23 minute read
Around the Community
Unity Torah continues the Legacy of Efraim Gordon Transforming Tragedy to Life
On Sunday, July 10, a perfectly sunny and breezy summer day, approximately one thousand members from the diverse Baltimore Jewish community gathered together in a compelling display of unity and celebration. Swaying to the rhythm of the cheerful music, watching their children happily sucking on cold popsicles, representatives from every facet of the Jewish community rejoiced in the siyum Sefer Torah in memory of Efraim Gordon HY”D.
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As Efraim’s family watched via live hookup, attendees waited on line to participate in the completion of the Torah scroll by personally inscribing a letter on parchment. Meanwhile, the other attendees greeted friends, partook of refreshments, and enjoyed the music and the beautiful weather. The event was gorgeously arranged by Lilac Lemon Events by Dassi and Ahuva.
The crowd was addressed by rabbis from the community and government dignitaries, expertly emceed by Rabbi Larry Ziffer. They shared words of inspiration, comfort, and renewed hope. Deputy Secretary of State Boranda shared his thoughts and presented a meaningful proclamation to Efraim’s family from Governor Hogan.
“The entire event underlined our determination to draw healing from horror; to turn tragedy to opportunity,” says Reb Leib Reyder, uncle of the victim. “There were markers of this transformation throughout the event. The moment when the Torah was completed and the crown was placed on its head. The moment when the joyous music struck up and we clutched the newly completed Torah tight. The moment when the other Sifrei Torah came out to greet Efraim’s Torah. The moment when the Sefer Torah was passed from hand to hand, so each person could hold it for a moment. Each of these moments marked a progression of happiness and rejoicing, turning our pain to peace.”
The procession began on Fords Lane, the very spot where the tragedy occured. Accompanied by the police and shomrim, the entire assembly accompanied the Torah on a joyous march down the specially closed streets of Fords Lane and Park Heights Avenue, to Bnei Jacob Shaarei Zion. Rabbi Dovid Heber held the new Torah as other members of the community came out to greet it with Torahs in their arms. As they entered the double doors of the hall, a fivepiece band burst into joyous song.
Rabbis Hopfer, Marwick, and Kaplan were honored with the leading of the hakafos. While they chanted the verses of “Ata Hareisa,” the Torah was passed from one embrace to another as the jubilant dancing continued for over an hour and a half, accompanied by the remarkable voices of Yehuda Bergman and Sholom Rosebloom.
“It felt like a wedding!” said young Chana, who kept a careful grasp on her balloon bracelet she had just received from the on-site balloon artist.
With a substantial buffet, live band, endless singing and dancing, and a photography booth, her sentiment is readily understood.
Rabbis and dignitaries in attendance included:
Rabbi Hopfer, President of the vaad Harobim of Baltimore and Rov of Shearith Israel Congregation.
Rabbi Shmuel Kaplan, director of Chabad-Lubavitch of the Maryland Region and Rov of the Shul at the Lubavitch center in Baltimore Md.
Rabbi Elchonon Lisbon, Chabad Park Heights
Rabbi Dovid Heber, Khal Ahavas Yisroel Tzemach Tzedek
Rabbi Binyamin Marwick, Congregation Shomrei Emunah
Rabbi Nesanel Kostelitz, Machzikei Torah Congregation
Stropkov Rebbe
Rabbi Menachem Goldberger,
Tiferes Yisroel – Beis Dovid
Rabbi Daniel Rose, Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion
Rabbi Jonathan Aryeh Seide-
mann, Kehilath B’nai Torah
Rabbi Ariel Sadwin, Agudath israel of Maryland
Rabbi Nochum Katzenelenbo-
gen, Chabad of Owings Mills
Rabbi Yisrael Motzen, Ner tamid - greenspring valley synagogue
Rabbi Shmuel Gurary, Rabbi of Chabad Israeli center in Baltimore
Rabbi Nisson Dov Miller, Star K
Rabbi Moshe Slavaticki, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Lubavitch Baltimore
Rabbi Nochum Levin, Young Anash Congregation
Rabbi Nochum Bukiet, Mashpa Yeshivas Lubavitch Baltimore
Rabbi Chesky Tenenbaum, Rabbi of the Jewish Uniform association of Maryland
Rabbi Chanina Szendro, Yeshivas toras chaim Baltimore
Congressman Kweisi Mfume,
Deputy Secretary of the State of Maryland, Luis E. Boranda
Councilman Isaac “Yitzy” Schleifer - District 5
Delegate Sammy Rosenberg
Delegate Jon Cardin
If you would like the Zechus to take part of this Torah, you may do so at Charidy.com/efraim.
