j l u %.. l 1. i presidents corner
TRANSCRIPT
J L U%..' L 1. I '# -5 -I-
Presidents' Corner
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hirward to having our Adjunct Rabbi1.1k ILiel Shire, as a guest speaker at the Ih in February 6. We are co-sponsoringtins event with the Men's Club, and we thank Contact inJormatioir
Finn Berk-son for chairing, and Lisa Katzman Fily Kemper Cohen7031241-5471
for doing the publicity. The Book Club on the [email protected], the Museum trip on the 11th, Bridge on
Julie Krachrnanthe 23rd and a wonderful Havdalah dinner at 7031241-7574Julie Krachnian's on the 26th, completes anoth-er month of interesting activities. Lookingahead in March to our Challah Bake, Bake Sale and Purim. Come joinus at any or all events; you will be welcomed
B'ShalomEll y Kemp/er Cohen and lu/it' Krachnian
Sisterhood co-Presidents
Factoid: What is a Bendel Bracelet?For centuries it has been a tradition to wear a red string, symbolicof the red string that is wrapped around Rachel's Tomb.Tradition suggests that the wearer is protected from harm andensured good fortune and other blessings.
Havdalah Dinner1 h, IF Sisterhood Havdalah I )i nner will take place on Saturday,
it,ti 26, at 7:00 pm, at the home of Sisterhood Co-President,:c ki ichman. She lives at 412 E. Columbia St., in Falls Church,LI) is located near the Temple. The price is $21.00 per person
for dinner and drinks. Please send a check made out to "TRSSisterhood" to Julie Krachman, and RSVP to her at703-241-7574 by Februar y 19. Experience the beauty of llavdalah.Find out why Havdalah is part of our Shabbat ritual. We hope youcan come to this event!!
Save the date: The Donor Luncheon willtake place on May 11.
kctcr/i'J rcasurc___
Regular Hours: Tuesdays and Wednesdays 11:00until 12:30 pm and 5:30 pm until 7:30 pm; Sundays
8:30 am until 1:30 pm
We have finally received our Bendel Bracelets.We have four varieties of these red string/silver
Kaballab bracelets for you to see.
Appointments: Toni Sandler 703-734-9533Susan Lerner 703-241-1055
Eleanor Linde 703-821 -3767
Brunch & LectureCo-sponsored by Sisterhood & Brotherhood
February 6 • 9:00-10:30 am
Our speaker will he Rabbi Dr. Michael Shire, the Sabbatical
Adjunct Rabbi during Rabbi Schwartzman's sabbatical. The
topic is "Reform Judaism in England."
RSVP to Joann Berkson [[email protected] I or Randy
Fleitman I [email protected] ] Please send a check for $5.00,
made out to "Temple Rodef Shalom", for each person attending
the brunch. The checks should be mailed to Joann Berkson;
1405 Homeric Ct., McLean, Va., 22101
Volunteers are needed to help with the setup and cleanup for
the brunch. Please let Joann or Rand y know it V&)U can assist.
Regularly Scheduled Events:Museum Trip February 11: Please note that the trip
this month has been changed to the second Friday, since the
third Friday falls on a holiday weekend. We are planning totour the Sackler Museum of Asian Art, at 12th and
Independence SW.The closest Metro station is the Smithsonian Station.
Plan to meet at the information desk at 10:30 am. Featured
exhibits include "Iraq and China: Ceramics, Trade andInnovation" and "Traveler" which includes a ship.
RSVP to Judy Yavner at [email protected] or
703-527-0947.
Book Club: February 16: The book is Speak Memory,
by Nabokov. It will he at the home of T.ynnie Weinstein,
1014 Shipman Lane, McLean, Va., 703-821-3215.
Bridge Club: February 23. Call Carol Davidson at
703-820-6229 or [email protected] for details.
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F,I r Youth Group for Grades 9-12.IvContact Michelle Sandier with any questions at703I448-3S32 or [email protected] .
_I_ J-LJ L 1. I
00000o fm
°Ipo 0
00Ajtnual Movie Night
WHEN. Saturday, February 12
TI ME:6:30 - 10:30 pm
\%rHEFf: TRS Youth Lounge
COST:$8 for TRSTY dues payingmembers, $io for non-duespaying members (cost includesa Chinese dinner!)
