RABBI’S MESSAGEThe “Other” and Wes MooreRabbi Daniel Cotzin Burg

This January, we hosted 350 guests for the first of two exciting programs birthed by our In, For and Of the Neighborhood initiative. The second, June 7, will feature a visit and presentation from author, producer and urban visionary, Wes Moore. Wes is a dynamic speaker and community leader whose book, The Other Wes Moore, tells the powerful and haunting story of two men with the same name, from similar neighborhoods and with similar family circumstance - one who is a successful businessman, social entrepreneur and Rhodes Scholar, the other who is serving life in prison. The details of the program, including an advance book discussion, can be found on page 9. Please join us for an inspiring Shabbat in June as we hear from a master speaker and build on our neighborhood engagement work.

As “People of the Book,” we Jews are moved and motivated by the written word, but stories also cut across cultural and religious lines. I share with you the words of Reservoir Hill Resident and RHIC (Reservoir Hill Improvement Council) representative Russ Moss who wrote the following reflection about what it means to share, cross-culturally, an important work of literature:

I’m reminded of my growing up years in rural, poor segregated Georgia when I happened upon the “The Diary of Anne Frank.” Although there were no visible Jews in Warren County, Georgia, at the time, that book, “The Diary of Anne Frank” traveled me to the Netherlands and exposed my teenage self to the horrors of the

MAY 2014 IYAR 5774

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CONTENTS

RABBI’S MESSAGE

CANTOR’S CORNER

PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE

CONGREGATIONAL LEARNING

IFO UPDATE

CALENDARS

CONTRIBUTIONS

UPCOMING EVENTS

COMMUNITY NEWS

ANNUAL FUND

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Rabbi cont’d on page 5

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Rabbi Daniel Cotzin Burg

OfficersPresident Scott Zeger1st Vice President Julie Gottlieb2nd Vice President Alyson BonavogliaTreasurer Alan KopolowSecretary Elaine Weiss

Trustees through 2014Betty ChemersJerry DoctrowEmily DemskyAshley Pressman

Trustees through 2015Eliza FellerCheri LevinDavid LunkenLynn Sassin

Trustees through 2016Neil KahnCindy ParadiesDesiree RobinsonJim Schwartz

Past Presidents and Life MembersPast President Cy SmithPast President Jack LapidesHonorary Life Member Lainy LeBow-SachsHonorary Life Member Efrem Potts

Standing CommitteesAdult Ed Chair Elaine WeissAdult Ed Co-Chair Carla RosenthalFinance Chair Alan KopolowFinance Co-Chair Joe WolfsonHouse Chair Sam PolakoffKiddush Chair Meg HymanMembership Chair Sharon NathansonMembership Co-Chair Robin KatcoffReligious Services Chair Joe WolfsonSocial Action Chair Arthur ShulmanSocial Action Co-Chair Jackie DonowitzYouth Education Chair David Lunken

Ad Hoc CommitteesAnnual Fund Honorary Chair Gil SandlerAnnual Fund Chair Eliza FellerAnnual Fund Co-Chair Jim JacobsBalt. Jewish Council Rep. Ben RosenbergBeth Am Connection Joanne Katz Risa JampelBAYITT Co-Chair Brian RossBAYITT Co-Chair Erica AllenCongregant to Congregant Joyce KeatingEutaw Place Ellen Kahan Zager Jack ZagerIn, For and Of Lisa Akchin Maggi GainesMarketing Chair Ellen SpokesOperations Co-Chair Ashley PressmanOperations Co-Chair David DemskyRHIC Rep. Carol Shulman

Office HoursTuesday-Thursday: 9:00-4:00Friday: 9:00-3:00

Phone:Tel: 410.523.2446Fax: 410.523.1729 Extentions:Rabbi Burg - 14Rabbi Gludt - 15Henry Feller, Exec. Dir. - 20Linda Small, Coordinator - 12Ralph Shaver - Finance Assoc. -18Norm Weinstein, Bookkeeper - 17Marsha Blank, Educator - 16Gail Wohlmuth, Admin. Spec. - 21Nakia Davis, Admin. Assist. - 11 Valerie Tracy, Marketing - 10

E-mail:Email: nakia@bethambaltimore.orgWeb site: www.bethambaltimore.org

After hours office phone numbers:Rabbi Daniel Cotzin Burg443.202.0912 (cell) (emergencies only, please) or ravdaniel@bethambaltimore.org

