Congregation Kol Ami of Frederick • kolamifrederick.org • 240.575.9690
2020. This is certainly
shaping up to be one
humdinger of a year.
This is the second
article I wrote for this
month’s Voice. It seems
that after I wrote the
rst one; I left it, and
although, I have auto saved turned on my
Word program, the system rebooted at
some point and didn’t save. So, I had to
start all over again. 2020 strikes again. This
year is feeling like a song that my oldest
loved when she was a toddler. The song
that never ends, sung by Sheri Lewis and
Lamb Chop, but it feels like the words
should be 2020 is the year that never ends.
Yes, it goes on and on, my friends.
This year started like any other, with people
making resolutions (that they hope to hold
themselves to - at least until Valentine’s
Day), and then slowly, quietly the world
started to change and no one could stop it.
Then, overnight the world stopped. People
were told to stay in their houses; kids
stayed home from school; people started
to work from home; kids started school
online; people started to lose their jobs. If
you choose to leave your house, you are
not able to go see family, friends, or attend
services. You were only allowed to go to
grocery stores to get food. The hottest
item of 2020 is toilet paper. You were asked
and then mandated to wear masks. With
people getting sick, hospitals ICU’s lling
up, and people dying, some people treated
masks as their fundamental human right
not to wear one. This completely boggles
my mind. This isn’t solely your issue. It is
everyone’s issue. All of us need to work
together to get a handle on Covid-19 and
develop treatments and vaccines. Like the
old saying goes, the strongest chain is only
as strong as its weakest link.
Times like this push people to the edge.
People develop anxiety and depression
as they feel that their world is not under
their control. Mental health issues become
more apparent. For people with already
diagnosed anxiety, depression, PTSD or any
other illness, their condition can take them
down a long dark road that appears to
them to be unstoppable and unclimbable.
This is where we can practice the Jewish
value of Tikun Olam – repairing our world.
Reach out to someone that you typically
don’t talk to on a regular basis. Say ‘Hello,
how you doing?’ and then listen. Listen
to their thoughts, fears or anything that
they want to talk about. This one small
act could be just a 5-10 minute call, but it
could be the act that holds that weak link
together that day and provides the light
to their dark day. Now, you may think that
you don’t have anyone that is feeling this
way. But, you don’t know. People hide their
fears and weaknesses. If the person you talk
to is not feeling that way, then it is just a
friendly conversation and that is something
everyone needs these days.
As you all know, I recently lost my brother
and want to thank everyone that has
reached out and expressed their thoughts.
Please reach out to someone each day: that
one call could make a dierence to more
than just that one person.
As we move into the High Holy Day season,
it is important to keep others in our hearts
and minds. In the past, we would collect
items for individuals in need during
the High Holidays. We would donate to
homeless shelters and other organizations.
Since we will be meeting virtually this
year, please do what you can to help. I look
forward to seeing everyone at High
Holiday services.
Oce and Worship: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Frederick (UUCF), 4880 Elmer Derr Rd., Frederick, MD 21703
A Member of the Union for Reform Judaism
congregation
Kol Ami
of frederick
A Member of the Union for Reform Judaism
The Voice
congregation
Kol Ami
of frederick
A Member of the Union for Reform Judaism
The Voice
September/October 2020
Time, Stress, Shabbat,
and Inner Peace
Rabbi Marc A. Gruber
D
ecades
ago, in
1999,
James Gleick
wrote a book
entitled Faster,
The Acceleration
of Just About
Everything. He suggests that
everything is being accelerated. The
book helps us to reconsider time and
the pace of our lives. Let us consider
some ways Gleick illustrates our
human shaping of time.
• Let us begin with a personal
question. In elevators do you
punch the Door Close button
to save a few seconds? Always?
Sometimes? Never?
• According to Gleick, politicians
average 8.2 seconds to answer a
question. That is what we mean by
a sound byte.
• In Japan, Fumio Komatsuzaki
installed a time punch machine for
his customers. He oers all you can
eat at a rate of thirty-ve yen per
minute (in 1999). So, diners rush
to punch the clock, load their trays
Will it ever end?
Message from Dan Sieger, President
Continued on page 3
Our Mission
To be an inclusive Reform
Jewish congregation that is
family-focused, community-
oriented, emphasizes spiritual
and cultural identity, and is
dedicated to the Jewish
education of all generations.
Congregation Kol Ami of Frederick • kolamifrederick.org • 240.575.9690
2
High Holidays 2020
Jodi Duckhorn
Congregation Kol Ami of
Frederick is proud to o er our
18th season of High Holiday
religious programming and our
rst with Rabbi Marc Gruber.
The High Holidays are a time
in our lives when we typically re ect on the previous year,
while making resolutions for the year ahead. 5780 has been
challenging and di erent in many ways.
This year, our High Holiday services will be webcast only. We
never imagined a virtual world, but here we are striving not
to lose sight of the important parts of our lives. We need
spirituality, we need to connect and engage, and we need
to be together safely.