1I1NG A Friend!
FSVF:Kim Segal, Membership VP at703/304-3022
.1
J\h\forostQd ir', mQtir6 ovor225 toorss from all ovor tKoEat coast? Attor.A tKip TIt&TY
ovorsi for March - it's' 6oir5 to b@ 'a
wQQlcffi1d 10rs Qxtr'avra&al\z'a . 5r@rat
i•vioc, 6r@'at pro5r'arrss, 5rc)'at friQ1vJ...
rail p1'ar'sod rard rtti by tQQrss l\orP at
TIti cloil\ us, M'arcK 4-6.Appliorafiors qrp rav'ail'ablo outsrido tKQ
youth loui',o or orsiiru rat
www.r'Lffy.or/rfJar. TK@ isr
i\.fty 'ai\d tho praword is 1rsrarvQ1ou.
: UPCOMING EVENTS
•&iturd, April 2•• C@nidj prtz Night •• •• .•&iturdj, 11M;j I
Night on the Town
12
Youth Page$jg isrv
Our iiut eveiit isit uiitil April. Mark your caleiidars iiow,because we'll eiid the year with our ever-popular
Extreme Night eveit oii Saturday, April 9.
Look for more iiiforiijatioii 111 the March bulletiit
RELIGIOUS SCHOOLFor Religious School info, please call 703/532-2207
Did you know that this year in the Jewish calendar is a leap year? In the Jewish leap year, we do not addjust one extra day, but an entire month!! A Jewish leap year has 2 months of Adar, called Adar 1 andAdar 2. You may remember that we celebrate the holiday of Purim in the month of Adar. But whathappens when there are 2 Adars? Yep, we get to have 2 Purims! We celebrate Purim Katan (LitthPurim), a minor, mirror reflection of Purim, on thel4th of Adar 1 (February 23). The main holi-
day of Purim will be celebrated on the 14th of Adar 2. There are no specific observances for Puriiiiitam however, a person should celebrate the holiday and should not mourn or fast. We hope you
great Purim Katan and that it helps to put you in the mood for the main event, which will hap -
n on 14 Adar 2 (March 25).
- - - U - U - • - • - . - U - • - U - • - • - . - . - U - • - U -
TRSTY 56Youth Group for 5th and 6th Graders
For TRSTY 56 info, please contact Jay Rapoport at703/532-2207, ext. 251 or [email protected]
Winter Wciieulide TripSaturday. February 5
5:50- 10:50 pm
TRT1' 11i viill have our annual Winler Waterslide trip on
Saturday, lehman 1. We will meet at the Temple atO pin for dinner
S
d hadalah and then travel bv bus 10 an indoor pool and iilerslidr—bring your bathing suit, a towel, and a lock
r the lockers. We can only take iH kids on this trip: to reserve your spot you must send a (heck to the Temple
111: TIISTI 16 for Sli made out to IRS. You must be 4 feet tall to ride the slide. Th'il tiet back to IRS around
lO::fll pm. Parent chaperones who enjoy hot tubs are encouraged to attend! Contact Jay Rapoport with any questions. 1131
1 141
Feb 5 • Maxwell Teplitzky
ri
Maxwell is the son of Andrew and Karol Teplitzky. I Ic Ia seventh grade student at Williamsburg Middle Sch&.
Maxwell plays the guitar and piano. He enjoys using IL
trampoline, playing basketball and racquetball. In II ice ti tic ic likes to cook, read, build model cars, and electronic
gaming. Maxwell was a counselor in training at Camp Rodef Shalom
this past summer. I us volunteer work includes cleaning up an area
streani and collecting food for sheltered animals, lie hopes to have a
career as a ioologist.
Feb 5 • Patrick StearmanPatrick is the son of Gary and Kathleen Stearinan. I-Ic is
a seventh grader at Woodson Middle School in
•
Arlington. Patrick plays basketball with the Conquerors
and pick-up football at Woodson. He enjoys reading
comic hooks, vacations at the Delaware beaches, and is a big Redskin
fan! This Fall he helped coach a kindergarten soccer team and plansto umpire in Little league this Spring.
