Spotlight

At WHC services, programs, and events, the impact our clergy, staff, lay leaders, and members make on our community is apparent. We are also delighted to share with you when that connection is felt beyond our walls.


Rabbi Aaron Miller Reflects on 13 Years at Washington Hebrew Congregation [Washington Jewish Week]

June 19, 2024

Rabbi Miller talks about his time with WHC.

Washington Hebrew Congregation, Temple Sinai Hold Panel on American Jews’ Future [Washington Jewish Week]

June 6, 2024

Recapping the event “America’s Jewish Future: What’s on the Horizon?”

April 25, 2024

Rabbi Susan Shankman spoke at the celebration of life for slain World Central Kitchen workers.

War in Gaza continues amid Passover celebrations worldwide [wjla.com]

April 22, 2024

Featuring comments and photos of Rabbi Eliana Fischel.

On the Jewish New Year, tashlich is a ritual for Jews to let go [The Washington Post]

September 18, 2023

Featuring comments from WHC board member Josh Maxey.

The Rabbi Whisperer: A Playwright Helps Sermon Writers Find Their Voice [The New York Times]

September 14, 2023

Featuring comments and photos of Rabbi Eliana Fischel.

6 Things to Know About Selichot [Washington Jewish Week]

September 7, 2023

Cantor Susan Bortnick shares her thoughts on S’lichot.

With its daily shofar blast, Elul is a month-long wake-up call [Washington Jewish Week]

August 16, 2023

Rabbi Eliana Fischel offers some thoughts on Elul.

Here’s How the Jewish Community Will Celebrate Juneteenth[Washington Jewish Week]

June 14, 2023

Josh Maxey and other community partners discuss our Juneteenth plans.

The Jewish community coming together for Juneteenth [WJLA]

June 12, 2023

Rabbi Fischel and Josh Maxey join Good Morning Washington to talk about Juneteenth.

Sonny and Tina Small: A Museum at Last [Washington Jewish Week]

June 8, 2023

A profile of WHC members and their role in launching the Capital Jewish Museum.

20 Years On, Weinberg Memorial Garden Dedicated [Washington Jewish Week]

May 25, 2023

At Washington Hebrew Congregation, Rabbi Shankman breaks the ‘stained-glass ceiling’ [Washington Jewish Week]

May 25, 2023

Recapping Rabbi Shankman’s installation service.

Jewish leaders blend old tradition, new resources for mental health [scrippsnews.com]

May 8, 2023

How Judaism addresses mental health, and how clergy manage it for themselves and their congregants.

From Tel Aviv to the White House, Israel’s Pro-democracy Protesters Thank Biden [Haaretz]

April 2, 2023

Rabbi Shankman shares her thoughts on the situation in Israel.



Jewish Cemetery Installs Historic Stained Glass Window After 20 Years [NBC4]

December 20, 2022

Our historic stained glass window from the original WHC temple on 8th & I has been restored and is beautifully on display at the Garden of Remembrance.

After 26 years, a stained-glass window shines in a new setting [Washington Post]

November 16, 2022

Read the story


Fighting Antisemitism


Coverage of WHC’s Juneteenth Celebrations

‘Delightfully uncomfortable’: Commemorating Juneteenth at 3 Shabbat events (The Forward)

June 19, 2022

While most of the nation may still be learning about Juneteenth, prominent Jews of color in Atlanta, Washington, D.C. and New York City melded the year-old federal holiday with Friday night Shabbat traditions to highlight freedom struggles and the value of working towards inclusion.

At the Juneteenth Shabbat Celebration in Washington, D.C., Jews of color blended a traditional Reform ceremony with poignant reflections from diverse members of the community, and a Shabbat dinner. A film screening and discussion about racism was held on Sunday.

Read the Whole Story

On Juneteenth, Jewish communities are reckoning with their own attitudes on race  (Jewish Telegraphic Agency)

June 16, 2022

At Washington Hebrew Congregation in D.C., a weekend full of educational programming is on the agenda for Juneteenth.

Guests at Friday’s Kabbalat Shabbat will enjoy a dinner provided by a local Caribbean catering company featuring menu items like jerk chicken, green beans, and fried plantains. After services on Saturday morning, the synagogue will send a group to the Moral March on Washington. On Sunday, there will be a screening of the film ‘Who We Are: A Chronicle of Racism in America’.

