RABBI’S MESSAGEWhat’s Judaism Got to Say about That? Rabbi Daniel Cotzin Burg

Most Jews know that Judaism has a strong tradition of questioning. We question everything from the temperature at which metal becomes sufficiently heated as to alter its kosher status to the very nature of God. But that doesn’t mean all questions are good questions. In fact some questions are “so stupid as to put an end, at least briefly, to all discussion.” So writes Michael Wex in his 2005 book Born to Kvetch. Wex explains the concept of the klots kashe, literally a “wooden beam question:”

Most Jewish people who are even vaguely observant are familiar with the term kasha from the Passover seder, where the term fir kashes, four questions, is still used for the questions that the youngest child recites at the beginning of the seder ritual. As anybody who has ever attended a seder can tell you, it can take hours to get from the fir kashes to the meal, hours spent in answering these questions.

A klots kasha is the antithesis of this sort of question...It’s…a stupid question with pretensions...Imagine a group of history professors discussing the Exodus from Egypt or the Civil War when one of them asks, ‘But is slavery necessarily bad for the slaves?’ (pg. 42-43)In the strictest sense the question “What’s Judaism got

to say about that?” isn’t a klots kashe; it’s not pretentious. But it’s most often an unhelpful question, one that conflates two common misunderstandings about Judaism. First, to imply that “Judaism” is a monolithic thing with singular answers to complex questions is to assign too much dogma to a largely non-dogmatic religion. We all know the expression “two Jews three opinions.” Ours is a robust and ever-unfolding tradition with competing ideas and centuries upon centuries of recorded debates. “Judaism” infrequently says one thing.

JANUARY 2015TEVET / SHEVAT 5775

facebook.com/ BethAmBaltimore

US ON

CONTENTS

RABBI’S MESSAGE

PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE

CONGREGATION

LEARNING

IFO, Inc.

UPCOMING EVENTS

CALENDARS

COMMUNITY NEWS

CONTRIBUTIONS

EUTAW PLACE

FUND DESIGNATION

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*throughout bulletin

continued on page 6

2 3

Rabbi Daniel Cotzin Burg

OfficersPresident Scott Zeger1st Vice President Julie Gottlieb2nd Vice President Lynn SassinTreasurer Alan KopolowSecretary Elaine Weiss

Trustees through 2015Alyson Bonavoglia Eliza FellerCheri LevinDavid Lunken

Trustees through 2016Neil KahnCindy ParadiesDesiree RobinsonJim Schwartz

Trustees through 2017David DemskyRisa JampelAshley PressmanNaomi Rosner

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 Ricky FineAnnual Fund Vice Chair Jim JacobsBalt. Jewish Council Rep. Ben RosenbergBeth Am Connection Joanne Katz Risa JampelBAYITT Chair Brian RossCongregant 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 DemskyRes. Hill Improvement Council Carol Shulman

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

Office Contact Extentions:Tel: 410.523.2446 / Fax: 410.523.1729 Extensions: Rabbi Daniel Burg - 14Rabbi Gludt - 15Henry Feller, Exec. Dir. - 20Linda Small, Senior Staff and Development Coordinator - 12Ralph Shaver, Finance Manager -18Norm Weinstein, Bookkeeper - 17Marsha Blank, Educ. Admin - 16Idella Crenshaw, Admin. Specialist and Assistant to the Rabbi - 21Nakia Davis, Front Office Coordinator - 11 Valerie Tracy, Marketing Coordinator- 10Sandy Winters, Ritual Coordinator:410-598-6397 Office E-mail:Email: nakia@bethambaltimore.orgWeb site: www.bethambaltimore.org

Rabbi Daniel Cotzin Burg443.202.0912 (cell) (emergencies only, please) 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

Henry Feller, Executive Directorhenry@bethambaltimore.org443.742.9654 (cell) (emergencies only, please)

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

In case of an emergency, please contact:Henry Feller, Executive Director443.742.9654 (cell)

BETH AM BOARD OF TRUSTEES

3

‘American Judaism is going to change over the next few decades,’ Potts says. ‘I’m not sure how or what it will look like. But I believe that 40 years from now, Beth Am will be going strong.’

