APRIL 2014 NISAN 5774

CONTENTS

RABBI’S MESSAGE 1

CANTOR’S RABBI’S MESSAGE CORNER 3 Anyone? Rabbi Daniel Cotzin Burg PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE 4 Every Shabbat morning, we chant the following words just before CONGREGATIONAL Shema: “V’havianu l’shalom me’arba kanfot ha’aretz… may God LEARNING 6 draw us together in peace from the four corners of the earth. PREPARING FOR Beth Am’s custom, like many other congregations, is to chant PESAH 8 these words to the music of Hatikvah. The liturgical moment is socially and theologically potent. We are part of a thousands- CALENDARS 11 year-old connection to the ancient land of our ancestors - Eretz CONTRIBUTIONS 14 Yisrael - and simultaneously bound to Medinat Yisrael, the modern manifestation of that ancient land and the fulfillment of UPCOMING our ancient yearning. EVENTS 16 It has been said in many cultures, including our own, that one COMMUNITY 20 cannot truly know another until having had the experience of NEWS another. It’s equally true that one cannot begin to understand a ANNUAL FUND 22 place until one has sampled her cuisine, walked her sidewalks, absorbed her language, grappled firsthand with her societal challenges, navigated her forests or explored the ancient layers of civilization beneath her streets. Perhaps this is why one of Abraham’s first tasks is to “walk the length and breadth of the land” which he and his progeny are about to inherit (Gen. 13:17).

Visit us on line at: No less than a modern miracle enables us to do what the first bethambaltimore.org Jew did approximately 4,000 years ago - to traverse and explore and now you can: the Land of Israel. In doing so, one cannot help but witness her triumphs and struggles, her joy and sadness. And one discovers, of US course, that Israel is a living, breathing thing...learning, growing ON and adapting as she matures in her sixth decade. To know Israel facebook.com/ is to go there, ideally again and again, the way we come back to a BethAmBaltimore lover or a friend.

Rabbi cont’d on page 5 Standing Committees Adult Ed Chair Elaine Weiss BETH AM BOARD Adult Ed Co-Chair Carla Rosenthal Finance Chair Alan Kopolow Rabbi Daniel Cotzin Burg Finance Co-Chair Joe Wolfson House Chair Sam Polakoff Officers Kiddush Chair Meg Hyman President Scott Zeger Membership Chair Sharon Nathanson 1st Vice President Julie Gottlieb Membership Co-Chair Robin Katcoff 2nd Vice President Alyson Bonavoglia Religious Services Chair Joe Wolfson Treasurer Alan Kopolow Social Action Chair Arthur Shulman Secretary Elaine Weiss Social Action Co-Chair Jackie Donowitz Youth Education Chair David Lunken Trustees through 2014 Betty Chemers Jerry Doctrow Ad Hoc Committees Annual Fund Honorary Chair Gil Sandler Emily Demsky Annual Fund Chair Eliza Feller Ashley Pressman Annual Fund Co-Chair Jim Jacobs Balt. Jewish Council Rep. Ben Rosenberg Trustees through 2015 Beth Am Connection Joanne Katz Eliza Feller Risa Jampel Cheri Levin BAYITT Co-Chair Brian Ross David Lunken BAYITT Co-Chair Erica Allen Lynn Sassin Congregant to Congregant Joyce Keating Eutaw Place Ellen Kahan Zager Trustees through 2016 Jack Zager Neil Kahn In, For and Of Lisa Akchin Cindy Paradies Maggi Gaines Desiree Robinson Marketing Chair Ellen Spokes Jim Schwartz Operations Co-Chair Ashley Pressman Operations Co-Chair David Demsky Past President Cy Smith Past President Jack Lapides RHIC Rep. Carol Shulman Honorary Life Member Lainy LeBow-Sachs Honorary Life Member Efrem Potts

Office Hours After hours office phone numbers: Tuesday-Thursday: 9:00-4:00 Rabbi Daniel Cotzin Burg Friday: 9:00-3:00 443.202.0912 (cell) (emergencies only, please) or [email protected] Phone: Tel: 410.523.2446 Cantor Ira Greenstein Fax: 410.523.1729 443.759.7807 (home) Extentions: [email protected] Rabbi Burg - 14 Rabbi Gludt - 15 Rabbi Kelley Gludt, Director of Henry Feller, Exec. Dir. - 20 Congregational Learning Linda Small, Coordinator - 12 520.248.9541 (cell) Ralph Shaver - Finance Assoc. -18 [email protected] Norm Weinstein, Bookkeeper - 17 Marsha Blank, Educator - 16 Scott L. Zeger, Board President Gail Wohlmuth, Admin. Spec. - 21 410.868.7761 Nakia Davis, Admin. Assist. - 11 [email protected] Valerie Tracy, Marketing - 10 In case of an emergency, please contact: E-mail: Henry Feller [email protected] Email: [email protected] Executive Director 410.602.2124 (home) Web site: www.bethambaltimore.org 2 3 CANTOR’S CORNER Chad Gadya Cantor Ira Greenstein