Feb 12 • Abigail OrtmayerAbigail is the daughter of Marc and Lisa Ortinaycr.
- -Hic is a seventh grade student at Swanson Middle
hool. learn sports include the Machine Aquatics
wim Team, the lanzman's Tornados Soccer Team,
iiiJ the Galaxy Basketball Team. Abigail also likes to play volley
-ball. In her leisure time she enjoys reading. Abigail worked as a
volunteer at the Arlington Food Assistance Center
Feb 19 • Rachel Locke
fl
Rachel is the daughter of Elizabeth and Paul Locke.
She attends Williamsburg Middle School and is in 7thgrade. Rachel plays flute in the Williamsburg Wind
Ensemble. She also swims for the York Swim Club
and plays soccer for the Northwest Lions. When she has time off,
Rachel will read or sometimes do beading among other activities.
Since Rachel enjoys food, her mitzvah project was done in food
kitchens, and she helped feed the hungry.
DRAMA AUDITIONS FOL MrIJ7PIODUCTION WILL Bi JHLD
MAF .CH 3 . 7:30-9:301imThe TRS l)rania Group will be holding auditions for theirspring production, on Thursday, March 3 from 7:30-9:30pmin the TRS Music and ,Arts Center to be presented May 5-8For more information, please contact Audrey Ahi1tington,director, at alcw64011netscape.net
Feb 19 • Allison SchneiderAllison is the daughter of Mai lii d I i JiIicidLr
•Lie is in the seventh grade at Ihe Langley Situ l.
\llison has played soccer with M.Y.S. for eight veat s;
she also enjoys swimming and kayaking. In herspare Ii ole she cooks and babysits. For the past four summers
Allison has gone to Camp 1-larlam. Volunteer activities include food
distribution for SOME., Gleaning Day, and Soup Caravan.
Feb 26 • Abigail Frizzell\Nigail Fri jjell, daughter of I )eborah Leiderman and
-irgil Frizzell, is a seventh grade student at the Oasis
cliooI in Reston, where she enjo ys electives in art
and drama in addition to the regular academic cur-
riculum Abigail plays soccer in the McLean Youth-Suburban
Friendship league as well as on the All-Star Team. She is an avid
equestrian and divides her summers between horseback riding
camps and the Mclean youth summer theatre program. In addi-tion to drawing and writing stories, Abigail enjoys playing her viola
and the piano, reading fiction, playing with her cats, and watcluui
movies with friends. This year, Abigail perIrnied communit \ - i -
ice through her school's participation in a fund-raising wilL ui
Leukemia Research and lit rough the purchase of holida y gilt
teens residing in shelters. Abigail plans a career in fashion design as
well as breeding and training horses.
Feb 26 • Elliott SilvermanIL ott is the son of Robert and Pat Silverman. lie is
.i seventh grader at the McLean School of Maryland
where he is a member of the Cross Country and
Track Teams. He also plays the trombone in the
school band. Elliott enjoys golf, basketball, skiing and swimmingwith the Sea Devils. As part of his mitzvah project, he is donating
school supplies to the JAM PACKS program which distributes back-packs to homeless children in the area.
SOLUTIONS• 22 years ex3erIcI
traditional con iSpecialty curteen proqi
no consultation703.569.2616 800.729.7uruwww. summers ol u ti on s .com
JEwSIC Lwith Cantor Leigh Korn
WFEATUItINGKoleinu and
New York pianistJoyce Rosenzweig
Join our Student
Cantor Leigh Korn
in a special TP$
premiere of his cantorial
masters' recital concert
about Jewish Identitj
Free and open to the public! IP1
]Religious SchoolFrom the Educator
his year marks a special anniversary for our community aswe celebrate 350 years of American Jewry. "In 1654, 23Jewish refugees fled from Brazil and the long arm of the
i1Uisition and landed in New Amsterdam" (350 Years of the)wish People in America, American Jewish Historical Society)Certainly, since that time, American Judaism has grown anddeveloped into the community we know today. We have come along way since those first 23 Jews arrived!
