MAY 2014
IYAR 5774
CONTENTS
RABBI’S
MESSAGE 1
CANTOR’S
CORNER 3
PRESIDENT’S
PERSPECTIVE 4
CONGREGATIONAL
LEARNING 6
IFO UPDATE 9
CALENDARS 11
CONTRIBUTIONS 14
UPCOMING
EVENTS 16
COMMUNITY 20
NEWS
ANNUAL FUND 22
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RABBI’S MESSAGE
The “Other” and Wes Moore
Rabbi Daniel Cotzin Burg
This January, we hosted 350 guests for the first of two exciting
programs birthed by our In, For and Of the Neighborhood
initiative. The second, June 7, will feature a visit and presentation
from author, producer and urban visionary, Wes Moore. Wes is a
dynamic speaker and community leader whose
book, The Other Wes Moore, tells the powerful
and haunting story of two men with the same
name, from similar neighborhoods and with
similar family circumstance - one who is a
successful businessman, social entrepreneur
and Rhodes Scholar, the other who is serving
life in prison. The details of the program,
including an advance book discussion,
can be found on page 9. Please join us for
an inspiring Shabbat in June as we hear from a master
speaker and build on our neighborhood engagement work.
As “People of the Book,” we Jews are moved and motivated by
the written word, but stories also cut across cultural and religious
lines. I share with you the words of Reservoir Hill Resident and
RHIC (Reservoir Hill Improvement Council) representative Russ
Moss who wrote the following reflection about what it means to
share, cross-culturally, an important work of literature:
I’m reminded of my growing up years in rural, poor segregated
Georgia when I happened upon the “The Diary of Anne Frank.”
Although there were no visible Jews in Warren County, Georgia,
at the time, that book, “The Diary of Anne Frank” traveled me to
the Netherlands and exposed my teenage self to the horrors of the
Rabbi cont’d on page 5
BETH AM BOARD
Rabbi
Daniel Cotzin Burg
Officers
President Scott Zeger
1st Vice President Julie Gottlieb
2nd Vice President Alyson Bonavoglia
Treasurer Alan Kopolow
Secretary Elaine Weiss
Trustees through 2014
Betty Chemers
Jerry Doctrow
Emily Demsky
Ashley Pressman
Trustees through 2015
Eliza Feller
Cheri Levin
David Lunken
Lynn Sassin
Trustees through 2016
Neil Kahn
Cindy Paradies
Desiree Robinson
Jim Schwartz
Past Presidents and Life Members
Past President Cy Smith
Past President Jack Lapides
Honorary Life Member Lainy LeBow-Sachs
Honorary Life Member Efrem Potts
Office Hours
Tuesday-Thursday: 9:00-4:00
Friday: 9:00-3:00
Phone:
Tel: 410.523.2446
Fax: 410.523.1729
Extentions:
Rabbi Burg - 14
Rabbi Gludt - 15
Henry Feller, Exec. Dir. - 20
Linda Small, Coordinator - 12
Ralph Shaver - Finance Assoc. -18
Norm Weinstein, Bookkeeper - 17
Marsha Blank, Educator - 16
Gail Wohlmuth, Admin. Spec. - 21
Nakia Davis, Admin. Assist. - 11
Valerie Tracy, Marketing - 10
E-mail:
Email: [email protected]
Web site: www.bethambaltimore.org
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Standing Committees
Adult Ed Chair Adult Ed Co-Chair Finance Chair Finance Co-Chair
House Chair Kiddush Chair Membership Chair Membership Co-Chair Religious Services Chair Social Action Chair Social Action Co-Chair Youth Education Chair Elaine Weiss
Carla Rosenthal
Alan Kopolow
Joe Wolfson
Sam Polakoff
Meg Hyman
Sharon Nathanson
Robin Katcoff
Joe Wolfson
Arthur Shulman
Jackie Donowitz
David Lunken
Ad Hoc Committees
Annual Fund Honorary Chair Gil Sandler
Annual Fund Chair Eliza Feller
Annual Fund Co-Chair Jim Jacobs
Balt. Jewish Council Rep.
Ben Rosenberg
Beth Am Connection Joanne Katz
Risa Jampel
BAYITT Co-Chair Brian Ross
BAYITT Co-Chair Erica Allen
Congregant to Congregant Joyce Keating
Eutaw Place
Ellen Kahan Zager
Jack Zager
In, For and Of
Lisa Akchin
Maggi Gaines
Marketing Chair Ellen Spokes
Operations Co-Chair
Ashley Pressman
Operations Co-Chair
David Demsky
RHIC Rep.
Carol Shulman
After hours office phone numbers:
Rabbi Daniel Cotzin Burg
443.202.0912 (cell) (emergencies only, please)
or [email protected]
Cantor Ira Greenstein
443.759.7807 (home)
[email protected]
Rabbi Kelley Gludt, Director of
Congregational Learning
520.248.9541 (cell)
[email protected]
Scott L. Zeger, Board President
410.868.7761
[email protected]
In case of an emergency, please contact:
Henry Feller [email protected]
Executive Director 410.602.2124 (home)
CANTOR’S CORNER
Interrelationships in Prayer Between
Music and Text
Cantor Ira Greenstein
Years ago, I conceived of a Jewish liturgical
composition for unaccompanied chorus
that would start with a wake-up theme
and end with an end-of-day theme. Over
time, this concept solidified into a five part
work. The first part, a chant-like setting
of the prayer a Jew says upon waking up
(Modeh Ani) is complete but unperformed.