Cantor Ira Greenstein443.759.7807 (home)cantor.ira@gmail.com

Rabbi Kelley Gludt, Director of Congregational Learning520.248.9541 (cell)rabbikelley@bethambaltimore.org

Scott L. Zeger, Board President410.868.7761scott.zeger@gmail.com

In case of an emergency, please contact:Henry Feller execdir@bethambaltimore.orgExecutive Director 410.602.2124 (home)

BETH AM BOARD

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CANTOR’S CORNERInterrelationships in Prayer Between Music and TextCantor Ira Greenstein

Years ago, I conceived of a Jewish liturgical composition for unaccompanied chorus that would start with a wake-up theme and end with an end-of-day theme. Over time, this concept solidified into a five part work. The first part, a chant-like setting of the prayer a Jew says upon waking up (Modeh Ani) is complete but unperformed. The last part, a mostly sing-along version of the concluding prayer (Adon Olam) has been used a few times at Beth Am on High Holydays, and I started adapting its primary melody as a niggun to conclude the Shabbat morning Amidah personal prayers.

The third part is a setting of Psalm 150. The psalm is only six sentences. Like most psalms, each line is actually two phrases. This is the last chapter in the Book of Psalms, the culmination of all others where, everywhere and in all aspects, all breathing souls muster all the musical instruments we have to praise God. It is a rousing psalm, even in its brevity. I have been working on the composition … in my head, on paper, on keyboard, and on computer … for the past several months.

Each of these compositions approaches the relationship between music and liturgical text differently. Our “typical” prayer approach is like that of Adon Olam, where we use a single melodic mode for the entire prayer, not varying the melody or temperament as the text lines themselves change character (although I confess that the “performance” version of my Adon

Olam does actually change mode for the last stanza). This is the essence of cantorial nusach or modality, a bedrock of Jewish prayer services – the modality is consistent across texts.

The Psalm 150 setting I am composing has common musical phrases for consistency, but each line varies to match the text. For example, a phrase about the sound of a shofar sounds like a shofar as one about timbrel and dance has more of a rhythmic, dancing style. I am not sure how this will all turn out – it is a challenge to distinguish, for example, between clashing cymbals and resounding cymbals working only with the unaccompanied human voice. Sometime, I hope you will have the chance to discover with me if this works.

The initial Modeh Ani section, as mentioned, is more like an ancient chant derived from one I learned in 2nd grade of Hebrew school for this prayer. It is appropriate for Modeh Ani – a single line we recite as we awake, about which we should feel deeply. It is also appropriate for the first segment of a piece, to establish a baseline emotion and devotion. I just read a book about Jewish chant, where the community takes a single phrase, initiates a simple melody for that one line, and then repeats that chant for perhaps 20 minutes before going silent for another 20 minutes to contemplate the power in that one line. Chant is like a greatly simplified and elongated niggun, except WITH words,

Cantor cont’d on page 5

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PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVEScott Zeger

There was a seminal moment in the rabbinic search that brought Daniel Burg from Chicago to Baltimore as the 6th congregational rabbi/rebbe of Beth Am Synagogue. He was being interviewed by a dozen children from our religious school. One girl asked the candidate: “how should I study for my Bat Mitzvah if I do not believe in God?”

Welcome to Beth Am.

The question was inspiring. The response inspired even more. The rabbi asked his examiner: “what is your God like, whether or not you believe?” She said she was unsure about who or what God was. Rabbi Burg then asked each child to speak about his or her experience of God; each had a unique and very different description. We had found our rabbi; it only remained to be seen if he had found his congregation. The rest is history.

That child asked her version of a question with which many Jews struggle. One reason Joanne and I chose Beth Am is that subscribing to a common vision of God is not among its membership criteria. Beth Am’s tag line - feels like home - applies to everyone.

We live in a secular era. People seek community, a safe place to find meaning in their lives, and a place to learn how to live with integrity. Beth Am is just such a place. And, because it is a part of Beth Am’s founding culture to question (even

about the very existence of God), we are a welcoming Jewish community. We have grown in size and in diversity over the past five years, partly as a result.