This is a year of independent re ection for you and your
family. We look forward to closing out the year together as a
community with a spirit of re ection and connectedness to help
propel us into a 5781 lled with health, hope and happiness.
For more information, visit kolamifrederick.org/worship/
holidays/ or feel free to email highholidays@kolamifrederick.org
with any questions.
Schedule of High Holiday Services
High Holiday Services will be webcast. In the beginning
of September, information about how to connect to the
webcast will be shared with members by email.
Rosh Hashanah
Friday, September 18
7:30 pm Evening Service
Saturday, September 19
10:00 am Morning Service
Yom Kippur
Sunday, September 27
7:30 pm Kol Nidre and Evening Service
Monday, September 28
10:00 am Morning Service
2:00 pm Afternoon Discussion Group* led by
Rabbi Gruber and Eric Dubbin (Zoom)
4:00 pm Yizkor
5:00 pm Ne’ilah Service
*Please note the afternoon series of discussion groups is
intended for adult participants.
Children
Children’s programming is intended for children ages 5 to 10 years
old (generally K through 5th grade). In lieu of children’s services,
we will provide a High Holiday activity bag to
children who register. There will be 3 pick-up locations on
September 13 from12-1 pm (Frederick) and 4-6 pm (New Market
and Adamstown). Activity bag pick-up locations will be provided
after registration.
To receive an activity bag, you must register no later than
September 4: kolamifrederick.org/childrens-programming-
registration/
Please note: after registering online, you will receive a
con rmation email right away. If you do not receive a
con rmation email right away, your registration was not
complete. If you have any problems lling out the online form,
please email webmaster@kolamifrederick.org.
We are also asking for volunteers to make a video:
• reading your favorite High Holiday children’s story, or
• sharing a holiday recipe including making the recipe, or
• making a children’s craft with directions
Videos will be accessible to families through our congregation’s
restricted YouTube channel. Only those with the link can access
the videos. If you are interested in making a High Holiday video,
please contact Joanna Sieger at [email protected].
Yizkor Book
In memory of those no longer with us, a Yizkor book will be read
during the Yizkor Service on Yom Kippur. This will include only the
names submitted by members on their membership applications.
You may email [email protected] no later than
September 21with additional names to be read during the Yizkor
service. Please be sure to include the name of and relationship to
the congregant.
Mitzvot
Members are encouraged to perform the traditional mitzvah of
tzedakah for the High Holidays.
When is it appropriate to give a
donation to the synagogue?
Receiving an honor in the Synagogue is a special experience.
It draws a blessing for the individual, family and entire
community, and much more so when this honor occurs
during the High Holidays.
It is a custom in many shuls around the world to associate a
donation/pledge with the privilege of being honored in front
of the Torah on the High Holidays. It is considered to be very
meritorious to connect these honors with an act of tzedakah.
It is also customary, as a thank you, to make extra donations
of charity to the synagogue at the time of a yahrzeit or when
a clergy member o ciates at a life cycle or other special event
for a family.
Congregation Kol Ami of Frederick • kolamifrederick.org • 240.575.9690
3
From Rabbi Marc Gruber
Continued from page 1
from the buet table, and concentrate
intensely on ecient chewing and
swallowing. They try not to waste time
talking to their companions before
rushing back to punch out. It is so
popular in Japan that at lunchtime
when the restaurant prepares to open,
Tokyo residents wait in line.
With all the labor-saving devices and the
hustle and bustle, it seems that we have
less and less time to spare. Sometimes it
even seems that we have become slaves
to the technology that is intended to
improve our lives.
Now, our sense of time is challenged
by the Covid-19 lockdowns. We are in
our homes much more of the time than
typically is the case. I have heard more
than a few people complain that they
have lost track of the days. The days seem
less dierentiated from one another and
blur together.
We are lucky; we have a remedy to
counteract the frenetic pace and stressful,
and sometimes dehumanizing, conditions
of modern life. We call it Judaism; we
are heirs to an amazing tradition that,
when we make the most of it, focuses
our attention on people, grounds us in
values, and centers us in community. We
are especially blessed with a weekly gift
called shabbat.
The shabbat commandment crystallizes
the Jewish world view. Shabbat is a
celebration of our fundamental ideas
about life. From Genesis (2:1-3) we learn
to begin in the rhythm of the universe.
The shabbat extends its purpose to
the sanctity of each person created in
God’s image. On shabbat we renew our
appreciation of God’s splendid world
and our recognition that we are part of
it. Deuteronomy (5: 15) reminds us that
everyone rests; master, slave, and even
farm animals.
Sadly, today in America, shabbat is either
Saturday, our national errand day, or
a time to complete all our household
chores. This practice allows us to
concentrate on our work the other days
of the week. Shabbat no longer liberates
us, but merely enables us to work for
our masters even harder. One quality of
shabbat in Israel that I cherish and enjoy
is that the stores are closed. Perhaps
folks are forced to do so, but on shabbat
families spend time at leisure together.
