February 2015 - Beth Am Synagogue

FEBRUARY 2015
SHEVAT / ADAR 5775
CONTENTS
RABBI’S
MESSAGE 1
CANTOR’S
CORNER 3
PRESIDENT’S
PERSPECTIVE 4
CONGREGATION
LEARNING 5
UPCOMING
EVENTS 6*
PHOTOS 13
CALENDARS 15
COMMUNITY
NEWS 18
CONTRIBUTIONS 20
FUND
DESIGNATION 23
*throughout bulletin
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BethAmBaltimore
RABBI’S MESSAGE
L’Shana HaZot
B’Yerushalayim!
This Year in Jerusalem!
Rabbi Daniel Cotzin Burg
This month, I will travel with over a dozen Beth Am’ers
to Jerusalem and Israel. We’ll explore ancient ruins, sip wine
in the Golan Heights, learn about Israel’s hi-tech boom, assist
vulnerable Israelis and climb Masada. We’ll visit with Palestinians
in Ramallah and Jewish settlers in Eli. We’ll eat falafel, shawarma,
shakshuka and other Israel delicacies. And then we’ll come home
and tell the rest of you all about it!
Those of us traveling to Israel this year are sure to have
a remarkable experience, but there are plenty of other ways to
remain connected to our National Jewish Homeland. If you
are a family with school-age children, I hope you came to our
Jan. 23-25 kickoff weekend with educator, Uri Feinberg. If not,
there’s still time to join the cohort. We have a wonderful group of
families going in 2018 and you are invited to come along!
From March 1-3, I will join the largest group ever of Beth
Am congregants in Washington at the largest ever AIPAC policy
conference. There’s still time to register. Make sure to mention
your synagogue affiliation so we can include you in our Beth Am
group picture and synagogue initiative luncheon!
Another way to support Israel is to participate in the Gesher
program with our Ashkelon Sister congregation, Kehillat Netzach
Israel. There are two dates remaining, this month and next.
Finally, every five years or so elections are held for the World
Zionist Congress. This will be the 37th since Theodore Herzl
founded the World Zionist Organization in 1897. You can
register and vote right now at https://www.myvoteourisrael.com
I voted for the Mercaz slate (#2).
Here’s their platform:
Religious Pluralism in Israel - Did you know that
Conservative rabbis cannot legally perform marriages or
conversions in Israel? This is wrong and must be changed.
continued on page 6
BETH AM BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Rabbi
Daniel Cotzin Burg
Officers
President 1st Vice President 2nd Vice President Treasurer Secretary Scott Zeger
Julie Gottlieb
Lynn Sassin
Alan Kopolow
Elaine Weiss
Trustees through 2015
Alyson Bonavoglia
Eliza Feller
Cheri Levin
David Lunken
Trustees through 2016
Neil Kahn
Cindy Paradies
Desiree Robinson
Jim Schwartz
Trustees through 2017
David Demsky
Risa Jampel
Ashley Pressman
Naomi Rosner
Past Presidents and Life Members
Past President Cy Smith
Past President Jack Lapides
Honorary Life Member Lainy LeBow-Sachs
Honorary Life Member Efrem Potts
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 Ricky Fine
Annual Fund Vice Chair
Jim Jacobs
Balt. Jewish Council Rep.
Ben Rosenberg
Beth Am Connection Joanne Katz
Risa Jampel
BAYITT Chair Brian Ross
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
Res. Hill Improvement Council Carol Shulman
Office Hours
Tuesday-Thursday: 9:00-4:00
Friday: 9:00-3:00
Rabbi Daniel Cotzin Burg
443.202.0912 (cell) (emergencies only, please)
ravdaniel@bethambaltimore.org
Office Contact Extentions:
Tel: 410.523.2446 / Fax: 410.523.1729
Extensions: Rabbi Daniel Burg - 14
Rabbi Gludt - 15
Henry Feller, Exec. Dir. - 20
Linda Small, Senior Staff and
Development Coordinator - 12
Ralph Shaver, Finance Manager -18
Norm Weinstein, Bookkeeper - 17
Marsha Blank, Educ. Admin - 16
Idella Crenshaw, Admin. Specialist and
Assistant to the Rabbi - 21
Nakia Davis, Front Office Coordinator - 11
Valerie Tracy, Marketing Coordinator- 10
Sandy Winters, Ritual Coordinator:
410-598-6397
Cantor Ira Greenstein
443.759.7807 (home)
cantor.ira@gmail.com
Office E-mail:
Email: nakia@bethambaltimore.org
Web site: www.bethambaltimore.org
In case of an emergency, please contact:
Henry Feller, Executive Director
443.742.9654 (cell)
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Rabbi Kelley Gludt, Director of
Congregational Learning
520.248.9541 (cell)
rabbikelley@bethambaltimore.org
Henry Feller, Executive Director
henry@bethambaltimore.org
443.742.9654 (cell) (emergencies only, please)
Scott L. Zeger, Board President
410.868.7761
scott.zeger@gmail.com
CANTOR’S CORNER
Editing a Prayer Text…or Not
Cantor Ira Greenstein
In the Shabbat morning service, in the
middle of the Amidah, we recite a paragraph
that continues to give me pause. By now, you
must all realize that I am comfortable with
prayer, even when I do not personally believe
in the content of some of the fixed text.