The family would like to personally thank the community for coming out and standing up for the safety and integrity of our city, as well as the generous sponsors and supporters that made the event a possibility.
Photo credits: Avi Dear
Around the Community Yeshivas Toras Simcha Welcomes Rabbi Hillel Mandel as Interim Menahel
Yeshivas Toras Simcha is excited to announce that we have secured an outstanding menahel to guide us through the next school year - Rabbi Hillel Mandel - the famed educational consultant and trainer of teachers, who has agreed to join the school as the interim menahel for 2022-2023 school year.
Rabbi Hillel Mandel has served as a rebbe in yeshiva day schools for over a decade and received the first National Torah Umesorah “Teacher Of The Year” award. He subsequently founded and served as menahel of Yeshiva Ketana of Manhattan for fifteen years and also founded and headed a Montessori Cheder in Passaic for several years.
He graduated from the Chofetz Chaim Rabbinical Seminary, and maintained a close relationship with the rosh yeshiva, Rabbi Henoch Lebowitz ZT”L. He also has a Masters degree in elementary education from Adelphi University, and has served as an adjunct professor at Azrielli Graduate School.
Rabbi Mandel has lectured extensively throughout the U.S.A. and abroad on educational and parenting topics. He is the author of a “Curriculum on Yeshiva Day Schools” that was published by Torah Umesorah and is used widely by many day schools in the USA and abroad. He is founder and has been Dean of “Torah Educators Institute”, a summer teacher-training program in Jerusalem for three decades. He serves on the faculty of Mercaz teacher-training program in New York and has been the principal teacher in the Aish Dos teacher-training program in Lakewood N.J. since its inception in 1998. Additionally, when Torah Umesorah came to Baltimore for a Shabbos of Chizuk, Rabbi Mandel was one of the featured presenters.
Rabbi Mandel now brings this extensive experience in starting and developing schools and his warm simchadik approach to Baltimore, where he will confidently recruit and mentor the YTS staff and help bring the school to the next level, while helping identify and train a permanent menahel.
Rabbi Mandel is now recruiting a secular studies principal, preschool director, two afternoon teachers and a few teacher’s aides for the 2022-2023 school year, to supplement the existing staff, the vast majority of whom are existing YTS rabbeyim and teachers. For more information about these positions, please reach out to resumes@ yeshivasts.org.
Last Sunday, Rabbi Mandel addressed the parent body, speaking on the topic of “Raising a Positive Child in a Negative World.” He discussed how to help a child develop with a strong self esteem. This discussion was met with great positivity and excitement from the parents and staff.
This decision to bring Rabbi Mandel on board for the year has the overwhelming support of the Vaad Hachinuch, the search committee and the board. We are confident that, with Hashem’s help, Rabbi Mandel will maintain the unique warm and simchadick approach of our Yeshiva that focuses on the development of the whole child — supporting his educational, emotional and spiritual growth in a nurturing Torah environment.
Masmidei Layla of Baltimore at the Agudah of Park Heights is the Place to Be!
Masmidei Layla of Baltimore at the Agudah of Park Heights has over 150 boys participating in this program. The Beis Medrash is packed and the atmosphere is electric.
During the summer months of July and August, the program runs Sunday to Thursday. Each session is 45 minutes of partnered learning with Chavrusas and fathers.