To preserve and foster this ethos of inclusion, at Rabbi Burg’s request, the Board has asked Sandy Shapiro and Eric Loeb to co-chair a new “Welcoming Committee” to learn from the congregation how to make Beth Am feel like home for every person in membership units, including those who do not choose to be Jewish. The Welcoming Work Group Report from a 2006 committee addressed the same topic and is available at tinyurl.com/kdgfjye

It is important to continually revisit and improve our efforts to be welcoming and inclusive, so that our practices and principles stay consistent as our community evolves. Please take a look at the old report, and share your experience with Sandy, Eric or the other committee members: Herb Goldman, Efrem Potts, Steffany Moonaz, Heather Ashbury, Eva Bazant and Chris Gaither to inform their deliberations. Special thanks to the entire committee for volunteering their talents and time to address this important issue.

Beth Am wants every one in our community to feel at home, regardless of his or her personal experience of GOD. Help us make that vision a reality.

5

using undistracted time with one phrase to develop a deep absorption of that text.

Chant is very unlike the approach we often take, using a consistent melodic mood irrespective of a changing/evolving text. That is, our typical mode of praying takes a single long text into a single melody (sung at a reasonable clip) to set a mood within the context of what comes before and after, but it affords us little time to dive into the text. Chanting takes one phrase and builds an entire mood in one simple line spread over half an hour or more, as an end unto itself, or in aspiration of feeling healing or love or peoplehood or whatever is consonant with the chant’s text.

As I consider WHY I am composing this new Psalm 150, or why I would spend so much time on something that is clearly for performance, I think that we sometimes lose the complexity of a text when we try to put too much of a lyric into a single melodic song. I would like to recapture that, for posterity or for eventual performance. Surely, niggun has its place, chant has its place, and our nusach approach to liturgical text in services has its place. I hope to do a little experimenting with you every so often, to see if swapping out approaches in services (come 9:30 AM on May 17th if you care to try this) can help us all achieve a better “value” from services we attend by offering variety and a chance to alternate strategies in services, as we put ourselves into the mood for prayer. Thanks, in advance, for being patient with this experiment.

Cantor cont’dRabbi Burg cont’d

Holocaust. Even while wrestling with raw racism in my native Georgia, USA world, my empathy began.

When visiting Amsterdam a few years ago, Anne Frank’s House Museum was my top destination. I shed tears there while reading the diary for the millions lost. Anne Frank’s writing breathes reality into that tragedy for millions of readers. That awareness is a tool to help prevent that nightmare from happening again.

It occurs to me that one crucial difference between Wes Moore and “The Other Wes Moore” is education, books, reading, thinking outside the box of your existence…Perhaps what’s most compelling about this idea is it can continue after this event! The potential is as unlimited as there are books and writings.

I am especially proud of the collaborative context in which this event is taking place. Kol Hakavod to each of our community partners: RHIC, New Lens, John Eager Howard School, Child First Authority and the St. Francis Community Center for their hard work and planning. They inspire me with their collective vision and ensure that our Shabbat, with a dynamic speaker who will share his inspiring story and will also leave a lasting imprint on our congregation and community.

Shavuot services and programming:

June 3, 4 and 5. Details TBA.

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CONGREGATIONAL LEARNINGRabbi Kelley Gludt

Things just don’t slow down here at Beth Am! Congregants of all ages have been undertaking new challenges, exploring learning opportunities, and developing new relationships. In the past few weeks, students in the Jewish Discovery Lab have continued on their journey across Israel. In Tel Aviv they visited Independence Hall and Rabin Square, hiked to the top of Masada and enjoyed the Dead Sea (see photo), explored the art culture of Tzfat, and got to know our sister city of Ashkelon. They competed in their very own version of the popular Food Network show “Chopped,” this one a Passover edition. And all our families are seriously looking forward to spending Lag B’Omer together at the Coven’s Farm on May 18th.

Our teens have been no less busy. Kadima hosted 17 young people for the Chocolate Seder followed by a dozen of them spending the day taking on the daring rides at King’s Dominion. Next up, the Teens Take Over Shabbat, where we will be blessed to have

our very own Beth Am Kadima and USYers lead the davening (praying), read Torah and Haftarah, and give the sermon. Please join them on Saturday, May 3, in the Sanctuary for what will undoubtedly be a moving, ruach-filled and inspiring service.

It is not just our children who have been expanding their horizons. We invite everyone to join in a book discussion of Ari Shavit’s My Promised Land, led by Dr. Yoram Peri, on Wednesday, May 21 at congregant-owned Hersh’s in Federal Hill. It promises to be a lively discussion and an enjoyable evening. (RSVP required)

The Beth Am Shabbaton committee has been hard at work planning an amazing weekend experience for the congregation. Please mark your calendars now for November 14-16, 2014 at Capital Camps and Retreat Center. Numbers are limited, so keep an eye out for registration details this summer.