This year in Religious School, each grade and each teacher isrecognizing this milestone in some special way. In Haskalah, theentire second trimester series of electives are based on AmericanJewish History in some way. Some of these incredible electivesinclude:• "Shalom Y'a1l' the history of Jewish Communities in the south,
Shabbat on the Range' exploring the role Jews played insettling the west,
• "The Captains of Industry", discussing the Jewish Americanfolks who made it big in business,
• "Coming to America", looking at the immigration experience indifferent regions of the country,
• "Sing a Song", exploring the journey of American Jewish musicfrom spiritual to folk and beyond!
The American Response to the Holocaust' discussing thechanging perspective of Americans towards the Holocaust fromWorld War II until today.
• "Finding our Jewish American Identity through Poetry"examining the voice and identity of the Jewish Americanduring the past 350 years.
Elsewhere in the school, different classes are learning aboutthis special year in a variety of ways. Most classes are expandinga piece of their curriculum to reflect this milestone. In the end,we are hoping to put together a TRS Religious school time cap-sule with all of our thoughts about our Jewish Life today. In 50or 100 years, someone will be looking at us as History!!! It is anexciting time to be a Jewish American and I am delighted that wehave found so many creative ways to celebrate our heritage!
L'shalom,Dina Backer, RJEPrincipal
Mark Your Calendar:PLEASE BE KIND TO OUR NEIGHBORS
Friday, February 4
ISunday , Februar y 6
Tuesday, February 15
Sunday, February 20
Tuesday, February 22
limily Shabbat Worship 7:30pmkindergarten sings!kindergarten Shabbat dinner 6pmhv advance reservation only)
\ I vail )gr 7) trip to Baltimore
A!iyah (gr 7) and I laskalah (gr 8-10)Trimester breakNO REGULAR CLASSESMadregot Hebrew classes meet as usual4:30-6:15.
Presidents Day weekendNO RFCIJLAR CLASSES
Haskalah Family Night 6:308:15
W
e are so pleased that everyone is making a terrific
effort to follow the correct traffic patterns during
Religious School hours. Our carpool lines are moving more
smoothly and we continue to be safe! Our neighbors have
pointed out to its that there are people making u-turns in
their driveways and (still) parking a hit too close to driveways.
Please help us be good neighbors by being respectful of oth-
ers' property. If you need to turn around, please use the
schools: Haycock on one side or Longfellow on the other!
Thanks so much for helping us be good neighbors!
Sunday, February 27
Aliyah (gr 7) meets
LOOKING AHEAD
Friday, March 4
Family Shabbat Worship 7:30pm
0
a! voulh Shabbat presented by IRSTY and members ofI \ R celebrating their Kallah weekend at IRS)
Nancy Kane, ABR,ASSOCIATE BROKER
Traditional and Accredited Buyers 'AgentTop 5% Sales Nationwide
NVAR Residential Top ProducerIRS Member
703-966-3381(Direct)Email me: ukane 2icroIscom
Visit my website: www.homesbynancykane.com
•WaiChort, 'Fceedn 'Your Epeciatioiu in aI' Lct ate Needs!
-I 'Free Jfinee Warranty for affvrnnsaawns)
1151
Social ActionKislev MitzvahDay a Great SuccessMany thanks to And' Persily and his crew for planning a fantasticKislev Mitzvah Day! Again this year, Andy did a great job coordi-nating this day to make it special for many people in need.
Consultation on Conscience -March 13-15, 2005The Religious Action Center of Reform Judiasm will hold theirannual Consultation on Conscience on Sunday, March 13-Tuesday, March 15, 2005 at the Willard Hotel in Washington, DC.This is a great opportunity to join Jewish leaders and activists tolearn from key policy and government leaders about the issues thatshape our lives, to explore the connection between Jewish texts andcurrent events, and to build strong social action and advocacyskills. If you register before February 18, the cost of the programis $195. The Social Action Committee may be able to provide par-tial scholarships to those interested in attending. Please contactSusan Weinstock ([email protected] or 703-536-8988) orDan Blalock ([email protected] or 703-938-2554) by February10 if you are interested in participating or have any questions.
Darfur Shabbat -February 18, 2005We are pleased to announce a special Shabbat on Frida y, February18, so congregants can learn about how we can help in Darfur,Sudan. We will have special speakers to update us on the situationand what we can do to stop the genocide. Please join us for thisspecial event.
