Empowering Connection: A Transformational Gift to Enhance Community Engagement

Larry Mann jokes that he grew up in a North Carolina town, “so small that we had driver’s education and sex education in the same car,” the Southern twang still evident despite over 60 years living in the D.C. area. “I had to travel 50 miles each way to get the teaching and training for my bar mitzvah.” 

That firsthand knowledge of the importance of remote access to the Jewish community is part of what drove Larry and his wife Pat to fund Washington Hebrew’s initial investment in livestreaming equipment in 2014 and why they continue to support the service with a new, transformative donation of $50,000. This extraordinary gift is a testament to their unwavering commitment to fostering meaningful connections and expanding the reach of our Temple’s offerings. 

A high-quality broadcast lies at the heart of our mission to bring our services, lectures, and programs to a global audience. With this substantial contribution, we are poised to revolutionize our streaming capabilities, ensuring that our messages of faith, unity, and inspiration resonate beyond the confines of our physical space. 

The Manns have been highly engaged members of the WHC community for decades, with Larry serving on the Board of Directors and other committees. As a couple, they’ve supported several other projects including an arts and crafts room in honor of Larry’s daughter, who passed away from cystic fibrosis in 1991, and a quiet seating area outside the Julia Bindeman Suburban Center. 

This latest donation opens the door to a new era of community engagement. The funds will be channeled towards state-of-the-art equipment and professional expertise to provide seamless, high-quality streaming experiences. Whether you’re joining us from across the city or around the world, this enhancement means you can immerse yourself in our spiritual journey, attend thought-provoking lectures, and celebrate joyous occasions with us, all from the comfort of your own space. 

For Pat, having good streaming is personal. “My mother, who lived to 102, lived alone and when she could no longer go to services for the High Holy Days, she was very interested in somehow hearing about them. And I think Central Synagogue was the first synagogue I knew in Manhattan that you could phone in and listen to the service. And then they added streaming and I tried to get my mother online, and it was always difficult. So, we did it for her.” 

Pat and Larry Mann have invested in our shared future, allowing us to overcome geographical barriers, and ensuring that everyone, regardless of their location, can access the enriching experiences that define our community. We are deeply grateful for their vision and generosity and look forward to welcoming a connected, more inclusive audience into our fold, united by the bonds of faith, learning, and camaraderie. 

WHC has a variety of funds supporting everything from Music & Worship to the library to streaming. To donate to any of these, please visit whctemple.org/give for more information. If you are interested in funding a WHC project or event of your own, please contact Executive Director Lindsay Feldman at lfeldman@whctemple.org or 202-362-7100.  

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