2024-2025 Annual Report

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INTRODUCTION

A Message From WHC’s President, Senior Rabbi and Executive Director

We proudly share Washington Hebrew Congregation’s Annual Report for 2024–2025 — a year of transformation, resilience, and renewed possibility.

Together, we celebrated our sacred community, faced challenges with strength, and deepened the bonds that make our sacred community thrive. Guided by our commitment to a vibrant Jewish future for generations to come, we advanced our 2030 Strategic Vision, rooted in four enduring pillars:

• Fortifying our position as a vibrant hub for Jewish community, connection and spiritual growth
• Advancing excellence in Jewish learning and tikkun olam, essential building blocks of a Jewish life and strong Jewish identity
• Positioning WHC as a leader of Jewish thought and a proponent of Jewish values in the broader community
• Ensuring long-term financial sustainability through careful stewardship of resources and comprehensive philanthropy

This report reflects our dedication to living these values. We strengthened safety, gathered for powerful, meaningful moments, and celebrated joy. Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of our members, we surpassed our $1.5 million fundraising goal for the fiscal year 2024-2025, a resounding affirmation of WHC’s importance in our congregants’ lives.

Washington Hebrew is your Jewish home. Here, devoted clergy, professional staff, lay leaders, volunteers, and donors join to create a bright future for our congregation. On behalf of our entire leadership, thank you for your generosity, enthusiasm, and commitment.

As we look to the year ahead, we renew our focus on fostering connection, strengthening community, and shaping a vibrant Jewish future. We look forward to continuing this journey with you.

With gratitude,

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2024-2025 FINANCIAL OVERVIEW

We believe transparency is essential to building trust and sustaining the strong foundation of our congregation. As we look back at the 2024–2025 fiscal year, we are sharing information highlighting our financial stewardship of Washington Hebrew’s resources to support our mission. The charts below illustrate where our revenue comes from and how those funds are allocated. This includes our increased investment in security to keep our congregation safe. Every dollar is used thoughtfully to provide a meaningful spiritual home for our community, strengthen our programs, protect our congregation, care for our facilities, and invest in our future.

Tap/click to see each segment’s data. Use the arrows to move to the next chart.

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THRIVING JEWISH COMMUNITY

At its core, Washington Hebrew Congregation is a house of worship, a sacred space where Jewish tradition, spirituality, and community come together. WHC is a community where people are welcomed when they arrive, missed when they are not present, and embraced in times of both joy and sorrow.

Shabbat at WHC is not just a service, it’s a community experience that gathers hundreds of people every Friday night. It begins with the warmth of an open bar and food, where people of every generation and stage of life gather in the Kreeger lobby to connect. Newcomers immediately feel they belong, while long-time members experience the comfort of familiar traditions alongside beautiful music and inspiring sermons. It is a place where healing and heartbreak are met with compassion, and where moments of joy are celebrated together.

When you talk about WHC with other members of the congregation, friends, or family, one of the most consistent themes is the vibrancy of our community. Programs happen every week — from the varied classes of Mondays@Macomb, to author talks, community service events, or holiday services, members of all ages are actively involved in making WHC the special place it is.

This year, we welcomed 329 new members across 109 households, ranging in age from just a few weeks to over 80 years old. We’re especially excited about the future: 43% of new member households are under age 36, reflecting a vibrant and growing young community.

WHC has created a strong community for new parents to make WHC part of their lives. This year, we had 88 women join one of our Pregnancy Groups, and 116 in our New Moms cohorts, giving them connection to others where they can discuss the unique, joyful, and complex experience of bringing a child into the world. And when they’re ready, we’ve welcomed over 850 children and adults from 195 families to our joyful and energetic Friday Tot Shabbats and Saturday Shabbat experiences.

Thanks to the generosity of The Susan and Stephen Porter Memorial Fund, more than 500 people celebrated our Shabbat Hanukkah and Purim celebrations. Shabbat Hanukkah’s “Fire and Ice” theme meant freshly made churros and snow cones in addition to traditional latkes and sufganiyot. Purim Goes Pop featured our traditional prayers performed to the tune of famous pop songs and was followed by an oneg with karaoke, a soda POP bar and so much fun for everyone!

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SOCIAL IMPACT REPORT

At Washington Hebrew Congregation, social justice is more than a value, it’s a call to action. Through tikkun olam (repairing the world), our community comes together to meet urgent needs, support our neighbors, and model the Jewish values of compassion and justice. From packing meals for the hungry to building bookcases for local classrooms, WHC volunteers make a tangible difference, both here in the DMV and beyond.

