Yom Kippur Speaker Is Preeminent Expert On James Baldwin
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SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2020
TISHREI/CHESHVAN 5781
FROM RABBI ZEMEL
Yom Kippur Speaker Is
THE WEAPONS WE
NEED NOW ARE Preeminent Expert On
JUSTICE, TRUTH AND James Baldwin
PEACE By Fr a n Dauth
DEAR FRIENDS, The scholar Rabbi Zemel calls “the Rabbi Zemel,
intellectual thought leader on matters who noted that
We anticipate 5781 with urgency and
of racism” in America, Eddie S. Glaude Glaude is “the
anxiety. This year our world rests on
Jr., will address Temple Micah on Yom preeminent Dr. Eddie S. Glaude Jr.
three pivotal things:
1. Racism Kippur. scholar on James
2. Pandemic Glaude is the James S. McDonnell Baldwin,” said that for Temple Micah
3. Election Distinguished University Professor of to have him on Yom Kippur to “dis-
As Hillel said, “All the rest African American Studies at Princeton cuss American atonement and racism
is commentary.” And, just as University where he also chairs the underscores Micah’s commitment to be
with Torah, there is so much Department of African American a place where we strive to be both fully
commentary. Studies. Glaude, who will be joined by Jewish and fully American.”
This moment in time seems to ask Temple Micah member Gayle Wald, Glaude’s most recent book is “Begin
questions of us, relentlessly. Are we
will speak at 3 p.m.
taking the proper precautions for our CO N TI N U E D O N PAG E 6 ;
families and ourselves? Are we doing
enough to help others? Are we living
lives that meet the urgent demands
of the moment? What should we be
doing? What can we do?
Planning High Holy Days Services
I struggle to think about these ques-
tions through a Jewish framework. The
For the Moment We Are Living In
most basic message of Torah is that our By Fr a n Dauth
lives are precious, sacred and filled with
potential. We are each, after all, created Planning for the High Holy Days with even part of our worship team
in the image of God. Our Sinai covenant this year began in early March with being there.”
offers a path to turn our inherent sacred what would be the first of many, many That decision meant a lot of work
potential into deep and abiding sacred difficult decisions: whether to move pre-recording parts of the service well
meaning. The covenant is our path to everything online. in advance. All of which meant that
lives of purpose. It is our moral impera- In recalling that decision, Rabbi planning for virtual High Holy Days
tive, our understanding of our place in Zemel says above all else the leader- services began in May “just so we would
the world.
ship was following the advice of “our know what we were up against,” Rabbi
Even with this sacred Sinai covenant,
medical advisors,” physicians Richard Zemel said.
the human heart wrestles with the
question of meaning. Ecclesiastes won- Katz and David Skorton and epidemi- CO N TI N U E D O N PAG E 7 ;
ders aloud if all is futile. Job, in his inno- ologist Manya Magnus. All are Micah
cence, cries out that things don’t add congregants.
up the way they should. The psalmist The advice, he said, was “the more
reminds us that our days are like grass singing, the more singers,” the more Got questions about BIPOC?
that wither in the sun. danger. “We took their advice so seri-
Meaning vs. Futility is our age-old
We’ve got answers on Page 7
ously that we decided to not do any of
struggle. It is the struggle we confront the services live from the sanctuary
CO N TI N U E D O N PAG E 5 ;
2 TISH R E I/CH ESHVAN 5781
“Every person shall sit under PRESIDENT ’S COLUMN
his grapevine or fig tree with
no one to make him afraid.”
M I CA H , C H A P T E R 4 , V E R S E 4 MY GRANDFATHER PORT WOULD HAVE
LOVED TEMPLE MICAH
Vine
Vol. 57 No.1
By Joshua Ber m a n
It was my grandfather’s yahrzeit one Friday
earlier last month. My mom’s dad. “Port”
questions. A psychiatrist’s dream, no? Our
joining together to listen to distinguished
TEMPLE MICAH— everyone called him (his last name was panelists sorting out today’s dilemmas? He’d
A REFORM JEWISH CONGREGATION Portnoy, but he never complained). On the be in attendance.
2829 Wisconsin Ave, NW Zoom Friday night Shabbat I squinted and Being an accomplished pianist who loved
Washington, D.C. 20007 found my mom and dad (screen 3 of 6) join- music — a trait he passed down to my
Voice: 202-342-9175 ing our services from California to observe mom, and to me, and now my boys as some
Fax: 202-342-9179
his Yahrzeit with the Micah of you know from past Purim shpiels and
Email: info@templemicah.org
vine@templemicah.org
community. high holiday chanting — he would applaud
Web: templemicah.org
I don’t remember my with gusto our singing and clapping, our
grandfather to be a par- guitar plucking and keyboard playing. I know
Daniel G. Zemel ticularly religious man. For he would look forward to hearing our choir,
RABBI
as long as I knew him, he whether live in the sanctuary or via the
Josh Beraha never belonged to a temple wonders of the internet. And he would tell
ASSOCIATE RABBI
and rarely stepped foot in a me it’s ok to clap joyously during services or
Stephanie Crawley sanctuary, although I fondly at least at the appropriate moments.
ASSISTANT RABBI
remember him at my bar Which leads me to what he’d think about
Rachel Gross mitzvah. our relationship with social justice. That’s an
E XECUTIVE DIRECTOR
But what he lacked in formal religious easy one. I can close my eyes and almost
Teddy Klaus
MUSIC DIRECTOR
observance, he made up for in his spiri- see him nodding approvingly and quietly,
tual core. He called himself a “Workmen cheering on how Micah cares about the
Debra Winter
WORSHIP MUSIC ARTIST
Circle Jew,” was educated in the Arbeiter broader community. My grandfather left
Ring (Workmen’s Circle) Schools, sent his Ukraine when he was only one and never
Sharon Tash
EDUCATION DIRECTOR
four daughters to Kinder Ring Camp and forgot the family memory of that persecu-
together with my grandmother and their tion or the open arms of America when he
BOARD OF DIRECTORS four daughters celebrated holidays, engaged came to Ellis Island. Twenty-five years later
in rituals, connected with everyday working he joined the U.S. army and fought in World
Joshua Berman
PRESIDENT folks and embraced their Jewish commu- War II, protecting democracy from tyranny.