Read the whole story

In D.C., Jews of color consider intersectional survey (Washington Jewish Week)

June 13, 2022

When Joshua Maxey first read the Beyond the Count study last year, he was not surprised by many of the things that were in it.

The study sought to provide an intersectional account of American Jewish life by exploring the ways in which the identities of Jews of color influence their Jewish experiences.

Led by Ilana Kaufman, executive director of the Jews of Color Initiative, the study asked 1,118 respondents if they ever experienced discrimination in Jewish settings.

Eighty percent of respondents said they had experienced discrimination in Jewish settings.

Read the whole story

Josh Maxey & Rick Woler Discuss Juneteenth & Pride Shabbat Celebrations

June 13, 2022

WHC has two great events coming up that everyone should come and celebrate, however you identify yourself.


Rabbi Shankman Offers Words of Comfort Following Texas School Shooting

May 24, 2022

Following another horrific school shooting incident, Rabbi Sue Shankman shared her thoughts and reminded viewers that clergy of all faiths are available in times of need like this.


Rabbi Miller Discusses Jewish-American Heritage Month

May 24, 2022

May is Jewish-American Heritage Month, and Rabbi Miller joined “Good Morning Washington” to talk about the history of Jews in D.C, the rise of antisemitism, and upcoming events at WHC.



Previous Years

Washington Jewish Week Highlights Tree of Life Synagogue Remembrance Shabbat Featuring Mark Oppenheimer

November 3, 2021
The Washington Jewish Week highlighted WHC’s recent Shabbat service which honored and remembered the victims of the Tree of Life Synagogue shooting and featured a keynote address from author Mark Oppenheimer, who wrote a book about the horrific day back in 2018.

Read the Article

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WHC Member’s Nonprofit Helping Those In Need Highlighted by ABC News

November 3, 2021
ABC News Kenneth Morton reports on Furnish Hope DC – a nonprofit co-founded by WHC member Niki Mock that works to provide furniture to families in need.

Watch the Segment


Gather DC Names WHC Member Allie Heiman “Jewish Theater Teacher of the Week”

October 28, 2021
Allie Heiman grew up at WHC and is now finds joy in her job as a theatre teacher for young adults. She’s also working to launch WHC’s new affinity group for LGBTQ+, loves morning walks, and really strong coffee.

Meet Allie


Gather DC Names WHC Member Josh Maxey “Jewish Community Leader of the Week”

September 30, 2021
Whether he’s volunteering to help people experiencing homelessness or starting a community for Jews of Color at WHC, Josh Maxey is the kind of person who embodies that old quote most often attributed to Gandhi, “Be the change you want to see in the world.” Gather DC spent some time getting to know Josh (we think you should too!).

Meet Josh


Rabbi Lustig Discusses the Lessons Everyone Can Take Away from Yom Kippur

September 15, 2021
7News anchor Robert Burton spoke with Rabbi Lustig about how there can be lessons and meaning for those of all faiths found within Judaism’s holiest day.

Watch the Report


Rabbi Lustig Discusses Rosh HaShanah and How the Holiday’s Lessons Can Apply to All

September 6, 2021
7News anchor Robert Burton spoke with Rabbi Lustig about how this Holiday doesn’t just have to be significant to those practicing Judaism.

Watch the Full Interview


Experiences of Jews of Color Now Grounded in Hard Data

August 24, 2021
WHC Member Josh Maxey spoke with the Washington Jewish Week about “Beyond the Count,” a study conducted by the Jews of Color Initiative, and his experience as a Jew of Color.

Read the Article


UAE Reveals Progress on Interfaith Complex to House Synagogue, Mosque, Church

June 16, 2021
“The Times of Israel” reported that construction of the Abrahamic Family House in Abu Dhabi, slated to open in 2022, is 20 percent complete. The project, inspired by the Document on Human Fraternity, encourages the values of mutual respect and peaceful coexistence. Rabbi Lustig is a member of the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity, which is supervising the project.