But this one paragraph…and one word in
particular…bugs me. The paragraph, which
is only found here in the Shacharit service,
transitions us from the familiar V’Sham’ru
(that we should keep Shabbat, taken from
Exodus chapter 31) to the paragraph R’tzei
Vim’nuchateinu (that we hope God will be
pleased with how we keep the Shabbat). The
transition paragraph is V’lo N’tato and goes
like this:
You did not give [the Shabbat], Lord
our God, to the nations of the lands,
nor did You make it the inheritance, our
Sovereign, of the idol worshippers. And
in its contentment the uncircumcised
[”areilim”] will not abide, for You have
given it to Your people Israel in love, to
the seed of Jacob whom you chose. The
people who sanctify the seventh day, they
will all be satisfied and delighted from
Your goodness...
As with other prayer texts that contrast
Jews with the negative traits of non-Jews
(the traditional text of the opening Morning
Blessings, the Aleinu concluding prayer,
etc.), I firstoff feel that we can understand
ourselves without having to denigrate others.
But more so here in this paragraph of the
Amidah, the use of the terms “uncircumcised”
(more literally the affirmative “those with a
foreskin”) and “idol worshippers” is, in my
opinion, unnecessary. Specifically, the term
“uncircumcised” bothered some editors
of Shabbat prayer books, since in many
versions the term used is “r’sha’im,” which
means “evil people.” Bad enough the initial
implication, then equating evil with being
uncircumcised bothers me more. I presume
that would bother you, too.
We would not be alone. Elbogen’s
extraordinary text about the history of
Jewish liturgy (a book well respected by Beth
Am’s late Cantor Emeritus, Harry London)
notes that:
The text has undergone various
alterations to avoid misinterpretation;
one geniza fragment reads, “The gentiles
do not sit in its shade, nor do the
uncircumcised enjoy its rest,” which
produces good parallelism. The whole
piece is probably based on a midrash.
Another trusted source, compiled by
Idelsohn, echoes Elbogen and notes that
the Italian tradition uses the term “arlei lev”
instead, which means something like “the
foreskins of the heart” or a “heart that is not
circumcised” - all of which might loosely
be interpreted as “a non-Jewishly-inclined
heart.”
I have a more recent prayer book that
simply translates the term as “gentiles,”
with much commentary about how some
prayer books have removed the phrase,
including the part about idol worshippers.
The Conservative Siddur Sim Shalom prayer
book opted to leave the traditional “areilim”
but without a literal translation.
continued on page 6
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PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE
On Matching
Scott Zeger
“Matching” has multiple meanings. In
my field of statistics, matching is a means
of reducing bias in studies to determine
the effects of interventions. For example, in
medical research, we create “matched pairs”
of patients who are as similar as possible and
then randomly assign one person in each
pair to a novel treatment and the other to
the current standard of care. The matching
makes it more likely that the differences
observed in their outcomes are due to the
novel treatment rather than other factors for
which the pairing make them similar.
In graph theory, a matching consists of
all pairs of edges that do not share a common
vertex. Say no more!
In finance, matching links a seller to a
buyer so that the chance of settlement is
maximized.
Matching is a village in Essex County,
England.
And, matching is a kind of gift in which
the donor wants to persuade others to share
in the joy of philanthropy. Beth Am has
been blessed with two anonymous matching
gifts. The first is up to $500,000. For each
of 5 new gifts of $100,000 to the Campaign
for Beth Am, the donor will give another
$100,000 as a match. In this way, each gift
is doubled producing a total over the five
gifts of $1,000,000 rather than half that
amount. The donor explained that Beth Am
has many members for whom such a large
gift is possible. S/he hopes to encourage
members to be generous to Beth Am as they
are to other charitable organizations they
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support. This donor has chosen to put Beth
Am first and seeks to encourage others to do
the same.
The second anonymous gift can reach
$250,000. It is designed to encourage
participation by every Beth Am member. The
donor will give $125,000 when 250 of the
492 Beth Am membership units (families)
contribute to the Campaign. S/he will give a
second $125,000 when participation reaches
375 families. So, when you are asked to
contribute, give whatever you can – stretch
as far as you can – but be counted among
the participants. That act will make a huge
difference to the success of the Campaign
and to the future of the congregation.
Thanks to the 90 families who have
responded positively to our requests for
donations as part of Phase I of the Campaign.
We launched Phase II at the Celebration of
our 40th Anniversary on Shabbat Hanukkah
5775. Now all Beth Am members have the
opportunity to participate.
We are especially grateful to those who
have made our matching gifts possible.
You have led by example. You have raised
incentives for us to secure the future of
Baltimore City’s only Conservative Shul to ensure we have high quality clergy and
that our beautiful, historic Sperry-designed
building is updated in order to support the
congregation for the coming generations.
You have incented each of us to perform the
mitzvah of tzedakah - to fulfill the Torah’s
commandment to seek justice.
CONGREGATIONAL LEARNING
Rabbi Kelley Gludt
Last month the Jewish Discovery Lab
of Beth Am launched a unit on American
Jewish history with an “Immigrant Trunk”
performance. Provided by the Jewish
Museum of Baltimore, the performance
featured the talented actress/storyteller,
Katherine Lyons, as Ida Rehr.
Ida came to the United States in 1913
at the age of 17 from the Ukraine through
the port of Baltimore. Her real-life account
of her leaving her family, journeying across
the ocean, and struggling to adjust to life in
America was both moving and compelling.
