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I write these words at 32,000 ft. on my way to brag about Beth Am to professors and future rabbis at the American Jewish University in Los Angeles. I’m reminded of my last trip, to Chicago, this past summer. It happened that, at its conclusion, I flew out of Milwaukee, having spent a wonderful week visiting my new baby nephew. Security lines are typically miserable places, so I was pleasantly surprised when, having braved the lines and Orwellian machines, feeling utterly discombobulated, I looked up to see a sign that brought a smile to my face. “Recombobulation Area,” the sign read. It was a place to sit down, replace shoes and belts, stuff the ubiquitous devices back into pockets and proceed to gates where flights awaited.

This month (improbably) we celebrate Hanukkah. We know the story, of course: of the oil that miraculously burned for eight days, of the Maccabees and their bravery and, if you’re a student of history, of the civil war that marked a Jewish nation torn apart by deep differences of practice and varying approaches to the Hellenistic world.

Hanukkah is all these things and more to our ancestors and to our Jewish historical narrative, but what does the holiday mean for us? Each chag has a purpose. Sukkot is about gratitude

RABBI’S MESSAGEHeshvan, Hanukkah: Rededication and Recombobulation Rabbi Daniel Cotzin Burg

NOVEMBER 2013 KISLEV 5774

CONTENTS

RABBI’S MESSAGE

PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE

CANTOR’S CORNER

CONGREGATIONAL LEARNING

CALENDARS

CONTRIBUTIONS

COMMUNITY NEWS

ANNUAL FUND

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Visit us on line at:bethambaltimore.org

and now you can:

facebook.com/ BethAmBaltimore

US ON

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Rabbi Daniel Cotzin Burg

OfficersPresident Scott Zeger1st Vice President Julie Gottlieb2nd Vice President Alyson BonavogliaTreasurer Alan KopolowSecretary Elaine Weiss

Trustees through 2014Betty ChemersJerry DoctrowEmily DemskyAshley Pressman

Trustees through 2015Eliza FellerCheri LevinDavid LunkenLynn Sassin

Trustees through 2016Neil KahnCindy ParadiesDesiree RobinsonJim Schwartz

Standing CommitteesAdult Ed Chair Elaine WeissAdult Ed Co-Chair Carla RosenthalFinance Chair Alan KopolowFinance Co-Chair Joe WolfsonHouse Chair Sam PolakoffKiddush Chair Meg HymanMembership Chair Sharon NathansonMembership Co-Chair Robin KatcoffReligious Services Chair Joe WolfsonSocial Action Chair Arthur ShulmanSocial Action Co-Chair Jackie DonowitzYouth Education Chair David Lunken

Ad Hoc CommitteesAnnual Fund Honorary Chair Gil SandlerAnnual Fund Chair Eliza FellerAnnual Fund Co-Chair Jim JacobsBaltimore Jewish Council Ben RosenbergBeth Am Connection Joanne Katz Risa JampelBAYITT Co-Chair Brian RossBAYITT Co-Chair Erica AllenCongregant to Congregant Joyce KeatingEutaw Place Ellen Kahan Zager Jack ZagerIn, For and Of Lisa Akchin Maggi GainesMarketing Chair Ellen SpokesOperations Co-Chair Ashley PressmanOperations Co-Chair David DemskyPast President Cy SmithPast President Jack LapidesHonorary Life Member Lainy LeBow-SachsHonorary Life Member Efrem Potts

Office HoursTuesday-Thursday: 9:00-4:00Friday: 9:00-3:00

Phone:Tel: 410.523.2446Fax: 410.523.1729 Extentions:Rabbi Burg - 14Rabbi Gludt - 15Henry Feller, Exec. Dir. - 20Linda Small, Coordinator - 12Norm Weinstein, Bookkeeper - 17Marsha Blank, Educator - 16Gail Wohlmuth, Admin. Spec. - 21Nakia Davis, Admin. Assist. - 11 Valerie Tracy, Marketing - 10

E-mail:Email: office1@bethambaltimore.orgWeb site: www.bethambaltimore.org

After hours office phone numbers:Rabbi Daniel Cotzin Burg443.202.0912 (cell) (emergencies only, please) or ravdaniel@bethambaltimore.org

Cantor Ira Greenstein443.759.7807 (home)cantor.ira@gmail.com

Rabbi Kelley Gludt, Director of Congregational Learning520.248.9541 (cell)educator@bethambaltimore.org

Scott L. Zeger, Board President410.868.7761scott.zeger@gmail.com

In case of an emergency, please contact:Henry Feller execdir@bethambaltimore.orgExecutive Director 410.602.2124 (home)

BETH AM BOARD

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PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE Nuts and Bolts Committees and Va’adot Scott Zeger

The Beth Am Board went on retreat Sunday, October 6, to discuss how to be a better spiritual home for learning, prayer and advancing social justice. Led by Vice President Julie Gottlieb, 32 leaders spent a day in conversation at the Pearlstone Retreat Center with Bob Leventhal, a professional moderator from the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (USCJ). The focus was on the Beth Am organization, from the Board to committees to the administrative roles of clergy and staff. It was a productive day that made me especially proud of the commitment of our lay leaders to strengthening Beth Am.

