, we have been working with Your Part-time Comptroller, Inc. (YPTC),
which specializes in working with nonprofits, and we are now in the process of At Shabbat services on January 6,
completing our transition from our old Quickbooks Pro to Quickbooks Online. This Men’s Club honored our six 2017 Israel
has necessitated streamlining our Chart of Accounts, so that data entry will be Pilgrimage Scholarship recipients: Toby
simpler and more efficient, and reporting will be straightforward. For example, we Berman, Ari Halpern, Lucy Shichman,
will be able to create reports by department. We also have a software that will Mollie Shichman, Jason Tishcler, and
download our membership database transactions to an Excel spreadsheet that may Brammy Wagner. Yasher Koach to Mike
then be uploaded into Quickbooks Online. Scheinberg for his thoughtful remarks on
the importance of Agudas Achim teens
Concurrently, we have begun transitioning to a new membership database
connecting with the Land of Milk and
system, which is connected to our new website. This part of the process takes 90 days,
Honey, and to Ari, Lucy, Mollie, and
so we will be double entering information for a while. The new membership database
Jason for sharing their personal Israel
will include online event and program registration systems as well as an online
experiences with the congregation.
donation feature, both of which will post payments directly to member accounts. The
Todah Rabah to Rabbi Rein for
combination of these upgrades, on which staff are currently being trained, moves
providing our teens with the opportunity
Agudas Achim’s financial accounting and controls into the twenty-first century.
to speak on a Shabbat morning. Based on
By mid-February we expect YPTC to have certified our accounting data the success of this year’s program, Rabbi
through December 31, 2017. We know members would like to hear about and see Rein and Men’s Club hope to make this
the results of these changes. With the support of the Board of Directors we will an annual event. If you have a teen who
arrange a meeting to present the new look of the reports and our mid-fiscal year is interested in a peer trip to Israel in
financials for the congregation. Once the work has been completed and reviewed, 2018, please contact Mike Scheinberg at
we will identify a date for a meeting and send out notices to the congregation. mike@schuschein.com or Education and
When we begin the new fiscal year in July, members will have online access to Youth Director Chaya Silver for
their account and be able to have statements emailed to them, if they so choose. scholarship details.
As many of you have noticed and commented, our staff in the office have Our next brunch will be on
changed. The new bookkeeper, Kat Hebert, began working with us in mid- February 4. Come to Minyan at 9:00
a.m. to participate in the Mitzvah of
December. Tonie Gross is our administrative assistant at the front desk and handles
wearing Teffilin as part of the
credit card payments, dues, and donation transactions. Together with our Executive
Director, our team is working hard to learn the nuances of the new systems andFederation of Jewish Men’s Clubs’
implement the processes and procedures YPTC recommends as best practices. World Wide Wrap and join us for a
bagel and lox brunch at 10:00 a.m.
We have appreciated your comments and feedback as we have undertaken these when Executive Director Barry Nove
changes. Please continue to contact us with your questions and concerns. will speak on The History of Jewish
Thank you. Surnames from Eastern Europe.
Ken Labowitz John Erhman Barry Nove We would greatly appreciate your
President Financial Vice President Executive Director support for Men’s Club this coming
THE PURIM CARNIVAL NEEDS YOU! year by sending in your membership
JOIN US ON FEBRUARY 25 FOR FOOD, FUN, AND COMMUNITY! dues for 2017-18 (5778). Our nominal
FOOD! GAMES! MOONBOUNCE! AND MORE! dues for the year are $36, but please
10:30-11:30 - PRESCHOOLERS / 11:30-1:30 - K-7TH GRADERS / EVERYONE - LUNCH! consider donating a Chai’er amount
SEEKING VOLUNTEERS such as $54 (i.e., triple Chai). If you
If everyone with a child signs up for at least one volunteer slot we will have have any suggestions for events or
enough volunteers to make this event a success. We need people in the kitchen, to would like to help with any of our
serve food, sell tickets, give out prizes, set up, clean up, help with games, and activities, please contact me at
supervise art projects. Visit http://bit.ly/Purim-Volunteer to sign-up. elliot.parkin@gmail.com.
SEEKING TOY DONATIONS FOR PRIZES
Up until February 15, a box will be available in the AAC lobby to accept
donations of small toys (such as Happy Meal-type toys and/or children's party
favors) and stuffed animals and beanie babies (good condition and smoke-free).
Purim Carnival Co-chairs: Arden Levy (levyab@hotmail.com) and Mackenzie
Silverman (MackenzieS1023@outlook.com)