Rielle Miller Gabriel
nity. My mom and her sisters even learned He would like the way our Micah family
VICE PRESIDENT Yiddish, about which I still have mixed feel- has woven our spirituality, our rituals, our
Harriet Tritell ings, because of course it was the “secret” religion and our community together to
SECRETARY language they used when they didn’t want push back against oppression. He would
David Wentworth us children to understand. have joined those at Micah who challenge
TRE ASURER So during our Micah Zoom Shabbat last the oppression of those who face discrimi-
Martha Adler month, I couldn’t help but think about what nation because of the color of their skin or
Mark Blumenthal my grandfather would make of our Temple the God to whom they pray. He would sup-
Marina Fanning Micah Jewish community and our rituals. port Sukkat Shalom and our efforts to stop
Brent Goldfarb Sure, he would probably shake his head in the oppression of borders closed to those
Jim Hamos surprise at today’s technology and the 165 in need. He’d be proud of the Micah House
Jennifer Kaplan or so mini screens with friends and family effort to stop the oppression of women
Leesa Klepper across the region and the world as he died fighting abuse and addiction. And this fall,
Heather Moran
in 2000, a month after bravely mustering up the man who served our country in combat
Sonia Pearson White
Robin Rudowitz
the strength to attend Amy’s and my wed- would be especially proud of our collec-
Josh Seidman ding. But regardless of format, I think he’d tive efforts to protect the right to vote
be in awe of our community. (whether it be by mail or in-person) and
VINE STAFF A New York psychoanalyst, he deeply resist the oppression of leaders who try to
Fran Dauth believed in people and our human relation- suppress votes. He fought for freedom and
CO-EDITOR
ships. He understood that each of us, in our justice. He’d love the way we “do.”
Kate Kiggins own ways, need to search for our connec- I’m deeply honored to be part of Temple
CO-EDITOR
tions and thicken them. Book clubs and Micah — a community that my grandfather
AURAS Design Torah study? If they bring people together, would have loved. I look forward to serv-
PRODUCTION
he’d give a thumbs up. “Ask the Rabbis?” ing as your board president as we sing, pray
He’d love the search for answers through and challenge injustice together.
SE PTEMBE R /OCTOBE R 2020 3
The Feast
THE GRILLED CHICKEN WITH SPICY NOODLES EDITION
By A lex a n dr a Wisotsk y
When I talked to Betsy Broder especially loves about being a part of
months ago about sharing a favorite Micah Cooks. “We create sacred space
recipe for the Vine she commented that around food.”
her family often cooks together as a way Betsy and David raised both of their
of “communicating, sharing love and daughters, Caroline and Ariel, at Micah
experiences.” from kindergarten through religious
That was before we began the pan- school and their bat mitzvahs to both
demic lockdown. Can you believe little serving on the MiTY Board. Betsy
has changed since then? And now that served on the Micah Board of Directors
we are still cooking at home Betsy’s for six years, three as president. Her
comments are even more important. husband David Wentworth is a current
Don’t you agree? board member.
Betsy feels the same way about The recipe that Betsy chose to share
Temple Micah, where she and her hus- was published in 1986 in Gourmet
band David Wentworth joined in the magazine, as part of a then-recurring
early 1990s. It is a place that “feels like article featuring a recipe from a particu- of the recipe cut out from the maga-
home,” she said, adding that it’s a place lar restaurant, in this case Café Sport zine 34 years ago. “It was the first
where lots of its components include in Seattle. (Cafe Sport closed in 1993.) recipe to come to mind because it has
food. Betsy finds the recipe all the more spe- become a standard meal for the Broder-
“It is a place to show love, to share cial because her late mother first intro- Wentworth family. Whenever we are all
and to nourish each other” Betsy told duced it to the family. together, someone will say ‘Let’s just do
me during our chat. This is what Betsy Betsy still has a well-worn copy sesame noodles Café Sport,’ ” she said.
GRILLED CHICKEN WITH SPICY NOODLES CAFÉ SPORT
(Adapted from May 1986 Gourmet Magazine)
Serves 6
Ingredients: Steps:
For the Dressing: 1. Cook noodles according to package directions, drain and
• 3 tablespoons smooth peanut butter rinse under cold water, then place in a covered bowl to
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce chill in the refrigerator.
• 3 tablespoons well stirred tahini
2. Make the dressing by stirring together the peanut butter
• 1-½ tablespoons sesame oil
and 2 tablespoons water. Whisk in one at a time the soy
• 1-½ tablespoons dry sherry
sauce, tahini, sesame oil, sherry, rice vinegar, garlic, red
• 1-½ tablespoons rice vinegar
pepper flakes and ginger. Whisk well after each addi-
• 2 tablespoons honey
tion. Cover and refrigerate to chill.
• ¾ teaspoon minced garlic
• ¾ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes 3. Make the marinade by whisking together the honey,
• ¾ teaspoon peeled minced gingerroot oil, lemon juice, garlic and soy sauce until it is well
For the Marinade: combined.
• ¼ cup honey
4. Dip the chicken in the marinade and grill on a barbeque
• ¼ cup soy oil (or other neutral oil like canola)
or a stovetop grill pan over medium-hot heat for 4 min-
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
utes. Turn and cook for 2 more minutes, or until chicken
• ½ teaspoon minced garlic
springs back when touched. Transfer the chicken to a
• 1-½ teaspoons soy sauce
plate and slice thinly.
• 3 whole skinless, boneless chicken breasts, each cut in half
• 8 oz Asian noodles (such as rice or thin egg noodles such 5. In a bowl, toss the cooked noodles with the dressing.
as linguini) Transfer to a serving dish and arrange the chicken on top.
4 TISH R E I/CH ESHVAN 5781
SPEAKING AT MICAH
LUNCH & LEARN
Wednesdays from noon to 1:30 pm
A monthly program sponsored by the Aging Together Team. Reserve online at templemicah.org. For details, contact
Phyllis Posner or Nancy Raskin at lunchandlearn@templemicah.org or the temple office at 202-342-9175. The Zoom
link for the Virtual Lunch & Learn programs will be sent after registration.
Oct. 14 – Paul Goldberg on “Fiction and Nonfiction, as Written by Paul Goldberg, Author of
Both.” He will be interviewed by his wife, Susan Coll, herself the author of several novels and
president of the Pen/Faulkner Foundation. Goldberg is a science journalist and book author.
His first foray into fiction, “The Yid,” a comedy presenting an alternative history of Stalin’s
death, was named as a finalist for both the Sami Rohr Prize for Jewish Literature and the
National Jewish Book Award for Debut Fiction. Goldberg’s nonfiction includes works on the
U.S. healthcare system and the Soviet human rights movement.