The retreat got me thinking about the role of the “task force” or what Rabbi Burg terms the “va’ad” at Beth Am. Task force is a term that arose in the WWII US Navy to describe a team organized to complete a specific task. The question is how task forces complement standing committees when we are envisioning, designing and managing programs at Beth Am. Think about two current va’adot: In, For and Of the Neighborhood (IFO), coordinated by Maggi Gaines and Lisa Akchin; and Year of Music, that Alyson Bonavoglia has agreed to shape in close partnership with Rabbi Burg, Cantor Greenstein, and others.

These Va’adot share four attributes:

1. Task-oriented: a focus on designing and executing one or a series of specific activities.

2. Opportunistic: the ideas tend to bubble up from the congregants and are nurtured by small groups of committed persons.

3. Cross-cutting: the work often cuts across religious, educational or community (e.g. Social Action) standing committees. Year of Music will involve programs in Kesher and Sanctuary Services, the Jewish Discovery Lab, adult education, Eutaw Place, and In, For and Of / Social Action.

4. Informal: participants can be effective by applying their specific skills at varying levels of time and effort. A looser organization can get the job done with a mix of in-person and on-line communications.

In, For and Of the Neighborhood is an example of a successful task force. It started with a question from Rabbi Burg at the High Holydays in 2011 – “what does it mean to be in, for, and of Reservoir Hill.” In the next year, 40 people or more joined informal discussions at different homes. Last year, Maggi and Lisa formed a study group; now the active members are identifying specific roles in the neighborhood to

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CANTOR’S CORNER:Preparation, Now and OngoingCantor Ira Greenstein

I often use this column to explain some text or to comment on liturgical music or prayer in general. I do not have a monopoly on these topics; rather, I aspire to get readers to become better at practicing Jewish prayer.

This month, I want to explore preparation. Just as one typically stretches and warms up before exercise in order to exercise longer and with less risk of injury, there is great benefit in preparing before praying to gain more and achieve deeper effect. In business, one might call this planning … and just as in business, planning yields better results more reliably, in prayer, preparation yields better results reliably. It is certainly possible to achieve something meaningful from a Jewish prayer service without spending a lot of time in preparation, but few would claim it is not worth the time to prepare for prayer. So, how do we create time to prepare?

Different people approach preparation in varied ways. Some of you are so fluent in the prayer text and what it means to you that you can treat prayers like a mantra, that by repeating them each service you obtain a peaceful state or whatever you seek in prayer. For others, you participate and derive whatever you can get from the experience, be it social, pleasurable, soulful, or enlightening. For some, a prayer service is centered more on learning than on prayer experience per se. Some seek to experience a connection with God or nature, or to appreciate for that moment in time a

context of ourselves in the universe. All are fine … the service is for you on your terms and I am not judgmental. I am pleased you are present both physically and mentally.

Yet, the formal service we conduct provides little opportunity to prepare, if you stick entirely within the proceedings; while we insert some truncated preparation appropriately at the beginning, this is before most people arrive. I recall one synagogue that printed High Holydays tickets with the traditional times on the back, which indicated that informal private contemplation began at 9 AM and services began at 9:30 AM. I thought it clever, but humorous – I do not recall a single person who came at 9 AM for 30 minutes of meditation. The huge sanctuary was nearly empty at 9.

At Beth Am services, we move rapidly through a few selections from the fixed texts that form the preparatory section of the service – psalms and blessings that purport to put us in the right mindset for prayer. As a prayer leader, I try to make our formal preparation texts like some fast-acting medicine that aims to take our minds off the mundane and towards the sacred. I think I am getting better at this over the years, trying to sense what works to bring people along with me. Unfortunately, I fear that there is simply not enough formal, provisioned time to prepare.

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Shabbat Lab is always the first Saturday of each month.Nov. 2 and Dec. 7

Shabbat Yachad is every Saturday of the month except the first one.Saturdays: November 9, 16, 23, and 30

for the natural world. Pesach is about celebrating freedom from oppression. Shavuot foregrounds the value of righteous societal norms. Yom Kippur is a call to repent. What about Hanukkah? What’s its purpose? What does it call us to do?

