Home > 2023-2024 Annual Report
INTRO | FINANCIAL OVERVIEW | SOCIAL IMPACT | YOUTH EDUCATION | EVENTS | YEAR IN SONG | CONTRIBUTIONS | DONATE
Dear Washington Hebrew Congregation Family,
Our Future is Now. That was the theme of our 172nd Annual Meeting in June, and in this pivotal moment for our congregation, we confront challenges that test our resolve and reaffirm our commitment to one another. WHC is a thriving community — a place of connection, comfort, education, and safety for all who walk through our doors.
Our top priority has always been to ensure WHC is a welcoming and secure environment. We are committed to keeping our buildings strengthened with the latest security protocols, which is one reason we hired Craig Goldberg as our first Director of Security. But safety goes beyond physical measures. In our socially secure community, every voice is valued, and open dialogue is nurtured. We continue to foster a culture of respect and inclusion where members of all ages and backgrounds feel they belong.
This year, we’ve witnessed the power of our congregation’s generosity. Your support enables us to continue offering exceptional educational programs, inspiring worship services, and critical outreach initiatives. Since membership dues cover only half of our operating expenses, the remainder comes from the generosity of donors like you, grants, tuition, and rental income. This reality underscores the importance of our culture of philanthropy, where giving is centered on building relationships and ensuring the sustainability of our beloved Temple.
When we come together in generosity, we ensure that WHC remains a beacon of Jewish life and values for generations to come. Our commitment today directly shapes the community we will have tomorrow. Thank you for being an essential part of this journey.
With gratitude,
Lindsay Feldman, Executive Director
Dear Friends,
As we move toward October and the High Holy Days, I am writing to ask you to see our blessed Washington Hebrew Congregation as a place of worship, first and foremost, but also as more: WHC is a vibrant center of Jewish life, learning, and action. In this uncertain world, our congregation serves as a powerful and persuasive voice for Jewish values and community, both locally and nationally.
Former WHC President Lew Wiener, of blessed memory, was committed to nourishing this congregation so that the Washington Hebrew community would continue to move from strength to strength. The hundreds who attended our recent “America’s Jewish Future” discussion learned what Lew knew, that synagogues thrive when we are actively engaged and when members, clergy, lay leadership and staff are invested in making it so. Renaming the annual fund in Lew’s honor is more than a name change — it directs our collective philanthropy toward a strong future, now.
Under the banner of Our Future is Now, the Board of Directors and I are asking members of the WHC community to reach beyond annual dues to support the Lewis S. Wiener Annual Fund. This Fund provides flexibility to meet today’s urgent needs with timely and responsive programming, enhancements to confront imperative security and communications challenges, care for WHC’s physical needs, and carefully considered approaches to most effectively serve all our current and prospective members.
The WHC community significantly benefits from those members who have and continue to support specific gifts for restricted funds. This important engagement by our most generous philanthropists has been the hallmark of WHC’s success. Now, we seek all members of the congregation to join this Our Future is Now effort. Contributions to the Lewis S. Wiener Annual Fund ensure WHC remains a beacon of Jewish life, rooted in tradition, and critically responsive to the needs of today and tomorrow.
Thank you for your unwavering support, dedication, and commitment.
With deep appreciation,
Jeff Weiss, WHC President
Dear WHC Family,
Our congregation is a sacred home where we connect, learn, and grow together. In a world that can often feel fragmented and uncertain, Washington Hebrew Congregation is a gathering community of spiritual nourishment, where each of us can deepen our sense of belonging and purpose.
At the heart of our mission, we are committed to lifelong learning. We provide transformative Jewish education for every stage of life, from our youngest children in the Early Childhood Centers to adult learners. Our congregation nurtures the next generation, equipping them with the knowledge, values, and traditions that will guide them throughout their lives. Whether through our innovative religious school programs, vibrant youth groups, or enriching adult education offerings, we are cultivating leaders who will carry forward our rich heritage and make a lasting impact in the world.
Beyond learning, our community creates special connections and offers Jewish answers to so many questions. At WHC, each member is seen, known, and celebrated — and is part of something greater than ourselves. It’s in our shared experiences, our celebrations and commemorations, and in the moments of support we offer one another during times of challenge. This sense of connection is the thread that binds us, generation to generation.
Our Future is Now. I am filled with hope and pride. Together, we will continue to build a community rooted in tradition, yet forward-looking in its vision — a community where every member can find meaning, purpose, and a sense of home.
Thank you for being a part of this sacred journey.
L’Shalom,
Susan N. Shankman, Senior Rabbi
As Washington Hebrew Congregation enters its 173rd year, we remain the largest synagogue in the greater Washington, D.C. area. We continue to offer impactful programming and services, making a difference in our members’ lives. Through a combination of remote and in-person learning, worship, and outreach, we are a robust center of Reform Jewish activity, connection, and community.
The Temple truly appreciates its members who supported Washington Hebrew by becoming Sustaining Members, donating to the Lewis S. Wiener Annual Fund (previously named Yad B’Yad), and helping the Temple in whatever way possible.
