nHaZ’man - Chizuk Amuno Congregation · in our 140th Anniversary Torah Scroll is my privilege and...
Transcript of nHaZ’man - Chizuk Amuno Congregation · in our 140th Anniversary Torah Scroll is my privilege and...
In this issue:• Inscribing Our Future— The Mitzvah of Torah
• Pesah
T H I S S E A S O NT H I S S E A S O NA T C H I Z U K A M U N O C O N G R E G A T I O N
S P R I N G 2 0 1 1 | 5 7 7 1S P R I N G 2 0 1 1 | 5 7 7 1
HaZ’man
HaZ’man
Sunday, March 2011 a.m. - 2 p.m.
New Games,Moonbounce, and Obstacle Course
New Menu ItemsPrizes, Arts and Crafts
‘Tween’ Room Music, Karaoke, Ping Pong Tournaments
P r e - s a l e : $10/family with one child;$18/family with more than one child
Day of Carnival: $12/family with one child;$20/family with more than one child
Includes Popcorn & Cotton CandyVolunteers needed for Purim DayContact: Rena Lapidus, 4 1 0 / 9 7 9 - 2 9 4 5
Saturday, March 19Saturday, March 196:45 p.m. Minhah
7:30 p.m. Family Megillah Reading
7:45 p.m. Ma’ariv / Traditional Megillah Reading
After the After the MegillahMegillah Readings ReadingsKids and families dance the night away with our Rockin’ DJ
Adults enjoy an adult Purim shpiel– “Text in the City (of Shushan)” and Karaoke Café
Teen Purim Dance
Sunday, March 20Sunday, March 209:15 a.m. Shaharit, Traditional Full Megillah Reading
10 a.m. Family Megillah Reading and Purim Shpiel with RRS
Come in costume! Please bring money for Matanot L’evyonim – Purim tzedakah for those in need.
Rock the Night Away at the Shushan Singing Celebration
S P R I N G 2 0 1 1 | 5 7 7 1
Chizuk Amuno Congregation8100 Stevenson Road, Baltimore, Maryland 21208www.chizukamuno.org
Synagogue Offi ce 410/486-6400
Synagogue Fax 410/486-4050
Synagogue E-mail [email protected]
Goldsmith Early Childhood Education Center 410/486-8642
Krieger Schechter Day School 410/486-8640
Rosenbloom Religious School 410/486-8641
Stulman Center for Adult Learning 410/824-2055
O F F I C E R SO F F I C E R SPresident Richard Manekin, [email protected] Vice President Michelle Malis, [email protected] President Louis E. SappersteinVice President Sandra Moff etSecretary Dr. Andrew Miller Treasurer Michelle Hettleman Assistant Treasurer Jason A. Blavatt
S Y N A G O G U E S T A F F S Y N A G O G U E S T A F F Rabbi Ronald J. Shulman | x230 [email protected]
Rabbi Deborah Wechsler | x231 [email protected]
Rabbi Emeritus Joel H. Zaiman | x296
Hazzan Emanuel C. Perlman | x233 [email protected]
Ritual Director Dr. Moshe D. Shualy | x243 [email protected]
Ritual Director Emeritus Rev. Yehuda Dickstein
Headmaster, Krieger Schechter Day SchoolDr. Paul D. Schneider | x226 | [email protected]
Director, Congregational Education
Alex Weinberg | x234 | [email protected]
Director, Goldsmith Early Childhood Education Center
Michelle Gold | x238 | [email protected]
Director, Stulman Center for Adult Learning
Judy Meltzer | x287 | [email protected]
Director, Gemilut Hasadim Program
Miriam Foss | x281 | [email protected]
Bar/Bat Mitzvah Coordinator
Debby Hellman | x290 | [email protected]
Youth Educator
Isaac Woloff | x305 | iwoloff @chizukamuno.org
Curator, Goldsmith Museum
Dr. Susan Vick | x291 | [email protected]
Choir Director
T. Herbert Dimmock
A D M I N I S T R A T I V E S T A F FA D M I N I S T R A T I V E S T A F F Executive Director
Ronald N. Millen | x224 | [email protected]
Director of Congregational Advancement
Laurel Freedman | x275 | [email protected]
Synagogue Administrator
Jenny Baker | x227 | [email protected]
Controller
Rick Bernard | x256 | [email protected]
Information Systems Manager
Bruce P. Yaillen | x284 | [email protected]
Cemetery Director
Barbara Lichter | x248 | [email protected]
Assistant Cemetery Director
Marsha Yoff e | x309 | myoff [email protected]
Communications and Membership Coordinator
Cheryl Snyderman | x300 | [email protected]
Graphic Designer
Rachel Levitan | x282 | [email protected]
Chizuk Amuno has a long history of proud service to Baltimore’s Jewish community. Dedicated to strengthening faith
in our people’s covenant with God, the purpose of Chizuk Amuno Congregation is to create a sacred Jewish community.
Here individuals and families can fi nd meaning for their lives from serious engagement with the texts, wisdom, and
celebrations of Judaism. In pursuit of this mission, Chizuk Amuno ascribes to the rabbinic teaching: “The world is
sustained through Torah – learning, Avodah – prayer and service, and Gemilut Hasadim – acts of loving kindness.”
HaZ’man
HaZ’man
T H I S S E A S O NT H I S S E A S O N
S P R I N G 2 0 1 1 5 7 7 1S P R I N G 2 0 1 1 | 5 7 7 1
A T C H I Z U K A M U N O C O N G R E G A T I O N
Contents2 Inscribing Our Future– The Mitzvah of Torah • by Rabbi Ron Shulman
• by Rabbi Deborah Wechsler
• by Dick Manekin
• by Bob Hallock
6 Torah Personal Torah Writing Experiences • by Naomi Amsterdam
• by Allison Baumwald
• by Marsha Gamerman
• by Fran Glushakow Gould
• by Ronnie Kleiman
• by David Mark
• by Temrah Okonski
10 Avodah Binding Our Community
11 Gemilut Hasadim • 2,000 Pieces of Chicken
• A Legacy of Love and Service
12 Preparing for Pesah • Schedule of Passover Services
• Sale of Hametz
• Siyyum B’khorim, First Born Minyan
• A Place at the Table
• How to Lead a Seder in One Easy Lesson – The Harold and Sybil Eff ron Memorial Lecture
• Dunkin’ Pots and Pans
• Chef Annie’s Brisket – For Sale
16 What’s Nu? • Goldsmith Early Childhood Education Center
• Club 140
• PA Council
• Brotherhood
• New Members
• Sisterhood
• Israel Engagement Committee
• Project Mitzvah
• Torah Writing Volunteers
• In Memoriam – Rhoda Toney
• KSMS Learning Festival
2 | HaZ’man ~ This Season
by Rabbi Ron Shulman
When asked to answer the question,
“Who is a Jew?” I answer like this.
A Jew is someone who can tell the story of
the Jewish people as their own. It’s not a
halakhic answer. It is a personal measure of
identity and continuity.
Our Jewish story is accessible to all
who appreciate the gifts and blessings of
their lives, to everyone who is grateful for
human dignity and equality, freedom, and
goodness. Our Jewish narrative provides all
who wish them standards of personal ethics
and celebrations to mark the seasons and
milestones of life.
Sitting with you who are writing letters
in our 140th Anniversary Torah Scroll is my
privilege and pleasure, along with Rabbi
Wechsler’s. We have the chance to tell each
other our Jewish stories, and to tell the
story of the Jewish people as our own while
thinking about where it begins, in Torah.
Only Moses came to know God through
spoken words, the Torah tells us. At the
conclusion of Moses’ life we read that it will
be through the written words of the Torah
that we and all who have followed since
Moses, and who will follow us, may strive to
know something of God in our lives.
Th e Torah’s written text contains the fi rst
words of our Jewish story. When we open
the scroll to read, we do not know whose
hand placed those letters before us. When
we write in the scroll, we can only imagine
who after us may read our handiwork. Th e
letters and words of the story truly bind us
together as one eternal people.
If you haven’t already, please make your
date to write one of the letters in our 140th
anniversary Torah. Invite your extended
family to join you. All it requires is a little
bit of your time. Dates are available through
next February. Th is is a special and unique
mitzvah opportunity.
In our new Torah we
will fi nd inspiration as we
read and study its words,
as we celebrate precious
moments in our lives,
and as we dedicate
ourselves to all that
Torah represents as the
beginning of the Jewish
people’s story in every
generation.
Th is season as we
celebrate Passover,
we also focus on
our story. Before
Torah there is Exodus,
before we can know freedom fully, we
must remember oppression and the reasons
our story came to be. Gathering with our
families and friends at our seder tables, let’s
pause, put down our haggadot, and talk
to each other. Let’s be sure to tell personal
stories and anecdotes, stories from our
past and stories that imagine our future.
Hag Sameah v’Kasher – Enjoy a joyous and
Happy Passover!
In this issue of Ha’Zman ~ Th is Season,
Chizuk Amuno members tell us their Torah
writing stories inspiring all of us to tell the
story of the Jewish people as our own.