The last part, a mostly sing-along version
of the concluding prayer (Adon Olam) has
been used a few times at Beth Am on High
Holydays, and I started adapting its primary
melody as a niggun to conclude the Shabbat
morning Amidah personal prayers.
The third part is a setting of Psalm 150.
The psalm is only six sentences. Like most
psalms, each line is actually two phrases.
This is the last chapter in the Book of
Psalms, the culmination of all others where,
everywhere and in all aspects, all breathing
souls muster all the musical instruments we
have to praise God. It is a rousing psalm,
even in its brevity. I have been working on
the composition … in my head, on paper,
on keyboard, and on computer … for the
past several months.
Each of these compositions approaches the
relationship between music and liturgical
text differently. Our “typical” prayer
approach is like that of Adon Olam, where
we use a single melodic mode for the
entire prayer, not varying the melody or
temperament as the text lines themselves
change character (although I confess that
the “performance” version of my Adon
Olam does actually change mode for the
last stanza). This is the essence of cantorial
nusach or modality, a bedrock of Jewish
prayer services – the modality is consistent
across texts.
The Psalm 150 setting I am composing has
common musical phrases for consistency,
but each line varies to match the text. For
example, a phrase about the sound of a
shofar sounds like a shofar as one about
timbrel and dance has more of a rhythmic,
dancing style. I am not sure how this will
all turn out – it is a challenge to distinguish,
for example, between clashing cymbals and
resounding cymbals working only with the
unaccompanied human voice. Sometime,
I hope you will have the chance to discover
with me if this works.
The initial Modeh Ani section, as
mentioned, is more like an ancient chant
derived from one I learned in 2nd grade
of Hebrew school for this prayer. It is
appropriate for Modeh Ani – a single line
we recite as we awake, about which we
should feel deeply. It is also appropriate
for the first segment of a piece, to establish
a baseline emotion and devotion. I just
read a book about Jewish chant, where the
community takes a single phrase, initiates a
simple melody for that one line, and then
repeats that chant for perhaps 20 minutes
before going silent for another 20 minutes
to contemplate the power in that one
line. Chant is like a greatly simplified and
elongated niggun, except WITH words,
Cantor cont’d on page 5
3
PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE
Scott Zeger
There was a seminal moment in the
rabbinic search that brought Daniel Burg
from Chicago to Baltimore as the 6th
congregational rabbi/rebbe of Beth Am
Synagogue. He was being interviewed by a
dozen children from our religious school.
One girl asked the candidate: “how should I
study for my Bat Mitzvah if I do not believe
in God?”
Welcome to Beth Am.
The question was inspiring. The response
inspired even more. The rabbi asked his
examiner: “what is your God like, whether
or not you believe?” She said she was unsure
about who or what God was. Rabbi Burg
then asked each child to speak about his or
her experience of God; each had a unique
and very different description. We had
found our rabbi; it only remained to be
seen if he had found his congregation. The
rest is history.
That child asked her version of a question
with which many Jews struggle. One
reason Joanne and I chose Beth Am is that
subscribing to a common vision of God is
not among its membership criteria. Beth
Am’s tag line - feels like home - applies to
everyone.
We live in a secular era. People seek
community, a safe place to find meaning
in their lives, and a place to learn how to
live with integrity. Beth Am is just such
a place. And, because it is a part of Beth
Am’s founding culture to question (even
4
about the very existence of God), we are
a welcoming Jewish community. We have
grown in size and in diversity over the past
five years, partly as a result.
To preserve and foster this ethos of
inclusion, at Rabbi Burg’s request, the
Board has asked Sandy Shapiro and Eric
Loeb to co-chair a new “Welcoming
Committee” to learn from the congregation
how to make Beth Am feel like home
for every person in membership units,
including those who do not choose to
be Jewish. The Welcoming Work Group
Report from a 2006 committee addressed
the same topic and is available at
tinyurl.com/kdgfjye
It is important to continually revisit and
improve our efforts to be welcoming
and inclusive, so that our practices and
principles stay consistent as our community
evolves. Please take a look at the old report,
and share your experience with Sandy, Eric
or the other committee members: Herb
Goldman, Efrem Potts, Steffany Moonaz,
Heather Ashbury, Eva Bazant and Chris
Gaither to inform their deliberations.
Special thanks to the entire committee
for volunteering their talents and time to
address this important issue.
Beth Am wants every one in our
community to feel at home, regardless of his
or her personal experience of GOD. Help
us make that vision a reality.
Rabbi Burg cont’d
Holocaust. Even while wrestling with raw
racism in my native Georgia, USA world,
my empathy began.
When visiting Amsterdam a few years ago,
Anne Frank’s House Museum was my top
destination. I shed tears there while reading
the diary for the millions lost. Anne Frank’s
writing breathes reality into that tragedy
for millions of readers. That awareness is
a tool to help prevent that nightmare from
happening again.
It occurs to me that one crucial difference
between Wes Moore and “The Other Wes
Moore” is education, books, reading,
thinking outside the box of your existence…
Perhaps what’s most compelling about this
idea is it can continue after this event! The
potential is as unlimited as there are books
and writings.