Read the Article


Doctor in Israel with Ties to WHC Pens Opinion Piece for New York Times

May 18, 2021
Dr. Adam Goldstein, who grew up at WHC, recently shared his experience working in an Israeli hospital during the latest round of violence between Israel and Hamas.

Read the Article


Lou Kornhauser’s 101st Birthday Highlighted on The Today Show

April 12, 2021
WHC’s Lou Kornhauser was featured in the Today Show’s Smucker’s Birthday Celebration segment. (around the 45-second mark)

Watch the Segment


Rabbi Lustig Interviewed by NBC4 on How Houses of Worship are Helping the Community During the Pandemic

April 1, 2021
WHC’s Senior Rabbi, M. Bruce Lustig, spoke with NBC4’s Leon Harris about the work being done to help people of all faiths during the COVID-19 pandemic.

See the Interview


WHC’s New Membership Model Highlighted in Washington Jewish Week

March 18, 2021
WHC’s Membership Reimagined plans were recently highlighted by the Washington Jewish Week.

Read the Article


WHC Member and Compass Co-Founder Michael Haft Highlighted in Jewish Insider

March 17, 2021
The co-founder of local chain Compass Coffee spent the pandemic building a state-of-the-art roastery — and teaching congregants at his shul about coffee!

Read the Article


Rabbi Lustig Speaks on Combatting Antisemitism

March 17, 2021
This week, the High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations convened its first meeting dedicated to exploring holistic, human-based approaches to combat antisemitism. Rabbi Lustig was honored to be invited to address this esteemed group at this historic meeting.

Watch The Video


WHC’s Abby Pashkoff Selected as “Top Teen” by Bethesda Magazine

March 15, 2021
When the pandemic curtailed most of her her in-person, 18-year-old Abby Pashkoff used the time to fulfill a longtime goal to write and illustrate a children’s book.

Read the Article


WHC Member Dan Binstock Highlighted in Washington Jewish Week

March 10, 2021
WHC member Dan Binstock knows how to play nearly 10,000 songs on the piano, and he’s put this talent to good use during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Read the March 11 Issue

Want to read more Washington Jewish Week? Click here to access a free 1-year subscription.


Rabbi Shankman and Daughter Evie Highlighted in Washington Post

March 1, 2021
What’s it like to navigate a b’nei mitzvah during a pandemic? Rabbi Shankman has experience from both sides of the bimah.  She’s been helping families navigate these unusual times since the start of the pandemic and her daughter, Evie, had her bat mitzvah in December 2020. The two recently talked about what it was like to have a pandemic-friendly celebration in the Washington Post’s Lifestyle section.

Read the Article


Maryland Mom Is On A Mission Of Kindness

January 22, 2021
Maryland mother, and WHC Congregant, Niki Mock has worked tirelessly to help those in need during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her efforts were recently highlighted on Good Morning America.

See the video and article


WHC’s Shabbat Service of Healing, Hope, and Solidarity Highlighted on Local News

June 7, 2020
WHC’s Interfaith Shabbat Service of Healing, Hope, and Solidarity following the death of George Floyd was highlighted on WJLA.

See the video and article


Rabbi Fischel Weighs In on the Death of George Floyd

June 7, 2020
Rabbi Eliana Fischel and 20 other rabbis shared their thoughts and perspectives in The Forward on what our role is as Jewish Americans in the wake of George Floyd’s Death.

Read the article


Rabbi Fischel Talks About Being Pregnant During a Pandemic

June 1, 2020
Rabbi Eliana Fischel was featured in an article for The Forward about her experience being pregnant during a time of extreme social distancing, fear, and chaos because of the coronavirus.

Read the article >


Rabbi Lustig Discusses Ramadan During a Pandemic

May 20, 2020
Rabbi M. Bruce Lustig joined other religious leaders on NPR’s “Morning Edition” to talk about the challenges of celebrating Ramadan and other holidays during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Read the transcript of the segment


Rabbi Miller Shares Thoughts on Being a Religious Leader During a Pandemic

April 10, 2020
Rabbi Aaron Miller shared his reflections on being a rabbi for Passover 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in an article for WIRED.

Read the article


Rabbi Fischel and 2239’s Virtual Seder Highlighted

April 10, 2020
Rabbi Eliana Fischel and 2239’s Virtual Passover Seder were highlighted in a piece about Passover during the COVID-19 pandemic in an article and video for USA Today.

