T h i s s e a s o na t C h i z u k a m u n o C o n g r e g a t i o n

W i n t e r 2 0 1 2 | 5 7 7 3

in This issue:• TheLightinYourLife

•HanukkahHappenings andBlessings

• QuarterlyProgramGuide

HaZ’man

Great for adults and children!Reservations: $6 each (max $18/family)

ProgramA Taste of Hanukkah - delicious treats and socializing

Havdalah with Rabbi Seltzer

Dramatic menorah candle lighting led by Rabbi Schneider accompanied by choirs

Awesome Hanukkah laser light program by Wondergy, with spirited light-sword duel of Rabbis Shulman and Wechlser

Music by John Williams (Star Wars), Matisyahu, Owl City, Da Vinci’s Notebook, Rush, and Hans Zimmer

Sponsored in loving memory of Daniel Joseph Siegel and in recognition of Daniel’s Sparks of Change Foundation

W i n t e r 2 0 1 2 | 5 7 7 3

Chizuk Amuno Congregation8100 Stevenson Road, Baltimore, Maryland 21208www.chizukamuno.org

Synagogue Office 410/486-6400

Synagogue Fax 410/486-4050

Synagogue E-mail info@chizukamuno.org

Goldsmith Early Childhood Education Center 410/486-8642

Krieger Schechter Day School 410/486-8640

Rosenbloom Religious School 410/486-8641

Stulman Center for Adult Learning 410/824-2055

o f f i c e r sPresident Michelle Malis, pres@chizukamuno.orgFirst Vice President Samuel E. Moskowitz, 1stvp@chizukamuno.orgVice President Dr. Andrew MillerVice President Jason A. BlavattSecretary Michelle HettlemanTreasure Sandra MoffetAssistant Treasurer Louis E. Sapperstein

s Y n a G o G u e s T a f f Rabbi Ronald J. Shulman | x230 rshulman@chizukamuno.org

Rabbi Deborah Wechsler | x231 dwechsler@chizukamuno.org

Rabbi Paul D. Schneider | x226 Director of Congregational Life pschneider@chizukamuno.org

Rabbi Emeritus Joel H. Zaiman | x296

Hazzan Emanuel C. Perlman | x233 eperlman@chizukamuno.org

Ritual Director Dr. Moshe D. Shualy | x243 mshualy@chizukamuno.org

Director of Congregational Education Rabbi Stuart Seltzer | x234 | sseltzer@chizukamuno.org

Head of School, Krieger Schechter Day School Bil Zarch | x226 | bzarch@ksds.edu

Director, Goldsmith Early Childhood Education Center Michelle Gold | x238 | gecec@chizukamuno.org

Director, Stulman Center for Adult Learning Judy Meltzer | x287 | stulman@chizukamuno.org

Director, Gemilut Hasadim Service Initiative Miriam Foss | x281 | mfoss@chizukamuno.org

Bar/Bat Mitzvah Coordinator Debby Hellman | x290 | dhellman@chizukamuno.org

Curator, Goldsmith Museum Dr. Susan Vick | x291 | svick@chizukamuno.org

Choir Director, T. Herbert Dimmock

a d m i n i s T r a T i v e s T a f f Executive Director Ronald N. Millen | x224 | rnmillen@chizukamuno.org

Director of Congregational Advancement Laurel Freedman | x275 | lfreedman@chizukamuno.org

Synagogue Administrator Jenny Baker | x227 | jbaker@chizukamuno.org

Controller Rick Bernard | x256 | rbernard@chizukamuno.org

Information Systems Manager Bruce P. Yaillen | x284 | byaillen@chizukamuno.org

Assistant Cemetery Director Marsha Yoffe | x309 | myoffe@chizukamuno.org

Director of Communication and Member Services Cheryl Snyderman | x300 | csnyderman@chizukamuno.org

Graphic Designer Rachel Levitan | x282 | rlevitan@chizukamuno.org

Chizuk Amuno has a long history of proud service to Baltimore’s Jewish community. Dedicated to strengthening faith in our people’s covenant with God, the purpose of Chizuk Amuno Congregation is to create a sacred Jewish community. Here individuals and families can find meaning for their lives from serious engagement with the texts, wisdom, and celebrations of Judaism. In pursuit of this mission, Chizuk Amuno ascribes to the rabbinic teaching: “The world is sustained through Torah – learning, Avodah – prayer and service, and Gemilut Hasadim – acts of loving kindness.”

