May 2: Shabbat Service, Memorial for Ron Leve
This month, Beth Chai’s Shabbat service falls precisely on Yom HaShoah – Holocaust Remembrance Day – which is marked on the 27th day of the Hebrew month of Nissan. The evening also coincides with the congregation’s memorial for Ron Leve, one of Beth Chai’s most active and popular members, whose recent death, both unexpected and untimely, has deeply affected his many friends in our area.
On this evening, therefore, we will slightly shorten our customary Shabbat supper, ending at 7:45 rather than 8 o’clock; incorporate our acknowledgment of Yom HaShoah into our monthly Shabbat service, which will run from 7:45 to 8:15; and devote the rest of the evening to honoring Ron, whose impact on the life of the congregation has been so great and whose presence will be so sorely missed.
At Ron’s memorial, to begin at around 8:30, Beth Chai members will be joined by many friends, neighbors, and fellow volunteers who valued Ron and worked side by side with him for the furtherance of peace, the arts, kindness, and human understanding.
Schedule
Note: Tot Shabbat, which usually takes place from 6:30 to 7, will not be held on this Shabbat evening. It will return when the Shabbat schedule resumes in the fall.
7 - 7:45 pm: A light supper costing $10 per person (post-mitzvah and older) and $5 per child (ages 6 to 12) will be set out buffet style at 7. Those wishing to join in are asked to sign up by contacting Yevgeniya Nusinovich before noon on Thursday, May 1, by email at ynusi@gwu.edu.
7:45 - 8:15 pm: Beth Chai’s Shabbat service, which features a humanistic Kiddush, singing, thought-provoking readings, and roles for children wishing to participate. Included this month will be special recognition of Holocaust Remembrance Day.
8:30 pm - : Memorial for Ron Leve.
Location of all Beth Chai Shabbats (unless otherwise indicated): Beth Chai Congregation at River Road Unitarian Universalist Congregation, Fireside Room (second floor), 6301 River Rd. (entrance on Whittier Blvd.), Bethesda.
Note: The Shabbat program originally planned, which was to be based on readings pertaining to the Holocaust suggested by Beth Chai members, will be held over until next year.