FEBRUARY 2017 PAGE 3

 RELIGIOUS SCHOOL
“UNFUNDRAISER”
Please help the Agudas Achim
Religious School meet its budgetary
and fundraising obligations!
For more information, including
how you can support our vibrant
school's ongoing needs and activities
simply by donating what you can to our
"un-fundraiser," please visit
goo.gl/6KEjX9.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT DINNERS ARE
BACK (ONCE-A-MONTH)
Wednesdays, January 31, February 21,
March 21, April 25 | 5:15 p.m.
We are excited to announce that this
spring we will be holding a monthly
Wednesday Night Pizza Dinner for
students in 3rd - 6th grade prior to
Wednesday night religious school. The
menu for all four dinners will be cheese
pizza, veggies and dip, lemonade, and
dessert. Dinner is $12.00 per month for
each student or you can purchase all 4
months for $40.00. To purchase dinner
visit: http://bit.ly/Wednesday-Dinners.
For further information visit the
Religious School page on the AAC
website.
4TH AND 5TH GRADE
FAMILY LEARNING
Sunday, February 11
9:30 a.m. - 12:00 noon
We are excited to welcome our 4th
and 5th grade families for a morning of
learning led by Morah Chaya. We ask
that a parent or loving adult from each
family join us. Morah Chaya will work
with the adults for the first part of the
morning, and then they will be joined
by their students for the second half.
AAC CAN EARN MONEY THROUGH
AMAZON SMILE
Do you shop Amazon? You could be
supporting AAC with every purchase.
Use the Amazon Smile web address and
Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of
eligible purchases to AAC. Visit the
Support Us page on the AAC website for
all the details including a link to the
Amazon Smile website.
AGUDAS ACHIM CONGREGATION
“MAH KOREH” - WHAT’S HAPPENING IN
THE EDUCATION AND YOUTH DEPARTMENT
Chaya Silver
Youth/Education Director
ESTHER AND OUR SCHOOL’S MISSION
Each approaching holiday has something to teach me that is timely and urgent.
The upcoming holiday of Purim is no exception. This year, the lesson which stands
out to me is the need to stand up for just and right causes even when one’s knees
are knocking. To review, Esther begins her journey in life as orphan who is
dependent and acquiescent. When she is sent to the palace as a beauty pageant
contestant, she doesn’t object. When she wins the contest and is sent to live in the
king’s harem, she does as she is told. Esther remains quiet until her uncle tells her
of a plot to destroy the Jews. Little in Esther’s story has prepared her to speak on
behalf of her people. It is her uncle’s teaching that reminds her that everything in
her life has led up to the moment in which she is in a position to speak to the king
on behalf of her people. Even with this inspiration, Esther has to find the strength
to act. She plots, pleads, cajoles, directs, and persuades. She uses every tool at her
disposal to save her people. She becomes a leader.
In “Queen Esther Finds her Voice” (Rapaport, 2018) the author writes “…at a
certain point we are meant to … cultivate our own voice. We are meant to nurture
our own goals, courage, and inner life. We begin to listen to the instructions and
directives of our own yearnings, our own compass. The pivot from a juvenile to an
adult voice is one of most important transitions we will ever make.” Esther makes
just this kind of transition. As principal of our religious school, I believe it is
incumbent upon us to help our young people make a similar transition.
Last month, I shared the Vision and Mission statements for the Youth and
Religious School with you. As you may recall, in addition to our obligation to teach
Hebrew, holidays, and history, we are charged with prioritizing social, ethical, and
moral growth in our students in order to build a caring, involved, and committed
Jewish community as well as engaged global Jewish citizens. This year, while
teaching students about Purim and the courage of Queen Esther, we will endeavor
to give our students age appropriate tools to stand up for themselves and their
classmates. We will do what we can to teach the Jewish value of honoring the
stranger in our midst. This isn’t easy to do today as our national debate about
immigration has brought out some very poor behavior from leaders. In the swirl of
tweets and news, the sacred value of life is too easily lost. The Torah commands
us to honor the stranger in our midst. In fact, this is mentioned 39 times, more
frequently than the injunction to honor Shabbat or wear tefilin. Rabbi Stephen
Fuchs, former president of the World Union of Progressive Judaism, writes that
these teachings “remind us that war, poverty, natural disasters, and other calamities
in today’s world have left far too many…without homes and our Torah does not
allow us to pretend they are not our problem.” (Fuchs, 2016).
We want our students to learn important lessons of Jewish history. For exam-
ple, they need to know how American hostility toward immigrants fueled by both
anti-Semitism and xenophobia forced the S.S. St. Louis to return to Europe with
refugees seeking safety from Hitler’s Europe sending hundreds to their death in the
1930’s. I wish that our children lived at a time where the Jewish value of honoring
the stranger guided national policy. However, until such time, the school will
continue to provide our students with a solid Jewish education that will give them
the tools and role models they need to find their inner Esther and work for a time
of happiness and joy, gladness and honor for all people.
PAGE 4
 This is the passage that spoke to me
DEAR HAZZAN and opened my eyes to the value of
Hazzan Elisheva Dienstfrey adding the names of our matriarchs. If
we do not name our mothers, we cannot
fully appreciate their contributions to
Dear Hazzan, who we are. It is important for all of us
Now that our siddurim (Siddur Lev Shalem) contain the names of our foremothers – men and women – to hear their names
in addition to our forefathers, will we be including those names in our liturgy? over and over again, just as we hear the
-Ema Hote names of our patriarchs.

Dear Ema, I have just begun to add the

matriarchs to the first paragraph of the
It just so happens I’ve been thinking about this issue quite a bit over the past Amidah. I know it will be strange and
year or so that we have been using these new siddurim. awkward at first, but strange and
Ever since I have taken a serious interest in prayer, I have felt comfortable only awkward is much better than out of
using the names of our patriarchs because I knew that by mentioning our patriarchs sight and out of mind.
we were really bringing attention to our ancestry in general, not just the forefathers, L’shalom,
but our foremothers and all those who came after them. I heard the names of the Hazzan Dienstfrey
matriarchs within the names of the Patriarchs. I visualized the people who helped
create our history – not just three or even seven people, but the millions who *Please Note: This column will alternate
contributed to our becoming a Jewish people today. And it was enough. between music reviews/recommendations
and “Dear Hazzan” letters. If you would
Especially, I reasoned, since I as a woman was chanting the names of these like to introduce or recommend recordings,
patriarchs. This gave the women – all the women in our history - a voice, literally. or if you have a question for the Hazzan
So, I felt it was unnecessary to add any more to the traditional prayers. regarding the ritual, liturgy, and/or music of
Many questioned my decision. Some of you and some of my colleagues could the synagogue, please write Hazzan
not understand why I was so comfortable with the status quo. But I held my ground. Dienstfrey at the synagogue (2908 Valley
I felt comfortable and confident in my decision. Drive, Alexandria, VA 22302) or email her
at HazzanERLD@hotmail.com.
And then something changed. We got new siddurim. Our previous prayer book,
Siddur Sim Shalom, did not list the matriarchs. Even Siddur “Slim” Shalom which AAC ACTIVE SENIORS
we used in the Flax chapel on Friday nights and holidays, though it included the LUNCH AND LEARN PROGRAM
names of our matriarchs, printed them on a separate page as an “alternative” text. Tuesday, March 6, 2018
The matriarchs were out of sight, and therefore out of mind. These new siddurim 12:00 noon – 2:00 p.m.
were different. Siddur Lev Shalem included the matriarchs in an alternative text, but Curious about postal scams? Please
side by side, on the same page as the ‘traditional’ text. join AAC Active Seniors for our Lunch
I still didn’t question my decision to use only the patriarchs’ names, but the and Learn session on the US Postal
names of our mothers were right there, every time I looked. And they were there Inspection Service (USPIS). We will
whenever any of you were following along. And then the questions came, again. learn about sweepstakes advertising,
Now that we had a siddur with the matriarchs right there in front of us, why didn’t consumer fraud, identity theft, and re-
we include them? Weren’t the matriarchs just as important? shipping scams. Inspectors will inform
us about suspicious powders and pack-
There is a passage on p. 185 of Siddur Lev Shalem that explains the purpose of ages. We’ll hear about real cases target-
the first paragraph of the Amidah, where all of our ancestors’ names are mentioned. ing seniors. Come prepared with your
It explains that “God can be perceived in almost infinite ways. Certainly each of our questions for the Q&A session follow-
biblical ancestors experienced God differently, and the Kabbalists understood their ing the presentation.
personal stories as reflecting different understandings of the Divine.” Therefore, This event is open to the AAC Ac-
each of our ancestors’ character traits reveals a way in which we can connect with tive Seniors and the JCCNV Active
God – through love and compassion (Abraham), awe (Isaac), and a balance of the Retirees at no charge. Reservations are
joys and challenges of life (Jacob). Our foremothers, too, give us a window into required and must be made no later than
human traits that are also Godly, and therefore ways to connect with God, whether Friday, February 23rd.
one is a protector and redeemer like Sarah, one takes the lead like Rebecca, one RSVP to either Jane Bergen at 703-
suffers in life yet sustains a family like Leah, or one loves deeply like Rachel. “Our 861-6419 (janebergen@verizon.net) or
biblical ancestors reflect different ways of walking with God- and provide us with Nancy Siegal at 703-671-0957
different models for our own journeys.” (nsiegal@comcast.net).
Please let us know if you can help in
the kitchen.