HaZ’man

T h i s s e a s o na t C h i z u k a m u n o C o n g r e g a t i o n

Contents2 The Most We Can! •byRabbiRonShulman

3 The Gift of Light •byShellyMalis

4 The Light in Your Life Judaism is Light •byRabbiPaulD.Schneider The Incredible Lightness of Love •byRichardCrystal The Light in My Life •byBrinaPintzuk

6 Torah The Miracle of Lights •byRabbiStuartSeltzer

7 Avodah What Hanukkah Means to Me •byMarcC.Hochberg,MD,MPH

8 Gemilut Hasadim •WelcomingHomeOneofOurOwn •RosenbloomReligiousSchool Families Support Superstorm Sandy Victims •BaltimoreCountyRecognizes Chizuk Amuno •ScholarshipFundsAvailable •MemorializingLovedOnes •Bimah Flowers, Perpetual Memorials, Terumot HaKodesh •BuildingfortheFutuer at Krieger Schechter by Randy Getz 11 What’s Nu? •Chizuk’sCommunityHavdalah •KSDS:AGardenHarvest •GECEC:ChildAbusePrevention •YoungFamiliesofChizuk •KSDS:ScienceShowcase •YouthPrograms •Dr.FreemanHrabowski •StulmanCentervisitsPhiladelphia •NewMembers

14 Quarterly Program Guide

On the cover: Please join us on Hanukkah at our front entrance to light Chizuk Amuno’s hanukkiyah. For candle lighting times, please refer to the December issue of HaHodesh ~ This Month at Chizuk Amuno or visit our website, www.chizukamuno.org.

2 | HaZ’man ~ This Season Hanukkah 5773 | 3

Hanukkah is one of those rare occasions when most of us do the most that we can. What do I mean? The mitzvah for kindling light on Hanukkah is complete with just one light per household each night.

The Talmud tells us that in order to enhance our celebration we can choose to kindle one light for each member of our family. Even better, we are taught that we can follow the custom of Rabbi Hillel and kindle one light on the first night, and increase the number of lights each night – which is what we all do. The most we can!

What other Jewish ritual can you identify that you do to the max in the routine of your celebration? There’s clearly something about the lights and happiness of Hanukkah we enjoy celebrating.

That’s because they’re pretty, certainly. While it’s fun to gather around the Hanukkah menorah and celebrate, I imagine there’s something more we sense. We often use light to mark religious and personal occasions. Light is a potent symbol. It represents our hopes. It reflects our ideals. It displays life’s energy.

I think this is why the historical facts of Hanukkah are overwhelmed by the Talmudic legend of a little bit of oil lasting eight days. The Maccabees’ military victory did not endure. Two hundred thirty-five years after the Jewish victory over the Greco-Syrians, the Romans destroyed the Temple in Jerusalem. If this had been the whole story, we wouldn’t celebrate Hanukkah. But we do.

Looking to make a dark world brighter, the Jewish people re-made Hanukkah into a memory of faith and light. Honoring the memory of the Temple and its rededication, speaking of God’s presence and the pride of being Jewish, through ritual and light Hanukkah celebrates the goodness of our lives and our Jewish heritage.

Sit around the Hanukkiyah as the lights shine bright and talk about your values and ideals. Tell your family and friends what’s important to you and what being Jewish means to you. Each night, be the light of Hanukkah for someone else.

On Hanukkah we express our heart’s dreams, the things we believe in, cherish, and hope for. That’s why I ask every child I meet during Hanukkah, “What did you give?” All of us can give of our inner light to others. We can all give our love and help, our hugs and smiles, our friendship and caring. On Hanukkah we do the most we can.

In this issue of HaZ’man ~ This Season, Richard Crystal, Marc Hochberg, and Brina Pintzuk, reflect on the light

in their lives. This Hanukkah season, I invite you to do the same. In a world not always bright and happy, as you stand before your Hanukkah menorah each night ask one another what you see in the light and what’s the most you can do to let it shine bright.Hag Urim Sameah! – Happy Festival of Lights!Happy Hanukkah!

Rabbi Ron Shulman

TheLightIsWhatWesee(A poem for lighting the Hanukkiyah)When the world appears darkHope and blessing are what we need.Hanukkah’s meaning reminds us,L’hadlik ner shel Hanukkah -The light is what we see!

Light reflects God’s love, and also our delight.

Light reflects compassion, in our hearts both day and night.

Light reflects goodness, to be done with all our might.

From times of old until today,Respect and dignity are what we need.Hanukkah’s meaning reminds us,L’hadlik ner shel Hanukkah -The light is what we see!

All of us can give of our

inner light to others.

We can all give our love

and help, our hugs and

smiles, our friendship

and caring.

TheGiftofLightby Shelly Malis

President, Chizuk Amuno Congregation

one of the smartest things that I have ever done was to have a huge

generator installed in our house as it was being built. So when the

lights go out, like they have done so often during 2012, we are one of

the lucky ones with light, heat or air conditioning and yes, television and

internet. I am grateful that we get to keep our lights on and our friends

and neighbors know they are welcome to share our lights.

At the same time, I worry about those who don’t have lights during

and after one of our crazy weather events. But more importantly, these

events remind me that there are people in Baltimore who don’t have

lights on a daily basis. Every day for them is like a day after the Derecho

or Superstorm Sandy. So, as we approach the holiday of lights, I will

challenge myself and my family to find ways throughout the year to

bring light and warmth to those without. I invite you and your family

to do the same.

From Ira, Abigail, Matthew, and myself – wishing you a very Happy

Hanukkah and a bright 2013.

TheMostWeCan!

LaZ’man HaZeh ~ At This Season ~ dfd onfl

LaZ’man HaZeh ~ At This Season ~ dfd onfl

4 | HaZ’man ~ This Season Hanukkah 5773 | 5

JudaismisLightWhen you enter my office, you will

note a rather large print on my wall that is entitled Judaism is Light. The artist is Johanan Vitta. Marilyn and I found this piece in the gift shop of the synagogue in Florence, Italy. It is, in the words of my favorite designer, the star of the room.