- Baltimore Sun, Synagogue Marks Birth, page 1, December 16, 2014.

One does well in life by betting with Efrem and Debbie Potts. Forty years ago, they predicted we would celebrate Beth Am’s fortieth anniversary on Shabbat Hanukkah, 2014 and you now know how that turned out.

I write from the beach at Guanacaste, Costa Rica where the news of the Beth Am bash has just arrived. Joanne, Max, David and I are enjoying a family reunion with 20 Zegers, keeping alive a tradition that my grandmother Yetta started in the Catskills 60 years ago. We regret missing the Saturday events but have the date for Beth Am’s 50th on the calendar now.

Thank yous are now in order. Thanks to the founding generation,

many of whom plotted Beth Am’s formation 40 years ago. The easy move was to get out of town. But in the activist tradition of the day, you said, “hell no, we won’t go”. The Baltimore Jewish community and Reservoir Hill are better for your decision.

Thanks to the membership that has supported and nurtured Beth Am in the intervening period. This congregation is only as strong as the sense of ownership you feel for Jewish living in Baltimore. During all the ups and downs, you have exercised your ownership and kept Beth Am moving

forward. And, thanks to the past leaders for whom ownership translated into action. Your wise decisions, especially in times of crisis, have been honest and true.

Thanks to the lineage of talented lay and professional clergy starting with Rebbe Louis L. Kaplan and Cantor Abba Weisgal and continuing to this day with Rabbi Daniel Cotzin Burg, Cantor Ira Greenstein and Rabbi Kelley Gludt. Beth Am was founded as a learning community. You keep that tradition alive and well.

And now, thank you to the many people who made the 40th anniversary celebration a success. Before I could even ask, Ellen Spokes nominated herself and Adina Amith to plan and execute the Shabbat Hanukkah celebration. Everything that happened: the video, Friday night Kabbalat Shabbat and shared dinners at home, Shabbat services and luncheon and the celebration dinner/dance were planned and led by their committee. Some have asked me whether we are losing our “do-it-yourself ” tradition. Ellen, Adina, and the dozens of volunteers who made the weekend a huge success demonstrates what we are still made.

Thanks to the Campaign for Beth Am committee chaired by Lainy LeBow-Sachs and Cy Smith who raised the funds to support the 40th celebration where we kicked off the public phase of the first capital campaign in our history. This campaign is an opportunity for members and others to invest in the quality of clergy and programming in the magnificent Sperry building to assure the 80th anniversary is

continued on page 6

PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVEScott Zeger

4 5

CONGREGATIONAL LEARNINGRabbi Kelley Gludt

Spring has arrived! It may not seem like the season of renewal and rebirth here in Baltimore, but we Jews celebrate our holidays tied to the land of our people, and that means the time has come for the New Year of the Trees!

The 15th of Shevat, known in Hebrew as Tu B’Shevat, celebrates the beginning of the fruit crop in Israel and corresponds this year to February 4. It reminds us of our physical bond with the land given to us by God, and the obligations that come along with it, including tithing. Spiritually, Tu B’Shevat echoes our people’s survival through difficult days to once again flower and bear fruit.

To commemorate this holiday some people plant a tree, donate to the Jewish National Fund, learn how to be more ecologically minded, or attend a Tu B’Shevat seder, all experiential ways to observe the day.

Experiential education is the “learning by doing” school of thought, an educational philosophy which creates an active and engaging learning experience for all students. It take a process of

experiment and discovery, an expedition where the learners undertake a journey of knowledge, instead of being led there by others. If done correctly, the process also includes a synthesis of newfound knowledge, skills and ways of thinking. Experiential education provides an effective and useful learning method that is engaging, compelling and lots of fun—very Beth Am!