Towards the end of a Passover Seder, “My father bought for 2 zuzim”: Idelsohn children of all ages like to sing the notes that David paid 24 zuzim total for cumulative song Chad Gadya (One Little the Temple place, collecting 2 zuzim from Kid). It is one of several such songs wherein each tribe. The Vilna Gaon interpreted that each verse builds on the one before. But the 2 zuzim were the bread and stew that unlike the other favorite Echad Mi Yodei’a Jacob paid Esau for the birthright given by (Who Knows One), Chad Gadya is written Isaac, and then beginning with the Father in (or translated into) Aramaic. There are being Jacob, goes through the “victims” several ways to see this allegorical little ditty, as Egypt, Moses’ staff, idolatry, and so on. details of which I personally only learned as Perhaps most logical (and my preference) is an adult. that God “bought” the Israelites with two tablets at Mount Sinai. The more common The musicologist A.Z. Idelsohn noted interpretation of rest of the allegorical that the oldest print version is found in references goes like this: 1590 in Prague, but we also know that this song was used in the Southern French One Kid = the Temple or the Jewish communities of Provence, and has been people part of the Ashkenazic, Oriental-Sephardic, and Baghdad rituals. It dates back at least as The Cat = Nebuchadnezzar, the Babylonian far as the 13th century. This is not uniquely king who destroyed the Temple and exiled Jewish and Passover-related, though … for the Jews (in one early version, this was a example, there are similar “nursery” songs dog rather than a cat) in France, Bosnia, Spain, and Germany. The theme crosses cultures and centuries. The Dog = Cyrus, the Persian king who conquered Babylonia and allowed the Jews Chad Gadya is a mini-history lesson. In a to return and rebuild the Temple brief tiptoe through Internet sources and my personal bookshelf, there are numerous The Stick = Alexander the Great, the varied renditions of what the “victims” of Greek / Macedonian who subdued the song might mean. The Father seems to Persia be consistently God, but did He buy the The Fire = The Maccabees, who were Kid or sell it? There are two versions, both victorious over the Greeks of which I have seen in recent Hagaddah renditions: the word dizvan in some The Water = Rome, which destroyed the Hagaddot means bought, while the dizaben second Temple and crushed the Jewish in other sources means sold. Given the people again materiel below, let’s go with buying.

Cantor cont’d on page 5

3 PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE In Like a Lamb, Out Like a Lion Scott Zeger

This March - in like a lion - has been an John Freeman’s funeral at Sol Levinson’s average of 19°F colder than the long-term assembled a diverse audience of extended average. It is a hard end to a long Baltimore family, Beth Am congregants, colleagues winter. At Beth Am Shabbat services, from Johns Hopkins, and people from the Yahrzeit lists are longer than usual reflecting many families whose lives John touched. the toll of winters’ past. Our congregation The attendees were regaled with stories of lost many special members or relatives John’s clinical prowess and of his love of a this winter. May their memories serve as good wager by his sons by Ron Peterson, a blessing to their loved ones in the years Johns Hopkins Hospital President. At ahead. the Freeman shiva house, I went upstairs to hang our coats. The hallway was filled Last month I wrote about Beth Am’s B’nai with photographic portraits of Elaine on Mitzvah, when a family worships with her wedding day. She was such a beautiful the congregation in celebration of their bride, tears formed in my eyes. And now, daughter’s or son’s acceptance of adult when I see Elaine at a Beth Am Shabbat, I standing as a Jew. Beth Am’s ritual practice see her with new eyes, touched by her other at the end of life imparts similar meaning. relationships with her family, so apparent in While each of our member’s deaths has the ceremonies surrounding John’s passing. affected the lives of many, permit me to briefly mention two recent end-of-life Births, B’nai Mitzvah, weddings, and events as representative of them all. funerals are life events which delineate an individual’s life and its influence on family, Within one week in January, 2014, the friends and community. They contribute Feller family lost its beloved Blanche to strengthening our social fabric. Judaism, and the Freeman family lost a Baltimore as practiced at Beth Am, is the fabric that original in John. For each family, Beth Am’s binds us as a nurturing community. May clergy, staff, and members created a loving Beth Am provide a home for all such space in which mourning could begin. events, celebrations and recollections, for Two hundred people assembled at Beth the next 40 years as it has for the past 40. Am when the Feller family returned from Blanche’s Monticello funeral for a memorial And about March - out like a lamb. service in our social hall. As Rabbi Burg so insightfully recognized on that occasion, Blanche would have been proud of the love and support the membership feels for its Executive Director and his family.

4 5 Rabbi Burg cont’d Cantor cont’d Which brings me to the pitch: Next The Ox = the Saracens, who conquered calendar year, I hope to lead my second Palestine Beth Am mission to Israel. I’ve been working with a tour company boasting a The Slaughterers = the Crusaders who re- captured the land (in one version, this was a great deal of experience and an excellent rope that tied up the ox) reputation. Together we’ve developed an itinerary we believe will be of interest to Angel of Death = the Turks, who became adults of any age and perhaps teens as rulers over Palestine (in that earlier version, well – one that combines some “must this was a mouse that ate through the rope, sees” with newer and different experiences which was in turn eaten by a cat) … the for veterans, the cultural with the Turks would also fit best given the time political, spiritual and educational. The frame in which it is thought the song was likely dates for the trip are: incorporated into the Seder. February 11-22, 2015. Right now we are trying to gauge interest. If you think The Holy One = God, who will save the Jews and Israel (thus bringing us back to it possible or likely you will join me the Kid). for this trip, please send me an email at [email protected] as soon Of course, for the children in the house, as possible. I will be happy to put you in it’s simply a fun song and it’s NOT fun to touch with “alumni” from last year’s trip analyze it too much. But as adults who read if you want feedback on their experiences this column, there is much to appreciate. and I’m hoping we’ll have some returners as well.