I love this modernistic hanukkiyah! But there is a delicious irony here. The title does not match the picture. Judaism is light, but this particular menorah is unlit.

So, what is Johanan Vitta’s message? Judaism is light, but only if you strike the match.

Everything is ready for you. All that remains is that you put forth the effort to complete the mitzvah.

So, every day when I enter my office I am reminded of the most important work of a rabbi/educator. We Jews are blessed with a rich heritage. We have a sacred literature and beautiful traditions. But none of this has any lasting value if the books remain unread and the hanukkiyot remain unlit. Our job is to inspire our fellow Jews to kindle the lights.Hag Urim Sameah,

Rabbi Paul D. Schneider

TheIncredibleLightness ofLoveby Richard Crystal

The holiday season is upon us and with that there will be lights just about

everywhere we look. Electric lights of all colors (and these days, even blue and white!) strung over houses, commercial buildings, shopping centers, homes and the various shrubbery we have grown used to seeing year after year.

And there are other lights that glow in our lives that have a much deeper significance. We welcome the Sabbath Queen each Friday evening with the soft glow of the neirot Shabbat, the Sabbath candles. There is the eternal light suspended over the Aron HaKodesh, the Holy Ark, which symbolizes God’s everlasting presence. In remembrance of loved ones we light a yahrzeit candle. And the lights of the hanukkiyah are a festive representation of the rededication of the Holy Temple in 165 BCE.

But more meaningful than those tangible lights we actually see are the ones that come from the souls of each and every one of us. The light parents feel when their child becomes a bar or bat mitzvah, graduates college, or finds their life partner, for example.

The light of my life is my partner, Rick, with whom I celebrated 33 years this past November. We met at Temple Beth Chaim Chadashim in Los Angeles in 1979 and that particular Shabbat service will shine in my heart for the rest of my life.

With the birth of each of my ten nephews and nieces another light was illuminated. When I recall their accomplishments and successes through the years, those lights burn even brighter.

This past summer my parents celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. The light in their eyes for each other has never dimmed. I wish the same for Rick and me.

And since 1960, the light that is Chizuk Amuno has remained a constant in my life, a part of my soul that will never diminish. n

Richard Crystal, right, grew up in the Baltimore area and spent 17 years in Los Angeles as an advertising director. He currently resides in Pikesville and works in administration.

The Light in Your Lifehead for a better time to paint. There have been many times when I have left Krieger Schechter Day School at the end of the day and have been struck by the beauty of what is in front of me. Dramatic sunsets, storm clouds, or the clear blue sky are eye candy for me. The urge to create a painting does not have to be satisfied by a far location. Compelling vistas bathed in the light of the hour can be found just around the corner. My inspiration comes from experiencing ordinary places in extraordinary light. It infuses every aspect of my art. n

Brina and her husband, Jay, have been members of Chizuk Amuno for 28 years. Brina teaches the art classes at Krieger Schechter Day School and the Rosenbloom Religious School. To view Brina’s art, visit http://brinabasspintzuk.com.

TheLight inMyLifeby Brina Pintzuk

Light is a continuous thread in Jewish tradition. As an artist the light in the

landscape is my thread, it inspires me. I think about light all of the time. Not just at this special season of light that defines Hanukkah or any of the other times that light is a part of my Jewish life, but constantly.

The color of light and how it defines form is the reason for my painting – because the light is always changing. The surrounding sounds, the movement in the trees, and the quality of light are all compelling elements to consider when starting a new painting.

Often I will find a wonderful place to paint in the neighborhood. If the light isn’t right, I will file the scene away in my

T o r a h v r u ,

6 | HaZ’man ~ This Season Hanukkah 5773 | 7

• The light of their futures, lighting the Jewish future

• The light of their uniqueness and personalities

• The light of their presence and commitmentIt reminds me of

the story of Hanukkah, which means “dedication,” how the Jewish people re-entered the Temple and worked long and hard to restore it. Perhaps the miracle of the oil was in the merit of their labor.

Our Netivon students are creating a modern miracle of hard work and dedication.

Look at their light, see it shine: Aaron Abrams, Nathan Block, Madelyn Braman, Jonathan Frier, Micah Frier, David Gevarter, Aaron Gladstone, Ariana Gladstone, Danny Kahn, Jacob Lapidus, Sara Lerner, Tyler Lerner, Harrison Linker, William Linker, Aaron Pomerantz, Alon Purrio, Daniel Rosen, Zachary Rosen, Micah Saltzberg, Noah Samuels, Rebecca Shapiro, Coby Sklar, Jared Slutkin, Hannah Stoller, Abby Suldan, Stephanie Summerfield, Solomon Swerling, and Matthew Ziegelstein.

If you have a teenager who is interested in joining Netivon, please call me at 410/486-8641. n

at 4 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, as it is getting dark outside, the halls and

classrooms of Chizuk Amuno grow quiet and subside from the presence of the kids who have just been dismissed from school. It is a time of transition, like twilight for the building. I walk around, anticipating the miracle I know is coming.