Judaism lends itself amazingly well to experiential education. Whether lighting the Hanukkah candles, reenacting receiving the Torah at Sinai during Shabbat services, poring through the Haggadah, or dwelling in a Sukkah, we Jews employ this educational technique all year round. Tu B’Shevat is no exception! The many ways to celebrate this holiday all incorporate this approach to education, including eating some new fruit, actively helping the environment, or sharing a seder. I encourage you and your families not to miss this wonderful opportunity to learn for ourselves and from ourselves! The experience promises to be a valuable one. Happy Tu B’Shevat!

CHILDCARE NOW AVAILABLE! Every Shabbat, for children

18 months to 5 years old.

Begins at 10 am, with a snack at 11 am, followed by Shabbat Yachad at 11:15 am when scheduled.

Generously sponsored by the Alexander Grass Foundation.

5

Speaking OF the NeighborhoodDon Akchin

CALL FOR NOMINATIONSBeth Am’s engagement work in

Reservoir Hill is moving onto more permanent footing. The In For and Of the Neighborhood initiative, which began two years ago as a task force, is merging with In For Of, Inc., a separate nonprofit corporation established by the Beth Am Board last year to raise funds from beyond the congregation to preserve Beth Am’s historic building and support joint synagogue / neighborhood activities.

The nonprofit board will initially have three major committees: (1) Partnership: works with people and groups in Reservoir Hill (2) Organizing: encourages Beth Am volunteers and

integrates neighborhood efforts with ongoing activities and (3) Development: attracts external philanthropic support.

The IFO Inc. Board, now eight members (including two from Reservoir Hill), will expand to include the three committee chairs, liaisons with Beth Am’s board and committees, and additional Reservoir Hill representatives.

The restructuring marks a good time to renew the invitation for congregants to join in this important community-building work with our neighbors. If you want to be considered for a board or committee role, please complete the short questionnaire on our website, www.tiny.cc/i43yqx by Jan. 16 and e-mail it to don@donakchin.com.

Please join us!Please join us for a

special preview of early design concepts for Beth Am

by Alexander Design Studio

Sun, January 11 at 11:30 amor

Wed, January 14 at 7 pmin the Beth Am

Synagogue SanctuaryRSVP by January 9 to

Valerie Tracy at 410.523.2446 or valerie@bethambaltimore.org

6 7

Rabbi Burg cont’d

Conversely, though, it’s a bit silly to assume that since Judaism is multi-vocal it is relativistic, equally honoring every answer to any question. There are answers: majority opinions, minority opinions and, yes, universally accepted opinions as well. This is seen in the very old tradition of she’elot u’teshuvot, literally “questions and answers” (often rendered “Responsa Literature”). The idea is that while most questions are worthy (though not all as we’ve seen above), many answers are not. The time-honored Responsa tradition tells us life’s big and small questions ought to be addressed by the great religious Jewish minds of the day, those who bring a deep and broad understanding of Torah, Talmud and previous rabbinic rulings to bear. We look not for the Jewish response, but a Jewish response, or even better, Rabbi Meir’s opinion, Maimonides’ opinion, the rulings of Rabbi Feinstein, Rabbi Agus, Rabbi Roth or Rabbi Dorff.

This year, Rabbi Kelley Gludt and I are teaching several modern examples of this literature in our monthly Lunch and Learn sessions at Cross Keys. I’ll be leading the next one, January 20, on Assisted Suicide. What’s Judaism got to say about this? More than you might think. Come learn with us!

President cont’d

an even more momentous celebration than the 40th. The founders invested their time, energy and resources in 1974 to enable this day. Let’s do the same for our children and their children.

Thanks to Henry Feller and the Beth Am staff, especially Valerie Tracy, who with our talented clergy, worked closely with the 40th Anniversary team to make the event a success.

Finally, thank you for participating in the 40th events if you could. And thanks for participating during the coming year if you could not. Jewish living is alive and well in Baltimore City because of you. In 1974, Efrem and Debbie Potts believed “40 years from now, Beth Am will be going strong.” Let’s be sure they are right again.

