21 minute read
Around the Community
From Israel, Peru, and Manchester, too:
STAR-K Certification’s Popular Summer Kashrus Training Programs’ Far Reach
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By: Margie Pensak
STAR-K Kosher Certification’s back-toback 19th Annual Kashrus Training Program (July 25-28) and Food Service Kashrus Training Seminar (August 1-3) attracted participants from as far away as Ramla, Israel; Lima, Peru; and, Manchester, UK, to its Baltimore corporate headquarters. Both certificate programs featured a Q & A session with STAR-K Rabbinic Administrator HaRav Moshe Heinemann, shlit”a, and a variety of lectures by STAR-K Kashrus Administrators, a handson vegetable checking practicum, and tours of STAR-K-certified establishments.
For the past two years, Joe Malay worked as a mashgiach in catering, in addition to visiting several factories, in Peru. His 3,545-mile trip, he shared, was well worth it.
“I signed up for the STAR-K Kashrus Training Program to learn more from an important institution and its expert rabbis. Where I work, I must do everything…now, I will be able to apply the experience, and theory I learned.”
Rabbi Menachem Zev Kramer, Rav of the Orlando Torah Center, and member of the Orthodox Vaad of Orlando, noted, “The program provided a real taam and flavor and opened my eyes as to what to look for and how to plan…. Our kashrus division is very small, but what I learned enabled me to expand our vision in a very real way. Iy”H, the contacts I was able to make will be translated into tangible and concrete results down the line.”
As the Mara D’Asra of Bais Torah U’Tefilah in West Hempstead, NY, and Director of Pastoral Care at Gurwin Jewish Nursing Facility in Commack, NY, Rabbi Uri Lesser hopes to share his new knowledge with his community, as well as the mashgichim and dining service management at his facility.
“Through the Kashrus Training program, I gained a tremendous amount of both knowledge and practical advice in many different areas of Kashrus… My favorite part of the program was the personal time spent with Rav Heinemann, shlit”a. It is not every day that a person gets to sit with a Gadol B’Yisroel and hear first-hand his thoughts and different calculations both in Halacha and Hashkafa…. No amount of time learning Sefarim or reading articles can compare to personally hearing and being involved in the transmission of our Mesorah.”
Mrs. Chaya Lew, a Brooklyn, New York-based party planner, was one of five outnumbered women who attended the Food Service Kashrus Training Seminar.
“As a party planner, I find myself in many situations where I have had to call a Rav or a mashgiach to find out an answer, and I felt such a course would help me become more educated and knowledgeable. I am very grateful for this course. I really feel like I learned a lot. As I get older, and party planning gets more physically challenging, I am considering becoming a mashgicha – especially since I have a lot of experience working with numerous different caterers and shuls on many different types of events.”
How do the STAR-K rabbinic coordinators of these events sum them up?
Rabbi Sholom Tendler mentions, “It is always an honor to host these seminars. We get to meet and interact with people from such a wide array of backgrounds and experiences. Their interest in kashrus - and their questions - keep us on our toes. As much as they feel they gain from us, we also certainly gain from them.”
Rabbi Zvi Goldberg concludes, “We are grateful for the opportunity to serve the tzibur by teaching and demonstrating how kashrus works at a large agency…We very much look forward, iy”H, to next year’s programs!”
19th Annual Kashrus Training Program
Q & A with HaRav Moshe Heinemann, shlit’a, during the 19th Annual Kashrus Training Program
Rabbi Mayer Kurcfeld, STAR-K Assistant Director of Supervision, trains Foodservice Seminar attendees in bug checking
Baltimore’s New Chabad Mesivta Expands Faculty and Premises
By: Anash
The newly established Baltimore Mesivta has expanded its faculty to accommodate additional talmidim, and has secured the property adjacent to its Bais Medrash for use as its dormitory, Anash.org has learned.
“After lengthy negotiations, the mesivta’s hanhala was able to secure a recently renovated property just across the street of the bais medrash for use as the dorm,” the mesivta’s founding menahel and maggid shiurRabbiMendel Kaminker says. “Naturally, this location is truly ideal and convenient, and will also enable us to look after the wellbeing of the talmidim throughout the day, without the need of being in two separate locations.”