Use the arrows to move to the next graphic.

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EXCELLENCE IN JEWISH LEARNING

During a Jewish baby naming ceremony, our clergy share a blessing that the child will grow to reach “Torah, Chuppah, and G’milut Chasadim” — that they will engage in Jewish learning, meaningful relationships, and acts of sacred loving kindness.

WHC offers dynamic and engaging educational opportunities for every individual — we know the importance and impact of developmentally appropriate and identity-enhancing experiences and are committed to providing many ways to engage with WHC through lifelong learning.
For our youngest learners, we welcomed a new director, Louise Van Schaack, to the Rabbi Joeseph Weinberg ECC, and launched a new program of weekly Caregiver-Child sessions.

For adults, we offered more than two dozen education opportunities, with hundreds of participants putting in roughly 475,000 hours of time learning. We heard from author Amir Tibon, who shared his harrowing tale of surviving the October 7 attacks, got an inside look at the data behind the 2024 election results, and studied how Judaism can help you get through life’s daily challenges, plus so much more.
Mondays@Macomb is a vibrant adult learning community at WHC where the week begins with a sense of connection, curiosity, and nourishment. Each session starts with a catered dinner and drinks, offering a welcoming atmosphere that draws people together.

This weekly gathering is more than just a class, it’s a meaningful touchpoint beyond Shabbat, designed to deepen Jewish knowledge and engage participants of all background levels. Whether you’re just starting your Jewish learning journey or have been studying for years, Mondays@Macomb invites you into a dynamic space to explore Jewish ideas, traditions, and texts in community.

During our fall and spring semesters, 270 people participated in these engaging sessions, learning the many answers to 12 Jewish Questions, finding deep meaning in Jewish prayer with our cantors, discovering spirituality in life’s second chapter, or navigating our country’s polarized political landscape.

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LEADER IN THE JEWISH COMMUNITY

When world events happen relating to Judaism, local and national media calls upon WHC’s clergy and staff as experts in their fields. This past year, WHC leadership were featured in the Washington Post, Politico, CBS Mornings, and ABC World News Tonight, in addition to local news outlets.

As the days continued to pass without the release of all the hostages in Gaza, we were honored to work with the Hostage and Missing Families Forum and create multiple opportunities for members to meet, show support for, and and hear from those directly affected by the events of October 7. Perhaps the most powerful of these was in February, when we observed the 500^th day of captivity for the hostages. Over 500 people came to the sanctuary to hear from former hostages and family members of those still being held in Gaza.

To further understand what is happening in Israel, WHC’s lay leaders went on a mission to see for themselves how we can best support our Israeli partners. Strengthening our relationship with WHC’s sibling congregation Or Hadash in Haifa, Israel, Rabbbi Na’ama Dafni and Rabbi Gabby Dagan visited WHC and met with congregants to share meaningful conversations about life and Israel.

Other Achievements

• Rabbi Shankman was given the Hakarat HaTov award, which translates to “recognizing the good,” by the Central Conference of American Rabbis for her service as Chair of the Admissions and Membership Committee.
• Jewish Women International (JWI) honored three generations of a WHC family at its Women to Watch event: Carol Burman, Courtenay Burman Wallach, and Sophie & Madison Wallach.

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SECURITY

This year, Washington Hebrew Congregation made significant strides in enhancing the safety and security of our community. We welcomed Craig Goldberg, our first full-time Director of Safety and Security, who is spearheading our comprehensive, organization-wide security program across both the Macomb and Julia Bindeman Suburban Center (JBSC) campuses.

We installed access control systems along with a grant-funded visitor management system to create a streamlined and secure check-in process for visitors. To further strengthen protection during large gatherings, we acquired a metal detector, now used during religious services, funerals, and special events, and hired full-time Access Control Officers to manage entry points, oversee visitor management, and operate security screening tools.

A new video camera system was also installed at JBSC, offering real-time monitoring and video integration with access controls to better secure both the perimeter and interior of the building. This is all in addition to the regular presence of security guards, other security systems, and procedures working in unison to keep our community safe.

Equally meaningful was the response from within our own community. Several generous donors stepped forward and made contributions to the Lewis S. Wiener Annual Fund specifically for security needs. Their support enabled us to act swiftly on high-priority projects to protect you — our congregants, clergy, staff, and community.

These collective investments — through grants and donor generosity — ensure that WHC remains a safe, welcoming place for worship, learning, and community, today and into the future.