Thank you, thank you to so many of you who contributed to the Holiday Book Giveaway at John Eager Howard Elementary School. Pulling this together took lots of time and effort from many of you: Marcia Amith, Barbara and Barry Blumberg, Mimi Davidoff, JoAnn Orlinsky, Stuart Stainman, Faith Friedman, Barbara Rosenberger, Carla Rosenthal, Carol Zenilman and Beth Am staff Valerie, Warren and Nakia and then there was all of you who so generously donated fantastic books! If we photographed the children, you'd see 244 happy, excited faces.

TODAH RABAHJackie Donowitz

SHUKAN STORE OPEN SUNDAYS

Come browse our new merchandise on Sundays during Lab School hours. We have new inventory of jewelry and Tzedakah boxes. We look forward to seeing you!

If you cannot make it on Sundays, purchases can be made by contacting: Marcia Amith – 410-433-5582 Bonnie Guralnick – 410-653-2380 or Renee’ Feller – 410-602-2124.

7

JEWISH DISCOVERY LAB SCHEDULEJanuary CalendarSaturday, January 3: NO SHABBAT LABSunday, January 4: NO LABWednesday, January 7: LabSaturday, January 10: Shabbat YachadSunday, January 11: LabWednesday, January 14: LabSaturday, January 17: Shabbat YachadSunday, January 18: Kadima/USY - snow tubing / NO LABWednesday, January 21: LabSaturday, January 24: Junior CongregationSunday, January 25: LabWednesday, January 28: LabSaturday, January 31: Shabbat Yachad

SHABBAT YOUTH SERVICESShabbat Yachad - Saturdays at 11:15 amCombines familiar children’s Shabbat songs with age appropriate sensory experiences. Every Saturday except the first Saturday of the month for newborns to kindergarten in the Chapel, begins before Haftarah reading (unless there’s a Bar or Bat Mitzvah, in which case it begins after candy throwing).

Shabbat Lab - Saturday, February 7 at 10:45 am(please note: There will be no Shabbat Lab on January 3)A mix of traditional and innovative davening. First Saturday of every month for children in kindergarten through fifth grade in the Chapel.

Jr. Congregation - Saturday, January 24 at 10:15 amCalling all third, fourth, fifth and sixth graders! Join Rabbi Burg for a participatory Shabbat Service which blends traditional davening with upbeat music and engaging learning.

BAYITT Beth Am Young Adult Initiative for Twenties and Thirties

All BAYITT programs are open to anyone in their twenties or thirties who is interested in meeting new people, celebrating Shabbat with a community, and eating delicious food!

January 9: 6:30 pm - Congregational services followed by BAYITT dinner in partnership with Repair the World Baltimore.

Contact bayitt@bethambaltimore.org to RSVP.

8 9

While it may be cold outside, it is always warm on Shabbat at Beth Am.

Please join us for Kesher Services which begin at 9:30 am and are followed by a delicious Kiddush lunch.

On January 3 at 8:45 am, Rabbi Burg will lead a learning minyan and every week thereafter is an interactive Torah study prior to services.

This is a wonderful time to get to know Beth Am and its members. If you are already a member, bring a friend! We look forward to welcoming you. Sharon Nathanson, Membership Chairman, slnathanson@comcast.net.

REMAINING DATES:Jan. 11 - 1 pm Feb. 22 - 7 pm Mar. - details TBD

BETH AM’S NEXT GESHER PROGRAM: January 11 at 1 pm

Beth Am Synagogue

TOPIC: TREATMENT OF PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS PANEL: CJE: Larry Ziffer, CEO; Amian Kelemer, COO JCS: Ruth Klein, Director of Mental Health Services JCC: Jennifer Erez, staff; Rob Goldstein, parent of a daughter with special needs served by JCC & Camp Milldale

Gesher is a joint program sponsored with our sister congregation, Kehillat Netzach Israel in Ashkelon. We hold monthly sessions on a variety of social justice topics. The goal of the class is to deepen our understanding of the parallel challenges that face both of our countries while finding ways for real, in-depth relationship building with the people of Ashkelon.

