Around the Community

Shoresh’s First Music Festival Proves to be Epic and Spectacular!

Rabbi David Finkelstein, Executive Director of Shoresh, had a longtime dream of hosting a “Kosher Woodstock.” It finally came to fruition on Sunday, July 3, after months of planning and with the help of the Camp Shoresh staff, volunteers, and co-chairs Shani Kohen and Yona Openden. Shoresh held its first-ever Jewish Roots Music Festival on its beautiful 107-acre campus in Adamstown, MD. The fundraising event drew a crowd of over 1,000 children, teens and adults from near and far who enjoyed a day of Jewish music and family fun activities. The proceeds went towards the camp scholarship fund and while the event has passed, donations are still being accepted. Shoresh has families from a diverse set of Jewish backgrounds, many of whom had not been exposed to Jewish and Hebrew music previously.

The sunny afternoon started out with a dance activity led by Tzippy Levin of Simcha Steps, face painting, moon bounces, balloon twisting, a petting zoo, pony rides, hayrides, basketball with star Sean Mosley, and more. The world-famous musical lineup performed on multiple stages throughout the day and featured Simply Tsfat, Yoni Rock, Pinny Schachter, Moshav Band, Lenny Solomon of Shlock Rock, Joey Newcomb of #thankyouHashem fame, and Avraham Rosenblum & Ruby Harris of Diaspora Yeshiva Band. The musicians all came back on stage to sing together for a grand finale as a background to a spectacular fireworks show.

One family, who drove 4 hours from New Jersey since they couldn’t resist seeing the all-star lineup, said afterward, “the music was of course fantastic as expected, but we were impressed by so much more. From the moment we set foot on the Shoresh campus, we could feel the love and care of the environment. There were countless staff members with smiling faces eager to help us out in any way we needed. Everything felt smooth, safe, and professional. Above all, it was inspiring to be part of such a diverse group of yidden enjoying a positive and wholesome experience together. The unity on and off the stage was so uplifting. Klal Yisroel needs more events like this to bring us all together!”

We hope this is just the first of many such musical and cultural events that bring together the local and notso-local Jewish community!

Around the Community Rabbonim and School Leaders Meet with Candidates in Key Races Ahead of Early Voting

By: Isaac Draiman

BaltimoreJewishLife.com/Jeff Cohn

With primary election fever in the air and with early voting poised to begin in one week, the Vaad HaRabbonim (Rabbinical Council) of Baltimore held a meeting this week to meet and interact with candidates from a couple of key races.

The forum, coordinated by Agudah Maryland, took place at Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion Congregation and included Orthodox synagogue rabbis and a number of Jewish day school representatives.

With a host of candidates vying for the Democratic nomination in Maryland’s gubernatorial race, the top five candidates in most polls were invited to participate and present their vision for Maryland. Three of the five attended: Peter Franchot, Doug Gansler, and Tom Perez; while John King and Wes Moore did not.

As a result of the recent U.S. Census, a robust redistricting effort took place earlier this year on both the congressional and local legislative level.

The Baltimore Jewish community had been contained in the 3rd congressional district for the last several decades. However, as a result of the recent redistricting, the community finds itself divided and completely out of the 3rd district. For the next decade the Baltimore City portion of our community will be in the 7th congressional district and the Baltimore County portion will be in the 2nd. In an effort to acquaint the rabbonim with our new U.S. Representatives, the two incumbents Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger (2nd district) and Rep. Kweisi Mfume (7th district) were also invited to the meeting. While Rep. Ruppersberger had committee meetings on Capitol Hill and did not attend, Rep. Mfume was able to rework his schedule to join in the meeting.

On the local level, redistricting took the 11th legislative district (covering the entire County portion of the community outside of Scotts Hill) and split it in two, designating Owings Mills as 11A and Pikesville as 11B. The split granted two delegate seats to 11B and one to 11A. The three incumbent 11th district delegates, Lisa Belcastro, Jon Cardin, and Dana Stein are all Pikesville residents, and thus the three of them are vying for the two seats in the new 11B district. All three were in attendance at the meeting.

Despite the pressure of a campaign season in its final stretch, all seven of the candidates made attending this forum a priority. Each candidate was welcomed by Rav Yaakov Hopfer, the president of the Vaad HaRabbonim, and then introduced by Rabbi Ariel Sadwin of Agudah Maryland. They each had roughly 15-20 minutes to present their vision and to take a few questions from the crowd.

The issues discussed covered a wide range of topics. The gubernatorial candidates discussed their economic visions for Maryland, their perspectives on state funding for the community schools, their support for the continued state partnership with Israel, bolstering crime fighting/prevention, and their views on other issues near and dear to the community. Rep. Mfume shared stories of his long relationship with the Jewish community, dating back to his youth growing up in Baltimore with Jewish neighbors. Among other position he shared, he expressed his strong and principled support for Israel, his vocal distaste for those who falsely label Israel an “apartheid state”, and his concerns with his party’s approach to dealing with the Iran deal.

Finally, the three delegates discussed their past efforts to help the Orthodox community, and their plans going forward should they win reelection. Two particular issues discussed were their desire to further bolster support for nonpublic education, and exploring legislative solutions to bring more school transportation options to the community.