Shabbat helps us avoid some ill eects
of stress. Especially during this time of
pandemic, shabbat observance can
help us nd a rhythm for our week and
dierentiate our days. In our shabbat
prayers, we say yinafash. This Hebrew
word means rest and refreshment. It
has the same root as nefesh, person,
soul, and individual. Shabbat teaches
about rest. Resting is not simply sleeping
or remaining idle. It is refreshing and
renewing our souls and selves. “Shabbat
shalom” is much more than a greeting.
It is a wish and a reminder to use this
day to make ourselves whole again by
rekindling our spirits, not just resting our
bodies. We celebrate oneg shabbat, the
delight of shabbat, and we learn that
creativity and joyous activity are keys
to reducing stress, improving health,
and recovering wholeness. That is why
on shabbat, tradition commands us to
engage in intimate relations with our
spouse. Love and passion are as much an
aspect of shabbat observance as prayer
and meditation.
Shabbat refreshment, one day, every
week, may be a dicult prescription for
well-being, but it can make a world of
dierence, and a dierence for our world.
As we enter the new year, give yourself
and your family the gift of shabbat. It
means abandoning work, chores, and
shopping. It means a delicious meal
and spending time together as a family.
Shabbat can help us learn to reserve
time to love, to speak, and to share the
precious thoughts in our minds. It means
listening to one another. It means time for
community. It is true, shabbat may not be
an easy day. Being holy is more dicult
than being rich or successful. Observing
shabbat does not happen easily; it takes
practice. This practice can heal our souls,
our families, and our neighborhoods.
George Carlin, z”l, noted, “Life is not
measured by the number of breaths
we take, but by the moments that take
our breath away.” Through shabbat we
cultivate openness to such moments.
After havdalah, when we return to the
work week, some of us may nd that
we exhibit some peculiar symptoms.
Be careful, you may be contagious. You
might nd that you have an amazing
ability to enjoy each moment. You could
lose interest in judging other people and
in judging yourself. Your ability to worry
may be severely inhibited. You might
succumb to frequent and overwhelming
feelings of appreciation and even attacks
of smiling. Lastly, it may happen that
you are increasingly susceptible to
the love extended by others and have
uncontrollable urges to return that love.
If this is the case, you may very well
have contracted a rare condition known
as inner peace. It is the one hazard of
increased shabbat observance. Enjoy it!
From our home to yours, Renee and I wish
you l’shanah tovah oo’metukah – a good
and sweet new year.
B’vrakha – with blessing,
Rabbi Marc Gruber
“
Shabbat shalom is much
more than a greeting.
It is a wish and a
reminder to use this day
to make ourselves whole
again by rekindling our
spirits, not just resting
our bodies.
”
Congregation Kol Ami of Frederick • kolamifrederick.org • 240.575.9690
4
Religious School Teachers
Joanna Sieger, Director of Education
After teaching school for eight years in Kol Ami’s
Religious School, Joanna became the Director
of Education in 2018. She is also the director
of the Beth Sholom Early Childhood Center in
Frederick, where she teaches the two-year-old
class. Additionally, she serves on the Executive
Committee of Kol Ami as the Immediate Past President, having
served as the President from 2016 – 2018. She is the mother
of three children: Molly, Zachary, and Sarah. She feels that our
children’s religious school education is incredibly important
because it is where our youth gain their sense of community.
David Bass, 7th Grade
David grew up in Bayside, Queens with his mom
and younger brother. He had his Bar Mitzvah
and Conrmation at Temple Beth Sholom, a
Reform Temple in Queens, and was active in BBYO
throughout high school. David has a bachelor’s
degree in History and Africana Studies and a
master’s degree in Special Education and Public Administration
(MPA). David currently serves as the Hillel Director at Gettysburg
College and as an Academic Tutor for College Living Experience.
David is a member of the Kol Ami Board of Trustees.
Tom Brancato, 7th Grade
Tom grew up with his parents and twin sisters on
Long Island, NY. After high school, Tom attended
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) where he
received his bachelor’s degree in computer science
and math. Upon graduating, Tom began his career
as a software engineer working for Lockheed
Martin. Tom holds master’s degrees in systems engineering from
Cornell University and economics from Binghamton University. After
about a year of study, and almost a decade of living a Jewish life,
Tom converted to Judaism last year. Tom enjoys bike riding, tennis,
baseball, theater, and eating out at the great restaurants Frederick
has to oer.