“Also, the mesivta has expanded its faculty”, continued Rabbi Kaminker, “to accommodate additional talmidim, and bez”h will have 2 classes.” The expanded faculty includes:
Rabbi Mendel Kaminker – Menahel/Maggid Shiur;
Rabbi Yosef Chaim Sufrin – Maggid Shiur; Rabbi Aron Goldberg – Mashpia;
Rabbi Sruly Bressinger – Mashpia;
Rabbi Mendy Vishedsky – Bochurim mentorship and Farbrengens.
The mesivta is located in Baltimore’s Greenspring neighborhood and is based in a newly-renovated and beautifully-furnished Beis Medrash, fully stocked with an all-new library of sifrei nigleh and chassidus.
Along with a newly-built state-ofthe-art mikvah, nourishing meals, dedicated staff and comfortable dormitory facilities, the new Mesivta will be a
Chasunah of HaChosson Avrohom Dovid Eichenstein
Mazel Tov to Rabbi & Rebbetzin Eichenstein (Mercaz Torah U’Tefillah) on the marriage of their son Avrohom Dovid to the daughter of the Viznitzer Rav of Monsey and the granddaughter of the Viznitzer Rebbe of Monsey and the Skverer Rebbe. Mazel Tov as well to the chosson’s zeides, the Zidichover Rebbe of Chicago and Moreinu Harav Yaakov Eliyahu Unsdorfer Shlita of Montreal. The Aufruf/Forshpiel was in Baltimore at Mercaz Torah U’Tefillah followed by the wedding in Monsey in the presence of the Viznitzer Rebbes and the Skverer Rebbe. The final Sheva Brachos took place in Baltimore together with the Viznitzer Rebbe of Monsey, the Vinitzer Rebbe of Montreal, and the Skelener Rebbe.
FORSHPEIL
Choson dancing with his father, HaRav Eichenstein
WEDDING
A partial view of the chassidim who attended the wedding Choson dancing with his grandfather, Moreinu HaRav Yaakov Eliyahu Unsdorfer shlita, from Montreal
Baal Habatim dancing with the choson at the special Baltimore reception The Eichenstien family dancing at the simcha
The dais at the chasunah, including the Viznitzer Rebbe of Kiamesha Lake, the Vizniter Rebbe of Monsey and the Skever Rebbe, along with HaRav Unsdorfer and HaRav Eichenstien
SHEVA BRACHOS
Around the Community Biker Cholim Cycles to New Heights!
By: Rochelle Goldberg
Photo Credits: B. Ansbacher Photography
The heat wave ended. The weather was perfect. The excitement in the air was palpable, as the 160 cyclists rode off on the glorious scenic routes of Maryland at 50, 25, and 10-mile challenges respectively. Sunday’s
Sinai Lifebridge 9th Annual Bikur
Cholim Men’s Bike a thon raised a staggering $205,000 with money still coming in hourly.
For the ninth year in a row, Bikur
Cholim of Baltimore/LifeBridge Health Men’s Biker Cholim and
After Party BBQ event was an overwhelming success, with more cyclists, more fun, more challenges, and more money raised. This laudable event was once again chaired by Mordechai Gottlieb and his committee of Liz Rothstein, Yaakov Berkowitz, Tzvi Feigenbaum, Noam Shiman, Akiva Goldberg, Eli Portnoy, Pinchos Rabinowitz, and Rochelle Goldberg.
The excitement began at 7:45 a.m. as the “50 milers,” pumped and helmeted, left the beautiful grounds of Ateres Elke followed by the “25 milers” at 9:00 a.m., and finally the “10 milers” at 10:30 a.m. The beautiful weather and scenic country-side routes made this the “most enjoyable and pleasant ride,” remarked one of our long-time cyclists.
Family and friends were on hand to cheer each group at the finish line with homemade signs and tremendous applause. Laughter, excitement and a tremendous feeling of accomplishment by cyclists and spectators pervaded the parking lot of Ateres Elke. After the ride, everyone enjoyed the lavish and delicious barbeque prepared by Yaffa caterers.
Master of Ceremonies, Rabbi Pinchos Rabinowitz, spoke straight from the heart in his remarks, explaining that just as a non-cyclist cannot fathom a person riding a bike for 50 miles, so too “we cannot understand what is going through the minds of those facing a medical crisis or the feeling of relief when after one phone call to Bikur Cholim, one knows that all his needs will be taken care of and he can just focus on his loved one-the choleh ( the person with the illness).”
Mordechai Gottlieb, event chairmen awarded the trophies to this top fundraisers: Bill Goldberg ($18,204), Avie Rock ($10,528) who was riding in memory of his dear brother-in-law, Yoel Benyowitz z”l,
Kenny Freidman ($7,562), SIC Team, Yitzchok Polsky, Gill Neuman, and Mahti Topas ($8,579) and our top mileage rider, clocking in at a mind-blowing 2,214 miles, Howard
Shiman.
