Around the Community

The Associated Jewish Federation of Baltimore and the Community

On Sunday evening, July 25, more than 250 Baltimoreans came out for The Associated Jewish Federation of Baltimore’s Summer Music Fest – Here for Good Community Concert. The event took place at Pearlstone and featured members of The Bridge, Jazz is Phish & Psycho Killers — Paul Weinberg, Dave Markowitz & Matt Chase — 3 of a kind +1, and local bluegrass favorite, the 19th Street Band. It was their first in-person event of the season. A community celebration that brought people together safely outside on a beautiful summer evening to schmooze and celebrate community. Families came with food, blankets and chairs to enjoy the festivities and summer sounds as they danced the night away. They climbed on Pearlstone’s ropes course and participated in agricultural projects that tied together Judaism and nature. Jason A. Blavatt, The Associated’s 2022 Annual Campaign Development Chair, welcomed the crowd with excitement and energy, announcing The Associated’s theme for this upcoming year, ‘HERE FOR GOOD.’

“It has been more than a year and a half since we have been together in person. We hope all of you are ready for a great evening of music and fun. This is a wonderful opportunity for us to be reminded of how fortunate we are to be part of the Jewish community of Baltimore.” He continued with, ‘As always, we and our agencies, together with you, have helped thousands of people stay safe and secure in their homes through the generosity of donations from people just like you.”

For Lev Bar-av, who came with his wife, Jillian and two daughters, Hannah and Zoe, it was exactly what was needed at this time. “We were overly thrilled with our first opportunity at an outdoor musical experience. It was awesome and we are so grateful to the folks at the Associated for planning and producing that event. Thank you,” he said.

With the success of this year’s festival, The Associated hopes to return next year to Pearlstone, which is one of the agencies they fund, and turn this into an annual gathering.

“Raising the Steaks” for a Night to Remember

It was the perfect guys’ night out. The weather was perfect, the music was lively, the company was convivial, and the food—prime ribs, short ribs, duck, leg of lamb, and more—was a carnivore’s dream. The best part of the night, however, was the opportunity to help one of Baltimore’s top Jewish organizations. Raise the Steaks is an annual fundraising event for Etz Chaim, a vibrant network of programs for Baltimore-area Jewish adults. The 2021 edition drew over 100 Jewish men for mingling, noshing, and supporting a great cause.

The highlight of the event was a talk by Matthew Fleisher, an active community member who shared his story of how Etz Chaim helped him grow Jewishly and professionally after moving to Baltimore from Philadelphia. When he first came to town, Fleisher knew he was looking for a Jewish journey but didn’t know where to start. After joining the J-Care Fellowship for young professionals, he went from feeling lost to having a family. “[Etz Chaim] gives guys like me a home,” he said. “We are trying to raise the stakes and create a community for people who need to find their Jewish path.”

Some of the attendees, like Fleisher, were regulars at Etz Chaim programs. Others were discovering Etz Chaim for the first time and left eager for more. In addition to J-Care, Etz Chaim offers the popular Wine and Wisdom series, several thought-provoking book clubs, festive holiday celebrations, outreach to college students, Talmud classes for seniors, and so much more.

The one downside to the event? Nobody wanted the night to end. The good news is that Etz Chaim’s continues to offer fun, welcoming programs all year long for Jewish adults of all ages. Visit www.etzchaim.org to learn more!

Photo Credits: Lev Bar Av/National Photo

Around the Community Another year, another success! Over 165,000 dollars raised by over 200 cyclists, and generous sponsors for Baltimore Bikur Cholim

Around the Community Covid Heroes Honored At 7th Annual Community Service And Safety Award Ceremony

The Chesed Fund Limited and Project Ezra of Greater Baltimore, Inc., recognized community members, leaders, and organizations who cared courageously in an extraordinary year

In a year like no other, some individuals and organizations have shone especially brightly in their service to others. A gathering of family and friends convened at Suburban Orthodox Congregation Toras Chaim on June 20 to honor some 260 such heroes, recipients of the Philip Kauffman & Rosalie Zwagil Community Service and Safety Awards of The Chesed Fund Limited and Project Ezra of Greater Baltimore, Inc. The ceremony was emceed by The Chesed Fund executive director Frank Storch and Bruce Kauffman, Esq., who cosponsors the annual event with his wife, Lois Kauffman. Honorees in attendance included State Delegates Sandy Rosenberg and Dalya Attar, County Councilman Izzy Patoka, and City Councilman Isaac “Yitzy” Schleifer, as well as representatives of numerous community organizations and individuals. The event marked the 7th year of the awards, given annually in recognition of com-munity members’ extraordinary acts of service to others, in memory of the Kauffmans’ parents and their friend Paul Naden, who was “the embodiment of kindness.” This year’s awards highlighted Covid-19-related acts of service, in Frank Storch’s words, “honoring the people who spent the last 16 months giving their all to keep everyone safe.”