The The MitzvahMitzvah of of TorahTorah... ... Inscribing Our Future
s
y
In ou
will fi n
read an
as we c
mome
and a
ourse
Tora
begi
peo
gen
ce
w
o
Tor
before we can know free
b
Our Jewish Story
Pesah 5771 | 3
how to place my fi ngers on the quill. He
whispered to me to take a moment to clear
my mind and focus on the task at hand. I
remember the letters that I fi lled in. Th e
fi rst time, when it was my turn to go up to
the scroll the next letter was ayin, with its
pointed ends and soft curve in the middle.
It is a letter of joining together (eem), of
fl owing springs (ein), of hard work (avodah),
and it was mine. Th e sofer told me it was the
ayin tov, the good eye with which he
blessed me that I be able to live my life with
discernment and vision.
Th e second time, when it was my turn to
go up to the Torah the next letter was koof,
with its two parts making a whole, one line
rounding into the strong base of the other.
It is a letter of closeness (karov), of holiness
(kedushah), of community (kahal) and it
too was mine. Th e sofer showed me its place
in the text, embedded in the phrase yad
hazakah, the strong arm of God and the
by Rabbi Deborah Wechsler
Buried in the Book of Numbers, in the
midst of what would otherwise be a
dry recitation of law and code we come
upon a brief story, known aff ectionately
as the daughters of Tzelofhad. During the
narratives of the wilderness, the Torah
speaks of a man named Tzelofhad who
was blessed with fi ve daughters and no
sons. While we all know what a great
blessing it must have been to share his home
with fi ve daughters, it left his daughters at
some disadvantage because in the Biblical
system of primogeniture, only sons could
inherit land. Th ese women advocated for
themselves, and Moses brought their case
all the way up to the heavenly court. God
decided that their case was just and gave
them their inheritance so that they too
would have their own stake in the land
of Israel. Th is outcome is extraordinary
enough, but the great Biblical commentator
Rashi adds an even more extraordinary
outcome.
Tradition tells us that the entire Torah was
written by Moses. Dictated or inspired by
God, it was Moses himself who wrote each
word and each story in the Torah. But here
Rashi tells us that even though it would
have been appropriate for Moses to write
the story of the daughters of Tzelofhad as he
had written the entire Torah,
the daughters of Tzelofhad
were privileged with writing
their own story. Th at was
considered the ultimate
reward – the privilege of
writing your own Jewish story.
Like Moses and the daughters of
Tzelofhad, we too have the opportunity to
write our own Jewish story. Th is year, as
part of the celebrations surrounding the
140th anniversary of Chizuk Amuno, we
are writing our own Torah scroll. Together
as a congregation, each of us as individuals
and families, are invited to literally write a
letter in the scroll of our congregation and
help shape the way the story of our people
is told.
When writing a Torah, we write it the
same way that a Torah has been written for
centuries—the same letters, the same words,
the same labor of love. Th rice now I have
had the privilege of writing a letter in a
Torah scroll. Th ey were incredibly powerful
Jewish moments in my life and I was moved
to tears by the emotion and meaning of
what I was doing.
I was nervous where to put my hand,
and that I might cause the sofer to make
a mistake. As I sat down next to him, he
spoke softly to me and gently showed me
h l fi h ill H
y.
ers of
The Mitzvah of Torah... Inscribing Our FutureInscribing Our Future
continued on next page
4 | HaZ’man ~ This Season
L’chi Lachby Dick Manekin
Energy and emotion
pierced the air as our
sacred community celebrated
the opening ceremony for the
writing of our 140th Anniversary
Torah Scroll. God was present in
our Sanctuary and all who were
there clearly knew it. We, as Jews,
believe that the Torah is an actual
refl ection of God; when we write
a Torah letter God’s presence fl ows
through our hands. We connect to
those who wrote and read Torah
before us; we connect to those who
gave Torah to us and to those to
whom we will next pass the Torah.
As I confi dently and joyously carried the Manekin Torah with outstretched arms and
a smile on my face, there were many emotions running in my heart. Only three years
ago, my father, brothers, and I, along with the clergy and members of Chizuk Amuno’s
professional staff , had the privilege and honor of performing the 613th commandment
– the fi nal mitzvah – the commandment to write the last letters of a Torah that we as a
family were giving to Chizuk Amuno in honor of my father. I vividly remembered writing
in the Torah, saying a prayer for Dad’s health and the health of our entire family, holding
on to the quill as the sofer inked the letter. As I refl ect upon that moment and the fact
that the last chapter of Torah, V’Zot ha-B’Rakhah, contains Moses’ farewell blessings and
his death, I think of the courage and strength my father was able to summon in order to
perform that commandment, knowing that he was in the fi nal chapter of his life.
While Moses never made it to the Land of Israel, we, the Jewish people, did. Dad died
a year and a half ago, but I distinctly felt his presence as I jubilantly lead the procession
to the Aron Kodesh where his Torah was placed waiting to be joined by Chizuk Amuno’s
140th Anniversary Torah.
Every member of our Chizuk Amuno family will have the chance to take part in the
writing of this Torah, a scroll that will be our legacy to those generations who follow
us, as well as a commemoration to those who came before us. As the Chizuk Amuno
community choir of over 200 voices – composed of all of our schools and a cross section
of our congregation – sang Debbie Friedman’s L’chi lach, I beamed and thought of the
strong future that lies ahead for our sacred community.
L’chi lach, to a land that I will show you
Leich l’cha, to a place you do not know
L’chi lach, on your journey I will bless you
And you shall be a blessing, you shall be a blessing,
you shall be a blessing L’chi lach
L’chi lach, and I shall make your name great
Leich l’cha and all shall praise your name
L’chi lach, to the place that I will show you
And you shall be a blessing, you shall be a blessing,
you shall be a blessing L’chi lach
ss,
aal
ee
wws
o
wwho
aah.
i d h M ki TT h i h h d d
sofer blessed me with strength to be a rabbi
of this congregation and as mother to my
son with whom I was pregnant at the time.
Th e last time, on the bimah here at
Chizuk Amuno as we began our new scroll,
the letter was reish, with its gentle slope
pointing downward and forward and a soft
caress in the middle. It is a letter of strong
will (ratzon), of joy (rena), of fi rst sons
(reuven) and it was mine. Th is time the
sofer faded into the background and in the
moment that I wrote it, I had no thoughts
other than gratitude for the blessings of my
reish and the opportunity to be a part of
b’reisheet, new beginnings.
Th e Talmud teaches that if you write
a Sefer Torah it is as if you received it at
Mount Sinai. Th at’s what it felt like to write
a letter in the Torah; that I was coming
before God to have an intimate audience
and that it was a new beginning. I wish for
each of you that you be blessed with this
experience and this mitzvah.
It is why this time I will bring my
children to take part in writing a letter in
our new Chizuk Amuno Torah – that they
become the next link in a chain stretching
back to Moses and the daughters of
Tzelofhad; that they fulfi ll a mitzvah that
they might not have a chance to do any
other time in their lives. But perhaps even
more importantly so they can begin to write
their own Jewish story, in their own hand,
in their own community. Th at together
as family we stand at Sinai to begin a new
Jewish journey in our lives. I hope you’ll
join us.
continued from previous page
Pesah 5771 | 5
The Chizuk Amuno Community Choir~A crazy idea?
A couple of years ago, I got this crazy
idea: What if we established a huge
Chizuk Amuno Community Choir to sing
in the Sanctuary? Would this 140 year old
synagogue go for it? How could it be done?
And there were many more questions. Last
fall, after presenting this idea to the Torah
Writing Programming Committee, I was
given a very exuberant “go for it!”
Engaging our large and diverse
community presented my fi rst
challenge. Early on, all of our
children’s schools signed on, as
well as the Chizuk Amuno Teen
Team. Each of these groups would
rehearse separately until the very
end. As for adults, an e-mail blast
went out, making the appeal for
participants, stressing how much fun this
would be – creating the largest community
choir in Chizuk Amuno’s history. In fact, I
had no idea whether this community choir
could even get off the ground, let alone be
the “biggest choir.” Th is is where prayer
started to come in.
Adults began to respond, many of whom
sounded upbeat about the project. Several
indicated some reservations, however, because
they had no prior singing experience. I tried
to assure them that no singing experience was
necessary and secretly hoped we would not
have an entire choir of tone-deaf folks. More
prayer was in order.
Th e rehearsal schedule included lots of
diff erent days and times to accommodate
the adults’ schedules. Choir members were
asked to attend only two rehearsals to keep
it as easy as possible. Th is provided everyone
with little excuse to not participate. Th e
downside was that we never had everyone
in the same rehearsal at the same time.
Another prayer.
I arranged Debbie Friedman’s beautiful
L’chi Lach melody especially for this
occasion. Debbie revolutionized Jewish
music of our time by connecting the
musical styles of the 1960’s and 70’s with
Jewish tradition. She broke down barriers
between the performer and the audience,
between the bimah and
the congregation – much
like what I wanted to
do at Chizuk Amuno.