I am especially proud of the collaborative
context in which this event is taking
place. Kol Hakavod to each of our
community partners: RHIC, New Lens,
John Eager Howard School, Child First
Authority and the St. Francis Community
Center for their hard work and planning.
They inspire me with their collective
vision and ensure that our Shabbat,
with a dynamic speaker who will share
his inspiring story and will also leave a
lasting imprint on our congregation and
community.
Shavuot services
and programming:
June 3, 4 and 5.
Details TBA.
Cantor cont’d
using undistracted time with one phrase to
develop a deep absorption of that text.
Chant is very unlike the approach we often
take, using a consistent melodic mood
irrespective of a changing/evolving text.
That is, our typical mode of praying takes a
single long text into a single melody (sung
at a reasonable clip) to set a mood within
the context of what comes before and after,
but it affords us little time to dive into
the text. Chanting takes one phrase and
builds an entire mood in one simple line
spread over half an hour or more, as an
end unto itself, or in aspiration of feeling
healing or love or peoplehood or whatever
is consonant with the chant’s text.
As I consider WHY I am composing
this new Psalm 150, or why I would
spend so much time on something that is
clearly for performance, I think that we
sometimes lose the complexity of a text
when we try to put too much of a lyric
into a single melodic song. I would like to
recapture that, for posterity or for eventual
performance. Surely, niggun has its place,
chant has its place, and our nusach approach
to liturgical text in services has its place.
I hope to do a little experimenting with
you every so often, to see if swapping out
approaches in services (come 9:30 AM on
May 17th if you care to try this) can help
us all achieve a better “value” from services
we attend by offering variety and a chance
to alternate strategies in services, as we put
ourselves into the mood for prayer. Thanks,
in advance, for being patient with this
experiment.
5
CONGREGATIONAL LEARNING
Rabbi Kelley Gludt
Things just don’t slow down here at Beth
Am! Congregants of all ages have been
undertaking new challenges, exploring
learning opportunities, and developing new
relationships. In the past few weeks, students
in the Jewish Discovery Lab have continued
on their journey across Israel. In Tel Aviv they
visited Independence Hall and Rabin Square,
hiked to the top of Masada and enjoyed the
Dead Sea (see photo), explored the art culture
of Tzfat, and got to know our sister city of
Ashkelon. They competed in their very own
version of the popular Food Network show
“Chopped,” this one a Passover edition. And
all our families are seriously looking forward
to spending Lag B’Omer together at the
Coven’s Farm on May 18th.
Our teens have been no less busy. Kadima
hosted 17 young people for the Chocolate
Seder followed by a dozen of them spending
the day taking on the daring rides at King’s
Dominion. Next up, the Teens Take Over
Shabbat, where we will be blessed to have
our very own Beth Am Kadima and USYers
lead the davening (praying), read Torah and
Haftarah, and give the sermon. Please join
them on Saturday, May 3, in the Sanctuary for
what will undoubtedly be a moving, ruachfilled and inspiring service.
It is not just our children who have been
expanding their horizons. We invite everyone
to join in a book discussion of Ari Shavit’s
My Promised Land, led by Dr. Yoram Peri, on
Wednesday, May 21 at congregant-owned
Hersh’s in Federal Hill. It promises to be a
lively discussion and an enjoyable evening.
(RSVP required)
The Beth Am Shabbaton committee has been
hard at work planning an amazing weekend
experience for the congregation. Please mark
your calendars now for November 14-16,
2014 at Capital Camps and Retreat Center.
Numbers are limited, so keep an eye out for
registration details this summer.
SAVE THE DATE
SECOND ANNUAL
SHABBATON
November 14 - 16, 2014
at Capital Camps and
Retreat Center
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The Jewish Discovery Lab explores the
wonders of the Dead Sea, including the
amazing properties found in its famous mud!
BOOK DISCUSSION
The Long View:
Ari Shavit’s My Promised Land and
the Challenge for Israel
Book discussion led by Professor Yoram Peri
Wednesday, May 21
7:30-9:30 pm
Location: Hersh’s Pizza
1843 Light St, Baltimore, MD 21230
Come and discuss the book everyone is already talking about,
Ari Shavit’s My Promised Land. Praised by scholars and politicians
alike, from all across the spectrum, the book will be put in context
by Dr. Yoram Peri, Israel Studies Chair and Director of the new
Joseph and Alma Gildenhorn Institute for Israel Studies at the
University of Maryland, College Park. As former political advisor to
the late Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and himself a sabra, Peri has
both a professional and personal take on this latest publication.
Have a nosh and join the conversation! There is limited seating so
please RSVP - [email protected] or 410.523.2446
YOUTH SERVICES
Shabbat Lab
A mix of traditional and innovative davening. First Saturday of
every month for children in kindergarten through fifth grade in the
Chapel, beginning at 10:45 am. Last day, until fall: May 3.
Shabbat Yachad
Combines familiar children’s Shabbat songs with age-appropriate
sensory experiences. Every Saturday except the first Saturday of
the month for newborns to fourth grade in the Chapel, begins
before Haftarah reading (unless there’s a Bar or Bat Mitzvah, in
which case it begins after candy throwing).
Last day, until fall: June 14.
