Rabbi's Message

APRIL 2016 ADAR II/NISAN 5776

CONTENTS RABBI’S MESSAGE RABBI’S MESSAGE 1 Ashkenazi Pride in Flux

CANTOR’S CORNER 5 Rabbi Daniel Cotzin Burg

CONGREGATION LEARNING 8 Miriam and I had a good friend in rabbinical school (who shall remain nameless since he PRESIDENT’S happens to be from Baltimore) who made a point PERSPECTIVE 16 of never tearing challah on Shabbat. This wasn’t an overly pious gesture to extend the Shabbat UPCOMING EVENTS 18* prohibition against tearing paper to bread. PASSOVER 10 (In case you are worried, there’s no halakhic prohibition against tearing food products – COMMUNITY NEWS 22 parents of young children, you can breathe a sigh of relief and hand your kid another string cheese!). CONTRIBUTIONS 24 No, our friend’s practice to only cut challah with a FUND DESIGNATION 27 knife, was for him a point of Ashkenazi pride. You see, Sephardic Jews tear challah. It’s not that this *throughout bulletin friend had anything against Sephardim – he’s a pretty open-minded guy – but he believed strongly in the value of minhag (Jewish custom).

I, too, believe in the value on minhag. Which was something on my mind last year as Miriam, Eliyah, Shamir and I sat in a Jerusalem restaurant eating a delicious meal of sushi. On Pesach. You are probably aware that Ashkenazi Jews (of which I am a card-carrying member) traditionally do not eat rice on Pesach. Rice, along with legumes and corn, are included in a special category of prohibited foods called kitniyot. Without going into detail here about the historical US reasons (and misconceptions) that led Ashkenazi ON authorizes to prohibit kitniyot, I will explain the facebook.com/ reason for my confession here. Years ago, I read a BethAmBaltimore compelling teshuvah (responsum) by Israeli Rabbi

continued on page 3 BETH AM BOARD OF TRUSTEES Rabbi Daniel Cotzin Burg Standing Committees Continuing Ed Chair Roberta Greenstein Officers Continuing Ed Co-Chair Rachel Rosenheck President Julie Gottlieb Finance Chair Alan Kopolow 1st Vice President Lisa Akchin Finance Co-Chair Joe Wolfson 2nd Vice President Lynn Sassin House Chair Sam Polakoff Treasurer Alan Kopolow Kiddush Chair Desireé Robinson Secretary David Lunken Membership Chair Patricia Fradkin-Berman Membership Co-Chair Robin Katcoff Trustees through 2016 Religious Services Chair Joe Wolfson Neil Kahn Social Action Chair Arthur Shulman Cindy Paradies Social Action Co-Chair Jackie Donowitz Desiree Robinson Youth Education Chair Dina Billian Jim Schwartz Ad Hoc Committees Trustees through 2017 Annual Fund Honorary Chair Gil Sandler David Demsky Annual Fund Chair Ricky Fine Risa Jampel Annual Fund Vice Chair Jim Jacobs Ashley Pressman Balt. Jewish Council Rep. Ben Rosenberg Naomi Rosner Beth Am Connection Joanne Katz Risa Jampel Trustees through 2018 BAYITT Chair Sara Goodman Debbie Agus Congregant to Congregant Joyce Keating Dina Billian Development Chair Lainy LeBow-Sachs Carol Berkower Development Co-Chair Cy Smith Matt Herman In, For and Of, Inc. Don Akchin Marketing Chair Ellen Spokes Past Presidents and Life Members Operations Co-Chair Ashley Pressman Past President Scott Zeger Operations Co-Chair David Demsky Past President Cy Smith Res. Hill Improvement Council Carol Shulman Honorary Life Member Lainy LeBow-Sachs 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] Cantor Ira Greenstein Office Contact Extentions: 443-759-7807 (home) Tel: 410-523-2446 / Fax: 410-523-1729 [email protected] Extensions: Rabbi Daniel Burg - 14 Rabbi Kelley Gludt Rabbi Kelley Gludt - 15 Director of Congregational Learning Henry Feller, Exec. Dir. - 20 520.248.9541 (cell) Linda Small, Annual Fund Coordinator - 12 [email protected] Rachel Weitzner, Capital Campaign Coordinator - 21 Henry Feller Norm Weinstein, Bookkeeper - 17 Executive Director Nakia Davis, Front Office Coordinator and [email protected] Assistant to the Rabbi - 11 443.742.9654 (cell) (emergencies only, please) Josh Weisberg - Program Coordinator - 16 Lynora Lawless - Communications and Julie Gottlieb Membership Coordinator - 10 Board President Sandy Winters, Ritual Coordinator- 410-598-6397 [email protected] 410-294-7418

Office E-mail:

Email: [email protected] For transportation assistance, contact Joyce Keating Web site: www.bethambaltimore.org [email protected] or 410-358-5477

2 Rabbi’s Message from cover David Golinkin questioning the protein for our kids on Pesach. halakhic reasoning behind the Peanut butter had already been Ashkenazi practice. Golinkin, approved by the Conservative while certainly not mandating Movement’s Committee on Jewish consuming legumes, asked Law and Standards, but what pointed questions and brought about hummus? How about rice compelling historical and and beans? We talked and talked legal evidence for a broader and finally decided, a few years interpretation of the law. A ago, to take the kitniyot plunge. couple years before that, I heard Rabbi David Wolpe give a sermon I write this not to convince you (based on Golinkin’s teshuvah) to to eat kitniyot, but to offer it as a his congregation in Los Angeles. valid option. This is a good year He implored his large Westwood to do so as the CJLS has just shul not to allow custom, such recently accepted two teshuvot as eating or not eating rice, to in favor of eating legumes, rice stand in the way of community – and corn on Pesach. One is that namely inviting co-congregants 1989 Israeli responsum of Rav over for seder (Sinai Temple has Golinkin’s; the other is a new large Persian and Ashkenazi teshuvah by Rabbi Amy Levin populations). Both Golinkin’s and my Baltimore colleague scholarship and Wolpe’s socio- Rabbi Avram Reisner. We will communal logic got me thinking find some time to examine these about my own practice long before teshuvot as a congregation before I was ready to make a change. Pesach this year. Meanwhile, I would encourage you to go to Meanwhile, I met and married www.rabbinicalassembly.org a wonderful woman whose and click on this year’s Pesach many superior traits to my Guide. There is ample guidance own included her desire not to for Pesach observance including consume dead animals. She links to this material. and I agreed that while I would continue to eat meat – mostly Oh, and to be clear, those of you because I really like it – we would of Ashkenazi, Sephardi or any raise our children as vegetarians. other Jewish heritage: you may In this context, we began to neither cut nor tear your challah discuss alternative sources of on Pesach!

Follow Rabbi Burg on his blog www.theurbanrabbi.org

3  .  .     .      .  .  

From every person whose heart is willing take my offering...and make me a holy space that I may dwell among them.

- Exodus 25

Thank you to everyone who has so generously contributed to this year’s Annual Fund. We hope for 100% participation from the Beth Am family in support of our synagogue. Please make your donation now by calling Ricky Fine at 410 358 2380.

4 CANTOR’S CORNER Praying for Dew Cantor Ira Greenstein

On the first morning of Passover the city of Qiryat Sefer, which is (Pesach), a traditional Prayer a Biblical site (mentioned in the for Dew (Tal) is inserted into the Book of Joshua) not otherwise Musaf Amidah. This Festival located, and Kallir probably marks the beginning of Spring in intended for his origin to remain Israel. In services, we stop the elusive. text insertion for rain (Geshem) that we initiated on Shemini The recitation of Tal began in Atzeret (at the conclusion of the Sephardic and Yemenite Sukkot) and move into one more traditions, and was subsequently aimed at fertile soil. From an picked up by Ashkenazim. The agrarian perspective, we want the piyyut begins and ends each of grain to ripen and not get spoiled, its six stanzas with the word “tal” and for the weather to cooperate and it is a reverse alphabetical with the harvesting process. It is acrostic. Unlike the Prayer for also a reflection of our desirenot Rain, there is no refrain after each to have rain on a Festival, which stanza. After the conclusion of explains why we start praying Tal, we insert a distinct request for rain as Sukkot concludes and that the prayer be, “for a blessing stop praying for rain on day one and not a curse, for life and not of Pesach. My column this month death, for plenty and not famine” summarizes some of the comments and after each of these three I had about this Tal prayer in last final phrases, the congregation year’s services. responds, “Amen.”

Tal is a poem (piyyut) composed The melody used at Beth Am by Eleazar ben Yaakov Kallir derives from Hazzan Abba in the late 8th century CE – a Weisgal as captured by Hazzan well-known and prolific poet Joe Levine, who chronicled much about whom we know very little. of Weisgal’s modalities. In this Kallir probably was Palestinian case, the tradition comes with the or Syrian, and drew most of his building, literally. Each stanza content from the Hebrew Bible utilizes a different melody (or (Tanakh) or the Talmud. He shifts musical style in the middle identified himself as coming from of the stanza), unlike the way