While we were rehearsing,
Debbie was seriously ill,
and she sadly passed away
just a few weeks before
our performance.
In early January, we
held our fi rst adult rehearsal – only 11
people showed up – not exactly the biggest
choir in Chizuk Amuno’s history. Eight
showed up for the second rehearsal. People
started buzzing about the choir, and it
continued to grow throughout January.
Other beautiful things also began to
happen. One of our choir members kindly
volunteered to transport an 88 year old
woman who could no longer drive to all the
rehearsals and to the performance. An added
bonus – they formed a beautiful friendship.
Another person told me of her father who
had suff ered a stroke and could no longer
speak. However, he could sing and wanted
to participate. Like the 88 year old woman,
he, too, climbed the bimah stairs to sing at
our performance. I could go on and on.
At the Torah Writing Opening Ceremony
on Sunday, February 13, Rabbi Shulman
invited everyone in the choir to the bimah.
More than 200 children and adults spilled
down the aisles and up onto the bimah.
Th e adults climbed to the very top, in front
of the Aron Kodesh. Th e students crowded
onto the front and sides of the bimah. I had
always thought that Chizuk Amuno’s bimah
was too big; on this day, it was perfect.
Th e congregation grew quiet, the children
waited with anticipation, and the adults
took a breath. I gave the downbeat, the
piano started, and the children started
singing. Th ey sounded like angels. How
is it possible that so many children stayed
together? Such earnest, beautiful faces.
And then the adult choir started to sing in
gorgeous four-part harmony. Th e sound was
glorious. Th e music was soaring, and fi nally
the congregation joined in at the end with
everyone singing their hearts out. Th e entire
Sanctuary became a big Debbie Friedman
songfest. Oh, how Debbie must have smiled
from heaven. In less than three minutes, it
was over. Spontaneously, the Congregation
jumped to its feet, giving us a standing
ovation. Many had tears in their eyes.
I stood there a bit stunned that this “crazy
idea” actually had come to fruition. On
that day, close to a thousand people in the
Chizuk Amuno community joined together
in song and spirit. It can’t get any better
than that.
Bob Hallock and his
wife, Fritzi, joined Chizuk
Amuno 11 years ago.
They have three children,
Steve, Amanda, and
Charlie, who is currently
attending Krieger Schechter
Day School. Bob is a sales development/marketing
consultant and also performs a one-man cabaret act. He
currently serves on Krieger Schechter’s Annual Campaign
committee and Chizuk Amuno’s Membership and Torah
Writing project committees.
What if we established
a huge Chizuk Amuno
Community Choir to sing
in the Sanctuary?
Would this 140 year old
synagogue go for it?
by Bob Hallock
T o r a h
6 | HaZ’man ~ This Season
by Naomi Amsterdam
For reasons other than cards and roses,
February 14 is an auspicious day for me.
It was the birthdate of my father, of blessed
memory, and the day
I met my husband,
Larry. Th is year, the
date took on added
signifi cance, as together
we fulfi lled the mitzvah
of writing Torah.
I initially approached
the experience with
some discomfort.
Larry and I were
raised in traditional,
Orthodox shuls, where women didn’t chant
from the Torah in front of the community
and physical contact with the Torah was
forbidden. Although, decades ago, Chizuk
Amuno’s egalitarian approach enabled me
to fully participate in the worship service,
the actual inscription of a letter of Torah
implied direct contact with the sacred scroll.
However, my tension subsided as we were
guided through the process. Each step was
personalized – selecting a
tallit, conversing with Rabbi
Shulman about a signifi cant
parasha of Torah, and being
warmly welcomed by Rabbi
Druin to the bimah. With
humor, he shared insightful
stories related to the pasuk
we would help to write. Our
letter, pay in the word pinay,
became an analogy for looking
at life through an optimistic
lens. Rabbi Druin reminded us that through
positive actions we can change the way we
are perceived by others. He encouraged us
to touch the parchment and hold tightly to
the quill as we completed the letter together.
Larry recalled his own father who, having
survived the Holocaust, continued to hold
fast to his Jewish faith. By physically writing
into the Torah, Larry and I acknowledged
our responsibility to transmit the lessons
of Torah to the next generation in order to
ensure continuity of the Jewish religion.
Larry and I will treasure the plaque
commemorating this very special project.
And we’ll pray that our children’s children
will also treasure the precious legacy our
fathers gave to us.
Naomi is a speech/language pathologist with Baltimore
County Public Schools. Larry, a dentist, chants the High
Holy Day services in the Krieger Auditorium. He is vice
president of the Chizuk Amuno Brotherhood and a
member of the Ritual Committee. They are both members
of the Kol Rinah a capella group. Their four adult daughters
all attended Goldsmith Early Childhood Education Center.
Elisa and Kari are graduates of Krieger Schechter Day
School; Alisa and Rachel are graduates of the Rosenbloom
Religious School.
m n didn’t h nt
pe
tal
Sh
pa
wa
Dr
hu
sto
we
let
be
at
l n R bbi Dr
February 13, 2011 was a historic moment at Chizuk Amuno Congregation. The Sanctuary was overfl owing with
joy as our community leaders wrote the fi rst letters in Chizuk Amuno’s 140th Anniversary Torah. Generations came
together in song and prayer as we began this year long journey. After the shofar blasts fi lled the Sanctuary and
our scrolls were paraded down the aisle for all to see, Rabbi Shulman wrote the fi rst letter of B’reisheet on behalf of the
congregation.
A highlight of the Opening Ceremony was the performance of Debbie Friedman’s L’chi Lach by the Chizuk Amuno
Community Choir, comprised of over 200 members of our school and synagogue communities.
After a festive lunch and dancing, families joined our sofer, Rabbi Moshe Druin, in the Hoff berger Chapel for a more
intimate and personal letter writing experience. In the course of the next day and a half, over fi fty shared in the 613th
mitzvah – the mitzvah to write a Torah.
This year-long eff ort is led by Sandi Moff et, Neil Katz, and 140th Anniversary Chair Shelly Malis. A committee of over
50 members has worked diligently over the past nine months to bring this milestone project to fruition.
Do not miss your chance to be a part of this important personal and community experience. Information regarding
registration is on the inside back cover of this issue of HaZ’man ~ This Season. There is no cost to participate.
Our new Torah will be a source of inspiration and comfort as we read from it and study its words. It will become an
enduring connection between all of us and a legacy for those who will follow. Make your mark on Chizuk Amuno history
and join our journey as we look toward the next 140 years.
Pesah 5771 | 7
by Allison Baumwald
It’s not every day that one writes a letter
of a Torah. On February 13, my family’s
personal Torah writing experience began.
Th at evening, my husband, Adam, our
three year old
daughter, Henni,
and I walked
into synagogue.
Immediately,
volunteers Ilana
and Sandi Moff et
welcomed us.
Th eir enthusiasm
and warmth was
contagious and set
the tone for what
came next.
As we walked into the chapel, we were
met by Rabbi Shulman and had a special
opportunity to ask him questions and
explore how this opportunity related to
our family. After washing our hands, we
ascended the bimah and Rabbi Druin
introduced us to the letter vav – what would
become our letter when we completed it. As
we learned about vav and its signifi cance,
we were quite impressed with the Rabbi’s
ability. His words transformed what was
once a mere letter of the Hebrew alphabet
into much more for our family.
Truly, it is beshert that vav was our letter.
We learned that
vav, in English,
means hook.
When vav comes
at the beginning
of a Hebrew word,
which it does
frequently, it also
means “and.” So,
vav is a connector
and Chizuk Amuno
is a new connection
for our family, as
we are fairly new members. We were asked
to consider the vav’s vertical shape. Other
“connectors” shaped liked a vav include
beams of a building, our spine, internal
and communal aspects of our lives – these
strengths need no credit, but do so much.
We learned that it is like the love between
couples and the love of a child – completely
unconditional. We feel this for each other
and our daughter, and we hope to become
that type of leader for our community.
At my father’s request, my siblings and I
will read Torah for his 65th birthday at his
synagogue, where our family was raised. Th e
fi rst letter of the fi rst word of the parasha
I am reading? Vav. On that special day, I
will read from the Torah dedicated in 1999
to my father’s father, my Zayde Abram, for
which the sofer was Rabbi Druin’s father.
Writing a letter of Torah provides a
unique personal and spiritual experience,
yet as a congregation we will have a shared
experience. How wonderful it is that our
congregation encourages each person to
participate. We hope everyone will choose
to be part of history and part of something
that will be passed down from generation to
generation. Th e Torah keeps us connected to
the past and now we are connecting Torah
to our future.
Allison Baumwald, 34, is currently the Vice President for
Women’s Philanthropy at THE ASSOCIATED, where she
has been working for the past 7 ½ years. In addition
to her professional career, she is honored to serve on
the Publicity sub-committee for the Torah Writing
project. She, Adam, and Henni live in Pikesville.
by Marsha Gamerman
Time. I’ll let you in on a little secret—I
have been waging my own private
little war with time for quite a bit. I often
fretted, obsessed, ruminated, worried, and
wondered about time. And, then, on the
13th of February, 2011 at Chizuk Amuno’s
140th Anniversary celebration, comes a
new way to think about time, a new way to
handle time. Time-catcher.