L’shana haba’ah birushalyim! Next Year in Jerusalem!

Welcome Ralph Shaver! Beth Am welcomes our new Finance Associate, Ralph Shaver. Ralph will be assuming accounting and audit responsibilities from long-term volunteer, Efrem Potts. Email: [email protected]

5 CONGREGATIONAL LEARNING Shinshinim Rabbi Kelley Gludt

Beth Am has two new community members! Now is our turn to benefit from these two We are truly blessed that Noy Schwartz and talented young people. Noy and Yarden joined Yarden Vilchik, this year’s Shinshinim, will be us in March as Lab began a unit on Israel. with us through the end May as the newest They jumped in wholeheartedly, winning additions to the Jewish Discovery Lab. over the hearts of our students with their enthusiasm. They brought a real-life edge to Shinshinim, 18-year-old Israeli emissaries sent our simulated flight to Israel in their roles out by the Israeli government and the Jewish as both flight crew and customs officers. Agency for Israel, educatates people of all We cannot underestimate the value of their ages about Israel and Israeli culture all over presence and how much their intimate the world. Lucky for us, Baltimore receives knowledge of Israel adds as we work through two amazing Shinshinim each year. We are this unit. They contribute in so many ways, often paired with a young Israeli who has but most notably make Israel “real” for our some connection to our sister city, Ashkelon. students. This year one of ourShinshinim , Noy, hails from Ashkelon. Both Noy and Yarden have If you see Noy and Yarden in the building, deferred their army service to participate please reach out to them, make them feel in this program. They are highly trained, welcome, and let them know how much their well-educated, filled withruach (spirit), presence is appreciated by us all. and are amazing with children. Shinshinim spend their year abroad working in a variety of local organizations, including Krieger Schechter Day School, Beth Tfiloh, Hillel, various Jewish preschools, and congregational APRIL CALENDAR supplemental education programs. They live with different host families (including our Wed, 2 - Lab very own Adina Amith and Cy Smith), who Sat, 5 - Shabbat Lab, service led by serve as surrogate families for these young kinder, first and second adults throughout their year here. Sun, 6 - /USY: King’s Dominion Day Wed, 9 - Lab, Post-Lab Dinner Sun, 13 - NO LAB (Spring Break) Wed, 16 - NO LAB (Spring Break) Sun, 20 - NO LAB (Spring Break) Wed, 23 - Lab Sun, 27 - Lab, B’nai Mitzvah Class Wed, 30 - Lab

6 7 Beth Am in Washington for the 2014 AIPAC Policy Conference Delegation:

(left to right): David Schwartz, Dan Zandberg, Jack Zager, David Cordish, Jon Cordish, Melissa Cordish, Lainy LeBow-Sachs, Phyllis Burg, Rachel Rosenheck, Rabbi Burg, Alan Garten Front: Marjorie Manne, Ellen Kahan Zeger Not Pictured: Lynn Kapiloff, Bert Rosenheck, Kate Scher, Leah Fishman

YOUTH SERVICES New! Junior Congregation Blends traditional-style davening (praying) with child-friendly songs and age-appropriate learning. Second and fourth Saturday of the month for elementary-age children, beginning at 11 am.

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.

Shabbat Combines familiar children’s Shabbat songs with a 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).

7 PREPARING FOR PESAH 5774 Rabbi Daniel Cotzin Burg

For detailed information on shopping, food 4. Making the declaration which nullifies any items and kashrut, cooking for the holiday, minute amount of hametz which we could not etc., please visit: tinyurl.com/q8ejafx find or extract. Here you will find the Rabbinical Assembly’s comprehensive Pesah Guide which is true to 5. Selling hametz which will keep until after Conservative Jewish practice and current for Pesah. A form for selling hametz is included the year 5774. In addition, we will include in this Bulletin. It must be in to the office this link electronically in our E-newsletter before 3 pm, Friday, April 11. several weeks prior to the festival. Our office staff is happy to supply a hard copy of the RA The Particulars Guide upon request. 1. B’dikat Hametz

Please note the beautiful introduction from The search forh ametz. After sunset on my teacher Rabbi Elliot Dorff who writes: Sunday, April 13, after the house has been “Passover is really important – a central feature made kosher for Pesah, one member of the of what it means to live a Jewish life. Its very household places an agreed-upon number meaning, though, is completely undermined (usually 10) pieces of bread in various rooms. if the dietary rules of Passover lead people to A candle is lit, the lights are turned off, and treat each other with disrespect…. We fervently the following blessing is made: hope that they will instead function as they are supposed to – namely, to serve as graphic reminders throughout the holiday of the critical lessons of Passover, of the need to free ourselves and the world around us of all the physical, intellectual, emotional, and communal straits that limit us and others in living a life befitting Barukh ata Ad-nai Elohaynu, melekh haolam, of people created in the image of God.” asher kidshanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu al bi’ur hametz It is in this spirit I hope we will engage in the mitzvot of preparing ourselves for this ancient Praised are you, Eternal our God, Ruler of the and relevant Jewish festival. Universe, who has made us holy through your commandments and commanded us to burn Hag kasher v’sameah! hametz.