5 Weisgal approached many other somber prayer in the same vein piyyutim, and Levine’s notations as much of the High Holy Days use terms to describe each piyyutim. The different approach stanza: Caressingly, Intimately, taken by Weisgal is intriguing Pastorale, and With Grandeur. and implicitly informative. I In itself, that is interesting to me can’t say that it matches the way because – as with many cantorial I empathize with the liturgical pieces – I can better understand text for each of the stanzas, but the mind of the cantor/composer/ at Beth Am I believe that it adds adapter in interpreting the poetic a dimension of challenge and text. The last stanza is the only appreciation to remain somewhat one notated as to its source, loyal to Weisgal / Levine and “after Polish folksong …” and invest my energy in the most the last section with the “Amen” meaningful interpretation I can responses is marked to do “lively” offer within that context. for some reason, which I surmise means we should be optimistic Come on Pesach day one, read about the outcome of our prayer. the poem, listen to the musical delivery, and think about the role The musical tradition in which of agriculture in our lives. I was raised treated Tal as a Until then …. uniformly serious, dramatic, and

Join Cantor Ira on the Spain trip this summer to explore more of his musical knowledge. (pg. 7)

6 WE NEED USHERS!

Imagine being a guest at Beth Am, walking in the door and being greeted by a warm, welcoming and friendly face, and feeling like you found your new Jewish home. Sign up at tinyurl.com/BethAmUshers to greet our Shabbat guests, help them understand why our members say Beth Am, “Feels like home.”

L’EILAH U’L’EILAH Join us for family focused Jewish learning and social events in preparation for our 2018 Israel trip.

Families will be asked to lead various learning sessions for the group throughout the next 2 years. Please save these dates for upcoming family events this coming year: • Sunday, May 15 - Yom HaAtzma’ut If you are planning to be a part of this exciting initiative, your participation in these events and activities is very important. Please contact:

Robin Katcoff ([email protected]) or Rabbi Kelley ([email protected]). SPAIN 2016! July 3 - 14, 2016 YES! THERE IS STILL TIME TO JOIN US FOR THIS TRIP!

Contact Ayelet Tours (1-800-237-1517) to speak directly with Grace for assistance or questions or you may also call either Cantor Greenstein or Roberta at 443 759-7807.

TRAVEL & LEARNING TRAVEL Learn more and register online at: www.ayelet.com/CASpain2016.aspx

7 CONGREGATIONAL LEARNING Rabbi Kelley Gludt

What a year it has been! Since fast and loose, so to speak, with Rosh Hashanah, we have had a gender norms and how these myriad of opportunities to come particular stories inform the together to learn, to study and to Bible’s theology. reflect. From ongoing programs like Torah Study, Lunch and On Friday evening, following Learn, and People’s Talmud to Kabbalat Shabbat services and annual events like Sages for the Shabbat dinner, she will talk on Ages and the Shabbaton, the the Book of Judges in her talk learning has been extraordinary. “A Female Judge and Warrior, We even had the opportunity for and the Men They Overpower.” special programs, like a bus trip She will continue to construct to the American Jewish Museum her argument following Kiddush in Philadelphia, Kreplach and lunch on Saturday as she delves Dim Sum, and the Religious farther into the Book of Judges Differences panel. with “The Women in Samson’s Life.” The weekend of scholarship And yet, even with all of that, the will conclude with an exploration capstone continuing education of II Kings in “How a Great event still lies ahead. On Friday, Woman Makes a Man of God.” May 6th and Saturday, May 7th, our Beth Am community will We are fortunate to live in a time have the privilege to welcome as and place where educational Scholar in Residence, Dr. Amy opportunities abound, and even Kalmanofsky, associate professor more so to benefit from our of Bible at the Jewish Theological own congregation’s plethora of Seminary. Dr. Kalmanofsky, a educational options. But it is graduate of the Reconstructionist still a rarity when we can engage Rabbinical College, teaches with and learn from a scholar of courses on biblical literature, Dr. Kalmanofsky’s stature—an religion and feminist opportunity that we are certain interpretation of the Bible. our Beth Am learning community should not miss. Over the course of her time here, Dr. Kalmanofsky will build a textual case for the Bible playing

8 The Serious Business of Playing with Gender in the Bible Scholar in Residence Rabbi Amy Kalmanofsky, PhD

Gender defines the Bible’s world and determines the behavior and status of its characters. Yet there are a number of stories in the Bible that play with gender norms, in which women and men assume characteristics and behaviors typically associated with the opposite gender. We will explore some of these stories together, and consider the central role they play in the Bible, and how they reflect and advance the Bible’s fundamental theology.