Jews, I learned, are often called time-
catchers. I had never heard that term before,
but it sure does make sense, especially when
I think about Shabbat and the work week.
Th e 13th of February became an all around
time-catching experience for me when my
husband, Jay, my younger son, Jeff rey, and
I went to write our letter in the Torah. Th e
power and connection of that moment are
hard to describe. It is strange to say, but
there was
also a quiet
simplicity
about the
moment as
well. I wasn’t
quivering in
anticipation; it
felt peaceful.
What I realized
is that we
were truly
being time-catchers by taking what would
normally be a typical Sunday afternoon
and making it a sacred one. We captured a
moment and made it our own. We elevated
the work of our hands beginning with
netilat yedayim to actually writing the letter
hay in a sacred document that has touched
the past, present, and God-willing, the
future.
Torah. Time. Time-catching. I
can’t wait for my other son, Ira, to
come home from graduate school
so he can participate in his own
awesome, time-catching moment.
Maybe I am no longer so much at
war with time; just maybe I am more
committed to make each and every
moment count. May God grant my
family and me the strength, vigor,
and wisdom to do that.
Marsha and her husband, Jay, have two sons, Ira and
Jeff rey, both graduates of the Rosenbloom Religious
School. She is a teacher and has been a member of
Chizuk Amuno for close to fi fty years. She remembers
with great aff ection and respect Rabbi Goldman,
Cantor Salkov, Reverend Dickstein, and Stanley Minch
– important fi gures in her youth who helped to make
Chizuk Amuno her second home.
fu
c
c
so
a
M
w
c
m
fa
8 | HaZ’man ~ This Season
by Fran Glushakow Gould
I have had “Oh My God” experiences
before. Like the fi rst time I saw the kotel
in Jerusalem. Or when my children were
born. Or when a dolphin kissed me in
Mexico. But this was diff erent. Writing a
letter in the Torah – in the fi rst sentence of
B’reisheet no less, now THAT was an “Oh
My God” experience.
I was excited about doing it, but really
had no expectations about what it would
feel like or how I would respond. When
I ascended to write my letter, in a very
real sense, I felt like I was a vehicle for my
people. Sounds hokey, even to me. But I felt
a glow while I sat before the Torah. It came
from within. A joy. A sense of import. Th is
is the TORAH. Th is is what it’s all about!
And I am helping to write one, with my
daughter and husband, and with all of the
community of Chizuk Amuno.
Th is will be passed on, and read
for generations to come, just as the
Sifrei Torah now in the ark have
been informing our people here and
throughout the world for millennia. We
read the Shema every day. It admonishes
us to keep the word of God in our minds
and in our hearts, and to teach it to our
children. And I had that extraordinary
chance to participate in actually writing
God’s word, to perpetuate the sacred text
in some very small but some very huge
way as well. I hope that sense of sacred
connectedness stays with me.
Fran Glushakow Gould has been a commercial real
estate attorney for almost 30 years. In addition, she
has recently completed her coursework in Aging at
The Johns Hopkins University Odyssey Program. She is
the mother of three and a regular shul-goer with her
husband, Warren.
by Ronnie Kleiman
I am most appreciative of participating in
this honor – writing in our community
Torah. My family has been a part of Chizuk
Amuno for more than sixty years and this
provides a continuum for me.
Th e “nun” – my letter – represents a
miracle. As I prepared to write in the Torah,
this miracle occurred: the inscription in
an Etz Hayim humash next to the Torah
parchment was in memory of my husband,
Herbert. I will remember the possibility of
miracles as I will recall this day.
Throughout her years at Chizuk Amuno, Ronnie
participated in Sisterhood and served as Sisterhood
president for 2 years. She also volunteered in the Judaica
Shop and co-chaired the Judaica Shop committee. She
has enjoyed learning in Judy Meltzer’s Wednesday book
club for many years. She is thrilled to be able to “give
back” to the community after years of Chizuk Amuno
giving to her.
Pesah 5771 | 9
by David Mark
5771…613…140. As Jews, and as
members of Chizuk Amuno, these
numbers hold a common meaning for all
of us. Participating in the writing of a new
Torah, like those numbers, is monumental
in its meaning and signifi cance. When you
stop to think about it, what experience can
we attest to that compares to this? Certainly
not writing a novel, a resume, or texting,
exercises that we all may have
done at some point in our
lives. We are helping to write
the foundation of our religion,
the laws given from Hashem
through Moses that guide
every aspect of our lives. To
say, then, that I was humbled
by the experience of writing is
an understatement.
For nearly 100 years my
family has been members of
Chizuk Amuno, celebrating
b’nei mitzvah and weddings,
participating in minyan,
Shabbat, and holiday services,
and attending religious school.
by Temrah Okonski
On February 13, 2011, our family
fulfi lled the 613th commandment – we
wrote in Chizuk Amuno’s new Torah. Like
most families coming together on this day,
reaching this point was quite a journey. We
started our family in Washington State and
were members of a small synagogue. Th e
building was actually an old home, and the
synagogue was serviced by a student rabbi
who visited twice a month.
Upon moving to Maryland we searched
for a synagogue that was inclusive, one that
could meet our diff erent life needs and
foster our family’s Jewish identity. Sitting
in the Sanctuary during the Mitzvah of
Torah program I was reminded, once again,
of all that Chizuk Amuno has done for us.
We sat amongst our dear Krieger Schechter
teachers, staff , and friends. We sat close
to our cherished Rosenbloom staff and
friends, and we sat in view of our esteemed
bat mitzvah mentors. I felt privileged and
honored to be surrounded by so many
people who have
touched our lives.
We inscribed the
letter hay from the
word, hashamayim, the
sky. Every letter and
every word in the Torah
is special and it was a
wonderful coincidence
that our letter was from
the word sky, where
we often gaze with
wonder, questions, and
feelings of hope. Th e
act of writing the letter
was an overwhelming
feeling. Th e four of us
stood there, in that moment, connecting
with our past while becoming intertwined
with our future.
As Rabbi Druin explained, the fi rst
letter of the Torah is a bet, compelling us to
approach life with questions. Th ough the
future is an open-ended question, there is
one thing that I know, and that is that our
family will continue its journey in the arms
of Chizuk Amuno.
The Okonski family lives in Ellicott City and are fi rst
generation members of Chizuk Amuno. Temrah and Gene
have two children, Jerel, who attends KSDS and Mindra, who
attended KSDS and is now involved in Kadima and RRS.
Chizuk Amuno was my father’s home
away from home; if Dad wasn’t there for
daily minyan or Shabbat, people would
worry – “Where’s Jack, is he ok?” My sister’s
early schooling and experiences at Chizuk
Amuno laid the foundation for her pursuit
of Orthodox Judaism when she moved back
to Baltimore. Th e spirit and memory of my
father, mother, and sister fi lled my heart as
I entered the chapel that Sunday evening
with my wife and one of our sons. Together,
with my family all around and a part of me,
I felt proud, honored, and humbled that I
had this unique opportunity to perform this
mitzvah. Entering the synagogue and the
chapel will forever hold a new and special
meaning for me.
David and his wife, Kimberly, will be celebrating their
27th wedding anniversary in May. They have two sons –
Jonathan, who lives in Federal Hill and works in Canton,
and Joshua, who is a junior at the University of Maryland,
majoring in engineering.
e
d
li
th
th
th
e
sa
b
a
fa
C
b
p
S
a
10 | HaZ’man ~ This Season
A v o d a hA v o d a h
Every day, twice a day, we are reminded
in the shema of the mitzvah of tefi llin.
Th is ancient ritual reminds us of our
connection to God and binds us together
as a community. Th is year, for the fi rst
time, the Vav (7th grade) students at
Rosenbloom Religious School learned about
and experienced the mitzvah of tefi llin in
a whole new way. Th e students have been
learning all about tefi llin for two years. Th is
year they had the opportunity to create their
own sets. Th e Rosenbloom Religious School
partnered with Scribe Rabbi Menachem
Youlus to help each 7th grader, along with
their parents, build their own set from the
bottom up.
During this three month process, the
students helped with sofrut, writing the
text, building the boxes, and assembly.
Each meeting marked a separate step of
the process—and a new skill learned. Th e
families learned the meaning of each step
and to appreciate the value of tefi llin in a
whole new way.
It’s increasingly important that we
recognize and remember the ingenuity and
purposes of our ancient rituals. Th ese rituals
continue to root us in our Jewish faith
and practice. In an era when technological
advances are routine, it was humbling to
see a 2,000 year old tradition re-awaken our
students and their families and remind them
of the strength of our history.
