Beth Chaverim, Ashburn VA

Our fabulous musicians rehearsed today for next Friday’s Jammin’ Shabbat! Join us on February 28 at 6:30 pm for a potluck community dinner (vegan style) and/or 7:30 pm for a rousing service! RSVP for the potluck at https://www.bcrcva.org/form/vegan-jammin-shabbat-potluck.html.

[01/08/20]   Due to weather and a possible re-freeze, tonight's Meditation Chavurah is cancelled. Meditation Chavurah will resume next Wednesday, January 15th at 7:30pm.

Everyone stay safe and warm!

Happy New Year from Beth Chaverim!

Happy Night 8! Show us your menorahs!!

Happy night 7! One more to go...

🎅🏼🕎☕️

Chanukah @beth_chaverim_ashburn - the service! @ Beth Chaverim, Ashburn VA

Chanukah @BCRCVA - the party! @ Beth Chaverim, Ashburn VA

Six13 - A Star Wars Chanukah

Happy night 5! We have crossed to the other side of the menorah - so to celebrate, a video from a galaxy far, far away. https://youtu.be/qRGlpowJQeM. Don't forget to bring your own menorahs to shabbat services tomorrow for our community lighting during the oneg/preneg at 7 pm.

"DO, OR DO NOT -- THERE IS NO TRY." Little known fact: though Baby Yoda's cousin delivered this sage advice to Luke Skywalker, he took his inspiration from t...

Happy nights 3 and 4! (Ok, I was out for sushi last night and forgot...!). Is this the smell in your house?

Jessica Meir on Twitter

Happy Night 2 - from space! https://twitter.com/Astro_Jessica/status/1208909270785372160

twitter.com “Happy Hanukkah to all those who celebrate it on Earth! #HappyHanukkah”

Happy Chanukah from Beth Chaverim! May the lights of the menorah bring peace and joy to your home tonight and always!

Jewish Rock Radio at the 2019 URJ Biennial

Enjoy this video clip taken by Rabbi Amy today during her trip to the URJ Biennial in Chicago! Here is a snippet of the Jewish Rock Radio - with a special hello from a friendly face, Dan Silien, former BCRC member and Board Member :)

Principal Short says 'Thank You' to those who donated toward our Winter Coat Drive, befitting students in need at Sterling Elementary! Thank you to Alex Harris, who organized this year's coat drive as his B'nai Mitzvah project - what a nice mitzvah give warmth to our neighbors!

Please note that Principal Short says that she does not always dress like this... it is 80s Day at the elementary school :)

Beth Chaverim, Ashburn VA's cover photo

Never Make These Classic Mistakes with Latkes

Getting ready to fry up some potatoes? What are your best secrets for making latkes?

myjewishlearning.com The time has come for the sacred tradition of frying latkes for Hanukkah. But wait — before you break out ...

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[11/20/19]   ***BCRC COAT DRIVE***

Recently, the principal of Sterling Elementary asked us for help gathering coats for her students who do not have warm coats to wear this winter. Please donate new or gently used (and clean) coats in kids' sizes 4-16 in the coat drive boxes located in the temple lobby. The due date is December 10, 2019. Keep a neighbor warm this winter. Thank you to all who donate, and thank you to 7th graders Alex Harris, with help from his family, for organizing this collection!

About

We wanted to share this event being hosted by the JCCNV. We hope some BCRC members will be able to attend.

...

“Erase the Hate” a Conversation with TM Garret
Wednesday, November 6, 8pm
Pozez Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia
8900 Little River Turnpike, Fairfax

Listen to the incredible story of how a former white supremacist— turned human rights activist — changed his life from one filled with hate to one of compassion and how he is influencing others to make the same journey.

Bio: TM Garret is a German-American author, producer, filmmaker, marketing expert, radio personality, former White Supremacist turned human rights activist and founder of C.H.A.N.G.E, a Memphis-based non-profit organization which engages in community outreach programs, food drives, seminars, anti-racism campaigns and anti-violence campaigns.

For more information about TM Garret’s fascinating transformation, please visit https://tmgarret.com.

