JANUARY 2015 TEVET / SHEVAT 5775

CONTENTS RABBI’S MESSAGE What’s Judaism Got to Say RABBI’S MESSAGE 1 about That? Rabbi Daniel Cotzin Burg PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE 3 Most Jews know that Judaism has a strong tradition of CONGREGATION questioning. We question everything from the temperature at LEARNING 4 which metal becomes sufficiently heated as to alter its kosher status to the very nature of God. But that doesn’t mean all IFO, Inc. 5 questions are good questions. In fact some questions are “so UPCOMING stupid as to put an end, at least briefly, to all discussion.” So EVENTS 7* writes Michael Wex in his 2005 book Born to Kvetch. Wex explains the concept of the klots kashe, literally a “wooden beam CALENDARS 11 question:” Most Jewish people who are even vaguely observant are COMMUNITY familiar with the term kasha from the Passover seder, where the NEWS 14 term fir kashes, four questions, is still used for the questions that CONTRIBUTIONS 16 the youngest child recites at the beginning of the seder ritual. As anybody who has ever attended a seder can tell you, it can EUTAW PLACE 17 take hours to get from the fir kashes to the meal, hours spent in answering these questions. FUND A klots kasha is the antithesis of this sort of question...It’s…a DESIGNATION 19 stupid question with pretensions...Imagine a group of history professors discussing the Exodus from Egypt or the Civil War when one of them asks, ‘But is slavery necessarily bad for the *throughout bulletin slaves?’ (pg. 42-43) In the strictest sense the question “What’s Judaism got to say about that?” isn’t a klots kashe; it’s not pretentious. But it’s most often an unhelpful question, one that conflates two common misunderstandings about Judaism. First, to imply that “Judaism” is a monolithic thing with singular answers to complex questions is to assign too much dogma to a largely US non-dogmatic religion. We all know the expression “two Jews ON three opinions.” Ours is a robust and ever-unfolding tradition facebook.com/ with competing ideas and centuries upon centuries of recorded BethAmBaltimore debates. “Judaism” infrequently says one thing. continued on page 6 BETH AM BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Rabbi Daniel Cotzin Burg Standing Committees Adult Ed Chair Elaine Weiss Officers Adult Ed Co-Chair Carla Rosenthal President Scott Zeger Finance Chair Alan Kopolow 1st Vice President Julie Gottlieb Finance Co-Chair Joe Wolfson 2nd Vice President Lynn Sassin House Chair Sam Polakoff Treasurer Alan Kopolow Kiddush Chair Meg Hyman Secretary Elaine Weiss Membership Chair Sharon Nathanson Membership Co-Chair Robin Katcoff Trustees through 2015 Religious Services Chair Joe Wolfson Alyson Bonavoglia Social Action Chair Arthur Shulman Eliza Feller Social Action Co-Chair Jackie Donowitz Cheri Levin Youth Education Chair David Lunken David Lunken Ad Hoc Committees Trustees through 2016 Annual Fund Honorary Chair Gil Sandler Neil Kahn Annual Fund Chair Ricky Fine Cindy Paradies Annual Fund Vice Chair Jim Jacobs Desiree Robinson Balt. Jewish Council Rep. Ben Rosenberg Jim Schwartz Beth Am Connection Joanne Katz Risa Jampel Trustees through 2017 BAYITT Chair Brian Ross David Demsky Congregant to Congregant Joyce Keating Risa Jampel Eutaw Place Ellen Kahan Zager Ashley Pressman Jack Zager Naomi Rosner In, For and Of Lisa Akchin Maggi Gaines Past Presidents and Life Members Marketing Chair Ellen Spokes Past President Cy Smith Operations Co-Chair Ashley Pressman Past President Jack Lapides Operations Co-Chair David Demsky Honorary Life Member Lainy LeBow-Sachs Res. Hill Improvement Council Carol Shulman Honorary Life Member Efrem Potts

Office Hours Rabbi Daniel Cotzin Burg Tuesday-Thursday: 9:00-4:00 443.202.0912 (cell) (emergencies only, please) Friday: 9:00-3:00 [email protected]