All over Baltimore, our Netivon students have also been dismissed from school. Many are already at home doing their homework. Many others are involved in extra-curricular activities. They are so busy, they don’t even get a break like I do, walking through the quiet halls of Chizuk Amuno.

At 6:30 p.m., after a long and challenging day, these 30 Netivon students will fill the halls with their dedication, energy, and intellect. They are the miracle I am waiting for, a modern miracle, a miracle of light!

In this day and age, with their busy schedules, academic pressure, and the demands of getting into a good college, it is a miracle that these 30 extraordinary students make time to continue their Jewish education when most of their peers have stopped.

Here they come. It is as if the halls suddenly fill with light.• The light of their smiles, of their friendly

and intense conversations• The light of their personal decision to

continue Jewish learning• The light of their questions

TheMiracleofLightsA v o d a h v s u c g

WhatHanukkahMeanstoMe

The miracle of Hanukkah is stated in the fifth stanza of the zemer, song, “Ma’oz

Tzur:” “Greeks gathered against me then in

Hasmonean days. They breached the walls of my towers and they defiled all the oils; and from the one remnant of the flasks a miracle was wrought for the roses. Men of insight – eight days established for song and jubilation.”We are commanded to kindle the

Hanukkah lights for eight nights and we bless God “Who has wrought miracles for our forefathers, in those days at this season.”

Hanukkah has always been a special time of year for me and my family. Our older daughter, Frannie, was born on the first day of Hanukkah in 1975. Each year as we celebrate the holiday, we also celebrate her birth.

The Hanukkah lights have additional meaning to me. My granddaughter was born 13 and a half weeks prematurely in 2008 and spent 10 weeks in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at The George Washington Hospital. Her parents named her Eleanor Zoe; these are derived from the Hebrew Eliora as “God is light” and from the Greek as “spiritual life.” I prayed next to her isolette in the NICU and at home, as well as in synagogue on Shabbat for her health and development. When I went to the hospital, I carried my pocket book of

Psalms with me. Once she was discharged and permitted to go home, how could I tell whether my prayers made any difference over and above the excellent care she received from the doctors and nurses in the NICU?

As a physician scientist who conducts clinical research, I have been taught and teach others the concepts of evidence-based medicine. There are two principles of evidence-based medicine: first, make decisions based on the highest level of evidence available; and second, consider the patient’s values in your recommendations. The highest level of evidence is derived from randomized controlled trials of interventions with reliable, valid, and responsive outcomes. Has intercessory prayer (prayer said on behalf of someone else) been studied in this fashion? Indeed it has. Masters and Spielmans (Journal of Behavioural Medicine 2007; 30:329-38) performed a meta-analysis (a statistical technique that summarizes the results of other studies) of 15 trials, 12 of which included medically ill patients. While there was an overall benefit in favor of intercessory prayer, the effect size was small and failed to reach statistical significance. These authors concluded that there was no scientifically discernible effect on health. Roberts and colleagues published an updated meta-analysis of ten studies including over 7,500 patients in the highly

respected Cochrane Database in 2009 (their original meta-analysis was published in 2007). These authors also found a benefit in favor of intercessory prayer; however, the effect failed to reach statistical significance for the outcome of either a good health or survival. The authors concluded that the evidence did not support a recommendation either in favor of or against the use of intercessory prayer.

Based on the scientific evidence, one cannot conclude that there is a significant health benefit from praying for someone else. Hence, my praying on behalf of my granddaughter was based on my religious values. Furthermore, every time we say the Amidah, we have the opportunity to pray for healing and salvation and acknowledge that God is the “healer of the sick.” I continue to pray for the health of not only my granddaughter but also the rest of my family. I will be reminded of the blessings that God has bestowed on me and my family as we kindle the Hanukkah lights this year and, God-willing, every year to come. n

Dr. Marc C. Hochberg is Professor of Medicine and Epidemiology and Public Health and Head, Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. He and his family have been members of Chizuk Amuno since 1987 and

his older daughter, Frannie, became a bat mitzvah at Chizuk Amuno in 1988.

by Rabbi Stuart Seltzer by Marc C. Hochberg, MD, MPH

Hanukkah 5773 | 9

scholarshipfundsavailableIt is a source of great pride to our congregation that so

many of our youngsters spend their summers at Ramah Camps, on USY programs, and on other Israel experiences.

We are grateful to our donors for helping to provide scholarships to our students through endowment funds to assist them in attending these programs.• CampRamah Scholarship Fund

• GoldnerRamah Scholarship Fund

• JaredScottLevyMemorialScholarshipFund

• AnnandSamKahanJewishLearningExperienceFund

• IreneandBernardSiegelCampRamah Scholarship Fund

• Rabbi’sDiscretionaryFund

If you are a member of Chizuk Amuno, have a child who will be attending one of these programs, and are in need of scholarship assistance, please contact Rabbi Wechsler. The deadline for application (based on the deadlines for your child’s program) is January 1.

MemorializingLovedonesHave you thought about honoring a loved one who has

passed away? At Chizuk Amuno, there are several ways to do so,including:

Bronze Plaque This plaque is placed and remains on the back wall of the Sanctuary.