Ida held our children’s rapt attention and
inspired them to dive right into a unit on
Jewish immigration to America.
As part of the unit, students have been
“following” a cadre of composite characters,
each a different age and gender, coming from
a myriad of places and times, to a variety of
entry points in the United Sates. As part
of the process, the students have imagined
what it is like to leave everything they know
behind, spent time “packing” for the journey,
and learned about the financial and physical
difficulties of moving to this country. After
reliving harrowing voyages to America, they
had to establish a life here, including learning
a new language, employment, schooling, etc.
The unit will culminate in an Immigrants’
Banquet, when everyone will not only share
the stories of their fictional immigrant, but
will also have the opportunity to present
their own families’ story of coming to
America and how it has affected who they
are as Jews today.
And that’s not all! There is so much
exciting learning going on at Lab that
there is barely time to squeeze it all in. The
children have been working on a “tzedakah
garden” each week, planning and preparing
to plant this spring. The goal is to raise
fresh and healthy food to be donated to a
neighborhood food bank. And the social
justice work does not stop there. Our sixth
graders have been meeting monthly with
students from Reservoir Hill’s St. Francis
Neighborhood Center. Together they have
been planning a community-wide event
while sharing dinner and having fun, getting
to know one another. Details to follow!
As if all that weren’t enough, there are
also Hebrew and tefillah (prayer) skills being
worked on every week. Lab students are
committed to mastering Ashrei this year!
Our sixth graders have been devoting time
each week to a B’nai Mitzvah Boot Camp,
learning the important synagogue and life
skills necessary to be a Jewish adult. They
also spend time working on leadership
abilities, which they have the chance to
put into practice as each sixth grader heads
up a “tribe.” Gil Klien continues to teach
music to our children, and we make certain
to throw in a fair amount of Hebrew gaga
too. Special events and programs, like Coffee
and Schmooze for parents with Rabbi Burg,
Post-Lab dinners, and holiday celebrations
are also underway.
Lab is a vibrant and active learning
community and on behalf of the entire
faculty, I’d like to thank Beth Am for sharing
your children with us!
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Rabbi Burg cont’d
Affirmative Action for the Masorti
(Conservative) Movement - Why
should the Israeli government give
millions of dollars to Orthodox and
Ultra-Orthodox synagogues, while
institutions and the 50 congregations of
the Masorti Movement have to fend for
themselves?
Ecology - We believe that we are
responsible for safeguarding the fragile
ecosystem that exists in the land of Israel.
I am so proud that in addition to
traveling to Israel, so many Beth Am’ers
remain involved in Israel advocacy. Many
of you support Israel through Hadassah,
JNF, JStreet (whose national conference is
also in March!), Israel Bonds, NIF, BZD,
BJC, Yad b’Yad, the Baltimore-Ashkelon
Partnership, Hazon, the Arava Institute (talk
with Cy Smith and Adina Amith about their
upcoming event regarding the Hazon/Arava
Israel bike ride), and a number of other
worthy organizations.
While our feet may remain firmly
planted in Baltimore, may our hearts ever be
inclined toward Jerusalem!
Cantor cont’d
The obvious question is: Why bother
to include the paragraph? The equally
obvious response is: tradition. It was easier
for less traditional editors to simply excise
the paragraph. Over time, as with other
references to negative traits of non-Jews,
some more traditional movements may
find a textual solution that emphasizes the
positive traits of Jews. I, for one, remain
patient and I can accept that this is another
fixed text with which I disagree, because it
confronts me and triggers thoughts about
my relationship with my faith.
Online Donations
Now Available!
You can now make online
credit card payments to
acknowledge life cycle events
and special occasions.
bethambaltimore.org/donate/
SANCTUARY SERVICES
Our next Sanctuary Services
will be February 7 and March 7
Join the “Kiddush Krew” and help make our
kiddush buffet extra enticing and delicious!
Once a month, in preparation for our Sanctuary
Shabbatot, we ask you to put your culinary skills
to work by sharing with the congregation a recipe
that no one will be able to resist. Your delectable
donation will help Beth Am live up to its motto
“Feels like Home.”
Go to Sign Up Genius to sign up: goo.gl/KozzA0
or contact Meg Hyman: meghyman@aol.com
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SCHEDULE
SHABBAT
YOUTH SERVICES
February Calendar
Shabbat Yachad
Sunday, February 1: Lab
Wednesday, February 4: Lab
Saturday, February 7: Shabbat Lab
Sunday, February 8: NO LAB
Wednesday, February 11: Lab
Sunday, February 15: NO LAB
Wednesday, February 18: Lab
Sunday, February 22: Lab
Wednesday, February 25: Lab
Sat, February 28: Jr. Congregation
March Calendar
Saturdays at 11:15 am
Combines familiar children’s Shabbat
songs with age appropriate sensory
experiences. Every Saturday, except
the first Saturday of the month, for
newborns to kindergarteners in the
Chapel, begins before Haftarah
reading (unless there’s a Bar or Bat
Mitzvah, in which case it begins after
candy throwing).