Office Contact Extentions: Cantor Ira Greenstein Tel: 410.523.2446 / Fax: 410.523.1729 443.759.7807 (home) Extensions: Rabbi Daniel Burg - 14 [email protected] Rabbi Gludt - 15 Henry Feller, Exec. Dir. - 20 Rabbi Kelley Gludt, Director of Linda Small, Senior Staff and Congregational Learning Development Coordinator - 12 520.248.9541 (cell) Ralph Shaver, Finance Manager -18 [email protected] Norm Weinstein, Bookkeeper - 17 Marsha Blank, Educ. Admin - 16 Henry Feller, Executive Director Idella Crenshaw, Admin. Specialist and [email protected] Assistant to the Rabbi - 21 443.742.9654 (cell) (emergencies only, please) Nakia Davis, Front Office Coordinator - 11 Valerie Tracy, Marketing Coordinator- 10 Scott L. Zeger, Board President Sandy Winters, Ritual Coordinator: 410.868.7761 410-598-6397 [email protected]

Office E-mail: In case of an emergency, please contact: Email: [email protected] Henry Feller, Executive Director Web site: www.bethambaltimore.org 443.742.9654 (cell)

2 3 PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE Scott Zeger

‘American Judaism is going to change over forward. And, thanks to the past leaders the next few decades,’ Potts says. ‘I’m not sure for whom ownership translated into action. how or what it will look like. But I believe Your wise decisions, especially in times of that 40 years from now, Beth Am will be crisis, have been honest and true. going strong.’ Thanks to the lineage of talented lay - Baltimore Sun, Synagogue Marks Birth, and professional clergy starting with Rebbe page 1, December 16, 2014. Louis L. Kaplan and Cantor Abba Weisgal One does well in life by betting with and continuing to this day with Rabbi Efrem and Debbie Potts. Forty years ago, Daniel Cotzin Burg, Cantor Ira Greenstein they predicted we would celebrate Beth and Rabbi Kelley Gludt. Beth Am was Am’s fortieth anniversary on Shabbat founded as a learning community. You keep Hanukkah, 2014 and you now know how that tradition alive and well. that turned out. And now, thank you to the many people I write from the beach at Guanacaste, who made the 40th anniversary celebration Costa Rica where the news of the Beth a success. Before I could even ask, Ellen Am bash has just arrived. Joanne, Max, Spokes nominated herself and Adina Amith David and I are enjoying a family reunion to plan and execute the Shabbat Hanukkah with 20 Zegers, keeping alive a tradition celebration. Everything that happened: the that my grandmother Yetta started in the video, Friday night Kabbalat Shabbat and Catskills 60 years ago. We regret missing shared dinners at home, Shabbat services the Saturday events but have the date for and luncheon and the celebration dinner/ Beth Am’s 50th on the calendar now. dance were planned and led by their Thank yous are now in order. committee. Some have asked me whether Thanks to the founding generation, we are losing our “do-it-yourself” tradition. many of whom plotted Beth Am’s formation Ellen, Adina, and the dozens of volunteers 40 years ago. The easy move was to get out who made the weekend a huge success of town. But in the activist tradition of the demonstrates what we are still made. day, you said, “hell no, we won’t go”. The Thanks to theCampaign for Beth Am Baltimore Jewish community and Reservoir committee chaired by Lainy LeBow-Sachs Hill are better for your decision. and Cy Smith who raised the funds to Thanks to the membership that has support the 40th celebration where we supported and nurtured Beth Am in the kicked off the public phase of the first intervening period. This congregation is capital campaign in our history. This only as strong as the sense of ownership you campaign is an opportunity for members feel for Jewish living in Baltimore. During and others to invest in the quality of clergy all the ups and downs, you have exercised and programming in the magnificent Sperry your ownership and kept Beth Am moving building to assure the 80th anniversary is continued on page 6