This program is open to the community at no cost. Please RSVP to [email protected], or call 703.537.3064.

tmgarret.com TM Garret's message of compassion needs to be spread like leaves in the wind. Everywhere, all over. People must hear it, internalize it, live by it. What a better world we would inhabit! ~ Sarah Deitsch, Schottenstein Chabad House at OSU TM Garret is a German-American author, producer, filmmaker, ma...

ReformJudaism.org

We remember.

Today we mark the one-year anniversary of one of the darkest days in American Jewish history. We remember the 11 people who were killed in the shooting at Tree of Life – Or L’Simcha Congregation in Pittsburgh, PA, and we continue to pray – and to act – for a world of justice and wholeness. May their memories forever be a blessing.

Our High Holy Day Food Drive Deadline has been extended by one more week!

This is your chance to make a bigger impact! Due to yesterday's rain, we have postponed our deadline to this Sunday, October 27th! Please drop off bags of non-perishables and other necessary items to benefit Loudoun Hunger Relief :) Thank you for this great Mitzvah!

[10/17/19]   So many great events this weekend, why not come to them all!!

*This Friday! Sukkot Shabbat! 6:30am Tot Shabbat, 7:30 Erev Shabbat, with an Ice Cream Social "Get a Skoop of Sukkot" Oneg in between at 7pm. Come shake the lulav with your BCRC friends!

*This Sunday!
Consecration/Simchat Torah Ceremony 10am - 11am. Come unroll and dance with the Torah as part of this special celebration!
Book Sale! BCRC Member David Mendelsohn and fellow authors will be selling books with proceeds going to BCRC! Thank you to the generous authors!

BCRC celebrates Rabbi Amy's and Sonja's engagement. Practicing for the next step!

[10/15/19]   Please note: This week's Meditation Chavurah, once scheduled for Wednesday, October 16th at 7:30pm, is cancelled. Meditation Chavurah will resume next week at its regularly scheduled time.

92nd Street Y

An inspiring song and video from around the world for the new year!! L'Shana Tovah 5780 from BCRC! https://www.facebook.com/92ndstreetY/videos/422639271717667/

We hope your New Year is full of love and gratitude. Thank you to everyone around the world who helped make this song happen! 💜 #ShanaTovah #5780

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Beth Chaverim Reform Congregation at Grand Slam Sunday 2019 - Jewish Federation of Greater Washington

Let’s go out to the ballgame! Contact the Office to Carpool!

September 15, 1:35 pm

Join us, the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington and 1,500 Jewish community members for Grand Slam Sunday Jewish Community Day at Nationals Park this Sunday, September 15. Purchase tickets ($19, includes tickets, pre-game festivities with food tastings and a hat), by clicking link below.

There are some members who are interested in carpooling in together. If you would like to carpool, please contact the office!

https://www.shalomdc.org/gss2019bethchaverim

shalomdc.org The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington welcomes the participation of interfaith couples and families, and people of all abilities, backgrounds, gender identities and sexual orientations. Building an inclusive community is a Federation priority. If you or your family require special accommodatio...

Tie dye t-shirts for sale again at religious school Sunday! $18 kids, $25 adult. Bring cash or a check and take home your shirt!

Grilling! Food! Friends! Fun! It’s the #bcrcva picnic! @ Claude Moore Park

Reminder, Friday Evening Potluck Dinner (6pm), Guest Speaker from the Capital Jewish Museum (6:45pm), and Erev Shabbat Service (8pm) :) RSVP at link below :)

Enjoy a Shabbat Potluck Dinner together as a congregation. Please bring a potluck dish to share. As a reminder, please follow our kashrut policy - no pork or shellfish, and no mixing of dairy and meat in the same serving dish. Due to allergies, no nuts.

A representative of the new Capital Jewish Museum planned for 2021 will be joining us to share the plans and the exhibit content for the museum. Click here to see more information about the museum!

RSVP here: https://www.bcrcva.org/form/event-registration-no-payment-with-potluck3.html

[08/21/19]   Wednesday Blast (abbreviated, see email for more info.)