Sunday, March 1: Lab
Wednesday, March 4: Lab, Purim
Saturday, March 7: Shabbat Lab and
Havdallah Sleepover
Sunday, March 8: Purim Carnival
Wednesday, March 11: Lab
Saturday, March 14: Jr. Congregation
Sunday, March 15: Lab
Wednesday, March 18: Lab
Sunday, March 22: Lab
Wednesday, March 25: Lab
Sunday, March 29: Lab
Shabbat Lab
Saturday, February 7 at 10:45 am
A mix of traditional and innovative
davening. First Saturday of every
month for children in kindergarten
through fifth grade in the Chapel.
Jr. Congregation
Saturday, February 28 at 10:15 am
Calling all third, fourth, fifth and
sixth graders! Join Rabbi Burg for a
participatory Shabbat Service which
blends traditional davening with
upbeat music and engaging learning.
CHILDCARE NOW
AVAILABLE!
Every Shabbat, for children
18 months to 5 years old.
Begins at 10 am, with a snack
at 11 am, followed by
Shabbat Yachad at 11:15 am
(when scheduled).
Generously sponsored by the
Alexander Grass Foundation.
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GESHER
SUNDAY,
FEBRUARY 22
AT 7 PM
Beth Am Synagoue
TOPIC:
Language Diversity in Society: Resource or Threat?
PRESENTER:
Sarah J. Shin, Ph.D.
University of Maryland, Baltimore County and others
SUMMARY:
Sarah J. Shin, Ph.D., will discuss national languages and the politics and
ideologies behind language policies in Israel and the United States.
She will consider some of the major issues surrounding the education
of linguistic minority populations and show what each society stands
to gain from promoting multilingual competence in its citizenry. Her
presentation will be followed by a an informal discussion among several
guests who have experienced these complex issues in their own lives.
PRESENTER BIO:
Sarah J. Shin, Ph.D., is a professor of education and co-director of the
M.A. TESOL Program at the University of Maryland Baltimore County.
She specializes in bilingualism, heritage language education, and
TESOL teacher training. She is the author of Bilingualism in Schools
and Society: Language, Identity, and Policy (Routledge, 2013) and
Developing in Two Languages: Korean Children in America (Multilingual
Matters, 2005).
GESHER
Gesher is a joint program sponsored with our sister congregation,
Kehillat Netzach Israel in Ashkelon. We hold monthly sessions on a
variety of social justice topics. The goal of the class is to deepen our
understanding of the parallel challenges that face both of our countries
while finding ways for real, in-depth relationship building with the
people of Ashkelon.
Contact Rabbi Kelley Gludt to sign up or for more information:
rabbikelley@bethambaltimore.org
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PLACE
MUSIC
2014-15
EUTAW
$25
{at Beth Am}
EUTAWPLACE.ORG
TIX & INFO
FEB. 14/ 8 PM {DOORS 7:15}
TONY LUCCA
VALENTINE’S DAY {FREE} WINE TASTING
beer.
wine.
Tony Lucca is a star. He finished third on NBC’s hit show The Voice in 2012,
coffee.
won a record deal in the process, and received more press coverage than
any contestant has ever received. He made a record with Adam Levine,
tea.
with Maroon 5 and Kelly Clarkson. He was cast on the hit show
homemade toured
Parenthood playing himself as a rock singer, and performed an original
cookies.
song. He starred in an Aaron Spelling prime-time drama and dated Keri
Russell for years, winding up in countless gossip mags. Tony was born on
snacks.
outskirts of Detroit and by the age of 15 he parlayed his childhood rock2501 EUTAW PL. the
n-roll fantasy into a legitimate career, getting cast among an extraordinary
RESERVOIR HILL group of newcomers on The All New Mickey Mouse Club, along with Justin
BALTIMORE. Timberlake, Ryan Gosling and Britney Spears. He’s toured with Maroon
Kelly Clarkson, *NSYNC and Marc Anthony, as well as Josh Kelley, Sara
410-484-9110 5,Bareilles,
Joey Ryan (Milk Carton Kids), Gabe Dixon and Andrew Belle.
info at
Lucca won the LA Music Award for best male singer/songwriter in 2001 and
eutawplace.org appeared numerous times on Last Call with Carson Daly, as well as The
Wayne Brady Show and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Also in 2013,
Lucca was the sole entertainment for FOX’s NFL Thanksgiving Day telecast
for the Detroit Lions vs. Green Bay Packers game. He has just produced
{all ages welcome}
Tony Lucca, his eighth studio album inspired by his personal heroes he heard
on the radio growing up, from Tom Petty, Billy Squier to AC/DC’s Angus
Young.
{ALL AGES WELCOME}
BEER. WINE. COFFEE. TEA. HOMEMADE COOKIES.SNACKS.
2501 EUTAW PL. RESERVOIR HILL | 410-484-9110 | INFO AT EUTAWPLACE.ORG
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SOCIAL ACTION
Committee Meeting
Thursday, March 12
at 7:30 pm
Location: Jackie Donowitz’s home
Thursday, March 12 at 7:30 pm
Wednesday, May 20 at 7:30 pm
ALL ARE WELCOME! Bring your ENERGY and your PASSION and your
THOUGHTS! We address issues relating to poverty, homelessness, domestic
violence, environmental sustainability, literacy and more in the Reservoir Hill
community and beyond at the home of Jackie Donowitz, jemdonowitz@
hotmail.com. Contact Arthur Shulman if you need a ride to the meeting
arthur.shulman@gmail.com.
PLACE
MUSIC
2014-15
EUTAW
{at beth am}
CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS!