3 CONGREGATIONAL LEARNING Rabbi Kelley Gludt

Spring has arrived! It may not seem experiment and discovery, an expedition like the season of renewal and rebirth here where the learners undertake a journey in Baltimore, but we Jews celebrate our of knowledge, instead of being led there holidays tied to the land of our people, by others. If done correctly, the process and that means the time has come for the also includes a synthesis of newfound New Year of the Trees! knowledge, skills and ways of thinking. The 15th of Shevat, known in Hebrew Experiential education provides an as Tu B’Shevat, celebrates the beginning effective and useful learning method that of the fruit crop in Israel and corresponds is engaging, compelling and lots of fun— this year to February 4. It reminds us of very Beth Am! our physical bond with the land given to Judaism lends itself amazingly well to us by God, and the obligations that come experiential education. Whether lighting along with it, including tithing. Spiritually, the Hanukkah candles, reenacting Tu B’Shevat echoes our people’s survival receiving the Torah at Sinai during through difficult days to once again flower Shabbat services, poring through the and bear fruit. Haggadah, or dwelling in a Sukkah, we To commemorate this holiday some Jews employ this educational technique all people plant a tree, donate to the Jewish year round. Tu B’Shevat is no exception! National Fund, learn how to be more The many ways to celebrate this holiday ecologically minded, or attend a Tu all incorporate this approach to education, B’Shevat seder, all experiential ways to including eating some new fruit, actively observe the day. helping the environment, or sharing a Experiential education is the seder. I encourage you and your families “learning by doing” school of thought, an not to miss this wonderful opportunity to educational philosophy which creates an learn for ourselves and from ourselves! The active and engaging learning experience experience promises to be a valuable one. for all students. It take a process of Happy Tu B’Shevat!

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.

4 5 Speaking OF the Neighborhood Don Akchin

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS integrates neighborhood efforts with ongoing activities and (3) Development: Beth Am’s engagement work in attracts external philanthropic support. Reservoir Hill is moving onto more TheIFO Inc. Board, now eight permanent footing. TheIn For and Of members (including two from Reservoir the Neighborhood initiative, which began Hill), will expand to include the three two years ago as a task force, is merging committee chairs, liaisons with Beth Am’s with In For Of, Inc., a separate nonprofit board and committees, and additional corporation established by the Beth Reservoir Hill representatives. Am Board last year to raise funds from The restructuring marks a good time beyond the congregation to preserve Beth to renew the invitation for congregants Am’s historic building and support joint to join in this important community- synagogue / neighborhood activities. building work with our neighbors. If The nonprofit board will initially have you want to be considered for a board three major committees: or committee role, please complete the (1) Partnership: works with people and short questionnaire on our website, groups in Reservoir Hill (2) Organizing: www.tiny.cc/i43yqx by Jan. 16 and encourages Beth Am volunteers and e-mail it to [email protected].

Please join us!

Please join us for a special preview of early design concepts for Beth Am by Alexander Design Studio Sun, January 11 at 11:30 am or Wed, January 14 at 7 pm in the Beth Am RSVP by January 9 to Synagogue Sanctuary Valerie Tracy at 410.523.2446 or [email protected]

5 Rabbi Burg cont’d President cont’d Conversely, though, it’s a bit silly to an even more momentous celebration than assume that since Judaism is multi-vocal the 40th. The founders invested their time, it is relativistic, equally honoring every energy and resources in 1974 to enable this answer to any question. There are answers: day. Let’s do the same for our children and majority opinions, minority opinions their children. and, yes, universally accepted opinions as Thanks to Henry Feller and the Beth well. This is seen in the very old tradition Am staff, especially Valerie Tracy, who with of she’elot u’teshuvot, literally “questions our talented clergy, worked closely with the and answers” (often rendered “Responsa 40th Anniversary team to make the event Literature”). The idea is that while most a success. questions are worthy (though not all as Finally, thank you for participating in we’ve seen above), many answers are not. the 40th events if you could. And thanks The time-honored Responsa tradition tells for participating during the coming year us life’s big and small questions ought to if you could not. Jewish living is alive and be addressed by the great religious Jewish well in Baltimore City because of you. In minds of the day, those who bring a deep 1974, Efrem and Debbie Potts believed and broad understanding of Torah, Talmud “40 years from now, Beth Am will be going and previous rabbinic rulings to bear. strong.” Let’s be sure they are right again. We look not for the Jewish response, but a Jewish response, or even better, Rabbi SHUKAN STORE Meir’s opinion, Maimonides’ opinion, the OPEN SUNDAYS rulings of Rabbi Feinstein, Rabbi Agus, Come browse our new merchandise Rabbi Roth or Rabbi Dorff. on Sundays during Lab School This year, Rabbi Kelley Gludt and I are hours. We have new inventory of teaching several modern examples of this jewelry and Tzedakah boxes. We literature in our monthly Lunch and Learn look forward to seeing you! sessions at Cross Keys. I’ll be leading the If you cannot make it on Sundays, next one, January 20, on Assisted Suicide. purchases can be made by What’s Judaism got to say about this? More contacting: than you might think. Come learn with us! Marcia Amith – 410-433-5582 Bonnie Guralnick – 410-653-2380 or Renee’ Feller – 410-602-2124.