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RESERVOIR HILL HOMECOMING
SUNDAY, MAY 18, 2014
Art Outside Maryland:
An Art Fair in Druid Hill Park
11 am - 5 pm
Back by popular demand, Art Outside
recaptures the spirit of the historic outdoor
festival that was held on Sundays around the
Druid Hill Reservoir during the 1950s and
1960s connecting communities and local
artisans. Learn more: artoutsidemd.org
Book discussion at Beth Am about
The Other Wes Moore
Beth Am Synagogue from 4-6:30 pm
RSVP: Betty Chemers at [email protected]
Copies of The Other Wes Moore can be
purchased at The Children’s Bookstore. It can
also be purchased at Beth Am’s Shukan store on
Sunday, May 11 from 10-12 noon. The paperback
is being offered at the reduced price of $9,
courtesy of JoAnn Fruchtman. Payment will
need to be made by a check payable to Beth
Am. Payment by credit card or cash will not be
accepted.
WES MOORE
Wes Moore comes to Beth Am!
Saturday, June 7
Wes Moore speaks during Sanctuary Shabbat
services and joins congregants and neighbors for
Kiddush lunch. Following lunch, youth from New
Lens will guide a multi-generational, multi-cultural
group in sharing personal stories about making life
decisions. This program will be followed by informal
discussion groups to explore further collaboration
to engage young people in the community.
RSVP to Lisa Akchin at [email protected]
8
Speaking OF the Neighborhood
Lisa Akchin and Carol Shulman
Author Wes Moore
Author Wes Moore’s June 7 visit and talk at
Beth Am provides an opportunity for Beth
Am’s In, For, and Of the Neighborhood
group to deepen and advance communitybuilding work happening in Reservoir
Hill. IFO is partnering with Reservoir
Hill organizations Child First Authority,
John Eager Howard School, New Lens,
Reservoir Hill Improvement Council, and
St. Francis Neighborhood Center on a series
of upcoming events inspired by Mr. Moore’s
book, The Other Wes Moore. All congregants
are encouraged to participate.
Sunday, May 18, 4 pm to 6:30 pm
Book discussion at Beth Am about The
Other Wes Moore connecting congregants
with neighbors are part of Reservoir Hill
Improvement Council’s 2nd Annual
Reservoir Hill Homecoming. RSVP to
Betty Chemers at [email protected]
June 7, Sanctuary Shabbat Services
Wes Moore speaks during services and joins
congregants and neighbors for Kiddush
lunch. Following lunch, youth from New
Lens will guide a multi-generational, multicultural group in sharing personal stories
about making life decisions. This program
will be followed by informal discussion
groups to explore further collaboration to
engage young people in the community.
RSVP to Lisa Akchin at [email protected]
Process for obtaining copies of
The Other Wes Moore
Copies of the paperback edition of The
Other Wes Moore can be purchased at the
Children’s Bookstore, 737 Deepdene Road,
Baltimore, Maryland, 410-532-2000. It
can also be purchased at Beth Am’s Shukan
store on Sunday, May 11 from 10-12
noon. The paperback is being offered at
the greatly reduced price of $9, courtesy of
JoAnn Fruchtman, owner of the Children’s
Bookstore. Payment will need to be made
by a check payable to Beth Am. Payment by
credit card or cash will not be accepted.
21st Century School Design
In 2013, the Maryland General Assembly
passed legislation which will allow
Baltimore City Schools to leverage up to
$1 billion to modernize Baltimore City
school buildings. In order to maximize
the investment and ensure that school
building modernization leads to school
and neighborhood transformation, a team
of partners including Beth Am’s Don
Akchin, Rick Gwynallen, Cindy Paradies,
and Carol Shulman participated in the
John Eager Howard Elementary School
Design Advisory and Action team. The
Team listened to over 400 people through
individual, small group, and communitywide meetings in order to understand what
is most important to people when it comes
to education, the neighborhood, and the
new school building. Throughout these
meetings, the Team sought to reach a deep
understanding of a wide breadth of the
community, speaking with: 77 families of
current JEH students; 38 families of current
Westside students; 40 staff at JEH including
teachers, support staff, and administrators;
18 staff at Westside; 81 people from nine
organizations which serve children, families
or the broader community in Reservoir
Hill; 91 Reservoir Hill residents without
children at JEH; and 56 current JEH
students. The values consistently mentioned
are: belonging, connection, opportunity,
and safety - creating an oasis for everyone.
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MAY
Please contact Meg Hyman ASAP to let her know what you
will be making. [email protected]
What are you waiting for? Get cooking!
Once a month, in preparation for our Sanctuary Shabbatot,
we ask you to put your culinary skills to work by sharing a
recipe with the congregation that no one will be able to resist.
You can use your own recipe or use one on our website.
Your delectable donation will help Beth Am live up to its
motto“Feels like Home.”
Join the “Kiddush Krew” and help
make our kiddush buffet enticing
and delicious!
Our next Sanctuary
Services will be
May 3 and June 7
SANCTUARY SERVICE
2014
10
IYAR
Beth Am teens will be taking over Shabbat
services on May 3, leading the davening,
reading Torah and Haftarah, and giving the
D’var Torah. Come and enjoy a wonderful
Shabbat experience and support our
young people as they step up and lead
their congregation.
TEENS TAKE OVER!