There are many incentives for those that attend the program. There is a special MLB Weekly raffle for boys who learn and chazer 50 Mishnayos a week or learn 2 blatt Gemara. In addition, boys can earn a grand raffle ticket for learning 250 Mishnayus or 12 blatt Gemara that they learn or review at the program during these sessions. These grand raffle prizes include a new set of Vilna Shas, a set of Mishnayos Zecher Chanoch, and a set of Artscroll Mikros Gedolos.
There are also nightly raffles for all attendees. After the learning time, the boys are treated to refreshments, including ice cream, ices, cholent, poppers, or doughnuts!
Rabbi Zvi Schwartz, founder of the program says, ”MLB has broken barriers in so many ways. The summer at the Agudah is now a great opportunity for boys to learn in a structured and exciting setting. We look forward to the tens of thousands of Mishnayus, hundreds of blatt learned and the hundreds of happy and content faces that are full of the sweetness of Torah.”
Around the Community JCSL by “Shimz Cars” Completes Another Successful Season
The Jewish Community Softball League by Shimz Cars wrapped up their fourth season on Sunday, July 10th in auspicious fashion with a dramatic battle between teams “Levin and Gann” and “Donny Ankri Architects,” in the “Camp Shoresh” Championship game.
Continue below to read about the excitement from the entire “Camp Shoresh” postseason: --------------------------------------
Camp Shoresh Playoffs:
Levin & Gann 13 Stutman Chiropractic 7
This playoff game pitted the number 1 seed (Stutman Chiropractic) against the number 4 seed (Levin & Gann). With the Chiropractors closing out their regular season in dominant fashion, most analysts expected an easy win for the Spinal Adjusters. But the law firm of Levin & Gann had different plans.
Thanks to some superb defense (notably by LF Rafi “The Spiderman” Strum who made a Sports Center-esque catch in the outfield), timely hitting by the whole lineup, and solid pitching from captain Yaakov “The Hound Dog” Rappaport, Levin & Gann cruised to victory and entered the JCSL championship for their 3rd time in the 4-year history of the league.
Both Donny Ankri Architects and Believe and Achieve Sports eagerly anticipated this game, with each team excited for the possibility of earning their first birth to a JCSL championship game.
Believe and Achieve Sports, led by experienced captain Meir Parry, struck first with 2 runs in the 1st inning. The Architects answered back with 3 runs in the 2nd to capture the lead. But Believe and Achieve would keep fighting as they scored 2 runs in the 4th to tie the game at 4-4. The Architects displayed the “team depth” for which they’re developed league recognition, with the bottom of the order stringing together multiple clutch hits, helping to ignite a 6-run inning. Following the 4th, DAA never looked back as punched their ticket to their first Championship game.
Donny Ankri Architects 10 Levin & Gann 9
On a beautiful summer day, with the stands filled with fans, eager to watch the much-anticipated “Camp Shoresh” Championship game, Donny Ankri Architects (DAA) took on Levin & Gann (LG).
LG got off to a strong start scoring, 5 runs in the top of the 1st but DAA answered with 3 runs of their own in the bottom of the 1st, thanks to a hard-hit double by, gold glove outfielder, Josh Zaslow.
Following the fireworks in the 1st , both pitchers, Yaakov Rappaport and Jason Man, (both Cy Young winners on the season) took control of the game, holding both teams scoreless for the next 3 innings.
DAA tacked on a run in the bottom of the 5th thanks to a clutch 2-out double by their captain,Donny Ankri, who scored the speedy Hillel Stutman from first.
In the top of the 6th, LG’s bats woke up and erupted for 4 runs to take a 9-4 lead. As DAA got up to bat in the bottom of the 6th down 5 runs, the DAA fans, donning their yellow/black jerseys were getting nervous. With LG’s allstar pitcher, Rappaport, on the mound, a comeback seemed improbable.
But DAA chipped away scoring 2 runs in the bottom of the 6th with hits by Mann and Rami Lavi, to trim the deficit to 9-6. DAA then added another 2 runs in the bottom of the 7th with hits by Donny Ankri and Moishe Abramson to narrow the score to 9-8.