TODAH RABAH Jackie Donowitz

Thank you, thank you to so many of you who contributed to the Holiday Book Giveaway at John Eager Howard Elementary School. Pulling this together took lots of time and effort from many of you: Marcia Amith, Barbara and Barry Blumberg, Mimi Davidoff, JoAnn Orlinsky, Stuart Stainman, Faith Friedman, Barbara Rosenberger, Carla Rosenthal, Carol Zenilman and Beth Am staff Valerie, Warren and Nakia and then there was all of you who so generously donated fantastic books! If we photographed the children, you'd see 244 happy, excited faces.

6 7 JEWISH DISCOVERY LAB SCHEDULE January Calendar Saturday, January 3: NO SHABBAT LAB Sunday, January 4: NO LAB Wednesday, January 7: Lab Saturday, January 10: Shabbat Yachad Sunday, January 11: Lab Wednesday, January 14: Lab Saturday, January 17: Shabbat Yachad Sunday, January 18: Kadima/USY - snow tubing / NO LAB Wednesday, January 21: Lab Saturday, January 24: Junior Congregation Sunday, January 25: Lab Wednesday, January 28: Lab Saturday, January 31: Shabbat Yachad

SHABBAT YOUTH SERVICES Shabbat Yachad - 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 kindergarten in the Chapel, begins before Haftarah reading (unless there’s a Bar or Bat Mitzvah, in which case it begins after candy throwing). Shabbat Lab - Saturday, February 7 at 10:45 am (please note: There will be no Shabbat Lab on January 3) 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, January 24 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.

Beth Am Young Adult Initiative BAYITT for Twenties and Thirties All BAYITT programs are open to anyone in their twenties or thirties who is interested in meeting new people, celebrating Shabbat with a community, and eating delicious food! January 9: 6:30 pm - Congregational services followed by BAYITT dinner in partnership with Repair the World Baltimore. Contact [email protected] to RSVP.

7 While it may be cold outside, it is always warm on Shabbat at Beth Am.

Please join us for Kesher Services which begin at 9:30 am and are followed by a delicious Kiddush lunch. On January 3 at 8:45 am, Rabbi Burg will lead a learning minyan and every week thereafter is an interactive Torah study prior to services. This is a wonderful time to get to know Beth Am and its members. If you are already a member, bring a friend! We look forward to welcoming you. Sharon Nathanson, Membership Chairman, [email protected].

GESHER REMAINING BETH AM’S NEXT GESHER PROGRAM: DATES: January 11 at 1 pm Beth Am Synagogue Jan. 11 - 1 pm Feb. 22 - 7 pm TOPIC: TREATMENT OF PEOPLE Mar. - details TBD WITH SPECIAL NEEDS PANEL: CJE: Larry Ziffer, CEO; Amian Kelemer, COO JCS: Ruth Klein, Director of Mental Health Services JCC: Jennifer Erez, staff; Rob Goldstein, parent of a daughter with special needs served by JCC & Camp Milldale 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: [email protected]

