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Baltimore Celebrates 2 Months Since The Opening Of The Bais Chaburah
Many Talmidim, returning ready achieving its goals with three of to the States after the participants having secured jobs. spending a year learning The Chaburah has generated much in Eretz Yisroel at Yeshivos such excitement and has provided a great as Ohr Samayach, Aish, Shappells, opportunity for Talmidim returning Machon Yaakov and Machon Shlomo, from a year of growth at Yeshiva with seek to settle in a Frum community. the need to be engaged with experiThey are searching for opportunities enced Rebbeim. The Shiurim are rootfor Shiurim, Chavrusa learning and ed in acquiring a Kinyan in Gemara likeminded Chaveirim. At the same and Hashkafa. time, they are seeking professional Rabbi Schwartz says, employment and even Shidduchim. “COVID has shined a light on
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It can be difficult to find them all the many Talmidim who are Mosin the same place. People can find it er Nefesh to learn a year at Yeshiva. challenging when transitioning from When they return, they often have to Yeshiva into a new community, espelive on their own without much supcially with the pressures of starting out port. In addition, it is a challenge to on your own. find the appropriate learning and so
Enter the Bais Chaburah cial opportunities that are so vital. It’s The transition was made so much smoother - Talmidim were informed about our efforts on their behalf. A furnished apartment was rented and we were able to arrange daily Shiurim, Shabbos Seudos as well as Shidduch and Job Networking. This program, which was founded by Rabbi Zvi Schwartz, is a new addition to his summer program of Jinternship. Due to COVID, this summer, the regular programming was changed. Phil Massey, a Jinternship Alumni and recent graduate from Penn State, took advantage of the opportunity to live at the Bais Chaburah and participate in its many Shiurim. Phil is getting ready to go to Israel to spend a year at Ohr Samayach starting this Elul. Bezras Hashem the Chaburah is soon to finish Perek Ben Sorer U’Morer with Shiurim in Halacha, Chumash and Mishnah. The new approach is alincredible how the Bais Chaburah has turned this challenge around and created a Makom Torah that has attracted young men with so much talent and dedication. The Siyata Dishmaya and enthusiasm is very palpable. We look forward to continued growth”
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“Stay Safe in Israel” Workshop for Students Going to Seminary
On the heels of the Israeli government’s decision to allow American high school graduates to enter the country for seminary and yeshiva, on Sunday, August 2nd, Bais Yaakov and Bnos Yisroel students attended the annual “Stay Safe in Israel” workshop, in social distance style of course. Led by Frank Storch and ough yet comprehensive resource for held at Bnos Yisroel, the workshop so much that is important to know, advised students on various useful plan, and discuss before leaving to tips. Students were provided a Stay Israel for the year. “The Stay Safe Safe in Israel guide and a swag bag in Israel workshop takes it to anof essentials for their flight including other level by bringing the guide to KN95 masks for the plane. This life. The presentation makes the girls year, the workshop topics covered think about how to respond in differbasics such as what to plan for before ent scenarios to ensure their safety. the trip, personal and health safety For example, what should they do if during the year, etc. but also more they are running late and won’t make current issues regarding Covid-19 it back in time for curfew? Is it really safety concerns during travel. worth getting in a taxi that might not
“As students prepare themselves richa, explain the situation, and get in for a year away from home where a taxi that may take longer to arrive the focus is on learning independence but is from a trusted company? These and growing spiritually and emotionare hard decisions to make and withally, another important priority must out considering all the consequences be their safety and security. Students students may make the wrong choice need to learn to be mindful and aland unfortunately even a dangerous ways alert of their surroundings. Obone. Obviously, not every circumviously, that is important in the Unitstance can be predicted or planned ed States as well but even more so in for but just showing the girls to apIsrael. Whether that means students proach their behavior with a safety need to remember to lock the door perspective in mind is invaluable.” to their dorm building or respond correctly to a suspicious object on a Regarding Covid, Mr. Storch sugbus, awareness is a critical tool that gests, “Maximize safety protocols a can potentially save lives,” said Mr. when booking flights, at the airport, Storch. and on the plane. Online check-in
Rabbi Tzvi Gluck of Amudim be explored to limit exposure.” He said, “There are so many personal stressed to students the importance safety and security risks when young of keeping their masks on except for adults are traveling and experiencing when eating and to make sure to bring new things in new places. Without and use hand sanitizer often. Students parental guidance, the Stay Safe in were also reminded to choose a winIsrael guide is a strong resource and dow seat so there is less contact with tool for teenagers living on their own people, and to disinfect plane seats, for the first time and I have had stuarmrests, and tray tables. dents tell me that the guide’s Israel Emergency Card, which lists critiFor a free download of the Stay cal emergency phone numbers, has Safe in Israel guide, and various other saved them numerous times.” critical safety guides and communi
Bnos Yisroel Principal, Mrs. AhuContact Frank Storch with any quesvah Heyman, noted how the guide tions or comments at info@chesedis always so appreciated by students fund.com or 410-340-1000. and parents since it provides a thorbe safe or is it better to call their mador touchless check in options must ty resources, visit chesedfund.com.