Goals of Preparation After the blessing, the search is preferably Among other things, keeping kosher for Pesah done in silence. The pieces ofh ametz are means that by 10:54 am we have eaten our pushed onto a paper plate, frequently with last hametz and that by 12 pm on April 14, a feather and a wooden spoon. After all the we have no hametz in our possession, in any pieces are collected, they are put in a paper space we control. We do this by: bag to be burned on Monday morning. The following Bitul Hametz declaration is recited: 1. Cleaning our homes of all hametz.

2. Donating, throwing out or burning all hametz which would not keep until after Pesah.

3. Moving all remaining hametz in our homes out of sight until after the holiday.

8 9 Said in Aramaic: kol hamira vahamiya d’ika vir’shuti d’la hamitay u’d’la vi’artay u’d’la yadana lay libateil v’lehevay hefker k’afra d’ara. SALE OF HAMETZ

Or English: May all leaven in my possession of which I am unaware—which should have been burned or removed—be hereby nullified and ownerless as the dust of the earth.

2. On Monday morning, all hametz is burned. The burning is completed this year by 12 pm. TheBitul Hametz declaration is made as follows:

A donation to the Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund for the sale of hametz is appreciated. Form is due, no later than 3 pm, Friday, April 11.

Said in Aramaic: kol hamira vahamiya d’ika Mail to: vir’shuti dahazitay u’d’la hazitay, dahamitay Beth Am, 2501 Eutaw Place u’d’la hamitay, d’viartay u’d’la biartay, libateil Baltimore, MD 21217 v’lehevay hefker k’afra d’ara. Fax to: 410-523-1729 Or English: May all leaven in my possession, whether or not I have seen it, removed it, or I hereby authorize Rabbi Daniel burned it, be hereby nullified and ownerless as Cotzin Burg to effect the sale of any the dust of the earth. and all hametz that I may have in my possession, in my home, at my place Fast of the Firstborn of business, or any other property that It is customary for firstborn Jews (usually I own or control, as of 12 noon on males but females may take the obligation on Monday, April 14. as well) to fast on Erev Pesah out of gratitude to God for sparing first-born Jewish lives and ______as a gesture of sympathy for the firstborn Signature Date of Egypt. Since the celebration of a joyous mitzvah takes precedence over a personal ______fast, it has been the custom to perform a Printed Name joyous mitzvah which necessitates a feast, such as concluding a tractate of Mishnah or Below is any address, (other than Talmud, called a siyyum ( ). Thesiyyum home), which is in my control and bekhorim will be held after morning Minyan contains hametz: on Monday, April 14, and a suitable breakfast will be provided. ______

______Your hametz is available to you at 9:35 pm on Tuesday, April 22 an hour after Pesah concludes.

9 5774 NISAN THE SHUKAN STORE Remember: is available for your Passover The Shukan store and gifts. purchases Hours: 10 am – 12:30 pm during Jewish Sundays from Discovery Lab. by special appointment, please call purchase To Amith at 410.433.5582 Marcia

Saturday, April 19 Saturday, Chol Hamoed Passover 9:30 am - Services April 21 Monday, 7th Day Passover 9:30 am - Services is closed on Mondays Office April 22 Tuesday, 8th Day Passover - Yizkor & 9:30 am - Services with Yizkor Memorial Plaque Dedications Closed Beth Am Office

PASSOVER SCHEDULE PASSOVER

hosted for a Seder, please contact Gail, hosted for a Seder,

[email protected] or 410.523.2446. [email protected] Siyyum B’chorim 2014 APRIL If you have a space at your Seder table or would like to be Monday, April 14 Monday, 7:30 am - Services for the Firstborn with light breakfast Passover - First Seder Erev is closed on Mondays Office April 15 Tuesday, 1st Day Passover - Second Seder 9:30 am - Services Closed Beth Am Office April 16 Wed, 2nd Day Passover 9:30 am- Services Closed Beth Am Office 10 APRIL NISAN

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2 3 4 5 Rosh Chodesh 4:15 pm- Jewish 7:15 pm- Candle 8:45 am- Torah Study Discovery Lab lighting 9:30 am- Sanctuary Services 5:45 pm- Got 10:45 am- Shabbat Lab Shabbat 6 pm - BAYITT - Social Justice Seder at the Jewish Museum 9 pm - Eutaw Place

6 7 8 9 10 11 12 9:30 am - Minyan with Learn- 12 pm - Lunch and Learn 4:15 pm- Jewish 7:22 pm- Candle 8:45 am- Torah Study ing Minyan Discovery Lab lighting 9:30 am- Sanctuary Service w/ NO Jewish Discovery Lab 6:30 pm- Congre- Galya Seidel’s Bat Mitzvah USY & Kadima King’s Domin- gational Services 10:45 am- Shabbat Yachad ion Day followed by BAYITT 11 am- Jr. Congregation dinner