SAVE THE DATE

SECOND ANNUAL SHABBATON

November 14 - 16, 2014at Capital Camps and

Retreat Center The Jewish Discovery Lab explores the wonders of the Dead Sea, including the amazing properties found in its famous mud!

YOUTH SERVICESShabbat Lab A mix of traditional and innovative davening. First Saturday of every month for children in kindergarten through fifth grade in the Chapel, beginning at 10:45 am. Last day, until fall: May 3. Shabbat Yachad Combines familiar children’s Shabbat songs with age-appropriate sensory experiences. Every Saturday except the first Saturday of the month for newborns to fourth grade in the Chapel, begins before Haftarah reading (unless there’s a Bar or Bat Mitzvah, in which case it begins after candy throwing). Last day, until fall: June 14.

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The Long View: Ari Shavit’s My Promised Land and the Challenge for Israel

Book discussion led by Professor Yoram Peri Wednesday, May 217:30-9:30 pmLocation: Hersh’s Pizza1843 Light St, Baltimore, MD 21230 Come and discuss the book everyone is already talking about, Ari Shavit’s My Promised Land. Praised by scholars and politicians alike, from all across the spectrum, the book will be put in context by Dr. Yoram Peri, Israel Studies Chair and Director of the new Joseph and Alma Gildenhorn Institute for Israel Studies at the University of Maryland, College Park. As former political advisor to the late Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and himself a sabra, Peri has both a professional and personal take on this latest publication. Have a nosh and join the conversation! There is limited seating so please RSVP - nakia@bethambaltimore.org or 410.523.2446

BOOK DISCUSSION

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WES MOOREWes Moore comes to Beth Am!Saturday, June 7Wes Moore speaks during Sanctuary Shabbat services and joins congregants and neighbors for Kiddush lunch. Following lunch, youth from New Lens will guide a multi-generational, multi-cultural group in sharing personal stories about making life decisions. This program will be followed by informal discussion groups to explore further collaboration to engage young people in the community. RSVP to Lisa Akchin at Akchin@umbc.edu

RESERVOIR HILL HOMECOMINGSUNDAY, MAY 18, 2014

Art Outside Maryland:An Art Fair in Druid Hill Park 11 am - 5 pmBack by popular demand, Art Outside recaptures the spirit of the historic outdoor festival that was held on Sundays around the Druid Hill Reservoir during the 1950s and 1960s connecting communities and local artisans. Learn more: artoutsidemd.org

Book discussion at Beth Am about The Other Wes MooreBeth Am Synagogue from 4-6:30 pmRSVP: Betty Chemers at bmchemers@gmail.com

Copies of The Other Wes Moore can be purchased at The Children’s Bookstore. It can also be purchased at Beth Am’s Shukan store on Sunday, May 11 from 10-12 noon. The paperback is being offered at the reduced price of $9, courtesy of JoAnn Fruchtman. Payment will need to be made by a check payable to Beth Am. Payment by credit card or cash will not be accepted.

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Author Wes Moore Author Wes Moore’s June 7 visit and talk at Beth Am provides an opportunity for Beth Am’s In, For, and Of the Neighborhood group to deepen and advance community-building work happening in Reservoir Hill. IFO is partnering with Reservoir Hill organizations Child First Authority, John Eager Howard School, New Lens, Reservoir Hill Improvement Council, and St. Francis Neighborhood Center on a series of upcoming events inspired by Mr. Moore’s book, The Other Wes Moore. All congregants are encouraged to participate.

Sunday, May 18, 4 pm to 6:30 pm Book discussion at Beth Am about The Other Wes Moore connecting congregants with neighbors are part of Reservoir Hill Improvement Council’s 2nd Annual Reservoir Hill Homecoming. RSVP to Betty Chemers at bmchemers@gmail.com

June 7, Sanctuary Shabbat Services Wes Moore speaks during services and joins congregants and neighbors for Kiddush lunch. Following lunch, youth from New Lens will guide a multi-generational, multi-cultural group in sharing personal stories about making life decisions. This program will be followed by informal discussion groups to explore further collaboration to engage young people in the community. RSVP to Lisa Akchin at Akchin@umbc.edu

Process for obtaining copies of The Other Wes Moore Copies of the paperback edition of The Other Wes Moore can be purchased at the Children’s Bookstore, 737 Deepdene Road, Baltimore, Maryland, 410-532-2000. It can also be purchased at Beth Am’s Shukan store on Sunday, May 11 from 10-12

noon. The paperback is being offered at the greatly reduced price of $9, courtesy of JoAnn Fruchtman, owner of the Children’s Bookstore. Payment will need to be made by a check payable to Beth Am. Payment by credit card or cash will not be accepted.