Read the article


Rabbi Fischel Addresses Reproductive Rights at US Supreme Court

March 4, 2020
Rabbi Eliana Fischel joined a group of protesters with the Religious Action Center for Reform Judaism at a rally for reproductive rights at the US Supreme Court.

Read the full remarks


Higher Committee of Human Fraternity Highlighted

February 13, 2020
Rabbi Lustig’s work to build strong bonds with the interfaith community as part of the Committee of Human Fraternity was recently highlighted by CNN.

Watch the video


Rabbi Eliana Fischel Contributes to New Book

February 11, 2020
Rabbi Eliana Fischel is among several rabbis and scholars who contributed to the new book, Inscribed: Encounters with the Ten Commandments. The book is now available for purchase and a 30% discount is available for all orders through February 20.

Order the book


WHC Delegation Travels to Abu Dhabi

February 3, 2020
Rabbi Lustig, WHC President Nell Shapiro, General Counsel Lew Weiner, and members Andy Marks and Susan Esserman represented WHC at an Interfaith gathering in Abu Dhabi. The meeting was to mark one year since Pope Francis’ historic trip to the region and to showcase the continued work on a compound that will house a church, a mosque, and a synagogue. Rabbi Lustig is the sole Jewish representative on the committee that oversees the project, and Susan Esserman, a former ambassador and expert on human trafficking, was invited to speak at the event.

Read the article


Rabbi Shankman Featured in Article About New JWI CEO

January 29, 2020
Rabbi Shankman was quoted several times in a Washington Jewish Week article about Meredith Jacobs, the new CEO of Jewish Women International. The article highlights Rabbi Shankman’s relationship with Mrs. Jacobs which dates back to 2006.

Read the article


Director of Religious Education Stephanie Tankel Highlighted in Pakistani Newspaper

January 29, 2020
A student at American University highlights her experience in Akbar Ahmed’s “The World of Islam” class when Stephanie Tankel came to lead a session on Jewish-Muslim relations.

Read the article


Rabbi Lustig’s Interfaith Work Highlighted Ahead of MLK Weekend 2020

January 15, 2020
ABC7’s Jay Korff spent some time with Rabbi Lustig ahead of our MLK Weekend celebration to highlight his work with building strong bonds with our Interfaith partners in the region and around the world.

Read the article


Rabbi Lustig Appointed to the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity

In September, Pope Francis, Dr. Ahmed At-Tayeb – the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, and the Higher Committee for Human Fraternity nominated Rabbi Lustig to serve on the Committee. Of his nomination, he said, “I am honored to join such esteemed individuals working to champion love over hate, justice over injustice, and faith over fear….” Rabbi Lustig is the Committee’s only Jewish member and its only American. Click on the links below to read more about the Higher Committee for Human Fraternity and the work they are doing to build bridges between faiths.

Rabbi Lustig Speaks at Tolerance Conference in Abu Dhabi About the Need to Eliminate Hate Speech

December 11, 2019
Rabbi Lustig was interviewed by local media in Abu Dhabi where he is attending a 3-Day Tolerance Conference as a representative of the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity.

See the interview

UAE to Open Synagogue, Part of Interfaith Compound, in 2022

September 22, 2019
The United Arab Emirates will build a new synagogue as part of an interfaith compound that will also house a mosque and church and is reportedly set to open in 2022.

 Read the article

The Higher Committee of Human Fraternity Welcomes a Rabbi Member

September 18, 2019
The Higher Committee of Human Fraternity has announced the inclusion of Rabbi M. Bruce Lustig, Senior Rabbi at Washington Hebrew Congregation, to the membership of the Committee, bringing the total membership to eight members concerned with the achievement of the objectives set forth in the Human Fraternity Document.

Read the article >


Former ECC Student Highlighted

September 3, 2019
Annabel Frost had her first school experience last year at our E-T ECC in D.C. Her parents shared, “She loved every moment of her WHC experience and … we were so thrilled by her excitement for school.” Annabel’s brave fight with a rare neurological disorder and her parents’ efforts to help find a cure were recently featured in The Washington Post.

Read the article