Women of Temple Beth Ami (WTBA) - Temple Beth Ami, Rockville MD

Women of Temple Beth Ami (WTBA) is a warm and welcoming community of women of all ages and interests dedicated to enhancing and supporting Temple Beth Ami through special programming, financial support, and the involvement of women in the life of our congregation. Our ongoing activities, special events and social action initiatives offer Temple Beth Ami women the opportunity to develop friendships and a sense of community. We learn about and practice Judaism, explore important issues, and contribute to the well-being of Temple Beth Ami and the larger community.

Have a question or program idea? Email us! We look forward to hearing from you. And check us out on Facebook.

Calendar

Summer Mah Jongg Tournament – Sunday, August 25. For the first time, we are offering TWO WAYS TO PLAY: Mini Tournament (concludes after lunch) – which includes three 50-minute rounds with 2 games per round and cash prizes for the highest score, and Regular Tournament (play till approximately 4 pm) – which includes six 50-minute rounds with 4 games per round, high round prizes and cash prizes for three highest scores. Everyone begins at 10 am (coffee and danish starting at 9:15 am). Fee includes delicious deli lunch with homemade desserts, door prizes and 50/50 raffle. Questions? Contact Rachel. Click HERE to register by 8/15.
Mini Tournament ($25 for Temple members; $25 for guests) concludes after lunch (three 50-minute rounds with 2 games/round)
Regular Tournament ($45 for Temple members; $50 for guests) play till approximately 4 pm (six 50-minute rounds with 4 games/round)
Fall Membership Brunch – Sunday, Sept. 8 (9:30 am – 12 noon). In honor of the 100^th anniversary of women obtaining the right to vote in the United States, historian Kacy Rohn will speak about the role that Maryland played in the Women’s Suffrage Movement. The brunch is free to all paid WTBA members and $25 for guests. This event is open to all! Please register online or with the flyer in the Temple lobby by September 5. Contact Jeanne Kahn for more information.
Drop-in Mah Jongg – Mondays from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm when the Temple is open. No charge. We play for fun and not money. Lessons available. Contact Rachel Mary n with any questions and to be added to the email list.
Stretch and Strengthen Yoga classes – Sundays from 2:oo – 3:00 pm at the Temple: Sept. 15 & 22, Oct. 20 & 27, Nov. 3 & 24, Dec. 1, 8, 15, & 22. Our multi-level yoga classes include options for beginners as well as advanced students and will emphasize stretching, strengthening and breathing. No prior yoga experience is necessary. Taught by TBA members Monya and David Cohen, both Yoga Alliance 200-hour yoga teachers. The cost for the 10-week session will be $60 for WTBA and Brotherhood members and $70 for non-members, or $8 per class. All proceeds from the classes will be donated to WTBA’s Supplies for Kids project and the Rockville Days for Girls chapter. Please dress in comfortable, stretchy clothes and bring a yoga mat, two yoga blocks, a water bottle, and a pillow, folded blanket, or cushion. RSVP online by Sept. 10. For more information, please contact Monya Cohen.
WRJ Mid-Atlantic District Kallah – Nov. 8-10, Wilmington, DE
Pre-School Hanukkah Party – Sunday, Dec. 15 (9:15 – 10:15 am)
Winter Mah Jongg Tournament – Sunday, Feb. 16
Purim Cafe – Sunday, March 8 (11 am – 2 pm)
Women’s Seder – Sunday, March 29 (5 – 7:30 pm)
WRJ Fried Women’s Conference – April 30 – May 3, Phoenix, AZ
Welcome to Summer Celebration – Wednesday, June 10 (6:30 – 8 pm)
Board Meetings – August 21, Sept. 10, Oct. 2, Nov. 12, Dec. 10, Jan. 14, Feb. 11, March 10, April 14, May 12 from 7:15 – 9:00 pm. All WTBA members are welcome to attend.