Micah Members Were There Then and Are Still Going Strong Today
By Shelley Grossm a n
Seven of the 12 Temple Micah mem- In preparing for the service, which she continued, “I surely didn’t think
bers who were born in 1940 led a took place July 25, some members of that in my lifetime we would see a
Shabbat morning service this summer the 1940 cohort reminisced about the Black president.”
to celebrate and express gratitude for impact of those historical episodes on That mindset also promotes a
reaching the age of 80. their lives then, and their full lives today. positive attitude, a major ingredient of
They also did it, they said, to demon- In doing so, 1940 cohort member continued youthfulness, according to
strate to the community and to them- Andrea Brown cautioned that “remem- members of the group.
selves just how young 80-year-olds could bering the past, but not living in the For instance, Andrea Brown said, she
be these days. past” is vital to keeping her youthful stays young by focusing on “resilience and
This was not the cohort’s first time outlook on life. wanting to participate in life, living in the
to lead a summer service to emphasize Geri Nielsen, one of the three coor- present and planning for the future.”
their youthfulness. It was the third such dinators of the July service, noted it is Cohort members were babies when
celebration. Earlier the 1940 cohort important to remember that while his- the United States joined World War II
marked their 70th and 75th birthday torical facts remain the same, our under- in December 1941, but some early mem-
years, each emphasizing continued standing of them changes over the years. ories remain sharp. This reporter, one
youthfulness. In 2010, for example, the “It’s all so relative. Who would have of the service coordinators, remembers
theme was “70 is the new 45.” thought we’d be able to walk a mile seeing men in uniform frequently walk
The group’s emphasis on youthful- and do exercises when we got to be through her neighborhood in Chicago
ness is balanced by its awareness of all 80?” she said. in the early ’40s.
the history its members have witnessed The pandemic isn’t the group’s first Peggy Banks, the third service coor-
over the past eight decades, provid- health scourge. “In the ’50s, there was dinator, has a darker recollection: “My
ing fodder for memories, good and polio and all those kids were in iron most vivid memories were being terri-
bad: World War II and its aftermath lungs,” Genie Grohman recalled. Even fied by the newsreels of the war that
in the 1940s; the 1950s with polio, the the kids who escaped the disease felt an were shown at the movies.”
Korean War and the McCarthy era; impact. “We couldn’t go to the swim- Ed Rastatter’s war memory is much
the wild ‘60s turned purposeful by civil ming pool,” she said. happier. “I remember walking down
rights activism and the anti-Vietnam Helene Granof takes the long view the street banging on a cook pot to cel-
War movement; the rise of the women’s of aging. “An advantage of having lived ebrate the end of World War II.”
movement and political controversy 80-plus years is perspective,” she said. However, none of the cohort inter-
in the ’70s, and so on for four more “As a child I never imagined we would viewed for this article brought up the
decades. actually put men on the moon.” Nor, CO N TI N U E D O N PAG E 9 ;SE PTEMBE R /OCTOBE R 2020 5
A MESSAGE ON ENSURING TEMPLE MICAH’S FUTURE
By Sue Alpern-Fisch
How do we ensure that our unique and vibrant congrega- consistent, stable flow of income for our long-range finan-
tional home thrives for decades to come? How do we build cial health.
upon the Temple Micah that was created for us in the past, Past generations of Micah families laid the foundation
sustain the Temple Micah that we have been strengthening for our extraordinary congregation. It is up to us to assure
in the present, and invest in all that Temple Micah has yet to that a robust and inspiring Temple Micah is here for gen-
become in the future? erations to come.
Whether making a bequest in your will, naming Micah For more information on the Planned Giving program,
as a beneficiary of your retirement plans, pensions or life please contact Executive Director Rachel Gross, or Board
insurance, giving a gift of appreciated stock, or designat- Member Jim Hamos, by emailing them at Plannedgiving@
ing a charitable gift annuity, you can help provide a stable templemicah.org.
base of financial resources well into the future. Together, we can create a lasting legacy enriching the
You may also choose to give to our permanently future of our remarkable temple.
restricted Endowment Fund, or our quasi-endowment
Legacy Fund, both of which will benefit Micah through Editor’s note: Sue Alpern-Fisch is Temple Micah’s develop-
appreciation and growth of the principal and generate a ment consultant
Rabbi’s Message FROM PAGE 1 ; is not repeated. powerfully to our American became physicians, philoso-
These are just some of the challenge to confront racism. phers and poets. Truths may
every year on the Holy Days. steps this nation must take to I highly recommend both be eternal, but our knowledge
It also is a struggle for this address the systemic racism “Democracy in Black” as well as of them is not: as we grow in
unique time in our lives, this that we have created and that his newest work, “Begin Again: knowledge, we see truths more
historic period we find our- continues to this day. Creating James Baldwin’s America and its clearly. It will be the truths
selves living in. a just society will require both Urgent Lessons for Our Own”. learned from modern medi-
This extended period of national and local efforts not Our community has always cal science that will rescue the
self-isolation has sharpened only to educate our popu- sought to engage the searing world from this pandemic. If
my perspective on many mat- lace and reform our laws, but questions of our day in a seri- our national leadership had
ters and has intensified my to adapt our rituals as well. ous way. If we yearn for Micah paid heed to modern medi-
awe for and commitment to We need to forge a new, more to be a place where we can cal science, thousands of lives
Torah wisdom. inclusive and honest narra- be both fully Jewish and fully would have been saved. This
If our world teeters on tive, the story we tell ourselves American, how can we not con- is a national sin, and we will
the threefold challenges of about who we are. We will sider our nation’s greatest sin mourn the unnecessary loss of
pandemic, racism and the then need to address how we on our own Day of Atonement? life during our Holy Days.
approaching election, my Jewish celebrate this narrative ritually The fight against the Finally, Rabbi Shimon
response is similar to that of in our American calendar year pandemic also is a struggle teaches us that the world
Rabbi Shimon ben Gamaliel such that a new American narra- for truth, the second pillar stands on peace. Never has
of antiquity who taught, “The tive becomes embedded in the taught by Rabbi Shimon. We our nation approached an
world stands on three things: identity of future generations. live in an era in which the Election Day with a greater
justice, truth and peace.” Ending systemic racism also European Enlightenment is sense of unease than this
The call to end racism is requires a personal reckon- under siege. I believe that year. We all watch in horror
a call to justice. The path to ing. As we each search out our we must be unyielding in our as our national leadership
justice will not be easy. For own litany of individual sins in fight to preserve the prin- turns our cities into milita-
America, it will be a call to this past year, we are also each ciples of the Enlightenment rized combat zones, desta-
atonement, a “moral reckon- called to search out the ways for our future and ourselves. bilizes the Western Alliance,
ing,” to use the language of the we have contributed to our The Enlightenment gave us and supports autocratic dic-
Rev. William Barber. In Jewish national sin. our modern Judaism, freeing tator strongmen around the
life, we call this teshuvah, or To help us in our search, our it from prejudice and supersti- globe. Our national leader
repentance. Repentance is an Micah community will welcome tion. Our Judaism welcomes even strives to create turmoil
arduous process. True repen- Prof. Eddie S. Glaude Jr., a pro- truth from all quarters, not regarding the very essence
tance requires thorough self- fessor of African-American just Torah but equally from the of democracy — voting. The
examination: admitting wrong, studies at Princeton University, world of science and the arts. peaceful transfer of power has
acknowledging pain, making to speak to us on Yom Kippur The Talmud valued the phys- been a hallmark of American
restitution and then resetting afternoon. Professor Glaude’s ics, astronomy and mathemat- democracy since our nation’s
the table to ensure the wrong writing speaks poignantly and ics of its time; medieval rabbis CO N TI N U E D O N PAG E 1 1 ;6 TISH R E I/CH ESHVAN 5781
HOW THE MICAH WEBSITE GOT A LOT MORE LIVELY
By Fr a n Dauth
The updated Temple Micah web- Director Rachel Gross, Micah Board function that will allow access to the
site, which will debut in October, was Member Martha Adler and former membership directory and provide
designed to better reflect “our personal- staff member Maya Sungold who com- Zoom codes and passwords for services
ity,” to “show how cool Micah is” and to prised the project team, sought to or programs.
brighten what has increasingly become make the website more concise and Lokoff is not a graphic designer but
the synagogue’s front door. make it easier to find information as much in her resume made her an ideal
It will likely surprise none of us who quickly as possible. And they wanted candidate for her Micah job.
grew up without computers, that the it to be more attractive by using dif- She graduated from American
leader of the team in charge of redesign- ferent colors, different type fonts, and University where she concentrated on
ing Temple Micah’s website was about 6 new terminology such as Milestones studio art and education, preparation,
when her family first got one. instead of Life Cycle as topic head- she says, to be an art teacher.