While the fundraising was incredible and is vital to continuing our Mission of Kindness, we are especially proud of the atmosphere of achdus (togetherness) as people from all over our community come together, cycle together, and laugh together for a great cause.
Bikur Cholim of Baltimore will utilize these much-needed funds to service the needs of the cholim and their families in our community. Please check our website at BaltimoreBikurCholim.org and get involved, there are opportunities for all, www.baltimorebikurcholim.org
As we turn the page on another successful Biker Cholim, we say thank you to our sponsors, thank you to our cyclists, and thank you to our volunteers for always enabling us to raise the bar! Start training for our 10th ANNIVERSARY Biker Cholim 2023!
Baltimore Police NW Major Boyd Presented with JUSA Salute to our Heroes Card
Rabbi Chesky Tenenbaum, Director of the Jewish Uniformed Service Association of Maryland (JUSA) and Baltimore Police Chaplain presented Baltimore Police NW Major Boyd and Sgt. Hamond the JUSA Salute to our Heroes card to thanked them for their service. JUSA has an ongoing campaign were children write Salute to our Hero cards that are presented to the brave men and women in uniform, to thank them for their service.
Baltimore Community Member Chaim Abramson Honored by BPD for Assistance in Ephraim Gordon Murder Case
By: BJLife Newsroom
Baltimore City Police Commissioner Michael Harrison awarded community member Chaim Abramson with a Certificate of Recognition.
Chaim worked alongside Baltimore Police Detectives & Councilman Isaac Yitzy Schleifer to recover camera footage that led to the arrest and guilty plea of the suspects who murdered Ephraim Gordon, Z’L, H’yd.
Councilman Schleifer & Commissioner Harrison both credit Chaim’s relentless work with gathering evidence that was ultimately critical in closing out this case.
Bikur Cholim of Baltimore is Expanding to Better Service our Growing Community
For decades, Bikur Cholim has worked tirelessly to service all the Bikur Cholim needs of our community. From kosher food provisions in hospitals and at home, dedicated in-hospital pantries and respite areas, home and hospital visitation, transportation, medical equipment loans, Shabbos and Yom Tov care packages, housing, vaccine clinics, and an ever-expanding role in patient advocacy, navigation, and referrals, Bikur Cholim has been there for those facing a medical need. Our dedicated professionals, Rabbi Pinchos Rabinowitz and Mrs. Bonnie Pollak, accompanied by numerous service coordinators and hundreds of community volunteers, work around the clock to provide for the Baltimore community and those coming from out of town seeking care from our worldclass medical institutions.
As the community grows and more vital services are needed, Bikur Cholim is working hard to meet the demands. Seeking to develop a stronger presence in over 10 hospitals and rehabilitation centers in the region, upgrade our numerous services, grow our volunteer base, launch new community-centric initiatives, and pursue the vision to provide a more robust patient advocacy service, Bikur Cholim is excited to announce the recruitment of a new Executive Director and transitory roles of our current staff.
Rabbi Moshe Dear has been recruited to serve as the new Executive Director of Bikur Cholim. Rabbi Dear returns to Baltimore after over 25 years in leadership positions in Los Angeles and Boca Raton and is a veteran of structuring and managing organizations to maximize their impact. Rabbi Dear’s executive role will enable Rabbi Pinchos Rabinowitz to dedicate his time solely to assisting patients and their families navigate the complex medical world in the form of medical referrals, clinical advocacy, and improved communication between patients and healthcare providers. As the new Director of Clinical and Religious Services, Rabbi Rabinowitz will serve as the region’s primary liaison for optimizing medical care and improving patient clinical experiences. In addition, Rabbi Rabinowitz will expand his influence on educating hospital staff as to the religious nuances of our community, including sensitive end-of-life issues, medical halacha, Shabbos and Yom Tov observance and Kashrus needs. Mrs. Bonnie Pollak, serving Bikur Cholim for over 10 years, will serve as the new Director of Operations, overseeing all non-clinical Bikur Cholim services provided for patients and their families. Constant communication with the service coordinators and dedicated volunteers will ensure our community continues to receive the excellent services Bikur Cholim provides.