FEBRUARY 2017 PAGE 5

 YOUNG FAMILIES
Programming and community PRESCHOOL NEWS
focused on families with Jen Halpern, Director
children ages 0-5.
ONGOING EVENTS
Gan Shabbat Back in late summer, I wrote that thanks to the incredible generosity of our families
Saturdays 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon and community members, this year "each classroom will get new toys . . . many of
Rooms 1 &2 which will be math and science oriented. Last year we’d noted that we needed more of
Volunteer led service for kids ages those kinds of toys in the classrooms. To
0-5, accompanied by an adult. that end, we’re going to take advantage of
Looking for volunteers to lead – no an unused classroom this year and equip it
experience necessary. with a variety of math, science, engineer-
Oh Say Shalom Sing-a-Long and ing, and art supplies. This multi-purpose
Playgroup room will start out small, but hopefully
Sunday, February 4, | 11:00 a.m. grow to be something that truly sets Agu-
Hazzan Elisheva Dienstfrey leads das Achim Preschool apart from every
songs for the first half hour with free other preschool in Alexandria."
play after. No Jewish knowledge or I am happy to announce that our
experience necessary. Each child science, technology, engineering, art,
requires a grownup. and math room -- or STEAM Lab -- is Exploring macrame cord. Who knows
Shababy Kabbalat Shabbat officially open! what it will become
Friday, February 16 | 5:30 p.m. Working with fellow congregant and friend, Sherri Kohr, I spent the fall
Friday night service for kids 0-5 and brainstorming, planning, purchasing, unpacking, and organizing. After winter
parents with songs, instruments, scarves, break, the preschool classes had their first opportunity to explore the Lab. Be sure
dancing, parachutes, challah, and juice. If to visit my blog (director.agudasachimpreschool.org) to see lots of pictures.
you are interested in volunteering to lead
visit the AAC website Young Families So what is STEAM, exactly?
page. STEAM is a way of thinking about problems and solutions. The Lab is where
CONNECT WITH YOUNG questioning, thinking, theorizing; creating, building, exploring; making mistakes,
FAMILIES failing, feeling frustrated; critical thinking, problem solving, experiential
learning; cooperating, collaborating, negotiating; persisting, trying again, and cele-
  Find  us  on  the  Facebook  ‟Agudas brating will happen.
Achim Young Families” Group to keep
track of what is going on and receive the The STEAM Lab gives our preschoolers the room to do all of the above. It's a
latest updates! For more information or to wide-open space, perfect for building large structures that would be too big or
get involved contact: unwieldy for our classrooms. There are also materials and equipment in the Lab that
we wouldn’t be able to have in our classrooms due to space restrictions, like the
Hannah Kraushaar Light Laboratory. Currently, there are three shelving units: an exploration station,
at hannah.kraushaar@gmail.com a building station, and a creation station.
Sarah Leffler
at lefflersarah@hotmail The Lab will change over time. What you see in there today will likely be
Debbie Perry different a few months from now. That's the whole point. While we will always
at debbiekperry@gmail.com have a few anchor pieces, the other materials will get changed up as we observe
Pam Kesner how the children are engaging with the room and as we design new challenges for
at phkesner@hotmail.com. them. The room will also evolve as our understanding of STEAM evolves.
The Lab isn't overstuffed with materials, either. We’ve decided to keep things
KNITTING CLUB relatively simple so there's time to explore what's there before something new comes in.

February 11 | 12:00 noon
AAC Lobby
If you love to knit or
have ever wanted to learn,
join us for fellowship and
creativity.
With a few exceptions, most everything in the room is open-ended. An impor-
tant component of STEAM is that the materials and experiences provided do not
have predetermined outcomes. This isn't about us creating experiments for the
children to follow, knowing full well what the children will learn. It's about them
asking, “What happens if?” and us providing them with what they need to figure
out the answers themselves.
Continued next month . . .

AGUDAS ACHIM CONGREGATION PAGE 6

 BRINGING ISRAEL TO even talking about it. "You were born in
St. Petersburg, in Russia," she reminded
AGUDAS: OUR SHLICHA, me, "when you were two years old, I
MIRI BERNOVSKY would take you out to walk in the snow,
when the temperature was way under
The year 2018 started with one word in mind for me: Cold. C-o-l-d. zero. So now you are complaining about
When I took on the Shlichut position at Agudas, friends of mine who went to serve some ice on the sidewalk? Why are you
in more northern communities told me that I was lucky based on the horror stories they even talking to me? Go out and play in the
have heard about winter at their destinations, be it Boston, Minneapolis or Toronto. snow..." She definitely had a point.
That's why the first week of January, which included freezing temperatures and my first One thing I know for sure: that first
official "snow day" was a big surprise for me. Didn't everyone tell me that winter in the week of January wasn't easy, but
D.C. area won't get too bad??? someday in the future, when Amir and I
What made things even more difficult was that this cold week took place are back at the Kibbutz, during a warm
immediately after Amir and I returned from a week-long vacation at an exotic and dry Israeli "winter", we'll probably
country with warm weather and clear blue skies. You might have heard of the place, think back about the snow in Alexandria
it's called "Israel". Realizing that everything in the Washington area was shutting and tell ourselves - "that was actually a
down for Christmas and New Year's, we decided to go back home for a week to lot of fun. Can't we get some snow here
meet friends and family and just enjoy the sun. in Israel this year?"
The average temperature during our visit home was 70 degrees Fahrenheit. And still. If, by any chance, the
Obviously, after a week like that, arriving back in the US to snow and ice covered roads Almighty happens to be reading the
was a bit of a shock. But shortly after we settled back into our apartment in Alexandria, Agudas Achim monthly bulletin, I'd
we actually began enjoying the situation. Whether it was taking dumb pictures in the like to ask for a somewhat easier month
snow, cooking our favorite soups, or spending a day in front of the TV with hot tea when in February. It was nice and all, but I'm
the snow led to schedule cancellations - it all turned out to be quite fun. ready for spring to arrive.
On one of the coldest days, I called my mom to tell her about it all. Unlike many of
my friends back in Israel, who were impressed by my stories, my mom scolded me for