Lucite Plaque This plaque, lit from behind, is placed on the side wall of the Hoffberger Chapel during the week including your loved one’s yahrzeit.

One Year Light This is a Lucite plaque placed on the back wall of the Sanctuary for the 11 months of reciting kaddish.

Golden Book Your loved one’s name will be inscribed in this book, placed in the Hoffberger Chapel, under glass, below the Lucite plaques. It is opened to the page of your loved one’s inscription on the day of the yahrzeit.

For more information about purchasing memorials, please contact Dawn Reznik in our synagogue office, ext. 295 or dreznik@chizukamuno.org.

Bimahflowers,PerpetualMemorials,Terumot HaKodesh (TributeGifts,Discretionaryfund)Where did they go?

These lists are now posted in the “Giving” section of the Chizuk Amuno website, www.chizukamuno.org. If you would like to receive the notices and links via e-mail, please visit our website, click on “About,” and sign up in the block on the lower right hand side of the page. For a hard copy of these lists, e-mail info@chizukamuno.org (subject line: HaHodesh Lists) or call the synagogue office.

The Bimah Flower and Perpetual Memorial lists can be found at the Sanctuary and Hoffberger Chapel entrances.

to the effort that has been set up at Chizuk Amuno. These donations are being forwarded to agencies and organizations that are providing direct relief to those in need, as well as to Jewish organizations and synagogues where help is needed. If you wish to contribute to hurricane relief efforts through our synagogue community, please send your check, payable to Chizuk Amuno Congregation, marked “Hurricane Relief ” to the Rabbinic Office. Thank you for your consideration and caring. n

WelcomingHomeoneofourownmonday, October 15 was a normal fall

day for most of us. It was cloudy with a significant chance of rain in the afternoon, but there would be much sunshine in the lives of the Lipsky and Wolf families that afternoon. That’s because Lieutenant Matthew Lipsky, U.S. Navy, Elysa’s husband and Daniel and Ryan’s father, was due to fly into BWI Marshall Airport after an 11 month deployment to the Middle East. Matt’s assignment was material and logistical support for our troops in that part of the world and left for active duty ten days after Ryan was born, last November 22. He is the son-in-law of Donna and Bob Wolf.

Greeters at the airport included family, friends, and Rabbi Wechsler’s cheering group of well-wishers from Chizuk Amuno Congregation and the caring members of Operation Welcome Home Maryland. Everyone helped fill gift bags of snacks and drinks for the arriving military personnel and their dependents. The welcoming group personally greeted and thanked each arriving passenger returning from overseas duty.

Lieutenant Matthew Lipsky was the first member of Chizuk Amuno Congregation to be welcomed at the airport by Rabbi Wechsler and her gemilut hasadim

volunteers. This group participates monthly in personally greeting members of all branches of the military who arrive at BWI Marshall Airport as their initial port of entry into the United States from service abroad. These people do not have family and friends to welcome them home at the airport, so our presence there is very meaningful to all of them. Matt and all of the military returning home from combat zones were grateful for the personal, caring, and warm wishes upon their arrival. You too can experience this heart-warming and truly meaningful act of loving kindness by joining Rabbi Wechsler at any of the planned meetings at the airport. n BaltimoreCountyRecognizesChizukamuno

on November 14, the Baltimore County Human Relations Commission, chaired

by our own Jason Blavatt, presented Chizuk Amuno Congregation with a Human Relations Award for Community Service. The commission recognized Chizuk Amuno’s gemilut hasadim, acts of loving kindness, efforts. Involving more than 700 individuals, our members respond to the real needs of others, upholding their

dignity and offering them care and support. County Executive Kevin Kamenetz joined Jason Blavatt in presenting the award to Jennifer Arndt Robinson, immediate past chair of the Chizuk Amuno Gemilut Hasadim committee, and Rabbi Shulman. Our pride and gratitude goes to Rabbi Debi Wechsler and Miriam Foss, who direct our gemilut hasadim efforts, and to the

many, many members of the Gemilut Hasadim committee and our community who give of their time and talents in the service of others. We express special gratitude for funding from The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Gemilut Hasadim Endowment Fund of the Chizuk Amuno Foundation, Inc. n

on Sunday, November 11, in cooperation with Temple Oheb Shalom and Beth

Am Synagogue, the RRS held a supplies drive for families devastated by “Sandy.” Members of the Chizuk Amuno community generously contributed to the drive with new items such as batteries, flashlights, socks, hats, gloves, ear warmers, blankets, and winter coats. The quick-response collection was so successful that we filled an entire mini-van. These items were added to supplies collected at Oheb Shalom and Beth Am and transported immediately to Oceanside Jewish Center in New York to be distributed to affected families in that region. Thank you to those who volunteered at the collection and those who made much-needed contributions.