While the conversations with each candidate were fairly intense, the candidates were able to grasp and appreciate the community’s priorities and concerns. Rabbi Sadwin commented, “we are pleased to have been able to meet with the candidates of these key races at this time, to enable the rabbonim and school leaders to hear the issues discussed directly from each candidate. We are hopeful that the candidates who strive to be the most effective on the matters of our greatest need and concern are the ones who emerge victorious.”

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Baltimore Community Celebrates its Winners Once Again!

On Sunday, July 19th, The Chesed Fund & Project Ezra, recognized and awarded 20 outstanding individuals who have gone above and beyond in service and/or safety for our community. The sponsors of the ceremony, Bruce and Lois Kauffman noted that we have such a unique and special community. Bruce said, “Our community is filled with dedicated and selfless people who deserve the recognition not only for themselves but for their families who support them. Additionally, their children learn the important lesson of doing for others without the expectation of a reward.”

The Rabbinical Award, which is dedicated in memory of Rabbi Simcha Shafran, a”h, was awarded to Rabbi Shlomo Porter. He was recognized for his lifetime of tireless devotion and guidance to our community as well as his exceptional kiruv efforts. His son, Rabbi Yisroel Porter accepted it on his behalf.

The Good Neighbor Award, dedicated in memory of Paul Naden, a”h, was awarded to Pinny Hexter. His rapid response in contacting 911 when seeing a fire in a residential building in our neighborhood saved countless lives. Other well-deserved awards went to two Bais Yaakov seniors, Shayna Rothstein and Rachel Yasni who have shown exceptional leadership skills. They both were involved with the Bikur Cholim Vaccine Clinic since its inception and coordinated a Matnas Chaim Gift of Life Senior Swab at their school to help enlist classmates in a bone marrow donor registry.

Delegate Sandy Rosenberg came to honor his Constituent Director, Jackie Greenfield, who was being recognized for all her efforts on the community’s behalf. Delegate Rosenberg shared how he was happy to be there not only for Jackie but for everyone else who was being honored as well. He noted, “We all benefit when we all help each other and how essential helping others is to being a part of the community.”

Linda Burstyn was honored for her efforts at Weinberg Village where she has worked tirelessly for over 500 residents, especially during the pandemic when she arranged for approximately 1000 on-site vaccinations. Stacy Bendet and Ari Schwartz of Market Maven were recognized for their tremendous efforts in ensuring infants had a supply of baby formula during this unprecedented shortage crisis. Julia Bailey was recognized for being a devoted Chaverim dispatcher, providing free notary services, as well as for being a role model to children in Bancroft Village. Rabbi Dovid Davis was honored for his efforts in keeping our shuls secure. Whether he arranges for armed and trained guards for shuls or personally patrols shuls in our neighborhood, our community is lucky to have him.

Frank Storch, founder of the Chesed Fund and Project Ezra stated, “Usually, every year, there are a handful of people we award who don’t even allow us to mention their names so without naming them we want you to know you are appreciated too. It was another wonderful Community Safety and Service Award Ceremony, and we look forward to doing this again next year.

If you know of someone you think may deserve this honor, feel free to submit that information to us now for next year’s award! Send in your contact information, the nominee’s contact information, and the reason you think they deserve an award to info@ chesedfund.com.

Photo Creds: Simcha Focus

Around the Community OU’s Teach MD Hosts Inaugural Baltimore Meeting

Coffee, French pastries and Jewish political advocacy were on the menu at Croustille Café last week.

Nearly 40 community members gathered on Wednesday morning to chart a future of bold activism, in pursuit of increased state support for day schools and yeshivas in Maryland. Yanky Statman, Ari Gross, Jerry Wolasky and Yehuda Neuberger hosted the parlor meeting to introduce the Orthodox Union’s Teach MD project.

The OU operates day school advocacy offices in states across the country and will be ramping up the operation in Maryland, working in tandem with the successful Jewish advocacy groups who steward many crucial state programs and policies. As explained and as demonstrated by Teach Coalition’s successes in other states, more activists and more efforts allow for even greater returns.

After Yanky Statman welcomed the group, Rabbi Hauer, Executive Vice President of the Orthodox Union shared words of chizuk as the community charges forward, working together across communities and organizations to do our part for the safety and sustainability of all our Torah institutions. Maury Litwack, OU Managing Director of Public Affairs and founder of Teach Coalition explained advocacy accomplishments in other Teach Coalition states. Jaws dropped with surprise and with envy of tuition-paying families in states like Florida and Pennsylvania, where tax credit programs provide scholarships for over 50% of students. He explained what needs to happen in a state like Maryland: that more community members need to learn about education issues, build meaningful relationships with their legislators, vote in every single election, and truly make their voices heard to demand adoption of transformative education funding policies. Sam Melamed of Silver Spring announced a commitment to work with his community to do their part, and Ari Gross closed the event with a strong and urgent request for community participation if we want to see change for our families and schools.

Attendees left energized. Not only caffeinated…but eager to dive in to do the work of investing in the OU’s Teach MD effort and becoming active in advocacy, to support day schools and yeshivas. In fact, the event was so well received that a second meeting is being scheduled for later this summer. If you are interested in attending the next meeting or to otherwise learn more and get involved, contact info@ teachcoalition.org or visit www.teachcoalition.org.