Habitat for HumanityVolunteers NeededFebruary 16 & March 30Would you like to help build a Habitat for Humanity home? TheHabitat project is at l3riarwood in Fairfax. Our congregation isresponsible for providing 5 volunteers to work at the site onFebruary 16 and March 30. We are also responsible for providinglunch for the full crew on Februar y 16 (sandwiches and soda andpaper plates/cups for 15 people). Volunteers must be at the site at8:30 am and the day finishes by 4:30. Lunch is at noon and is pro-vided by one of the volunteer groups each work day.
All necessary tools and safety equipment are provided on thework site. Volunteers are responsible for any of their own tools andpersonal possessions the)' choose to bring. We will try to notify
Social Action Co-chairs:Please contact Susan Weinstock 703/536-8988,
wcinstock4@'vcrizon . net or Dan Blalock703/938-2554, the.I)ljIocksveriznn.net if you want to
help out and make a difference. Join Social Aciion!
each volunteer coordinator a few days before their assigned workday if we know what kind of work the volunteers will be doing.Children under 16 are not permitted on the worksite due to insur-ance restrictions. Volunteers should wear clothing appropriate forthe weather, including sturdy boots or closed-toe shoes and workgloves. If there is any concern about weather on your assigned day,volunteers should call Habitat at (703) 521-9890 x 123 for anupdate on cancellations.
Please contact Susan Weinstock (weinstock4(&verizon.net or703-536-8988) or Dan Blalock ([email protected] or 703-938-2554) as soon as possible if you are interested in participatingor have any questions.
Asian Relief FundWhile the full extent of the devastation the earthquake and tidalwaves left in Southeast Asia may never he known, it is clear that theassistance of the international communit y is needed to help thosewho survived rebuild their lives. The Union for Reform Judaismworking to determine the most appropriate international reliHagencies to assist the people of the region, and has opciicdspecial fund, the URJ Asian Earthquake Relief Fund, Pleas liclthe people of Southeast Asia by donating to the URJ Relief l-unwww.urj.org/give or to one of the relief agencies below. (Note thuthe URJ will he providing up-to-date information on wheidonations may he sent online at http://urj.orglrelief
• American Jewish World Service: www.ajws.org
• Doctors Without Borders: www.doctorswithouthorders.org
• Direct Relief International:www.directrelief.org/sections/our_worklasia_earthquake.html
• International Rescue Committee: www.theirc.org
For those who prefer to donate through the Union, the URJ hasopened the Union for Reform Judaism Asian Earthquake DisasterRelief Fund. Donations may be made online at www.uri.org/give .Checks made payable to the Union for Reform Judaism (write"Asian Earthquake Relief Fund" in the memo section of yourcheck) may be sent to:
Union for Reform Judaism
Attn: Asian Earthquake Disaster Relief Fund
633 Third Ave. 7th Floor
New 'y ork, NY 10017
sendYou your donations to TRS.IURI forwarded
thquakeDisaster Relief Fund.
I
16
GERDA WEISSMANN KLEIN
Adult EducationAuthor, I lolocaust Survivor & Human Rights Activist
Sunday, February 27, 2005For Grades 5-8 (and families) 2:00-3:30 pmFor Adults and Grades 9-124:00-5:30 pm
R
iveting speaker, Gerda Weissmann Klein, will offer two age appropriatepresentations with her powerful story about surviving the Holocaust;including stories, anecdotes and an opportunity for questions and answers.
In 1939, 15 year old Gerda Weissmann Klein's life would change forever as Germantroops invaded her home in Beilsko, Poland. her brother, Arthur, was ordered toa labor camp, and she was cruelly separated front parents and sent to it
labor camp. She never saw her family again.Her classic autobiography, All But My Life, details her experiences during the
Holocaust, and has beef) in print for 46 years. Her testimony is so compelling thatAll But My Life has become required reading in some school districts throughoutthe U.S. Her story is also portrayed in the film "Testimon y", a permanent exhibitat the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. Her experiences were the topic of theHBO documentar y "One Survivor Remembers", which won both an Emmy andan Academy award. Mrs. Klein is an uplifting speaker who can transfix audiencesof all ages! Families with students in both age groups should make it thatworks best for their family (or stay for both if you like!)
