David Holzel

Rabbi Gil Steinlauf of Kol Shalom in Rockville told synagogue President Ilana Bar-Levav on May 19 that he will be leaving to lead Princeton University’s Jewish student center on July 1. That took the congregation by surprise four days later when Bar-Levav relayed the news via email. “We thought he w…

They were bursting at the seams at Temple Sinai. The religious school was pulling double shifts because there wasn’t enough room to teach everyone at once. Closets were converted into offices. Offices were subdivided to make room for more staff. A big board with Post-It notes let everyone at the 1,1…

When Sidney Katz was growing up, his family were the only Jews in Gaithersburg. Katz, 72, who was Gaithersburg’s mayor for 16 years, has lived his whole life in the city. Last month he was elected to a third term on the Montgomery County Council, representing District 3, which comprises Gaithersburg and neighboring Rockville and […]

“Jews not welcome” was painted on an entrance sign to Walt Whitman High School in Bethesda. The graffiti was discovered on Saturday morning. A painted swastika was discovered on Friday on a bench at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Montgomery County police said they were investigating and increasing patrols near schools, community centers and places of […]

In May 2021, fighting between Israel and Hamas in Gaza flared up again, and Israel — and Jews — were getting the brunt of the blame. At Congregation Beth El in Montgomery County, Rabbi Greg Harris wanted to find a way to show support for Israel that was unifying. His answer was to support Magen […]

Jennifer Zwilling, who as the chief strategy and campus success officer at Hillel International led the organization’s day-to-day strategy, has been hired as chief executive officer of the Edlavitch DC Jewish Community Center. She will assume her new position on Jan. 17, 2023. Zwilling succeeds Dava Schub, who left the position this month. Zwilling said […]

Berman Hebrew Academy will welcome a new head of school, beginning on July 1. Rabbi Dr. Hillel Broder is most recently principal for general studies at DRS Yeshiva High School for Boys at the Hebrew Academy of Long Beach, in Woodmere, N.Y. Previously, he taught at SAR High School and Yeshiva University High School for […]

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