To understand Hanukkah’s full import, we should first consider its place in the calendar. Having marked the frenetic month of Tishrei – Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Hoshanah Rabbah, Shemini Atzeret and, finally, Simchat Torah, we are in desperate need of a break. The holidays are delightful and meaning-infused, but they are also a severe break from the routine of daily and weekly life. It’s no accident that Heshvan is bereft of chagim, it is the “recombobulation” month of the calendar, a time to breathe, catch up with forgotten or neglected work and center ourselves.

What, then, is Kislev and its signature holiday? Hanukkah is the flight we take, a journey to a distant land where heroes triumphed and miracles were still possible. Hanukkah is the magic reflected in every child’s eyes when s/he gazes into the flickering menorah. Hanukkah is the expedition to joy in a frustrating world and light amidst so much darkness. And it is a rededication, a commitment anew

YOUTH SERVICES

JEWISH DISCOVERY LABNovember

• Saturday, 2 - Shabbat Lab• Sunday, 3 - B’nai Mitzvah Class, USY:

Teen Beit Midrash• Wednesday, 6 - Lab (Mitzvoth)• Sunday, 10 - Lab (Zoo fieldtrip),

Kadima (Tie-Dye, Gaga, Pizza Party)• Wednesday, 13 - Lab (Mitzvoth) • Friday 15-17 - Shul Shabbaton• Wednesday, 20 - Lab (Mitzvoth)• Sunday, 24 - Lab (Music), Capital

Camps Presentation• Wednesday, 27 - NO LAB (due to

the Thanksgiving holiday)

December• Sunday, 1 - NO LAB (Thanksgiving)• Wednesday, 4 - Lab (Mitzvoth),

Hanukkah Party• Saturday, 7 - Shabbat Lab,

Overnight• Sunday, 8 - USY: Teen Beit Midrash• Wednesday, 11 - Lab (Mitzvoth)• Sunday, 15 - Lab, B’nai Mitzvah

Class• Wednesday, 18 - Lab (Mitzvoth)• Sunday 22 - Winter Break, NO LAB• Wednesday, 25 - Kadima/USY:

Movie• Sunday, 29 - Winter Break, NO LAB

Rabbi Burg from page 1

to Jewish living. (No wonder Hanukkah is when we mark our shul’s anniversary).

We all need a recombobulation area. But the terminal is never the journey and the gate is surely not the destination – it is, quite literally, a gate. The Jewish calendar keeps us moving across time and space, between God and humanity, and from individuals to families to purposeful communities like Beth Am. Everyone feeling sufficiently combobulated? Good! It’s time to get moving again.

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CONGREGATIONAL LEARNING Rabbi Kelley Gludt

With the High Holydays retreating in the distance, the Jewish Discovery Lab is off and running on an exciting, action-packed new year. We kicked it off with a family Sukkot breakfast and haven’t stopped since.

In just a few short weeks, Lab has learned the various blessings said over food and how to wear a tallit. Each student was given the opportunity to lay tefillin after peeking inside a pair. They went on a mezuzah scavenger hunt before making one of their own. The second graders began studying parsha hashavuah (the weekly Torah portion) and firming up their alef-bet. The third and fourth graders commenced a two-year cycle of intensive study on prayer while the fifth graders embarked on a new one-on-one online Hebrew learning program. Our sixth graders continue to be hard at work, exploring the siddur (prayerbook) while making plans to design their own.

Lab families enjoyed dinner together one Wednesday evening and the kids heartily endorsed Stay and Play, a chance to hang out after Lab on Sunday afternoon. Both of these events continued to build on our already strong community.

But the year is just getting started. This month we will venture to the zoo for a Kosher animal scavenger hunt. USY’s Teen Beit Midrash will kick off with a session on Shemirat HaLason: Communication in Cyberspace and Social Media. Kadima has plans to tie- dye and play gaga. The shul will enjoy the teachings of Joey Weisenberg and Ed Greenstein and spend the weekend together, learning, praying and playing, at Capital Camps at our first shul Shabbaton.

And this is just the first two months of the year! Stay tuned for even more exciting opportunities.

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It is also true, I believe, that with applied practice, one can accelerate preparation by learning to shift one’s mindset quickly from secular mode to sacred. Alternatively, I have used this column in the past to encourage congregants to “zone out” of the formal-delivered service and take personal time to prepare and think about the text. You can always rejoin the rest of us when you are ready. Use the space and place from the service that surrounds you, as an environment that permits you to extricate yourself from it, opting instead to focus “in your mind’s eye” on your thoughts and on whatever groundwork you feel would enhance your experience. And when it is time to return to the preordained flow of the service, enter the roadway from your personal ramp at highway speed. I will be on the bimah or at the leader’s table, happy for you and satisfied that you are better prepared to infuse yourself with a meaningful experience.