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EVENTS AT WHC

Across the Aisle: A Jewish Dialogue in Polarized Time with Rabbi David Saperstein and Dr. Tevi Troy — Just weeks before the 2024 Presidential Election, our congregation listened to the powerful words of two Jewish leaders who hold different political perspectives but share a love of one Jewish people.

Amir Tibon, The Gates of Gaza — Over 500 people attended to hear the moving and incredible story of what happened in Kibbutz Nahal Oz on October 7^th. This was Tibon’s first U.S. speaking engagement and only D.C. area talk.

Brotherhood Book Club — For all the fathers and sons, Adam Nimoy shared stories from his memoir, The Most Human, about growing up as the son of legendary actor Leonard Nimoy (aka Star Trek’s Spock).

Florida Concert — Thanks to the generosity of Elaine and Bill Miller, our congregants who winter in Florida spent a fabulous evening in February with Rabbi Shankman, Cantor Bortnick, and WHC President Jeff Weiss. The Miller’s home overflowed with delightful conversation, delicious food, and an intimate concert by Cantor Bortnick and WHC’s Music Director, David Lang.

The Merchant of Venice Screening — Presented in partnership with Shakespeare’s Globe Theater, over 150 people attended this screening, filmed live in front of an audience at the Globe Theater, followed by a panel discussion connecting the themes of the play to modern day issues of antisemitism.

Shalom Bollywood — The Besters presented an amazing evening of Indian food, dancing, and a conversation with Dr. Ori Soltes about his experience growing up Jewish in India.

Tu BiShvat Experience for All Abilities — A special, fully accessible program designed for young adults with developmental disabilities and their friends and families. The large group learned about and experienced Israel’s diverse agriculture, including tasting fruits and making art to “traveling” through the Jewish state.

What Every Woman Should Know About Breast Health — The Women of WHC hosted this vitally important event for women of all ages, featuring two experts from George Washington University Medical Center, Dr. Rachel Brem, Director of Breast Imaging and Intervention Center and Dr. Christine Teal, Chief of Breast Surgery.

WHC Night with the DCJCC JXJ Film Festival — For the first time, WHC hosted a special screening at Landmark Bethesda Row, in partnership with the DCJCC, as part of their JXJ Film Festival. Over 100 people came out to enjoy the Israeli romantic comedy, Matchmaking 2.

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2024-2025 CONTRIBUTIONS

At Washington Hebrew, standard membership dues provide a critical foundation, but they cover only 40% of our operating expenses. The individuals listed here have gone above and beyond, demonstrating an exceptional philanthropic commitment to sustaining and strengthening our community. By contributing $3,600 or more through a combination of membership and donations — whether they chose to give by being Sustaining Members, contributing to the Lewis S. Wiener Annual Fund, or donating to other funds at WHC — they have recognized the vital importance of investing in WHC’s future. We are deeply grateful for their generosity, which fuels everything from meaningful worship and dynamic classes to security, life cycle events, one-on-one pastoral care, and community engagement. Thank you for ensuring WHC continues to thrive for our congregants and for generations to come.

Helping new members feel at home is a priority. We celebrated new members at the beginning and end of the year. In the fall, we hosted a Sukkot gathering at Rabbi Shankman’s home, a warm and intimate event that offered new members a chance to connect informally with clergy and each other.

In June, we honored new members during our “Spread the Light” New Member Shabbat Celebration. This special evening began with a reception where new members met the generous donors who seeded the Spread the Light Fund that gives each household a pair of beautifully designed candlesticks by Zachary Oxman, created in memory of sisters Jillian and Lindsay Wiener. After receiving their candlesticks, the celebration continued during Shabbat services, with the dedication of our congregational candlesticks and a heartfelt blessing from our clergy.

Throughout the year, our Sustaining Members gathered for special events, including a cocktail party co-hosted by Jeff & Christie Weiss and Melissa Schwartz & David Muenzer.

Thank you to our generous donors for supporting Washington Hebrew Congregation above and beyond standard membership dues over the past fiscal year. A special thanks to the 800+ donors to the Lewis S. Wiener Annual Fund — an over 50% increase from last year!

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Double Your Impact

As we look ahead to the High Holy Days, we’re excited to share a meaningful opportunity to double your impact. A generous WHC member is matching all gifts to the Lewis S. Wiener Annual Fund — our most important source of unrestricted funding — dollar for dollar, up to $100,000. By giving above and beyond standard membership, you help ensure WHC continues to thrive, and you’ll be recognized in next year’s Annual Report. We hope this becomes a community-wide effort as every gift truly makes a difference.

Join this collective effort to make your matched gift today.

DONATE

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