8 9 EUTAWMUSIC 2014-15 $20 PLACE {at Beth Am} JAN. 10/ 8 PM {DOORS 7:30}: MATT HUTCHISON ellen cherry From the very beginning, Matt Hutchison has been inspired by a good song and story. When he was six years old, he fell for The Beatles so hard that he thought he was in fact Paul McCartney, even going so far as to put that name at the top of his school work. He later spent three of his formative years living in England soaking up the sounds of the early British Invasion and digging into the catalog of early Rock & Roll and Country Western music. His latest project, Three Minute Man, is a reflection of a simpler songwriting approach in a collection of new songs that clock in around three minutes each. Breathing life into these songs is a band of old friends and fine musicians from Baltimore and surrounding locales. Baltimore-based Emmy nominated singer/ songwriter ellen cherry mixes equal parts of pathos and humor throughout her songs. She’s mysterious and powerful on stage, and her banter gives audiences a peek into a whimsical, curious mind. Recording and writing original material continuously since 1996, cherry has shifted some of her time and talents toward producing a once-per-month live performance and interview webcast from her living room called Listen In with ellen cherry, which provides a platform for the best musicians in Baltimore. She is co-creator and chief visual alchemist for a collaborative project called Mobtown Moon, which released an exciting new re-imagining of Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon in 2013. She is currently working on a new set of recordings due out in late 2014. BEER, WINE SPONSORED BY VINEYARD ELITE. COFFEE SPONSORED BY HIGH GROUNDS ROASTERS. HOMEMADE COOKIES. SNACKS. {ALL AGES WELCOME!} 2501 EUTAW PL. RESERVOIR HILL 410-484-9110 TIX & INFO EUTAWPLACE.ORG BALTIMORE.

L’eilah u’Leilah: A Family Israel Experience Join Us for Our Kickoff Weekend! Friday, January 23 - Sunday, January 25 We are gathering a group of families who commit to going to Israel together in 2018. During the next few years, families will have the time to develop a personal savings plan, and the group will gather regularly to connect with one another through learning and social events. We are having a kick-off weekend here at Beth Am with Uri Feinberg, the Israeli educator who will be working with us throughout the next few years and on our trip itself. The weekend will include: A Friday night family service, dinner and program; A Saturday late afternoon family program and havdalah; A Sunday morning adult learning session concurrent with Lab (children not currently enrolled in the Jewish Discovery Lab will be invited to join the Lab for the morning) RSVP to Rabbi Miriam Burg at [email protected]. If you are planning to be a part of this exciting initiative your participation in the weekend is very important. Local programming funded in part by a JEEP grant from The Associated: Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore

9 5775 TEVET PEOPLE’S TALMUD Held after Kiddush lunch several times during their personal share congregants the year, of what Judaism means to them and interpretation how they integrate Judaism into their daily lives. January 31 February 21 May 16

Rabbi Daniel Burg Rabbi Kelley Gludt and Rabbi Kelley Rabbi Daniel Burg Rabbi Daniel Burg Rabbi Daniel Burg Rabbi Kelley Gludt Rabbi Kelley Gludt

(legal rulings) 1/20: 2/17: 3/17: 4/21: 5/19: teshuvot

learn LUNCH

& Fall schedule below:

Tuesdays, Noon - 1 pm Tuesdays,

Conservative

Discuss modern Jewish issues through Discuss modern Jewish issues through Please join Beth Am congregants and friends for Lunch Please join Beth Am congregants and Rabbi Kelley Gludt. Learn with Rabbi Daniel Burg welcome. Please bring a fish/dairy lunch. All are 2015 JANUARY Karin Batterton’s Office Karin Batterton’s Coldwell Banker Brokerage Keys Village of Cross 38 Village Square MD 21210 Baltimore, 10 JANUARY TEVET

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2 3 4:37 pm - Candle 8:45 am - Learning Minyan lighting 9:30 am - Kesher Services No Shabbat Lab

4 5 6 7 8 9 10 9:30 am - Morning Minyan 4:15 pm - Lab 4:43 pm - Candle 8:45 am - Torah Study No Lab 6:30 pm - BIG Jew- lighting 9:30 am - Kesher Services ish Ideas 6:30 pm - Congre- 11:15 am - Shabbat Yachad gational Services 8 pm - Eutaw Place and BAYITT Sec- ond Fridays