Friday, May 6, 2016 Saturday, May 7, 2016 Saturday, May 7, 2016

A Female Judge & The Women in How a Great Woman Warrior, & the Men Samson’s Life: Makes a Man of God: They Overpower: Gender Play in Gender Play Gender Play Judges 13 & 16 in 2 Kings 4 in Judges 4 Sanctuary Shabbat Late afternoon third Services, Dinner Services, Pot Luck meal (dairy) at the (meat, catered, $22 Kiddish Lunch home of the per person, BYO-Wine) Rabbis Burg

RSVP by April 19 to Josh at RSVP to Josh via: [email protected] or 410-523-2446

9 PREPARING FOR PESAH 5776 Rabbi Daniel Cotzin Burg For detailed information on shopping, 1. Cleaning our homes of all hametz. food items and kashrut, cooking for the 2. Donating, throwing out or burning all holiday, etc., please visit: hametz which would not keep until www.rabbinicalassembly.org after Pesah. Here you will find the Rabbinical 3. Moving all remaining hametz in Assembly’s comprehensive Pesah Guide our homes out of sight until after which is true to Conservative Jewish the holiday. practice and current for the year 5776. 4. Making the declaration which In addition, we will include this link nullifies any minute amount of electronically in our e-newsletter several hametz which we could not find or weeks prior to the festival. Our office extract. staff is happy to supply a hard copy of 5. Selling hametz which will keep until the RA Guide upon request. after Pesah. A form for selling hametz is included in this Bulletin. It must Please note the beautiful introduction be in the office before 12 noon, from my teacher Rabbi Elliot Dorff Thursday, April 21st. who writes: “Passover is really important - a The Particulars central feature of what it means to B’dikat Hametz - live a Jewish life. Its very meaning, The search for hametz. After sunset though, is completely undermined if the on Thursday, April 21, after the house dietary rules of Passover lead people has been made kosher for Pesah, one to treat each other with disrespect…. member of the household places an We fervently hope that they will instead agreed-upon number (usually 10) function as they are supposed to - pieces of bread in various rooms. A namely, to serve as graphic reminders candle is lit, the lights are turned off, throughout the holiday of the critical and the following blessing is made: 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 of people Barukh ata Ad-nai Elohaynu, melekh created in the image of God.” haolam, asher kidshanu b’mitzvotav It is in this spirit I hope we will engage v’tzivanu al bi’ur hametz in the mitzvot of preparing ourselves for Praised are you, Eternal our God, Ruler this ancient and relevant Jewish festival. of the Universe, who has made us holy Hag kasher v’sameah! through your commandments and commanded us to burn hametz. Goals of Preparation After the blessing, the search is Among other things, keeping kosher for preferably done in silence. The pieces of Pesah means that by 10:48 am we have hametz are pushed onto a paper plate, eaten our last hametz and that by 11:56 frequently with a feather and a wooden am on April 22, we have no hametz in spoon. After all the pieces are collected, our possession, in any space we control. they are put in a paper bag to be burned We do this by: on Friday morning. The following Bitul Hametz declaration is recited: 10 SALE OF HAMETZ

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. 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. A donation to the Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund for the sale of hametz is appreciated. This form is due, no later 2. On Friday morning, all hametz is burned. than 11:56 am Thursday, April 21. The burning is completed this year by 12 pm. The Bitul Hametz declaration is made as Mail to: follows: Beth Am, 2501 Eutaw Place Baltimore, MD 21217

Fax to: 410-523-1729

I hereby authorize Rabbi Daniel Burg or his designee to effect the sale of any and all hametz that I may have Said in Aramaic: kol hamira vahamiya d’ika in my possession, in my home, at vir’shuti dahazitay u’d’la hazitay, dahamitay my place of business, or any other u’d’la hamitay, d’viartay u’d’la biartay, property that I own or control, as of libateil v’lehevay hefker k’afra d’ara. 12 noon on Friday, April 22. Or English: May all leaven in my possession, whether or not I have seen it, removed it, or ______burned it, be hereby nullified and ownerless Signature Date as the dust of the earth. ______Fast of the Firstborn Printed Name It is customary for firstborn Jews (usually males but females may take the obligation Below is any address, (other than home), on as well) to fast on Erev Pesah out of which is in my control and contains gratitude to God for sparing firstborn Jewish hametz: lives and as a gesture of sympathy for the firstborn of Egypt. Since the celebration of ______a joyous mitzvah takes precedence over a personal fast, it has been the custom to ______perform a joyous mitzvah which necessitates Your hametz is available to you at a feast, such as concluding a text called a 9:42 pm on Saturday, April 30th an hour siyyum bekhorim. The siyyum bekhorim will after Pesah concludes. be held after morning Minyan on Friday, April 22 and a suitable breakfast will be provided.