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 9:30 am- Minyan 7:30 am- Siyyum 1st Day Passover 2nd Day Passover Passover Passover Chol Hamoed Passover NO Jewish Discovery Lab B’chorim / Services Second Seder 9:30 am- Services 7:25 pm- Candle 8:45 am- Torah Study for the Firstborn w/ 9:30 am- Services Beth Am Office lighting 9:30 am- Kesher Services light breakfast Beth Am Office Closed Closed 10:45 am- Shabbat Yachad Erev Passover NO Jewish Discov- 12:45 pm- People’s Talmud First Seder ery Lab with Fred Katz Office Closed

20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Passover 7th Day Passover 8th Day Passover Yizkor 4:15 pm- Jewish 7:29 pm- Candle 8:45 am- Torah Study 9 am- Our Daily Bread 9:30 am- Services 9:30 am- Services with Discovery Lab lighting 9:30 am- Sanctuary Service w/ 9:30 am- Minyan Office Closed Yizkor & Memorial Zachary Stern’s Bar Mitzvah NO Jewish Discovery Lab Plaque dedications 10:45 am - Shabbat Yachad Beth Am Office Closed 11 am - Jr. Congregation 8:45 pm - BAYITT Pizza Party

27 28 29 30 9 am- Our Daily Bread Yom HaShoah 12 pm - Lunch and Learn Rosh Chodesh 9:30 am- Minyan 4:15 pm- Jewish 9:30 am- Jewish Discovery Discovery Lab Lab 12

SANCTUARY SERVICE

Our next Sanctuary Services will be April 5 and May 3 Learn through Hot Topics Using Traditional & Modern Texts Join the “Kiddush Krew” and help Tuesdays, Noon - 1 pm - dates below make our kiddush buffet enticing All are welcome, please bring a fish/dairy lunch. and delicious! Rabbi Kelley Gludt will lead during the month of April. Rabbi Daniel Cotzin Burg will lead during the month of May. Once a month, in preparation for our Sanctuary Shabbatot, we ask you to put your culinary skills to work by sharing a recipe that no one will be able to resist with the congregation. You can Richard Rosenthal’s Office Karin Batterton’s Office Tydings & Rosenberg, LLP Coldwell Banker use your own recipe or use one on our website. Your delectable

100 E Pratt, 26th floor Village of Cross Keys donation will help Beth Am live up to its motto“Feels like Baltimore, MD 21202 38 Village Square Home.” What are you waiting for? Get cooking!

April 8 - Why do we believe in Baltimore, MD 21210 God? (RKG) April 29 - Why do we believe May 13 – Is the Bible true? in God? (RKG) Please contact Meg Hyman ASAP to let her know what you will (RDB) May 27 – Is the Bible true? be making. [email protected] (RDB) 2014 MAY IYAR 5774 MAY IYAR

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2 3 Rosh Chodesh 7:43 pm- Candle 8:45 am- Torah Study lighting 9:30 am- Sanctuary Services 10:45 am- Shabbat Lab 9:15 pm- Eutaw Place

4 5 6 7 8 9 10 No Jewish Discovery Lab 4:15 pm- Jewish 7:49 pm- Candle 8:45 am- Torah Study 9:30 am - Minyan with Learn- Discovery Lab lighting 9:30 am- Kesher Services ing Minyan 6 pm - BAYITT chal- 10:45 am- Shabbat Yachad 3 pm - Beit Cafe lah making 11 am- Jr. Congregation 6:30 pm- Congre- gational Services followed by BAYITT dinner

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Mother’s Day 12 pm - Lunch and 4:15 pm- Jewish 9 am- Our Daily 7:56 pm- Candle 8:45 am- Torah Study 9:30 am - Minyan Learn Discovery Lab Bread lighting 9:30 am- Kesher Services 9:30 am- Jewish Discovery Lab 6 pm - Klei Kodesh 10:45 am- Shabbat Yachad

18 19 20 21 22 23 24 9 am- Our Daily Bread 8:02 pm- Candle 8:45 am- Torah Study 9:30 am - Minyan lighting 9:30 am- Sanctuary Services Lag B’Omer Picnic (Lab, w/ Julian Frost’s Bar Mitzvah Kadima, USY) 10:45 am - Shabbat Yachad 11 am - Jr. Congregation