Colt Black, 4th and 5th Grades
Colt Black has been a member of Congregation Kol
Ami for over 3 years. He graduated from American
Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Services
in New York, NY in 2009 with an Associate’s
Degree in Funeral Service. Colt is a licensed
Maryland Mortician, Pennsylvania Funeral Director
and Maryland Life Insurance Producer. Colt also holds multiple
emergency services credentials issued by the University of Maryland
Fire/Rescue Institute. He is the owner of Black’s Funeral Home in
Thurmont, MD. Colt is married to his loving wife Micheala and is
the proud father of his children Denver, Atlas and Liberty. When not
working Colt enjoys spending time with family, and outdoor sports.
Colt is looking forward to another successful year teaching.
Joe Anderson, 6th Grade
Joe is a Virginia native who relocated from
Richmond to Frederick in 2013 with his wife,
Michelle, and daughter, Anna, a third grader at
Oakdale Elementary. He is a data scientist for the
Army, and he has taught high school and college
students Bioinformatics and Internet of Things
Engineering. This is Joe’s second year teaching religious school, and
he is excited for a great year of learning. He is looking forward to
meeting the students and parents. He also builds motorcycles, welds,
does woodworking, and has two lazy girl pit bulls that show up on
camera from time to time. Joe wants everyone to have a great year
and do some mitzvot.
Angela Kearney,
Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd Grades
Angela Kearney and her husband, Mike, live with
their dog “Maggie” in Middletown. They have
3 daughters, Amanda who owns a local salon
studio, our middle daughter Morghan, who works
as a dispatcher in Washington county and our
youngest who is attending Towson University. They also have two
grandsons. Angela and Mike own a few local businesses. Happy
Paws, Inc. and Strike Zone batting cages. Angela is currently working
with MSquared Dog Training. Mike retired from Rockville City Police
Department and now works for “I Drive Smart”, teaching teens to
drive safely. The Kearneys have been Kol Ami members for 6 years.
Michaela Black, 3rd Grade
Michaela is happy to be teaching the 3rd grade
class once again. It is her third-year teaching for
Congregation Kol Ami of Frederick. She has three
children, 2 cats, one dog and a bunch of chickens.
Michaela lives in the mountains between Camp
Airy and Camp Louise. During the week she helps
her husband Colt run their funeral home. Michaela loves to read
outside and decorate cakes.
Religious School Update
Joanna Sieger
R
eligious school begins on Sunday, September 13, 2020
at 10 a.m. We are going virtual this year and are very
excited about the curriculum and education model
we’ve developed. Special thanks to the Education Committee:
Samantha Lieberman, Sabrina Nail, Ali Lazorchak, Angela
Kearny, and Michael Cohen for all their time and work over
the summer to prepare our school. School will be held every
Sunday from 10-11 a.m. and each class will meet an additional
time during the week.
Congregation Kol Ami of Frederick • kolamifrederick.org • 240.575.9690
5
This fall, Congregation Kol Ami of Frederick will proudly offer
the ShalomLearning program for grades K-7.
Values Curriculum
Hebrew Curriculum Virtual Classroom
The ShalomLearning's values-based
curriculum explores seven Jewish
values and their relevance in our
everyday lives. Students will learn to
use Jewish sources to make
responsible decisions and build
positive relationships.
Using the ShalomLearning Hebrew
program, we will
teach your children
to read Hebrew, chant prayers, and
understand their meaning. At home,
students in grades 3-7 can log into
the ShalomLearning portal to
practice.
Learning together in a virtual
classroom, students will interact
with each other in a real-time,
teacher-led class. By being able to
log in from home (or anywhere),
students understand that learning
and Judaism happen everywhere,
not just in the Religious School.
Meet and Greet with Rabbi Gruber
On July 20, Kol Ami congregants had an opportunity to meet with Rabbbi Marc and Renee Gruber. Respecting the constraints
necessary in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic, members met during pre-arranged times, wearing masks and maintaining physical
distances. In August, congregants socialized during virtual parlor meetings in the comfort of their homes using zoom-mediated
communication. Watch the weekly bulletin for more opportunities to engage with Rabbi Gruber and fellow Kol Ami members.
Congregation Kol Ami of Frederick • kolamifrederick.org • 240.575.9690
6
September 5 – Ki tavo, Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8
The Israelites are encouraged to show thanks to God for their
freedom and bountiful harvests by tithing 10 percent of their
crops.
September 12 – (Selihot) Nitzavim-Vayeilech, Deuteronomy
29:9-31:30
Moses tells the assembly that God’s covenant applies to them
and to all following generations, but they need to follow His
commandments. Moses prepares the Israelites for his death and
announces Joshua will succeed him.
September 19 – Rosh Hashanah
September 26 – Yom Rishon shel Rosh Hashanah,
Genesis 22:1-19
These verses, known as “The Akeidah” or “the binding,” describe
how God tests Abraham by calling on him to sacrice his son.
(Conservatives celebrate Shabbat Shuvah today by reading
Ha’azinu, Deuteronomy 32:1-52.)
October 3 – Sukkot, Leviticus 23:33-44
Describes the Feast of Tabernacles (or “Feast of Ingathering” in
Exod. 23:16) to celebrate harvest season.