Cantor from page 4

pursue. Interlinking tasks are completed by coordinated smaller groups.

If the Beth Am vision resonates with you but your free time limits a major commitment, volunteer your talents and skills to a Va’ad. Try In, For and Of, the Year of Music, Beth Am Connection that serves our college-aged members, Beth Am Chix, Bayitt, or Eutaw Place. These Va’adot are a means to learn, pray, and advance social justice - to live Jewishly - in a manner that fits your situation.

In coming months, the Executive Committee and Board will be considering how to represent the interests and needs of Va’adot in Beth Am’s administrative and financial planning. Stay tuned.

Breaking Va’ad news: Inspired by IFO, Bonnie Guralnick decided Beth Am should create a kugel contest in this year’s Whitelock Farm greens’ competition. Eleven kugels were entered including spaghetti squash, mushroom, potato and Italiano savories and an array of sweets. My favorite and the first place winner: Cheri Levin’s sweet and buttery kugel. A task force in the making?

President from page 3

Donate your old cell phones to ChanaThe Social Action Committee is again participating in the collection of cell phones to be used by Chana, the Jewish Community Services domestic violence program. Chana will erase the phone contents and give them to clients for use in emergency situations. As you buy your new cell phones, please donate your old ones to Chana. Old cell phones may be deposited in the Chana box outside the social hall in the synagogue.

SUNDAY MORNING MINYANIM

Every Sunday - 9:30 amBeth Am Chapel Minyanim is every Sunday at 9:30 am with a bonus Learning Minyan the first Sunday of each month. Breakfast to follow.

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

RSVP the dates you expect to attend to nakia@bethambaltimore.org or 410.523.2446

2013

5774KISLEVNOVEMBER

Learn through Hot Topics Using Traditional & Modern TextsNoon - 1 pm

Richard Rosenthal’s Office (On-street parking is very limited. Garage parking available for a fee.)Tydings & Rosenberg, LLP 100 E Pratt, 26th floor Baltimore, MD 21202Nov. 12 - RDB - Evolution vs. CreationDec. 10 - RKG - Closeness

Karin Batterton’s Office Coldwell BankerVillage of Cross Keys38 Village SquareBaltimore, MD 21210Nov. 26 - RDB - Evolution vs. CreationDec. 17 - RKG - Closeness

All are welcome, please bring a fish/dairy lunch.Rabbi Daniel Cotzin Burg will lead during the months of Nov, Jan, Mar, and May. Rabbi Kelley Gludt will lead during the months of Oct, Dec, Feb, and April.

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday15:47 pm - Candle lighting 6 pm - Musician in Residence - Joey Weisenberg

28:45 am - Torah Study9:30 am - Sanctuary Services, Musician in Resi-dence - Joey Weisenberg 10:30 am - Shabbat Lab8 pm - Eutaw Place

3 Rosh Chodesh9:30 am - Minyan followed by Learning Minyan10 am - B’nai Mitzvah Class6 pm - USY: Teen Beit Midrash

4 Rosh Chodesh 56 pm - RHIC’s Annual Meeting

6 4:15 pm - Jewish Discovery Lab7 pm - Four Rabbis, Five Opinions at Max’s TaphouseFeaturing Rabbis Snyder, Mintz, Gross, and Burg

77 pm - BAYITT - Pre-Thanksgivukkah Baking Fest

84:40 pm Candle lighting6 pm - Congregational Service followed by BAYITT Thanksgivuk-kah Second Fridays Dinner

98:45 am - Torah Study 9:30 am - Kesher Services w/ People’s Talmud after Kiddush lunch10:30 am - Shabbat Yachad

109:30 am - Minyan9:30 am - Jewish Dis-covery Lab

117:30 - Social Action Committee meeting

1212 pm - Lunch & Learn6 pm - No Boundaries Coalition meeting

134:15 pm - Jewish Discovery Lab

14 15 Shul Shabbaton4:34 pm Candle lighting

16 Shul Shabbaton8:45 am - Torah Study 9:30 am - Kesher Services10:30 am - Shabbat Yachad8 pm - Eutaw Place

17 Shul Shabbaton9 am - Our Daily BreadNO MinyanNO Jewish Discovery Lab10 am - BAYITT Volunteer Morning at Real Foods Farm

18 19 204:15 pm - Jewish Discovery Lab

219 am - Our Daily Bread

224:30 pm Candle lighting 6 pm - Services fol-lowed by dinner and Scholar in Residence - Prof. Edward Green-stein

23 8:45 am - Torah Study 9:30 am - Sanctuary Services Dr. Edward Greenstein - see page 12 for details10:30 am - Shabbat Yachad6:30 pm - Whitelock Farm Fundraiser