25 26 27 28 29 30 31 9 am- Our Daily Bread Memorial Day 12 pm - Lunch and 9 am- Our Daily Rosh Chodesh 8:45 am- Torah Study 9:30 am - Minyan Learn Bread 8:08 pm- Candle 9:30 am- Sanctuary Services lighting w/ Isabel Lunken’s Bat Mitzvah 10:45 am - Shabbat Yachad FEBRUARY 2014 CONTRIBUTIONS Building Preservation and • Nancy & Alexander Porter - in Ritual Enhancement Fund memory of Howard Fink • Debbie & Efrem Potts - in memory • Patricia & Mike Berman - in memory of Alvin Abrams, stepfather of Sheila of Blanche Feller, mother of Henry LeMel; Feller in memory of John Freeman, husband • Eileen Fader & Steve Himmelrich - in of Elaine Freeman; memory of Blanche Feller, mother of in memory of Nathan Gerber, brother- Henry Feller in-law of Phyllis Gerber • Mina Cheon & Gabriel Kroiz - in • Wendy Schelew & Fred Gelin - in memory of Blanche Feller, mother of memory of Blanche Feller, mother of Henry Feller Henry Feller • Gail & Jonathan Fishman - in memory • Susan Schwartz & Richard Rubin and of John Freeman, husband of Elaine Danielle Rubin - in memory of Blanche Freeman Feller, mother of Henry Feller • Phyllis Frushtick - in memory of • Celia Sroelov - in memory of Inez Blanche Feller, mother of Henry Feller Kargon, mother of Robert Kargon • Helene & Alan Goldberg - in memory • Charles Walker - in memory of of John Freeman, husband of Elaine Howard Fink Freeman; • Andi & Fred Weiss - in memory of in honor of Nancy & Richard Bloom Blanche Feller, mother of Henry Feller on their anniversary • Elaine Weiss & Julian Krolik - in • Bonnie Guralnick - in memory of memory of Blanche Feller, mother of Blanche Feller, mother of Henry Feller Henry Feller; • Ellen Heller & Shale Stiller - in in memory of Howard Fink; memory of Richard Heller, her late in memory of Jacob Tellerman, father husband, on his yahrzeit of Ken Tellerman; • Phyllis & Ralph Hersh - in memory of in memory of John Freeman, husband Blanche Feller, mother of Henry Feller of Elaine Freeman • Roz & Nelson Hyman - in memory of Howard Fink • Sandra & Mark Laken - in memory of Cantor’s Discretionary Fund Blanche Feller, mother of Henry Feller • Bunny & Mark Levine - in memory of • Mira & Dan Appleby - in memory of Blanche Feller, mother of Henry Feller Seymour Appleby, his father, on his • Doris Ludicke - in memory of Blanche yahrzeit Feller, mother of Henry Feller • Linda & Howard Berg - in memory of • Carol & Joseph Minor - in memory of Pearl Berg, his mother, on her yahrzeit Blanche Feller, mother of Henry Feller • Julie & Bill Frein - in memory of • Marcia & Peter Newfeld - in memory Howard Fink of Blanche Feller, mother of Henry • Frances Rubenstein - in memory of Feller Bernard Rubenstein, her husband, on • Georgia Parker - in memory of his yahrzeit Blanche Feller, mother of Henry Feller • Nan & Bill Tuckett - in memory of Blanche Feller, mother of Henry Feller

14 15 General Fund • Rebecca & Asher Kimchi - in honor of Michelle Stern & Eitan Kimchi and • Debbie & Efrem Potts - in memory of Noa Jenny Himelfarb, mother of Richard • Francine & Allan Krumholz - in Himelfarb memory of Mera & Jack Krumholz, his • Abby & Charles Rammelkamp - in parents, on their yahrzeits appreciation of the Beth Am Staff • Judy Miller - in memory of Howard • Judy & Alan Rousuck - in memory of Fink Morton Rousuck, her father, on his • Nadja & Albert Pats - in memory of yahrzeit Morris Pats, his father, on his yahrzeit • Rebecca Pearlman & Peter Evans - in Kiddush Fund memory of Sandra Evans, his mother, on her yahrzeit • Karen Egorin - in memory of Mildred • Kathy & Sandy Shapiro - in memory Kantor, her mother, on her yahrzeit of Anne Schiff, cousin of Rabbi Daniel • Robin & Jason Katcoff - in honor of Burg; Robin Katcoff, on her Bat Mitzvah in memory of Selma Shapiro, his anniversary mother, on her yahrzeit • Gail & Lou Wohlmuth - in appreciation of Beth Winters Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund • Marcia & Ave Amith - in memory of Social Action Fund Z'vi Amith, his father, on his yahrzeit • Diane Abeloff and Emile Bendit - in • Elisa & Jason Frost & Family - in honor appreciation of Cathy Wolkow & Ilya Goldberg on • Elaine Freeman - in appreciation the Bat Mitzvah of Ariel Goldberg • Julie & Bill Frein - in memory of Anne • Cheri & Ed Levin - in hopes of Alan Schiff, cousin of Rabbi Daniel Burg; Pressman’s continued recovery; in memory of Myrna Steedman, in memory of Anne Schiff, cousin of mother of Linda Small Rabbi Daniel Burg; • Harriet & Herbert Goldman - in in memory of Blanche Feller, mother of memory of George Goldman, his Henry Feller; father, on his yahrzeit; in memory of John Freeman, husband in memory of Herman Goldman, his of Elaine Freeman; uncle, on his yahrzeit; in memory of Myrna Steedman, mother in hopes of Rheda Becker’s speedy of Linda Small; recovery; in honor of Roberta & Cantor in memory of Sylvia Lipsch, her Ira Greenstein, on their son Ben mother, on her yahrzeit Greenstein’s marriage to Andrea • Mimi & Richard Joseph - in memory Benedict of Philip Joseph, his father, on his • Ellen Patz and Susan Patz - in memory yahrzeit; of Eleanor Levy, mother & grandmother in memory of Rosalyn Ohriner, his of Ellen & Susan sister, on her yahrzeit • Debbie & Efrem Potts - in memory of • Dovey & Billy Kahn - in memory of Inez Kargon, mother of Robert Kargon Anne Schiff, cousin of Rabbi Daniel • Lynn Sassin & Nate Braverman - in Burg memory of Blanche Feller, mother of • Fran Kanterman - in memory of Henry Feller Blanche Feller, mother of Henry Feller • Joan & Edward Sills - in memory of • Marcia & Robert Kargon - in John Freeman, husband of Elaine appreciation; Freeman in appreciation of Rabbi Kelley Gludt Contributions cont’d on page 16 15 Contributions cont’d

