Sign In Forgot Password

Commentary on War from URJ VP

12/25/2023 08:56:46 AM

Dec25

Rabbi Josh Weinberg

As the Israel-Gaza war continues, we will offer for your information commentary from various parties reflecting their personal perspectives. This week's commentary is from Rabbi Josh Weinberg, the Vice President of the URJ for Israel and Reform Zionism and is the Executive Director of ARZA, the Association of Reform Zionists of America. 

WHAT WE MEAN WHEN WE SAY “CEASEFIRE”
By Rabbi Josh...Read more...

Rabbi Amy's Remarks from Prayer Vigil

10/25/2023 09:29:48 AM

Oct25

Rabbi Amy delivered remarks at a Prayer Vigil for the victims of the Hamas attack on Israel on Monday, Oct. 9, 2023, at Murray Hill, Leesburg. Sixteen BCRC members were in attendance, which was very much appreciated. Click here to read the full statement.

Read more...

Sukkot at BCRC

10/07/2023 08:05:03 AM

Oct7

Seth Leventhal

BCRC celebrated Sukkot by building and decorating a sukkah, holding Tot Shabbat in the sukkah, as well as the Sisters in the Sukkah event benefitting the domestic violence and sexual assault services of LAWS, We also celebrated in Sonja and Rabbi Amy's sukkah with a series...Read more...

BCRC Community Picnic

09/11/2023 07:44:06 AM

Sep11

Seth Leventhal

Great fun was had by all at the 2023 BCRC community picnic! Despite predictions of stormy weather, the storms held off and we had a fun afternoon filled with kids' games, socializing with old friends and new, and delicious burgers and hot dogs grilled by our Brotherhood. Click here for a full album of photos (must be logged in for security).

Read more...

Jewish American Heritage Month Proclamation

05/08/2023 08:51:36 AM

May8

Seth Leventhal

On Tuesday, May 2 the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors approved a proclamation declaring May to be Jewish American Heritage Month. BCRC was invited to send representatives to receive the proclamation. Rabbi Amy and Zachary Schneider of BCRC said a few words at the ceremony. You can see a full album of photos from this event on our photo albums page.

Read more...

First Annual Northern VA Night of Lights

12/21/2022 01:13:03 PM

Dec21

Seth Leventhal

It's amazing what can happen when a community proudly comes together to add more light to the world! On Sunday Dec 18 our community proudly came together to add more light to the world at the Village at Leesburg for the first annual Northern Virginia Night of Lights. It was such an incredible way to celebrate the first night of Chanukah!  Rabbi Amy of BCRC provided  welcoming comments, culminating in the lighting of...Read more...

Rabbi Amy's High Holy Day Sermons

10/08/2022 09:04:38 AM

Oct8

Seth Leventhal

Rabbi Amy's sermons for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur dealt with topics of high interest today: Reproductive rights and increased polarization. She provided a thought-provoking exploration into what Judaism teaches us about those issues. Many of you have asked for copies of the text of those sermons so we have provided them here for you:

Rosh Hashanah - Judaism is Pro-Choice Yom Kippur - Polarization Read more...

Official Notice: Rabbi contract renewal

08/16/2022 08:05:36 PM

Aug16

Dear Congregants,

Those of you who are longtime members of BCRC may scarcely believe it, but the time has come once again to discuss renewing BCRC’Read more...

Developments from the Annual Meeting

07/06/2022 08:22:16 PM

Jul6

David Waldman, BCRC President

Several items of business dispensed with at the Annual Congregational Meeting, held on June 22nd, were significant enough that I anticipate many members will have questions about them. I hope I can answer many of them here, but as always, we welcome further questions and comments, in case you don't find the answers you're looking for in this and subsequent posts.

At the top of the list of changes is the 10% dues increase (our first...Read more...

BCRC's First Adult B'nai Mitzvah Class

06/26/2022 12:20:55 PM

Jun26

Seth Leventhal

After a year of intense Hebrew studying, many hours of tutoring sessions and even more studying and preparation both on their own and with the guidance of Rabbi Amy, our first adult b'nai mitzvah class took part in two b'nai mitzvah Shabbat services on June 18 and 25. Mazel Tov to all for a job well done!