THIS SPACE IS

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 SISTERHOOD DOINGS
BY JUDITH FOGEL
HIGHLIGHT FROM DECEMBER:
AAC Sisterhood women came
together Sunday, December 10, for our
almost annual decadently delicious
Chocolate Party. This wildly popular
party took a hiatus but returned in
December. We worked in a Chanukah
theme, festively decorating the table
with a holiday tablecloth, napkins, and
even a singing dreidel! Thank you to
Elizabeth Margosches and Don
Melman for opening their beautiful
home to us.
The attendees contributed chocolate
confections. One tray boasted rich dark
chocolate creations decked out in the
letters of the dreidel game. Others
sported brownies, candies stuffed with
nuts, strawberries dipped in gooey
chocolate, creamy chocolate cake,
anything as long as it contained
chocolate. It was an intimate, lively
gathering. The women capped off the
afternoon on Elizabeth's living room
couch for coffee, hot chocolate, and
conversation on a cold winter's day.
Thank you also to Jane Bergen for set
up. Kudos to Lynne Rosenblum for
additional Chanukah decorations and set
up. Thank you to all the participants for
staying long enough to clean up.
UPCOMING FEBRUARY EVENTS:
Purim Carnival
Sunday, February 25
See page 3 for details.
This is our major fundraiser which
fuels all the dynamic programming we
offer. Thank you to Sisterhood co-
chairs Arden Levy and Mackenzie
Silverman for stepping up and running
this important event. It's hard work
and countless hours. But many hands
make light work. Please contribute
your time and donations!
Ladies Night Out
Thursday, February 8 | 7:30 p.m.
Meet us at Bus Boys and Poets in
Shirlington for good food and even
better conversation. RSVP to Ellen
Bayer (ebayer414@gmail.com).
AGUDAS ACHIM CONGREGATION
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S
MESSAGE
Barry Nove
Does anyone ever say, welcome to winter? Celebrating the new year and
wanting to truly appreciate our congregation’s many facets, Barbara Fiedler gave
me a tour of the Agudas Achim Cemetery. We walked every inch on a bitterly
cold day, discussing ideas people have had to improve the cemetery such as
adding an address sign at the driveway entrance. The cemetery gate is set well
back and is not easily visible from the street. Barbara shared that there’s been a
concern over the years not to make our small cemetery too noticeable. I
understood the concern, but very much like the idea of a sign noting the address,
which would make the property easier to find and could help prevent people in
the neighborhood from blocking the unpaved driveway.
I shared with Barbara my thought that a cemetery such as ours could also
become a place for our members with family buried faraway to meditate. I once
saw a boulder with a plaque in memory of the six million who died in the
Holocaust in front of a JCC. Russian Jews came to say kaddish there on the
Yartzheit of loved ones buried halfway around the world. Barbara shared that
members had approached her wishing they could place a stone in memory of
loved ones not buried in our cemetery.
A survey crew has been hired to survey the cemetery for the first time in over
four decades. The survey is being paid for by the Cemetery Fund. The old wire
and pipe fence is in need of replacement and we need to check the property lines,
which come up to Alexandria City properties (including the old City of
Alexandria’s Penny Hill, the potter’s field of its day) and up to an old
Presbyterian Church’s cemetery, if I understood correctly. With the survey, we’ll
be able to know the exact boundaries and be able to plan for the future.
The visit helped me to better understand not only landscaping needs, but to
think about what we may want to discuss as a congregation how to best utilize
and maintain our cemetery.
Many of you know of my interest in Jewish genealogy and I’d love to one
day see our cemetery included in jewishgen.org’s Worldwide Jewish Burial
Registry (restricted to members of jewishgen.org -- which is free to join) so that
those interested in knowing the Hebrew names and Yartzheit dates of ancestors
who were members of Agudas Achim and buried in our cemetery have access to
that information online.
Purim Megillah Reading
Wednesday, February 28
This year’s theme is medieval times!
Look for schedule and details in the Weekly Update.
SISTERHOOD’S JUDAIC SHOP
From Jewelry to Toys to Yads to Books to Candles…
buy here and help Sisterhood support our Synagogue.
We are open during
Sunday Religious School hours.
Questions? Appointment? Special Orders?
Contact either Michelle (202-288-9856)
or Susan (703-489-5068).
PAGE 8
IN THE FAMILY
CHEVRA KADISHA
We mourn the loss of our longtime member
In honor of the Chevra Kadisha for help with Suzy Noth
Jonathan Saiger and Libby Russler
May the Almighty comfort the bereaved mourners. CEMETERY FUND
SINCERE CONDOLENCES TO: In honor of Mollie Abraham
Max Abraham and Jasen Melson
Elinor Abraham and family CEMETERY FUND
on the death of her sister in law, Lisa Lange In memory of Al and Ruth Sitzer
Shay Dvoretsky and family Max Abraham and Jasen Melson
on the death of his mother, Ayala Dvoretsky In memory of Barnard Lehman
Alan Fisher and family Leonard Lehman
on the death of his father, Sheldon Fisher In memory of Jacob and Miriam Abraham
Mirza Lopez and family Max Abraham and Jasen Melson
on the death or her father, Ramon Ruiz In memory of Marlowe and Pearl Solomon
Ann Moline and family Max Abraham and Jasen Melson
on the death of her father, Eugene Davidson In memory of Meyer Abraham
Paul Rosenfeld and family Max Abraham and Jasen Melson
on the death of his father, Abraham Rosenfeld In memory of Morris and Florence Klein
Staci Rothman and family Max Abraham and Jasen Melson
on the death of her mother, Gail Newman In memory of William H. Kushnick & Michael G. Kushnick
REFUAH SHLEMAH TO: Stephen Kushnick
Les Ravitz COMMUNITY CARING FUND
In memory of Delphine Landau
HENRY H. KREVOR SOCIAL ACTION FUND Barry Landau
In memory of Frieda Ezrine, Maurice Ezrine, Jake Mendelson, In memory of Monroe and Margo Lange
Celia Mendelson and Abraham Mendelson Jack and Elinor Abraham
Andrea Potosky In memory of Rae Levy
In memory of Joci Pearl Rosalyn Jonas
Robert and Gayle Weiss In memory of Ramon Ruiz, Mirza Lopez's father
In memory of Lisa Lange and Robert Lange Joshua and Allison Hirschorn
Jack and Elinor Abraham A donation
ENDOWMENT FUND Kevin and Patricia Gross
In appreciation of Rabbi Emeritus Jack Moline for reading Torah In memory of David Sattler
at the bar mitzvah of our son, Jacob Owen and Margie Ritter
Arden Levy and Anthony Sanchez HAZZAN'S DISCRETIONARY FUND
In appreciation of the Kallat B'reishit honor A donation
Rachel Goldberg and Bryan Quigley James and Gay Alper
In gratitude to the clergy and staff for preparing Leor for his bar A donation with gratitude
mitzvah Audrey Bashkin
Rachel Goldberg and Bryan Quigley Get well wishes to Ed Newberger for a full recovery
In memory of Ramon Ruiz, Mirza's father Lynne Rosenblum
Jack and Elinor Abraham In memory of Jocelyn Pearl
In memory of Rose and Paul Gaidelman Richard Adler and Andrea Nordell
Jack and Elinor Abraham In memory of Marie Langbart
SCHIFF ENDOWMENT FUND David Langbart
In memory of Edith Ziskind In memory of Merlin Kutchnsky
Robert and Gayle Weiss Joshua and Allison Hirschorn
SPIRO ADULT EDUCATION FUND In memory of Miriam Rein, Rabbi Rein's grandmother
In appreciation of Barry Nove for his assistance with the annual Richard Adler and Andrea Nordell
Rabbi Moline Lecture Series In memory of Ruth Adler, Mae Nordell, Jack Nordell & Iris
Janet Barnett Zirinsky
In memory of Harry Sandler Richard Adler and Andrea Nordell
Donald and Lynne Sandler In memory of beloved mother, Minnie Stein
SAM & ANITA TURK FUND Renee Roberts
A donation SCHONBERGER LIBRARY FUND
Anita Turk In memory of David Sattler
Happy Hanukah to Anita Turk Phillip and Farideh Schonberger
David Every In memory of Gail Newman, mother of Staci Rothman
In honor of Anita Turk's great-grandsons Phillip and Farideh Schonberger
Robert and Gayle Weiss
(Continued on page 10.)