Binding Our Community
Pesah 5771 | 11
Completing the Mitzvah of Clothing the Naked – A Legacy of Love and Service
The Talmud talks about the 10 ingredients
for creating an ideal community – “…a
scholar should not reside in a city where
the following things are not found…”
Th is was the topic of the pre-dinner study
session led by Rabbi Deborah Wechsler
during the preparation of 2,000 pieces of
chicken for Our Daily Bread. Th is year’s
chicken prep was not without challenges
– postponed once due to snow and in
jeopardy on the rescheduled evening due
to snow and icy conditions earlier in the
day. Fortunately, Chizuk Amuno volunteers
are tenacious when it comes to the mitzvah
of feeding the hungry. Todah Rabbah to
Jenny Baker and Wendy Davis (project
leaders), Brian Crystal, Hillary Crystal, Marsha Gamerman, Leah Helman, Jody
Levy, David Sall, Nancy Sall, Maury Sall, Sophie Sall, Judy Spector, Marvin Spector, and Cheryl Snyderman. Special
thanks to Netivon students and their
teacher, Rachel Weitzner, for labeling all of
the casseroles and loading the van. We want
to express our appreciation to Chef Annie Hood, Karen Kopp, and Brian Dubin for
their professional guidance and hard work
with this important congregational eff ort.
Th e BBQ chicken and rice will provide
two meals for the 700 men, women, and
children in our community who rely on
Our Daily Bread for sustenance each day.
Barbara and Bernard Gorban were
married for nearly 60 years. Bernie
was a lifelong member of Chizuk Amuno.
Barbara reports that Chizuk Amuno “was
Bernie’s life” and he attended services almost
every Shabbat. He was a profi cient Haftarah
reader and participated in many aspects of
synagogue life. Before Bernie’s retirement
in 1976, he taught French and Spanish at
Northwestern High School. Many Chizuk
Amuno members are former students.
After his death in 2009, Barbara donated
Bernie’s business clothing to the IOU
Clothing Drive. Th is drive collects clothing
for agencies helping residents of Baltimore
City facing unemployment and attempting
to retrain for jobs. Barbara says it was
diffi cult and wanted to keep the clothing in
the family, but Bernie was short and their
grandson is 6’4” tall.
Since Bernie’s death, Barbara has become
a regular at Shabbat services, at fi rst saying
Kaddish for Bernie and now because she
enjoys coming to services. Barbara
has made new
friends in the
congregation and
her favorite prayer
is V’Al Koolam.
She cherishes her
relationships with
her adult children,
grandchildren, and
friends. Barbara
continues Bernie’s
legacy and renews her
commitment to Chizuk Amuno through
her own participation, presence, and her
response to creating community through
service to others.
Pesah 5771 | 11
nd now because she
vices. Barbara
r
th
Th
ses
du
ch
ch
– p
jeo
to
da
are
2,000 Pieces of BBQ Chicken… and Counting2,000 Pieces of BBQ Chicken… and Counting
“hametz” have we cleaned and removed from our own hearts or
minds in getting ready to celebrate Pesah?)
Since matzah is made from fi ve of the same grains that produce
bread—wheat, barley, oats, rye, and spelt—matzah is anything that
has the potential to become hametz. For fi fty-one weeks each year
we don’t attach value judgments to our daily bread. On Passover we
live the cliché—we are what we eat! As Israel Zangwill taught, “On
Passover Jews eat history and drink theology!”
In an attempt to re-enact the experience out of which our Jewish
people and heritage emerged, we look to the simple and lowly fare of
the slave. Slaves ate matzah. Th e slave’s is the most humble of lives.
In contrast, the taskmaster exalted himself and believed that others
must do his bidding. His was a lavish style of food and life.
For Judaism the freedom and equality that we seek for all
people requires that humility, not arrogance, remain our ideal
way. We cannot live as people who serve our own wills
alone. Fermented grain implies personal and social excess.
Unleavened bread suggests modesty. Passover teaches us
that human arrogance is held in check by
awareness of existence beyond ourselves.
Th e change we make from hametz to
matzah symbolizes that our eff orts in life
are in service of God and the values of
God’s presence in our world.
On Passover we turn our basic need
for food and nourishment into the
symbolic agent through which we
express our faith and personal
values. Just as all matzah
is potentially hametz, so
are we, descendents of
unpretentious slaves,
potentially the
hardened and
As we anticipate our Passover holiday we are what some people
have called, “Eve of Pesah” Jews and people. We are poised like
at no other time before this unique festival to consider the meanings
of freedom and human dignity.
When we come to our Seder tables we know that there will be no
hametz, no leavened foods or products. We will eat only matzah.
Yet as food, matzah can only be made of any grain that is able to
become hametz.
For the Seder and the full eight days of Passover, matzah
symbolizes every good intention or simple truth. Hametz represents
every good intention exploited, every simple truth disguised. For
this religious reason, and to connect our own homes and lives to the
master story of our people’s history and sacred identity, we clean and
prepare our houses and ourselves in order to celebrate Passover.
(As your Seder begins ask this question: What “matzah”
have we brought with us tonight? What
12 | HaZ’man ~ This Season
Preparing For Passover–A Guide to Meaning & MethodPreparing For Passover–A Guide to Meaning & MethodApril 2011 April 2011 NisanNisan 5771 5771
conceited of heart and mind. One week each year we return to the
core ideals and basic visions of the goodness, honesty, and dignity
our lives should refl ect and toward which we work to guide our
society.
Th e physical process of cleaning, preparing, and changing our
homes and kitchens is intended to inform our spiritual identities.
Ritual and tradition without ethics is also ritual and tradition
without deeper meaning.
Here are guidelines to help you kasher (make proper for Pesah)
your home for Passover. Please call on Rabbis Shulman and
Wechsler for any questions you may have and about how to best
grow in celebrating the beautiful meanings and joys of the Passover
holiday.
First, before you begin cooking for the holiday, remove from
your kitchen foods that contain hametz — grains and their
derivatives that you won’t be eating during the holiday. Th ese
include: breads, cakes, cookies, crackers, cereals, pasta, and the like.
All liquids containing grain alcohol should also be removed. Rice,
corn, beans, and peas are also considered hametz and taken out from
the kitchen.
You may store unopened packages and dry goods that you will
want to use after Passover in another place, perhaps in the garage
or a closet, or even in a kitchen cabinet that will remain closed
throughout Pesah. Th ese items should be “sold” before Passover to
symbolically cancel your ownership of them. (You may do this by
fi lling out the form on page 14.) It is customary to make a modest
contribution to feed others as part of this “sale.” Many people also
donate some of these foods to shelters and soup kitchens for the
benefi t of others. Please consider participating in Chizuk Amuno’s
Food Drive at this season.
Second, thoroughly clean your kitchen—paying close attention
to cupboards and drawers, the refrigerator and freezer, countertops
and sink. Some people are careful to clean the grout between
kitchen tiles, as well. Your stovetop should also be scrubbed clean.
Afterward, turn the burners on to full fl ame or heat for just a
moment. After you clean your microwave oven, place a glass of
water into it and turn the oven on until the water boils. A self-
cleaning oven can be made ready for Passover by its normal cleaning
method. Other ovens should be completely scoured and then run
on high for a brief period after they are clean. Run your empty
dishwasher through a complete wash cycle to prepare it for use.
When your kitchen is clean, pour boiling water over any exposed
metal surfaces and then you’ll be ready to bring in your Passover
foods and utensils.
Dishes, pots, and utensils especially reserved for Passover should
be used. Many people use paper, plastic, and other disposable
items to help keep costs down. Any utensils or pots made entirely
of metal that you use during the rest of the year may be placed in
boiling water after they have been scoured and then used during
Passover. All table glassware can be used after complete cleaning.
Earthenware, enamel, wood, porcelain, and plastic items cannot be
made kosher for Passover. Towels and linens can be used after they
have been thoroughly washed. Purchase new sponges for Passover.
Close away or store those things in your kitchen that you will not be
using during the holiday.
Th ird, bring your kosher for Passover foods into your prepared
and very clean kitchen! Th e only foods that require a “Kosher for
Passover” label are: all matzah products and baked goods, processed
foods, (canned, bottled, or frozen) wine, vinegar, liquor, oils, dried
fruits, candy, chocolate fl avored milk, ice cream, yogurt, and soda.
Many other products are labeled “Kosher for Passover” and it is
always preferable to use them during the holiday.
Consumer warning: watch out for the vast variety of foods
marketed and sold for Passover that strive to imitate hametz and
that you probably won’t use or need anyway! Keep focused on the
values of the holiday we are celebrating while remembering that it is
a festive and special time. A good rule of thumb is, if I wouldn’t buy
this during the other 51 weeks of the year, why do I need it now?
Fourth, do what you can to help others during your Passover
preparations. In your family preparing the house and kitchen should
be a joint eff ort—there is plenty for parents and children to do
together.
On the Sunday night before the fi rst Seder, carefully hide a few
breadcrumbs around the house and send your children on a hunt to
fi nd them. Th is is known as Bedikat Hametz, a fi nal search to rid the
house of hametz. Th e old custom is to take a feather and wooden
spoon, scoop the breadcrumbs into a paper bag, and then burn it
all. Th e B’rakhot—blessings that are recited for this ritual—can be
found in most Haggadot.