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 9:30 am - Morning Minyan 4:15 pm - Lab 4:51 pm - Candle 8:45 am - Torah Study 9:30 am - Lab lighting 9:30 am - Kesher Services 1 pm - Gesher 11:15 am - Shabbat Yachad 3 pm - Tallit Workshop

18 19 20 21 22 23 24 9:30 am - Morning Minyan Martin Luther King 12 pm - Lunch and Rosh Chodesh Family Israel Experi- Family Israel Experience 9:30 am - NO Lab Day Learn 4:15 pm - Lab ence 8:45 am - Torah Study Kadima / USY - Snow 4:58 pm - Candle 9:30 am - Kesher Services tubing, all day lighting 10:15 am - Jr. Congregation 11:15 am - Shabbat Yachad

25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Family Israel Experience 4:15 pm - Lab 5:07 pm - Candle 8:45 am - Torah Study 9:30 am - Morning Minyan lighting 9:30 am - Kesher Services 9:30 am - Lab 11:15 am - Shabbat Yachad 12:30 pm - People’s Talmud 12

JEWISH IDEAS IN MINYAN HISTORY, THOUGHT AND TEXT MORNING MINYAN is every Sunday at 9:30 am. Join Rabbi Burg at Beth BIG Am for either the fall or Beth Am needs you for Minyan! Ten JEWISH adult Jews are needed for a Minyan spring course as we take an - without it, people can’t say kaddish. integrated and conversant Sign up at www.tiny.cc/pqtubx to IDEAS approach to these central pick your week to participate or Jewish ideas. speak to one of our Minyan Reading What does it mean to Coordinators: Zack Berger, Richard Bloom, David Schwartz, think Jewishly? REMAINING FALL DATE Wednesday, January 7 Annie Kaufman, Rachel Weitzner and Robin Katcoff. 6:30-8:30 pm Who are the thought leaders in our history SPRING DATES who have shaped Wednesdays, time TBD LEARNING MINYAN and disseminated begins the first Shabbat of each month March 4, 11, 18, 25 these ideas? April 1, 15, 22

on January 3 at 8:45 am in place of Torah Study. May 6, 13 This will be a blending of liturgical content and skill building. What is the canon of

Each month will focus on a different section of the Shabbat Jewish literature and Please RSVP to Idella@ morning service. No preparation required; just show up! what distinguishes and bethambaltimore.org unites these sacred texts?

2015 FEBRUARY SHEVAT 5775 FEBRUARY SHEVAT

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 9:30 am - Morning Minyan Tu B’Shevat 5:15 pm - Candle 8:45 am - Learning Minyan 9:30 am - Lab 4:15 pm - Lab lighting 9:30 am - Sanctuary Services 10:45 am - Shabbat Lab

8 9 10 11 12 13 14 9:30 am - Morning Minyan 4:15 pm - Lab / post 5:23 pm - Candle 8:45 am - Torah Study 9:30 am - No Lab Lab dinner lighting 9:30 am - Kesher Services 6:30 pm BAYITT 11:15 am - Shabbat Yachad Second Fridays 8 pm - Eutaw Place

15 16 17 18 19 20 21 9:30 am - Morning Minyan 12 pm - Lunch and 4:15 pm - Lab Rosh Chodesh Rosh Chodesh 8:45 am - Torah Study 9:30 am - No Lab Learn 5:31 pm - Candle 9:30 am - Kesher Services lighting 10:15 am - Jr. Congregation 11:15 am - Shabbat Yachad 12:30 pm - People’s Talmud

22 23 24 25 26 27 28 9:30 am - Morning Minyan 4:15 pm - Lab 5:39 pm - Candle 8:45 am - Torah Study 9:30 am - No Lab lighting 9:30 am - Kesher Services 7 pm - Gesher 11:15 am - Shabbat Yachad Kadima / USY - Snow tubing PRAYERS FOR HEALING Rabbi Daniel Kaplan, brother of Debbie Potts (Efrem) Gail Liss (Bob) Rabbi Miriam Burg (Rabbi Daniel Burg) Audrey Stearns, mother of Maxwell Stearns (Vered) Ray Katz, mother of Joanne Katz (Scott Zeger) Phyllis Burg, mother of Rabbi Daniel Burg (Miriam) Debbie Katcoff, mother of Jason Katcoff (Robin) 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 and mother, Lora, grandaughter and daughter 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 Nancy Holder 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 • Martin Doctrow, brother of Jerry Doctrow (Carol), uncle of Brian Doctrow • Charles Nathanson, brother of Joe Nathanson (Sharon), uncle of Amy Nathanson (Marc Ershler) • Milton Frank, uncle of Sharon Nathanson (Joe) and great uncle