Youth & Teen Education Fund • Gwenn Eisenberg - in memory of KIDDUSH LUNCHEON Emeline Kroiz, wife of Stanley Kroiz AND BIMAH FLOWERS • Ruth Eisenberg - in memory of Sponsorships and Donations: Emeline Kroiz, wife of Stanley Kroiz • March 22 - The Kiddush luncheon • Nancy Hackerman - in memory of was sponsored by Alyson Bonavoglia Emeline Kroiz, wife of Stanley Kroiz and George Wittenberg in honor of • Debbie & Efrem Potts -in memory of David Wittenberg’s Bar Mitzvah; Emeline Kroiz, wife of Stanley Kroiz The flowers on the Bimah were in • Marlene & Ronnie Rubin - in memory memory of Roy Bonavoglia, David of Emeline Kroiz, wife of Stanley Wittenberg’s grandfather Kroiz

PEOPLE’S TALMUD People’s Talmud presenter: Fred Katz April 19 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.

If you would like to give a People’s Talmud presentation sometime in the future, or if you would like to take part in developing the program further, please contact Fred Katz: 410-366-4761.

BEIT CAFE! Sunday, May 4 from 3 - 5 pm Show off your talent, Beth Am! At Beit Café - Beth Am’s first annual musical coffeehouse Do you...music??? If you play an instrument or sing, solo or with a group, come share your talents with the Beth Am community! There are a limited number of performance slots available (10-15 minutes each) & we are hoping to showcase the diversity of musical talent within Beth Am. Contact Alyson Bonavoglia, [email protected], by April 4 to indicate your interest in performing.

Do you...cookie??? Beit Café will not be complete without your delectable baked goods. Would you donate a dozen (or more!) baked goods? Cookies, brownies, cupcakes, it's all good! Contact Carol Berkower, [email protected] to say yes!

16 17 EUTAWMUSIC $25 2013-14 PLACE {at beth am} 2ND ANNIVERSARY CONCERT & RAVEN BEER TASTING apr. 5 9 pm: brendan james doors open 8:15 A Derry, NH native, Brendan James has had his songs featured in television shows such as Private Practice, American Idol, Bones, So You Think You Can Dance, Army Wives, and One Tree Hill. His first three albums climbed the iTunes Top 10 pop charts —his second album, Brendan James, climbed to #1 on the iTunes singer-songwriter charts. He’s toured the country nine times and played alongside such diverse artists as John Mayer, Paula Cole, Keb Mo, Parachute, and Green River Ordinance. In May of 2013, James had the honor of giving a TED talk, in which he spoke of the importance of consciousness in his art. “Simplify represents me finding a clarity I have been searching for for years,” says James of his new album. His fifth album, it is also his most elegant and emotionally direct album to date. An active supporter for all levels of equality (he has spoken out for Marriage Equality and is considered a “straight ally”) and a supporter for the men and women in the military (he’s performed for the USO and troops), his advocacy is well-known and widespread.

410- 484- 9110 tix & info EUTAWPLACE.ORG

Beth Am Young Adult Initiative for Twenties and Thirties

Social Justice Seder – Open to all ages! A Focus on Baltimore’s Criminal Justice System Sunday, April 6 at 6 pm at the Jewish Museum

BAYITT An evening of discussions, singing, speakers, food, and action as we explore the intersection of Passover and criminal justice reform for people of all ages. RSVP by Sunday, March 30 - www.picatic.com/SocialJusticeSeder

April Second Fridays: Pre-Passover Fun Friday, April 11 at 6:30 pm RSVP by Wednesday, April 9 - www.bayitt.org/calendar

BAYITT Post-Passover Pizza Party Tuesday, April 22 at 8:45 pm Joe Squared (133 W. North Avenue)

17 Got Shabbat? Shabbat celebrations for families with young children at Beth Am April 4 at 5:45 pm

Experience an enriching family-friendly Shabbat celebration. The evening includes Tot Shabbat, a full catered Shabbat dinner and activities for young children. Enjoy the opportunity to meet and connect with other families and the Jewish community. Families new to the area, interfaith families, and families new to Shabbat observance are all welcome and encouraged to join in the fun!

Fee: $25 per family of 4, $10 extra adult; $5 extra child Register Online: www.tinyurl.com/mdo75vm

SUNDAY 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.

Your Mitzvah Minyan - To help make a quorum each week, we are asking each Beth Am member to attend minyan at least once a year, the week of your birthday.