In addition to delivering your hametz for the use of others,
consider making a contribution to the Passover Fund at Chizuk
Amuno Congregation as well as Mazon: A Jewish Response To
Hunger to provide food for those in need. Th is tzedakah is known
in Jewish tradition as Ma’ot Hittim (Grain Money).
Finally, prepare your Seder celebration in advance of your
family and friend’s arrival. Preparing a meaningful Seder is one of
the most important needs we have as Passover approaches. Th ink
about who will be present with you, how long they can sit, what
ideas and activities will best interest and engage them, and how
you can join together in retelling the story of our people’s Exodus
from Egypt. A “talking Seder” of discussion, games, or activities and
conversation that uses the Haggadah for the Seder’s order, prayers,
and explanation of symbols works well!
Pesah 5771 | 13
Sale of HametzHametz may be sold by completing this form until 10 a.m.
Monday morning, April 18, 2011. Hametz that is sold reverts to
your ownership when Pesah is concluded on Tuesday evening,
April 26, 2011.
I/We hereby authorize Dr. Moshe Shualy as the agent of
Chizuk Amuno Congregation to use the enclosed contribution in
part to symbolically sell all leaven (hametz) in my/our possession.
Th e remainder of my/our contribution will be set aside as
tzedakah for Ma’ot Hittim.
Signature and date
Address and city
Shabbat, April 23 | 3rd Hol HaMoedShabbat Hol HaMoed of Pesah Morning Service 9:15 a.m.
We recognize our Madrikhim – B’nei Mitzvah Tutors
Family Service 10:00 a.m.
Kiddush honoring our Madrikhim following Services
Study Session 6:15 p.m.
Minhah/Ma’ariv 7:15 p.m.
Havdalah 8:17 p.m.
Sunday, April 24 | 4th Hol HaMoedShaharit 9:15 a.m.
Minhah/Erev 7th Day of Pesah 6:00 p.m.
Candle Lighting 7:35 p.m.
Monday, April 25 | 7th Day PesahSeventh Day of Pesah Festival Morning Service 9:15 a.m.
Family Service 10:00 a.m.
Minhah/Erev 8th Day Pesah 6:15 p.m.
Candle Lighting 8:19 p.m.
Tuesday, April 26 | 8th Day Pesah, YizkorEighth Day of Pesah Festival Morning Service 9:15 a.m.
Yizkor Memorial Prayers
Family Service 10:00 a.m.
Parents wishing to join the Yizkor service in the Sanctuary
are welcome to keep their children in the Family Service.
Minhah/Ma’ariv 7:45 p.m.
Havdalah 8:20 p.m.
Hametz may be eaten after 8:45 p.m.
Siyyum B’khorim-First Born Minyan Followed by Breakfast, In Memory of Warren Komins
Siyyum B’khorim is a morning minyan and brief study session followed by a
light breakfast, the last hametz meal before Passover. Attendance at this minyan
is a special mitzvah for all fi rst-born males. First born daughters and everyone else
are also welcome!
The tradition of attending a Siyyum B’khorim marks the role of the fi rst born of both
Israel and Egypt in the Exodus story. It is also a moment to mark with gratitude the gift
of freedom we will celebrate on Passover. Join in this fi nal preparation for Passover on
Monday, April 18 at 7 a.m. in the Hoff berger Chapel.
Holiday services are warm and special times. We invite you to
join the meaning, spirit, and beauty of celebrating Passover
with your synagogue community.
Our Festival Services will begin at 9:15 a.m. on each of Passover’s
four holiday mornings. We’ll share in prayer, celebration and
refl ection, and study Torah and Passover’s themes together. Our
festival gathering will conclude with a holiday Kiddush.
Monday, April 18 | Erev PesahShaharit – Siyyum B’khorim 7:00 a.m.
Fast of the First Born
Minhah/Erev Pesah 6:00 p.m.
Candle Lighting 7:29 p.m.
First Seder Night
Tuesday, April 19 | 1st Day PesahPesah Festival Morning Service 9:15 a.m.
Candle Lighting 8:13 p.m.
Minhah/Erev Pesah 6:15 p.m.
Second Seder Night
Wednesday, April 20 | 2nd Day PesahPassover Festival Morning Service 9:15 a.m.
Minhah/Ma’ariv 7:45 p.m.
Havdalah 8:14 p.m.
Thursday, April 21 | 1st Hol HaMoedShaharit 7:00 a.m.
Minhah/Ma’ariv 6:15 p.m.
Friday, April 22 | 2nd Hol HaMoedShaharit 7:00 a.m.
Shabbat Hol HaMoed Pesah
Oneg Shabbat/Minhah 6:00 p.m.
Kabbalat Shabbat 6:15 p.m.
Candle Lighting 7:33 p.m.
A Place at the Table
Be a host for Passover seder! We are often contacted by college
students, local hospitals, and also congregants who would like
to share a Passover seder. If you have room at your table for new
friends, please be in touch with Rabbi Wechsler.
Be a guest for a Passover seder! We have wonderful seder experiences
with new Chizuk Amuno friends waiting for you. If you are in need
of a seder to attend for either fi rst or second night, please be in touch
with Rabbi Wechsler.
14 | HaZ’man ~ This Season
Pre-Pesah Shabbat DinnerFriday, April 15
6:00 p.m. Oneg Shabbat / Minhah
6:15 p.m. Kabbalat Shabbat
7 p.m. Dinner
Your kitchen is already pesadik. What do you do?
Join us for a Pre-Pesah Shabbat dinner!
Your RSVP must be received by Friday, April 8.
Name
Phone
No. of people $
Number of adults, $25/person, CAC members: /
$28/person, CAC non-members: /
Number of children (5-12yrs), $15/child, CAC members: /
$16 non-members: /
Number of children (0-5yrs), $10: /
$ Amount enclosed
Special Passover EventsSpecial Passover EventsSunday, April 10Sunday, April 10The Harold and Sybil Eff ron Memorial Lecture ProgramHow to Lead a Seder in One Easy LessonRabbi Ron Shulman
Sunday, April 10, 10 - 11:30 a.m.
Everything you need to know to have the best seder ever!
No Fee
Dunkin’ Pots and PansOn Sunday, April 10, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. in the Esterson
Auditorium kitchen, we will help you kasher your silverware or
metal pots and utensils. Items used during the year may be used
for Passover, if they undergo a process of kashering called hag’alah.
Hag’alah involves immersing the item in a container fi lled with
boiling water.
Please note: Baking utensils cannot be kashered. Silverware or
pots must be made entirely of metal. Items must be thoroughly
cleaned prior to kashering. Items may not be used 24 hours prior to
kashering.
Please line up by the Esterson kitchen at the door off the
driveway. Bring a laundry hamper and clean towel to take your
items home, as we do not have room for storage and drying. You
will also be able to pick up bedikat hametz kits, sell your hametz, and
donate Ma’ot Hittim. RSVP to Judy Simkin at ext. 232.
Special Judaica Shop HoursPlease note: On Sunday, April 10 the Judaica Shop will be open
extended hours from 9:15 a.m. until noon to accomodate your Pesah
shopping needs. For a complete schedule of regular hours, please see
the ad on page 20.
Pre-Passover Food DrivePlease note: We need volunteer drivers on Sunday, April 10 at
10:30 a.m. for food delivery. For complete details regarding the
Food Drive, please see the back cover.
Pesah 5771 | 15
Chef Annie’s CCCChhhhheeffff AAAAnnnnnnnnnniiee’’ssss Fabulous Brisket FFFFaabbbbuuuuulooooouusssss BBBBBBBrriiisssskkkkeeeeetttt at Your aattt YYYYYooouuuurrrr SederSSSSSSSeeeeddddeeeeerrrr!!
It’s Time to Order!
Let us help you make your holiday preparation a little easier.
Chef Annie will be preparing her fabulous brisket and root vegetable gravy
just for your seder. All you have to do is heat and serve.
Just $60 for a 3 lb. container
Pick up will take place on Monday, April 18 until 3 p.m. in the Stulman Auditorium kitchen.
For further information, please call Jenny Baker, 410/486-6400, ext. 227.
Orders must be received by
Friday, April 1—no late orders will be accepted.
Please send your check made payable to Chizuk Amuno Congregation to:
Chizuk Amuno Congregation, Attention: Passover Brisket, 8100 Stevenson Road, Baltimore, MD 21208
16 | HaZ’man ~ This Season
Goldsmith Early Childhood Education Center Hebrew Immersion Class Explores the Seven days of Creation
It all began as they sang and wished one another
Shavua Tov, a good week, after celebrating their fi rst
monthly Havdalah service. The kids were learning a song
that named the working days of the week and Shabbat as
a day of rest using the following words:
yom - day, avodah - work, mehnuha - rest.
This led to talking about creation and thanking God
for all that he created. The kids busily worked together to
create each day that Elohim (God) bahrah (created) using
diff erent art materials. When they got to the
seventh day, they welcomed Shabbat and
rested, just like God did. They truly enjoyed
the whole process of learning and creating.