249 am - Our Daily Bread 9:30 am - Minyan9:30 am - Jewish Dis-covery Lab

25 2612 pm - Lunch & Learn

27Erev HanukkahNO Jewish Discovery Lab

28HanukkahThanksgiving Beth Am office closed

29Hanukkah Beth Am office closed4:27 pm Candle lighting

30Hanukkah8:45 am - Torah Study 9:30 am - Kesher Services10:30 am - Shabbat Yachad

KISLEVNOVEMBER

2013

5774TEVETDECEMBER

We welcome Congressman Steny Hoyer of Maryland’s 5th District to Beth Am Synagogue. Immediately following Kiddush luncheon, Congressman Hoyer and Rabbi Burg will discuss the US - Israel relationship.

Congressman Hoyer is the House Minority Whip and has served over thirty years in the U.S. Congress.

Saturday, December 7with Shabbat Lab

Kiddush lunch followed by a disussion with Congressman Steny Hoyer

KLEI KODESHMusical Kabbalat Shabbat Friday, December 6 6 pmMUSIC

EVENT

BETH AMYEAR OF

Please join Rabbi Daniel Burg, Cantor Ira Greenstein and guest musicians for a Musical Kabbalat Shabbat. Open to the community!

7 pm dinner to follow services with Israeli / Mediterranean FareAdults - $16 | Children 6-12 yrs. - $10 Household maximum - $56Children 6 and under are free!RSVP by December 3 - 410.523.2446 or nakia@bethambaltimore.org

SANCTUARY SHABBAT

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday1Hanukkah 9:30 am - Minyan with Learning Minyan

2Hanukkah

3Rosh ChodeshHanukkah

4Rosh ChodeshHanukkah4:15 pm - Jewish Discovery Lab5:30 pm - Hanukkah Party

5Hanukkah

64:26 pm - Candle lighting 6 pm - Musical Kab-balat Shabbat

78:45 am - Torah Study9:30 am - Sanctuary Ser-vices, Rep. Steny Hoyer following Kiddush lunch10:30 am - Shabbat Lab

89:30 am - Minyan 6 pm - USY: Teen Beit Midrash

9 1012 pm - Lunch and Learn

114:15 pm - Jewish Discovery Lab

12 134:27 pm - Candle lighting6 pm - Congregational Service followed by BAYITT dinner

148:45 am - Torah Study9:30 am - Kesher Services10:30 am - Shabbat Yachad

159 am - Our Daily Bread9:30 am - Minyan9:30 am - Jewish Dis-covery Lab10 am - B’nai Mitzvah Class

16 1712 pm - Lunch and Learn

184:15 pm - Jewish Discovery Lab

199 am - Our Daily Bread

204:30 pm - Candle lighting

218:45 am - Torah Study9:30 am - Kesher Services10:30 am - Shabbat Yachad

229 am - Our Daily Bread9:30 am - Minyan

23 24 25 Beth Am office closedMitzvah Day1pm - USY & Kadima Movie

26 274:34 pm - Candle lighting

288:45 am - Torah Study 9:30 am - Kesher Services10:30 am - Shabbat Yachad

299:30 am - Minyan

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Support John Eager Howard Students and Staff!!!When you check out at your local Giant, you could be donating money to John Eager Howard Elementary School. Nothing big; but it all adds up! To sign up on-line go to: www.giantfood.com under the tabs: Our Stores > A+ > Customer Registration. After you register your card, select the school number #01429. Once you are enrolled, everytime you check out, Giant Foods will direct a portion of their profit from your purchase to the John Eager Howard school.

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#01429

NovemberSundays - Nov. 17 and 24Thursday - Nov. 21DecemberSundays - Dec. 15 and 22 Thursday - Dec. 19

Volunteer at Our Daily Bread 9 am - 1 pmIf you want to volunteer, contact Victoria Dorf by noon the Friday before. Must be 14 or older and accompanied by an adult. victoria.dorf@ssa.gov or daytime: 410.965.9245evenings and weekends: 443.310.5310

OUR DAILY BREAD

Friday and SaturdayNovember 22 and 23Join Beth Am in welcoming Dr. Edward L. Greenstein, Professor of Bible and Director of the Institute for Jewish Biblical Interpretation at Bar-Ilan University in Tel Aviv, for a Shabbat of learning, commentary and insight.