Nearly 35,000 Ballots Rejected In Maryland’s First Statewide Vote-byMail Election In June
By: Staff Reporter BaltimoreJewishLife.com/Jeff Cohn
Tens of thousands of vote-bymail ballots were rejected and went uncounted in Maryland’s June primary, according to a summary of the state’s first vote-by-mail election triggered by the coronavirus pandemic.
The tally of rejected ballots was 34,948, which amounted to 2.39% of the nearly 3.6 million mail-in votes that were cast.
The numbers, while considered low by state elections authorities, are an indication that voting by mail brings a higher risk of errors that can disqualify ballots, according to State Board of Elections deputy administrator Nikki Charlson.
The percentages were in-line with previous absentee voting figures and did not affect the outcome of any races, Charleson said.
She noted that in-person voting results in much lower error rates, while the vote-by-mail primary resulted in higher than normal participation rates.
“We do see a higher rate of rejecting ballots with absentee,” Charleson said. “You’re just not completing the process in the presence of trained election officials.”
Leading reasons for the rejection of ballots during the June primary were a failure to get the ballot mailed in time and a failure to sign the ballot envelope to verify the voter’s identity.
By: Staff Reporter BaltimoreJewishLife.com/Jeff Cohn
Ma r y l a n d ’ s unemployment rate fell to 7.6 percent in July, preliminary data released by the U.S. Department of Labor Friday shows.
The state added 53,900 jobs in July, reducing the unemployment rate from 8.3 to 7.6 percent. Nationwide, the unemployment rate sits at 10.2 percent.
According to the SBE’s election report:
More than 87% of the rejects arrived late
Nearly 9.5% of the rejects were because voters failed to sign the envelope
Other reasons for vote-by-mail rejections in Maryland have included everything from unsealed envelopes to a small number of unregistered voters submitting ballots.
There is an extremely low incidence of people voting more than once. During the June primary, the Board of Elections disqualified 181 ballots out of 3.5 million, or .00005% of votes cast for voting more than one ballot.
Charlson explained that in the past some voters have turned up at polls in-person even after casting an absentee ballot. She said the numbers do not indicate any widespread fraud.
Charleson noted vote-by-mail ballots have an envelope that is bar-coded with an individual voter ID tracking number to verify every voter. Voters must also sign the envelope to verify their identity, or the ballot will be rejected.
In Maryland, mail-in ballots for the November General Election must be requested. Requests can be made online, or by texting the letters VBM to 77788.
Additionally, ballot request applications will be mailed to every registered voter beginning Aug. 24.
Voters who want to vote-by-mail or by leaving a ballot in a drop box must fill out the application and return it be
fore receiving a ballot.
Maryland’s unemployment rate is below neighboring states, the data shows. Delaware and Pennsylvania sit at 10.4 percent unemployment, while Virginia saw eight percent unemployment in July. Washington, D.C.’s unemployment rate, meanwhile, sits at 8.4 percent.
Just under half of Maryland’s job growth in July came from the leisure and hospitality industry, while the education and health services sectors saw slight job losses.
JCSL by Shimz Cars Regular Season Complete; Top 4 Teams Prepare For Post-Season
All teams arrived promptly to the PeoplesBank fields at Reisterstown Regional Park, ready to partake in the slow pitch league.
It was a fun and grueling regular season but the dust has settled and the top four teams have made their way into the Premier Financial post-season where they will vie for a spot in the championship and the chance to bring home the coveted, Premier Financial Trophy. The seedings for the playoffs are as follows: 1. LBSI 2. Levin & Gann 3. The Kitchen Spot 4. Fired Up Promotions
LBSI will play Fired Up Promotions while Levin and Gann will play Fired Up Promotions this coming Sunday (8/30) at 9:30 AM. (The winners of those games will face off on Labor Day, in the championship.)
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Read the remainder of this article for some of the highlights from Week 7, which helped set the stage for the playoffs.
Thank you to Yosef Chaim Weil for the photography that accompanies this article.