COMMUNITY NEWS of Amy Nathanson (Marc Ershler)

14 15 70+ BIRTHDAYS MAZEL TOV Happy Birthday! Congratulations! Stephen Busky 3-Jan • Lisa Kramer & Jonathan Akchin on Sarah Miller 5-Jan the birth of their daughter, Anne Sofie Holin 7-Jan Marcella Akchin. Grandparents are Lisa & Don Akchin. Harvey Galinn 8-Jan • Karin Batterton on the birth of her Edward Sills 8-Jan grandson, Samuel Aaron Leers. Mary Semel 9-Jan Parents are Jenn Batterton and Diane Levine 11-Jan Daniel Leers. Stanley Fine 13-Jan • Rebecca Weinstock and David Ken Williams 16-Jan Dagan on the birth of their son, Phyllis Gerber 17-Jan Benjamin Ilan Weinstock de Barbara Taylor 20-Jan Picciotto. Liz Moser 23-Jan Barbara Kornblatt 25-Jan Penny Cordish 29-Jan KIDDUSH LUNCHEON Charles Baum 29-Jan AND BIMAH FLOWERS David Cordish 30-Jan Sponsorships and Donations

November 29 The Kiddush luncheon was sponsored by Harriet Miller in memory of her husband, Paul Miller, on his yahrzeit.

A SPECIAL THANK YOU to Sarajane Greenfeld and Betty Seidel for their Closing Procedures for support proofreading Inclement Weather for Beth Am! The Baltimore Area Principal’s 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 50+ ANNIVERSARIES closed or dismissed early. If the school closes, an e-mail will be Congratulations! sent to Jewish Discovery Lab Sidney and Cynthia Brower 22-Jan parents, and a message will be posted at our website at Sig and Barbara Shapiro 24-Jan www.bethambaltimore.org

15 Thank you! NOVEMBER CONTRIBUTIONS Building Preservation & Ritual Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund Enhancement Fund • Kaye & Glenn Bushel - in honor of Caroline Bushel and David Sheiman • Rebecca & Perry Bridger - in memory on their Aufruf of Eugene Chester, father of Annette • Ricky & Eric Fine - in memory of Posner Eugene Scherl, her father, on his • GoldieTeitelbaum - in honor of Marian yahrzeit Bushel on her birthday • Dovey & Billy Kahn - in honor of • Dorothy & Emanuel Wyron - in honor Adina Amith & Cy Smith on their 25th of Ed Levin on his birthday anniversary Educator’s Discretionary Fund • Susan & Neal Serotte - in memory of Blossom Kahn, her mother, on her • Emily Gaines Demsky & Dave Demsky - yahrzeit in memory of Paula Levin, her aunt, on • Bruce Slivnick in appreciation her yahrzeit • Becci & Roy Webb - in appreciation Floral Fund • Rachel Webb & Ben Slivnick - in • Judy Rousuck - in memory of Irene appreciation Rousuck, her mother, on her yahrzeit Social Action Fund Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund • Lisa & Don Akchin - in memory of Maurice Weingold, father of Carol • Shirley Braverman - in memory of Zenilman Oscar Goldman, her brother, on his yahrzeit

EUTAWMUSIC 2014-15 PLACE CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS! {at beth am}

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 Garden Fund receive free admission to the show and dinner with the artists. • Jo-Ann Orlinsky - in memory of For full job descriptions and more info, contact Ellen Kahan Celia Mayer, her mother on her yahrzeit Zager at [email protected]. 16 EUTAWPLACE.ORG 17 EUTAWMUSIC EUTAW PLACE