Pictured here is the June 18 class. From left: Stephanie Glasser, Claudia Raffman, Connie Franck, Chris Franck,...Read more...

Zoom links for Annual Congregational Meeting, BCRC June Board Meeting

06/20/2022 07:03:04 PM

Jun20

The Annual Congregational Meeting will be held virtually on Zoom again this year. The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, June 22, from 7:30-8:30 pm.
Read more...

Sound, Silence and Shavuot

06/11/2022 07:26:06 AM

Jun11

Michael Fruitman

Last Saturday evening, some 30 BCRCers participated in an innovative program as we welcomed Shavuot by getting in touch with our souls through sound and silence. After a delicious potluck dinner and text study by Rabbi Amy about silence at Mt. Sinai, we celebrated with a Havdalah service sung by Sue Mandel Giblin to welcome Shavuot. Afterwards, we tried a fascinating art activity led by Stacy Kafka.

We then reassembled around two...Read more...

BCRC Annual Congregational Meeting: Wednesday, June 22, 2022, 7:30 PM

06/02/2022 04:43:22 PM

Jun2

David Waldman

The Annual Congregational Meeting will be held virtually on Zoom again this year. The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, June 22, from 7:30-8:30 pm.

In addition, a meeting of the Board of Directors will be held on the same date, Wednesday, June 22, from 7:00-7:30 pm, and resuming for an additional half hour immediately following the conclusion of the annual meeting.

A link will be sent out to all congregants prior to the...Read more...

BCRC Visit to Mormon Temple

04/23/2022 10:03:51 AM

Apr23

Seth Leventhal

After undergoing a major renovation during the pandemic shutdown, the Washington DC Mormon Temple, which you've all seen towering over the Outer Loop of the Beltway in Maryland, is reeopening. But before it reopens, it will be open for public visitation for the first...Read more...

Medieval Synagogues of Spain

02/01/2022 10:56:54 AM

Feb1

Seth Leventhal

Our son Ben and his husband Julian visited the 3 remaining medieval synagogues of Spain. In Toledo, two of the eleven medieval synagogues are still standing. The Ibn Shoshen Synagogue (left), built in 1180, was built in an architectural style influenced by the...Read more...

New Chairs are on Their Way

01/12/2022 10:28:18 AM

Jan12

Seth Leventhal

Thanks to all of your donations and our anonymous contributor who matched your donations (plus some!), our new chairs are on their way. They will provide our sanctuary with a significant upgrade that matches our master plan, not to mention improved comfort, with their upgraded...Read more...

Annual Security Fee - Important Note About Dues for 2021-22

06/25/2021 08:28:53 AM

Jun25

Seth Leventhal

Thank you to everyone who attended our Annual Congregational Meeting last Wednesday evening, June 23rd! At this meeting the budget for the upcoming year was approved.  Thanks to the continued generosity of our members, we will not need to raise the dues rates for this year. However, there is one important area you need to be aware of. 

As you are all undoubtably aware, our nation has faced continuing threats of attacks on...Read more...

ADAMS-BCRC Vaccine Clinic

05/20/2021 07:33:21 AM

May20

Seth Leventhal

About 700 people received their second doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine Sunday at the clinic jointly sponsored by ADAMS and BCRC. Thanks to the many volunteers who helped make this clinic a success, and to those of you who received the vaccine, including Jen Romps, Karl Boehm, Carolyn Angioli, Dianne Andruzzi, Sie Bradley, Bethany Freed, Jackie and Seth Leventhal, and Brian and Jonah Giblin. Thank you also to the...Read more...

Tree of Life and Ner Tamid Dedications

05/14/2021 07:38:20 AM

May14

Seth Leventhal

On May 9, BCRC held a dedication of a Tree of Life Leaf in memory of Leslie Skaer, donated by the BCRC Board of Directors, immediately followed by the dedication of the Ner Tamid (Eternal Light) donated by Julia and Gabe...Read more...

BCRC-ADAMS Vaccine Clinic a Success!Volunteers Needed for Second Dose 5/9

04/16/2021 10:45:03 AM

Apr16

Lisa Zimmerman, Temple Administrator

Read more...