A limited number of books will be available for purchase and signing.Additional copies are available for purchase at Amazon.corn.
Babysitting will he offered for younger children at both presentations byadvanced reservation to be sure we have proper and safe coverage. Deadline forhabysitting is WEDNESDAY February 23, 2005.
To accommodate students finishing Sunday School and staying for thelecture(s), Pizza will be served in the Multipurpose Room immediately followinghe late session of Religious School (1:30 PM) for those who want a snack before
the program. Pizza will he free of charge but requires advance reservation.'See attached sign up!) Please RSVP no later thai) February 25, 2005 if you willoin us for pizza.
This program is open to all IRS members and the public and only requiresa reservation for pizza and for babysitting.Please clip and send this form to: IRS Religious School office-Attn. Klein program;
2100 Westmoreland Street, Falls Church, VA 22043; Fax 703-536-0754Questions? Contact Religious School office at 703-532-2207
RESERVATIONS FOR PIZZAGerda Klein Program 2/27/05
Student's Name(s) GRADE -
# of people having complimentary pizza before the presentation
Deadline for ordering pizza is FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25
RESERVATIONS FOR BABYSITTING
Family name - -
Name Age Presentation time (circle one)
2pm-3:30pm 4pm-5:30pm
2pm-3:30pm 4pm-5:30pm
Deadline for reserving babysitting is WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23
Volunteer babysitters needed!'Name AgePresentation time (circle one
2pm-3:30pm 4pm-5:30pm
2pm-3:30pm 4pm-5:30pm(Babysitters need to be 5th grade and up. Please choose the time opposite the presentationappropriate for your age group!) Community service hours are available for this Mitzvah!
The Temple Rodef ShalomAdult Education Committee
is pleased to presentThe Book of Genesis as a
Critique of Pagan Mythologya lecture by Temple memberDr. Charles Fairbanks
Sunday February l3 • 11:45am atTRS
C
harles Fairbanks was educated
at Yale, Cornell and the
University of Chicago, where
- ii&lid with Leo Strauss, the inter-
it medieval Jewish and Islamic-
phv. His Ph[) is from the Unrcri1y of
Chicato, where he also studied Soviet politics and
national security policy. He subsequently taught
political philosophy and Soviet politics at the
University of Toronto and Yale. In 1981 he came to
Washington, where he was a member of the State
Department's Policy Planning Staff, with responsi-
bility for Iran, the Persian Gulf, and (jointly) the
Horn of Africa, and then Deputy Assistant Secretary
for Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs. He
was one of the early promoters of encouraging
democracy as a major task of American foreign pol-icy. 'lowards the end of the first Reagan administra-
tion he left the government and came to Johns
Hopkins' School of Advanced International Studies,
also in Washington. When the Central Asia-
Caucasus Institute was founded in 1996 he became
its l)ircctor. Professor Fairbanks is now engaged in
flog an American-style liberal arts college in
ovict Georgia.
117
TRS Strategic Plan Gathers No Dust
D
o you remember the Congrega-tional Survey and its culminationin the 2002 IRS Strategic Plan?
We are pleased to report that the Plan isnot gathering dust, but has been used todirect li.mple planning (through commit-tees, the clergy and the staff), toward the 7goals articulated in the Plan. Althoughgoals are j ust that - aspirations that maynever he full)' achieved, the TRS commu-nity is working hard to provide each con-gregant with opportunities to reach thesegoals.
The first goal of the Plan is to contin-ue to develop a sense of community atour Temple. Even before the Plan wasformally adopted the Temple imple-mented a number of very successful"affinity groups" to capture the interestand participation of segments of theCongregation. Renaissance (empty-nesters 50-70), Tappers (pre-schoolers),Vatikiin (over 70) have all contributed tomaking each member feel more a part ofthe community at TRS. If you would liketo he more connected, peruse theNewsletter and look for ideas.
The proliferation of worship servicesand the Adult Education Institute aresome examples that strive to fulfill the
second goal - promoting opportunitiesfor spiritual development and anenhanced sense of Jewish identit y, Also,since the 2002 planning process was start-ed, our beautiful new building was com-pleted, and many dreams have been real-ized for gathering places, Jewish art, and amusic center for the Congregation.