Help ensure we have a quorum! Sign up online - www.tiny.cc/pqtubx

OUR DAILY BREAD Volunteer Dates 9 am - 1 pm Sundays - April 20 and 27 Thursday - April 17

Younger volunteers ages 14-17 must be accompanied by an adult. Please email Victoria no later than noon the preceding Friday before the date if you wish to volunteer. [email protected] Work: 410-965-9245 Home: 410-945-0652 on eves/weekends.

18 19 RHIC PARTNERSHIP CONCERT

EUTAWMUSIC PLACE 2013-14 {at beth am}

may 3 9:15 pm peter bradley adams w/ruut

Peter Bradley Adams, originally a member of the duo $20 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 beer. 2003 and they performed on Late Night with Conan O’ Brien. They performed their last show in September 2004 at the wine. Hollywood Bowl with Shelby Lynne and Lyle Lovett. Since coffee. then, Peter has released four solo records as well as an EP with his side project, “Down Like Silver”. His solo and duo work tea. have appeared in over 30 films and television shows including homemade One Tree Hill, Smallville, The Mentalist and Alias. Adams has been praised by critics, including The Boston Globe, calling his cookies. 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. A recent review in The New World Finn describes Ruut as “having created her own identifiable musical presence…” and “a deeply gifted songwriter.”

tix & info: 410-484-9110 EUTAWPLACE.ORG

19 PRAYERS FOR HEALING Connie Rosenthal Harold Freeman Robert Gerard, nephew of Hilda Coyne Harriet Estis (Len) Alan Pressman (Ashley) Judy Langenthal (Hersch) Roy Hoffberger, friend of Debra Furchgott 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) Harry Rossen 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

RECENT DEATHS • Natalie Sommer, mother of Alfred Sommer (Jill) • Jack Evans, father of Peter Evans (Rebecca Pearlman) COMMUNITY NEWS

20 21 MAZEL TOV 70+ BIRTHDAYS • Debbie & Efrem Potts on the birth Nancy Goldberg 1-Apr of their great-grandson, Joe Askin 3-Apr Oliver Mordecai Strait. Mike Weisfeldt 5-Apr Grandmother is JoHanna Potts. Joe Berkow 6-Apr Parents are Joanna Liss Strait and Mark Schapiro 6-Apr Ari Strait Margaret Himelfarb 10-Apr • Leah & Zach Larson-Rabin on the Maurice Furchgott 11-Apr birth of their twin girls, Irena and Michael Merrill 12-Apr Hypatia. Grandparents are Nancy Eric Fine 13-Apr Kohn Rabin & Joel Rabin. Lynn Kapiloff 18-Apr • Jo-Anne Tucker-Zemlak, our USCJ Kehillah representative, on her Sandy Hillman 24-Apr marriage to David Kaplan. Nadja Pats 25-Apr • Cheri & Ed Levin on the birth of their grandson, Max Lazer Levin. Parents are Carly & Paul Levin. • David Aldouby on his appointment to the District Court for Baltimore 50+ ANNIVERSARIES City. Barbara & David Kornblatt 1-Apr Sandy & Bob Hillman 12-Apr

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, Lifecycle Events, Services in the Park, Community Involvement, Adult Educa- tion, Lights, Rabbi, Heat, Prayerbooks, Air Conditioning, Cantor, Landscaping, Educational Pro- grams, Dinners, Craft Sup- Congregants have already given over plies, Coffee, Water and Electricity, Sanctuary $342,000 to provide all the little and Upkeep, Kid- dush Lunch not-so-little things that keep our community Plates, Paper Teachers, flourishing from one year to the next. Scholarships Postage, Support Staff, High Holy- Please give generously day Prepara- tion, Grape to Beth Am’s Annual Fund! Juice, Repair- men, Paint, Maintenance Staff, Pens, Advertising, Catoring, Torah Upkeep, Kids’ Torahs, Lunch & Learn, Klei Kodesh / Musi- cal Shabbat, Musician in Residence, Sound system, Tallitot, Scholar in Residence, Security, Bagels

22 23 FUND DESIGNATION Accessibility Fund (1431) - Used to General Fund (1430) - Applied to the make the facility accessible to those with operating budget of the congregation impaired physical abilities I. William Schimmel Student Scholarship Adult Education Fund (1481) - Supports Fund (1461) - Assists students in their educational programs for all adults educational pursuits BAYITT Fund (1414) - Beth Am’s Young Kiddush Fund (1441) - Used for luncheons Adult Initiative for 20’s and 30’s following Sabbath and holiday services Building Preservation and Ritual Prayer Book Fund (1436) - Supports the Enhancement Fund (1426) - Supports purchase of prayer books and dedication the preservation and renovation of the prayer books building and the ritual items Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund (1403) - Cantor’s Discretionary Fund (1405) Allows the Rabbi to support special Allows the Cantor to support special programs and individuals in need programs and individuals in need Social Action Fund (1471) - Supports Etta & Louis L. Kaplan Education social action activities in the Reservoir Hill Fund (1451) - Supports the purchase area and the general community of furniture, equipment and capital Tiny Tots Shabbat Fund (1408) - Supports improvements for the Jewish Discovery Shabbat programs for our preschoolers Lab Youth & Teen Education Support Fund Floral Fund (1435) - Beautifies the Bimah (1476) - Supports educational programs Garden Fund (1466) - Beautifies grounds 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 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.

© 2014 Beth Am Synagogue