A Legacy of Connection and Commitment

םימעה לכל ארקי הלפת תיב יתיב יכ" ז:ונ ".והיעשי

“For My House shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.” Isaiah 56:7

BETH TFILOH

A Legacy of Connection and Commitment

Several Beth Tfiloh Congregation members recently reflected on their Beth Tfiloh connections in a centennial year questionnaire. Community, inclusivity, diversity, warmth, acceptance, friendliness, camaraderie – these were all common refrains, an experience shared by Jews who differ in their observance, but are united by their connection to Beth Tfiloh. BT is truly a house of prayer for all people.

“I feel like it’s home... it’s lovely to go ‘where everybody knows your name’,” said June Karlin, a long-time Beth Tfiloh Congregation member, day school and camp mother in her response to a questionnaire about her family’s connection to Beth Tfiloh. That’s BT – much like the long-running sitcom Cheers, the Beth Tfiloh cast of characters spans diverse backgrounds and offers a warm welcome for all who enter.

“We have families that have been part of BT since its founding, and families that have joined us over the past decade or so,” noted Rabbi Chai Posner. “They all share a desire to be part of our special BT community. We have a rich history of deep connections and commitment to present and future.”

Senator Ben Cardin and his wife Myrna enjoy a sneak preview of the Centennial Timeline.

The Cardin Family

Senator Ben Cardin reflected on his family’s deep BT roots to all those present before the Neilah service on Yom Kippur. “Thanks to our family elders (our grandparents and parents), our values are deeply rooted in our Jewish heritage nurtured here at Beth Tfiloh,” he shared.

“My family have been members of BT for about 80 years. Certainly, each generation has different memories. I remember going to socials and playing sports in the shul gym. I also remember the principal Eric Levy. Even though my father was a ‘macher,’ I got no relief from his wrath. I’m sure I deserved it!” Senator Cardin reminisced about family milestones – engagements, weddings, bar and bat mitzvahs — and Israel trips all shared with their BT family. He shared that his great niece and great nephews graduated from BT, and looked forward to his granddaughter Julia’s graduation this coming June. “One hundred years…. and as we celebrate and transition to the leadership of Rabbi Posner we know we are in good hands. We can all be proud of the great foundation we have built at BT during the past 100 years and know that future generations at BT will create their own special memories in the years to come.”

The Carliner-Penn Family

Ruthie Carliner tells about her family’s Beth Tfiloh connection, which began with her great-grandparents Morris and Thresa Segall. “As founders of BT, they received a large silver key to BT on Garrison Boulevard. Always cherished, the key was passed to my grandmother, Sara Segall Penn. Then to my father, Stanley Penn. And now back to Beth Tfiloh.”

Today, that key is preserved in the recently unveiled Centennial Timeline. The timeline, a museum-quality exhibit that provides a comprehensive overview of Beth Tfiloh’s history, fills the corridor between the Tuvin and Hurwitz Halls.

“Beth Tfiloh and its values have been central to the lives of my entire family,” added Ruthie. “BT memories for me began when I would attend the Sunday morning breakfast and lecture with Rabbi Rosenblatt, my father, and my grandfathers. All of my grandparents attended BT. All major family lifecycle events were, and continue to take place, at BT, to include my grandson Stanley’s bris on the bimah during Passover.” Several generations of Penns have been educated at BT. Ruthie graduated from BT Hebrew School. She and her husband, David, have three children — Leah Stromberg ’04, Joe ’05 and Beth ’08 — who all graduated from the day school. Joe and his wife Angelica (Sabintsev) ’07, are expanding the family’s BT connections, with their children Stanley ’32, Sarina ’34 and Louis ’37 attending the day school as well. “After the abrupt halt to BT life during Covid, it is wonderful to be back at shul, with people I have gotten to know and are now my good friends,” said Ruthie. “It is important to know that BT is a place that I can always count on to guide me and my family.”

The Levinoff Family The Carliner-Penn Family

The Levinoff Family

The Levinoffs moved to Baltimore in 2008. Heather, a Montgomery County native, and Aaron, who hails from Toronto, did not have much of a connection with the Baltimore Jewish community when they arrived. Then, they discovered Beth Tfiloh. “We learned about BT as we were looking for preschools for our oldest child, David,” said Heather. The Levinoffs lived in the same neighborhood as several BT teachers who spoke often of the family community at BT. “We toured at a number of schools but what stood out to us about BT was the genuine warmth of the teachers and administration.”

“It was obvious from the beginning that attending BT was not just attending a preschool but joining a community,” commented Aaron. “The fact that there were teachers that were alumni of the school, teachers whose children attended BT, and so many students and family members who belonged to the shul showed such a commitment and investment to BT that we knew it was the place for us.” The Levinoffs were drawn to Beth Tfiloh Congregation through the kids’ Shabbat and holiday services. Petting zoos and gingerbread sukkah building were powerful attractions. “Once they knew there was a potential for candy, we began attending BT every Shabbat,” Aaron laughed. Beth Tfiloh gave the Levinoffs more than a synagogue to belong to. It gave them a community whose values reflect their own. “It truly rounds out our children’s Jewish learning and experience to see so many