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AGUDAS ACHIM
CONGREGATION VOTE MERCAZ IN THE UPCOMING
WORLD ZIONIST CONGRESS ELECTION
\Myxa [Tdvga [TTlyhqOOP Elections have consequences in Israel and here in the United States;
however, as Americans, we have few opportunities to affect change in Israel.
Here is our chance – and it is one that comes only every five years.
Beginning January 21, 2020, we can vote to elect MERCAZ
representatives to the World Zionist Congress, where they will champion the
need for a vibrant, pluralistic movement in Israel and specifically
demonstrate American support for the core values of religious pluralism,
democracy, and equality for all Jews.
MERCAZ is the official slate of the Conservative Movement. The World
Zionist Congress is the governing body of the World Zionist Organization
which strives to enhance the impact of Zionist ideology and activity in
Jewish communities around the world, including in Israel.
With the Congress meeting once every five years, making a strong
showing in this election for the Conservative Movement will secure
leadership positions and influence critical funding decisions for the future of
the Conservative/Masorti Movement. Your vote for MERCAZ couldn’t be
more important.
Voting begins on January 21, 2020, but you can sign-up now by
pledging to vote, which will give you updated information on the campaign
and reminders when the election begins. Go to MERCAZ2020.org or text
“VOTE” to 917-336-1162. Sign up family, friends, and colleagues too.
MERCAZ needs a strong turnout from this congregation.
If you would like to get more involved in the campaign, please reach out
to Rabbi Rein at srein@agudasachimva.org or contact MERCAZ at
2908 VALLEY DRIVE votemercaz@mercazusa.org.
ALEXANDRIA, VA 22302
703-998-6460
Please make sure your voice is heard and pledge
your vote today at MERCAZ2020.org.
WWW.AGUDASACHIM-VA.ORG
SCHEDULE OF SERVICES
DECEMBER RABBI’S MESSAGE
RABBI STEVEN I. REIN
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6
Kabbalat Shabbat Service......6:30 p.m.
Candlelighting.......................4:28 p.m.
(Continued on page 9)
Monday, December 2
▪ Preschool priority registration for DECEMBER, A MONTH OF MIXED FEELINGS
returning families opens
▪ Depression Support Group December is a month that I have always had mixed feelings about. I like the
holidays it includes – Hanukkah for us, Christmas for Christian friends, and all
Saturday, December 7
the shining lights that they create. I don’t like the cold weather and the early
▪ Youth group lunch & fun
darkness. Maybe that’s why in the past two years, I made plans to fly back for a
Sunday, December 9 home visit in Israel in December. If the days are short, at least it’s better to be in
▪ Hanukkah Bazaar the relatively warmer weather of Tel Aviv than in the freezing American winter!
▪ Inclusion Committee meeting But this year, because it is our last year here in the U.S. before moving back
Wednesday, December 11 home to Israel, Amir and I decided not to fly back in December, and try instead
▪ Preschool open house to do something fun on this side of the ocean. I’m not sure yet what it will be, but
hope we can find our way to someplace warmer, even if only for a week. Two
Friday-Saturday, December 13-14 years and still not enough for an Israeli like me to fully adjust to the weather here.
▪ Social Action Shabbat One exciting thing about this year’s December is that the dates of Hanukkah
Sunday, December 15 and Christmas are in correlation. Back home in Israel, I always love when this
▪ Social Action/Sisterhood Event thing happens. We even have a word for it – “Hanuchristmas.” The Christian
▪ Community Hanukkah Celebration community in Israel – mostly Arab Israeli Christians, who are about 2% of the
▪ Inclusion Parent Coffee total population – hold beautiful celebrations during Christmas in cities like
▪ Knitting Club Nazareth, Haifa, Jaffa, and Jerusalem. When those celebrations happen at the
same time as Hanukkah, it feels like entire cities are filled with light and joy –
Sunday, December 22
something we all need in the dark and cold days of late December…
▪ Sisterhood Brunch
I look forward this year to celebrating my third and last Hanukkah with my
▪ Young Families Hanukkah event
friends at Agudas, and also to see for the first time what Christmas looks like in
Wednesday, December 25 America. I am a bit sad, however, that I won’t get to enjoy sufganiyot back home
▪ Office Closed in Israel, because Israeli bakeries bring out the best of the best for Hanukkah, and
Wednesday, January 1 with all due respect to the classic “jelly donuts” one can find here in America, it’s
▪ Office Closed just not the same…
Apart from the holidays, we are also going to have great programs, including
one that I’m particularly excited about: Israeli poetry nights. If you love poetry,
Amir and I invite you to join a small group (space is limited) for an evening in
JUDAICA HANUKKAH which we will read together some of our favorite Israeli poets and discuss them
BAZAAR over cheese and Israeli wine. I have already decided which poems will be
discussed on the first night, and I can’t wait to see how they will be received!
Sunday, Dec. 8 | 9 a.m. - Noon You can find more details on the Agudas Achim website, www.agudasachim-
AAC Lobby va.org. Meanwhile, stay warm – and see you in shul!
Large selection of candles and
cool gifts for one and all. Interesting
menorahs, gelt, toys, games, ISRAELI MOVIE CLUB
books… We have it all! Come shop Wednesday, December 11
with us. 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. | Flax Family Chapel
Our movie in this month’s Israeli movie club is “The Band’s
JUDAICA SHOP Visit,” a beautiful drama that won numerous awards in Israel
All proceeds from Sisterhood’s and around the world. The band in the movie’s title is an
Judaica Shop go to help AAC and Egyptian state-sponsored orchestra that arrives in Israel for
other worthwhile causes supported by a ceremonial concert, shortly after the signing of the peace
Sisterhood. Open on Sundays when agreement between Israel and Egypt. After entering Israel,
Religious School is in session (9 a.m. the band accidentally goes to the wrong town, and ends up
- noon). Contact Michelle Shwimer at being stuck far away from the site of the concert. What
202-288-9856 or Susan Ravitz at happens next is a fascinating meeting between former enemies, who aren’t
703-489-5068. exactly friends, but have to somehow learn to work together.
* A memorial light will be lit in the synagogue for those names marked with an asterisk.
Time Value
Alexandria, VA
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