DR. EDWARD L. GREENSTEINSCHOLAR IN RESIDENCE

Friday, November 226 pm - Kabbalat Shabbat Services followed by dinner and program. 7 pm - Israeli / Mediterranean dinnerProgram topic: Why do the Innocent Suffer? Views from the Book of Job Dinner: Adults - $16 | Children 6-12 yrs. - $10 | Household maximum - $56Children 6 and under are free!RSVP by November 19 - 410.523.2446 or nakia@bethambaltimore.org

Saturday, November 23 Sanctuary Shabbat with a d’var torah during service on the weekly parasha,followed by a program after Kiddush lunch. D’var Torah Topic: Joseph - A Man of Many ColorsProgram Topic: Where is Job Coming From?

Congregational Hanukkah Party Wednesday, December 4, 5:30 pmJoin your Beth Am family for dinner, dreidels, festive dairy dinner, latkes, dancing and Hanukkah fun!

Adults - $16 | Children 6-12 yrs. - $10 Household maximum - $56Children 6 and under are free!RSVP by November 29 - 410.523.2446 or nakia@bethambaltimore.org

SOCIAL ACTION COMMITTEE

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HANUKKAH PARTY!!!

PEOPLE’S TALMUDNovember 9 David Drager-Davidoff, following Kiddush lunchThe People’s Talmud Program is held after Kiddush lunch several times a year. This is a project was developed by Fred Katz. It gives individuals the opportunity to discuss how Judaism applies to their lives. Please join us for this special presentation.

CLOTHING DRIVENovember 5 - December 17Women’s and Men’s Professional clothing can be dropped off at Beth Am.

Please donate business attire and accessories that have already been cleaned, are on hangers and ready to wear. Women’s clothing will be donated to Suited to Succeed and men’s clothing will be donated to Our Daily Bread. Receipts available upon request.

Monday, November 11 at 7:30 pmLocation: Jackie Donowitz’s homeBring your ENERGY, your PASSION and your THOUGHTS!!! We address issues relating to poverty, homelessness, domestic violence, environmental sustainability, literacy and more, in the Reservoir Hill community and beyond. Open to all!

For directions or more information please contact Jackie Donowitz: jemdonowitz@hotmail.com or 410.235.5761For a ride, please contact Arthur Shulman: arthur.shulman@gmail.com

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SEPTEMBER 2013CONTRIBUTIONS

Building Preservation and Ritual Enhancement Fund

Cantor’s Discretionary Fund

Kiddush Fund

Accessibility Fund• Erica & Lou Jacobs

In memory of Myrna Lapides, sister of Jack Lapides

• Betty Seidel In hopes of Linda Small’s speedy recovery

• Laura & Lou Coleman In memory of Edward Coleman, his father, on his yahrzeit

• Ellen Heller & Shale Stiller In memory of Sylvia Levitov, mother of Lainy LeBow-Sachs

• Elizabeth & Ian Miller In honor of Judy Miller, his mother, on her birthday

• Liz Moser & Family In memory of Peter Moser, her husband, on his yahrzeit

• Jan & Lawrence Rivitz In honor of Rheda Becker on her Yom Kippur Martyrology

• Mark Rotenberg In appreciation of Beth Am

• Ina & Albert Rubin In appreciation of Beth Am

• Aaron, Jill and Anna Levin In memory of Benjamin Levin, his father, on his yahrzeit

• Carla Rosenthal & Alan Schwartz In memory of Marjorie Benson, mother of Jane Benson

• Naomi Goldstick & Gary Rosner In memory of Norman Rosner, his father, on his yahrzeit

• Connie Caplan In memory of Morton Rose, her father, on his yahrzeit

Garden Fund• Lorraine Schapiro

In memory of Joseph Goldenberg, her father, on his yahrzeit

• Marcia & Ave Amith In memory of Lynn Kotzen, mother of Ellen Spokes

General Fund

Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund

Adult Education Fund

• Phyllis Gerber In memory of Myrna Lapides, sister of Jack Lapides; In honor of Tony & Patsy Perlman, on their anniversary and Tony, on his birthday

• Marcia & Ave Amith In memory of Noah Rabinowitz, her father, on his yahrzeit

• Harold Freeman In appreciation

• Barbara & Alan Gamse In memory of Joseph Goldenberg, her father, on his yahrzeit

• Dovey & Billy Kahn In honor of Judy Miller on her special birthday

Floral Fund

LOOK OUT FOR BETH AM MITZVAH DAY ACTIVITIES! Wednesday, December 25 As part of the Community Mitzvah Day coordinated by Jewish Volunteer Connection (JVC), we will again gather at Beth Am to assemble food packages for families in our Reservoir Hill neighborhood who could use a little help. Starting next month, we will collect canned and boxed food for the care packages in the chapel lobby. We will also be collecting in the chapel lobby travel-sized toiletries - bar soap, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lotion - for the Winter Care Packages which other volunteers will assemble on Mitzvah Day at the Jewish Community Centers. Stay tuned for more information!