Financially, we have weathered the past year’s volatility in the markets and economic environment. Unfortunately, while security has always been a sensitivity of Jewish institutions worldwide, the events of October 7 during this past fiscal year and the rise in antisemitism have precipitated a need for the congregation to increase its security spending. With the doubling of the police presence at both Temple and JBSC during operations and the completion of an updated professional security assessment to help us modernize our security stance (which we are taking action on and have since hired our new Security Director), WHC spent more than double what was budgeted for security this last fiscal year. We anticipate our security spending will likely again exceed our budget in the current fiscal year.
We also implemented a modern cloud-based accounting system, Sage Intacct, and initiated new accounting processes. These processes allowed Washington Hebrew to offer — for the first time in our history — automated monthly credit card and ACH payments as an option for dues and certain other expense transactions. Additionally, we continue to improve our financial reporting capabilities and look to automate other areas within our congregation’s finance and accounting operations.
Temple’s investment portfolio, comprised of restricted and unrestricted funds, stands at $20.8M as of August 31, 2024. Together with strong philanthropic initiatives, Washington Hebrew is prepared to meet the challenges that confront our community.
Drew Golub, Chief Financial Officer
Washington Hebrew is redefining the idea of supplementary Jewish education. Working from a place of student agency and teacher passion, our new model continues to attract dynamic and creative educators who develop exciting electives for students in grades 3-7. During the 2023-2024 Religious School year, our students were presented with over 40 electives to choose from. Not only have students shown tremendous enthusiasm, but our teachers drew energy from the students and their interests as well.
This year’s electives, supported and enhanced by the Ginny Grunley Education Initiative, gave students opportunities to experience Israeli dancing through the decades, Biblical foods — those we still enjoy and others that are more obscure, embroidery of Judaica items, creating a class film, and many more. Teachers shared their interests and students took a “deep dive” into Jewish topics they may not have otherwise discovered. Electives continue to spark new interest in each child, reminding teachers and students alike that Jewish life can imbue our lives with meaning in myriad ways. This highly successful model is inspiring an entire generation of our children with a lifelong love of Judaism.
Rabbis Shankman, Miller, Fischel, and Schmelkin along with Cantors Bortnick and Hamstra had a very busy year. With Shabbat@WHC, Tot Shabbat, Young Family Shabbat, Saturday morning, Havdalah, High Holy Days, Festivals, and Passover services, they spent a combined 503 hours on the bimah. That’s 3 full weeks!
Our clergy also performed 40 conversions. Put all those events together, and one of our rabbis or cantors was performing a life cycle event every other day!
We held 89 events in 2023-24 — that’s more than 7 per month!
By Cantor Susan Bortnick
Cantor Suzanne Hamstra and I have worked hard to create a vibrant musical program here at Washington Hebrew Congregation. This past year, music played a central role in connecting our members to each other, fostering joy, and offering solace during challenging times.
High Holy Days and Beyond
Our 5784 High Holy Days were particularly moving, with a special S’lichot service featuring beautiful melodies and a Poetry and Music Hour on Yom Kippur which offered an hour of reflection and contemplation based on Psalm 118. Just weeks later, our world woke up to the attack on Israel. In response, Cantor Hamstra and I, along with colleagues from across the DMV, held a concert to raise vital funds for Israel’s recovery.
Musical Milestones
5784 was filled with diverse musical experiences. We celebrated Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy with a rousing performance by Shiloh Baptist’s gospel choir and our own Kol Rinah choir. Our annual Florida Reunion Concert serenaded our snowbirds, Purim brought us the rousing Megillah! The Musical, and a joyful Women’s Seder featuring guest musician Michelle Citrin was the perfect start to Passover.
Weekly Shabbat Magic
We are thankful that the Irene and Abe Pollin Shabbat Music Enhancement Fund allows us to transform Shabbat services into uplifting experiences. Each week, singing, harmonies, and instruments elevate our prayers. We also offer monthly services with our longstanding vocal quartet, and we experimented with two Classical Shabbat Services featuring music from the 1980s-’90s and music by composer Max Helfman.
Looking Ahead: A Season of Song
As we embark on a new year, music will continue to be a cornerstone of WHC. Here’s a glimpse into upcoming highlights for 2024-2025:
We invite you to join us for these upcoming events and our weekly Shabbat services to experience the power of music at WHC.
Washington Hebrew Congregation is grateful for our loyal Sustaining Members, who voluntarily contribute up to $25,000 every year. When these members pledge to maintain or increase that level of support, they’re providing Washington Hebrew with something extra — the ability to plan ahead. For more information on becoming a Sustaining Member, email Director of Member Engagement Jennifer Millstone, jmillstone@whctemple.org.
The Lewis S. Wiener Annual Fund, previously called Yad B’Yad, was renamed after the death of our former Temple president. Lew’s dream was for the Washington Hebrew community to come together and go from strength to strength. By supporting WHC’s Annual Fund, members are committing to making our entire community stronger.
Whether through event sponsorships, tribute gifts, or contributions to Washington Hebrew’s many named funds, we are deeply grateful and thank all members who contributed during the past fiscal year.
A very special thank you to the Martha & Philip Sagon Family Foundation for an extraordinary gift of $100,000.
Our total endowed donations brought in $1,362,776 in support of Washington Hebrew.
Following the attacks of October 7, Washington Hebrew established a fund to provide immediate assistance to a number of organizations in Israel. In just a few months, our members stepped up and raised over $600,000 for critical goods and services.