FEBRUARY 2017 PAGE 9

IN THE FAMILY
(Continued from page 9.) SYNAGOGUE FUND
A donation
PRAYERBOOK FUND Marc Wilson and Rachael Fried
Get well wishes to Gerry Helman Roger and Lina Landsman
Barry Landau Get well wishes to Ed Newberger for continued good health
In memory of David Sattler Robert and Gayle Weiss
Evelina Moulder Get well wishes to Miriam Perlberg
In memory of Mark Goldman Robert and Gayle Weiss
Gloria Canter SYNAGOGUE FUND
PRAYERBOOK FUND In appreciation of Barbara Klestzick for helping our daughter,
In memory of Michael Kornfein Julianna, prepare Ashrei for her brother’s Bar Mitzvah
Michele Arkin Arden Levy and Anthony Sanchez
In memory of Richard Hodges In appreciation of Nancy Hailpern's return to good health
Michele Arkin Robert and Gayle Weiss
CAMP RAMAH FUND
In appreciation of my Yom Kippur aliyah
In memory of Karen Klestzick
Lynne Rosenblum
Andrea Bregstone
In honor of Don Sandler on his 90th birthday
RABBI'S DISCRETIONARY FUND
Robert and Gayle Weiss
A donation
In honor of Les Ravitz's 80th birthday
James and Gay Alper
Nancy Siegal
Gerald Friedman and Adrienne Flanders
In honor of an aliyah
A donation with gratitude
Alan and Sharon Weinstein
Audrey Bashkin
In honor of the anniversary of Cheryl and Bruce Goldhirsch
In appreciation of Diana Weil for providing nutritious and delicious
Mark and Anne Landman
meals around my surgery
In honor of the birth of the Saperstone's two new grandchildren
Edwin Newberger
Stephen and Barbara Saperstone
In appreciation of Gayle Weiss for keeping others informed after my
In memory of Adam Sher
surgery
Gordon and Ellen Horwitz
Edwin Newberger
In memory of David Sattler
In appreciation of Paul Kimmel for help getting to NIH for treatment
Barbara Klausner and family
Edwin Newberger
Dottie Bennett
In appreciation of Rabbi Rein for the Bar Mitzvah of our son, Jacob
Ellen Bravman
Sanchez
Gordon & Myra Gondos
Arden Levy and Anthony Sanchez
Leib Kaminsky
In honor of Iver Kasenetz
Howard and Sherri Kohr
Joel and Meryl Goldhammer
Sharon Sherry
In honor of Meryl Goldhammer, for whom I am grateful
Maria Voultsides & Tom Chisnel
Joel and Meryl Goldhammer
Bob Meyers and Rosemarie Rose
In honor of Rabbi Rein's promotion to Major, USAF
Ruth J. Kaufman
William and Ellyn Hirsch
Howard and Lois Silberberg
In memory of David Sattler
Jonathan Silver and Lisa Shuman
Richard & Lois Backer
In memory of Frances Barth
In memory of Isadore Bregman
Hirsch Barth
Robert and Judith Bregman
In memory of Mr and Mrs Al Woolf
In memory of Isadore Shapiro
Chindarat Rattanakun
Anita Turk
In memory of Mr. Alfred N. Posner
In memory of Janie Cohen Kleiman
Steven Posner
Joel and Meryl Goldhammer
In memory of Phillip Abraham
In memory of Miriam Rein
Jack and Elinor Abraham
Andrea Bregstone
In memory of Ramon Ruiz
Robert and Gayle Weiss
Sonya Singer Livingston
In memory of Mirza's father, Ramon Ruiz
Vic and Judy Tynes
Leib Kaminsky
In memory of mother, Rose Terner
William and Ellyn Hirsch
Elaine Malyn
Edward and Rhonda Friedler
In memory of mother, Sorita Barder
In memory of Robert A. Potash
Howard and Lois Silberberg
Janet Potash
SEFER TORAH FUND
In memory of beloved father, Seymour
In memory of Hazel Tynes, beloved mother
Joel and Meryl Goldhammer
Victor and Judith Tynes
In memory of beloved husband, Leonard Roberts
Renee Roberts
(Continued on page 14.)