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• Cindy Levinson In appreciation of Beth Am and in honor of Gail Wohlmuth

• Judy Miller In appreciation

• Adrienne & Sidney Millman In honor of Judy Miller, on her birthday

• Nadja & Albert Pats In memory of Irving Barron, her father, on his yahrzeit

• Jodi Segal & Aaron Sherber In memory of Debbie Freeman, wife of Harold Freeman

• Carol & David Shulman In memory of Edith Cohen, her mother, on her yahrzeit

• Winnie & Neal Borden In memory of Morris Cohn, her father, on his yahrzeit

• Naomi Goldstick & Gary Rosner In memory of Ethel Rosner, his mother, on her yahrzeit

Social Action Fund

BETH AM HOSTS UPCOMING NEIGHBORHOOD EVENTS

In, For and Of the Neighborhood participants and all congregants are invited to learn more about Reservoir Hill and our neighbors at two upcoming events to be be held at Beth Am:

No Boundaries Coalition Meeting Tuesday, November 12 6 pm at Beth AmThe No Boundaries Coalition is a resident-led initiative to bring Central West Baltimore neighbors together across race, class, and neighborhood lines to build a more unified and empowered community. The Coalition’s efforts include public art projects, commUNITY gatherings, walking tours, and advocacy. Beth Am congregants are invited to participate. For more information: noboundariescoalition@gmail.com

Whitelock Community Farm FUNdraiser Saturday, November 237 p.m. at Beth AmHelp support the Whitelock Farm and join Beth Am friends and neighbors for a night of fun featuring a music and dance lesson by Jubilee Arts and performances by Hip Hop artist Lil Key, The Barrage Band, and singer-songwriter Caleb Stine. For more information and tickets: www.brownpapertickets.com/event/482796

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PRAYERS FOR HEALING

• Matt Adelberg, Lab faculty member, for winning the prestigious Elizabeth Greenshields Grant, an international grant awarded to artists in the early stages of their careers and who are working in a representational style in painting, drawing, sculpture and printmaking.

• Vered Stearns for being featured in the October 19, Baltimore Sun article, Breaking the link between weight and breast cancer.

• Alex Scher on his marriage to Simnia Singer Sayada, October 12. Parents are David Scher & Judith Schagrin, Carol & Gil Kleiner, Davide Sayada & Poppy Singer and Tikva Sayada. Great-Aunt and Uncle are Debbie & Efrem Potts.

• Debbie & Efrem Potts and family for being featured in the October 10, Jewish Times article, Titan of Jewish Education about Beth Am founder, Dr. Louis L. Kaplan.

• Karen Egorin & Marty Yaker on their marriage, September 29.

MAZEL TOV

COM

MU

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Y N

EWS Judy Langenthal

Harry Adler, friend of Roberta and Cantor Ira GreensteinBurt D’Lugoff Judy Smith, associate of Roberta Greenstein (Cantor Ira Greenstein)Ken Salzman, brother-in-law of Gail & Lou WohlmuthOfra Shipman, cousin of Roberta Greenstein (Cantor Ira Greenstein)Michael Weise Joel Young, friend of Roberta and Cantor Ira Greenstein Rachel PinesHarry RossenDonald Allen, father of Lisa Minick (Chris)Ann Neuman Libov, friend of Debra FurchgottNorma Gaines, grandmother of Emily Gaines Demsky (David)Steven Kraft, brother of Jim Kraft (Kristi Aho)Jerald Lipsch, brother of Harriet Goldman (Herb)Barry GlassCyndi Lee Haaz, mother of Stephany Moonaz (Robert) Robin Leidner & Sue Martin, friends of Amy Davidoff & Steve GoreAlan GrossRobert Katz, father of Joanne Katz (Scott Zeger)Hilda CoyneVickie DorfRenee C. Riley, friend of Beth AmFran Kanterman Steven Eisenberg, friend of Les Stellman

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Thank you Sarajane Greenfeld and Betty Seidel for your continued support

proofreading for Beth Am!

KIDDUSH LUNCHEON AND BIMAH FLOWERS

70+ BIRTHDAYSNeal Borden 3-NovDorothy Kaffeman 6-NovJudy Merrill 8-NovFred Katz 10-NovLinda Himmelrich 15-NovAlan Goldberg 20-NovJo-Ann Orlinsky 20-NovJoel Rabin 26-NovBabette Dalsheimer 27-Nov

50+ ANNIVERSARIESDovey & Billy Kahn 23-NovDebbie & Efrem Potts 24-Nov

• Herbert Stearns, father of Maxwell Stearns (Vered)

• Raymond Zager, father of Jack Zager (Ellen Kahan Zager)

• Howard Raskin, brother of Joan Raskin

RECENT DEATHS

Sponsorships and Donations:• Aug 24 - A special donation was

made to the Kiddush Fund by Meg and Alex Hyman in memory of her husband and his father, Carl Hyman on the occasion of his first yahrzeit.