Nor should anyone be surprised ings. Or as Lokoff puts it, “a little Instead, she became an art curator,
in the age of pandemic that Amy more fun and relaxed” to show “our event organizer and an arts administra-
Lokoff did most of the work from her personality.” tor. She held posts at the Anacostia Arts
bedroom. Part of the process was finding a web Center and various art galleries in the
Lokoff, who joined the Temple designer. Lokoff says she quickly learned District.
Micah staff as administrative associate/ that there were firms that specialize in A curious aside: In one of those posi-
communications in February, is yes, 30 doing the work for synagogues. tions she ran an auction, something that
years old. Her arrival neatly coincided Micah hired Addicott Web that it seemed she might work on at Micah
with Micah’s plunge into a digital world describes itself as “a Raleigh-based in what are now the Before Times.
as nearly every aspect of temple life website company with a passion for Lokoff’s LinkedIn description of
went online. working with synagogues and Jewish her when she was a self-employed inde-
While the website redesign was non-profits.” pendent curator probably is the best
in the works before the pandemic, Working with Addicott Web, Lokoff way to understand why she and Micah
COVID-19 underscored the need to says, made her “think intentionally” were a match: “Amy is a curator, event
update the Micah home page. because the folks there asked questions organizer, and arts administrator based
The goal, Lokoff says, was “to look that were “eye-opening” in thinking in DC. She uses her work to explore
modern.” For viewers – members and about the website. inclusive community building, using
visitors – “to see us as a fresh and active The biggest change, planned to the arts as a tool for social change, the
congregation.” come after the initial rollout, will be value of resource sharing and financial
Lokoff, along with Executive the introduction of a member login sustainability for creatives.” u
Yom Kippur Speaker FROM PAGE 1 ; a Princeton publication that he was from Princeton, a master’s degree in
“hopeful that we are at a moment to African American studies from Temple
Again: James Baldwin’s America and its really reach for a genuine democratic University and a bachelor’s degree
Urgent Lessons for Our Own.” society – not just for African Americans in political science from Morehouse
In a review in July, the New York but for the country in general.” College. He was born in Moss Point,
Times commented, “Glaude is more He continued, in what now seems to Mississippi.
explicit about looking to Baldwin not be prophetical, to declare: In the Princeton interview he
just for perspective and inspiration but “The contradictions are such now said “I’m challenging my students to
for instruction and guidance. that if we don’t, all hell will break think about how fragile the American
“Combining elements of biography, loose. I can’t have any other faith other democratic project is, to understand
criticism and memoir, ‘Begin Again’ than in us. We will have to save the the complexities of this fragile experi-
aims to think with Baldwin and to country.” ment from the vantage point of African
interrogate how an insidious view of More recently, on Aug. 27th of this Americans and to see that the complex-
race, in the form of Trumpism, contin- year, Glaude wrote on Twitter: ity says something about who we are as
ues to frustrate any effort ‘to achieve “James Baldwin provocatively argued Americans generally.
our country.’” that when it comes to policing in this “African American culture and life
Four and a half years ago, a few days country black people are still living offer an extraordinary lens for them to
before President Trump’s inaugura- under ‘slave codes.’” see, to understand and to imagine dif-
tion, Glaude said in an interview for Glaude earned a Ph.D. in religion ferently what this country can be.” uSE PTEMBE R /OCTOBE R 2020 7
If You Have Questions About BIPOC at Micah, Here Are
Some Answers
You may have seen that a BIPOC affinity Q. Why start a BIPOC affinity group at Q. Can any Micah member supportive of
group is forming at Temple Micah. And Temple Micah? the objectives join this group?
you may have questions, starting with A. While Micah is a welcoming and A. Any Micah member who self-identi-
what does the acronym BIPOC mean? The friendly place, for BIPOC who identify fies as a BIPOC is welcome to join this
answer to that one is Black, Indigenous, as Jewish or who are “Jewish adjacent” group. For those who don’t self-identify
People of Color. (spouses or others who support someone as a BIPOC, please also reach out to me.
Micah member Yolanda Savage-Narva who is Jewish) – there is a need to have a If there is enough interest, there is a pos-
is leading the effort. She is the executive place at Micah or any other space that is sibility of forming a second group called
director of Operation Understanding DC, predominantly white where they can dis- “friends of BIPOC” who are interested in
a nonprofit organization that promotes cuss issues unique to them. learning about BIPOC issues as friends/
understanding, cooperation and respect allies and are interested in supporting the
while fighting to eradicate racism, anti- Q. Why can’t anyone interested join the BIPOC affinity group. There is a role for
Semitism and all forms of discrimination. affinity group? all Micah members to play in dismantling
Savage-Narva recently agreed to A. The BIPOC affinity group is not systems of racism and oppression, both
answer several questions about the need designed to exclude people, but to pro- internally and externally.
for a BIPOC affinity group at Temple vide a space for processing and sharing
Micah. with people who share a specific iden- Q. Have you had previous experience
tity group in common. The BIPOC affin- with such groups?
Q. What led you to think of creating a ity group will be able to share ideas and A. Yes, I’ve had quite a bit of experi-
BIPOC affinity group at Micah? And what thoughts with the broader Micah commu- ence with affinity groups. As someone
is an affinity group? nity about best ways to address issues who leads workshops to address racism,
A: Affinity groups are not uncommon. that directly impact BIPOC and the best anti-Semitism, Unconscious Bias, with
They are designed to give a group of way to engage this community. synagogues, community organizations and
people who self-identify in a specific way other groups, I’ve led affinity groups as a
the opportunity to have a space to share, Q. Was there a reason to launch the part of these workshops. Additionally, we
reflect and learn from people who also affinity group now? hold these groups with the young people
self-identify in the same way. A. I think the urgency has been upon us who are part of Operation Understanding
(BIPOC) for a very long time, but the DC as a part of their experiential learning
Q: What happens when affinity groups past few months with the dispropor- and their training to lead workshops.
meet? tionate rates of death of BIPOC from
A. In these affinity groups, people can COVID-19, the killings of Ahmaud Arbery, Q. What are your hopes for the group?
talk freely and honestly about experi- George Floyd and Breonna Taylor and A. My hope for the BIPOC affinity group
ences, feelings, observations they have numerous other examples of the dispari- and possibly a Friends of BIPOC group
about life in general. Specifically, for ties and inequities that BIPOC face on a is to start a conversation. I would like
BIPOC it means people who are not daily basis has called for real, sustainable to provide a space for transparent shar-
members of the dominant white culture action from multiple entry points. Such ing and processing of the world around
can have a safe and brave space where a group is overdue, but we have to start us and give those involved opportunities
they can interpret, comprehend and cope somewhere. to just be. For now, this is my hope!
with the world around them.