Of the elected officials, Delegate Rosenberg was honored for ensuring healthcare accessibility to the community’s most vulnerable members during the pandemic and for his dedication to children’s education. Delegate Attar’s award recognized her work in protecting local business-es and organizations from Covid-related losses and threat of shutdown, and in helping con-stituents secure unemployment benefits. Councilman Patoka was honored for his community engagement and efforts to maintain essential services in the 2nd District despite the difficulties of a global pandemic. Councilman Schleifer was recognized for being “the first community representative to have the insight to take the dramatic but necessary steps of shutting down large gatherings at the start of the pandemic,” and for taking the lead in bringing Covid-19 testing and an easily accessible vaccine clinic to the community.

Other honorees included Bikur Cholim, which dramatically scaled up its usual operations in caring for ill members of the community and their families in the context of Covid-19. The award was accepted by Chana Dena Pollack, head of the Bikur Cholim Covid Vaccine Task Force, which has administered some 5500 shots to date. Hershel and Moshe Boehm of 7 Mile Market and Ronnie Rosenbluth of Tov Pizza were honored for their efforts in organizing food distribution. David Weingot of DMAC Security received an award for his sponsorship of per-sonal protective equipment. When Manny Topper and his son Tzvi Topper accepted an award on behalf of the Alvin S. Mintzes Hatzalah of Baltimore, recognizing the organization’s “her-culean effort put into protecting all facets of our community’s health and safety during the Covid-19 pandemic,” the audience gave them a standing ovation. The Vaad HaRabbonim of Baltimore was awarded the special rabbinical award, in memory of Rabbi Simcha Shafran, A”H, for its “countless hours spent guiding community members, medical professionals, and government officials. Finding the right balance of ensuring our safety yet allowing us to main-tain our daily routines as much as possible was a tremendous task and the shalom fostered in the community during this period is immeasurable.” Doctors Menachem Cooper, Dan Grove, Avi Rosenberg, Linda Samuels, and Mark Young received awards for their extraordinary con-tributions to their own patients, to the community, and to science.

Bruce Kauffman said of the event, “All the years are important, but this year was particularly gratifying because people literally risked their lives on a daily basis to help people in dire need. We wanted to thank them for their sacrifice.”

For information on other initiatives of The Chesed Fund and Project Ezra, visit chesedfund.com, call 410-486-0800, or email chesedfund@gmail.com.

Danielle & Frank Storch, Councilman Izzy & Denise Patoka, & Lois & Bruce Kauffman Danielle & Frank Storch, Delegate Sandy Rosenberg, & Bruce & Lois Kauffman

Dr. Dan Grove, Bruce Kauffman, Frank & Danielle Storch, Chana Dena Pollak, Lois Kauffman & Bikur Cholim Staff Frank & Danielle Storch, Delegate Dalya Attar, Lois & Bruce Kauffman

Frank & Danielle Storch, Councilman Yitzy Schleifer, & Bruce & Lois Kauffman

The Chesed Fund is dedicated in memory of Mordechai and Rebecca Kapiloff, ה׳׳ע ,Dr. Bernard Kapiloff, ה׳׳ע , and Rabbi Norman and Louise Gerstenfeld, ה׳׳ע . Project Ezra is dedicated in memory of M. Leo Storch and Hannah Storch, ה׳׳ע.

If you would like more information about this topic, please call Rachel Hall at 443.929.1000, or email rachel@chesedfund.com.

Photo Credits-Baruch Bitman of Simcha Focus

Amazing Baltimore Representation for Bike 4 Chai!

N’shei Presents “Moving Forward with Faith and Optimism” Summer Lecture Series

N’shei Agudath Israel of Baltimore is proud to present our Summer Lecture Series for Women. This year’s theme is “MiYagon LeSimcha: Moving Forward with Faith and Optimism.”

Rabbi Naftoli Hexter kicked off our series speaking about “Seeking Serenity.” The following week, Mrs. Chaya Kruk focused on “Achieving Inner Joy through Shalom,” and a guest educator from Yerushalayim, Rebbetzin Nechama Karlinsky, also spoke that same evening on “Meeting Challenges with Bitachon and Positivity.”

These were followed by timely lectures by Rabbi Dovid Heber on “The Good That Comes Out of Tisha B’Av,” and by Rebbetzin Naomi Frankel on “Nechama: Onwards and Upwards.” Two more speakers followed: Dr. Jonathan Lasson spoke about “Neuroplasticity: The Torah Approach to Resilience,” and Rabbi Moshe Matz spoke about “Surviving Galus: The Strength of Our Emunah.”