21st Century School DesignIn 2013, the Maryland General Assembly passed legislation which will allow Baltimore City Schools to leverage up to $1 billion to modernize Baltimore City school buildings. In order to maximize the investment and ensure that school building modernization leads to school and neighborhood transformation, a team of partners including Beth Am’s Don Akchin, Rick Gwynallen, Cindy Paradies, and Carol Shulman participated in the John Eager Howard Elementary School Design Advisory and Action team. The Team listened to over 400 people through individual, small group, and community-wide meetings in order to understand what is most important to people when it comes to education, the neighborhood, and the new school building. Throughout these meetings, the Team sought to reach a deep understanding of a wide breadth of the community, speaking with: 77 families of current JEH students; 38 families of current Westside students; 40 staff at JEH including teachers, support staff, and administrators; 18 staff at Westside; 81 people from nine organizations which serve children, families or the broader community in Reservoir Hill; 91 Reservoir Hill residents without children at JEH; and 56 current JEH students. The values consistently mentioned are: belonging, connection, opportunity, and safety - creating an oasis for everyone.

Speaking OF the NeighborhoodLisa Akchin and Carol Shulman

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Cantor’s Discretionary Fund

• Sharon & Joe Nathanson - in honor of Roz & Nelson Hyman on welcoming their grandson Amachai; in memory of John Freeman, husband of Elaine Freeman

Building Preservation and Ritual Enhancement Fund

MARCH 2014CONTRIBUTIONS

• Esther & Joseph Dresner - in honor of Ave Amith on his special birthday

• Dovey & Billy Kahn - in honor of Jack Zager on his birthday

• Ana Pavich & Adam Geroff - in memory of Blanche Feller, mother of Henry Feller

• Suzanne Rosenthal - in honor of Ave Amith on his special birthday

• Rhonda & Fred Wolf - in honor of Fred Barron on his birthday

• Steffany & Rob Moonaz - in memory of Sol Glauser, grandfather of Steffany, on his yahrzeit

• Lynn Sassin & Nate Braverman - in memory of Rose Sassin, her mother, on her yahrzeit

Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund

General Fund

• Vickie Dorf - in memory of Louis Dorf, her father, on his yahrzeit

• Deb Thomas - in memory of Nancy Gilchrist, her sister, on her yahrzeit Social Action Fund

Youth & Teen Education Fund

Adult Education Fund

• Mimi Davidoff - in honor of Ave Amith on his special birthday

• Sharon & Joe Nathanson - in honor of Jackie & Mark Donowitz on the marriage of their son Paul

• Sandra Rabinowitz - in honor of Ave Amith on his special birthday

• Karin Batterton - in memory of Blanche Feller, mother of Henry Feller; in memory of Blanche Feller, grandmother of Eliza Feller; in memory of John Freeman, husband of Elaine Freeman; in honor of Nancy Kohn Rabin on her birthday; in honor of Laurie Glassner on her birthday

• The Burnett Family - in memory of Nathan Gerber, brother-in-law of Phyllis Gerber

• David Dagan de Picciotto - in appreciation

• Dovey & Billy Kahn - in honor of Cheri & Ed Levin, on the birth of their grandson Max Lazer

• Lissa Rotundo - in memory of Rose Sadick, her aunt, on her yahrziet; in memory of Blanche Feller, mother of Henry Feller

• Maury Wolfe - in appreciation

• Al Honick (Mahzor) - in honor of Ave Amith on his special birthday

• Jerri Minkin and Harvey Charkatz (Mahzor) - in honor of Richard Baum on his special birthday

• Alma & Richard Williams (Mahzor and Humash) - in honor of Ave Amith on his special birthday

• Lisa & Alan Garten - in memory of Lawrence Garten, his brother, on his yahrzeit

• Al Honick - in memory of Lois Honick, his wife, on her yahrzeit

• Sharon & Joe Nathanson - in memory of Blanche Feller, mother of Henry Feller and grandmother of Eliza Feller

Prayer Book Fund

Memorial Plaque Dedications

Order memorial plaques for the High Holyday dedication by July 10. To order a Memorial Plaque, to be added to the Beth Am Memorial Tablets in the Sanctuary lobby, please complete this form.