Planning High Holy Days FROM PAGE 1 ; would be savings from child care, secu- audio and transitions work smoothly
rity and other expenses.” and well allows our clergy to be in the
Marcia Silcox, board president when Yet, says Rachel Gross, Micah moment and focus on the liturgy and
the deliberations were being made, said, executive director, producing a vir- worship experience,” she said.
“When we saw how well our virtual tual High Holy Days comes with Silcox said she was sure “Micah will
b’nai mitzvah worked, and that Shabbat its own set of expenses. “While we provide the soaring and inspiring wor-
participation was unprecedented, we won’t be moving to the church (the ship program that we have come to
fully turned our attention to a new Metropolitan Memorial United expect ...maybe it will be even more
vision for the holidays.” Methodist Church where services special as we are together apart.”
And there also were financial impli- have been held in recent years), we Rabbi Zemel, admitting that he was
cations in the decisions. Silcox recalls have hired tech people to produce the worried about “all of this,” declared,
“many hours were spent discussing services. “This year, more than ever, the holy
how we might be impacted by the loss “Having people behind the scenes days have to speak to the mood of the
of non-member ticket sales, but there dedicated to making all of the video, moment we are living in.” u8 TISH R E I/CH ESHVAN 5781
TZEDAKAH
AUCTION APPEAL Lisa Saks and Lawrence Lynn, Trudy Joshua and Amy Berman’s
and John Saracco, Katie Sellers anniversary, by Joseph LEGACY FUND
Martha and David Adler, Susan and Marc Rosenblum, Michael and Evelyn Basloe IN HONOR OF
Alpern-Fisch and Richard Schooler, Diana and Robert The Temple Micah Board,
Fisch, Lucy and David Asher, Marcia Silcox, by Judy Hurvitz
Seasonwein, Marsha Semmel, by Marcia Silcox
Kathleen and Larry Ausubel Dr. Stan Shulman, by Miriam Swartz
Leslie Sewell and James Jaffe,
Larry Bachorik and Gail Povar, Robin Shaffert and Dean Brenner, Alice Tapper becoming bat mitzvah, IN MEMORY OF
Scott Barash and Gayle Wald, Livia Paul Shapiro and Peg Blechman, by Melanie and Jay Dolan Gerald Liebenau, by Martha
and David Bardin, Amy and Joshua Lester Silverman, Kathy and Stan and David Adler
IN MEMORY OF
Berman, Jeff Blattner, Lane and Soloway, Mimi and Daniel Steinberg, Edward Blumenthal, by
Elizabeth Blumenfeld, Norman Barbara and William Stephens Mark Blumenthal MICAH HOUSE FUND
Blumenfeld, Randi and David Meryl and George Weiner, Steven
Braverman, Shellie and Andy Bressler, Philip Braverman, Robert Howard Bray
and Elise Weinstein, Bobbie Mezey, by Tish Davidson
Betsy Broder and David Wentworth, and Ed Wendel, Grace Mitchell Leda Gottlieb
Michelle and Robert Brotzman John Ferreira and Sarah A. Ferreira,
Westreich and Jonathan Westreich, by Norman Blumenfeld Lani and Michael Inlander
Jannet and Alan Carpien, Kit Wheatley and Tom Sahagian Sheila Platoff
Stacy and Emily Cloyd, Larry Sarah A. Ferreira, by
Alice Yates and Walter Jacob Harriette Kinberg
Cooley and Marina Fanning IN HONOR OF
Louise and Danny Zemel Bob Friedman, by Joanne M. Sabo David Adler, by Gail Povar
Eleanor and Benjamin Correa
Many anonymous donations Lauri Katz, by Steven Katz and Larry Bachorik
Lisa Davis and Robert Shapiro,
Sylvia B. Lang, by Patricia Kent
Robin Davisson and David Skorton,
Rachel Dorman and Nicholas Stark, BUILDING IMPROVEMENT Annie Lass, by Sheila Platoff IN MEMORY OF
Sara Ehrman, by Daniel Ehrman
Elizabeth Drye and Jerold Mande FUND Gerald Liebenau, by Lora
and Frank Ferguson David Micah Booth, by
Rachael and Olivier Fleurence, IN HONOR OF Elka and Sid Booth
Ronna and Stan Foster David Melendy, by Barbara
Our rabbis, musicians, and and Skip Halpern Adina Levin, by Michael R. Levin
Lisa Gordon and Nicholas Brooke, staff for their extraordinary Jerome and Natalie Spingarn, Gretchen White Oberman,
Roberta and Morton Goren, Helene work, by Jeff Passel by Jonathan Spingarn by Bayla White
and Gene Granof, Paul Greenberg
and Rick Billingsley, Elyse Greenwald IN MEMORY OF Shirley Springer, by Victor Springer Roberta Spector, by Richard
and Matthew Kaplan, Mark Adolph Blumenfeld, by Paul A. Weinstein, by Alice Weinstein and Susan Lahne
Gruenberg, Sarah and Jay Grusin, Norman Blumenfeld Joseph Weisman, by Steven Weisman Kenneth Wentworth, by Jeff Passel
Jocelyn Guyer and Joshua Seidman Sarah A. Ferreira, by Nancy Raskin, Kenneth Wentworth, by Roberta
Jack and Judy Hadley, Andrea Beverly and Harlan Sherwat, Aronson and Paul Goldberg, Stephen MUSIC AND WORSHIP
and James Hamos, Alison Kathy Spiegel and Richard Fitz Kurzman and Patricia Goldman
Harwood, Renata Hesse and Gerald Liebenau, by Judith
FUND
Joshua Soven, Mary Hollis and Capen and Robert Weinstein INNOVATION FUND Jim and Andrea Hamos
William Page, Judy Hurvitz Max Pogostin, by Elaine Brown IN HONOR OF
IN HONOR OF
Thomas Hyde and Paul Meyers Roberta Spector, by Lynda Elliott Bearbach, by Jeff Passel Doug Mishkin for his uplifting
Sunny Kaplan and Peter Mulhauser and Richard Pierce IN MEMORY OF concert, by Jeff Passel
Kristensen, Anne and Jacob Kenneth Wentworth, by Judith Ethel Fargotstein, Sarah A. Dan Tochen and Erin
Karabell, Patricia Kent, Harriette Capen and Robert Weinstein, Rielle, Ferreira, and Roberta Spector, Margolis’ upcoming marriage,
Kinberg, Rita Kirshstein and Bliss Seth, and Emerson Miller Gabriel by Elka and Sid Booth by Elaine Margolis
Cartwright, Debra Knopman John and Sarah A. Ferreira, Meryl Weiner, by Steve Rockower
Lauren and Marc Laitin, Ellen Laipson ENDOWMENT FUND Roberta Spector, by Francie