We look forward to enhancing our current activities and launching even more programs in the near future. We thank the broader Jewish community for your generous support. For more information, find us at https://baltimorebikurcholim.org. To reach our dedicated staff, request services, or to volunteer, please call 410.999.3700, or email us at info@baltimorebikurcholim.org.
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Around the Community Inaugural Mid-Atlantic Business Halacha Conference Draws Hundreds Seeking to Improve the Level of Halacha and Hashkafa in their Business Operations
Over 300 men and women gathered at the Pikesville DoubleTree Hotel for the inaugural Mid-Atlantic Business Halacha Conference in Baltimore. The conference was a first-of-itskind large-scale opportunity for working people in and around Maryland to gather to network, and, more importantly, receive inspiration and practical guidance from leading rabbonim on the areas of business halacha in today’s workplace.
The packed schedule included keynote addresses, individual sessions, and panels covering a wide range of topics – from business management on Shabbos, to interest, to loshon hara. Additionally, there were special sessions for men and for women about gender-related practices in the workplace.
Rabbi Aaron Lopiansky, Rosh Yeshiva of the Yeshiva Gedolah of Greater Washington, kicked off the conference, setting the tone with the opening keynote. Rabbi Lopiansky stated that rather than just being an opportunity to review some relevant piskei halacha, the conference would serve as an opportunity for attendees to develop a new layer of avodas Hashem. Through the integration of Torah into day-today business life, Rabbi Lopiansky explained, one makes one’s Torah learning part and parcel of one’s life, elevating one’s very reality.
In a session titled “My co-worker was wondering…” Rabbi Yaakov Hopfer, President of the Vaad HaRabbonim of Baltimore and Rav of Shearith Israel Congregation, and Rabbi Aaron Lopiansky answered challenging questions submitted by the attendees on a variety of workplace – and klal-oriented topics.
Howard Tzvi Friedman, former president and chairman of AIPAC, Ronnie Wilheim, president of the long term care division at CommuniCare Health Services, and Duvy Gross, founder of Regency Nursing and president of Regency Global Acquisitions, emphasized, in a panel on how busi-
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The event closed with an evening keynote session that featured speeches from Rabbi Yissocher Frand, Rosh Yeshivas Ner Yisrael, Baltimore and Naftali Horowitz, managing director at Morgan Stanley Wealth Management. Rabbi Frand spoke extensively about the importance of honesty and the evils of dishonesty. He stressed the need to represent Hashem in the workplace by conducting oneself according to the highest standards and the damage one can do by being dishonest. Naftali Horowitz spoke about emunah, and not letting ‘the way things are supposed to work’ limit us. He also stressed the importance of helping others achieve success.
“It was amazing to see so many people take off a day to come together for the purpose of learning halacha and receiving chizuk to enhance the standards of their business practices,” said Rabbi Ariel Sadwin, executive director of Agudath Israel of Maryland. “We look forward to providing the community with other opportunities of raising the level of mitzvah observance in the years to come.”
“The Agudah’s Business Halachah Conferences are a great service to the Frum business community,” said one attendee. “Giving an opportunity for those in business to hear from the leading poskim and gedolim of today at the same time as being able to network with each other is a service that is not offered anywhere else.”
It was an honor to participate in this event that brings spirituality, ruchnios, into our daily business practices,” said Rabbi Aaron Lopiansky. “Ensuring that our businesses are run in accordance with halacha is of the upmost importance to our communities.”
All of the audio and video of the event and its many sessions is available at www.BHC2022.org.
Around the Community
The Jewish Community Night Softball League (JCNSL) by “Tripping Kosher” Returns for 3rd Season
The Jewish Community Night Softball League (sponsored by Tripping Kosher) began their third season on Sunday evening (August 14th) at the beautiful Reisterstown Regional Fields - by Web Interactive Technologies. As expected, the fields were impeccably groomed, thanks to the support of the 2022 grounds crew sponsor, Blue Mountain Delivery.
Prior to opening week, the league’s 96 players were divided between eight different teams via a draft system, ensuring parity in competition. The eight teams are each named for their individual team sponsors: Clothier, Diamond Medical Laboratories, Donny
Ankri Architects, Fired Up Promotions, Jewish Day Camp, KD Gold & Coin Exchange, Park Heights
Roofing, and Shimz Cars
Following the draft, teams were provided with their team jerseys, sponsored by Sushi Sakura (specially designed for the first time to include player names.) All eight teams will compete for seven regular season games, with the top four teams facing off in a round of playoffs. The playoffs winners will then battle each other in the Mailman Law, LLC championship.