October 10 – Shemini Atseret/Simhat Torah, Deut. 33:1-34:12,
Genesis 1:1-2:3
The nal day of Deuteronomy, in which Moses provides his
valedictory song before blessing the people one last time and
ascending Mount Nebo. And we start anew, “In the beginning…”
October 17 – Bereshit, Genesis 1:1-6:8
God creates the world and everything in it, but humans quickly
give Him second thoughts.
October 24 – Noach, Genesis 6:9-11:32
God causes a ood, sparing only Noah’s family and the animals
gathered on the ark. Life starts over with the Noachide Laws and
the rainbow. People build a city with the Tower of Babel; then
God scatters them.
October 31 – Lech L’cha, Genesis 12:1-17:27
Abram, Sara, and Lot travel to Canaan, then to Egypt. Abram has
a son (Ishmael) with his maidservant Hagar. God establishes a
covenant with Abram.
Torah…“It is a tree of life to all who grasp it, and whoever holds on to it is happy; its ways are
ways of pleasantness, and all its paths are peace. (Proverbs 3:17-18)
The Parshyot for September and October are as follows:
October Birthdays
c Gershon Blakmore
c Robert Blumenthal
c Judy Bravman
c Brett Dabruzzo
c Mia Farber
c Jeannie Fawley
c Alexis Fogelson
c Jonah Freedman
c Bridget Friedman
c Amy Gober
c Andrew Gordon
c Scott Gordon
c Sylvia Guralnik
c Hunter Kelleher
c Samantha Koitz
c Steven Lazerowich
c Jacob Levitan
c Lindsey Levitan
c Brooke Lieberman
c Newton Plaisance
c Brody Schwab
c Ellen Steinbach
c Katelyn Vaughan
November Birthdays
c Jared Berkowitz
c Eric Dubbin
c Jodi Duckhorn
c Berta Farbman
c Sonya Goldstein
c Amy Gordon
c Duane Haldeman
c Andie Horichter
c Olive Medovoy
c Marsha Meehan
c Anne Miller
c Mary Mills
c Aliyah Newberry
c Asher Newberry
c Julian David Polak
c Jaques Reifman
c Kerry Reynolds
c Jonathan Rottenberg
c Hadrian Vaughan
c Dennis Whitaker
c Nelson Zahler
Wish your friends a happy birthday and give to Kol Ami!
Everyone likes to be remembered, and it’s time to celebrate our October and November birthday congregants.
All you have to do is cut out the list, place a checkmark next to the name(s) of those you want to send a greeting, (at $1.00 per
greeting), and sign the list the way you want your name written on the card. Please make your check out to Congregation Kol
Ami of Frederick, and mail it to: Judi Feldman, 5005 Small Gains Way, Frederick, MD 21703.
Judi will send out a festive card, to each recipient, with the names of those sending birthday wishes. Please respond ASAP and
before Sep 25 for both months.
Very Important: Please check the list and make sure we did not omit your name or the name(s) of your family members. If you
have any questions, please call Judi at (216) 402-5543. Thank you very much!
Birthday greetings from: _____________________________________________________________________________________
(Please indicate how the cards should be signed, i.e. Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Jane Smith, or The Smith Family)
Congregation Kol Ami of Frederick • kolamifrederick.org • 240.575.9690
7
These are the Words
Charolette Mayberry
These are the words at the beginning of Deuteronomy, the last
book of Torah, and what incredible words they are. You may
think the whole Torah is nothing but words, so what makes
these dierent? These are the words that make the entire
Biblical project clear at last. These are the words spoken by
Moses to the Israelite people as we were standing at the banks
of the Jordan River, waiting to cross over to the Promised Land.
Moses spent the last month of his life teaching his followers
how to build a moral civic society.
What place does religion hold in a moral civic society, you may
ask? Our great philosopher Maimonides, who lived and wrote
in Spain during the 12th century, tells us that in order for a soul
to reach fulllment we must rst take care of our basic human
needs such as safety and security, that we will have adequate
food and housing for our families. Only then can we begin
thinking about matters of the mind, heart, and soul. Now we
can think about building a moral civic society. (This sounds
like the precursor to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs theory, which
is the cornerstone for all social and medical sciences in use
today.) Keep in mind that the people Moses is teaching have
never known freedom, dignity, or hope. Their parents were
born into slavery in Egypt, and this generation has spent their
lives wandering in the desert as exiles, being fed by manna
from heaven, nding water from rocks and being led by God in
a pillar of re. They have experienced and learned so much in
their wanderings that God and Moses hope they have gained
sucient wisdom to nally understand the meaning of the
Covenant at Sinai, made so many years ago between God and
their parents.
