The Sunshine Committee wants to put more sunshine in your lives. This committee has sent out one hundred and twenty-one cards in less than 2 years, and these cards have provided comfort, get well wishes, or congratulations.  This is done to strengthen the feeling of community within the congregation and simply to let members know that we care about them.  The cards will continue, but now, with the help of some of the women in our congregation, as well as our Brotherhood members we want to do more. We would like to send or deliver a meal to the home of a temple member who is recuperating from illness or surgery or who is having a hard time with such things  as the loss of employment, a house fire,  a burglary, bed-bound pregnancy, etc.  At times like these, people can really use a pick-me-up and a warm meal - a sign that we care!! We are asking Temple members, male and female, to let the temple office, Kenny Karbeling, or Harley Lattner know about these folks.  Also, if you would like to lend a hand and be part of this expanding chevreh, please contact Kenny Karbeling or Harley Lattner at BHPresident@templeemanuelmd.org.

As many of you are aware, the Temple Emanuel Brotherhood has a softball team in a Montgomery County mens adult slow-pitch softball league. Almost every team in the league represents a local synagogue. Reform, Conservative, and Orthodox congregations all have teams in the league. The league is a great success. We play a double header (two games) on Sunday mornings. The games begin at 9:15 in the morning. Games are played at various locations in Montgomery county. If you would like to follow your team or come to one of the games, please check with Kenny Karbeling or Ken Salins beforehand. Games may be canceled due to inclement weather, and there are also occasional forfeits if one team does not have enough players. Here are the links to the league home page and to the schedule at http://synagogue-softball.org or http://www.synagogue-softball.org/schedule.htm.

The Brotherhood is first and foremost a service arm of the Temple. It is open to all men of the Temple and all are invited to join. The first year’s membership for New Temple adult male members is complimentary.Annual dues are $40 per person, and can be paid directly to Temple Emanuel, c/o Brotherhood, 10101 Connecticut Avenue, Kensington, MD 20895. Through dues and fund raising efforts, Brotherhood supports KESTY and Temple youth through learning grants, grants for Religious School trips and gifts to B’nai Mitzvah and confirmands, and we sponsor a parent-child dinner with the Early Childhood Center. 

We are perhaps most visible at the Sunday brunches and dinners we sponsor throughout the year which always feature outstanding speakers and which are open to all congregants.

Besides brunches and other social activities, Brotherhood also supports the Temple softball team and provides ushers for services. 

For more information about membership, contact Joe Berkowitz, Brotherhood Membership Chair at BHMembership@templeemanuelmd.org.

The Brotherhood is continuing its practice this year of offering youth grants to promote the participation in Jewish education or other Jewish cultural experiences by children of Temple members. Please contact Neil Blickman at 301-680-0975 or BHYouthGrants@templeemanuelmd.org. if you or someone you know are interested in applying for a grant for their Temple child(ren).

We are looking for new members and welcome membership and participation from all Temple men, ESPECIALLY those serving on the Board of Trustees. Please contact Kenny Karbeling, Brotherhood President, at BHPresident@templeemanuelmd.org with any questions.