AGUDAS ACHIM CONGREGATION PAGE 10

IN THE FAMILY CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
(Continued from page 10.) In memory of Paul Wengrovitz and Anna Wengrovitz
JACK MOLINE LECTURE SERIES Seymour and Judith Wengrovitz
A donation with gratitude In memory of Selma Issner, mother-in-law and grandmother of
Audrey Bashkin Bob and Jaime Levine
In memory of David Sattler Robert Levine and Jaime Levine
Robert and Gayle Weiss In memory of mother, Irene Arsenault
In memory of Jack Kabcenell, father of Ellen Wayne Joan Arsenault
Robert and Gayle Weiss
KIDDUSH DONATION
A donation SOCIAL ACTION COMMITTEE
Anita Turk
KITCHEN FUND Tikkun Olam (Repair the World)
In appreciation of Marion Wachtel for her patience and teaching to UPCOMING EVENTS
prepare Jacob for his bar mitzvah
Arden Levy and Anthony Sanchez Community Social Justice Seder
MUSIC FUND Sunday, March 11 | 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
A donation Last year eighty people from Alfred Street Baptist
Bruce Goldensohn Church and Agudas Achim Congregation shared a tradi-
In appreciation of Hazzan Dienstfrey for her teaching and guidance tional Passover Seder and focused on contemporary
of our son, Jacob Sanchez
struggles for social justice. Join Rabbi Rein, Chazan Di-
Arden Levy and Anthony Sanchez
In appreciation of Rachel Albert's return to good health enstfrey, and Reverend Dr. Judy Fentress-Williams for a
Robert and Gayle Weiss meaningful, spiritual, and powerful seder. To volunteer
In memory of Evelyn Kroudvird Rosen with planning the Hagaddah, set up or clean up, please
Robert and Gayle Weiss contact: Deborah Siegel at dnsiegel@yahoo.com. To at-
In memory of Freda Langbart tend please RSVP via http://evite.me/KPsQSkdMrq
David Langbart
International Good Deeds Day
In memory of Karen Klestzick
Sunday, April 18, 2018
Robert and Gayle Weiss
Mazel tov to the Effrons on the birth of their grandchildren Join the entire Agudas Achim Community and
congregations throughout the Washington D.C. area, and
Robert and Gayle Weiss
PRESCHOOL DONATIONS volunteers throughout the world, for a spirited day of
A donation for the preschool service. If every person in our community gives of their
Roger and Lina Landsman time and skill to help others, imagine the impact! For
In memory of Gerry and Rachel Serody more information, please contact AAC’s Good Deeds
Robin Serody Day co-chairs: Esther Miller (nykoftyme@gmail.com) or
In memory of Lisa Lange, sister-in-law of Elinor Abraham
Barbara Elkin (bjelk@aol.com).
Robert and Maureen Shapiro
In memory of Susan Gal-edd
Robert and Gayle Weiss
Mazel tov to Sharyn and Jeff Tureck on their 50th anniversary ORDER YOUR HAMENTASHEN TODAY
Allan and Mickey Lazarus
RELIGIOUS SCHOOL DONATIONS AAC USY & Kadima Fundraiser
In appreciation of Chaya Silver for her guidance, teaching and
friendship for the bar mitzvah of Jacob Sanchez To benefit the AAC USY Tikkun Olam
Arden Levy and Anthony Sanchez and Scholarship Funds
In honor of the Levy-Sanchez family
Audrey Bashkin
SENIOR PROGRAMS BY SISTERHOOD
In memory of Sadelle Lazarus, Allen's mother
Allan and Mickey Lazarus Chocolate,
TZEDEK FUND Apricot,
In memory of David Sattler
Andrew and Barbara Effron
Poppyseed
YOUNG FAMILIES PROGRAMMING $12.00/dozen, $8.00/½ dozen
In memory of Ramon Ruiz
Robert and Maureen Shapiro
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN Orders due by February 11.
A donation
Jonathan Silver and Lisa Shuman
In memory of Joseph Langbart
David Langbart
FEBRUARY 2017 P AGE 11
 SISTERHOOD DOINGS
(Continued from page 8)
Collecting Donations for BRAWS:
We are collecting tampons, pads, panti-liners as well as new bras and
underpants (please leave tags on) for BRAWS (Bringing Resources to Aid
Women's Shelters. BRAWS’s mission is to bring dignity and empowerment to
women and girls living in shelters by providing new, personally fitted
undergarments and menstrual supplies. Look for our collection box and further
details in upcoming Weekly Update emails and on the AAC website.
Questions? Contact Mindi Maline (m_maline@yahoo.com).
Kosher Cooking in Italy!
Revised dates: April 16-23
Florence, Italy
Join Elizabeth Margosches and Don Melman on an independent cooking trip
to Italy. Highlights are visits to open air markets, an olive oil and wine producer,
the museum of a famous shoe designer along with exploring the countryside. You
will meet with the Jewish communities of the region. The program includes five
cooking classes taught by Cristina Blasi and Gabriella Mari, owners of the
prestigious Scuola di Arte Culinaria "Cordon Bleu" at their new and expanded
facility in Florence. The pair is internationally renowned in kosher cuisine.
Lodging is at a Florentine family-owned hotel, centrally located in the historic
district. The cost is $3,875-per-person shared room, all inclusive except airfare with
a $550 single room supplement. Contact Don and Elizabeth (don@melman.com) for
further details.

