Shabbat Services
LAG BA'OMER - 5/15–5/16
Lag Ba'omer, beginning this Thursday night through Friday, is the 33rd (ל״ג) day of the 49-day Omer-counting period between Pesach and Shavuot. The students of Rabbi Akiva are described as having been killed in a plague during the Omer due to interpersonal disrespect, and practices akin to mourning practices—such as not getting a haircut or celebrating weddings—are observed during the beginning of the Omer period per common Ashkenazi and Sefardi custom (though various communities mark different specific date ranges for mourning practices). As the plague is said to have stopped on the 33rd day of the Omer, Lag Ba'omer is marked with celebration, often including a bonfire, and the end of these mourning practices, with many Sefardi communities marking the 34th day instead. Learn more about Lag Ba'omer from My Jewish Learning.
SHABBAT MORNING SERVICES - 5/17
Join us for Shabbat Morning Services on Saturday, May 17 at 9:15 am at Friends Meeting of Washington (2111 Decatur Pl NW) when we will celebrate the bar mitzvah of Josiah Szubin. Kids programming will begin at 10:30 am.
A kiddush lunch is sponsored by Miriam, Adam, Nathan, and Micah Szubin in honor of Josiah becoming a bar mitzvah.
DC Minyan extends a hearty mazal tov to Josiah Ethan Szubin on the occasion of his becoming a bar mitzvah on May 17. Josiah, son of Miriam and Adam Szubin, is a seventh grader at the Milton Gottesman Jewish Day School and has been a DC Minyan member from birth. He enjoys paddleboarding, skiing, running, hanging out with his friends, and watching TV with his mom.
He shares his simcha with the DC Minyan community and Milton community, grandparents Roz and Mort Heafitz, Laurie Szubin, and Steve Weiner and Don Cornuet, and brothers Nathan and Micah. He also remembers his grandfather Zvi Szubin z’l”.
Josiah is excited to play a more active role at the DC Minyan now that he is a bar mitzvah!
FRIDAY NIGHT SERVICES - 5/23
Join us for Friday night davening on Friday, May 23 at 7:00 pm at The Chastleton (1701 16th St NW).
Upcoming events and programs
COUNTDOWN TO SHAVUOT - 6/1–6/3
Please join us as we celebrate Shavuot! All events take place at Friends Meeting of Washington (2111 Decatur Pl NW), unless otherwise noted.
- All Night Tikkun, Sunday, June 1, 8:00 pm–sunrise. Maariv, kiddush, and candle-lighting at 9:30 pm
- Family Tikkun, Sunday, June 1, 6:30–9:30 pm, at a family home. See below for details.
- Vatikin Minyan, Monday, June 2 at 5:30 am.
- Regular Minyan, Monday, June 2 at 9:15 am, followed by potluck in Mitchell Park (S St between 22nd and 23rd St NW) and cheesecake competition. Mincha will take place at 1:45 pm. See below for details.
- Farbrengen with maariv and kiddush, Monday June 2, 8:00–11:30 pm, at The Chastleton (1701 16th St NW). All ages welcome and a light dinner will be available.
- Davening, Tuesday June 3, at 9:15 am, followed by a match-up meal. See below for details.
PITCH IN FOR TIKKUN LEIL SHAVUOT - 6/1
We are getting excited about Tikkun Leil Shavuot on the evening of Sunday, June 1!
With thanks to everyone who has volunteered so far to teach a class in our jam-packed night of learning and schmoozing, we are looking for volunteers to take on more roles throughout the night, including set-up, clean-up, door duty (ever wanted to be a bouncer, but welcoming??), and more. And of course, we welcome even more teaching volunteers.
To take us up on this irresistible offer, or to ask any questions, please email chinuch@dcminyan.org.
FAMILY TIKKUN LEIL SHAVUOT - 6/1
DC Minyan is holding a Family Tikkun Leil Shavuot aimed at children ages 5–12 and their families on Sunday, June 1 from 6:30–9:00 pm, the first night of Shavuot. There will be dinner, two learning sessions, and dessert. While there is no charge for the event, signup is required, and we will stop accepting registrations if we reach space capacity.
The event will be at a family home in the Adams Morgan/Mount Pleasant area and the exact address will be provided to those who register.
Sign up for the event here by Wednesday, May 28. Contact Tamara Litwin with questions at lifecycle@dcminyan.org.
POTLUCK DAIRY LUNCH + CHEESECAKE OFF - 6/2
All are welcome to join a potluck picnic lunch and cheesecake off at Mitchell Park (S St between 22nd and 23rd St NW) on the first day of Shavuot, Monday, June 2, at 12:30 pm or immediately following davening. Add what you are bringing here! In the event of rain, the potluck will shift to Friends Meeting of Washington (2111 Decatur Pl NW).
We will be providing kiddush and challah rolls. The potluck is dairy and nut-free, and attendees are encouraged to review DC Minyan's kashrut policy in preparation of their food.
Optional soak fest to follow (if it's hot)—bring water squirters.
Please contact Abigail Romirowsky at programming@dcminyan.org with any questions or to volunteer.
MATCH-UP MEAL - 6/3
Join the DC Minyan community for a Shavuot Match-Up Lunch on the second day of Shavuot, Tuesday, June 3. Whether you are new to DC Minyan or have been a member for years, this event is a great opportunity to meet new people over a delicious Shavuot meal. DC Minyan provides the food, volunteer hosts will provide the table, and guests provide the company!
Note that catered meals will be fleishig with vegetarian options—and some hosts will choose to self cater—but we will make sure everyone's dietary and accessibility requirements are met! Register here by Sunday, May 25 as a host or by Tuesday, May 27 at 11:59 pm as a guest.
Please contact Adam Fineberg at hospitality@dcminyan.org with any questions.
COMMUNITY NEWS
BARUCH DAYAN HAEMET
The DC Minyan community extends deep condolences to Amanda, Charles, William, and Josh Koppelman-Milstein on the death of Amanda's grandfather, Monroe Milstein. His funeral and burial took place on Sunday in New Jersey.
The DC Minyan community extends deep condolences to Eytan Deener-Agus on the death of Eytan’s grandfather, Dr. Zalman Agus (Shlomo Zalman ben Harav Ya'akov Dov u'Miriam z”l). His funeral and burial took place on Friday in Boston.
The DC Minyan community extends deep condolences to David and Livia Bardin and their family on the death of David's brother, Hillel ben Shlomo v'Rut.
May all mourners, along with their families, be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.