P.S. Morah Orly Purrio and Morah Sara
Berman’s class recently added a fi sh to
their science center and the kids voted
to name it Hamishi, fi fth, because God
created fi sh on the fi fth day.
e
The Congregational Life Committee
hosted our second club social in
December. One hundred fi fty people
came out to enjoy music by Three of
a Kind, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Earthrise,
and David Madoff . Each group highlighted the
magnifi cent talent of our synagogue community,
including (in addition to David) musicians Jonny
Lewis, Leslie Pomerantz, Jeff Snyder, and Jeremy
Schon. Chef Annie provided a great spread and
DiWine Spirits set up beer, wine, and bourbon
tasting. Thanks to Brotherhood for helping to
organize the music.
e
Pesah 5771 | 17
B’rukhim HabaimBB’rruukkkkhhhiimmmm HHHHaaabbaaiimm • • Welcome to Our New MembersWWWWellccommme ttoo OOuurr NNeeewwww MMMMeemmbbeerrrs
We are happy to welcome those who have most recently chosen to join our Chizuk Amuno family.
If you have friends or family who may be interested in joining Chizuk Amuno, please call our Membership Coordinator, Cheryl Snyderman, 410/486-6400, ext. 300.
Danielle Goldstein
Ann and Frank Gorton
Eddie and Nanette Greenberg
Tracy and Eric Hochberg
Pauline and Marc Lapin
Hannah and Martin Magram
Megan and Joshua Schermer
Rebecca and Eric Scherr
Marilyn and Sonny Spector
Amanda and Joshua Weinberg
Sybil and Herbert White
Vanda and Marshall White
Deborah Cardin and Jonathan Willis
Melanie and Lorne Yasbin
Brotherhood Honors Their Blue Yarmulke Man-of-the-Year
In January, Michael Freilich was honored as the Chizuk
Amuno Brotherhood Blue Yarmulke Man-of-the-Year. This
honor is bestowed upon a member of the Brotherhood
who has shown outstanding spirit, participation, and
leadership over an extended period. Michael, a 15 year
member of the Brotherhood, has held almost all board
positions of responsibility, including President, and has
been instrumental in developing programming for the
Brotherhood.
During his term as president of Chizuk Amuno
Brotherhood, Michael served on the Board of the
Federation of Jewish Men’s
Clubs Seaboard region. Michael
currently serves as the vice
president of Programming for
FJMC Seaboard.
Michael has been instrumental
in developing and training with the
FJMC Keruv program, which helps
Brotherhoods eff ectively integrate
members whose families include
intermarried couples.
Parent Association Council – Linking Our Schools and Synagogue Communities
The PA Council assisted with two meaningful outreach
programs in December. The Krieger Schechter 2nd Grade
Annual Toy Drive partnered with the Goldsmith Early
Childhood Education Center and Rosenbloom Religious
School for our most successful collection of gently used
toys ever! The donations fi lled two vans and part of a
large truck. They were sent to the Community Assistance
Network, which distributed the toys, books, and
electronics to children who would otherwise not receive
presents during the December holiday season.
The PA Council also coordinated a school/synagogue
collection of 380 socks and $100 (from KSDS Middle
School tzedakah funds) that were used for winter survival
kits for Baltimore’s homeless. The assembly of the kits
took place on Community Mitzvah Day, coordinated by
THE ASSOCIATED and Jewish Volunteer Connection every
December 25.
Many thanks go to
the families that sent
in donations for these
projects. It demonstrates
our community unity
and the true meaning of
helping others.
Our next big event
is the Purim Carnival,
coming up on Sunday,
March 20. Be sure
to join us for this
fun day at Chizuk
Amuno. Tickets can
be purchased in
advance through our
school offi ces.
l
he
e
es
of
18 | HaZ’man ~ This Season
Sisterhood Wins Award of Excellence
Chizuk Amuno Sisterhood received the Emerald Jewel
in the Crown award at the 2010 International Women’s
League for Conservative Judaism convention this past
December. This award recognizes participation in three
categories during the two years between July 1, 2008
and June 30, 2010. Our planning and completion of
events in Education/Programming, Community Service/
World Aff airs, and Women’s League Activities qualifi ed us
for the highest award in the crown.
Each attendee at the convention was asked to
contribute to a collection for Books for Baltimore.
This program raised over $50,000 and provided 13,000
books for students in Baltimore City schools.
Visit www.youtube.com and search for “Women’s
League Books for Baltimore” to view a thank you from the
teachers and students as they received their books.
Keeping Busy With the Israel Engagement Committee
The Israel Engagement Committee has embarked
on an ambitious range of programs which have drawn
a tremendous response from the Chizuk Amuno
community. The goal of our committee is to further
enhance our community’s connection to Israel with
opportunities to learn more and connect with her culture
and people in new ways.
We kicked off the year with an Israeli song Sing-Along
on Hol HaMoed Sukkot. The KSMS choir and Kol Rinah
serenaded a large audience, who then joined in the
singing, fi lling the courtyard with the music of Israel.
Israeli food in the Attman Sukkah topped off the evening.
In the fall, we presented a panel of teens from
Chizuk Amuno in conversation with Shinshinim,
representatives from our sister-city of Ashkelon. The
Ashkelon representatives are spending this year working
with our community prior to their army service. This panel
shed a light on the diff erent challenges faced by young
people in our two communities, and explored how our
high school-aged members feel about Israel. In January,
we hosted a presentation on water issues in Israel and
the surrounding nations, presented by our own Ellen
Rosenberg. More than 60 people turned out on a chilly
Sunday morning to celebrate Tu B’Shevat, the new year of
the trees, and learn more about this important issue that
will come to be increasingly important in the future of the
Middle East.
Our First Annual Israel Film Festival has been
another winter highlight. Hundreds have welcomed
the opportunity to watch Israeli movies and socialize
over refreshments. The fi lms have off ered something
for everyone – the romantic comedy A Matter of Size
about Israeli Sumo wrestlers, the police thriller Ajami,
and the fi nal fi lm, I Was There in Color, a documentary
about the founding of the State of Israel. Our attention
has now turned to Israel’s 63rd birthday. On May 10, we
will host the Baltimore Zionist District’s community-
wide celebration, with special activities for children, a
live concert of Israeli music, Israeli edibles, and a special
tefi llah service for Yom Ha’atzmaut. Every Shabbat in our
prayer for Israel we thank God for the modern miracle
that is the State of Israel. On May 10, we will gather our
voices in song and prayer, accompanied by musicians from
our community and our schools’ choirs, to give thanks for
what Israel has brought to all our lives. We hope all will
join us for this special chance to celebrate !
Check out our bulletin board, across from the
Sisterhood Judaica shop, for more information about
Israel Engagement Committee upcoming events.
Project Mitzvah: Celebrating as a Community
Any given year at Chizuk Amuno we celebrate dozens
of b’nei mitzvah; we come together as a community to
help parents and families celebrate our young adults
entering into the brit, covenant, of our rich heritage. These
celebrations mark moments in time for the individual, the
family, and our kehillah kedushah, holy community, that
we all work so hard to create and perpetuate. The b’nei
mitzvah experience refl ects a long far-reaching process.
We could say that the process begins when a child is
born, but it extends farther than that - it extends to the
experience of our parents, grandparents, and beyond. It
is ultimately an acknowledgement of something that has
been around longer than any of us.
It is important to remember that the b’nei mitzvah
has very little to do with the day itself. Rather, it is the
experience that it represents—an acceptance and
acknowledgment of ones role in our community. Months
are spent shuttling to and from lessons, crafting a d’var
Torah, and meeting with the clergy. A very important
step in the process is participation in Project Mitzvah,
our Chizuk Amuno program designed for b’nei mitzvah
families to prepare and learn together. This program
helps reinforce the notion that the bar and bat mitzvah is
not only about the individual but also about the family
and greater Jewish world. We come together in Project
Mitzvah to explore questions like: Why do we celebrate a
bar or bat mitzvah? How is it a rite of passage and why do
we continue to celebrate this tradition? We come together
to celebrate the opportunity to reach this moment and
celebrate the experience.
This year, for the fi rst time, we have reshaped the
b’nei mitzvah preparation experience to focus around
Shabbat, the cornerstone of our Jewish world. We have
come together twice so far this year to pray, eat, and
learn together. At our most recent meeting in January,
we joined with the larger CAC community to celebrate
a special interactive learning Shabbat in the Sanctuary.
There, Rabbis Shulman and Wechsler answered questions
from the bimah and taught throughout the Shabbat
morning service.
We will continue to meet throughout the year to learn,
volunteer, and pray. In doing these things we are able
to demonstrate by example—it is not just the day of
the bar or bat mitzvah itself that is important, but all the
learning leading up to it and the commitment to mitzvah
that follows.
Please join us in continuing our record of excellence in serving the Chizuk Amuno community. As we celebrate our 125th Anniversary, we look forward to many years of growth
and support of our synagogue. A special celebration will take place on Wednesday, May 25. Watch for details in the next HaHodesh~This Month at Chizuk Amuno and on the
Sisterhood page of the Chizuk Amuno website. For information about Sisterhood activities and membership, contact Charlee Sterling, 410/902-6255 or [email protected].