OCT 11 / NOV 1 / DEC 6 / JAN 10 / FEB 14 / MAR 14 / APR 18 / MAY 9
Love great music? Love Beth Am? We need you!
Eutaw Place is looking for volunteers for Season 3. Help with
setup, breakdown, box office and/or refreshment sales and
receive free admission to the show and dinner with the artists.
For full job descriptions and more info, contact Ellen Kahan
Zager at producer@eutawplace.org.
EUTAWPLACE.ORG
RSVP
Keep in mind: Your timely RSVP’s
are helpful and often essential to
help us plan for food and space.
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PURIM SPIEL
CASTING CALL
HEAR YE! HEAR YE!
Calling all Beth Am actors, singers,
and would-be actors-or-singers, for
the 2015 Purim Spiel. We have an
amazing script with lots of roles and
all we need are folks to fill them. That
means you! We need actors of every
age, size, shape, and gender.
The Purim Spiel will be presented
after the Megillah reading on
Wednesday night, March 4.
Rehearsals will take place on Tuesday
evenings and a couple of Sundays.
You don't need to be there for every
rehearsal.
To sign up, you need to contact
Idella@bethambaltimore.org or
410-523-2446.
PURIM SCHEDULE
Megillah Reading
Wednesday, March 4
• 6:00pm - BYO dairy/fish dinner
• 6:45pm - Maariv (Sanctuary)
• 7:00pm - Megillah reading
Children’s Costume Parade will
take place in the Social Hall between
the first and second chapters of the
Megillah reading. Purim Spiel to
follow
Purim Carnival
Sunday, March 8
• 8:30 am - Minyan including
traditional Megillah Reading.
• 10 am - Family Megillah Reading
• 10:30 am - 12 pm - Purim Carnival!
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KLEI KODESH
MUSICAL KABBALAT SHABBAT
Friday, March 27
6 pm - Services
Please join Rabbi Daniel Burg, Cantor Ira
Greenstein and guest musicians for a Musical
Kabbalat Shabbat. Open to the community!
7 pm - Mediterranean dinner to follow services
Adults - $16 | Children 6-12 yrs. - $10
Household maximum - $56
Children 6 and under are free!
Please contact Nakia for space availability:
410.523.2446 or nakia@bethambaltimore.org
SHUKAN STORE
Open Sundays
Come browse our new merchandise on
Sundays during Lab School hours. We have
new inventory of jewelry and Tzedakah boxes.
We look forward to seeing you!
If you cannot make it on Sundays, purchases
can be made by contacting:
Marcia Amith – 410-433-5582
Bonnie Guralnick – 410-653-2380
or Renee’ Feller – 410-602-2124.
SPRING CLOTHING DRIVE
February 3 - March 18
Women's and men's professional clothing
can be dropped off at Beth Am. Please
donate business attire and accessories that
have already been cleaned, are on hangers
and ready to wear. Women's clothing will be
donated to Suited to Succeed and men's
clothing will be donated to Our Daily Bread.
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PHOTOS
right: Rabbi Burg shakes President
Obama’s hand outside Charmington’s
coffee house. Pres. Obama was in Baltimore
promoting family sick leave proposals.
The president ate lunch with Sen. Barbara
Mikulski at Charmington’s Cafe.
left: Kim Dubansky from Baltimore
(daughter of Cindy & Robert
Dubansky) with Marcelo Burdman,
Past President and current Vice
President of Kehillat Netzach Israel,
visiting her twinned synagogue
with her Lacrosse Birthright Group.
right: Elad Dabby from Kehillat
Netzach Israel Ashkelon on
left. Anneliese Feldman from
Beth Am (daughter of Ellen &
Howard Feldman) in middle
and Eli Madnick on right
from Kehillat Netzach Israel
Ashkelon. All participating in
the Diller Program together.
Anneliesse came to KNI with
all other Diller participants
from Ashkelon to learn about
the Kehillah.They participated
in a Kabbalat Shabbat with the
Preschool children.
.
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2/17: 3/17: 4/21: 5/19: Rabbi Kelley Gludt
Rabbi Daniel Burg
Rabbi Kelley Gludt
Rabbi Daniel Burg and Rabbi Kelley
FEBRUARY
Karin Batterton’s Office
Coldwell Banker Brokerage
Village of Cross Keys
38 Village Square
Baltimore, MD 21210
Please join Beth Am congregants and friends for Lunch and
Learn with Rabbi Daniel Burg and Rabbi Kelley Gludt.
All are welcome. Please bring a fish/dairy lunch.
Tuesdays, Noon - 1 pm
Fall schedule below:
Discuss modern Jewish issues through
Conservative teshuvot (legal rulings)
&LUNCH
learn
2015
SHEVAT
If you are interested in sharing what Judaism meant to you,
please contact Michael Sanow - msanow@ccbcmd.edu
May 16 - Joe Nathanson and Stu Schoenfeld
February 21 - Jack Lapides and Carla Rosenthal
January 31 - For the first
session, various congregants
will share a five minute story about an event, experience,
relation or friend that was/is meaningful as you travel on
your own Jewish Journey. We will share these in small
groups and then discuss them in the group as a whole.
Held after Kiddush lunch
several times during the
year, congregants share
their personal interpretation
of what Judaism means to
them and how they integrate
Judaism into their daily lives.