• Oct. 19 - The flowers on the Bimah were in memory of Gabe Samuels’ grandmother, Joan Rose; The Kiddush luncheon was sponsored by Robin Rose-Samuels & Jack Samuels in honor of Gabe Samuels’ Bar Mitzvah

• October 26 - The flowers on the Bimah were in memory of Rose Bridger’s great grandparents, Joe & Frieda Needleman, sponsored by Rachel & Manny Spector; The Kiddush luncheon was sponsored by Becky & Perry Bridgner, in honor of Rose’s Bat Mitzvah.

Honor a family member or friend by sponsoring Shabbat bimah flowers or a Kiddush luncheon.

December 7 - Sanctuary ShabbatWe have had a longstanding tradition at Beth Am where congregants cook items for the Kiddush Luncheon whenever we have a Sanctuary Shabbat. This tradition provides an enhanced sense of community, making Beth Am “Feel like Home.” We need your participation to make this potluck a success.There are only a few basic rules:• Each main dish should serve 12-16

people (12x18 pan or larger)• The items must be brought to the

synagogue in new, disposable, foil pans

• All ingredients must be dairy or pareve (containing no animal products)

• NO peanut or peanut related ingredients; pine nuts and walnuts are OK

If you would like to participate (or get a recipe) please contact Meg Hyman ASAP to let her know what you plan to bring: meghyman@aol.com

KIDDUSH LUNCH

Shabbat Services, Lifecycle Events, Services in the Park, Community Involvement, Adult Education, Lights, Rabbi, Heat, Prayerbooks, Air Conditioning, Cantor, Landscaping, Educational Programs, D i n n e r s , Water and E l e c t r i c - ity, Sanctuary U p k e e p , K i d d u s h L u n c h Plates, Paper Teachers, Scholarships P o s t a g e , Support Staff, High Holy- day Prepara-tion, Grape Juice, Repair-men, Paint, Maintenance Staff, Ad- v e r t i s i n g , Torah Upkeep, Kids’ Torahs, Lunch & Learn, Klei Kodesh / Musical Shabbat, Musician in Residence, Sound system, Tallitot, Prayer Books, Scholar in Residence, Security, Facilities Maintainance, Coffee

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

- Exodus 25

Congregants have already given over $250,000 to provide all the little and

not-so-little things that keep our community flourishing from one year to the next.

When asked to give, please give generously to Beth Am’s Annual Fund!

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FUND DESIGNATIONAccessibility Fund - Used to make the facility accessible to those with impaired physical abilitiesAdult Education Fund - Supports educational programs for all adultsBAYITT Fund - Beth Am’s Young Adult Initiative for 20’s and 30’sBuilding Preservation and Ritual Enhancement Fund - Supports the preservation and renovation of the building and the ritual itemsCantor’s Discretionary Fund - Allows the Cantor to support special programs and individuals in needEtta & Louis L. Kaplan Education Fund Supports the purchase of furniture, equipment and capital improvements for the Jewish Discovery LabFloral Fund - Beautifies the BimahGarden Fund - Beautifies grounds

General Fund - Applied to the operating budget of the congregationI. William Schimmel Student Scholar-ship Fund - Assists students in their educational pursuitsKiddush Fund - Used for luncheons following Sabbath and holiday services Prayer Book Fund - Supports the purchase of prayer books and ChumashimRabbi’s Discretionary Fund - Allows the Rabbi to support special programs and individuals in needSocial Action Fund - Supports social action activities in the Reservoir Hill area and the general communityTiny Tots Shabbat Fund - Supports Shabbat programs for our preschoolersYouth & Teen Education Support Fund Supports educational programs for all of Beth Am’s youth

ACKNOWLEDGE THE OCCASION THROUGH BETH AMWe encourage all congregants to send their contribution requests directly to Nakia Davis, nakia@bethambaltimore.org so they can be processed in a timely manner.

First & Last Name(s): _______________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________If your contribution is from a couple or family, please list all names (use additional paper if necessary)

Telephone: (________) __________ - ___________________

Address: _________________________________________________________________________

City/State/Zip: ____________________________________________________________________

Date: _______________________ Amount of Donation: __________________________($10 minimum requested; please make checks payable to Beth Am)

Fund Designation__________________________________________________________________

In honor/memory/appreciation of ___________________________________________________Send Acknowledgement Card To:

Name: ___________________________________________________________________________

Address: ________________________________________________________________________

City/State/Zip: ___________________________________________________________________

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