What is a Covenant? Covenants are a secular invention which
contains a promise between two groups of people. There is
archaeological evidence of their existence even before the
time of Abraham. They were normally made between nations
by kings and can be described as a peace treaty. The idea of
God giving up power to enter into a Covenant with an earthly
people of no standing or place in the world was absolutely
revolutionary. This is what happened at Sinai, and our story
should have stopped there, but alas the people were not
ready. Slavery was too close behind them. It took forty years to
mature and make a physical journey that should have been a
few days on foot.
Rabbi Jonathan Sachs wrote an essay about the language of
Covenant that is unique to the book of Deuteronomy. In the
essay, he lists a few words that are integral to the building of a
moral civic society. I would like to share.
Listen
Shema (listen) is the most important word in the book; it
occurs ninety-three times in Deuteronomy. God expects us to
listen and internalize the commandments and live by them.
Love
The verb love appears fteen times in Genesis, but it always
refers to the love between humans. It appears twice in Exodus,
and twice in Leviticus where we are commanded to love our
neighbor and the stranger. Numbers does not mention love.
The word appears twenty-three times in Deuteronomy and
always refers to the love of God for Israel and Israel’s love of
God. Our prophets, poets, and mystics have long referred
to the relationship between God and Israel as a love aair.
Perhaps Deuteronomy is the source of this metaphor. The most
famous use of the verb is heard in the commandment, “You
shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul,
and all your might.” (Deut. 6:5)
Joy
We are told that when we reach the Promised Land we are to
rejoice in our prosperity and happiness. Simcha (joy) must be
shared in order to build a religious community, a fact many of
us are now painfully realizing.
Remembering, Not forgetting
How many times as Jews are we told to remember? What is so
important that we must remember? We must remember the
early experiences of the Jewish people. Maintain the Passover
Seder, read the Torah, preserve the traditions. The memories
are essential to our identity. We know what it feels like to be
aicted, therefore we must never aict others.
Handing On of Memory and Identity
“Take to heart these instructions with which I charge you this
day. Teach them to your children. Recite them when you stay at
home and when you are away, when you lie down and when
you get up.” (Deut. 6:6-7). The Hebrew verb LMD, to learn or
teach, is rst seen in Deuteronomy and appears seventeen
times. With this commandment the whole community of Israel
becomes a nation of students and teachers.
These are the words that have sustained the Jewish people
throughout many improbabilities and some impossibilities.
These are the words that give us hope of someday obtaining
that moral civic society for all people.
Congregation Kol Ami of Frederick • kolamifrederick.org • 240.575.9690
8
Sisterhood Coff ee
Wednesdays, Sept. 2 and Oct. 7
Come meet your friends and let us know what is
happening in your life. Go to this Zoom link for
our September co ee.
https://zoom.us/j/92495529673?pwd=eTA0RWNK
cVN3eHdFZDdBcDl0YXJEZz09&status=success
Bar Mitzvah of
Hyatt Gordon
October 17, 2020
Hyatt is the son of Amy
and Scott Gordon and
brother to Merritt (11)
and Beckett (9). He is entering 7th grade
at Urbana Middle School. Hyatt likes to
play soccer, the saxophone, electronics,
sports, reading and building legos. One
of Hyatt’s favorite activities is attending
Camp Shoresh. He has been a camper
there for 9 years. Finally, he enjoys
spending time with his dog, Zippy.
Sisterhood Book Club
Wednesday, Sept. 9 at 12:30 p.m.
Location: Zoom link will be provided at a later date
Becoming Mrs. Lewis by Patti Callahan
Go the following link to RSVP and read a synopsis
of the book: https://www.signupgenius.com/
go/4090a45a9a92d6-kolami2
Save the Date!
Saturday, October 10, 2020
Kol Ami Social Distancing Style – Part 2
We had such a great response to our rst online Trivia contest last April, that
we decided to do it again.
On Saturday, October 10, 20 trivia questions will be sent out to all
participants. The cost is only $10 per person/e-mail. Check the weekly
bulletin for more information.
So brush up on your trivia, start studying, and have fun while helping Kol Ami!
The trivia contest is open to all Kol Ami members, their families, and friends.
Any questions, contact David Silberman at: [email protected].
UPCOMING EVENTS
Join us for Torah Study
Mondays at 12:30 p.m.
September 7, 14, 21
October 5, 12, 19, 26
Join us for Services
Sept. 11, 18, 19, 27 and 28
October 2, 16 and 17
Please welcome
new members!
Leiba and Gerald Cohen
Jeanne and Stan Binder
Congregation Kol Ami of Frederick • kolamifrederick.org • 240.575.9690
9
Update from the Communications
and Public Relations Committee
Diane Rifkin and Steve Lazerowich
The Communications and Public
Relations Committee has been meeting
virtually to update our website. We are
working to update photos and content,
engaging Rabbi Gruber, committee
chairs, and Board members to assist us in
this eort. To keep our website attractive
and current, we encourage congregants
to send any quality photos to Steve
Lazerowich (stevenlazerowich@gmail.
com) and Diane Rifkin (communications@
kolamifrederick.org). Please consider
sending photos of individuals or families
participating in Jewish activities such as
lighting the Shabbat or Havdalah candles,
Jewish educational activities, or any
upcoming congregational social action
activities (even if done virtually such as
collecting hygiene items for SHIP).