PEOPLE’S TALMUD
5775
14
9
16
Presidents’ Day
23
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9 am - Morning Minyan
9:30 am - No Lab
15
9 am - Morning Minyan
9:30 am - No Lab
22
Israel Trip returns
9 am - Morning Minyan
9:30 am - Lab
7 pm - Gesher
2
Monday
1
9 am - Morning Minyan
9:30 am - Lab
Sunday
24
17
12 pm - Lunch and
Learn
10
3
Spring Clothing
Drive Begins
Tuesday
25
4:15 pm - Lab
18
4:15 pm - Lab
4:15 pm - Lab / post
Lab dinner
11
Israel Trip Begins
4
Tu B’Shevat
4:15 pm - Lab
Wednesday
26
19
Rosh Chodesh
12
5
Thursday
27
5:39 pm - Candle
lighting
20
Rosh Chodesh
5:31 pm - Candle
lighting
13
5:23 pm - Candle
lighting
BAYITT - off premises
6
5:15 pm - Candle
lighting
Friday
28
8:45 am - Torah Study
9:30 am - Kesher Services
10:15 am - Jr. Congregation
11:15 am - Shabbat Yachad
21
8:45 am - Torah Study
9:30 am - Kesher Services
11:15 am - Shabbat Yachad
12:30 pm - People’s Talmud
14
8:45 am - Torah Study
9:30 am - Kesher Services
11:15 am - Shabbat Yachad
8 pm - Eutaw Place
7
8:45 am - Learning Minyan
(with Sandy Winters)
9:30 am - Sanctuary Services
10:45 am - Shabbat Lab
Saturday
MINYAN
MARCH
On Shabbat, February 7, Sandy Winters will lead the Learning
Minyan at 8:45 am in place of Torah Study. This is an excellent
opportunity to learn about the four different versions of Aleynu
and come to understand why it has been a controversial piece
of the liturgy. Learning Minyan is a blending of liturgical content
and skill building. The first Saturday of each month, Learning
Minyan will focus on a different section of the Shabbat morning
service. No preparation required; just show up!
LEARNING MINYAN
Beth Am needs you for Minyan! Ten
adult Jews are needed for a Minyan
- without it, people can’t say kaddish.
Sign up at www.tiny.cc/pqtubx to pick
your week to participate or speak
to one of our Minyan Reading Coordinators: Zack Berger,
Richard Bloom, David Schwartz, Annie Kaufman, Rachel
Weitzner and Robin Katcoff.
is every Sunday at 9 am.
MORNING MINYAN
16
2015
What is the canon of
Jewish literature and what
distinguishes and unites
these sacred texts?
Who are the thought
leaders in our history
who have shaped and
disseminated these ideas?
*May 13 (make-up date if
needed)
SPRING DATES:
Wednesdays at Beth Am
7-8:30 pm
March 11, 18, 25
April 15, 22, 29
May 6
PLEASE NOTE THE
DATE/TIME CHANGES.
We take an integrated and
conversant approach to
these central Jewish ideas.
Rabbi Burg will reprise the
Fall’s course on seven new
dates.
All are welcome!
ADAR
What ideas has our
tradition offered the world?
What does it mean
to think Jewishly?
IDEAS
BIG
JEWISH
JEWISH IDEAS IN
HISTORY, THOUGHT
AND TEXT
5775
9
8 - Daylight Savings Begins
16
23
30
15
9 am - Morning Minyan
9:30 am - Lab
BAYITT - Social Justice Seder
22
9 am - Morning Minyan
9:30 am - Lab
29
9 am - Morning Minyan
9:30 am - Lab
Kadima / USY - Chocolate
Seder
8:30 am - Minyan including
traditional Megillah Reading.
10 am - Family Megillah
Reading
10:30 am - Purim Carnival!
6 pm - New Member Dinner
(off premises)
2
1
9 am - Morning Minyan
9:30 am - Lab
Sunday
Monday
31
24
17
12 pm - Lunch and
Learn
10
3
Tuesday
25
4:15 pm - Lab
7 pm - BIG Jewish
Ideas
18
Spring Clothing
Drive Ends
4:15 pm - Lab
7 pm - BIG Jewish
Ideas
11
4:15 pm - Lab
7 pm - BIG Jewish
Ideas
4 - Erev Purim
4:15 pm - Lab
6:00 pm - BYO
dairy/fish dinner
6:45 pm - Maariv
7:00 pm - Megillah
reading
Children’s Costume
Parade
Purim Spiel
Wednesday
26
19
Rosh Chodesh
12
7:30 pm - Social
Action Committee Meeting (off
premises)
5 - Purim
Thursday
27
6 pm - Klei Kodesh
7:07 pm - Candle
lighting
20
Rosh Chodesh
7 pm - Candle
lighting
13
6:30 pm BAYITT
Second Fridays
6:53 pm - Candle
lighting
6
5:46 pm - Candle
lighting
Friday
28
8:45 am - Torah Study
9:30 am - Kesher Services
11:15 am - Shabbat Yachad
21
8:45 am - Torah Study
9:30 am - Kesher Services
11:15 am - Shabbat Yachad
12:30 pm - People’s Talmud
14
8:45 am - Torah Study
9:30 am - Kesher Services
10:15 am - Jr. Congregation
11:15 am - Shabbat Yachad
8 pm - Eutaw Place
7
8:45 am - Learning Minyan
9:30 am - Sanctuary Services
10:45 am - Shabbat Lab
Havdallah Sleepover
Saturday
PRAYERS FOR HEALING
COMMUNITY NEWS
Judy Miller
Scott Silverstine, cousin of Gail Wohlmuth (Lou)
Rochelle Engamil, friend of Gail and Lou Wohlmuth
Mike Hess, cousin of Lou Wohlmuth (Gail)
Nancy Schechman, friend of Gail and Lou Wohlmuth
Eliana Joy Matz, grandaughter of Judy Richter
Svetlana Piller, friend of Jamie Puffer