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 IN MEMORIAM
FEBRUARY 1, 2018 SHEVAT 16, 5778 FEBRUARY 12, 2018 SHEVAT 27, 5778 FEBRUARY 22, 2018 ADAR 7, 5778
Celia Goodfarb * David F. Adler Sidney Backman
Jerome Jacobs * Shirley Buns Melvin Bernzweig
Leon Milewich Holly Fink * Aaron Joseph
Dorothy Nathan * Nathan C. Maulitz * Esther Kramer
Elmore (Bub) Isaac Schuman * Selma Silverman Shirley Lucas
FEBRUARY 2, 2018 SHEVAT 17, 5778 FEBRUARY 13, 2018 SHEVAT 28, 5778 Sarah Perlman
Sheldon S. Barke * Hazel Charles Carol Ann Stellings
Lee H Berman Brian Forman FEBRUARY 23, 2018 ADAR 8, 5778
Denis Aron Cooper Arlene Palman Victor Cohn
Isaac Pickell * Leatrice Penberg * George Goldhirsch
* David Shimberg FEBRUARY 14, 2018 SHEVAT 29, 5778 Eva Peltz
* Ram Singh Charles Hersch * Solomon Ruskin
Milton Aaron Zuckerman Pearl Hirschorn * Solomon Singer
FEBRUARY 3, 2018 SHEVAT 18, 5778 * Yerachmiel Chayim Mendelson FEBRUARY 24, 2018 ADAR 9, 5778
* Morris Herbert Chosch Louise Ratner Richard Bob
* Ella Fendrich Zelda Ziskind Florence Brown
* Richard D Froelke FEBRUARY 15, 2018 SHEVAT 30, 5778 * Abraham Frankel
Sidney Salters * Harvey Feldman * Patricia Ann Kasenetz, MD
* Bessie Serody William Friedler * Kate C. Lainof
Lester Strasburger Marion Goldberg * Selma Lowell
Louis Woolf Rosalyn Hirschorn * Regina Rothleder
Rachel Ziskind * Fred Swartz Louis Switzer
FEBRUARY 4, 2018 SHEVAT 19, 5778 Audrey Yalowitz
FEBRUARY 16, 2018 ADAR 1, 5778
Daniel S. Barke Aaron D. Duberstein FEBRUARY 25, 2018 ADAR 10, 5778
Herman Joseph Lazarus * Rebecca Lehman Florence Appell
Daniel Meritz John Siegel Anne Borden
Eva Pack * Selma Wishnatzki * Sidney R. Donner
Elizabeth Smith Bernard Fagelson
FEBRUARY 17, 2018 ADAR 2, 5778
* Harold Sugarman * Albert Gelfand
* Leon Flax
Lillian Walter * Blume Lieberman
Sam Goldberg
Sidney Weinberger Marvin Pullman
Floyd Holloway
FEBRUARY 5, 2018 SHEVAT 20, 5778 Edna Salzberg
* Alfred Landau
Louis Chapman * Max Weintraub
* Abe Mendelson
* Sam Harry Fierstein Barbara Wilson
* Abeh Ben Nachman Mendelson
* Mollie Appel Koffler Henry Yalowitz
* Abraham Nachman
Etta Labowitz Morris Pollak FEBRUARY 26, 2018 ADAR 11, 5778
Barbara Ring * Paul M. Arons
FEBRUARY 18, 2018 ADAR 3, 5778
Esther Gertrude Rosen * Adolph Berg
Louise Fradkin
Sophie Sachs * Julius Berg
* Minnie Kasse
* Julius Siegel * Joseph Forman
Jacqueline Lee
Netty Vaupen * Louis Katz
* Meyer Rabinovitz
FEBRUARY 6, 2018 SHEVAT 21, 5778 * William Katz
Bernard Rapoport
Anita Sherman Auerhan * Hilda Kaufman Kerster
David Ziskind
Augustin Spottswood * Joseph Koffler
FEBRUARY 19, 2018 ADAR 4, 5778
FEBRUARY 27, 2018 ADAR 12, 5778
FEBRUARY 7, 2018 SHEVAT 22, 5778 * Samuel Borden
* Miriam Abraham * Sarah T. Amorky
* Marvin Hertz Kahn
Zadell Cogan * David Chadab
Valerie Rosenbaum
* Benjamin Frommer * Eleanor Lillian Cooper
Thelma M. Sanders
* Ruth Greifer
FEBRUARY 8, 2018 SHEVAT 23, 5778 * Yetta Stokols
* Jerome Grossman
Annette Kaskel Bernstein FEBRUARY 20, 2018 ADAR 5, 5778 Marcia Melnick
Dorothy Perlman * Sondra Ainsfield Fannye Passamaneck
* Rose Shapiro * Isaac Chapman * William Steiner
* Morris Yellin * William David Goldberg Morris Zetlin
FEBRUARY 9, 2018 SHEVAT 24, 5778 Abe Goodfarb
FEBRUARY 28, 2018 ADAR 13, 5778
* Perry Lee Amazon Annette Goodfarb
Stuart J Aaronson
Helen Keller Loren Jeffrey Kushnir
* Jacob Appel
Sophie Schifrin * Robert I. Lainof
Harold Ashkenas
Leah Chavel Stein * Dorothy Lipnick
* Frieda Ezrine
Regina Newman
FEBRUARY 10, 2018 SHEVAT 25, 5778 * Charles Gerstein
* Esther Engel Peter Rosenbaum
* Mary Katz
Philip Roth * Gloria Laura Shimberg
Abraham Klutch
FEBRUARY 11, 2018 SHEVAT 26, 5778 * Stanford Weiss
* Ethel Koffler
Murray Richer FEBRUARY 21, 2018 ADAR 6, 5778 * Charlotte Doris Shapiro
Louis Safren Irene Margosches
* Harry Aaron Meyerson
* A memorial light will be lit in the synagogue for those names marked with an asterisk.

