Women of Temple Beth Ami (WTBA)

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

New Year, New You, & Mitzvah, too! – Sunday, Jan. 12 (1:00 – 6:00 pm) at Saks Fifth Avenue in Chevy Chase. You’ll have your choice of a makeover or a fragrance consultation. Free gift for everyone. Refreshments will be served. $25 cover charge donation to Days for Girls. RSVP soon – limited appointments will fill very quickly!
Hatha Slow Flow Yoga – Join returning Yoga instructors (and TBA members) Monya & Dave Cohen for 18 Sundays of Hatha Slow Flow Yoga (2-3 pm) beginning on 1/5/20. Options for all levels! Classes emphasize breathing, mind/body awareness, stretching and strengthening. Dress comfortably in stretchy clothes. Bring a yoga mat, yoga strap, two yoga blocks, water bottle and pillow, folded blanket or cushion. Register online by 1/5. Contact Monya Cohen with questions.
Mah Jongg Cards – Purchase your 2020 Mah Jongg cards through WTBA. Your purchase supports the great work the Sisterhood does for the Temple and the Jewish community. Cards will be sent to you from the National Mah Jongg League at the end of March. Please pick up an order form in the Temple lobby or contact Rachel Maryn to have a form emailed to you. Deadline for orders 1/27.
Winter Mah Jongg Tournament – Sunday, Feb. 16 (10 am – 4 pm) Coffee and danish at 9:15 am, play begins promptly at 10 am. Two ways to play:
The Mini Tournament includes three 50-minute rounds with 3 games per round and a cash prize for the highest score. It will conclude after lunch. The registration fee is $20 for Temple members and $25 for guests.
The Regular Tournament includes six 50-minute rounds with 4 games/round. There will be high round prizes and cash prizes for the three highest scores. The registration fee is $45 for Temple members and $50 for guests.
Both tournaments will feature a continental breakfast, deli lunch with homemade desserts, and door prizes. Look for the flyer in the Temple lobby or register here. Contact Rachel Maryn with questions.
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.
Drop-in Canasta – Tuesdays from 1:00 – 3:30 pm in the library when the Temple is open. All levels are welcome. Make some new canasta friends while you enjoy an afternoon of play! Please bring cards and trays if you have them. For more information, if you want to learn or need a refresher, please contact Eve Lader.
Days for Girls Meetings – Jan. 26, March 22, April 19, May 17 (2:00 – 5:00 pm). WTBA now sponsors our local Days for Girls chapter. Join us to help make sustainable sanitary products for women and girls around the world. Contact the Rockville chapter for more information.
Camp Scholarships – For the summer of 2020, we are partnering with the TBA Brotherhood to offer a limited number of scholarships for children to attend summer camp programs at either Temple Beth Ami or a Union for Reform Judaism-affiliated camp. The scholarships are intended for families for whom camp expenses are a financial hardship, and the applications will be evaluated based on need. Please contact Jeanne Kahn for an application and/or more information. Deadline for applications 2/1.
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. This conference is your opportunity to hone leadership skills and deepen connections with other sisterhoods, leaders, and WRJ. More information here or contact Rachel Maryn.
Book and Author Event – Sunday, May 3 (4 – 5:30 pm) With Debbie Zimelman, author of Women on the Front Lines: Inside the Combat Units of the Israeli Army, a full-color photography book capturing the lives of women serving in the Israeli army’s combat units. This is the first book to offer a photographic glimpse of these brave young women in action, along with descriptions – in their own words – of their fears, challenges and accomplishments. Debbie’s multi-media presentation – based on the book – includes highlights of her 25 year career photographing (primarily) women in Israel.
Welcome to Summer Celebration – Wednesday, June 10 (6:30 – 8 pm)
Board Meetings – 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 (15th 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. WTBA membership is open to all who self-identify as a woman. 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
WTBA invites everyone for a special evening with author, Ronald Balson, who will discuss his book, The Girl from Berlin. No charge to attend.
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

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.