Contact Rabbi Kelley Gludt to sign up or for more information: rabbikelley@bethambaltimore.org

GESHER

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TIX

& IN

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PLACEEUTAWMUSIC

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-15JAN. 10/ 8 PM {DOORS 7:30}: MATT HUTCHISON ellen cherryFrom the very beginning, Matt Hutchison has been inspired by a good song and story. When he was six years old, he fell for The Beatles so hard that he thought he was in fact Paul McCartney, even going so far as to put that name at the top of his school work. He later spent three of his formative years living in England soaking up the sounds of the early British Invasion and digging into the catalog of early Rock & Roll and Country Western music. His latest project, Three Minute Man, is a reflection of a simpler songwriting approach in a collection of new songs that clock in around three minutes each. Breathing life into these songs is a band of old friends and fine musicians from Baltimore and surrounding locales. Baltimore-based Emmy nominated singer/songwriter ellen cherry mixes equal parts of pathos and humor throughout her songs. She’s mysterious and powerful on stage, and her banter gives audiences a peek into a whimsical, curious mind. Recording and writing original material continuously since 1996, cherry has shifted some of her time and talents toward producing a once-per-month live performance and interview webcast from her living room called Listen In with ellen cherry, which provides a platform for the best musicians in Baltimore. She is co-creator and chief visual alchemist for a collaborative project called Mobtown Moon, which released an exciting new re-imagining of Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon in 2013. She is currently working on a new set of recordings due out in late 2014. BEER, WINE SPONSORED BY VINEYARD ELITE. COFFEE SPONSORED BY HIGH GROUNDS ROASTERS. HOMEMADE COOKIES. SNACKS. {ALL AGES WELCOME!}

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L’eilah u’Leilah: A Family Israel Experience Join Us for Our Kickoff Weekend!

Friday, January 23 - Sunday, January 25We are gathering a group of families who commit to going to Israel together in 2018. During the next few years, families will have the time to develop a personal savings plan, and the group will gather regularly to connect with one another through learning and social events.

We are having a kick-off weekend here at Beth Am with Uri Feinberg, the Israeli educator who will be working with us throughout the next few years and on our trip itself. The weekend will include: A Friday night family service, dinner and program; A Saturday late afternoon family program and havdalah; A Sunday morning adult learning session concurrent with Lab (children not currently enrolled in the Jewish Discovery Lab will be invited to join the Lab for the morning)

RSVP to Rabbi Miriam Burg at miriamburg@yahoo.com. If you are planning to be a part of this exciting initiative your participation in the weekend is very important.Local programming funded in part by a JEEP grant from The Associated: Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore

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14 15

PRAYERS FOR HEALINGRabbi Daniel Kaplan, brother of Debbie Potts (Efrem) Gail Liss (Bob)Rabbi Miriam Burg (Rabbi Daniel Burg) Audrey Stearns, mother of Maxwell Stearns (Vered) Ray Katz, mother of Joanne Katz (Scott Zeger)Phyllis Burg, mother of Rabbi Daniel Burg (Miriam)Debbie Katcoff, mother of Jason Katcoff (Robin)Burton Gold, father of Joanne Gold (Andrew Stern)Elizabeth Stern, mother of Andrew Stern (Joanne Gold)Jonathan Shorr, father of Elisa Frost (Jason)Alexa Moinkoff and mother, Lora, grandaughter and daughter of Sharon ZamkoffJoel Balsham, friend of Lissa RotundoDeb Cohen, friend of Stephanie FleishmanBurt D’Lugoff Laurie Glassner Merle Sachs (Murray) Lottie Greene, mother of Meg Hyman Lenore Berman, mother of Janis Silverman (Jay)Alan Pressman (Ashley)Judy Langenthal (Hersch)Mike Steedman, brother of Linda SmallNancy HolderHarry Adler, friend of Roberta and Cantor Ira Greenstein Ofra 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 GoreHilda CoyneVickie DorfFran Kanterman