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Memorial Plaque FormCurrent Cost: $525

Please make all checks payable to Beth Am. Return forms to: Beth Am Synagogue, 2501 Eutaw Place, Baltimore, Maryland 21217

Fax (410) 523-1729

If you have any questions please contact Gail at the Beth Am office: 410-523-2446 or gail@bethambaltimore.org

I would like to order ________ plaques.

At $525 each (total): _________

Option 1: Order plaques

______________________________________Your Name

______________________________________Address (line 1)

______________________________________Address (line 2)

______________________________________Phone

______________________________________English Name of the Deceased

______________________________________His/Her relationship to you

______________________________________English Date of Death (month, date, year)

______________________________________Hebrew Date of Death (month, date, year)

Please indicate the time of death: _______AM ______PM

Option 2: Reserve plaques

_______ I would like to pre-order a “Reserved” plaque. _______ Quantity

______________________________________Your Name

______________________________________Phone

John Eager Howard Spring Book Giveaway

Once again, we are asking you all to dig deep! For each child, getting to choose a book (or two if we have enough!) is very special. Beth Am’ers who have helped with book distribution at school can attest to the care and intensity of each child’s search and final selec-tion.

Please join in this mitzvah. The donation box will be in the Chapel lobby from April 2 - May 27. We need new books or gently used books in mint condition. There is particular need for books for ages 3-5 and ages 9-12. Questions: Jackie Donowitz - 410-235-5761

If you are planning to buy books at The Children’s Bookstore, please iden-tify yourself to the staff letting them know that you are a Beth Amer buying books for John Eager Howard School. You will get a 15% discount. THANK YOU, JoAnn Fruchtman!

BOOK GIVEAWAY

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Location: Jackie Donowitz’s homeWe address issues relating to poverty, homelessness, domestic violence, environmental sustainability, literacy and more, in the Reservoir Hill community and beyond. Open to all!

For directions or more information please contact Jackie Donowitz: jemdonowitz@hotmail.com or 410.235.5761

SOCIAL ACTIONCommittee MeetingWednesday, May 14 7:30 pm

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Challah Making and Second Fridays Friday, May 9 Challah making at 6 pm Congregational services at 6:45 pm BAYITT dinner following services.RSVP by Wednesday, May 7 - bayitt@bethambaltimore.org

BAYITT Beth Am Young Adult Initiative for Twenties and Thirties

Notice of Beth Am’s Annual Congregational Meeting

Please Join us onSUNDAY, JUNE 1, 2014

9:30 am Minyan10:00 am Bagel Breakfast

10:30 am Annual Membership Meeting

The Nominating Committee appointed by President, Scott Zeger, consisted of:

Adina Amith, Chair and voting members: Eric LoebMaggi GainesMiriam TillmanRichard Bloom

SHUKAN SALE at the June annual meeting: 30% or more off many itemsPhotographs from the 2013 Annual Meeting by Howard Fink z”l

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Klei Kodesh Musical Kabbalat Shabbat

Friday, May 16 6 pm

KLEI KODESH

Learn through Hot Topics Using Traditional & Modern Texts

Tuesdays, Noon - 1 pm - dates below

Richard Rosenthal’s Office Tydings & Rosenberg, LLP 100 E Pratt, 26th floor Baltimore, MD 21202May 13 – Is the Bible True? (RDB)

Karin Batterton’s Office Coldwell BankerVillage of Cross Keys38 Village SquareBaltimore, MD 21210May 27 – Is the Bible True? (RDB)

All are welcome, please bring a fish/dairy lunch.Rabbi Daniel Burg will lead during the month of May.

Please join Rabbi Daniel Burg, Cantor Ira Greenstein and guest musicians for a Musical Kabbalat Shabbat.

Open to the community!

7 pm - Mediterranean / Israeli dinner (by reservation) to follow services

Adults - $16 | Children 6-12 yrs. - $10 Household maximum - $56 | Children 6 and under are free!

