WHC Livestream Upgrades Coming Soon

These new investments — made in memory of Dr. Samuel Burtoff and Leo M. Bernstein, two devoted community members — will allow WHC to upgrade our audio-visual technology, ensuring our worship services, life cycle events, and community moments remain accessible, engaging, and spiritually enriching for all. These upgrages also elevate WHC’s national presence, allowing anyone with an internet connection to experience WHC’s depth, warmth, and vitality. 

With deep gratitude to The Samuel Burtoff Foundation and The Bernstein Family Foundation, Washington Hebrew Congregation is proud to announce a transformative enhancement of our livestreaming capabilities through the Samuel Burtoff, M.D. Streaming Support Fund. 

Almost a decade ago, a group of thoughtful donors, including The Samuel Burtoff Foundation, came together to make it possible for WHC to bring the beauty and meaning of our services into the homes of members and loved ones near and far. Now, thanks to extraordinary gifts from both The Samuel Burtoff Foundation and The Bernstein Family Foundation, we are once again elevating our ability to share sacred moments and events with people wherever they are in the world. 

These new investments — made in memory of Dr. Samuel Burtoff and Leo M. Bernstein, two devoted community members — will allow WHC to upgrade our audio-visual technology, ensuring our worship services, life cycle events, and community moments remain accessible, engaging, and spiritually enriching for all. These upgrages also elevate WHC’s national presence, allowing anyone with an internet connection to experience WHC’s depth, warmth, and vitality. 

“My father loved being at Washington Hebrew for the High Holy Day services — it was an important part of his life, I honor him with this initiative,” says Constance Burtoff, President of The Samuel Burtoff Foundation. “With an aging congregation and so many people who aren’t always able to be at services in person, it felt important to continue his legacy by investing in upgrading our livestreaming. Now others — near and far — can participate in the special experience that is WHC.”  

Ami Becker Aronson, Executive Director of The Bernstein Family Foundation, explains, “Our family’s history spans six generations of Bernsteins in D.C.’s Jewish community and five generations of Beckers. As the next generation grew, we found our spiritual home at WHC — drawn by its accessibility, energy, extraordinary clergy, and our connection to Rabbi Aaron Miller. This gift honors both sides of our family and amplifies WHC’s voice in the world, allowing members and non-members alike to experience all that WHC has to offer. My grandfather, Leo M. Bernstein, was a storyteller, entrepreneur, and innovator. He would have loved supporting this modernization and upgrade of livestreaming at WHC. Our family is deeply proud of our Jewish heritage and of supporting WHC in continuing to shine as a beacon for all who connect with it, near and far.”   

For our clergy, these gifts are more than just technical upgrades. They are an investment in connection, accessibility, and community. As Rabbi Aaron Miller shares, “In an age when so much pulls us apart, WHC is a leader in the larger Jewish community in using technology to bring us back together. Whether it’s watching a grandchild become a b’nei mitzvah from across the country, or engaging with Jewish life in a new way, these moments of connection are now possible thanks to this incredible generosity.” 

Together, these gifts will broaden access to Jewish worship, learning, and WHC programming for years to come. We’d also like to generously thank Arlene Cherner for her investment in our livestreaming capabilities. 

For more information on WHC’s livestreaming and to donate to the Samuel Burtoff, M.D. Streaming Support Fund, please visit whctemple.org/give.