Down a run late in the game, DAA had to keep LG scoreless to keep the game close. With LG having runners at 1st and 3rd and no outs, LG hit a grounder to the pitcher, Jason, but with a throw to first baseman Ken Major to get the runner out and then a strong throw home from Ken to catcher Mayer Goldsmith, DAA got a much needed, and very unconventional, 1-3-2 double play!
With strong defensive plays becoming contagious, LG had another opportunity to pad the lead. With runners on 1st and 2nd, LG hit a blooper to short left field, but with complete disregard for his body, DAA’s shortstop Donny Ankri, sprinted out towards left field and dove backwards making a sensational over-the-shoulder diving catch, barely avoiding a collision with his outfielder, to keep the runner at 2nd.
Now going into the bottom of the 8th, with LG having a 9-8 lead, DAA had to find a way to score on a very experienced LG team. DAA’s fans were flipping their caps inside out in hopes of a late-inning rally. One fan in particular, DAA’s Shmuel Artman, unfortunately had to miss the playoffs due to a sports injury. Shmuel was cheering on his team and started an unprecedented 4 round crowd wave! DAA heeded the call and started the inning strong getting hits from Lavi and Gedalia Gelb to put runners on 2nd and 3rd with one out. Thanks to more clutch hitting, DAA got a single to tie the game by Moshe Wealcatch, and then Adam Ben-Zev hit a deep towering sacrifice fly to take the 10-9 lead. It was now the top of the 9th, with the game on the line and it was LG’s turn.
LG quickly got a runner one 2nd base and with one out, DAA made the tough decision to intentionally walk one of their best hitters, Rafi Strum. LG’s next hitter hit a hard line-drive which was caught by 2nd baseman, Lavi. Two outs. LG’s next power hitter approached the plate. The stadium went silent. Tension was in the air. The pitch came in and was CRUSHED to deep center. DAA’s center fielder, Moishe Abramson, raced over and, with ice in his veins, kept his focus to catch the last out sending Donny Ankri Architects to their first ever Championship victory in 5 seasons!
Baltimore Women Join Together For Inspiration By Rebbetzin Sara
On Wednesday evening, June 22nd, the women of Baltimore joined over 75,000 others from around the country and across the globe to participate in the Nekadesh “Live Higher” event. TAG Baltimore organized a live hookup at Shomrei Emunah, and women and girls of all ages packed into the room to be a part of this historic evening. As Shomrei’s social hall began to fill, more chairs were added until every inch of the large space was utilized. The energy was palpable as we witnessed an experience of epic proportions.
The program was beautifully planned, and varied between inspirational speakers, such as Rabbi Yosef (Joey) Haber and Rabbi Ephraim Wachsman, to heartfelt songs and videos sharing a message of hope and clarity, to Rav Yitzchak Kolodetsky, Rav Chaim Kanievsky’s son in law, being mekabel םימש תוכלמ לוע. Multiple women from the crowd shared their own struggles and triumphs with technology and the evening culminated with an inspiring choir and kumzitz, sharing a tefilla for siyata d’shmaya in this vital mission.
Many sentiments shared that evening stood out, opening our eyes to the need to make lasting changes in our personal technology use. The Gedolim called the asifa to beg the women of Klal Yisroel to take the reins in the fight against the greatest nisayon of our generation.
Rabbi Haber raised several important points. He explained that so many of us were fooled into the addictive nature of technology use and he also pointed out that cutting back on technology is incredibly difficult, “but since when did difficult stop us?” He quipped, “It was difficult to keep Shabbos as the Jews moved to America after the war and struggled to keep their jobs! It was also difficult for mothers to feed their children in the ghettos in Europe! It was quite difficult as well for Jews during the expulsion in Spain and so on!” Rabbi Haber challenged the women of the crowd with doing what was difficult today and limiting our technology use, our generation’s personal battle.