Sanctuary Service - May 3
TEENS TAKE OVER
5774
5
12
19
26
Memorial Day
11
Mother’s Day
9:30 am - Minyan
9:30 am- Jewish Discovery Lab
18
9 am- Our Daily Bread
9:30 am - Minyan
Lag B’Omer Picnic ( Last day
of Lab until fall)
4 pm - The Other Wes Moore
book discussion
25
9 am- Our Daily Bread
9:30 am - Minyan
Monday
4
No Jewish Discovery Lab
9:30 am - Minyan with Learning Minyan
Sunday
27
12 pm - Lunch and
Learn
20
13
12 pm - Lunch and
Learn
6
Tuesday
28
21
7:30 pm- My
Promised Land
book discussion
(off premises)
14
4:15 pm- Jewish
Discovery Lab
7:30- Social Action Committee
meeting
7
4:15 pm- Jewish
Discovery Lab
Wednesday
29
9 am- Our Daily
Bread
22
15
9 am- Our Daily
Bread
8
1
Rosh Chodesh
Thursday
30
Rosh Chodesh
8:08 pm- Candle
lighting
23
8:02 pm- Candle
lighting
16
7:56 pm- Candle
lighting
6 pm - Klei Kodesh
9
7:49 pm- Candle
lighting
6 pm - BAYITT challah making
6:45 pm- Congregational Services
followed by BAYITT
dinner
2
7:43 pm- Candle
lighting
Friday
31
8:45 am- Torah Study
9:30 am- Sanctuary Services
w/ Isabel Lunken’s Bat Mitzvah
10:45 am - Shabbat Yachad
24
8:45 am- Torah Study
9:30 am- Sanctuary Services
w/ Julian Frost’s Bar Mitzvah
10:45 am - Shabbat Yachad
17
8:45 am- Torah Study
9:30 am- Kesher Services
10:45 am- Shabbat Yachad
10
8:45 am- Torah Study
9:30 am- Kesher Services
10:45 am- Shabbat Yachad
3
8:45 am- Lay led Torah Study
9:30 am- Sanctuary Services
and the Teens Take Over!
10:45 am- Shabbat Lab (last
one until fall)
9:15 pm- Eutaw Place
Saturday
JUNE
If you are interested in joining him for this next trip
please contact Rabbi Burg as soon as possible:
[email protected]
Next calendar year, Rabbi Burg hopes to lead a
second Beth Am mission to Israel. He’s developed
an itinerary which will engage adults of any age and
perhaps teens as well – one that combines some
“must sees” with newer and different experiences
for veterans, joining the cultural with the political,
spiritual and educational.
TENTATIVE DATES:
FEBRUARY 11-22, 2015
ISRAEL ANYONE?
2014
SIVAN
Younger volunteers ages 14-17 must be
accompanied by an adult.
If you are interested in volunteering at Our
Daily Bread, please contact Dan Richman
at 410-377-0648 or email:
[email protected]
Sundays May 18 and 25
June 15 and 22
Thursdays May 15 and 29
June 19
OUR DAILY BREAD
Volunteer Dates 9 am - 1 pm
5774
12
OUR DAILY BREAD
2
9
16
23
30
1
8
15
9 am- Our Daily Bread
22
9 am- Our Daily Bread
29
Rosh Chodesh
Sunday
Monday
24
17
10
3
8:10 pm- Candle
lighting
8:30 pm- Tikkun Leil
Shavuot (Night of
Study)
Tuesday
25
18
11
4
Shavuot
9:30 am- Services
Wednesday
26
19
9 am- Our Daily
Bread
12
5
Shavuot
9:30 am- Services
Thursday
27
8:19 pm- Candle
lighting
20
8:18 pm- Candle
lighting
13
8:16 pm- Candle
lighting
6
8:12 pm- Candle
lighting
Friday
28
Rosh Chodesh
8:45 am- Lay led Torah Study
9:30 am- Kesher Services
21
8:45 am- Lay led Torah Study
9:30 am- Kesher Services
14
8:45 am- Torah Study
9:30 am- Kesher Services
10:45 am- Shabbat Yachad
(last one until fall)
7
8:45 am- Torah Study
9:30 am- Sanctuary Services
w/ Wes Moore
12:45- New Lens Program
Saturday
MARCH 2014
CONTRIBUTIONS
Adult Education Fund
Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund
• Sharon & Joe Nathanson - in honor of Roz & Nelson Hyman on welcoming
their grandson Amachai;
in memory of John Freeman, husband
of Elaine Freeman
• Karin Batterton - in memory of
Blanche Feller, mother of Henry Feller;
in memory of Blanche Feller,
grandmother of Eliza Feller;
in memory of John Freeman, husband
of Elaine Freeman;
in honor of Nancy Kohn Rabin on her
birthday;
in honor of Laurie Glassner on her
birthday
• The Burnett Family - in memory of
Nathan Gerber, brother-in-law of
Phyllis Gerber
• David Dagan de Picciotto - in
appreciation
• Dovey & Billy Kahn - in honor of Cheri & Ed Levin, on the birth of their
grandson Max Lazer
• Lissa Rotundo - in memory of Rose
Sadick, her aunt, on her yahrziet;
in memory of Blanche Feller, mother
of Henry Feller
• MauryWolfe - in appreciation
Building Preservation and
Ritual Enhancement Fund
• Esther & Joseph Dresner - in honor of
Ave Amith on his special birthday
• Dovey & Billy Kahn - in honor of Jack
Zager on his birthday
• Ana Pavich & Adam Geroff - in
memory of Blanche Feller, mother of
Henry Feller
• Suzanne Rosenthal - in honor of Ave
Amith on his special birthday
• Rhonda & Fred Wolf - in honor of Fred
Barron on his birthday
Cantor’s Discretionary Fund
• Vickie Dorf - in memory of Louis Dorf,
her father, on his yahrzeit
• Deb Thomas - in memory of Nancy