A Task Force on Demographics, led byAndy Joskow, has recentl y estimated thatour congregation will grow from 1,300members to 1,600 by the year 2010. So it'stime to begin our planning cycle again,and the long Range Planning Committeehas started the information gatheringprocess. Interviews of the clergy, seniorstaff and committees will occur this year,followed by a congregational survey andforums.
In the interim, please read the 2002Strategic Plan located in binders in theLibrar y, and feel free to send yourthoughts to the Long Range PlanningCommittee at [email protected] . Put"TRS-LRP" in the subject line, so we aresure to receive your comments.
Cory AnironChair, Long Range Planning Committee
TRS GOALS
These are the Goalspiud in 201)2 101
the Temple:• Continue to develop the sense of com-
munity in the Congregation.
2. Promote opportunities for spiritualdevelopment and an enhanced senseof Jewish identity.
3. Increase children's sense of communi-ty and positive Jewish identity; pro-mote their educational opportunities.
4. Continue outreach to intermarriedfamilies and promote educationregarding intermarriage issues,
5. Strive for long term financial stabilitynot wholly dependent on dues.
6. Optimize governance and memberparticipation.
7. 1)eterniine appropriate aclministratl\functions and structure levels; ensurythat the staff, building and systuii:reflects the mission and strategies olIRS
JSSA Minute: Social Skills for Children, Adolescents, and Adults"Our 10-year-old daughter has no friends.
What can we do so that other children will likeher? We've tried to keep her from finding outabout these things, but kids can be so cruel.What do you say to your daughter when shecomes to you with tears in her eyes and wantsto know why she's the only one in her classwho wasn't invited to the birthday partyagain?" Barkley, R.A. Taking Charge ofAl )I ID,1995.
"I have been going to college for twoyears and I don't understand why everywoman I ask out sa ys no to me. I call womenI am interested in at least three times a day sothat they know how much I like them. I justwant a girlfriend."
While the first quote describes a child,and the second is by a college student, bothare examples of social skills challenges expe-rienced by children and adults who may heliving with Attention Deficit HyperactivityDisorder (ADHI)), and/or Asperger'sSyndrome.
18
What are social skills and how can theJewish Social Service Agency (ISSA) help?
Stanley A. Fagen, PhD., JSSA clinical psy-chologist, defines social skills as "the knowl-edge and skills for developing positive rela-tionships between self and others. At JSSA,we help many children, teens and adultsovercome social skills challenges throughparticipation in small therapy groups.Groups are formed based on similar needsand ages, capitalizing on the strengths ofgroup members while addressing theirdeficits.
Groups emphasize learning appropriatesocial behaviors, such as reciprocal commu-nication, e ye contact, active listening, prob-lem-solving, non-verbal/verbal commun ica -lion, and gaining insight into group niern-hers' behaviors.
[)r. Fagen, together with 1)r. Susan VanOst of JSSA's Assessments and SolutionsBethesda office, will he presenting a parents ymposium entitled "I lelping Your Child
Develop Social Skills" on March 2nd at theJCC in Northern Virginia. Questions thatwill be addressed include:• WI))' does my child have trouble makingand keeping friends?• Flow can I help my child get along betterwith peers?• How can I help my child learn essentialskills, such as taking turns, making conversa-tion, reading nonverbal cues, controllingimpulses, interacting cooperatively?
Please visit www.issa. org/cale ii dar-northernvirginia.html for a current listing of
JSSA's Fairfax Winter/ Spring social skillsgroups for children and teens andto request a broch nrc. Groups are form iiinow for February/March sessions. Pleasenote that participation in social skills g10111)
may he insurance reimbursable. For Oreinformation about all of jSSA's services, 'k,scall Rona I litlin-Mason at 703-204-9100t.15 or rhitlininason(Djssa.org .
View the latest Caring ( ommittee I uforniation()it our 'ftniple \Vehsite, www.templerodefshalom.org .
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itice Jews are commanded to perform g'rnilut chasadini -- deedsof loving kindness - every Temple member automatically is amember of the Caring Committee which helps members dealwith the difficult transitions and crises that life presents. Caring
Committee services are described below. If you want to volunteer- and we hope all Temple members will participate - call the subcom-mittee coordinator. If you know of someone in need - arid we all need helpfrom time to time - call the contact number. The Temple must assignsome services; others can he arranged through the coordinator.