Rabbi Wachsman described the sad reality of zombie-like mothers going through the motions of caring for their children, while their eyes are glued to their smartphones. He explained how every change has a tremendous impact on each person’s life. Charging us with the task of making lasting change, Rabbi Wachsman brought many stories and inspirational thoughts to help catapult transformation in our lives.
Rebbetzin Tarshish made a strong point of our personal expectations of change with an ingenious demonstration. She asked everyone to reach up as high as they could with their right arm. We, in Baltimore, followed her instruction as well, and lifted our arms towards the ceiling. She then asked us to reach even further and we each smiled as we realized that we could stretch beyond what we thought originally. Rebbetzin Tarshish tasked the crowd to make a change in technology use that night, perhaps, even in regards to something that we did not think we could at the beginning of the evening.
Despite the late hour, the Shomrei social hall remained full, and the women sang along with the sweet choir and kumzitz. Arms around each other’s shoulders, swaying in unison, the women and girls at the Baltimore gathering felt an incredibly uplifting connection. A warmth and hopefulness ran through the room, bonding together to make significant changes in our lives.
Not wanting to let the inspiration slip through their fingers, some women handed each other their smartphones at the close of the asifa, to set passcodes for themselves to help limit their use and some others immediately deleted addictive apps, such as Instagram, WhatsApp and Facebook. There were even a number of women who committed to exchange their smartphones for flip phones altogether. It was truly impossible to leave the event without some impact.
A revolution of strength and meaningful change is flooding through Baltimore and the greater frum world. The influx of bracha and growth that resulted from the changes in each family are inestimable. Stories of personal miracles and far-reaching effects continue to crop up and spread inspiration.
To share personal triumphs and yeshuos in the battle with technology, to get involved, or to share ideas for further chizuk and strategies in our community, please email TechTriumphs@ tagbaltimore.org or call 410-449-1824 and choose option 5. Sharing a personal victory or a resulting yeshua can inspire many others and will be kept 100% anonymous upon request.
To hear the speeches of the asifa, call: 302-446-3464.
TAG Baltimore is available to help with all of your technology needs. Please do not hesitate to reach out to them at 410-449-1824 or email help@ tagbaltimore.org.
WWW.THEBJH.COM Ohr Chadash Acdemy Announces Rabbi Chaim Gourdji as Elementary School Assistant Principal For Judaic Studies
We are delighted to announce that Rabbi Chaim Gourdji (G-ohrjee) has joined OCA as the Elementary School Assistant Principal for Judaic Studies!
Rabbi Gourdji has more than 20 years of Elementary and Middle School teaching and leadership experience, most recently at the Torah Day School in Seattle, Washington. An innovative educator who believes deeply in the role of differentiating instruction and integrating technology to help every student achieve success, Rabbi Gourdji will oversee the Elementary Judaics curriculum and instruction at OCA and he will be partnering with Mrs. Elisheva Levitt in teacher professional development and student discipline. In addition, he will be teaching a class in the Middle School.
Rabbi Gourdji is a graduate of Stony Brook University and Ohr Somayach. He is currently working on his Master’s in Curriculum at Yeshiva University’s Azrieli Graduate School of Education. Rabbi Gourdji is married to Devorah Leah Gourdji, an early childhood teacher whom we are excited will be joining the ECC faculty. They have three sons living in the NY/ NJ area and a daughter who will be heading to seminary this Fall.
Please join us in welcoming Rabbi and Mrs. Gourdji to Baltimore and OCA!
Around the Community Baltimore Community-Wide Siyum On Yevamos at BJSZ Displays Kavod HaTorah, Achdus & Kiddush Shem Shamayim; A Catalyst For Continued Growth In Torah For
Our Entire Community Photo Credits: Creative1080
This past Sunday, July 10, 2022, the Baltimore community came together to celebrate a historic kiddush hashem. As the climax of a Scholar in Residence weekend in Baltimore with Rabbi Moshe Elefant, nearly 200 members of the community, graced by the presence of many local rabbanim, came together on Sunday morning to celebrate the Daf Yomi’s siyum on Maseches Yevamos. This special siyum, which took place at Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion Congregation, was hosted in conjunction with All Daf, the Orthodox Union’s platform for Daf Yomi. In attendance were many people celebrating their own completion of Yevamos, as well as many others -- men, women and children -- who came to support and take part in this simchas hatorah.