Gilchrist, her sister, on her yahrzeit
General Fund
• Lisa & Alan Garten - in memory of
Lawrence Garten, his brother, on his
yahrzeit
• Al Honick - in memory of Lois Honick,
his wife, on her yahrzeit
• Sharon & Joe Nathanson - in memory
of Blanche Feller, mother of Henry
Feller and grandmother of Eliza Feller
Prayer Book Fund
• Al Honick (Mahzor) - in honor of Ave
Amith on his special birthday
• Jerri Minkin and Harvey Charkatz
(Mahzor) - in honor of Richard Baum
on his special birthday
• Alma & Richard Williams (Mahzor and
Humash) - in honor of Ave Amith on
his special birthday
14
Social Action Fund
• Mimi Davidoff - in honor of Ave Amith
on his special birthday
• Sharon & Joe Nathanson - in honor
of Jackie & Mark Donowitz on the
marriage of their son Paul
• Sandra Rabinowitz - in honor of Ave
Amith on his special birthday
Youth & Teen Education Fund
• Steffany & Rob Moonaz - in memory of
Sol Glauser, grandfather of Steffany, on
his yahrzeit
• Lynn Sassin & Nate Braverman - in
memory of Rose Sassin, her mother, on
her yahrzeit
Memorial Plaque Dedications
Order memorial plaques for the High Holyday
dedication by July 10. To order a Memorial
Plaque, to be added to the Beth Am Memorial
Tablets in the Sanctuary lobby, please
complete this form.
Memorial Plaque Form
Current Cost: $525
Please make all checks payable to Beth Am. Return forms to:
Beth Am Synagogue, 2501 Eutaw Place, Baltimore, Maryland 21217
Fax (410) 523-1729
If you have any questions please contact Gail at the Beth Am office:
410-523-2446 or [email protected]
I would like to order ________ plaques.
At $525 each (total): _________
Option 1: Order plaques
Option 2: Reserve plaques
______________________________________
_______ I would like to pre-order a
“Reserved” plaque.
_______ Quantity
Your Name
______________________________________
Address (line 1)
______________________________________
Your Name
______________________________________
Address (line 2)
______________________________________
Phone
______________________________________
Phone
______________________________________
English Name of the Deceased
______________________________________
His/Her relationship to you
______________________________________
English Date of Death (month, date, year)
______________________________________
Hebrew Date of Death (month, date, year)
Please indicate the time of death:
_______AM ______PM
15
BOOK GIVEAWAY
John Eager Howard
Spring Book Giveaway
Once again, we are asking you
all to dig deep! For each child,
getting to choose a book (or two
if we have enough!) is very special.
Beth Am’ers who have helped with
book distribution at school can
attest to the care and intensity of
each child’s search and final selection.
Please join in this mitzvah. The donation box will be in the Chapel
lobby from April 2 - May 27. We need new books or gently used
books in mint condition. There is particular need for books for ages
3-5 and ages 9-12. Questions: Jackie Donowitz - 410-235-5761
If you are planning to buy books at The Children’s Bookstore, please identify yourself to the staff letting them know that you are a Beth Amer buying
books for John Eager Howard School. You will get a 15% discount. THANK
YOU, JoAnn Fruchtman!
SOCIAL ACTION
Committee Meeting
Wednesday, May 14
7:30 pm
Location: Jackie Donowitz’s home
We address issues relating to poverty, homelessness, domestic
violence, environmental sustainability, literacy and more, in the
Reservoir Hill community and beyond. Open to all!
For directions or more information please contact Jackie Donowitz:
[email protected] or 410.235.5761
16
Notice of Beth Am’s Annual
Congregational Meeting
Please Join us on
SUNDAY, JUNE 1, 2014
9:30 am Minyan
10:00 am Bagel Breakfast
10:30 am Annual Membership Meeting
The Nominating Committee appointed by
President, Scott Zeger, consisted of:
Adina Amith, Chair
and voting members:
Eric Loeb
Maggi Gaines
Miriam Tillman
Richard Bloom
SHUKAN SALE at the June annual meeting:
30% or more off many items
Photographs from the 2013 Annual Meeting by Howard Fink z”l
BAYITT
Beth Am Young Adult Initiative
for Twenties and Thirties
Challah Making and Second Fridays
Friday, May 9
Challah making at 6 pm
Congregational services at 6:45 pm
BAYITT dinner following services.
RSVP by Wednesday, May 7 - [email protected]
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KLEI KODESH
Klei Kodesh
Musical Kabbalat Shabbat
Friday, May 16
6 pm
Please join Rabbi Daniel Burg, Cantor Ira Greenstein and
guest musicians for a Musical Kabbalat Shabbat.