Audrey Stearns, mother of Maxwell Stearns (Vered)
Ray Katz, mother of Joanne Katz (Scott Zeger)
Burton Gold, father of Joanne Gold (Andrew Stern)
Elizabeth Stern, mother of Andrew Stern (Joanne Gold)
Jonathan Shorr, father of Elisa Frost (Jason)
Alexa Moinkoff, grandaughter of Sharon Zamkoff
Joel Balsham, friend of Lissa Rotundo
Deb Cohen, friend of Stephanie Fleishman
Burt D’Lugoff
Laurie Glassner
Merle Sachs (Murray)
Lottie Greene, mother of Meg Hyman
Lenore Berman, mother of Janis Silverman (Jay)
Alan Pressman (Ashley)
Judy Langenthal (Hersch)
Mike Steedman, brother of Linda Small
Harry Adler, friend of Roberta and Cantor Ira Greenstein
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
Hilda Coyne
Vickie Dorf
Fran Kanterman
RECENT DEATHS
• Debbie Katcoff, mother of Jason Katcoff (Robin)
• Dorothy Zenilman, mother of Jonathan Zenilman (Carol)
• Dorothy Kaffeman
• Louis M. Balk brother of Ida Gulin (Edward) and
uncle of Joan Schoenfeld (Stuart)
• Rabbi Daniel Kaplan, brother of Debbie Potts (Efrem)
and uncle of Lee Borris (Mark)
• Betty Akchin, mother of Don Akchin (Lisa) and
grandmother of Jonathan Akchin (Lisa Kramer)
• Harold Sternberg, uncle of Sharon Zamkoff
18
70+ BIRTHDAYS
Happy Birthday!
Merle Sachs
2-Feb
Peter Fitz
2-Feb
Ed Gulin3-Feb
Gil Sandler
3-Feb
Dick Himelfarb
3-Feb
Helen Weiss
3-Feb
Michael Noonberg
5-Feb
Monica Sagner
6-Feb
Mignon Rosenthal
7-Feb
Eve Berkow
8-Feb
Ann Sarrin
14-Feb
Stuart Burman
16-Feb
Debbie Potts
20-Feb
Martha Burman
21-Feb
Shale Stiller
23-Feb
Merle Fishman
24-Feb
William Rothstein
26-Feb
Elaine Weinstein
26-Feb
Andy Conn
28-Feb
MAZEL TOV
Congratulations!
• Charles Rammelkamp on his
interview on Maryland Morning,
WYPR 88.1, January 23. His interview
featured poems from his new poetry
book, Mixed Signals.
• Michelle & Ralph Shaver on the birth
of their first grandchild, Freya Noel.
Parents are Kyla & Uriah Shaver.
A SPECIAL THANK YOU
to Sarajane Greenfeld and
Betty Seidel for their support
proofreading for Beth Am!
below: David Scher shared this great photo of many Beth Am’s congregants
and friends volunteering at My Sister’s Place, a day resource center run by
Associated Catholic Charities. Congregants below include Jackie Donowitz,
Judith Schagrin, Kate Scher, Joanne Orlinsky and Barbara Blumberg
19
DECEMBER
CONTRIBUTIONS
ou!
y
Thank
Building Preservation & Ritual
Enhancement Fund
General Fund
• Joanne Katz & Scott Zeger - wishing
Gail Liss a speedy recovery
• Mira & Daniel Appleby - in honor of
•
Ana Pavich & Adam Geroff - in
Beth Am’s 40th Anniversary
memory of Milton Frank, uncle of
• Judy Hozore - in memory of Ethel
Sharon Nathanson;
Schupper, her mother, on her yahrzeit
in memory of Charles Nathanson,
• Roz & Nelson Hyman - in memory of
brother of Joe Nathanson
Charles Nathanson, brother of Joe
Nathanson;
in memory of Martin Doctrow, brother I. William Schimmel Student
of Jerry Doctrow
Scholarship Fund
• Joanne Katz & Scott Zeger - in honor
• Fred Katz - in memory of Theo Katz,
of Lauren Osborne & Rob Lieberman,
his brother, on his yahrzeit;
on the Bar Mitzvah of their son Aaron
in memory of Shenny and Max
Lieberman;
Katz his mother and father on their
wishing Phyllis Burg, mother of Rabbi
yahrzeits
Daniel Burg, a speedy recovery
•
Carol & David Shulman - in memory
• Lois & Arthur Perschetz - in memory
of Edith Cohen, her mother, on her
of Rose Perschetz, his mother, on her
yahrzeit
yahrzeit
• Gil Sandler - in honor of Olivia Loeb,
Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund
daughter of Pamela & Eric Loeb, on
her Bat Mitzvah
• Karin Batterton - in memory of
• Elaine & Norm Weinstein - in honor of Charles Nathanson, brother of Joe
Michelle & Ralph Shaver, on the birth
Nathanson;
of their first grandchild, Freya Noel
in memory of Martin Doctrow, brother
Shaver
of Jerry Doctrow;
in honor of Jennifer Batterton &
Daniel Leers, on the birth of their son
Cantor’s Discretionary Fund
Samuel Leers
• Ricky & Eric Fine - in memory of David • Shirley Braverman - wishing Rabbi
Miriam Burg a speedy recovery
Fine, his father, on his yahrzeit
• Kaye & Glenn Bushel - in honor of
• Naomi Goldstick & Gary Rosner - in
Caroline Bushel and David Sheiman
memory of Norman Rosner, his father,
on their marriage
on his yahrzeit
• Bailey & Stanley Fine - in honor of
Dave Weinberg on his birthday
• Linda Gross - in memory of Jerome
Educator’s Discretionary Fund
Abraham Gross, her husband, on his
• Betty & Daniel Chemers - in memory
