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Prcsk/cnt 's /'lcssagcWe at Temple Rodef Shalom have taken a rather remarkable journey over the last year - a journeythat carried us across Millennia, from our "birth" century (only 38 years ago!), to a future that promises almost unlimited potential for continuing, dynamic growth in Jewish spirituality, education, andmeaningful social action/"Tikkun Olam." At every step along that historic journey, our charge hasbeen clear - to BUILD a sacred Jewish community unique enough to reflect our times, and strongenough to serve as a bridge to those that will follow. The building process -- those programs and initiatives that we undertake day by day, everyday -- AND THE MAGNIFICENT NEW STRUCTUREWHOSE CONSTRUCTION YOU CAN WATCH AND MEASURE EVERY TIME YOU COME TOTEMPLE -- say a lot about how we define ourselves as a congregation, and about who we want to beas we continue to grow and prosper. None is itself an isolated element, but rather, helps us to construct, step by step, the treasured Jewish house of worship, study, and assembly towards which ourshared journey leads.As we near the end of our very challenging 1999 - 2000 program year (YES, we can still conduct HighHoly Day Services and host a Purim Carnival, even if we have only HALF of a social hail and only aremnant of our parking lot!!) - and as I near the end of my two-year term as TRS President - I wouldlike to review just a few of the "building blocks" that have been added to our "sacred communityconstruction site" over the last several months. Each contributes in new and exciting ways to theblueprints that we have drawn for our future. None could have been put into place without YOURtime, talent, hard work, and dedication. Take pride as you see a bigger, better Temple Rodef Shalomtaking shape before your eyes!1. BUILDING OUR "BElT TEFILAH"IHOUSE OF WORSHIP: Building a true sense of sacred community even when we are "off-site," our congregation moved from WESTmoreland Street toWESTfields for our 1999 High Holiday observances. The beauty and sanctity of the prayers - and theGREAT acoustics, thick carpeting, and comfortable chairs - helped to make this one of our bestholiday seasons ever! The addition of Assistant Rabbi Marcus Burstein to our esteemed clergy team ofSenior Rabbi Amy Schwartzman, Cantor Michael Shochet, and Emeritus Rabbi Laszlo Berkowits, hasenabled us to innovate and expand worship opportunities through the addition of a Shabbat morningminyan guided by Rabbi Burstein and conducted by TRS members. Full-time use of the "interim" Gatesof Prayer (the thin gray prayer book we will be using for the next several years while a new version ofthe larger Gates of Prayer is being written) helps to make our worship experiences increasingly inclusive through contemporary, gender-sensitive language, and more English transliteration of Hebrewprayers alongside the Hebrew script. Cantor Shochet's devotion to expanding our "worship vision"can be seen in the many new Shabbat and holiday melodies we have added to our service "repertoire,"and to our new practice of intertwining liturgy and music through the singing of the Bar'chu andSh'ma prayers. We now have a youth-led Shabbat Junior Congregation for our young members ingrades 4 - 8, and even experimented (successfully!) with attracting the "early bird" crowd for Pesachservices at 7:30 a.m. UAHC President Rabbi Eric Yoffie's call for a "Reform Revolution" at the 1999UAHC Biennial in Orlando, Florida - with specific recommendations for expanded, participatory,accessible music opportunities; an in-depth evaluation of synagogue worship practices; increasedHebrew literacy; and even a Movement-wide on-line dialogue on prayer - adds emphasis and energyto our own evolving ritual experiences.2. BUILDING OUR "BElT MIDRASH"IHOUSE OF STUDY: Highest marks were earned by our first"Adult Institute" in March, whose three-week sessions offered a rich diversity of Jewish study opportunities. Additional learning programs were offered by Rabbi Schwartzman (Finding Religious Integrityin Jewish Ritual), Rabbi Burstein (Halachah of Synagogue Architecture), Cantor Shochet (Introductionto Torah Chanting), and Rabbi Berkowits (On the Shoulders of Giants: Amos and Micah). ProfessorAvigdor Shignan, Chairman of the Department of Hebrew Literature at Hebrew University, deliveredthree classes at TRS in the fall as a Scholar in Residence of the Foundation for Jewish Studies. Extraor-.S