Upcoming Events

August 21 - Weekly Torah Study, 10 am
August 21 - Meditation Chavurah, 7:30 pm
August 23 - Congregational Potluck Dinner, Guest Presentation on Capitol Jewish Museum and Erev Shabbat Service (see below for schedule)
August 25 - First day of Religious School, 9 am
August 25 - BCRC Annual Picnic, 11 am
August 28 - Weekly Torah Study, 10 am
August 28 - Meditation Chavurah, 7:30 pm
August 30 - Erev Shabbat Service, 7 pm
August 31 - Shabbat Morning Service & Bar Mitzvah of Morgan Shuman, 10 am
September 4 - Weekly Torah Study, 10 am
September 4 - Meditation Chavurah, 7:30 pm
September 6 - Erev Shabbat Service & Board Installation, 7 pm
September 8 - Religious School, 9 am

Be in the Know & Help Wanted

Let’s go out to ballgame!
September 15, 1:35 pm
Join us, the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington and 1,500 Jewish community members for Grand Slam Sunday Jewish Community Day at Nationals Park on September 15. Purchase tickets ($19, includes tickets, pre-game festivities with food tastings and a hat) through our BCRC link ​​​​​​​so that we can all sit together. Please note that discounted Federation ticket sales are open only until Wednesday, August 21.

High Holy Day Mitzvah - Sign up to be an usher!
You can perform a mitzvah during the High Holy Days by serving as an Usher at our services. We serve about 1 /1/2- 2 hour shifts. Men, women and teenagers all welcome to participate. Ushers assist with seating at the services and distributing and collecting prayer books.
Please email David Mendelsohn at [email protected] with your selections.

BCRC Annual Picnic
Sunday, August 25, 11 am, Claude Moore Park Sterling
It's the annual BCRC reunion picnic, at Claude Moore Park, Pavilion 2. For those in religious school, all classes will dismiss at 11:00am the day-of, so bring the whole family! Register to bring a side, salad or dessert, or to volunteer to help out. Please keep in mind our kashrut policy: no mixing milk and meat, no shellfish, and no pork. Due to allergies, no nuts.

Join us for a Shabbat Potluck Dinner and Video Presentation
Learn about the new Capital Jewish Museum coming to DC!
Friday, August 23rd
Dinner: 6:00pm - 6:45 pm
Guest Speaker: 6:45 pm - 7:30 pm*
Erev Shabbat Service: 8 pm
Enjoy a Shabbat Potluck Dinner together as a congregation. Please bring a potluck dish to share. As a reminder, please follow our kashrut policy (see above).
*A representative of the new Capital Jewish Museum planned for 2021 will be joining us to share the plans and the exhibit content for the museum.

BCRC Logo Tie-dye T-shirts available for purchase Sunday
$18 for youth, $25 for adult shirts. Thanks to a generous donation to purchase the shirts, all proceeds go directly to the temple! Checks made out to Beth Chaverim Reform Congregation or cash.

​​​​​​​Call for Volunteers: High Holy Day Committee
BCRC is looking for people willing to help plan our High Holy Day services beginning September 29. If you are interested in helping out, please email our Worship VP Mark Raffman ([email protected]).

Adult Education

Weekly Torah Study
Weekly Torah Study at 10 am on Wednesdays in the BCRC Library is on break and will resume Wednesday, August 14th. If you are interested in joining this weekly study, please reach out to Rabbi Amy at [email protected].

New Jewish Cookbooks in the BCRC Library!
Our library has just received a donation of some terrific Jewish cookbooks. One is from the cook Arthur Schwartz. Our Librarian, Sharon Solomon, says she used to listen to his radio show from New York when she lived in New Jersey and commuted to work. The library has about a dozen Jewish cookbooks on the shelf ready for checkout. There is a shelf when you enter on the left to sign out and return books. Enjoy!

Worship with Us

Helper Family Assignments!

Friday, August 23 - Erev Shabbat Service, 8 pm
Board Greeter: Adrienne Skapura
Helper Families: Dafner, Deigh, Elbaum
Cantorial Soloist: Sue Mandel-Giblin

Friday, August 30 - Erev Shabbat Service, 7 pm
Board Greeter: Abby Champagne
Helper Families: Elbeze, Elmore Borbon, Fechter
Cantorial Soloist: Stacy Kafka
During this service, we will celebrate Sie Bradley's conversion to Judaism. Mazel to Sie!