The photo(s) should be clear, in focus,
and should be in JPEG format. Please
send photos in their “actual” size (rather
than the small, medium, or large size that
the cell phone oers). Please also provide
a short description of the event being
photographed. As a courtesy, please ask
the individual(s) in the photo for their
consent for their photo to appear on the
Kol Ami website. Once we are able to
meet in person again, we will be reaching
out to you to obtain new photos of
groups of congregants celebrating
Jewish events. Photos posted to
Facebook cannot be used for the website.
Kol Ami is searching for a volunteer
Layout Editor for our Voice Newsletter.
Please contact Betsy Maymon at
bmaydesign@comcast.net if you are
interested in taking on this position. She
would be happy to train you. The Voice is
printed and posted on our website every
other month (6 issues per year) and is an
important mode of communication for
our congregants.
Congregational
Kol Ami Ritual
Committee
Congregation Kol Ami is restarting
the Ritual Committee. The
committee will meet four to six
times a year with the committee
chair, Eric Dubbin. The committee
will work with Eric to identify
practices that are meaningful to
Congregation Kol Ami. Eric will in
turn work with Rabbi Gruber to
inform him about these practices.
To be part of this important
committee, please send an email
to president@kolamifrederick.org.
Congregation Kol Ami of Frederick • kolamifrederick.org • 240.575.9690
10
Powered B y
301.208.2288
We Do More Before 9am
Than Most Real Estate Agents
Do All Day
info@tlgestates.com
www.tlgestates.com
Aaron LaMere
240.668.4179
REALTOR, U.S. Army Veteran
Congregation Kol Ami of Frederick • kolamifrederick.org • 240.575.9690
11
MARK S. HOFFRICHTER, D.D.S.
BOARD CERTIFIED, ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY
301-698-5208
WWW.MOSA4OS.COM
MARK S. HOFFRICHTER, D.D.S.
BOARD CERTIFIED, ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY
6550 MERCANTILE DRIVE E, SUITE 101
FREDERICK, MD 21703
301-698-5208
WWW.MOSA4OS.COM
6550 Mercantile Drive e
S
uite 101
F
reDerick, MD 21703
MARK S. HOFFRICHTER, D.D.S.
BOARD CERTIFIED, ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY
301-698-5208
WWW.MOSA4OS.COM
161 Thomas Johnson Dr.
Suite 295
Frederick, MD 21702
Robert E. Parnes, M.D.
Adam T. Gerstenblith, M.D.
Specializing in the treatment of Diabetic
Retinopathy, Macular Degeneration, Retinal
Detachment and other Retinal Diseases
174 Thomas Johnson Drive
Suite 204
Frederick, MD 21702
www.maretinas.com
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT
PLEASE CALL:
301-671-2400
Congregation Kol Ami of Frederick • kolamifrederick.org • 240.575.9690
12
Garden of Solomon
Serving our community for more than 50 years
*$500. pre-planning certi cate for Kol Ami members.
Visit us online at resthaven.us
Call us at (301)898-7177
9501 Catoctin Mountain Highway, • Frederick, MD 21701
Open Daily: Monday-Thursday 9 AM -5 PM,
Friday 9 AM-4 PM, & Sunday 11 AM -2 PM
&
MAKE YOUR TRIP EXTRAORDINARY
Recharge, Unplug
Discover Frederick in style
Relax under the stars at your Frederick Marriott Hotel.
Group Sales 240-215-2066 • PlamondonHospitalityPartners.com
LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED BY Plamondon Hospitality Partners
Congregation Kol Ami of Frederick • kolamifrederick.org • 240.575.9690
13
We are grateful for your support! A
heartfelt thank you – Todah Rabah!