Open to the community!
7 pm - Mediterranean / Israeli dinner (by reservation)
to follow services
Adults - $16 | Children 6-12 yrs. - $10
Household maximum - $56 | Children 6 and under are free!
For space availability call 410.523.2446 or
e-mail [email protected]
Learn through Hot Topics Using
Traditional & Modern Texts
Tuesdays, Noon - 1 pm - dates below
All are welcome, please bring a fish/dairy lunch.
Rabbi Daniel Burg will lead during the month of May.
Richard Rosenthal’s Office
Tydings & Rosenberg, LLP
100 E Pratt, 26th floor
Baltimore, MD 21202
May 13 – Is the Bible True? (RDB)
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Karin Batterton’s Office
Coldwell Banker
Village of Cross Keys
38 Village Square
Baltimore, MD 21210
May 27 – Is the Bible True? (RDB)
PLACE
MUSIC
2013-14
EUTAW
RHIC
PARTNERSHIP
CONCERT
$20
{at beth am}
may 3 9:15 pm: peter bradley adams w/ruut
tix & info
Peter Bradley Adams, originally a member of the duo Eastmountainsouth, toured extensively with
the likes of Lucinda Williams, Tracy Chapman, Joan Baez and Nelly Furtado. Their single, “You
Dance” was a #1 AAA radio hit in 2003 and they performed on Late Night with Conan O’ Brien. They
performed their last show at the Hollywood Bowl with Shelby Lynne and Lyle Lovett. Since then,
Peter has released four solo records as well as an EP with his side project, “Down Like Silver”. His
work has appeared in over 30 films and television shows including One Tree Hill, Smallville, The
Mentalist and Alias. The Boston Globe called his work “a beautiful set of Americana music...It
confirms the dreamy-voiced Adams as an artist to follow.” Peter was named “Notable New Artist of
the Year” in 2006 by The Loft (Sirius XM) Satellite Radio. Baltimore’s own golden-voiced singer/
songwriter, Ruut, does her family’s rich musical heritage proud, (she’s the granddaughter of a
world-famous Finnish composer), while she is forging her own path with her latest indie-pop
full-length release, Glimpse. The piano-driven album showcases Ruut’s eloquent songwriting ability
and powerful vocals. Live audiences have likened Ruut to Norah Jones and Carole King with her
timeless songstress style.
EUTAWPLACE.ORG
4104849110
MORNING MINYAN
Do a Mitzvah
Make a Quorum!
Every Sunday - 9:30 am
Beth Am Chapel
The Sunday of the first full weekend
of the month will include a bonus
Learning Minyan. Breakfast to follow.
Help ensure we have a quorum!
Sign up online - www.tiny.cc/pqtubx
19
COMMUNITY NEWS
PRAYERS FOR HEALING
Risa Kipnis, friend of Roberta and Cantor Ira Greenstein
Jamie Puffer
Eileen Yoffe
Steve Snyder, friend of Gail & Lou Wohlmuth
Avivah Werner, friend of Jamie Puffer
Connie Rosenthal
Harold Freeman
Robert Gerard, nephew of Hilda Coyne
Alan Pressman (Ashley)
Judy Langenthal (Hersch)
Mike Steedman, brother of Linda Small
Nancy Holder
Harry Adler, friend of Roberta and Cantor Ira Greenstein
Burt D’Lugoff
Ofra Shipman, cousin of Roberta Greenstein (Cantor Ira Greenstein)
Donald Allen, father of Lisa Minick (Chris)
Norma Gaines, grandmother of Emily Gaines Demsky (David)
Steven Kraft, brother of Jim Kraft (Kristi Aho)
Jerald Lipsch, brother of Harriet Goldman (Herb)
Cyndi Lee Haaz, mother of Stephany Moonaz (Robert)
Robin Leidner & Sue Martin, friends of Amy Davidoff & Steve Gore
Alan Gross
Robert Katz, father of Joanne Katz (Scott Zeger)
Hilda Coyne
Vickie Dorf
Fran Kanterman
Steven Eisenberg, friend of Les Stellman
• Harriet Estis, wife of Len Estis
RECENT DEATHS
WHO’S GRADUATING?!?!
Do you have a family member who is graduating this year from
High School, College or Graduate School?
Would you like others to know how proud you are?
Please send the following information to
[email protected]:
Name of graduate and parent’s name; name of institution
person is graduating from; level of school (high school,
college etc) and undergrad or graduate degree.
20
KIDDUSH LUNCHEON
AND BIMAH FLOWERS
Sponsorships and Donations:
• March 28 - The Kiddush luncheon
was sponsored by Connie Rosenthal
Berman and Lisa & Joe Berman in
honor of Toby Berman’s Bat Mitzvah;
The flowers on the Bimah were from
Connie Rosenthal Berman and Lisa
& Joe Berman in memory of Toby
Faith’s grandfather Harvey Berman;
and great grandparents: Ruth &
M. Samuel Rosenthal, Charles
Debuskey, Dorothy & Joe Berman,
and Lenora & Joe Blickstein.