In addition to the supplies drive, many members have made monetary contributions

RosenbloomReligiousschoolfamiliessupportsuperstormsandyVictims

8 | HaZ’man ~ This Season

10 | HaZ’man ~ This Season Hanukkah 5773 | 11

L’dor V’dor BuildingforthefutureatKriegerschechterby Randy Getz

Belonging to Chizuk Amuno makes a statement: You care about our Jewish

community and our people’s shared history and future. But why do you care? Where does that inclination come from? It is likely that your home life played a key role. Perhaps schooling, camp and Israel experiences, or even anti-Semitism helped lay the foundation. Whatever it was – it worked, and we are all glad you are here.

Chizuk Amuno’s future is dim without caring Jews like you. So what can we do to make sure that 50 years from now people will still care – will still be attending services, giving to tzedakah, and trying to repair the world? I believe the answer starts with education. All Jewish education is good. Studies have shown that children who attended Jewish day school are much more likely to become synagogue members,

to give to charity, to marry other Jews, to become leaders in our community, and to raise their children Jewishly. No guarantee – just improving the odds.

We have a gem of a day school right here at Chizuk Amuno. Krieger Schechter is teeming with happy children, top notch Jewish and secular learning, and a Jewish spirit. Through Rabbi Zaiman’s foresight, and with Rabbi Shulman’s tremendous support, Krieger Schechter is helping to create our community’s future. You can have a part in ensuring that future as well. We need to make day school education affordable to every family that chooses it. To do that, we must build our school’s endowment.

Krieger Schechter, along with six other Baltimore day schools, has been selected to participate in the Russel Family Generations

program. This project, in partnership with The ASSOCIATED: Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore, the Partnership for Excellence in Jewish Education, and the AVI CHAI Foundation, is training, encouraging, and supporting Krieger Schechter and Chizuk Amuno to incorporate endowment and legacy giving into our development efforts.

The words “Chizuk Amuno” mean “strengthening the faith.” This aptly named congregation has at its core the purpose of creating a Jewish community that is meaningful and perpetual. Support of the Generations program can help us achieve that goal. Simply put, our future is at stake.

Thank you to Chizuk Amuno, its members, and its leadership, for so highly valuing education. And may Russel Family Generations be a smashing success!

Community

Connection

Learn

ing

Prayer

Social Action

Spiri

tual

ity

Gemilut Hasadim

Comfort

Celebration

C a r i n g

Justice

TradiTio

n

Tzedekah Annual Campaign

Please be sure to include

Chizuk Amuno in your year-end

giving. The Annual Campaign

bridges the gap between dues

and the full cost of synagogue

membership. Chizuk Amuno relies

on the Annual Campaign

to cover the difference.

The Annual Campaign

relies on you.

Please contact Laurel Freedman at

lfreedman@chizukamuno.org

to discuss your pledge.

Payments are not due until the end

of our fiscal year, June 30, 2013.

Torah Writing Book of Blessings

The Book of Blessings compiled in honor of the writing of Chizuk Amuno’s 140th Anniversary Torah is now available for purchase. This full-color, two-volume set contains

all of the personal reflections and prayers written by congregants upon scribing their letter in the Torah.

The books are compilations of personal experiences that reflect a landmark moment in the history of our congregation. 

Copies of the books are available for viewing in the Garden Lounge and can be purchased for $100 per volume or $200 per set. Contact Laurel Freedman, lfreedman@chizukamuno.org,

by Friday, January 18 to place your order.

Did You Know That You Are A Mandated Reporter?That’s right! If you suspect child abuse, you are

obligated to report it. It’s the law in Maryland. With so many headlines in the news – Jerry Sandusky,

the BBC, a Delaware pediatrician – one becomes acutely aware of what a prominent concern child abuse has become and how important it is to take measures to end it. In October, the Parents’ Association of the Goldsmith Early Childhood Education Center sponsored a presentation on the topic, informing all who attended as well as empowering them to take action. Adam Rosenberg, Executive Director of the Baltimore Child Abuse Center, led a compelling discussion that included shocking statistics, what indications to look for, and how to help.

Astonishingly, 90% of abused children actually know the person who harms them. Be aware – there are several things you can do today to protect your children and reduce the risk of abuse, some of which include:•Be an Ask-able Adult: be

someone who your children can ask questions of and get answers from when it matters

•Ask tough questions to people who watch your children: Who will be supervising? Will my child be alone with adults? Who else will be there?

•Teach children boundaries and that they can say no, even to a hug.

And most importantly, if you have reason to believe something has happened, stay calm and take action. You do not have to be able to prove abuse in order to report it, you must only suspect it. You also have the option of remaining anonymous. To report your

suspicions, you may contact the police at 911 or child protective services in Baltimore County, 410/853-3000, or Baltimore City, 410/361-2235.For more information about child abuse, please visit

the Baltimore Child Abuse Center website, www.bcaci.org, or call 410/396-6147.

Thank you to the GECEC PA for bringing this important issue to light.

Chizuk’s Community HavdalahIt was a cool, crisp evening. The sky was cloudless. And

there were three stars.Over 150 congregants and friends gathered at Chizuk

Amuno on November 17 to celebrate the end of Shabbat. Each family was given a Havdalah candle and bag of spices. We formed a huge circle on the front lawn and then we began the b’rakhot. Together, we sipped some wine, sniffed the b’samim – the spice – and snuffed out our candles as we welcomed the new week.