As we approach Elul, Mrs. Shira Hochheimer will speak via Zoom on Tuesday, August 10, 2021 at 8:00 p.m. on “Positive Growth in Elul,” followed by Rabbi Shlomo Slatkin, who will speak on Tuesday, August 17 at 8:00 p.m. via Zoom on the topic of “Transforming Your Relationships: Bringing More Joy into Your Life.”

Concluding our series, Rabbi Tzvi Mordechai Feldheim will speak on Tuesday, August 24 at 8:30 p.m. on “Preparing for Rosh Hashanah,” and Rabbi Moshe Heinemann will present his Annual Teshuva Shiur on Monday, August 30 at 8:30 p.m. Both of these two shiurim will take place at the Agudah of Park Heights and will also be accessible via the web and by phone.

In addition, we have also been hosting two ongoing lectures. Rabbi Moshe Heinemann has been giving a bi-weekly Monday night Halacha shiur to women on the important topic of Hilchos Shabbos. This lecture is accessible on the phone, via the web, or in person in the Agudah of Park Heights balcony at 9:00 p.m. on alternate Monday evenings.

Rabbi Yisroel Roll has been giving a weekly virtual Wednesday night parsha shiur entitled “The Inspired Parsha: Middos and Character Development through the Weekly Parsha,” where he shares insights from the parsha for coming closer to Hashem in everyday life and finding purpose and meaning in life. This inspiring shiur takes place every Wednesday night at 8:30 p.m.

For information on accessing these lectures and recordings, please email nsheibaltimore@gmail.com or call or text Mrs. Chavi Barenbaum at 410935-3010. ADA accommodations are available upon request.

N’shei Agudath Israel of Baltimore is part of an international organization of women dedicated to achdus, community service, education, and charity. Our members include women from different shuls, schools, and organizations. N’shei provides the women in our community with quality programs to enhance their homes and families. N’shei organizes halacha and hashkafa shiurim, including our annual Teshuva and Pesach shiurim given by Rabbi Moshe Heinemann, shlita. Also, every year, N’shei officially welcomes women who are new to the community at our Welcome Newcomers Night.

All shiurim are free of charge, but sponsorship opportunities are available. You can sponsor a shiur or you can sponsor an ad. Please call or text Mrs. Chavi Barenbaum or email nsheibaltimore@gmail.com for more information. Due to the pandemic, this year we did not have our annual N’shei Café fundraiser. However, in order to bring quality programs to the women of our community, we incurred expenses that must be covered. Therefore, we would greatly appreciate N’shei dues and donations, so we can continue our efforts on behalf of the women in our community. Dues are still only $20 and can be sent to Mrs. Sandy Cohen at 6314 Cross Country Blvd., Baltimore, MD 21215. Dues will also be collected at live shiurim and online. Please email nsheibaltimore@gmail.com for our donation link.

We are also looking for volunteers to help with our programming. We especially need help with publicity, phone calls, and computer graphics.

We look forward to having you join our lectures and events.

Safety ABC’s at OCA’s Early Childhood Center

With the initial Covid-19 safety protocols now a part of young children’s daily rituals, Ohr Chadash Academy’s Early Childhood Center wanted children to learn some safety basics too. On Friday, June 11, Frank Storch of the Chesed Fund & Project Ezra was invited to share some important safety tips with Morah Esther Berman’s and Morah Aviva Goldfuss’s 2 and 3 year old classes.

While Frank normally shares his safety and security expertise with adults whether through security evaluations, workshops or literature, Frank’s sense of humor and warmth successfully engaged and enlightened his young audience as well. Using a hands-on approach, Frank showed the children several common household items such as matches, medicine bottles, and spray bottles, showing them examples of what they should avoid ingesting or touching. Frank reviewed important tips such as biking safety, fire safety, and for water safety, also used Mrs. Bracha Goetz’s new book “Let’s Swim Safely.” Frank also reminded students that it is important for them to know their home address in the event of an emergency. Each child also received a Chesed Fund & Project Ezra reflector belt to keep them safe outdoors as well.

The lesson left the important impression on children to make sure to always think about their own safety. A young Bobbi Schleifer, proud to share her safety knowledge, exclaimed that she knew that in the event of an emergency she should call 911. Morah Aviva stated “It was such a great learning experience and an important life lesson for the children. Thinking about how to keep yourself safe is critical no matter what age.” Of course, Frank’s grandson, Nat Storch, was all too happy to share his Zaidy with the rest of his classmates.

The Summer Zman learning session at Yeshivas Kochav Yitzchok

The Summer Zman learning session at Yeshivas Kochav Yitzchok/Torah Institute of Baltimore is a unique time and full of geshmakeh learning, innovative limudim and programs, and special activities.