• April 12 - The Kiddush luncheon
was sponsored by the Kroiz Seidel
family in honor of Galya Kroiz
Seidel’s Bat Mitzvah;
The flowers on the Bimah were
sponsored by the Kroiz Seidel family
in loving memory of Sarah Kroiz,
Gerson Kroiz, Emmy Kroiz and
Stanley Becker
MAZEL TOV
• Leah & Zach Larson-Rabin on the
birth of their twin girls, Irena and
Hypatia. Grandparents are Nancy
Kohn Rabin & Joel Rabin.
• Debbie & Efrem Potts on the birth of
their great-grandson,
Oliver Lewis Strait. Grandmother is
JoHanna Potts. Parents are Joanna
Liss Strait and Ari Strait.
• Brian Doctrow, son of Carol & Jerry
Doctrow, on passing his dissertation
presentation and being awarded his
PhD from JHU.
• Elaine & Bill Ravich on the birth of
their grandson, Robert Jay Gaul.
Parents are Madeline Ravich and
Scott Gaul.
70+ BIRTHDAYS
Elaine Freeman
Renee Packer
Leonard Sachs
Harold Freeman
Mark Donowitz
Ellen Heller
Lois Feinblatt
Paula Williams
Sidney Zulver
Paul Shupack
Matthew Freedman
Marcia Amith
Harriet Miller
Alan Gamse
Betty Seidel
Harriet Garfink
Richard Joseph
Jane Rodbell
Murray Miller
Nelson Fishman
Lee Rome
5-May
7-May
7-May
8-May
16-May
16-May
17-May
17-May
18-May
20-May
21-May
22-May
22-May
23-May
23-May
25-May
25-May
25-May
26-May
29-May
29-May
50+ ANNIVERSARIES
Ron and Jane Reifler
10-May
A SPECIAL THANK YOU
To Sarajane Greenfeld and
Betty Seidel for their
continued support
proofreading for Beth Am!
21
      
 
       
   
From every person whose heart
is willing take my offering...and
make Me a holy space that I
may dwell among them.
- Exodus 25
Shabbat Services, Life cycle Events, Services in the Park, Community Involvement, Adult Education, Lights, Rabbi, Heat, Prayer books, Air Conditioning, Cantor, Landscaping, Educational
Programs,
Dinners,
Congregants have already given over
Craft Supplies, Coffee,
Water and
E l e c t r i c i t y,
$350,000 to provide all the little and
Sanctuary
Upkeep, Kiddush Lunch not-so-little things that keep our community Plates, Paper
Te a c h e r s ,
Scholarships
flourishing from one year to the next.
Postage,
Support Staff,
Please give generously
High Holyday Preparation, Grape
Juice, Repairto Beth Am’s Annual Fund!
men, Paint,
Maintenance
Staff, Pens, Advertising, Catering, Torah Upkeep, Kids’ Torahs, Lunch & Learn, Klei Kodesh / Musical Shabbat, Musician in Residence, Sound system, Tallitot, Scholar in Residence, Security, Bagels
22
Accessibility Fund (1431) - Used to
make the facility accessible to those with
impaired physical abilities
FUND DESIGNATION
General Fund (1430) - Applied to the
operating budget of the congregation
Adult Education Fund (1481) - Supports
educational programs for all adults
I. William Schimmel Student Scholarship
Fund (1461) - Assists students in their
educational pursuits
BAYITT Fund (1414) - Beth Am’s Young
Adult Initiative for 20’s and 30’s
Kiddush Fund (1441) - Used for luncheons
following Sabbath and holiday services
Building Preservation and Ritual
Enhancement Fund (1426) - Supports
the preservation and renovation of the
building and the ritual items
Prayer Book Fund (1436) - Supports the
purchase of prayer books and dedication
prayer books
Cantor’s Discretionary Fund (1405)
Allows the Cantor to support special
programs and individuals in need
Etta & Louis L. Kaplan Education
Fund (1451) - Supports the purchase
of furniture, equipment and capital
improvements for the Jewish Discovery
Lab
Floral Fund (1435) - Beautifies the Bimah
Garden Fund (1466) - Beautifies grounds
Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund (1403) Allows the Rabbi to support special
programs and individuals in need
Social Action Fund (1471) - Supports
social action activities in the Reservoir Hill
area and the general community
Tiny Tots Shabbat Fund (1408) - Supports
Shabbat programs for our preschoolers
Youth & Teen Education Support Fund
(1476) - Supports educational programs
for all of Beth Am’s youth
ACKNOWLEDGE THE OCCASION THROUGH BETH AM
We encourage all congregants to send their contribution requests directly to Nakia Davis,
[email protected] so they can be processed in a timely manner.
First & Last Name(s): _______________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
If your contribution is from a couple or family, please list all names
(use additional paper if necessary)
Telephone: (________) __________ - ___________________
Address: _________________________________________________________________________
City/State/Zip: ____________________________________________________________________
Date: _______________________________ Amount of Donation: __________________________
($10 minimum requested; please make checks payable to Beth Am)
Fund Designation__________________________________________________________________
In honor/memory/appreciation of ___________________________________________________
Send Acknowledgement Card To:
Name: ___________________________________________________________________________
Address: ________________________________________________________________________
City/State/Zip: ___________________________________________________________________
23
© 2014 Beth Am Synagogue
Beth Am Synagogue is a member
of the United Synagogue of
Conservative Judaism.
Look for the USCJ on-line at:
www.uscj.org.
2501 Eutaw Place
Baltimore, MD 21217