Advertising and Communications Fund
Allan and Judi Feldman, in honor of
Lili Loube’s quick, complete, and
comfortable recovery
Allan and Judi Feldman, in memory of
Harry Feldman, father of Allan Feldman
Allan and Judi Feldman, in memory of
John Karl Sieger, brother of Dan Sieger
General Fund
Bernie Bordenick
Nelson and Celia Zahler
Michael and Anne Cohen, best wishes for
a speedy recovery and good health to
Betty Loeb
Michael and Anne Cohen, best wishes to
Carolyn and Newt Plaisance in their new
home
Michael and Anne Cohen, in memory of
John Karl Sieger, brother of Dan Sieger
Michael and Anne Cohen, in memory of
Lucille Finley, mother of Charlie Nail
Frank and Ralene Damanti, in memory of
John Karl Sieger, brother of Dan Sieger
Mike and Lili Loube, welcome to Rabbi
Gruber and thank you for wishing Lili a
good and successful back operation
Bernie and Betty Loeb, in memory of John
Karl Sieger, brother of Dan Sieger
Cli and Faith Miller, in memory of John
Karl Sieger, brother of Dan Sieger
David and Brenda Silberman, in memory
of John Karl Sieger, brother of Dan
Sieger
General fund - Birthday greetings
Howard and Harriet Buxbaum
Michael and Anne Cohen
Frank and Ralene Damanti
Ruth de La Viez
Ed and Jodi Duckhorn
Tom Evans and Charolette Mayberry
Berta Farbman
Allan and Judi Feldman
Scott and Amy Gordon
Dick and Frannie Kessler
Jerey and Mary Cat Lasko
Steve and Valarie Lazerowich
Bernie and Betty Loeb
Mike and Lili Loube
Cli and Faith Miller
Newt and Carolyn Plaisance
Jaques and Cathy Reifman
Michael and Diane Rifkin
Dan and Joanna Sieger
David and Brenda Silberman
Jeremy Yospin and Elizabeth Powell
Miller Camp Scholarship Fund
Jordan Schneider, in memory of Jean
Goldstein and Milton Schneider,
grandparents of Jordan Schneider
Yahrzeit Donations
Berta Farbman, in memory of Yetta
Grossman, mother of Bertie Farbman
William and Jeannie Fawley, in memory
of Phyllis DeLouise, mother of Jeannie
Fawley
Cli and Faith Miller, in memory of Harry
Glass, uncle of Cli Miller
Charlie and Sabrina Nail, in memory of
Lucille Finley, mother of Charlie Nail
and grandmother of Joshua, Aaron, and
Noah Nail
Arlene Perkins, in memory of Norman
Perkins, husband of Arlene Perkins
Michael and Diane Rifkin, in memory of
Rubin Rifkin, father of Michael Rifkin
David and Brenda Silberman, in memory
of Edith Silberman, mother of David
Silberman
David and Brenda Silberman, in memory
of Myron Silberman, father of David
Silberman
Donations
Ocers
Dan Sieger, President
Mary Cat Lasko, Vice President
vicepresident@kolamifrederick.org
Anne Cohen, Membership Vice
President
Faith Miller, Treasurer
treasurer@kolamifrederick.org
Ralene Damanti, Financial Secretary
Lisa Stickley, Secretary
Joanna Sieger,
Immediate Past President
Trustees
Joe Anderson
David Bass
Harriet Buxbaum
Jodi Duckhorn
Amy Gordon
Ali Lazorchak
Samantha Lieberman
Charlie Nail
Jordan Schneider
2020-2021 Board of Trustees
Congregation Kol Ami of Frederick • kolamifrederick.org • 240.575.9690
14
congregation
Kol Ami
of frederick
A Member of the Union for Reform Judaism
The Voice
4880 Elmer Derr Rd.
Frederick, MD 21703
Return Service Requested
September/October 2020 Upcoming Events
September 2020
Wed., Sept. 2 10:00 am Sisterhood Coee
Mon., Sept. 7 12:30 pm Torah Study
Wed., Sept. 9 12:30 pm Sisterhood Book Club
Fri., Sept. 11 6:30 pm Erev Shabbat Service
Sun., Sept. 13 10:00 am Religious School
Mon., Sept. 14 12:30 pm Torah Study
Fri., Sept. 18 7:30 pm Erev Rosh Hashanah Service
Sat., Sept. 19 10:00 am Rosh Hashanah Service
Sun., Sept. 20 10:00 am Religious School
Mon., Sept. 21 12:30 pm Torah Study
Mon., Sept. 21 7:00 pm Board of Trustees Meeting
Thurs., Sept. 24 6:30 pm Girls’ Night In
Sun., Sept. 27 10:00 am NO Religious School
Sun., Sept. 27 7:30 pm Erev Yom Kippur Service
Mon., Sept. 28 10:00 am Yom Kippur Service
October 2020
Fri., Oct. 2 6:30 pm Erev Shabbat Service
Sun., Oct. 4 10:00 am Religious School
Mon., Oct. 5 12:30 pm Torah Study
Wed., Oct. 7 10:00 am Sisterhood Coee
Sat., Oct. 10 Trivia Night
Sun., Oct. 11 10:00 am Religious School
Mon., Oct. 12 12:30 pm Torah Study
Fri., Oct. 16 7:30 pm Erev Shabbat Service
Sat., Oct. 17 10:00 am Shabbat morning service and
Bar Mitzvah of Hyatt Gordon
Sun., Oct. 18 10:00 am Religious School
Mon., Oct. 19 12:30 pm Torah Study
Thurs., Oct. 22 6:30 pm Girls’ Night In
Sun., Oct. 25 10:00 am Religious School
Mon., Oct. 26 12:30 pm Torah Study
Mon., Oct. 26 7:00 pm Board of Trustees Meeting
Look out for more event information and updates in the weekly bulletin.