RECENT DEATHS• Martin Doctrow, brother of Jerry Doctrow (Carol), uncle of

Brian Doctrow• Charles Nathanson, brother of Joe Nathanson (Sharon), uncle

of Amy Nathanson (Marc Ershler) • Milton Frank, uncle of Sharon Nathanson (Joe) and great uncle

of Amy Nathanson (Marc Ershler) COM

MU

NIT

Y N

EWS

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Happy Birthday!Stephen Busky 3-JanSarah Miller 5-JanSofie Holin 7-JanHarvey Galinn 8-JanEdward Sills 8-JanMary Semel 9-JanDiane Levine 11-JanStanley Fine 13-JanKen Williams 16-JanPhyllis Gerber 17-JanBarbara Taylor 20-JanLiz Moser 23-JanBarbara Kornblatt 25-JanPenny Cordish 29-JanCharles Baum 29-JanDavid Cordish 30-Jan

Congratulations!Sidney and Cynthia Brower 22-Jan Sig and Barbara Shapiro 24-Jan

70+ BIRTHDAYS

50+ ANNIVERSARIES

Congratulations!• Lisa Kramer & Jonathan Akchin on

the birth of their daughter, Anne Marcella Akchin. Grandparents are Lisa & Don Akchin.

• Karin Batterton on the birth of her grandson, Samuel Aaron Leers. Parents are Jenn Batterton and Daniel Leers.

• Rebecca Weinstock and David Dagan on the birth of their son, Benjamin Ilan Weinstock de Picciotto.

MAZEL TOV

KIDDUSH LUNCHEON AND BIMAH FLOWERSSponsorships and Donations

November 29The Kiddush luncheon was sponsored by Harriet Miller in memory of her husband, Paul Miller, on his yahrzeit.

A SPECIAL THANK YOU to Sarajane Greenfeld and

Betty Seidel for their support proofreading

for Beth Am!

Closing Procedures for Inclement Weather

The Baltimore Area Principal’s Council determines Sunday school closures or early dismissal. Wednesday afternoon classes will be canceled in the event that either Baltimore City or Baltimore County Schools are closed or dismissed early. If the school closes, an e-mail will be sent to Jewish Discovery Lab parents, and a message will be posted at our website at www.bethambaltimore.org

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NOVEMBERCONTRIBUTIONS

Building Preservation & Ritual Enhancement Fund

Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund

Floral Fund• Judy Rousuck - in memory of Irene

Rousuck, her mother, on her yahrzeit

• Emily Gaines Demsky & Dave Demsky - in memory of Paula Levin, her aunt, on her yahrzeit

• Rebecca & Perry Bridger - in memory of Eugene Chester, father of Annette Posner

• GoldieTeitelbaum - in honor of Marian Bushel on her birthday

• Dorothy & Emanuel Wyron - in honor of Ed Levin on his birthday

• Jo-Ann Orlinsky - in memory of Celia Mayer, her mother on her yahrzeit

Garden Fund

Social Action Fund

• Shirley Braverman - in memory of Oscar Goldman, her brother, on his yahrzeit

Thank you!

Educator’s Discretionary Fund

EUTAWPLACE.ORG

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CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS!Love great music? Love Beth Am? We need you!Eutaw Place is looking for volunteers for Season 3. Help with setup, breakdown, box office and/or refreshment sales and receive free admission to the show and dinner with the artists. For full job descriptions and more info, contact Ellen Kahan Zager at producer@eutawplace.org.