FEBRUARY 2017 P AGE 13

 ProfilesofOurLEADERS
Kenlabowitz by Carol Backman

Agudas Achim President, Ken diseases,” Ken explains. He has practiced law in Alexandria
Labowitz, has the unique distinction of since 1970 with Fagelson and Schonberger, also members of
becoming a Bar Mitzvah in the Grand Agudas Achim Congregation. In the 1980’s this group was
Synagogue in Brussels, Belgium. “I gave the most prominent Jewish law firm in Alexandria.
my Bar Mitzvah speech in English and Currently, Ken is a Public Guardian for Alexandria. “I
French, but I don’t remember it now,” take care of old people and their money,” jokes Ken. He
recalls Ken. His parents, Alan and Rhoda, deals with conflict in family, end of life, and mental health
longtime synagogue members, lived in issues where money is involved.
Belgium when Alan served in the Foreign Service for the
State Department. Ken also has another unique distinction. He is the third
member of his family to be president of the congregation after
Ken was born in Chester, Pennsylvania, and moved to his father and his wife. He has been a member since 1982, a
Fairfax County when he was three. They moved to Silver member of the Board of Directors from 2001- 2004, and he
Spring, Maryland, in 1957 where Ken attended Northwood has served as congregation lawyer for the past twenty years.
High School. He graduated from Grinnell College in Iowa
with a B.A. in Economics and Political Science. With a background in law and finance, Ken says his
goals for the congregation are to make the finances as
“There was no organized Jewish community there, and transparent as possible, to improve communication between
students ran their own services,” says Ken. His first date with the leadership and the members, and to have everyone
his wife, Patti Rounsevell, was a Passover seder when they treated equally.
were both seniors in college. Ken and Patti will celebrate the
Fiftieth anniversary of their meeting in 2018. “My wife’s participation is very helpful to me. She keeps
a kosher home and has inspired our family to become far
Ken and Patti have three children. Sarah, 35, is a more observant,” says Ken. He notes that Patti participated
professor of Business and Human Rights at New York in Jewish life even before she converted to Judaism, which
University. She just moved to Houston, and will work with he credits to Jack Moline. “When Patti converted, it was a
reconstruction after Hurricane Harvey. Ethan, 32, lives in natural progression for our children to convert. They have
Boston. He is a professional inventor in electronics. Susanna, never considered themselves anything different,” Ken adds.
28, lives in New Orleans and is applying to graduate schools.
The Labowitz family went to Israel in 2005 on a
Ken graduated from Southern Methodist University Law congregational trip led by Rabbi Moline. “It was a beautiful
School in Dallas, Texas, planning to be a criminal defense place, and the food was terrific. Seeing the diversity of the
lawyer, but he didn’t think he was very good at it and changed of the Jews living there from redheads to Black people was
to discrimination law. In the 1980’s Ken was one of the first amazing,” observes Ken.
lawyers to represent people with AIDS and HIV. His clients
were the first teacher, first doctor, and the last school child “This is the kind of congregation I have always wanted to
who filed suits for discrimination for having AIDS. be part of, respectful, egalitarian, while still maintaining the
same tradition. I will be very happy if I can be half as successful
“We won all three cases, because the other side couldn’t a president as my father and wife before me,” Ken says.
prove there was a risk far more dangerous than with other

PROGRAMMING WITH OUR SHLICHA, MIRI BERNOVSKY

MONTHLY ISRAEL BOOK CLUB
Thursday, February 1 | 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon
We will discuss the book “Murder on a Kibbutz” by
Batya Gur, who is considered the “The Israeli Agatha
Christie.”
MONTHLY ISRAEL FILM SERIES
Wednesday February 21 | 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
We will watch “Sand Storm”, a movie that tells the story
of two Bedouin women, a mother and daughter. The movie
was chosen to represent Israel at the Oscars.
WINDOWS ON ISRAEL
Saturday, February 3 | 12:30 p.m.
Israel's Bedouin Challenge - a Personal and
Professional Perspective: Miri will discuss the Bedouin
population in Israel and discuss her personal background as
a social worker who worked with dozens of Bedouin foster
families in the Negev.
SHULHAN IVRIT – CONVERSATIONAL HEBREW
Wednesdays | 10:00-11:30 a.m.
Join us once or every week to learn and practice
Hebrew through conversation and modern examples.

AGUDAS ACHIM CONGREGATION PAGE 14

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Agudas Achim Congregation WHAT’S INSIDE . . .
2908 Valley Drive JDAIM SHABBAT............................page 1
Alexandria, VA 22302 SERVICE SCHEDULE.........................page 2
Phone: 703-998-6460 Fax: 703-998-5843 RABBI’S MESSAGE...........................page 2
WORLD WIDE WRAP........................page 2
The Bulletin is published monthly - ISSN1084-9858 KAVANAH MINYAN...........................page 2
ACCOUNTING UPDATE......................page 3
Rabbi .....................................................................….…………Steven I. Rein MENS’ CLUB MESCHENINGS.............page 3
Hazzan..........................................................................Elisheva R. Dienstfrey MAH KOREH....................................page 4
Rabbi Emeritus...............................................................................Jack Moline DEAR HAZZAN.................................page 5
Executive Director.....................................................................….Barry Nove SENIORS LUNCH AND LEARN............page 5
Youth/Education Director...........….……….................................Chaya Silver PRESCHOOL NEWS..........................page 6
Preschool Director……............................................................….Jen Halpern YOUNG FAMILIES.............................page 6
Shlicha.………………………………………………………Miri Bernovsky BRINGING ISRAEL TO AGUDAS.........page 7
President……..……………………………………………Kenneth Labowitz EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE...page 8
Sisterhood President.….……….........….……………………...Lenore Garon SISTERHOOD DOINGS.......................page 8
Men’s Club President..........................…..………………………Elliot Parkin JUDAICA SHOP................................page 8
Communication Specialist.....………………….………………Marya Runkle IN THE FAMILY.................................page 9
SOCIAL ACTION COMMITTEE..........page 11
Email: synagogue@agudasachim-va.org USY HAMENTASHEN FUNDRAISER..page 11
Web: www.agudasachim-va.org Facebook: facebook.com/agudasachim SISTERTHOOD DOINGS...................page 12
YAHRZEITS....................................page 13
WHAT’S AHEAD . . . PROFILES OF OUR LEADERS ..........page 14
Wednesdays, 10:00 a.m............................................Conversational Hebrew PROGRAMMING - SHLICHA..............page 14
Fridays, 9:00 a.m...........................................................Talmud Study Class
Saturdays, 9:00 a.m. ....................................................Parashat Ha’Shavua
Saturdays, 11:00 a.m.................................................................Gan Shabbat

Thursday, February 1..........................................Monthly Israel Book Club

Saturday, February 3.......................................................Windows on Israel
Sunday, February 4...........................................................World Wide Wrap
Oh Say, Shalom Sing-a-Long
Thursday, February 8......................................Sisterhood Ladies Night Out
Friday, February 9...............................................JDAIM Kabbalat Shabbat
Saturday, February 10..........................................JDAIM Shabbat Speaker
Sunday, February 11.........................................JDAIM Mini-Film Festival
Knitting Club
Friday, February 16...........................................Shababy Kabbalat Shabbat
Monday, February 19....................................................AAC Offices Closed
Wednesday, February 21....................................Monthly Israel Film Series
Saturday, February 24.......................................................Kavanah Minyan
Sunday, February 25............................................................Purim Carnival
Wednesday, February 28...................................................Megillah Reading

Time Value
Alexandria, VA
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U.S. Postage Alexandria, VA 22302
Non-Profit Org. 2908 Valley Drive
Agudas Achim Congregation