11 PASSOVER SCHEDULE Friday, April 22 7:30 am - Siyyum B’chorim Service for the Firstborn with light breakfast Erev Passover - First Seder

Saturday, April 23 1st Day Passover 9:30 am - Kesher Service Second Seder

Sunday, April 24 2nd Day Passover 9:30 am - Service

Friday, April 29 7th Day Passover 9:30 am - Service

Saturday, April 30 8th Day Passover 9:30 am - Service with Yizkor & Memorial Plaque Dedication

PASSOVER RESOURCES DETAILED INFORMATION on shopping, food items and kashrut, cooking for the holiday, etc. can be found here:

rabbinicalassembly.org

Intentionally blank Sales of Hametz form

12 In the spirit of SHUKAN volunteerism, we would like to invite you to help STORE clean up after Passover items Kiddush lunch. are ready to find a new home - yours! Please join our unofficial clean There are lovely up crew to make the transition Matzah covers with quicker and cleaner than ever matching Afikomen before. bags, Seder plates, Make it a mitzvah! Thank you! and various forms of the plaques. Handmade puppets kits are also available for a shared activity with your child or grandchild. Open Sunday during Lab school hours. Come browse! After hours and special appointment times contact:

Marcia Amith 410-433-5582 or Bonnie Guralnick 410-653-2380

From time to time Beth Am members ask for help in the following ways: • Rides to shul and events • Rides to doctor appointments • One Dish Meals for those who are ill • Occasional errands Beth Am’s Congregant to Congregant (C2C) committee wants to provide these services for our members. Please indicate your interest to Joyce Keating: [email protected] or Idella: [email protected]

The highly anticipated cookbook from Beth Am’s loved food maven, “In the Kitchen with Harriet, Vol.2” is now available.

Hardcover: $25 Paperback: $18 The net proceeds benefit Beth Am. Order/Reserve your copy today! 410-523-2446 or [email protected]

13 continued on page 16 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY March 27 28 29 30 31 April 1 2 Adar II Adar II 8:45 am Torah Study No Lab No Lab 7:13 pm Candle Lighing 9:30 am Santuary Service 10:30 am Shabbat Lab 11:15 am Shabbat Yachad 6 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Rosh Chodesh No Lab 6:30 pm Bayitt (pg. 19) Lab 7:20 pm Candle Lighting 8:45 am Torah Study 9:30 am Kesher Service 77 11:15 am Shabbat Yachad 12:45 pm People’s Talmud 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Rosh Chodesh 1 Nisan Lab 5:45 pm GOT Shabbat 8:45 am Torah Study 6:30 pm JQ Seder 7:27 pm Candle Lighting 9:30 am Kesher Lab L’Neshama Service 10:15 am Junior Congregation 11:15 am Shabbat Yachad 1:00 pm Chevruta Study 16/5 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Erev Pesach 1st Day of Pesach Lab 12 pm Lunch and Learn 1st Seder 2nd Seder 9:30 am Passover (pg. 20) Lab 7:00 pm Susan Sullam Program Program (pg. 18) 7:30 am Services for 8:45 am Torah Study 20 1:00 pm KUSY Chocolate the First Born 9:30 am Pesach Service Seder 7:33 pm Candle Lighting

N 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 2nd Day of Pesach 3rd Day of Pesach 4th Day of Pesach 5th Day of Pesach 6th Day of Pesach 7th Day of Pesach 8th Day of Pesach Office Closed No Lab Lab 8:45 am Torah Study 9:30 am Pesach Services 9:30 am Pesach Services 9:30 am Pesach Services 7:40 pm Candle Lighting w/ YIZKOR 11:15 am Shabbat Yachad May 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Taste of Lab 6:00 pm Scholar in Scholar in Residence Lab Lab 8:45 am Torah Study Residence (pg. 9) 7:47 pm Candle Lighting 9:30 am Santuary Service 10:30 am Shabbat Lab AR II/NISA 11:15 am Shabbat Yachad 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 APRIL AD No Lab 6:00 pm Bayitt 8:45 am Torah Study Lab 9:30 am Santuary Service w/ Samantha Wittenstein’s Bat Mitzvah 11:15 am Shabbat Yachad SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY March 27 28 29 30 31 April 1 2 Adar II Adar II 8:45 am Torah Study No Lab No Lab 7:13 pm Candle Lighing 9:30 am Santuary Service 10:30 am Shabbat Lab 11:15 am Shabbat Yachad