The program opened with Rabbi Daniel Rose, Rav of Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion, thanking the many rabbanim and community members who took time on their busy Sunday morning to attend, as well as all those who had sponsored the event. Rabbi Rose highlighted the special ruach of the Baltimore community, which is always ready to come together as one kehilla to celebrate Torah, achdus and to inspire each other to greater accomplishment.
Rabbi Binyomin Marwick, Rav of Congregation Shomrei Emunah, then shared divrei bracha, commenting how inspiring it was to see so many in attendance and celebrating a siyum, especially on a long and challenging masehcta like Yevamos. Rabbi Markwick shared a comment of Rav Yaakov Mecklenberg, the author of Haksav V’Hakabbalah, who writes that the term yibum -- the main topic of this masechta – relates to the word bamah, a raised platform. He explains that yibum ensures that a widow with no children, who would otherwise despair for her future, is raised up and supported by those around her. This is why Maseches Yevamos also contains several important discussions about the importance of bein adam lachaveiro, in that it stands for the importance of seeing the needs of those around us. In that light, Rabbi Marwick shared how appropriate it is to celebrate a siyum on Maseches Yevamos with the entire community, a testament to the shalom of the Torah that is part and parcel of the Baltimore community.
The gathered crowd then heard inspiring words from Rabbi Pinchos Gross, the Rav of Derech Chaim and the presenter of Parparaos Hadaf on the All Daf platform. Among the thoughts he shared was a comment on the last sentence of Maseches Yevamos: talmidei chachamim marbim shalom ba’olam, Torah scholars increase peace in the world. How, he asked, can we honestly say that talmidei chachamim increase peace when an essential feature of Shas is the halachic disputes among tamidei chachamim? Rabbi Gross explained that when there is machlokes in other areas of life, the only way to achieve shalom is for both sides to compromise and relent on some aspect of their position. Torah, however, works differently. When people argue about something in the Torah – whether it is Bais Shammai and Bais Hillel or two chavrusos – they can both maintain their positions and still achieve shalom.
After these inspiring words, Dr. Tommy Azman recited the siyum and hadran for Maseches Yevomas on behalf of the community and Mr. Ofer Lurman recited the kaddish. This was followed by joyous dancing to celebrate the community’s Torah accomplishment. The sight of many rabbanim and community members dancing hand in hand was an inspiring display of unity, simcha and kavod hatorah.
Following the dancing, Rabbi Moshe Schwed, the director of the All Daf Learning Initiative, thanked all those who help support the All Daf initiative and siyumim and shared what a wonderful zechus it is for those participating.
As the climax to the morning, Rabbi Moshe Elefant, the guest of honor, rose to share some inspiring words. Rabbi Elefant began by relating a moving story about his grandmother, a Holocaust survivor who had spent many months hiding out in the forest where she was unable to light Shabbos candles. Following the war, she took upon herself to light a candle every Erev Shabbos for each week she had missed lighting candles during the war. Rabbi Elefant shared his vivid memories of the tears that flowed down his grandmother’s face each week as she lit all those candles and davened for her children and her future generations. Every tefilah, he emphasized, accomplishes something, and the successes of today’s generation are the results of the tears and tefilos of those who came before us. The participants in this memorable event were treated to a hot, delicious breakfast prepared by Chef Dan. Creative 1080 was responsible for photography for the event, Kol Rom Media took video of the inspiring divrei torah and Noach Lurman regaled the attendees with his first-class music. All told, it was a beautiful morning of kavod hatorah, achdus and kiddush shem shamayim, and it will certainly be a catalyst for continued growth in Torah for our entire community.