Read on for some of the highlights from the first week of the season:
In a roller coaster of a game, Fired Up Promotions snatched the lead in the final inning (the 7th), despite entering the inning down 9-6.
Fired Up 3B Binyomin Goldenberg singled to start the 7th. A hit by Yoni Strauss and then an RBI single by Mark Stutman scored Goldenberg. Shimmy Messing continued the hitting parade, singling to score Strauss and Yoni Addi followed with another single plating another run. All-Star Jeremy Kramer then brought everyone home, clearing the bases with a 2-run bomb to RF, giving Fired Up a lead they would not relinquish.
In the bottom of the 7th, with the game on the line, Diamond Medical had the tying run at 3rd but an incredible throw from 1B Shimmy Messing to Catcher Navid Raoofian closed out the game.
The Catcher position proved to be critical in this game as David “I’m Fired Up” Addi caught one at home in the first inning from LF Kramer that saved a run as well.
On the evening, Fired Up tallied 20 hits with Dovid Addi, Shimmy Messing, Aharon Schnur, Jeremy Kramer, Yoni Strauss, Mark Stutman, and Binyomin Goldenberg all collecting multiple hits.
Park Heights Roofing 15 Shimz Cars 9
Park Heights Roofing came out slugging in the first inning, scoring 5 runs, thanks to 4-hit performances from rookies’ Moshe Shmuel Leder and Eli Englander. PHR was in complete command until a 6-run 5th by Shimz Cars tied it up.
In the 6th, rookie sensation Shaya Swiatycki slugged a bases clearing triple that sealed the win. Of note was the solid play from PHR veterans, Shlomo Rosenstein and Avi Safren, who each had key hits.
Park Heights Roofing 12 Jewish Day Camp 8
PHR was quick out of the gate in their second game of the evening, opening with a 6 run first. Avi Safren remained clutch with a 4 RBI performance, Binyamin Guttman came through in key spots, as did Brian Ponczak, and Moshe Tuchman.
Eli Englander again had a multi-hit performance and Scott Leder struck out 5. Jewish Day Camp attempted a late rally in the 5th but came up short, thanks to strong defense by PHR’s rookie brothers, Moshe Shmuel and Koby Leder, who provided multiple acrobatic catches.
KD Gold & Coin Exchange 14 Jewish Day Camp 13
Excited to finally be back for the 2022 JCNSL season, KD took the field against Jewish Day Camp. The “campers” jumped to an early 7-0 lead in the first few innings.
In the bottom of the 3rd, KD shook off the rust and scored 2 with some clutch hitting by Yaki Strauss. JDC responded, putting up 6 more runs to bring the lead to 13-2. But Baruch Glazer (KD’s pitcher) then settled down and summarily shut down the JDC bats.
In the 6th, things turned around for KD. Moe Krohn smashed a line drive to get the party started. Yaakov Spatz followed with a line drive down the 3B line that turned into a double. Hits by Moshe Miller and Mayer Goldsmith continued the onslaught. The rest of the team caught the fever and the hits continued. Following a few more singles, KD had pulled within 5. Avrumi Freund then drilled a 2-run HR to RF, bringing the score to 13-11.
KD turned a 1-2-3 inning in the top of the 7th, thanks to gold glove left fielder Akiva Katz’s defensive play and came back up to bat, down by 2. A couple hits and a few doubles later, KD had 2 runs in, a runner on 2nd, and Freund back at the plate. On a 2-2 pitch, he hit a ball that carried out to center field and scored Yaki Strauss from 2nd base for the walkoff win.
On the evening, KD’s Menashe Minkin led his team with impressive defense and strong motivational speaking, encouraging his team when they needed it most.
KD opened the game by retiring the side 1-2-3, and came up to bat in the bottom of the first. A leadoff single from Eliezer Katz, and hits from Baruch Glazer, Menashe Minkin, and Yaki Strauss, and KD was up 3-0 going to the 2nd.
In the 3rd, a double from Mayer Goldsmith and a hit from Moshe Miller brought the lead to 4-0. Diamond Medical got 1 run in the 3rd to make it a little closer but Glazer pitched out of a jam to keep the score as is.
From that point on, it was all KD all the time. In the 4th, Yaakov Spatz crushed a 2-2 pitch over the left-center fielder’s head for a bases clearing triple. In the 5th, the highlight was a running leaping catch by LF Akiva Katz for the 3rd out. And when the dust settled, KD’s record had improved to 2-0 on the season.