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Rosh Chodesh No Lab 6:30 pm Bayitt (pg. 19) Lab 7:20 pm Candle Lighting 8:45 am Torah Study 9:30 am Kesher Service 11:15 am Shabbat Yachad 12:45 pm People’s Talmud 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Rosh Chodesh 1 Nisan Lab 5:45 pm GOT Shabbat 8:45 am Torah Study 6:30 pm JQ Seder 7:27 pm Candle Lighting 9:30 am Kesher Lab L’Neshama Service 10:15 am Junior Congregation 11:15 am Shabbat Yachad 1:00 pm Chevruta Study 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Erev Pesach 1st Day of Pesach Lab 12 pm Lunch and Learn 1st Seder 2nd Seder 9:30 am Passover (pg. 20) Lab 7:00 pm Susan Sullam Program Program (pg. 18) 7:30 am Services for 8:45 am Torah Study 1:00 pm KUSY Chocolate the First Born 9:30 am Pesach Service Seder 7:33 pm Candle Lighting 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 2nd Day of Pesach 3rd Day of Pesach 4th Day of Pesach 5th Day of Pesach 6th Day of Pesach 7th Day of Pesach 8th Day of Pesach Office Closed No Lab Lab 8:45 am Torah Study 9:30 am Pesach Services 9:30 am Pesach Services 9:30 am Pesach Services 7:40 pm Candle Lighting w/ YIZKOR 11:15 am Shabbat Yachad May 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Taste of Lab 6:00 pm Scholar in Scholar in Residence Lab Lab 8:45 am Torah Study Residence (pg. 9) 7:47 pm Candle Lighting 9:30 am Santuary Service 10:30 am Shabbat Lab 11:15 am Shabbat Yachad 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

No Lab 6:00 pm Bayitt 8:45 am Torah Study Lab 9:30 am Santuary Service w/ Samantha Wittenstein’s Bat Mitzvah 11:15 am Shabbat Yachad PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE Julie Gottlieb

Thinking about the programs Beth African diaspora and, with an Am offered in just the last three audience of over 400 from Beth months is enough to leave one Am, Reservoir Hill, and elsewhere, breathless. Here’s a partial list: reflected our engagement with the larger community. • Kreplach and Dim Sum • Shades of Yale concert At the second annual Sages for • Sages for the Ages: the Ages, moderated by Ron Marin Alsop and OrchKids Shapiro, we were treated to a • Teen Takeover Shabbat lively conversation with Maestra • Panel of scholars from Marin Alsop and performances the Institute for Islamic, by members of OrchKids, an Christian, and Jewish exemplary program which Studies (ICJS) embodies social justice by helping students at underserved schools In reviewing the sample above, become musicians. Rabbi Burg and some themes emerge. First, Maestra Alsop drew a comparison these programs all showcased between performing a musical the creativity of our educators, work and chanting Torah: both the clergy, and congregants – not to score and the scroll unfurl as they mention hard work on the part of are performed, challenging the volunteers and staff! learner to remember what she has just played or chanted while also Next, each program touched on interpreting the next passage. one or more of Beth Am’s core Over 20 Beth Am young people values – prayer, learning, and participated in the recent Teen social justice. Kreplach and Takeover Shabbat, produced by Dim Sum, organized by Roberta the indefatigable Rabbi Kelley Greenstein, Rachel Rosenheck, Gludt. The kids owned every part and the Continuing Education of the service. They impressed us Committee, was a cultural with their knowledge of prayer learning opportunity (and and commitment to post-B’nai culinary experience). The Shades Mitzvah learning. Beth Am’s of Yale concert, brought to us neighbor and friend Tom Hall by Shoshana Davidoff-Gore and hosted a panel discussion at which expertly produced by IFO, exposed we heard how ICJS scholars are us to the varied traditions of the wrestling with urgent questions of

16 the differences among us across Rammelkamp’s brilliant Purim boundaries of faith, culture, Shpiel riff on Broadway’s Book and race. of Mormon starring a motley crew of congregants. The Shpiel By the time you read this may not elevate us spiritually or column, you will have enjoyed intellectually, but it scores high (we hope) “The Book of Esther” on other Beth Am values: DIY, – Carol Berkower and Charles community building, and humor!

Megillah Reading Dinner & Shpiel March 23, 2016

17 The Rescue of Europe’s Plundered Wealth Wednesday, April 20, 7pm

The movie “The Monuments Men” told only part of a much larger story.

In 2013, at the urging of a historian, Baltimore resident Susan Fisher Sullam uncovered hundreds UPCOMING EVENTS of pages of top secret and classified files that had belonged to her late father detailing the final, harrowing months of World War II. Joel Fisher had kept the memos and papers detailing how Americans located and secured billions of dollars’ worth of gold, silver and currency plundered by the Nazis from the treasuries of occupied Europe.

Come hear more of the story. RSVP to Josh via: [email protected] 410-523-2446 ext. 16

18 When John and I contemplated ‘estate “planning,’ of course we While there are many ways to give wanted to provide for our to Beth Am, we hope you will con- children and grandchildren. sider supporting the Synagogue’s But Beth Am also was like missions by making a bequest to family, and a legacy gift Beth Am in your will or living trust. was a painless way to provide for it as well. All Making a bequest allows you to combine we had to do was designate your financial planning with philanthropy to the portion of our estate make a lasting investment in the future of to go to Beth Am when we our congregation. die. We won’t be around to Contact your attorney, to learn how you miss the money, and future can make a bequest to Beth Am. generations can benefit.” - Elaine Freeman

SOCIAL ACTION COMMITTEE MEETING May 18, 2016 at 7:30 pm ALL ARE WELCOME! We address many 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, [email protected]. Contact Arthur Shulman if you need a ride to the meeting at [email protected]. BAYITT We are young adults in our 20s and 30s transforming Jewish life in Baltimore City by building an egalitarian, socially conscious Jewish community.