Sdinary presentations by master teacher /spiritual leader/storyteller/singer/composer Donny Masengmoved us deeply in February. Expanded Hebrew classes and our "filled-to-capacity" Adult Bar/BatMitzvah program enhanced our adult education programs. We re-affirmed our enduring ties to Israelthrough the ever-popular December student trip (this year led by Rabbi Burstein and Nursery SchoolDirector Karen Simpson), our first adult trip in March/April (led by Rabbi Schwartzman, with assistance from Rabbi Berkowits and Religious School Principal Dina Burt), and the informative discussionsoffered by our Israeli Affairs Committee. Continual fine-tuning and updating of our Religious Schoolcurricula is still more essential "mortar" to help us "cement" the "structure" we are working so hard tobuild.3. BUILDING OUR "BElT KNESSET"IHOUSE OF ASSEMBLY: Of course, the BIGGEST story in our"Beit Knesset-building" is the BUILDING of our new expansion/ renovation! With great anticipationand excitement, we have marked our progress as the steps, walls, and floors have taken shape. Keepwatching - the best is yet to come!! The administrative foundation upon which our sacred communitystands was strengthened this year with the addition of Receptionist Laura Jacobs to the staff, and theintroduction of a new database to facilitate the accurate and efficient flow of information in and out ofour temple office. TRS programs both within and outside of our Westmoreland Street home have seenunprecedented growth and enormously positive impact this past year. A few favorite memories: ourChanukah family concert featuring Jewish folksinger/songwriter Craig Taubman and many of ourReligious School students (funded in part by the Checknoff Memorial Fund, and co-sponsored by ourOutreach Committee) was a rocking, rousing experience that brought the audience (particularly thosewho didn't have chairs!) to its feet. It was followed by Cantor Shochet and Koleinu's spirited Chanukahperformance at the Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage on December 6. Possibly best of all: "TheMegillah According to Broadway," in which the "star power" of our "TRS Players" will long shine andbe celebrated by all who attended.TRS extended our "Tikkun Olam" Social Action agenda to those members-in-need of our larger community through the Soup Caravan, which is planning to expand to three routes in July; our "New CitizenShabbat" for Jews from former Soviet countries; our 2000 Mitzvah Day/Sukot in April, in which 400 congregants volunteered for a variety of service projects, with the largest-yet participation in the 5KRun/3K Walk; and our annual Rabbi Richard Sternberger Social Justice Award going to the FallsChurch-McLean Children's Center.Who could have missed the fabulous TRSTY-hosted National Federation of Temple Youth/Mid-AtlanticKallah THEVENT for almost 300 singing, eating, studying, praying, eating, learning, hugging, eating,and laughing teenagers March 10-12? Surely none of our wonderful host families or the many TRSgroups - Youth Committee, Brotherhood, Sisterhood, Board, and especially, Gabriel Mercado and hiscustodial staff! - who made this weekend extravaganza possible. This joyous "Group Photo" memory iscomplemented by numerous smaller-scale memories that add more and more building blocks to oursacred community: Caring Committee support activities that range from Jewish Alcoholic, ChemicallyDependent Persons and their significant others, to our Parenting Teens and Parents of Children withSpecial Needs seminars; and a range of new initiatives to more fully incorporate our varied "membercommunities" into our larger sacred community, such as our recent focus on meaningful, fun opportunities to connect single adults. The "next-step" vision of our Long Range Planning Committee;professionalized leadership development through new leader training and our newly-formed LeadershipCouncil (a Past Presidential advisory body); and an on-line Bulletin and interactive website for those whoare computer-literate, will soon be available.As you can see, it really HAS been a remarkable year. But our sacred community is not yet complete.EACH OF US is needed to add our talents and skills to the building process. Thank you for all that youhave done, and all that you will do. I invite you to join me in the ongoing work of creating a treasuredJewish home that we all will share with pride and joy. .one that we are lovingly building, piece by piece,day by day, together.B'shalom,Ellen Blalock