For space availability call 410.523.2446 or e-mail nakia@bethambaltimore.org

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PLACEEUTAWMUSIC 2

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may 3 9:15 pm: peter bradley adams w/ruutPeter Bradley Adams, originally a member of the duo Eastmountainsouth, toured extensively with the likes of Lucinda Williams, Tracy Chapman, Joan Baez and Nelly Furtado. Their single, “You Dance” was a #1 AAA radio hit in 2003 and they performed on Late Night with Conan O’ Brien. They performed their last show at the Hollywood Bowl with Shelby Lynne and Lyle Lovett. Since then, Peter has released four solo records as well as an EP with his side project, “Down Like Silver”. His work has appeared in over 30 films and television shows including One Tree Hill, Smallville, The Mentalist and Alias. The Boston Globe called his work “a beautiful set of Americana music...It confirms the dreamy-voiced Adams as an artist to follow.” Peter was named “Notable New Artist of the Year” in 2006 by The Loft (Sirius XM) Satellite Radio. Baltimore’s own golden-voiced singer/songwriter, Ruut, does her family’s rich musical heritage proud, (she’s the granddaughter of a world-famous Finnish composer), while she is forging her own path with her latest indie-pop full-length release, Glimpse. The piano-driven album showcases Ruut’s eloquent songwriting ability and powerful vocals. Live audiences have likened Ruut to Norah Jones and Carole King with her timeless songstress style.

$20

RHIC PARTNERSHIP CONCERT

MORNING MINYANDo a Mitzvah Make a Quorum!

Every Sunday - 9:30 am Beth Am Chapel

The Sunday of the first full weekend of the month will include a bonus Learning Minyan. Breakfast to follow.

Help ensure we have a quorum! Sign up online - www.tiny.cc/pqtubx

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PRAYERS FOR HEALINGRisa Kipnis, friend of Roberta and Cantor Ira Greenstein Jamie Puffer Eileen YoffeSteve Snyder, friend of Gail & Lou WohlmuthAvivah Werner, friend of Jamie Puffer Connie RosenthalHarold FreemanRobert Gerard, nephew of Hilda CoyneAlan Pressman (Ashley)Judy Langenthal (Hersch)Mike Steedman, brother of Linda SmallNancy HolderHarry Adler, friend of Roberta and Cantor Ira Greenstein Burt D’LugoffOfra Shipman, cousin of Roberta Greenstein (Cantor Ira Greenstein) Donald Allen, father of Lisa Minick (Chris)Norma Gaines, grandmother of Emily Gaines Demsky (David)Steven Kraft, brother of Jim Kraft (Kristi Aho)Jerald Lipsch, brother of Harriet Goldman (Herb)Cyndi Lee Haaz, mother of Stephany Moonaz (Robert) Robin Leidner & Sue Martin, friends of Amy Davidoff & Steve GoreAlan GrossRobert Katz, father of Joanne Katz (Scott Zeger)Hilda CoyneVickie DorfFran KantermanSteven Eisenberg, friend of Les Stellman

RECENT DEATHS• Harriet Estis, wife of Len Estis

COM

MU

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Y N

EWS

WHO’S GRADUATING?!?!Do you have a family member who is graduating this year from High School, College or Graduate School? Would you like others to know how proud you are?

Please send the following information to Valerie@bethambaltimore.org: Name of graduate and parent’s name; name of institution person is graduating from; level of school (high school, college etc) and undergrad or graduate degree.

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A SPECIAL THANK YOU To Sarajane Greenfeld and

Betty Seidel for their continued support

proofreading for Beth Am!

70+ BIRTHDAYSElaine Freeman 5-MayRenee Packer 7-MayLeonard Sachs 7-MayHarold Freeman 8-MayMark Donowitz 16-MayEllen Heller 16-MayLois Feinblatt 17-MayPaula Williams 17-MaySidney Zulver 18-MayPaul Shupack 20-MayMatthew Freedman 21-MayMarcia Amith 22-MayHarriet Miller 22-MayAlan Gamse 23-MayBetty Seidel 23-MayHarriet Garfink 25-MayRichard Joseph 25-MayJane Rodbell 25-MayMurray Miller 26-MayNelson Fishman 29-MayLee Rome 29-May

50+ ANNIVERSARIES

KIDDUSH LUNCHEON AND BIMAH FLOWERS

Sponsorships and Donations:• March 28 - The Kiddush luncheon

was sponsored by Connie Rosenthal Berman and Lisa & Joe Berman in honor of Toby Berman’s Bat Mitzvah; The flowers on the Bimah were from Connie Rosenthal Berman and Lisa & Joe Berman in memory of Toby Faith’s grandfather Harvey Berman; and great grandparents: Ruth & M. Samuel Rosenthal, Charles Debuskey, Dorothy & Joe Berman, and Lenora & Joe Blickstein.