Looking Ahead to Upcoming “Second Fridays” April 8 April 30 May 13

19 LUNCH learn& MONTHLY ON TUESDAYS NOON - 1 PM

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.

Location: Once-a-month, Kesher becomes Kesher L’Neshama! Karin Batterton’s Office Come prepared to learn new and Coldwell Banker Brokerage uplifting melodies as we raise Village of Cross Keys our voices, engage our souls, and 38 Village Square expand our horizons! Baltimore, MD 21210 Upcoming Dates: Schedule: April 16, 2016 April 19 May 17 May 28, 2016 June 18, 2016

Held after Kiddush lunch, congregants share their personal interpretation of what Judaism means to them and how they integrate Judaism into their daily lives. If you are interested in sharing your Jewish journey, please contact Michael Sanow, [email protected] Upcoming dates:

April 9 Alan Goldberg, PhD., Professor, Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health; Principal, Global Food Ethics

20 Continuing Education Upcoming Programs Rachel Rosenheck and Roberta Greenstein - Co-Chairs Chevruta Study April 16, 2016

The traditional (yeshivish) way of studying Jewish texts is with a chevruta – the buddy system. On April 16, after services, we will focus on relevant, provocative topics and study them by pairing up with a fellow congregant. The text sources we will make available will be both contemporary and traditional, Jewish and non-Jewish. After chevruta study, we will meet again as a large group to share what we’ve been learning. One-on-one chevruta learning is fun and informal, while facilitating thoughtful analysis and discussion.

SANCTUARY SERVICES Our next Sanctuary Services will be April 2 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: [email protected]

As a kindness to neighbors without parking pads or garages, please park in the Beth Am parking lot behind the Esplanade Apartments - unless you have mobility or accessibility concerns. The lot is accessible from Brooks Lane and Beth Am’s spaces are designated by blue stripes. Take care to park only in the Beth Am spaces to avoid being towed (at your expense). PRAYERS FOR HEALING Hazzan Stein, uncle of Lindsay Holloway Christine Fletcher, sister of Patricia Berman Frank Rosenstein, friend of Robin Katcoff Jeri Falk Lenore and Marvin Berman, parents of Janis Silverman Carol Allen, stepmother of Eli Allen Russell Kassman, cousin of Rabbi Burg Stuart Burman, husband of Martha Burman and father of Karen McCarthy Archer Senft, friend of Jason Moscow Cecilia Braunstein, aunt of Inbal Braunstein Blaine Hall, friend of Jamie & Mike Catelinet Ned Pollard, friend of the Spokes Family Mike Hess, cousin of Lou Wohlmuth Charlie Blair, family friend of Jason & Robin Katcoff Ron Silberberg, friend of Robin & Jason Katcoff Burton Gold, father of Joanne Gold Alexa Moinkoff Merle Sachs Murray Sachs Lottie Greene, mother of Meg Hyman Donald Allen, father of Lisa Minick Steven Kraft, brother of Jim Kraft Hilda Coyne Vickie Dorf Fran Kanterman COMMUNITY NEWS

22 70+ BIRTHDAYS MAZEL TOV Betty Chemers 1-Apr Liz & Brian Weese Nancy Goldberg 1-Apr on the birth of their grandson, Joseph Askin 3-Apr Orson Hobbes Marambio Myron Weisfeldt 5-Apr (parents are Sheree and Tico Weese) Joseph Berkow 6-Apr J. Mark Schapiro 6-Apr Jessica Weber & Nancy Eddy Margaret Himelfarb 10-Apr on the birth of their daughter, Maurice Furchgott 11-Apr Noa Lillian Weber Michael Merrill 12-Apr Muriel Friedman Eric Fine 13-Apr on celebrating her 90th birthday Robert Schreter 13-Apr Lynn Kapiloff 18-Apr Harriet Miller Aaron Levin 18-Apr on the release of her second Lainy LeBow-Sachs 20-Apr cookbook Sandra Hillman 24-Apr Laurie & Mira Green Nadja Pats 25-Apr on the birth of their daughter, Daniel Richman 25-Apr Solveig Green