and Henri Barkey, Nancy Leeds, Debra Winter, Worship Music
and Stuart Schwartz Artist, by the Barry Winter family
Richard Lehmann, Rachel Levin IN HONOR OF David Green, by Barbara Green
and Michael Buckler, Barbara and Sharon Salus’ special birthday, Edward Platoff, by Sheila Platoff IN MEMORY OF
Philip Levine, Jillian Levine-Sisson by Michelle Sender
Nancy Schwartz, by Michelle Sender Dora Bender, by Carole Hirschmann
and Scott McCormick, Benjamin Harlan Sherwat, by Steve
Litoff, Donna Lloyd-Jones and Elliott Stonehill, by Harriett Stonehill Edward Forgotson Sr., by
Rockower and Ann Sablosky
David Jones, Jacqueline and Paul Elizabeth Forgotson Goldberg
London, Susan and Arnold Lutzker IN MEMORY OF LEARNING FUND Bob Friedman, by Martha
Andi Mathis, Amy McLaughlin Jake McDonald, by Lora Ferguson IN HONOR OF and David Adler
and Mark Levine, Rielle and Wendy McLaughlin, Kenneth Teddy Klaus, by Beth Amster Hess Ada Zolla Heavenrich, by Mary Mahle
Seth Miller Gabriel, Lynda Wentworth, by David Harriett Stonehill’s birthday, by Susan Dorfman Levin, by Bob
Mulhauser and Richard Pierce and Martha Adler Francie and Stuart Schwartz Dorfman and Celia Shapiro
Susan and William Nussbaum Leon Passel, by Jeff Passel IN MEMORY OF Debbie Rosen McKerrow,
Jennifer and Michael Oko Bertha Schuchat, by Michelle Sender Sarah Blumenfeld, by by Ellen Sommer
Nancy Piness, Sheila Platoff, Steven Norman Blumenfeld Diane Sager, by Nancy Raskin
Posner and Robin Rudowitz GENERAL FUND Barnett, Esther, and Joyce Malcolm Sherwat, by Beverly
Linda and Marc Raphael, Deborah Larry Hoffman and Gayle Hoover, Coplan, by Michael Coplan and Harlan Sherwat
and Adam Raviv, Deborah Rich and Myra and Mark Kovey, Patricia Lieba Sarah A. Ferreira, Debbie Roberta Spector, by David
Linda Watts, Conrad Risher, Arlyn Bob Lyke, Michele and Sean Mackie, Rosen McKerrow, by Martha and Barbara Diskin
and Jonathan Riskind, Sarah and Eric Douglas Meyer and Jacqueline Simon, and David Adler Kenneth Wentworth, by Wendy
Rosand, Karen and David Rosenbaum, Herbert and Sharon Schwartz Bob Friedman, by Ellen Sommer Jennis and Doug Mishkin
Beth Rubens and Brent Goldfarb Gerald and Vivian Liebenau, Jonathan Winter, by
IN HONOR OF by Jeff Passel Norman Blumenfeld
The birth of Elliott Ashley Bearbach, Sidney Tabas, by Philip Tabas
by Susie Salfield Avnery
CO N TI N U E D O N PAG E 1 0 ;SE PTEMBE R /OCTOBE R 2020 9
THE LIFE OF TEMPLE MICAH
HERE I AM WITH MY COMMUNITY
By R a bbi Steph a n ie Cr aw ley
Dear Micah Family, Instead, I imagine the light that is now
I am writing to you while sitting on emanating from each window on Zoom.
my balcony, above 9th Street, I can see I try to feel the warmth of every candle
into the windows of our local Ethiopian and every smile that joins us. Truly, that
restaurant, where the owners bustle image in my mind has refilled my cup
around their storefront, swiftly packaging every week. I also found myself won-
food and handing it off to someone else dering, “What is outside your window?”
who drives it off for delivery. Next door, “What is the world that you are seeing?” and humility. There is something about
I see home health care workers, in their I wonder if we might use this image the first-person singular language that
scrubs and masks, dropping off forms at of the windows to power our High Holy particularly speaks to me in this moment.
their office. My view out my window has Days this year. We will not be able to Although we will be joining together in
made up so much of my world these past share the views of the beautiful stained what we hope to be beautiful, moving,
months. I’ve found myself looking out the glass of the church, the faces of our and creative prayer services on these High
windows much more frequently, as I desire friends, the joy of our choir and musi- Holy Days, each of us will be leading our-
my world to be much larger than what is cians and clergy as we join together in selves in prayer. Each of us will be looking
happening inside my apartment. prayer. But we will each have our own out our own windows, into slightly dif-
During our Micah services, meetings, view, our own little piece of the world. ferent worlds. This year, perhaps each of
and gatherings, I’ve loved the glimpses I’ve been thinking in particular about us needs to say, Hin’ni- here I am. In my
into kitchens, living rooms, and offices. On one medieval piece of liturgy, a prayer home, in my space, ready to look within
Friday nights, as we are lighting Shabbat chanted by the prayer leader before the and look outside. Ready to begin to begin
candles, I no longer close my eyes to congregation. It is called “Hin’ni,” mean- again, ready to reach for better. And so, I’d
remember the feeling of us all lighting ing “Here I am.” The prayer leader begins like to offer my own version of this prayer,
candles together in our crowded lobby. by asking for worthiness, self-awareness a Hin’ni for us all.
Here I am. Here I am,
I am standing, or sitting – alone, or with a few,
or I can’t sit still. I will not hear the chorus of voices,
Here is my coffee, fresh today or left over from yesterday. listing the ways we have missed the mark
So I must hold myself accountable.
I am here –
And remember that I, too, am worthy of forgiveness and renewal.
even in my pajamas,
unbrushed hair, Here I am,
but I have turned on the screen. together with my community,
each person has a window,
I am here on behalf of my community, each person has a world,
and behalf of myself. May I hear the echos of their prayers,
May I open my heart and be surprised at the space I find within. and may they hear the echos of mine.
