Shabbat Service and Program
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.
May 4: Beth Chai Jewish Humanist Congregation Open House
Burning Tree Elementary School
Anyone interested is invited to come and learn more about our Jewish community. Observe classrooms in action. Participate in a stimulating adult education session by Rabbi Art Blecher entitled “The Paradoxical Likeness of God.” With fall soon approaching, this is a good time to consider what we have to offer – for individuals and families.
More about the Open House: Meet interesting and receptive members. We will begin the day with our music assembly at 9:30am. From 10:00-10:30 visitors will have an opportunity to meet with our seasoned Education Director, Rain Zohav and hear a little about the school and talk with members. Parents and their children will be welcome to visit classes, or attend the adult education program at 10:30. We will have an all community snack/social at 11:00 and then head back to Adult Education and kid classes until 12 noon. If you are interested in visiting, please contact Reed Dewey at (301) 718-0262 or reed-dewey@verizon. net.
May 18: Annual Meeting and Rabbi Blecher’s 25th Anniversary Celebration
River Road Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 7 pm
We hope that you can join us on May 18 for what promises to be Beth Chai’s social event of the year. The evening will begin with a short and sweet Annual Meeting at 7 p.m .to recognize our outgoing Board members and elect our leaders for next year. The congregation has accomplished many goals this year – consistently excellent programming with more music, completely revamped web and e-mail communications to keep members informed, record-breaking fundraising, and a new Yom Kippur service ready to premiere in the fall. This will be a nice opportunity to reflect on our 2007-2008 year and prepare for the year ahead.
At 7:30, we will adjourn for an elegant reception celebrating Rabbi Blecher’s 25 years of leadership at Beth Chai. We will have music provided by Alan Feldenkris’ jazz trio and a decadent dessert buffet. The evening will be warm with fellowship and memories. We hope to bring together many in our Beth Chai family: former congregants, college students home for the summer, and current members. To RSVP or ask questions about the celebration, please call Shannon Rudisill at 703-752-5809 or slrudisill@cox.net.
A recap of the evening’s events:
7:00-7:30 p.m. Annual Meeting, Library, River Road Unitarian Universalist Congregation (RRUUC)
7:30-9:30 p.m. Dessert Reception honoring Rabbi Blecher, Sanctuary, RRUUC
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