SHAVUOT STUDYAND DINNERKlezmer ShabbatFriday, June 2 at 7:30 pmJune 8, 2000A Klezmer Service in Song by nationallyknown Jewish music composerII7 pmYou are invited to participate in a uniqueevening ofJOSE BOWEN(A new TRS member)Tikkun Led Shavuot(Evening Study for Shavuot)It is customary to celebrate the first night ofShavuot with an evening meal,followed by an erev Shavuot service andthe mitzvah of study of biblical text.Our Tikkun (study) will focus on ReformJudaism and Worship in the 21st CenturyParticipating in this wonderful FamilyShabbat service will be Koleinu, a 2nd /3rdGrade Children's Choir, the Adult Choir ofTemple Sinai of Washington, D.C., andCantor Laura Croen.If you would like to join use, please RSVP toLaura in the Temple Office (532-2217) byMonday, June 5Do you feel like you're losing touch with the Temple now that your kids are out of religious school? Do youwant to connect OR reconnect with other Temple members and enjoy social activities and Jewish programsgeared towards adults?.Please come to a discussion to help us form"THE RENAISSANCE CLUB"!This is a special invitation to those members who do not have children, or whose children have grownup and moved on, to participate in a discussion to let us know what you are looking for from theTemple at this stage in your life. With your help, we look forward to arranging Jewish and secularprograms and social activities of interest to YOU and others of similar age and interests.Our Membership Committee invites you to the Temple forCECoffee, Dessert and DiscussiononSunday, June 411 at 7:30 p.m.For further information, please call Julie White, Membership Co-chair, at (703) 790-5476. Welook forward to seeing YOU on June 41h!0

rNEW FOR YOU!!! NEW FOR YOU!!! NEW FOR YOU"5-I-P-P-E-R-5"stands for:Shabbat Interactivity for Parents andPre-schoolersWe're gonna have a"SIPPERS" PIZZA HAVbALAH!For parents and their little ones 0-5 yrs. oldApe-10I.'II!!Saturday, June 10t3-4:30 p.m.Stories! Playtime! Crafts! Havdalah/Songs!And. PIZZA!!!For planning purposes, it would be helpful if you would RSVP to Laura atthe Temple Office at (703) 532-22177

Fun droll lugFundraising Campaign a Huge Success!!!The TRS community has done it! We have metthe challenge and raised the additional 1million needed to complete the new building.As of early May, IRS members have pledged 1.15 million! A generous and thoughtfulanonymous gift, dedicating the Nursery School,has put the campaign over the top.The total amount raised reflects contributions,large and small, from the whole spectrum ofour Temple community: from both new andlong time members, those who are giving forthe first time and those who have given againand again. For those who have given to helprealize this dream, your generosity andcommitment have been the foundation for thissuccess.On a personal note, we want to thank theentire Board of Directors, the clergy, theoffice staff, our phonathon callers, and anumber of members who made a specialeffort (through stuffing envelopes, typing,making phone calls, and organizingevents) to make this campaign a success.We have enjoyed getting to know so manywarm and generous members of ourcongregation and we look forward toseeing you in the new building.Please keep those pledge cards coming!!!Lynn FletcherCo-chairLinda RohrbachCo-chairThese additional funds will be used to providefor a number of essential items that we couldnot otherwise afford, such as shelves, carpeting,and furnishings in the Library, renovation ofthe existing upstairs and Nursery Schoolbathrooms, the beautiful outside Jerusalemstone wall, and the new sound, security, dataand telephone systems.Although all of the major constructionrequirements are now funded as a result of thissuccessful campaign, there are still a number ofsmaller items that remain unfunded. Theseinclude computers for the Library, cabinets forthe Nursery School classrooms, blackboardsand tackboards, and many other furnishings toimprove both the function and appearance ofthe new spaces in the building. If you have notgiven, or if you can give again, please considermaking a pledge so that these important needscan be met. In addition, for larger gifts there arewonderful dedication opportunities available.While this fundraising effort hascome to a successful conclusion, yourcontinuing support is still important.The door is always open and pledgecards are always available in the officeis.Jewish Community Centerof Northern VirginiaLittle River Turnpike (Rt. 236) Fairfax, VA1495 to exit 6W. Continue 1.8 miles, on right.Phone: (703) 323-0880 e-mail: shalom@jccnv.com8900.