Micah Members FROM PAGE 4 ; had perished,” Grohman said. and enter the job market head, “And the way things
In the ’50s, this reporter where many of the women are going today, I sometimes
Holocaust in conjunction attended high school with confronted discrimination. get nostalgic for ‘the good old
with the 1940s. When asked Holocaust survivors who In 1961, Nielsen, with a BA days’ of Richard Nixon.”
why, they replied that the shared stories of life in the in mathematics, obtained a “For now, I enjoy life”
adults didn’t discuss it — at camps. One was smuggled job as a computer program- Banks said. “I get tired
least not with their children. out in a coffin; another was mer making $500 a month. easily and I forget things,
“Generally they did chosen to present a bouquet “The man sitting next to but mostly I just keep
not talk about their life in to then General Eisenhower me with a BA in business going. I certainly don’t feel
Europe or anyone in the fam- when the camp was liberated. administration and no com- decrepit.”
ily who stayed there,” recalled But I remember none of their puter experience earned
Claire Rubin. parents would talk about it, $650,” she said. Editor’s note: Author Shelley
“I didn’t know until the wouldn’t even let the subject To Banks, however, “The Grossman, a former editor of
early 1950s that there had come up. big thing in the ’70s was The Vine, was a staff cor-
been a Holocaust and that In the 1960s, most of the Watergate.” She added sar- respondent of the National
most of my father’s family cohort would finish college donically with a shake of her Journal for 23 years.10 TISH R E I/CH ESHVAN 5781
Tzedakah FROM PAGE 8 ; Shirley Ingersoll, Louis and IN HONOR OF Jørgen Kristensen, by Peter
Anna Lit, by Lynda Mulhauser David Adler, by Roberta Kristensen and Sunny Kaplan
and Richard Pierce and Peter Gluck Lou Soloman, by Jeff Passel
RABBI BERAHA’S The birth of Juliet Cecelia Alvarez- Freddie Traum, by Martha
DISCRETIONARY FUND SOCIAL JUSTICE FUND Just, by Sara and Steven Just and David Adler
IN HONOR OF Lani and Michael Inlander IN MEMORY OF
In appreciation of the rabbis Freddie Traum, by Lisa Saks
and their superb response IN HONOR OF This list reflects donations
Joshua Sylvan Barnett, on Kenneth Wentworth, by
to the challenges of Covid- Michelle Sender received May 7–August 4, 2020.
19, by Elka and Sid Booth the occasion of his bris, by
Iris and Philip Barnett Every effort has been made to
IN MEMORY OF Jeannelle D’Isa, by Miriam Swartz THE RABBI DANIEL ensure its accuracy, but if there
Olga Lehmann, by Rich Lehmann Steve Rockower, by Betsy GOLDMAN ZEMEL FUND are any errors or omissions
Brian Stonehill, by Harriett Stonehill Broder and David Wentworth please accept our apologies.
FOR ISRAEL
Ari Townend becoming bar Jack and Judy Hadley For corrections or clarifications,
RABBI CRAWLEY’S mitzvah, by Marsha Pinson please contact Rhiannon Walsh
DISCRETIONARY FUND David Wentworth, by Stephen IN HONOR OF
in the temple office. Thank you.
Caitlin Cipicchio and Max Corey Rockower and Ann Sablosky The marriage of Ronit Zemel and
Ethan Porter, by Michelle Sender
IN MEMORY OF
IN HONOR OF
In appreciation of the rabbis Herbert Brand, by Ellen IN MEMORY OF
and their superb response and Stan Brand Mollie Cohen and Barbara Van
to the challenges of Covid- Lillian Brawer, by Scott Brawer Voorst, by Michelle Sender
19, by Elka and Sid Booth Philip Braverman, by
RABBI ZEMEL’S
Elka and Sid Booth
John Ferreira, by Judy Hurvitz CO N D O L E N C ES
DISCRETIONARY FUND Sarah Ferreira, by David and
Barbara Diskin, Roberta and Peter
IN HONOR OF Gluck, Harry and Jessica Silver The Temple Micah community extends its deepest
In appreciation of the rabbis
Shirley Ingersoll and Roberta condolences to:
and their superb response
Spector, by Martha and David Adler
to the challenges of Covid- Doug Barry and Elizabeth Eder, on the passing of
19, by Elka and Sid Booth Annie Lass, by Elsie
Heyrman Klumpner their brother-in-law, Walter Lesnick
The Goren family and the
Hadley family, by Diane Margaret Newman, by Lynn Rothberg Janet Bowen, on the passing of her brother-in-law,
Berreth and David Kobrin Marty Obrand, by Lorri
Hannah Simon, by Roger Simon Manasse and Russ Misheloff Martin C. Sloan
The generosity and hospitality of Ellen Passel, by Jeff Passel Randi and David Braverman, on the passing of
Jacque Simon and Doug Meyer, by Roberta Spector, by Larry Bachorik
Linny Cook and Melissa Goldman and Gail Povar, Nancy Raskin
their friend, Joshua Harari
Judy Tolkan’s special birthday, Dean Brenner, on the passing of his cousin,
by Marjorie Sherman THE STOREFRONT PROJECT Edward Schultz
IN MEMORY OF
Elka and Sid Booth
Morton Bahr, by Florence Bahr Thomas Brunner, on the passing of his wife,
Phil Cohen, by Cindy Koch SUKKAT SHALOM Rochelle “Shelly” Brunner
Janet Gordon
Lani and Michael Inlander
Ann Cohen, on the passing of her loved one,
Avi Dorot
Jeannelle D’Isa, on the passing of her grandparents,
John and Sarah A. Ferreira
MAZAL TOV Shelley Fidler, on the passing of her uncle,
Roy Fidler
Iris and Philip Barnett, on the birth of Peter, Adam, and Carolyn Gluck, on the passing
their grandson, Joshua Sylvan Barnett of their sister and aunt, Roberta Spector
Brenda Levenson, on the passing of her sister,
Anne, Jacob, and Rebekah Karabell, on the birth Annie Lass
of their son and brother, Leo Mason Karabell Debbie Roumell, on the passing of her aunt,
Eileen Laxer
Brenda Levenson, on the birth of her great- Debra Winter, on the passing of her uncle,
grandchild, Matthew Thomas Simmons Jonathan Winter
Sadie and Hannah Wyatt, on the passing of their
Rachael Jackson and Ben Moss, on the grandmother, Carolyn Wyatt
birth of their son, Jay Henry Moss
May their memories be for a blessing.SE PTEMBE R /OCTOBE R 2020 11
WHAT THE SHOFAR MEANS TO ME IN 5781
By R a bbi Josh Ber a h a
Each of us knows the stillness and con- away from the good, toward deceit and
templation elicited by the sound of the hardened hearts. Try though we may, evil
shofar, blasting us to attention. I imag- is always present, always a path we can
ine we attach our own meaning to those choose to take, or not. As we learn in
blows, and that the meaning changes Torah (Deut. 30:16), “See, I set before you
throughout our lifetimes. this day life and prosperity, death and
For our children, the blowing of the adversity.”