3ereavementCs hard to know what to do when someone dies. Our Bereavementominittee helps Temple members sort through the process o( bury-
rig a family member by providing funeral and cemetery resourcesmd support.
If you need bereavement support, call Anne Duncan, clergy see-'etary: 703/532-2217.
If you want to he a bereavement volunteer, call coordinator StuWeiss: 703/522-2524, or e-mail [email protected] .
Visiting the Sick (Bikkur Cholim)Torah commands us to visit the sick. When a Temple member
returns from the hospital, it is our tradition to pay a visit, deliver achallah and determine if other help is needed.
If you have returned from the hospital, call Anne Duncan, cler-gy secretary: 703/532-2217.
If you want to volunteer to pay a visit, call coordinator MichaelR,mizcn: 703/841-5421, or e-mail mraizerictidaIwave.net .
MealsWhena"temple member- faces a crisis, cooking is often the lastthing oil mind. The Meals Committee helps b y cooking anddelivering meals as often and br as long as needed.
If you need a meal, call Anne Duncan, clergy secretary:703/532-2217.
If you want to volunteer to cook a meal, call coordinatorRonnie O'Connor: 703/642-0289, or e-mailron rmme.ocun norc!!verizon.net.
JSSA IS HERE TO HELPThanks to the continuing partnership between Temple RodefShalom arid the Jewish Social Service Agency (JSSA), we haveavailable to us, Rona Hitlin-Mason, a licensed professionalcounselor. Through a special grant, Rona is available as a con-sultant and call support and referrals to congregants inneed as a result of emotional, social, or physical challenges. Feesor her inital service through 'I'RS are covered by the grant.ISSA supports individuals, couples, and families through men-tal health counseling, services for children and adolescents,older adult services, career programs and adoption assistance.Rona can he reached at 703/204-9100 X15 or at rhitlin-niasonQ.jssa.org .
ChairLisa Kaplan Gordon . 703/241-7807
[[email protected] Lisa Kapian Gordon
IRS Shalom BabyIRS Shalom Baby provides support for lémplemembers celebrating the arrival of a new(baby. At this joyous, but sometimes stressfultime, volunteers lend a hand. They offer expcrience, a set of arms to hold the baby while Nlointakes a shower, meal assistance, referrals for other Jewish resources and anintroduction to the many family services and programs that TRS offers.
If you've recently had a baby or would like to volunteer, call coordinatorNancy Chalet: 703/761 -1234, or e-mail nchaletcox.nct.
Support for Widows andWidowers - Next StepNext Step supports Temple members who have recently lost .m sPOuse byproviding resources and a group that can help a widow or widower workthrough their grief and move on. If you need support, call coordinatorDebbie Masse y : 70111/21 64-()297, or e-mail [email protected] .
Breast Cancer NetworkThe network provides support and resources for breast cancer patientsand survivors. We meet monthly, for a casual dinner and conversation.
If you need support, please call Anita Thornton, Program Director:703/532-2217 ext. 301 or e-mail [email protected] .
A prolific, Jewish-American poet,Philip Levine, has won numerousliterary awards, including a Pulitzer.
Gospel
The new grass rising in the hills,the cows loitering in the morning chill,a dozen or more old browns hiddenin the shadows of the cottonwoodsbeside the streambed. I go higherto where the road gives up and there'sonly a faint path strewn with lupinebetween the mountain oaks. I don'task myself what I'm looking for.I didn't come for answersto a place like this, I came to walkon the earth, still cold, still silent.Still ungiving, I've said to myself,although it greets me with last year'sdead thistles and this year'shard spines, early bloomingwild onions, the curling remainsof spider's cloth. What did I bringto the dance? In my back pocketa crushed letter from a womanI've never met bearing bad newsI can do nothing about. So I wanderthese woods half sightless whilea west wind picks up in the treesclustered above. The pines makea music like no other, rising andfalling like a distant surf at nightthat calms the darkness beforefirst light. "Soughing" we call it, fromOld English, no less. How weightlesswords are when nothing will do.
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