Judaica Shop

Our Judaica Shop, run by the Women of Temple Beth Ami, is open on Mondays and Tuesdays from 9:30am – 1:30pm, on Wednesdays from 11:00 am – 3:00pm, on Sundays when religious school is in session from 8:45 am – 12:45 pm, and by appointment. The Shop carries beautiful Judaica items, books, cards, holiday needs, tallit, and gifts for weddings, B’nai Mitzvah, babies, and housewarmings. Many of the items for sale are the work of Israeli and American craftspeople!
Volunteers are needed to help the Judaica Shop to be successful. Working in the shop provides wonderful opportunities to meet new people and chat with old friends. We’re asking for only two hours a week, every other week, or each month. Please contact Jeanne Kahn to volunteer.
When the shop is closed during Temple business hours, please check with the office staff for assistance. To contact the Judaica Shop managers, please call:
Jackie Manis (301) 294-1795
Livia Weinstein (301) 330-0382
Please note that kippot are not for sale in the Judaica Shop but may be ordered through the Women of Temple Beth Ami by emailing Eve Lader.

Gift for Newlyweds

WTBA provides a gift of the book, On the Doorposts of Your House: Prayers and Ceremonies for the Jewish Home to any temple member or child of a temple member who gets married. Please email Barbara Ranhand with contact information so we can send a copy of this wonderful book to the happy couple.

Citation from the MD General Assembly

WTBA received a citation from the Maryland General Assembly with congratulations for our work in building a stronger community. The citation reads:
“Be it hereby known to all that sincerest congratulations are offered to The Women of Temple Beth Ami in recognition of a strong dedication to public service, providing for the underserved, and working to empower communities.”
The citation was formally presented to WTBA by Maryland Delegate Aruna Miller (15^th District) at the November 2017 Spirit of Shabbat service. In her remarks, Delegate Miller highlighted WTBA’s longtime Tikkun Olam (repairing the world) projects: providing meals for the Interfaith Works Women’s Center, donating items to the Montgomery County Office of Child Welfare Services for children entering emergency foster care, our Crafts for a Cause programs, and support of the Temple and Women of Reform Judaism. The citation was framed and hangs just outside of the Judaica Shop. We are very proud to have received this honor! Thank you to Rabbi Pokras and Cantor Eschler for helping us warmly welcome Delegate Miller at the service.

Membership

Join today! It’s always the right time to join WTBA. Support us and become involved in your Jewish community. Non-temple members are welcome to join. New women members of the congregation are given a complimentary membership from the time they join the Temple until the following June 30th. Sign Up Online. Thank you for your support!

Book Club

All are welcome to join us at the Temple on Tuesday evenings from 7:30-9 pm. Questions? Contact Terry Steinberg.
10/15
The Tattoist of Auschwitz: A Novel
by Heather Morris
12/3 SPECIAL BOOK & AUTHOR EVENT
The Girl from Berlin
by Ronald Balson
2/4
The Secret Chord
by Geraldine Brooks
4/28
Sons and Soldiers
by Bruce Henderson
5/26
Strangers and Cousins
by Leah Hager Cohen
& choosing new books for 2020/2021

Ordering Kippot

Attention B’nai Mitzvah families, brides and grooms! Please order your kippot through WTBA. We have negotiated lower prices and will pass on that savings to you. Just follow these easy ordering instructions. For more information, please contact Eve Lader.

Women of Reform Judaism

We belong and you do too!

WTBA is a member of Women of Reform Judaism (WRJ). Founded in 1913, WRJ represents 65,000 members in nearly 500 sisterhoods and 8 district federations. We help support the work of the Reform Jewish movement and its institutions: The Union of Reform Judaism, Hebrew Union College/Jewish Institute of Religion, ARZA, and the World Union for Progressive Judaism. Through the YES (Youth, Education and Special Programs) Fund, we support rabbis, cantors, and educators in North America, England, Germany, South America, and Israel; the youth of our Movement; nursery schools, social justice projects, and bat mitzvah programs in Israel; summer camp and early childhood educational programs in the Former Soviet Union; and many others throughout the world. WTBA is a sisterhood of the WRJ Mid-Atlantic District.