Following Havdalah, we remained on the lawn, singing songs together, accompanied on guitar by

Leslie Pomerantz. And what would a celebration be without treats! We ended our celebration in the Krieger Auditorium with some sweets before carrying on with the new week.

The chill in the air couldn’t hold a candle to the overwhelming warmth that infused each of us. We look forward to the next time we gather for a community Havdalah and hope that you’ll join us.

Shavua Tov!

A Garden Harvest for SchechterMembers of the Krieger Schechter Middle School

Garden Club held a pre-Thanksgiving sale of herbs grown in the school’s herb garden. The garden was originally planted by middle school students in 2009, and the perennial herbs have continued to thrive ever since. Over a dozen students helped to harvest sage, oregano, and thyme and then sell the fresh herbs to their teachers and

synagogue staff members. The students raised almost $80, which will be used to add new plants to the garden next spring. In addition to the herbs that they sold, the students also supplied Chef Annie, Chizuk Amuno’s in-house caterer, with plenty of fresh sage for turkeys and stuffing!

12 | HaZ’man ~ This Season Hanukkah 5773 | 13

B’rukhim Habaim • Welcome to Our New Members

ohtcv ohfurc

We are happy to welcome those who have most recently chosen to join our Chizuk Amuno family. If you have friends or family who may be interested in joining Chizuk Amuno, please call our Director of Communication and Member Services, Cheryl Snyderman, 410/486-6400, ext. 300.

Audra and David Antwerpen

Kathryn Frey-Balter and Joseph Balter

Barbara and Ryan Baylin

Melissa and Jeffrey Berman

Alisa and Jason Goldsmith

Sara and Marc Greenberg

Stacy Landsman and Jonathan Guth

Sharon Green and Eili Klein

Stacy and Eric Radz

Sharri and Greg Rochlin

Dr. Freeman Hrabowski Visits Chizuk AmunoOn November 14, a long awaited guest speaker, Dr.

Freeman Hrabowski, addressed a captivated audience of congregants and friends. Those of us who attended recognized that we were in the presence of a great man. Dr. Hrabowski emphasized the importance of a loving and supportive environment and the clear expectation that students can and will succeed, irrespective of their backgrounds.

Freeman Hrabowski was appointed president of UMBC in 1992. During the past 20 years, he has brought a small, little known school to tie with Yale University for 4th place in undergraduate teaching. President Hrabowski was ranked among the Ten Top College Presidents in

2009 by Time magazine. This year he was named one of the Top 100 Most Influential People in the World. CBS Sixty Minutes honored the UMBC president for his achievements involving innovation and inclusive excellence.

We are grateful to Freeman Hrabowski, educator extraordinaire, and beautiful human being for sharing his story and for making this world a better place.

Young Families Growing Strong at ChizukHave you ever thrown a child up in the air

during yismekhu or eaten macaroni and cheese while sitting on the carpet or sang about a dinosaur coming to have Shabbbat with you? If you answered yes to any of these questions then you are probably part of Young Families.

The Young Families of Chizuk Amuno have had a great beginning of the year with some wonderful events that added meaning to our families’ observance of Shabbat and holidays and also enhanced our feeling of community within the larger Chizuk Amuno family.

In September, over 100 people came to the first Torah for Tots of the season and then enjoyed a picnic lunch on

the playgrounds. Our annual Characters in the Sukkah night co-sponsored with the Goldsmith Early Childhood Education Center was a huge success; over 200 people shared pizza dinner and programming included Sifriyah Pijama, craft projects, and lulav shaking. At our pre-Simhat Torah dinner, families enjoyed the beginning of the festival together before having a special aliyah for children and dancing with the Sifrei Torah.

In 2013, Young Families is looking forward to an adults only wine tasting event in January, a hamantaschen baking evening in February, a PJ library program at the Maryland Zoo in April, and outdoor Shabbat services and dinner in May. 

People have asked, how young should my children be to be considered a Young Family? The answer is, if you consider yourself a young family, come join us! Young couples, expectant parents, single parent families, older parents of young children, families with children of all ages, and anything in between are welcome.

If you are interested in attending one of our events or being on the Young Families committee, please be in touch with me at dwechsler@chizukamuno.org.B’Shalom,

Rabbi Debi Wechsler

Krieger Schechter’s 2nd Annual Science Showcase

Sunday, November 18 was a day to celebrate Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math with the Krieger Schechter Day School community. Well over 200

people – parents, students from K-8th

grade, and friends – attended our Science Showcase. Families

experienced, learned, and explored science as

they rotated through specific sessions facilitated by

teachers, parents, and alumni. In addition, all participants were

entertained by “Eric Energy,” who presented fun and interactive experiments related to “green” energy.

The spirit of scientific inquiry was felt all afternoon – from the youngest, prospective KSDS students, to

current KSDS students who love their science classes, to the most experienced parents and grandparents among us. We are blessed to be part of a professional community with scientists, doctors, and mathematicians of great expertise. We are grateful to them for sharing their time and their passion with our families, contributing to a day of exploration and wonder.

