This Wednesday, February 22, the Social Action Committee, in partnership with the Adult Education Committee, will be sponsoring a special Adult Education program, “Special Needs Opportunities in the Jewish Community.” Jessica Tischler, CTRS, Special Needs Coordinator of the JCCNV, will give an overview of their programs, the populations they serve, and how they achieve inclusiveness. She will also talk about other resources in the community for individuals with special needs and their families. Can we be a more inclusive synagogue? The program starts at 6:15 PM with a pizza social; please RSVP for planning purposes to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Please save this date -- March 25, Good Deeds Day Synagogue Grounds Clean up, 11:45 AM!

Join us for a sneak preview of “Melting Away,” part of the Northern Virginia Jewish Community Center Film Festival, on Saturday, March 17, 2012, at 8pm. Doors open at 7:30 at:

Congregation Adat Reyim
6500 Westbury Oaks Court
Springfield, VA 22152

Tickets: $18 in advance, $21 at the door (includes a dessert reception, popcorn, and soft drinks). Cash wine/beer bar. For your convenience, you may purchase tickets online below (includes a 3% convenience fee):

Rabbi Aft will also lead a post-movie discussion. The movie is for mature audiences only. No one under 18 admitted.

More information about the movie can be found at http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1820531.

Did you know that February is Jewish Disability Awareness Month? To highlight the related issues, there will be a variety of programs, in the synagogue and in the community, starting with the ReelAbilities: Disabilities Film Festival, February 1-9. This festival presents award-winning films accompanied by discussions and other engaging programs which bring together the community to explore, discuss, and celebrate the diversity of our shared human experience. Nine different films will be shown throughout the festival. In Virginia, screenings will be held at the Cinema Arts Theatre in Fairfax. Check out the ReelAbilities website for more info on films and schedule. 

Interfaith outreach group Peace By Piece will host a service day on Martin Luther King Day, January 16, 2012. We'll be painting a community residence in Arlington. A brief "how-to-paint-without-leaving-streaks" class will be given in the morning for those who are interested. We did this last year and it was great fun and very helpful to the people whose home was spruced up. If you are interested in signing up or learning more details, contact Jesse Freeman at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

For families with younger children who want to participate in Martin Luther King Day of service, check out Volunteer Fairfax. Families enjoy the opportunity to give back to the community by working on service projects provided by various nonprofits from the region. The experience allows children to witness first-hand how fun and easy volunteering can be, while providing quality family time. Contact www.volunteerfairfax.org for more information.

See below for pictures from this year's event.

Adat Reyim is participating in the Burke Hunger CROPWalk again this year and we need your support! This walk will raise both funds and awareness of poverty and hunger around the world. CROPWalk benefits the work of Church World Service whose programs support disaster aid, literacy programs, well drilling, mother and baby health initiatives, and many more endeavors throughout the developing world. The proceeds of the CROPWalk are also shared with charitable organizations in the locality where the event is held. Last year's Burke CROPWalk yielded nearly $5,000 for ECHO. Make a "Team Adat Reyim" contribution online at http://www.churchworldservice.org/goto/AdatReyim2011. Encourage your friends to join and donate as well. Bring non-perishables to donate on site. For further information, please click here and/or contact Fred Rosen at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Please sign up for our Annual Adat Reyim Watershed Cleanup, part of the International Coastal Cleanup event, on Sunday, September 25, from 1:30 pm to 3 pm, rain or shine, at Wakefield Park (8100 Braddock Road, second left into parking lot near ball fields -- look for our sign). Join your fellow congregants, along with the Friends of Accotink Creek, to help protect our nearby watershed by spending some quality time cleaning up debris and learning how we can help prevent watershed pollution. Why is this important? Not only is litter ugly, but trash is a threat to wildlife, such as birds, turtles, and fish that depend on the river. All supplies will be provided. Wear long sleeves, pants, and old shoes or boots. This is a great family mitzvah project, something for all ages, and teens are eligible for community service credit. Join us afterwards for ice cream. In just a few hours we can really make a difference! For more information or to sign up, please contact Jeanne Kadet at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

See below for pictures from this year's event.

Dear Friends,

You can help the relief effort in Haiti by donating specific items to be assembled into hygiene kits and distributed by the Church World Service. The kits that Adat Reyim puts together can mean the difference between sickness and health for struggling families in Haiti. We are working in conjunction with Burke Presbyterian Church to collect these items, assemble them in kits, and deliver them to CWS in early April. Donate one item, or donate many. This is a great family or group project. And know that you are part of making a difference. (All items donated must be new.)

Items needed for a Hygiene Kit:

• One hand towel measuring approximately 16" x 28"
• One washcloth
• One wide-tooth comb
• One nail clipper (no metal files or emery boards)
• One bar of soap (bath size in wrapper)
• One toothbrush (in original packaging)
• Band-Aids
• One Gallon plastic bags with zipper closure

Funds are also needed to cover the processing, completion and shipping costs of these Hygiene Kits. Checks should be made payable to Adat Reyim with "Haiti Hygiene Kits" in the memo section.

Please bring items to Congregation Adat Reyim, 6500 Westbury Oaks Court, Springfield, VA 22152. There will be a collection bin in the front lobby.

If you have any questions or if you are interested in the final portion of the project -- the assembly of the Hygiene Kits -- please contact Andrea Cate at (703) 503-4525.

Our next folk service will be held on February 24 at 8:00 PM. Please join us as we "sing a new song to G-d," using musical instruments as accompaniment and alternative melodies to many of the traditional Friday night prayers.

Please join us at the Shabbat evening service on Friday, February 17. Add your voices to ours as we "sing praises to G-d's name."  

Join us for our monthly Sunday Morning Wellness Program at Congregation Adat Reyim! Each gathering will incorporate a range of relaxation techniques and stress mastery exercises of gentle movement, breath work, mindfulness, meditation, and self-massage. Learn and practice fun and effective tools to optimize your health and enhance your joy, your inner peace, and your overall sense of well-being.

Members and non-members of Congregation Adat Reyim are welcome to participate. Immediately following each practice session, all are invited to stay for our group sharing time, which will meet from 10 to 10:30 AM. A suggested donation of $5 per session is recommended but not required. A sign in front of the synagogue will state the meeting location on the date of each program.

Contact Lisa Eidelkind at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for additional information.