OCT 11 / NOV 1 / DEC 6 / JAN 10 / FEB 14 / MAR 14 / APR 18 / MAY 9

• Lisa & Don Akchin - in memory of Maurice Weingold, father of Carol Zenilman

Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund• Kaye & Glenn Bushel - in honor of

Caroline Bushel and David Sheiman on their Aufruf

• Ricky & Eric Fine - in memory of Eugene Scherl, her father, on his yahrzeit

• Dovey & Billy Kahn - in honor of Adina Amith & Cy Smith on their 25th anniversary

• Susan & Neal Serotte - in memory of Blossom Kahn, her mother, on her yahrzeit

• Bruce Slivnick in appreciation • Becci & Roy Webb - in appreciation• Rachel Webb & Ben Slivnick - in

appreciation

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EUTAW PLACE February Concert AlertEllen Kahan Zager

The super-talented Tony Lucca, runner-up on NBC’s The Voice is coming to Beth Am!

Valentine’s Day Show 2/14/14 Featuring {free} wine tasting Learn more here: tonylucca.com

Here’s his full bio, which doesn’t include the fact that he was a Mouseketeer with none other than Christina Aguilera!

It all began for Tony Lucca as a Mouseketeer on the Mickey Mouse Club. Fast-forward a few years and find Lucca working with fellow former Mouse Club costar Justin Timberlake, starring in a commercial directed by Timberlake for his own 901 Tequila. Lucca then played himself in an episode of NBC’s hit show Parenthood. In 2012, Lucca returned to Hollywood, this time as a finalist on Team Adam (Levine) of the hit show The Voice on NBC, all the while honing a craft that somehow managed to remain the primary focus of his heart, soul and passion - songwriting.

A master of observation, Lucca seems to have stored away every last experience and anecdote as a stepping-off point, a palette and canvas on which to turn his impressions of life and relationships into beautiful, thoughtful and often emotionally painful songs which tend to find their way deep into the cracks and crevices of his listeners’ hearts.

Lucca had the foresight to establish www.tonylucca.com long before the proliferation of social media, yet he has also successfully embraced the ever-changing tech landscape, garnering over half a million followers on Twitter (@luccadoes). Lucca truly has embodied the notion that independent doesn’t mean alone: he remains dedicated, determined and nothing if not eternally grateful for what has been an unimaginable ride, with an entirely original soundtrack.

Eight full-length albums into his career, Tony Lucca has become a standard-bearer to some, a torchbearer to others, and all the while Lucca’s confidence is matched only by his humble appreciation for his path in the wild world of entertainment.

EUTAWPLACE.ORG

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CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS!Love great music? Love Beth Am? We need you!Eutaw Place is looking for volunteers for Season 3. Help with setup, breakdown, box office and/or refreshment sales and receive free admission to the show and dinner with the artists. For full job descriptions and more info, contact Ellen Kahan Zager at producer@eutawplace.org.

OCT 11 / NOV 1 / DEC 6 / JAN 10 / FEB 14 / MAR 14 / APR 18 / MAY 9

Keep in mind: Your timely RSVP’s are helpful and often essential to help us plan for food and space.

Please remember to RSVP!

RSVP

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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

Our heartfelt gratitude to all who so generously pledged to this year’s Annual Fund Campaign.

Thank you to our solicitors, who have worked so hard, and to our members who will pledge in the coming weeks.

Every gift to the Annual Fund moves us closer to the goal of 100% participation.

Contact Ricky Fine, Annual Fund Chair, at 410-358-2380 or rsfine24@gmail.com with any questions you may have.

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

Garden Fund - Beautifies groundsGeneral Fund - Applied to the operating budget of the congregationI. William Schimmel Student Scholarship Fund - Assists students in their educational pursuitsKiddush Fund - Used for luncheons following Sabbath and holiday services Prayer Book Fund - Supports the purchase of prayer books and dedication prayer booksRabbi’s Discretionary Fund - Allows the Rabbi to support special programs and individuals in needSocial Action Fund - Supports social action activities in the Reservoir Hill area and the general communityTiny Tots Shabbat Fund - Supports Shabbat programs for our preschoolersYouth & Teen Education Support Fund - 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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