LBSI The Kitchen Spot 6 1
LBSI snatched the number 1 seed and cruised into the playoffs, following a big win against The Kitchen Spot.
With the best regular season record on the line for both teams, this was a game that promised excitement and competitiveness. But ultimately it was the work of LBSI pitcher, Aharon Ad
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AUTO Ĵ HOME Ĵ COMMERCIAL Ĵ LIFE ler, who pitched a one-run gem, as well as LBSI outfielder, Baruch Dollman, who drove in 3 runs, that helped LBSI take home the win and claim the “best regular season record” bragging rights.
Fired Up Promotions Donny Ankri Architects 16 15
In what was a wild back-and-forth affair, Fired Up Promotions came out on top, grabbing the final playoff spot by capitalizing on Ab Reznick’s 4 hits, which included a walkoff, game-winning, bases-clearing double in the bottom of the ninth.
Early in the game, Fired Up grabbed the reigns claiming a 6-1 lead. But Donny Ankri Architects battled back and took the lead in the fourth. Fired Up regained the upper hand, taking a 9-5 headed into the top of the seventh.
Donny Ankri himself tied the game at 9 with some clutch hitting but Fired Up’s Shloimie Scheinfeld responded by hitting an impressive two-run double to give Fired Up an 11-9 lead. The Architects once again fought back and took a 14-13 lead into the ninth.
The Architects threatened again in the top of the ninth, scoring one more run and loading the bases with only one out. But it would be Fired Up 3B Noam Shiman who saved the day, scooping a hard grounder, stepping on third for one out and then making a strong throw to the plate to complete an inning ending double play. Fired Up entered the bottom of the ninth down 15-13, knowing that they needed three runs to pull out the win and claim the final playoff spot.
Aitan Lewis led off with a single to center field and Josh Rosenbloom followed with a single of his own. The next two hitters flied out, leaving it up to Rookie Max Cantor to keep Fired Up’s hopes alive. Cantor came through with a hard single to center to load the bases, which brough All-Star SS Ab Reznick to the plate.
With a 1-0 count, Reznick hit a hard line drive to the right-center gap, scoring Lewis, Rosenbloom and Cantor for the walk-off win.
Kaylah Diamonds Stutman Chiropractic 10 2
The Chiropractors jumped out to an early 1-0 lead thanks to the aggressive baserunning of Yehuda Abedon but on the very next play, Hillel Stutman was thrown out at the plate by 1st baseman Shlomo Rosenstein, putting an end to the early rally.
As the game went on, Kaylah Diamonds took over, scoring 10 unanswered runs, capped off by a 2 run, opposite field homerun by Moshe Tuchman. It was a well-played, fun, competitive game, but Kaylah Diamonds was just too much for the Chiropractors and was able to take home the W with a final score of 10-2.
Levin and Gann Seven Seas Sushi 22 8
Levin and Gann pulled off an impressive victory, capping off the regular season with a 22-8 win against Seven Seas Sushi. The combination of strong pitching from captain Yaakov Rappaport, shut down defense by Aron Meister, David Pensak, Ben Gutman, and Shalom Ryback, and timely hitting by Alexander Weil, Simcha Malin, and Akiva Slepoy, proved to be too much for the Fish Men.
Levin and Gann now prepares for a 1st round match in the playoffs against The Kitchen Spot.
STAR-K’s Robust Educational Mission Thrives…Even During COVID
By Margie Pensak
STAR-K Kosher Certification’s educational mission is as robust as ever during COVID, as evidenced by the nonprofit agency’s eclectic spring and summer seminars and programs. Target audiences ranged from food processors/exporters and mashgichim to consumers including adults with special needs.
STAR-K’s Rav Hamachshir, HaRav Moshe Heinemann, delivered a shiur on COVID shaylos in his capacity as the Morah D’Asra of Agudath Israel of Baltimore. The Rav also gave a virtual shiur watched around the world on Erev Tisha B’Av, “Being B’Shalom with Everyone”. It was part of Yeshivat Hakotel’s worldwide achdus Torah learning program featuring nine of the world’s chief rabbis and over 100 senior roshei yeshiva, poskim and leading mechanchim and mechanchos from around the globe
Approximately 60 companies in the Dominican Republic participated
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in STAR-K’s first virtual Zoom seminar. The successful two-hour-plus seminar was conducted entirely in Spanish, introducing the world of Kosher and the advantage of reliable Kosher certification to food processors and exporters from numerous industries. A Q & A session followed; even after the seminar, participants emailed additional questions.