shofar — no common instrument — is But evil is more than a force beyond
among the most alluring of all Jewish ritu- us, more than a bad choice we should all
als. Their interest and wonder piqued by avoid; it is, rather, an aspect of our world
the explanation that it is indeed the horn that is tangled up in all we do. A feature,
of a ram producing those loud blasts. not a bug. Human history teaches as much,
For those who have reached an age of as does this past year. When the curtain
maturity, the shofar is likely associated drops on 5780, the image of a police offi- times.” In speaking of truth, Maimonides
with the call to wake up, an alarm to turn cer with his knee on George Floyd’s neck uses the direct article, the, (in Hebrew,
our attention inward, and then outward. will not leave us. Nor will the scores of ha), rendering it, in English — the Truth,
What do we want for ourselves? What are pictures of immigrants and refugees, in with a capital T. In other words, what
our hopes and dreams for the world in camps or at sea, from Syria to Venezuela. he wants to express is that the ultimate
which we live? Same with the stories of Uighur labor Truth of being — maybe God, maybe
Our sages of old were never at a loss camps in China, the continued suffering of plain existence — is shrouded in the vani-
for interpretations on the meaning of the landless Rohingyas in Myanmar. ties of the times.
shofar, and hence a tour of rabbinical lit- Evidently, evil is well organized and The sounding of the shofar, then, is like
erature on the topic will produce count- groomed, clear in its intentions and sound realignment with righteous living. There
less analyses of everything from musings in its execution of bringing darkness to is no need for me to list all of the “vani-
on the instrument itself to questions like our world. Might we even consider Covid- ties of the times,” for surely you can list as
is it valid if you hear only an echo of a 19 and the current political debates that many as I can. We inhabit a world in which
shofar and not the shofar itself? Some surround it, also to be a force of evil? idols call out to us daily, in numerous
sages argued that the shofar sounds are What about the willful ignoring of basic forms and disguises. And frankly it’s hard
meant to be reminiscent of different facts? The obstruction of truth? to resist the enchantment of these shiny
types of crying. Others said it is a call to When this year’s blasts of the shofar vanities. Their power is too strong.
truth, to God. are sounded, my prayer will be that its And so, when the blasts of the shofar
Indeed, the wails of the shofar open untamed cries thwart the evil in our are sounded, my prayer will also be that
up a void, an emptiness ready to be filled world. My prayer will be that evil finds its untamed cries awaken us to the Truth,
by anyone who chooses to listen. A blank itself scrambled, unsure of where to and lead us away from the vanities of our
canvas. strike next. And herein lies the power of time. My prayer will be that complacency
This year, I am drawn to two interpre- human freedom—it is within our capacity and ego, smugness and self-righteousness,
tations of shofar in particular. to make this happen! Though evil is unde- will shatter like a window that cracks at
The first comes from the Babylonian niably enmeshed as part of our existence, the sound of a high pitch.
Talmud (Rosh Hashanah 16b) and explains we can disorient its direction. We can I fear the power of the shofar may be
that we blow the shofar “to confuse Satan.” confuse Satan. diminished this year, as many of us will
I read these words as poetry, of course, The second interpretation of shofar only hear its call through the speakers of
and not to mean an actual devil is listening that calls to me this year comes from our computer. But let not the power of
to the shofar’s siren. Satan, here, is simply Maimonides (though just one part from the message of shofar be placed aside
a stand in for evil. All year evil knocks at his lengthy exegesis). He says the shofar or diminished in any way. Satan needs
our door, ready to pounce on us like a wild is meant to speak to those who “forget to be confused, and so too, the Truth of
beast. Its intentions are clear — to lure us the truth because of the vanities of the existence revealed.
Rabbi’s Message FROM PAGE 5 ; about the great, perhaps can you not be?” him for his refusal to aban-
mythical exchange said to We enter this season don Torah but his words live
founding. Honoring the result have taken place when Ralph with a very full plate. I trea- to this day to guide us still.
of the vote count is sacred Waldo Emerson visited Henry sure Rabbi Shimon and his They give me courage, pur-
to democracy. The fact that David Thoreau in jail. Thoreau, wisdom. Rabbi Shimon lived pose, strength and hope.
in the year 2020 I am writ- you will recall, had refused to in the first century under the Rabbi Shimon knew that Jews
ing these words is frightening. pay taxes to support the war tyranny of Roman rule, one don’t despair. We all remain
What might we be called to with Mexico. “How can you of the most tumultuous and his disciples.
do this year? be here?” asked Emerson. To tragic times in Jewish history. Shalom,
Never have I thought more which Thoreau replied, “How Roman authorities executed Rabbi Daniel G. Zemel12 TISH R E I/CH ESHVAN 5780
MICAH ELECTS NEW MEMBERS FOR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
By Fr a n Dauth
A pediatrician, a lawyer and a political physician leader and trains primary care Shalom Leadership Team as co-chair of
pollster walked into — wait for it — a residents and medical students. the food and clothing committee. For
meeting of the Temple Micah Board of She and her family joined Micah the past year, she has also been part of
Directors. Also the trio didn’t walk in. in 2013. Her daughter Sophia had her Temple Micah’s Roadmap team, which
They were on Zoom. Zoom bat mitzvah in May 2020, which is developing a document to guide
The three were elected to the board Kaplan says made her feel even more a Micah’s future.
at Micah’s annual meeting in June, also part of the Micah community. Never Mark Blumenthal and his wife Helen
a virtual gathering. In addition, two mind that she has participated in the Burstin joined Temple Micah in 2008.
incumbent members were returned for Micah House walk each year, the He and Burstin twice co-chaired the
encore terms. Micah Annual Auction, assisted with annual Underwear Drive during the
The new board members are Jennifer onegs and attended many Micah lec- b’nai mitzvah years of their children,
Kaplan, the pediatrician, Leesa Klepper, tures. Her son will have his bar mitzvah Deena and Sam.
the lawyer, and Mark Blumenthal, the in two years. The couple also created a multi-
pollster. They replace Shellie Bressler, Jeff Klepper and her family joined media presentation for Micah’s Yom
Davis and Marcia Silcox. Temple Micah in 2016. “For me, join- Hashoah service that told the holo-
One of the re-elected board mem- ing Micah was a bit of a return – as I caust survival story of Helen’s father
bers, Joshua Berman, was named board frequented Micah’s Shabbat services as a with his poems, photographs and video
president in the subsequent board meet- 20-something seeking a spiritual break testimony.
ing, also online. At the same session, from life as a busy Capitol Hill lawyer. Blumenthal’s career has included
Rielle Miller Gabriel was elected vice “Since joining, Micah has become a stints as a survey researcher, a pollster,
president; David Wentworth took on home to my family, a refuge from the a political consultant, a blogger and a
the job of treasurer, and Harriet Tritell turbulence of life, and a place for each journalist. He previously headed polling
was retained as secretary. The other of us to learn and to grow. at Survey Monkey, was senior polling
incumbent board member who returned “My older daughter had her bat mitz- editor at The Huffington Post and co-
for another term is Sonia White. vah in 2019; and my younger daughter founder of Pollster.com. He is currently
Kaplan is part of a downtown aca- will be called to the Torah for her bat the principal at MysteryPollster where
demic practice affiliated with Children’s mitzvah in January.” he advises clients how to adapt to newer
National Hospital where she is the Klepper has been part of the Sukkat online survey technologies. u
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