613 Seconds

613

SECONDS

SPONSORED BY

SAM ROSENBLATT

Mortgage Planner | NMLS #75844 (410) 375-4447

Sam@TheRosenblattGroup.com www.TheRosenblattGroup.com 6960 Aviation Blvd, Suite E Glen Burnie, MD 21061

Corp MNLS #3113 | Equal Housing Lender

Tell us about yourself?

I moved to Baltimore approximately 13 years ago when my husband started working for a DC-based law firm, Ifrah Law. Prior to moving to Baltimore I taught 8th grade in Brooklyn, and, since our move here I’ve been teaching 8th grade Limudei Kodesh in Bais Yaakov. The field of education has always been my passion and I truly enjoy working with children and helping them grow in their love for Yiddishkeit.

How and when did Tiferes Golda start?

In June 2021, we found ourselves in a difficult situation when we were informed that our daughter’s school felt that they couldn’t accommodate her learning challenges and she couldn’t return for the upcoming school year. There were also a number of other girls faced with a similar problem- they all had learning challenges and did not have a Jewish school to attend for the upcoming school year.

While searching for an appropriate alternative, we reached out to Ichud (which runs special education programs within mainstream schools in the New York area) and they guided us to create a special education program for these girls. With the approval and bracha of Rabbi Hopfer, shlita, we created a specialized educational program where the girls can attend classes with students that have similar educational profiles, while still integrating with the host school for many activities.

In July 2021, Bnos Yisroel reached out to us because they heard about the creation of this program and offered to host our initial class in their school- this generous offer was the beginning of a tremendous amount of support from Bnos Yisroel that helped transform Tiferes Golda into the success that it is today.

In September 2021, Tiferes Golda launched its inaugural classroom, located on the Bnos Yisroel campus, with seven students.

What services does Tiferes Golda provide?

Tiferes Golda is a specialized educational program for girls in the lower elementary grades within a mainstream school environment. Utilizing a centers-based approach, the girls work in small groups based on their skill in each subject. The therapies (e.g. speech, occupational therapy) are incorporated into their individualized schedules. Tiferes Golda also provides social skills classes and special classes to give the students a well-rounded experience and critical life skills. We are mainstreamed with Bnos Yisroel where appropriate, including schoolwide activities and programs, gym, music, lunch and recess.

Where do your students come from?

We currently have eight students from across the entire community- our students came from Bais Yaakov, OCA, Jewels, Cheder Chabad and Darchei Noam Montessori. Notably, even though Bnos Yisroel hosts our program, none of the current students come from Bnos Yisroel.

What is special about Tiferes Golda?

Every person who walks into the classroom is amazed at the professionalism and love that is given over to the girls. The girls feel successful and happy, without any feeling of failure because they are unable to learn like everyone else. Going to therapies is “all in a days work”, so the girls don’t feel different when they are receiving the necessary interventions.

Bnos Yisroel hosts us in the most incredible way. Through Bnos Yisroel, we are included in school activities, trips, specials like STEM and Art, and our girls truly feel so happy being part of the Bnos Yisroel family.

With Mrs. Chana Eichorn

Tell us about the upcoming Causematch:

Special Education is a critical field that, if done properly, can yield excellent results. Our staff is experienced, professional, and we are constantly looking to make it the most optimal environment for each student. Each class requires a large budget to properly staff and run the program with its special curriculum and tools. Therefore, we are having a CauseMatch campaign on January 24-25 and we are reaching out to the entire community because we cater to the entire community. This can only be done with YOUR help!

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?

As a community, we need to be there for each other. Our program is unique in that the students come from across the breadth of our community. We currently have eight students on a second grade level, and, we hope to start our next class in the near future. We hope that you will partner with us so we can continue to be there for all the children of the community.

Your donation ensures that Tiferes Golda can be a place where every child who needs this environment can continue to grow and blossom in the most beautiful way. Please look out for our CauseMatch and we look forward to partnering with you!

Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion is one of the largest shuls in Baltimore, serving the entire community. At BJSZ, we’re devoted to creating a place where people of all ages and backgrounds can grow and thrive together, just as we have been doing for over one hundred years. Because we believe that for us to move forward, we have to do it together. This year, our honorees, Drs. Sam and Lorna Durso and our wonderful BJSZ night kollel, reflect this aspect of our community. Diverse, warm, committed, excited to share what they love about Torah and yiddishkeit – people who we are proud to count as members of our mission.

Like any shul, we need the support of the community – our community – to keep this special place thriving. We’re reaching out to all of you to help us continue moving forward, together. Join us, and keep our shul going for decades to come. Donate now, and insure we keep going for the long haul, until moshiach greets us, Amen!

Drs. Sam and Lorna Durso

Tell us a little about your family, your chesed and how you wound up in Baltimore.

Our family started out in Columbia, SC where we became involved with many activities in the Jewish community including founding an Orthodox synagogue, Russian Jewish resettlement, establishing the Columbia Free Medical Clinic and kiruv activities with Chabad of South Carolina. In 1996, we moved to Baltimore for the high quality of Jewish education for our two daughters. In Baltimore our family has been involved in providing Shlach Manos, letters of caring and tehillim to Israeli soldiers, and the Chaffetz Chaim Foundation. Lorna, a school psychologist, recently retired from the Baltimore County Schools where she had the privilege of consulting with teachers and parents of children attending Jewish days schools in the county. Sam, Professor and Executive Vice Chair for the Department of Medicine at Johns Hopkins, mentors and advises young men and women interested in careers in health professions.

What do you love about BJSZ/ what makes BJSZ special.

Early in our move to Baltimore, we became devoted members of Bnai Jacob and later Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion under the inspirational leadership of Rabbi and Rebbetzin Hauer. Now under the leadership of Rabbi and Rebbetzin Rose, BJSZ continues as a dynamic, warm and welcoming synagogue with something for everyone across the generations. We are committed to its vision as a spiritual home for individuals and families from diverse backgrounds who are committed to chesed, unity and spiritual growth.

Why should people support BJSZ’s campaign.

In many ways Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion represents the unique character of the Baltimore Jewish Community – looking out for its members and reaching out to Jews at home and around the world.

What does BJSZ do for the community?

It is a place for continuous learning and shiurim from early morning to late at night, and it is the home for the Women’s Institute of Torah Seminary and College, and Women’s Institute of Torah and the vibrant BJSZ Night Kollel. In addition, many of its members are active in national and international leadership of Jewish organizations.

Anything else you want to tell the readers?

We are grateful to Hashem that our children and grandchildren live in the Baltimore and Silver Spring communities, and that we are able to play active roles in their lives and Jewish education.

The BJSZ Night Kollel

Tell us about the BJSZ Kollel

The BJSZ night Kollel is a small group of devoted Bnei Torah who are committed to creating a Torah atmosphere within the shul through a combination of chavrusah learning, shiurim, and writing. Members of the Kollel are available to learn with members of the community in various capacities including on a one-on-one basis or in small groups.

What makes the BJSZ Kollel special?

The BJSZ Kollel is comprised of members who each bring a unique ability to help ignite the passion of Judaism by way of individual or group learning in all Torah subjects including Halacha, Hashkafa, Midrash, Tefillah, Mishnayos, and Gemara.

What attracts the Kollel to BJSZ?

BJSZ provides a beautiful and spacious Beis Midrash with a large collection in its library and the opportunity to learn, teach, and write on a wide range of Torah subjects. The learning interactions between the Kollel members and members of the Shul greatly enhances both the members of the Kollel and the Kollel’s impact on the Shul.

How does the Kollel impact the broader Baltimore community?

The BJSZ Kollel is open to the entire community and provides an opportunity to learn and explore a variety of Torah topics in a warm and vibrant Torah atmosphere.

Anything else you want to tell the readers?

Each of the different learning programs and shiurim run by the Kollel leave a strong, positive impact on the Shul. Each member of the Shul and community is invited to come join the Kollel for any of the learning opportunities the Kollel provides or to join in the various learning programs, which are also often accompanied by refreshments.

Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion Campaign will be January 8-9, 2023 and donations, journal ads and reservations to the Special Event on January 21, 2023 can be made at bjszdinner.com Journal deadline is January 10, 2023.