Saturday, August 31 - Shabbat Service & Bar Mitzvah of Morgan Shuman, 10 am
Board Greeter: Seth Leventhal
Usher: Tucker

[07/26/19]   Tonight! Our Erev Shabbat Service start time is 8pm!

As we welcome a later sunset during the summer months, we have pushed back our start time for select summer Erev Shabbat Services. Join us at 8pm tonight, July 26th, and August 23rd!

Stay tuned for a 55 and older (and other young "old souls") potluck Shabbat dinner prior to our August 23rd service!

We look forward to seeing you, and we wish you a great summer!

[07/24/19]   This is a reminder for all members regarding your July Statement and past balances due!!

All automatic recurring payment subscriptions expired June 30 and must be renewed in July.

If you need assistance with this, please contact the office. If you need a new billing schedule (e.g. monthly, quarterly, annual) let us know.

Religious School Registration 2019-20 - Form - Beth Chaverim Reform Congregation

Now is the time to enroll in BCRC Religious School!

Our first day is August 25th for Pre-K through 7th, with a shortened day from 9am - 10:30am. We will then go to the BCRC Picnic. The first day for Chaverim-Chai is September 8th.

Click the link below to enroll! And remember that we need updated forms for each student this year, even if you were registered last year.

https://www.bcrcva.org/form/religious-school-registration-2019-20.html

bcrcva.org In case of accident or serious illness, the school will attempt to contact me. If the school is unable to reach me, I hereby authorize, by submission of this application and by entering my initials below, BCRC to administer first aid (including use of a parent-supplied EpiPen) and/or to transport my...

[06/28/19]   Tonight! Our Erev Shabbat Service start time is 8pm!

As we welcome a later sunset during the summer months, we have pushed back our start time for select summer Erev Shabbat Services. Join us at 8pm tonight, July 26th, and August 23rd!

Stay tuned for a 55 and older (and other young "old souls") potluck dinner prior to our August 23rd service!

We look forward to seeing you, and we wish you a great summer!

[05/30/19]   This Friday, May 31st - Join us for Erev Shabbat Services at a later start time of 8pm!

As we welcome a later sunset during the summer months, join us for Shabbat on Fridays May 31st, June 28th, July 26th, and August 23rd, for Erev Shabbat Services at 8pm.

Stay tuned to our EBlast for service times through out the year!

Beth Chaverim, Ashburn VA's cover photo

Confessions of Eden: A Riveting Spy Thriller (Michelle Reagan)

Please congratulation BCRC member Scott Shinberg for his book publishing! Scott’s debut novel was released on Monday, May 6th by Evolved Publishing. In this espionage thriller, Michelle Reagan joins the CIA’s Special Activities Division and pursues terrorists and traitors across the globe. Readers’ Favorite Book Reviews gave it a 5-Star rating, saying, “Confessions of Eden is told in a powerful voice, featuring streams of consciousness that plunge readers into the protagonist’s turmoil. Fast-paced and filled with action, it is one of those books you feel compelled to read nonstop.”

The book is available in eBook and paperback from Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and independent bookstore.

The Amazon.com link is: https://www.amazon.com/Confessions-Eden-Riveting-Thriller-Michelle/dp/1622536657/

amazon.com Is "Confessions of Eden" drawn from today's headlines, or are the headlines drawn from what little is visible of Eden's footprints?"For fans of crime and espionage, 'Confessions of Eden' comes across as a tour de force in entertainment." Romuald Dzemo, Readers' Favorite Book Reviews (5 STARS)"'Co...

At the Loudoun Interfaith Day of Prayer, May 2, 2019

Interfaith worshippers pray for Sri Lanka bombing victims | WTOP

BCRC along with over a dozen different faith communities at the interfaith prayer vigil for Sri Lanka victims.
Interfaith worshippers pray for Sri Lanka bombing victims https://wtop.com/loudoun-county/2019/04/interfaith-prayers-for-the-victims-of-the-terrorist-attack/

wtop.com The day after devastating, coordinated attacks claimed over 300 lives in Sri Lanka, a group of interfaith worshippers gathered to offer prayers for the victims and their families.

What a great Community Seder! Over 90 #bcrcva members, friends and community members attended. @ Beth Chaverim, Ashburn VA