2014-15 February Concert Alert PLACE VOLUNTEERS! CALLEllen Kahan FOR Zager {at beth am}

TheOCT super-talented 11 / NOV 1Tony / DEC 6Lucca, / JAN 10A /master FEB 14 of /observation, MAR 14 / LuccaAPR 18 seems / MAY 9 runner-up on NBC’s The Voice is coming to have stored away every last experience to BethLove Am! great music? Loveand Beth anecdote Am? as a Westepping-off need point,you! a palette and canvas on which to turn Valentine’sEutaw Place Day Show is looking for volunteershis impressions for of Seasonlife and relationships 3. Help with 2/14/14 into beautiful, thoughtful and often Featuringsetup, breakdown,{free} wine tasting box officeemotionally and/or painful refreshment songs which tendsales to and Learnreceive more freehere: tonylucca.comadmission to thefind show their andway deep dinner into the with cracks the and artists. crevices of his listeners’ hearts. Here’s his full bio, which doesn’t For full job descriptions and more Lucca info, had the contact foresight Ellento establish Kahan include the fact that he was a Mouseketeer www.tonylucca.com long before the withZager none other at than [email protected]. Christina Aguilera! proliferation of social media, yet he has It all began for Tony Lucca as a also successfully embraced the ever- Mouseketeer on the Mickey Mouse Club. changing tech landscape, garnering over Fast-forward a few years and find Lucca half a million followers on Twitter (@ working with fellow former Mouse Club luccadoes). Lucca truly has embodied the costar Justin Timberlake, starring in a notion that independent doesn’t mean commercial directed by Timberlake for alone: he remains dedicated, determined his own 901 Tequila. Lucca then played and nothing if not eternally grateful for himselfEUTAWPLACE in an episode of NBC’s hit show .ORG what has been an unimaginable ride, with Parenthood. In 2012, Lucca returned to an entirely original soundtrack. Hollywood, this time as a finalist on Team Eight full-length albums into his career, Adam (Levine) of the hit show The Voice Tony Lucca has become a standard-bearer on NBC, all the while honing a craft that to some, a torchbearer to others, and all somehow managed to remain the primary the while Lucca’s confidence is matched focus of his heart, soul and passion only by his humble appreciation for his - songwriting. path in the wild world of entertainment.

Keep in mind: Your timely RSVP’s are helpful and often essential to RSVP help us plan for food and space. Please remember to RSVP!

17  .  .     .      .  .  

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 [email protected] with any questions you may have.

18 19 FUND DESIGNATION Accessibility Fund - Used to make the Garden Fund - Beautifies grounds facility accessible to those with impaired General Fund - Applied to the physical abilities operating budget of the congregation Adult Education Fund - Supports I. William Schimmel Student Scholarship educational programs for all adults Fund - Assists students in their educational BAYITT Fund - Beth Am’s Young Adult pursuits Initiative for 20’s and 30’s Kiddush Fund - Used for luncheons Building Preservation and Ritual following Sabbath and holiday services Enhancement Fund - Supports the Prayer Book Fund - Supports the preservation and renovation of the building purchase of prayer books and dedication and the ritual items prayer books Cantor’s Discretionary Fund - Allows the Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund - Allows the Cantor to support special programs and Rabbi to support special programs and individuals in need individuals in need Educator’s Discretionary Fund - Social Action Fund - Supports social action Allows the Educator to support special activities in the Reservoir Hill area and the programs and individuals in need general community Etta & Louis L. Kaplan Education Fund Tiny Tots Shabbat Fund - Supports Supports the purchase of furniture, Shabbat programs for our preschoolers equipment and capital improvements for the Jewish Discovery Lab Youth & Teen Education Support Fund - Supports educational programs for all of Floral Fund - Beautifies the Bimah 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.

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Address: ______

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Date: ______Amount of Donation: ______($10 minimum requested; please make checks payable to Beth Am)

Fund Designation______

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19 2501 Eutaw Place Baltimore, MD 21217

Beth Am Synagogue is a member of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. Look for the USCJ on-line at: www.uscj.org.

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