SAn Opportunity to Help Your NeighborsWhen a family must cope with serious illness, dinner preparation can be a daunting task forfamily members. We would like to provide the opportunity for you to help Temple memberswithin your neighborhood or community who are living with illness by providing meals for thefamily when the need arises.A list of volunteers will becode. If a Temple member livingneighboring zip code needscontacted and assigned a day toenough volunteers, you maythan once a month.organized according to zipwithin your zip code or ayour help, you will beprepare a meal. If we havenot be asked to help moreIIL M LIMThank you in advance for yoursupport of this project. Wewill need a large response fromthe congregation in order forthis project to succeed. If youhave any questions, pleasecall Ronnie O'Connor at 703/642-0289 or e-mail ijdd@erols.com .To become a volunteer for this project please fill out the form below and mail it to:Ronnie O'Connor6703 Capstan DriveAnnandale, VA 22003.Please include me on the list of volunteers for the TRS Meal PreparationNAMESTREETCITY, STATE, ZIP PHONEE-MAIL9

From The Educator.Recently, I have had a wonderful experiencethat I want to share with you. Many of youmay know that I am involved with a groupcalled the Institute for Christian and JewishStudies. It is a group that is based in Baltimoreand is a think tank of sorts. The group is madeup of Jewish and Christian Clergy and Educators from around the area. We have beenmeeting for 3 years and the original premise ofthe group was to begin to break down some ofthe barriers between us. It is an extraordinarygroup, with excellent leadership out of theInstitute office. I have made many new friendsand we continually serve as resources for eachother.As a Jewish educator, it is important to me tocontinue to grow. I am always looking for abetter understanding of the issues we face inour community. There are issues of being a Jewin a primarily Christian culture and there areissues of understanding interfaith situations,especially where the non-Jewish partner iscoming from. I have found these meetingsstimulating, exciting and full of new information that only makes me a better teacher and abetter person.Currently, we as a group have become thesounding board for a book and learners guidethat will discuss the similarities and differencesbetween the communities. The book is beingwritten by top professionals in both fields andwill be an incredible work when it is through. Ifeel as though it will open up dialogues everywhere and help to alleviate many of ideas thatwe have of each other that are actually misconceptions!The most recent meeting we attended focusedon the questions of irreconcilable differencesbetween Christians and Jews. It took us half theday to just get ourselves going - and the discussion was unbelievable. We talked some "Godtalk" , we talked about Messiahship, we talkedabout the bible and we talked interpretation.Did we solve anything? NO. Did we reach anyconclusions? Only that we must keep talking.10Was the day a waste because we reached nodefinitive answer? Absolutely not. especiallywhen one considered what was learned collectively and individually around the table.Though we may move at glaciers' speed, we aregetting there slowly but surely. We are inchingcarefully, one mind at a time., towards understanding the people with whom we share thisworld.SODA FOR TZEDAKAH MONEYGOES TO RONALD MACDONALD HOUSEIn Our High School Haskalah program, duringsnack time, there is soda to be bought eachweek. A big portion of the .50/can goes intothe SODA FOR TZEDAKAH fund During thelast trimester of Haskalah there are students inan elective class that study hard the concept ofTzedakah and helping others. This year, theover 300 collected will be used to purchaseitems for the Ronald Macdonald House. We areall proud of the hard work of our young peopleand their understanding of making difficultdecisions. WAY TO GO!REMINDER TO ALL 4th and 5" GRADERS!SAVE YOUR HEBREW BOOKSYour purple Hebrew through Prayer is your textbook through the 61h grade. Keep it safe over thesummer and bring it back in the fall! (TheReplacement cost of the book is 30.)DON'T LET THE LIGHT GO OUT.Each year we look forward to summer breakand no school. It is very easy to go off and dofun warm weather activities and not give yourHebrew a second thought. As you kick backand have some summer fun, don't forget to pullout that Hebrew! Review your letters, vocabulary words and even re-read your Jewishstudies book. Staying in touch with your Jewishself over the summer is healthy—just like allthat swimming you'll be doing! Read yourBulletin for summer family opportunities at theTemple!.

EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION HASENDED!All registration forms received after June 1 willbe required to enclose regular fees. The EarlyBird deadline ended May 31! Please rememberthat the Early Bird deadline applies only to feesand not to class space. Classes are closed assoon as they are over subscribed and a wait listis started!EVER THOUGHT ABOUT TEACHING?The summer is a great time to prepare to shareyour time with a Religious School class in thefall. Please contact the Religious School office ifyou are interested in more information (Aphone call is just a phone call. not a commitment!)Party PlannersInvitations biscountedBalloonsCreative CenterpiecesBow Centerpieces 15- 25One Stop ShoppingV AT'111 9 1You may have seen flyers in past bulletinsinviting our members 55 years of age and olderto participate in a variety of activities. This hasbeen an extremely active year for thiswonderful group. We have met monthly toenjoy a variety of programs including severalcatered lunches just to "schmooze", a luncheonto get to know Rabbi Burstein, and "RoadTrips" galore to enjoy everything from theatreat the JCCNV, to a tour of the Dennis andPhillip Ratner Museum guided by the artisthimself, to our 2d annual Spirit of Washingtonlunch cruise on the Potomac.Many of these programs have been subsidizedby the Temple, making these greatopportunities to enjoy a number of activities atdiscounted prices. Old friends have beenreunited, new friendships have been forged,and we've had a blast just getting togetheronce a month for some good old-fashioned fun.Vatikim activities will resume in the fall with aVatikim Shabbat Dinner in September. If youare not currently on our Vatikim mailing list,are 55 or older, and would like to be included,please call Anita in the Temple office at 703/532-2217. Suggestions for future programs arealways welcome and appreciated!COMBINEDJULY AND AUGUST BULLETIN ISSUEWILL CONTAIN ALL SUMMERPROGRAM INFORMATION!Deadline for insertions is June 5!We Give YoarParty a Lift!TRS"MEGILLAH ACCORDINGTO BROADWAY".Volunteer Shabbat - Installation of OfficersFriday, June 23 - 8:15 pmVIDEOS STILL AVAILABLEIt's about you!!! It's about us!!!It's our way of saying thanks for all you do!Hurry! Supplies are limited! 10.00 in the Temple Officeand.#04It's a great time to meet our new Board!IF

55tcr/i oodBook Club3rd Wednesdays at 10 AMJune 21:Fugitive PiecesJuly 19:The Last Septemberby Anne MichaelsToni Sandier7213 Idyiwood CourtFalls Church, 22043703/734-9533by Elizabeth BowenHarriet Beckman6849 Strata StreetMcLean, 22101703/356-3586For further information, call Lynnie Weinstein at703/821-3215I find television very educational. Every time someone turns it on, I go in the other room and read abook.- Groucho MarxThank youNancy and Lisa would like to thank our hardworking and dedicated Board for all their effortsthis past year. Thanks to you and to all of ourmembers we had an extremely successful year.We were able to make many donations to localhigh schools' All Night Graduation Parties. Ourdonations to national and international charitiesincluded the World Union/ARZA and ARMDI(Israeli Red Cross). Finally, we were able to significantly increase our pledge to the TRS buildingfund in order to have the Judaica Shop namedafter Sisterhood. We hope you enjoyed the year asmuch as we did.Old Board/New Board MeetingPlease join us for the last event of the year at ourOld Board/New Board Meeting on Wednesday,June 7 from 10 am - 2 pm. We will have a meetingfirst and then have a catered lunch. It will takeplace at the home of Pat Silverman, 7010Holyrood Drive, McLean, VA 703/903-9388.Please call her for directions and to RSVP.12Do you have storage space?.Sisterhood is sending out a plea to the entire congregation for a place to store our china and otherkitchen rental items. They are packed in about 50boxes and have to be moved to another locationuntil the Temple kitchen renovations are c

The addition of Assistant Rabbi Marcus Burstein to our esteemed clergy team of Senior Rabbi Amy Schwartzman, Cantor Michael Shochet, and Emeritus Rabbi Laszlo Berkowits, has enabled us to innovate and expand worship opportunities through the addition of a Shabbat morning minyan guided by Rabbi Burstein and conducted by TRS members.