yahrzeit
of Hildreth Miller, her mother, on her
• Ida & Ed Gulin - in memory of Lillian
yahrzeit
Balk, her mother on her yahrzeit
20
Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund cont’d • Ellen Heller - in appreciation of
Rabbi Burg, for his leadership and
all he does for the congregation and
community
• Dovey & Billy Kahn - in honor of Sandy
& Bob Hillman, on the Bat Mitzvah of
their granddaughter Olivia Loeb
• Janis & Jay Silverman - in memory of
his father, Morris Silverman, on his
yahrzeit
• Jill & Al Sommer - in honor of Alan
Goldberg on his birthday
Social Action Fund
• Lisa & Don Akchin - in memory of
Charles Nathanson, brother of Joe
Nathanson;
in memory of Martin Doctrow, brother
of Jerry Doctrow
• Jackie & Mark Donowitz - in memory
of her parents, Ruth Einstein Marx and
Walter Marx, on their yahrzeits
• Doris Gottlieb - in honor of Julie &
Stephen Gottlieb and their children;
in memory of Maurice Weingold,
father of Carol Zenilman
• Joyce Keating - in memory of
Charles Nathanson, brother of Joe
Nathanson;
in memory of Nancy Carp, wife of
Marc Carp
• Jo-Ann Orlinsky - in memory of her
father, Henry Mayer, and her sister,
Shari Mayer, on their yahrzeits
• Miriam Tillman - in honor of Lisa &
Jonathan Akchin, on the birth of their
daughter Anne Marcella Akchin;
in honor of Lisa & Don Akchin on the
birth of their granddaughter
Youth & Teen Education
Support Fund
• Ellen & Jeff Spokes - in memory of
her grandfather, Harry Kotzen, and
her brother, Daniel Kotzen, on their
yahrzeits
KIDDUSH LUNCHEON
AND BIMAH FLOWERS
Sponsorships and Donations
January 3
The Kiddush luncheon was sponsored
by Elaine Freeman on the first yahrzeit
of her husband, John Freeman.
January 21
The Kiddush luncheon was sponsored
by Stanley Fine’s family in honor of his
71st birthday and the anniversary of
his Bar Mitzvah.
CLOSING PROCEDURES
FOR INCLEMENT
WEATHER
The Baltimore Area
Principals’ Council
determines Sunday
school closures or early
dismissal. Wednesday
afternoon classes will
be canceled in the event
that either Baltimore
City or Baltimore County
Schools are closed or
dismissed early. If the
school closes, an e-mail
will be sent to Jewish
Discovery Lab parents,
and a message will be
posted at our website at
bethambaltimore.org
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
Our heartfelt gratitude to all who so generously
pledged to this year’s Annual Fund Campaign.
Thank you to our solicitors, who have worked so hard,
and to our members who will pledge in the coming weeks.
Every gift to the Annual Fund moves us closer
to the goal of 100% participation.
Contact Ricky Fine, Annual Fund Chair, at 410-358-2380
or rsfine24@gmail.com with any questions you may have.
22
Online donations available at our website
bethambaltimore.org/donate/
Accessibility Fund - Used to make the
facility accessible to those with impaired
physical abilities
Adult Education Fund - Supports
educational programs for all adults
BAYITT Fund - Beth Am’s Young Adult
Initiative for 20’s and 30’s
Building Preservation and Ritual
Enhancement Fund - Supports the
preservation and renovation of the building
and the ritual items
Cantor’s Discretionary Fund - Allows the
Cantor to support special programs and
individuals in need
Educator’s Discretionary Fund Allows the Educator to support special
programs and individuals in need
Etta & Louis L. Kaplan Education Fund
Supports the purchase of furniture,
equipment and capital improvements for
the Jewish Discovery Lab
Floral Fund - Beautifies the Bimah
FUND DESIGNATION
Garden Fund - Beautifies grounds
General Fund - Applied to the
operating budget of the congregation
I. William Schimmel Student Scholarship
Fund - Assists students in their educational
pursuits
Kiddush Fund - Used for luncheons
following Sabbath and holiday services
Prayer Book Fund - Supports the
purchase of prayer books and dedication
prayer books
Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund - Allows the
Rabbi to support special programs and
individuals in need
Social Action Fund - Supports social action
activities in the Reservoir Hill area and the
general community
Tiny Tots Shabbat Fund - Supports
Shabbat programs for our preschoolers
Youth & Teen Education Support Fund 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,
nakia@bethambaltimore.org 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
© 2015 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