One special program is Chayeinu. Introduced 2 years ago, the Chayeinu Summer Zman learning program was once again an amazing hit among the talmidim. The ruach and limud haTorah that Chayeinu generates is a true nachas. The weekly raffles, prizes, and grand-raffle, which included 3 sets of Shas, add to the boys’ excitement.

On a smaller scale, each grade has special programming and limudim as well. For example, the 5th grade learns hilchos Melicha and kashers meat! Of course, there’s an ensuing BBQ! Another example is the 8th grade’s Lev L’achim auction. The talmidim plan and coordinate the entire auction which has raised thousands of dollars each year!

The Cheder has also been treated to special visits during the Summer Zman. This year the Skulener Rebbe of Monsey took two hours out of his time while in Baltimore to share divrei Torah and Chizuk to over 300 boys. The Rebbe profusely praised all the boys for learning during this time and said it serves as a special shemira for Klal Yisroel. After speaking, he personally gave each boy warm bracha.

Many siyumim take place during the Summer Zman and the rebbeim go above and beyond to make grand celebrations, recognizing their talmidim’s accomplishments. There are BBQs and special seudos, often including parents to join and share in the milestone as well.

The preschool also has special celebrations: kindergarten has their alef-bais plays and Pre1A has a grand Chumash mesiba. These young talmidim solidify their kriah skills during this time so that they are well prepared for the following year. July is hot in Baltimore and the preschoolers get to enjoy fun water activities, including a slip & slide!

In connection with learning about first responders, a Baltimore County special response unit vehicle, K9 unit and helicopter visited the campus. Talmidim and staff looked on with delight as the helicopter flew overhead and landed in the school’s lower fields. Needless to say, it was a sight to see!

Pirkei Avos tells us that the world stands on Torah, Avodah and Gemilus Chasodim. The boys at YKY/TI truly help uphold the world, especially in July!

Full Service Landscaping & Maintenance

•Commercial & residential

•Spring cleanups

•Seasonal flowers

•Landscape projects

•Lawn renovations

•Bush removal

•Snow removal

Tzvi Pensak

office@tlklandscaping.com 410.905.5900

TLKLandscaping.com

Ishay Ribo Concert for Chayeinu Baltimore a Smashing Success

On Sunday, August 1st, more than 200 community members gathered at the elegant Grey Rock Mansion to support Chayeinu. After enjoying a delicious buffet dinner prepared by LeMo Catering, the guests entered a beautiful tent to hear international superstar Ishay Ribo perform his first-ever Baltimore-area concert. Ribo delighted the crowd with his unique brand of inspiring, soulful Jewish music, featuring hit songs such as LaShuv HaBayta, Nafshi, HaLev Sheli, and many others. The evening concluded with a dessert spread prepared by Delightfully Sweet.

The sell-out event benefited Chayeinu, an organization that combats substance use disorder in the Baltimore Jewish community through education, awareness, and prevention. Now in its fourth year, Chayeinu has changed the communal dialogue around substance use disorder, recognizing that the best way to address its effects is to empower youth with the knowledge and awareness to make healthy choices. With the support of the Vaad HaRabbonim, Chayeinu works closely with many local yeshivos and schools to deliver age-appropriate education around this important topic.

The gathering also afforded many guests an opportunity to learn more about how Chayeinu pursues its goal of saving youth from the effects of substance use disorder. Prior to the concert, the assembled crowd heard opening remarks from emcee Zevi Daniel, Chayeinu board member Chaim Abramson, and Rabbi Yisroel Motzen, the rabbi of Congregation Ner Tamid. As part of his speech, Rabbi Motzen noted that in a recent meeting of rabbis from across the country, the internationally-renowned expert Dr. David Pelcovitz singled out Chayeinu and the Baltimore community for its thoughtful, strategic approach to effectively educating youth about substance use disorder.

“We are so appreciative of the community supporting Chayeinu’s inaugural fundraising event,” said Esti Ziffer, Chayeinu’s President. “The proceeds from tonight will enable Chayeinu to expand its programming and community presence to reach even more youth and educate them at a young age about how to make smart decisions that will set them on the path to healthier lives. Just as Ishay Ribo’s music touches the soul, Chayeinu recognizes the importance of each and every soul in our community. By working strategically to protect our youth from the dangers of substances today, we are truly changing the future of countless marriages, families, and the entire community.”

The event was chaired by Jenny Ocken and Chaim Abramson, and they were assisted by a committee of enthusiastic volunteers. Their efforts resulted in an unforgettable evening of inspiring music, achdus, and a commitment to helping the youth of today grow up to enjoy healthy, productive lives.