Although kosher consumers have limited their air travel during COVID, many are driving to closer vacation destinations. STAR-K’s popular annual “Kosher Travel” webinar, hosted by Rabbi Zvi Goldberg, discussed everything there is to know about hotel, cabin, and bungalow stays. Featuring STAR-K Kashrus Administrator Rabbi Baruch Beyer, topics included: Continental Breakfasts; Shabbos; the use of appliances in hotel rooms/ vacation homes; barbecue grills; and the latest Slurpee information. Participants were invited to submit their travel questions.
For those consumers who are not venturing out – on vacation or even to a local food store -- Rabbi Goldberg hosted a “COVID-19 Kashrus” webinar featuring STAR-K Kashrus Administrator Rabbi Sholom Tendler. Discussion topics included food shopping from home and which products require kosher certification and which don’t. Rabbi Tendler’s onsite video tour with a mashgiach at a STAR-K restaurant demonstrated how social distancing and other COVID-related protocols are being implemented in STAR-K food establishments.
Hashgacha work is more challenging than ever during COVID. Rabbi Tendler presented a webinar/video tour of how to visit a plant during the pandemic geared for the agency’s mashgichim. And, for those who find themselves eating more homemade meals, Rabbi Tendler presented a virtual practicum so consumers can check their own fruits and vegetables for toloyim (insects).
Last, but not least, STAR-K Kashrus Administrator Rabbi Dovid Heber, held a Zoom seminar with the high-functioning special-needs young adults of Harmony Services/Kinor Dovid, a day-habilitation program located in Brooklyn, New York. Rabbi Heber held a Q & A session on the appropriate bracha to make on a variety of cereals and other items.
I was invited to return on Zoom the following week, as a follow-up to Rabbi Heber’s shiur, to speak to this audience about STAR-K. One of Harmony’s rebbeim/mentors, Rabbi Moshe Boylan, who arranged the program, expressed his thanks in a letter:
Dear Mrs. Pensak,
Thank you so much for interviewing our chevra in Harmony Services/ Kinor Dovid. The olam enjoyed learning about STAR-K and the Baltimore community, and you showed them respect and appreciation for their accomplishments. We also thank Rav Dovid Heber, shlit”a, who answered our questions in Hilchos Berachos (which we are learning currently). We were impressed how he gave us his time willingly, as if he had all the time in the world. He was also very well-prepared for our questions, answering them right away without any preparation…Our virtual meetings with the staff of STAR-K were educational, geared to their level, and helped our agency make the individuals feel part of the overall community.
Around the Community NEW Graphic Design courses at Women’s Institute of Torah Seminary & College (WITS)
The Graphic Design minor at WITS has been completely redesigned for the 2020-2021 academic year. The minor is now comprised of nine NEW courses that teach up to date design concepts through print and web-based lessons and projects. All courses will be taught on new Mac computers using the latest versions of Adobe programs. Our program coordinator, Mrs. Goldie Silberberg, has created a curriculum that will teach design concepts through web-based lessons and projects.
Our graphic design students will develop a sophisticated approach to creative problem solving and hone skills in branding, image generation, corporate identity, web design, and information graphics. Through these courses, our faculty of experienced designers will teach our students to gain fluency in the fundamental tools of visual communication design: typography, color and layout. Students will learn to apply advanced skills with the Adobe workflow and produce a portfolio filled with cutting edge graphic design.
These courses are open to women of the community and can be taken remotely. Students will be able to build strong, marketable graphic design skills wherever they live.
Upon completion of the course work in Graphic Design, students will demonstrate the ability to: • Utilize the core Adobe design programs to create cutting-edge work, including use of Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. • Apply principles of color, composition, hierarchy, and typography as they relate to the design of digital and print media. • Apply principles of visual communication in creating designs for diverse audiences and a global society. • Analyze designs in the environment and society in order to apply them to current trends. • Apply the design process, design thinking, and professional standards and practices to real world tasks and professional projects. • Exhibit intercultural competence and attention to diversity, within and beyond the Jewish community, in addressing civic, social, environmental, and economic issues of the graphic design field and professional world. • Use effective oral and written communication skills to present ideas and communicate effectively.
Graphic Design for the Jewish Woman
Our students can grow their talent in a beautiful and nurturing environment with the accessibility, caring and quality of our instructors and the comradery and caliber of our student body. These courses are focused on encouraging and supporting Jewish women as they move into careers in visual and graphic design, which frequently offer flexible employment options. Students who complete the graphic design courses will be qualified for a successful career in visual communication and graphic design.
For more information, contact Mrs. Goldie Silberberg at gsilberberg@wits.edu.
To apply, visit us online at www. wits.edu/graphic-design.