Benjamin Rosenberg on being appointed to the Executive Committee of the RECENT DEATHS Baltimore Jewish Council Reba Penn grandmother of Stacy Suskauer Betty Seidel (Gary) on being chosen by Israel Bonds Maryland Women’s Division to re- Stuart Millison ceive the Builder of Unity Award uncle of Lou Wohlmuth

Julie Levitt aunt of Maggi Gaines

Elena Bernick

Elaine B. Snyder wife of Sol Snyder

Joy Fried mother of Scott Fried (Jacquelyn)

23 Thank you!CONTRIBUTIONS Accessibility Fund Roz & Nelson Hyman in memory of Elaine Snyder, wife of Sol Snyder Adult Education Fund Betty Seidel in memory of her mother, Anna Samuels, on her yahrzeit Hilda Coyne in honor of Lila Frost, daughter of Elisa & Jason Frost, on her Bat Mitzvah Meg Hyman in memory of Elaine Snyder, wife of Sol Snyder Building Preservation & Ritual Enhancement Fund Laurie Glassner in honor of the birth of Sadie Kerin, granddaughter of Karin Batterton Diane & Austin Librach FEBRUARY in memory of Elaine Snyder, wife of Sol Snyder Liz Moser in memory of Elaine Snyder, wife of Sol Snyder Cantor's Discretionary Fund Mira & Daniel Appleby in memory of his father, Seymour Appleby, on his yahrzeit Ilene & Neri Cohen in appreciation Educator’s Discretionary Fund Barbara & Michael Noonberg in honor of Rabbi Kelley Gludt Floral Fund Connie Caplan in memory of her aunt, Freda Hauptman, on her yahrzeit

24 Garden Fund Winnie & Neal Borden in memory of her mother, Florence Cohn, on her yahrzeit General Fund Cy Smith & Adina Amith in memory of Billy Kahn, husband of Dovey Kahn Ann Sarrin in memory of her son, Jeffrey Sarrin, on his yahrzeit Carol & Jonathan Zenilman in memory of Joy Fried, mother of Scott Fried (Jacquelyn)

Kiddush Fund Martin Yaker & Karen Egorin in memory of her mother, Mildred Kantor, on her yahrzeit Phyllis Gerber in memory of her husband Mitchell Gerber, on his yahrzeit Dovey Kahn in honor of Lila Frost, daughter of Elisa & Jason Frost, on her Bat Mitzvah Harriet Miller in memory of Elaine Snyder, wife of Sol Snyder Charles & Abby Rammelkamp in honor of Lila Frost daughter of Elisa & Jason Frost, on her Bat Mitzvah

Rabbi's Discretionary Fund Ilene & Neri Cohen in appreciation Hilda Coyne in honor of Lila Frost, daughter of Elisa & Jason Frost, on her Bat Mitzvah Stuart Fine in memory of his mother Gussie Fine, on her yahrzeit Phyllis Gerber in appreciation Mimi & Richard Joseph in memory of his sister, Rosalyn Ohriner, on her yahrzeit in memory of his father, Philip Joseph, on his yahrzeit Fran Kanterman in memory of Elaine Snyder, wife of Sol Snyder 25 Rabbi's Discretionary Fund cont. Marcia & Robert Kargon in hopes of a speedy recovery for Celia Sroelov Suzanne Lapides in memory of her father Leonard Levin, on his yahrzeit Marion Pines in memory of Elaine Snyder, wife of Sol Snyder in memory of Sonia Wallerstein in memory of Harry Myerhoff, father of Rob Meyerhoff Abby & Charles Rammelkamp in honor of the birth of their granddaughter, Paloma Gomez Martos Rachel & Bert Rosenheck in appreciation Frances Rubenstein in memory of her husband, Bernard Rubenstein, on his yahrzeit Ed & Joanne Wallach in memory of his mother, Madeleine Wallach, on her yahrzeit Gail & Lou Wohlmuth in memory of Elaine Snyder, wife of Sol Snyder

Social Action Fund Dovey Kahn in honor of Elisa & Jason Frost, on the Bat Mitzvah of their daughter, Lila Frost Alan Fink & Judy Rousuck in memory of her father, Morton Rousuck, on his yahrzeit

Tiny Tots Shabbat Fund Winnie & Neal Borden in memory of her sister, Connie Cohn, on her yahrzeit

You can make online credit card payments to acknowledge life cycle events and special occasions. bethambaltimore.org/donate/

26 FUND DESIGNATION Accessibility Fund - Used to make the facility Garden Fund - Beautifies grounds accessible to those with impaired physical General Fund - Applied to the 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 Shabbat Supports the purchase of furniture, equipment programs for our preschoolers and capital improvements for the Jewish Discovery Lab Youth & Teen Education Support Fund - Supports educational programs for all of Beth Floral Fund - Beautifies the Bimah 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. Online donations available at our website bethambaltimore.org/donate/

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: ______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.