• April 12 - The Kiddush luncheon was sponsored by the Kroiz Seidel family in honor of Galya Kroiz Seidel’s Bat Mitzvah; The flowers on the Bimah were sponsored by the Kroiz Seidel family in loving memory of Sarah Kroiz, Gerson Kroiz, Emmy Kroiz and Stanley Becker

MAZEL TOV• Leah & Zach Larson-Rabin on the

birth of their twin girls, Irena and Hypatia. Grandparents are Nancy Kohn Rabin & Joel Rabin.

• Debbie & Efrem Potts on the birth of their great-grandson, Oliver Lewis Strait. Grandmother is JoHanna Potts. Parents are Joanna Liss Strait and Ari Strait.

• Brian Doctrow, son of Carol & Jerry Doctrow, on passing his dissertation presentation and being awarded his PhD from JHU.

• Elaine & Bill Ravich on the birth of their grandson, Robert Jay Gaul. Parents are Madeline Ravich and Scott Gaul.

Ron and Jane Reifler 10-May

Shabbat Services, Life cycle Events, Services in the Park, Community Involvement, Adult Edu-cation, Lights, Rabbi, Heat, Prayer books, Air Conditioning, Cantor, Landscaping, Educational Programs, D i n n e r s , Craft Sup- plies, Coffee, Water and E l e c t r i c i t y, Sanctuary Upkeep, Kid-dush Lunch Plates, Paper Teachers, Scholarships P o s t a g e , Support Staff, High Holy- day Prepara-tion, Grape Juice, Repair-men, Paint, Maintenance Staff, Pens, Advertising, Catering, Torah Upkeep, Kids’ Torahs, Lunch & Learn, Klei Kodesh / Musi-cal Shabbat, Musician in Residence, Sound system, Tallitot, Scholar in Residence, Security, Bagels

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From every person whose heart is willing take my offering...and make Me a holy space that I may dwell among them.

- Exodus 25

Congregants have already given over $350,000 to provide all the little and

not-so-little things that keep our community flourishing from one year to the next.

Please give generously to Beth Am’s Annual Fund!

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FUND DESIGNATIONAccessibility Fund (1431) - Used to make the facility accessible to those with impaired physical abilitiesAdult Education Fund (1481) - Supports educational programs for all adultsBAYITT Fund (1414) - Beth Am’s Young Adult Initiative for 20’s and 30’sBuilding Preservation and Ritual Enhancement Fund (1426) - Supports the preservation and renovation of the building and the ritual itemsCantor’s Discretionary Fund (1405) Allows the Cantor to support special programs and individuals in needEtta & Louis L. Kaplan Education Fund (1451) - Supports the purchase of furniture, equipment and capital improvements for the Jewish Discovery LabFloral Fund (1435) - Beautifies the BimahGarden Fund (1466) - Beautifies grounds

General Fund (1430) - Applied to the operating budget of the congregationI. William Schimmel Student Scholarship Fund (1461) - Assists students in their educational pursuitsKiddush Fund (1441) - Used for luncheons following Sabbath and holiday services Prayer Book Fund (1436) - Supports the purchase of prayer books and dedication prayer booksRabbi’s Discretionary Fund (1403) - Allows the Rabbi to support special programs and individuals in needSocial Action Fund (1471) - Supports social action activities in the Reservoir Hill area and the general communityTiny Tots Shabbat Fund (1408) - Supports Shabbat programs for our preschoolersYouth & Teen Education Support Fund (1476) - Supports educational programs for all of Beth Am’s youth

ACKNOWLEDGE THE OCCASION THROUGH BETH AMWe encourage all congregants to send their contribution requests directly to Nakia Davis, nakia@bethambaltimore.org so they can be processed in a timely manner.

First & Last Name(s): _______________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________If your contribution is from a couple or family, please list all names (use additional paper if necessary)

Telephone: (________) __________ - ___________________

Address: _________________________________________________________________________

City/State/Zip: ____________________________________________________________________

Date: _______________________________ Amount of Donation: __________________________($10 minimum requested; please make checks payable to Beth Am)

Fund Designation__________________________________________________________________

In honor/memory/appreciation of ___________________________________________________Send Acknowledgement Card To:

Name: ___________________________________________________________________________

Address: ________________________________________________________________________

City/State/Zip: ___________________________________________________________________

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