Machar: the Washington Congregation for Secular Humanistic Judaism

2

JCS/ Ad. Ed Coffee w/ JCS Director

10:30 AM - 12:15 PM - JPDS

Join Debby Brennan, Director of the Jewish Cultural School, at a morning coffee when she will
discuss with members of Machar aspects of the Jewish Cultural School curriculum in terms of
the ongoing development of our children’s Jewish values, their individual identities, and their
future commitment to a Jewish way of life. Debby will share specifics about the curriculum, and
will lead a discussion about how parents and Machar community members would like to see
the curriculum lend itself to the children’s future choices as individuals and Jews.

9

Book Club Meeting

Machar's Book Club begins its season on Sunday, November 9, at 3:00 PM with Geraldine
Brooks "People of the Book." For more information about this or future meetings please
contact Darlene at dab0507 at verizon.net.

15

Tot Havurah Shabbat service/lunch

Machar's new havurah for families with K & pre-K kids is holding its second Tot Shabbat on
Saturday, November 15th at Marina Broitman and Tibor Roberts' home in Bethesda (near
Cedar Lane UU). We'll gather at 11am, and start our wee fun service at 11:30 (lasting about 10
minutes), and then will hang out to shmooze and nosh. Rabbi Ben will lead the service, which
will include an itsy-bitsy d'var Torah lesson on the value of ts'daqah—treating others in ways
that are fair, kind, and generous. Thanks to Marina and Tibor, and to their sons Paul and
Logan for hosting. Please RSVP to Marina at eliotmb at yahoo.com about lunch and directions. 

16

JCS/ Adult Ed Klezmer music, w/Harry Appelman

10:30 AM - 12:15 PM

So just what exactly IS Klezmer? Clarinetist Fred Jacobowitz, who has been performing
Klezmer music for over 20 years, and the Kol Haruach band will definitively answer that and
any other questions you have about Jewish music (and weddings!). This informal, kid-friendly
event will feature LIVE MUSIC, possibly dancing(!), and probably some silly jokes. Machar
member Harry Appelman is a member of the Kol Haruach band that performs regularly
throughout the mid-Atlantic region.

Naturalistic Spirituality Havurah

Do you feel inspired and uplifted by your efforts for tiqqun olam—for the improvement of the
world? Do you feel connected to the highest aspect of your own humanity and to that of others in
doing such work? Do you feel stretched and expansive when you transcend your ego to benefit other people and
the planet? After the elections are over—whew!—come join the Naturalistic Spirituality Havurah at our
November 16th gathering to discuss these and other questions, and to share your own insights
and journeys with other Macharniks, as we learn with and from one another, and consider how
we can work together as a community for the greater good. Please RSVP to Rabbi Ben if you plan to come—rav.bibi at verizon.net We hope you'll join us!

19

Women in Transition (WITs)

20

Social Action Committee

21

Short Shabbat service/Adult Ed speaker

7:30PM Cedar Lane UU Church, Bethesda

War & Peace: Reframing Principles and Challenges for Progressive Jews and Secular
Humanists - Rabbi Binyamin Biber 

The ideal of peace and the horrible realities of war are perennial topics of concern for all
people. This session will explore some key concepts from Jewish and world philosophies, and
how they can and must be reframed by progressive Jews and Secular Humanists to advance
the causes of peace, freedom, and justice. Come learn about and discuss various approaches
to ideas such as the 'ways of peace' / darkhei shalom, the imperative 'war of obligation' /
milhemet hovah, and the elective 'war of authority' to expand political power and possessed
territory / milhemet r'shut.

22

Teen Group: International Cooking Night

Get ready for some spice and good eats with the Teen Group in November - International
Cooking Night is coming your way! We will work as a group to create a full menu of diverse
dishes that will include a variety of cultural cooking traditions such as Russian, Israeli, and
others. If you have recipes you think would be well suited for this program, please email them
to Sonya at machar.org by November 15th.