Purim at BCRC

03/12/2021 09:34:35 AM

Mar12

Seth Leventhal

Purim at BCRC was a blast! Even though we couldn't get together physically, we were able to gather spiritually through our online Megillah reading and Purim Shpiel and Sunday bingo! Thanks to Rabbi Amy, Lisa Zimmerman, and the many volunteers who made it all possible. Did you miss our fabulous shpiel directed by Zachary Schneider and featuring numerous member families, or just want to see it again? Click here to access it on YouTube....Read more...

Rabbi Amy's Comments on New School Calendar

11/23/2020 08:03:21 AM

Nov23

Seth Leventhal

Rabbi Amy's comments on the Loudoun County School District's alternative proposals  for a calendar change for the 2021-2022 academic year that incorporates additional holidays that reflect the diversity of the LCPS community. Click here to see the comments, which we have reprinted here for your information: 

I would like to respond to the assertion, expressed in these pages, that Option A of the 2021-2022...Read more...

Blast now Accepting Advertising

11/19/2020 11:20:00 AM

Nov19

Seth Leventhal

Attention BCRC members looking to advertise a product or service of interest to the congregation: The Blast is now accepting advertising. For a 'chai' contribution of $18 for one week, or $54 for 4 weeks (one free week), we will run a text advertisement (no more than 4 sentences in length). A thumbnail size picture can be added for an additional $18 (one time cost for up to 4 weeks). For the picture, please provide a jpg, gif or png...Read more...

New Security Improvements at BCRC

10/28/2020 07:37:53 AM

Oct28

Seth Leventhal

Next time you visit BCRC, you will see the latest security improvements which will help to protect our building against any potential threat. Pictured here are our new security rated doors. While they present a welcoming appearance that is consistent with our new...Read more...

President's Kol Nidre Address

10/01/2020 08:23:00 AM

Oct1

Seth Leventhal

We've had requests for my Kol Nidre address, which is provided here. I discussed the progress our temple has made over the past 3 years, how we have addressed the Coronavirus crisis, and kicked off our 2020 fundraising drive. We will be tracking our progress in meeting our $50K goal withe the fundraising thermometer - watch for it! Click here to donate now.

Read more...

Rabbi Amy's High Holy Days Sermons

09/30/2020 07:36:10 AM

Sep30

Rabbi Amy Sapowith

We have had numerous requests for the texts of Rabbi Amy's High Holy Days sermons. We are providing them here (minus the interactive polls).

Rosh Hashsanah - Free Speech vs. Hate Speech Yom Kippur - The Empathy Deficit Read more...

Virtual Yom Kippur at BCRC

09/29/2020 11:20:46 AM

Sep29

Seth Leventhal

Positive comments have been rolling in after the completion of our Zoom High Holy Days. While we were physically distanced, we were still able to come together as a community, with our members passing on new years greetings before and after the services. During our Yom Kippur services, attended by over 100 families, we incorporated a number of interactive features that kept people engaged throughout, including a Yom Kippur word cloud and some...Read more...

Vigil for Ruth Bader Ginsburg

09/21/2020 07:37:59 PM

Sep21

     

 

At the conclusion of the second day of Rosh Hashana, our Marisol Scott blew the shofar to honor the life and memory of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg during Sunday's candlelight vigil in...Read more...

BCRC 'Zooms' into Rosh Hashanah

09/21/2020 11:14:39 AM

Sep21

Seth Leventhal

Our Zoom High Holy Days got of to a successful start with very well attended and well received Rosh Hashanah services last week. Over 100 families attended, including most on Zoom and our Torah readers and some people selected for hRead more...

New Security Project is Underway

07/24/2020 10:10:15 AM

Jul24

Seth Leventhal

While we have been out of the building recently, we are looking forward to returning. This week Nauticon Electronic Security has begun work to install our new electronic security system, funded by the Federal Non-Profit Security Grant program. When we return to the building, you will enter through a new security- rated door, using a secure access control system that will authenticate the identity of anyone entering the building through your...Read more...

Mon, March 18 2024 8 Adar II 5784