CCChhiizzzuukkkk AAAAAAAAAmmmmmmmuuuuunnnnnnoooooo SSSSisssteerrrrhhooooooddddd BBaabbbyy aannnnddd KKKKidddd’’sssss GGGGGGeeeeeeaaaaarrrrr aaaaannnddd CCClloottthhinnnnnggg SSSSSSaaaaaalleeeee
((IInnfffaaaaaannnnntttt tttttooooo TTTTTTToooddddlleeerr))
Sunday, April 10, 2011, 8:30 a.m. -1 p.m.Chizuk Amuno Congregation, Garden Lounge
Live a “greener” lifestyle. Clean out your house. Make some extra cash. Raise funds for Chizuk Amuno Sisterhood.
To volunteer or sell items, please contact Sara Hoffman, [email protected].
Pesah 5771 | 19
Chizuk Amuno Congregation Cemeteries
Serving our synagogue community with sensitivity and caring in the selection of
individual and family cemetery plots. Perpetual Care, always our standard.
Pre-need purchases help to relieve stress on families during times of crisis.
For information please contact:
Arlington CemeteryNorth Rogers Avenue
Barbara Lichter 410/486-6400, ext. 248 [email protected]
Garrison Forest CemeteryGarrison Forest Road at Crondall LaneMarsha Yoffe 410/486-6400, ext. 309
Phot
o co
urte
sy o
f Len
deP
as
Your Life Cycle Events
at Chizuk Amuno!
Bris
Baby Naming
Bar / Bat Mitzvah
Aufruf
Wedding
Birthday
Anniversary
For more information about
catering and room rental options,
including
our beautiful and versatile
Krieger Auditorium,
please contact Jenny Baker, ext. 227
YYYY
aaaaa
For more infinfformormmo atationonono ababoouutut
CelebrateCelebrate In Memoriam
It is with sadness that we at Chizuk Amuno mark
the recent passing of our dear friend and colleague,
Rhoda Toney. Rhoda served as a receptionist in the
Administrative Offi ce for 20 years. We remember her
pleasant manner, her warm smile, and her dedication.
Torah Writing Volunteer OpportunityIf you experienced the beauty of that special moment when you wrote in our new
Torah, then you understand how that time was enhanced by the assistance of a volunteer.
Several Chizuk Amuno members have volunteered to help make each writing session
run smoothly. If you are interested and available to assist for future sessions
(note the complete schedule on the inside back cover), please contact Lynn Tucker at
[email protected] (subject: TORAH WRITING VOLUNTEER) or call
410/828-8310 – daytime only.
Krieger Schechter Middle School Learning Festival
On March 8, 9, and 10,
the Krieger Schechter Middle
School held its annual Learning
Festival. During the festival the
entire Middle School pauses
from its regular curriculum
to dedicate time to a single
topic. The theme this year was
Service...service to community,
to the country, and to the
planet. Toward that focus,
speakers joined us from agencies such as Baltimore County Police, various volunteer fi re
stations, and the State's Attorney's offi ce. In craft sessions, students made matzah covers
and seder plates to be donated to senior centers, they knitted blankets, and learned
about various international relief programs. A particular highlight of the Learning Festival
were the off -site visits: Frisky' Wildlife and Primate Sanctuary, The Howard County
Conservancy, the US Capitol (where 7th Graders met with Senator Ben Cardin), Irvine
Nature Center, Temple Emanuel in Reisterstown (for packing lunches), and the Stadium
Place Senior Center.
Come take a stroll Come take a stroll on Schechter Street on Schechter Street
A Fanciful Festival A Fanciful Festival Celebrating 30 years of excellence Celebrating 30 years of excellence
at Krieger Schechter Day School at Krieger Schechter Day School
Sunday, March 27, 6 - 9:30 p.m.Sunday, March 27, 6 - 9:30 p.m.Chizuk Amuno Congregation
20 | HaZ’man ~ This Season
Sisterhood Judaica ShopCurrently Featuring
Our Huge Selection of Pesah ItemsSeder Plates • Matzah Covers • Kiddush Cups
Lots of Popular Gift Items for the Youngsters and Young-At-Heart on your List
Books • Toys • Kitchenware Collections (aprons, cookbooks, serving pieces)
Plus! The Woman of Valor collection has arrived!This popular ceramic grouping never stays long on shelves
so take advantage of its availability now.
Shop Hours:Sunday: 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Monday: 9:30 - 11:30 a.m., 2 - 6 p.m.
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday: 10 a.m. - noon, 2 - 6 p.m. • Friday: 10 a.m. - noon
Our award-winning
Jewish early childhood
education program and our
exciting summer camp
feature full-day options
and flexible scheduling.
Now accepting applications
for Summer Camp,
June 20 - August 12
and Fall 2011 Preschool.
8100 Stevenson Road, Baltimore, MD 21208
410/486-8642 • [email protected]
Michelle Gold,
GECEC Director
Elise Harrison,
Camp Director/GECEC Assistant Director
J E W I S H I D E N T I T Y • E X P L O R AT I O N • C R E AT I V I T Y • E N C O U R A G E M E N T • I N D I V I D U A L I T Y • E X P R E S S I O NJ E W I S H I D E N T I T Y • E X P L O R AT I O N • C R E AT I V I T Y • E N C O U R A G E M E N T • I N D I V I D U A L I T Y • E X P R E S S I O N
Goldsmith Early Childhood Education CenterGoldsmith Early Childhood Education Centerof Chizuk Amuno Congregation
Torah WritingTorah WritingIf you have not yet registered for the important mitzvah of writing a Torah, please call 410/486-8641, complete the form under the “Giving” section on our website: www.chizukamuno.org, or return the completed form below to Chizuk Amuno Congregation, 8100 Stevenson Road, Baltimore, MD 21208, Attn: Torah Writing Project.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Th ursday, June 2, 2011
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Monday, September 12, 2011
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Monday, December 12, 2011
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Monday, January 23, 2012
Morning Afternoon Evening
Contact InformationName
Phone (day and evening)
TIME SENSITIVE M ATERIAL please deliver promptly
Non Profit Org.US PostagePaidBaltimore, MDPermit No. 54414Chizuk Amuno
C O N G R E G A T I O N
1 8 7 1 ~ 2 0 1 1
A R I S E & C R E A T E
C H I Z U K A M U N O ’ S 1 4 0 T H A N N I V E R S A R Y
8100 Stevenson Rd. • Baltimore, Md 21208
www.chizukamuno.org
Questions? Call Miriam Foss, [email protected] or 410/486-6400, ext. 281.A service initiative made possible by the Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Gemilut Hasadim Endowment Fund
INTERVIEW INTERVIEW OUTFITS OUTFITS UNLIMITED UNLIMITED (I.O.U.) CLOTHING DRIVE(I.O.U.) CLOTHING DRIVE
Volunteers will be on hand in the Louis A. Cohen Family Chapel Lobby to accept donations and help unload cars. Receipts will be available.
Please drop off cleaned, gently worn professional clothing on hangers and accessories for men and women.
Volunteers are needed to transport items. Donations take place on weekdays and Sundays.
If you drive a van, SUV, or truckand would like to do a mitzvah, please contact Miriam Foss.
Give
the g
ift o
f a p
rofe
ssio
nal l
ook
...Gi
ve th
e gift
of a
pro
fess
iona
l loo
k ...
SUNDAY, MAY 1 • 9 A.M. - NOONSUNDAY, MAY 1 • 9 A.M. - NOON
A service initiative made possible by the Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Gemilut Hasadim Endowment Fund
FOOD WISH LIST:Beef stew, canned fruits, canned meats/tuna, canned vegetables, dish soap, disposable salt and pepper shakers,
ketchup and mayonnaise, laundry detergent, macaroni and cheese, metal forks, napkins, paper lunch bags, pasta and sauce, peanut butter and jelly, plastic baggies, plastic ware, rice, stove top stuffing, sugar, tea bags, toilet paper
For more information, call Miriam Foss, 410/486-6400, ext. 281
Please drop off your sealed, not-for-Passover food in binslocated in the Louis A. Cohen Family Chapel Lobby and the Administrative Lobby.
Please check expiration dates.
C H I Z U K A M U N O C O N G R E G A T I O NC H I Z U K A M U N O C O N G R E G A T I O N
P R E - P A S S O V E RP R E - P A S S O V E R
Monetary option: In lieu of food, monetary donations will be accepted and donated to kosher funds.Make checks payable to Chizuk Amuno, Attn. Food Drive.
.oFvx i ©g lk§l ©ri «¦A §U ©nE ,L «¤ci z ¤ ©g«¥zFRT O B E N E F I T C O M M U N I T Y A G E N C I E ST O B E N E F I T C O M M U N I T Y A G E N C I E S
¨ © ¨ §§§ ©©r© «««¦¦ §§ ©© ,,LL «««¤¤¤¨ ¤¤¤ © ««¥You open Your hand, and Your favor sustains all the living.
—Psalm 145
sunday, April 3 - Wednesday, April 13sunday, April 3 - Wednesday, April 13