The topics explored at this fall’s Science Showcase included Heart and Heart Health (Dr. Keith Friedman); Topology and Hexaflexagons (Robin Nesky); Static Electricity (Mark Nesky); Seeing Your Heart (Dr. Dan Berkowitz); Scale and Size (Jake Ferentz, KSDS ’01); Building Bridges (Barbara Siegel); 3-D Virtual Reality Worlds (Dr. Yuval Boger); Sustainable Engineering

(Dr. Suzanne Keilson); Explosions (Amanda and Dr. Stuart Levine); Isolating DNA (Dr. Rena Lapidus); Simulated Blood Typing to Solve a Mystery (Dr. Carol Berkower); Organ Function (Teri Philosophe); Organ Transplant (Dr. Benjamin Philosophe); Math and Counting (Jay Finkel); Topology and Map Skills (Deborah Steinig).

Serving Time in a Jewish Space

by Judy MeltzerI’m sure that like me, you have been happily

surprised to discover synagogues in unexpected locations, perhaps while on vacation, or visiting some remote area in the world. But have you ever visited a synagogue in a penitentiary?

On November 7, our Chizuk Amuno trip took us to Philadelphia to visit the Barnes Foundation in their beautiful new location on Benjamin Franklin Parkway. No synagogue there. Then we went to the Eastern State Penitentiary, which is situated right around the corner. Once the most famous and expensive prison in the world, it was and remains an example of grand architecture. Well known prisoners included Willie Sutton and

Al Capone, whose cell remains a monument to his fame and wealth. Expensive works of art adorn the walls, and oriental carpets cover the floor.

All of this made for a fascinating tour, but imagine our surprise when the docent asked if we would like to see the synagogue. Of course the reply was a resounding “Yes!” The Alfred W. Fleisher Memorial Synagogue is situated within the row of converted exercise yards along Cellblock Seven and was used by the Jewish inmates from the early 20th century until the prison closed in 1971.

Although there were never more than 80 Jewish inmates at any one time, they were looked after by local rabbis and volunteers from the Jewish community. Jews always care for Jews, and this was no exception.

A Synagogue Restoration Committee dedicated itself to raising the funds needed to preserve this unique site. The synagogue re-opened in 2009. It is a very moving experience to visit this Jewish memorial. Pay a visit and see for yourselves.

Launching Our Youth ProgramsThere is a lot of excitement in the Chizuk Amuno

Congregation Education Center these days. We are happy to introduce two new members of our staff.

Jason Creeger joins our community as a Netivon teacher and coordinator of informal Jewish education. While completing his MA in Jewish Education at Towson University and the Baltimore Hebrew

Institute, he served as a youth advisor within both NFTY and USY. He currently teaches at the Rosenbloom Religious School and is a full-time Judaic studies teacher

at the Shoshana S. Cardin High School. His summers are spent “relaxing” at Camp Airy as a division head. Jason is planning exciting, fun, and community-building events and activities for Netivon students and all Chizuk Amuno high school students.

Zack Kaye has assumed the role of advisor for Chizuk Amuno’s Kadima chapter. He is currently a freshman at Towson University, studying Occupational Therapy. Zack spent last year in Israel on the

Nativ program, which helped to deepen his personal

connection to Judaism as well as his commitment to Judaism’s future in America. Kadima is the international youth organization for middle school students of the Conservative Movement. At Kadima meetings, events, and shabbatons, students in grades 6-8 enjoy spending time together and strengthen their bonds to each other, to Judaism, and to the State of Israel.

Please be in touch with Jason, jcreeger@chizukamuno.org, and Zack, zkaye@chizukumamuno.org, and welcome them to the community. Get on their mailing lists, ask for details about upcoming programming, or let them know your ideas for some great programs. They look forward to hearing from you.

14 | HaZ’man ~ This Season Hanukkah 5773 | 15

December8 Shabbat PM Shabbat Services and Lunch USY Latkes and Lasers

9 Sunday RRS Aleph Moon Trip BRO/GH Adopt-A-Road BRO Ravens Tailgate Party

10 Monday CAC Hanukkah Candle Lighting

11 Tuesday CAC Hanukkah Candle Lighting GM Hanukkiyot Display

12 Wednesday CAC Hanukkah Candle Lighting

13 Thursday CAC Hanukkah Candle Lighting GH Card-Making Project GH Open Meeting on Sustainability

14 Friday CAC Hanukkah Candle Lighting Ramah Shabbat Service and Dinner

15 Shabbat Shabbat Yahad CAC Honoring Adele Marcus CAC 3rd and 4th Grade Shabbaton CAC Community Havdalah and CAC Hanukkah Candle Lighting CAC Laser Lights

16 Sunday CAC Community Choir Rehearsal SIS Brunch and Beauty, Member Appreciation Event US Naval Academy Band at CAC CLUB Dinner and Jim the Entertainer

17 Monday BRO American Red Cross Blood Drive

19 Wednesday GH Ronald McDonald House

23 Sunday SIS/GH Our Daily Bread

25 Tuesday Community Mitzvah Day

January 5 Saturday YFC Wine Tasting Event

6 Sunday CAC Community Choir Rehearsal CA Liz Lerman Workshop: Worship Through Dance

8 Tuesday CAC Conversation with JTS Chancellor Arnold Eisen

10 Thursday PM It’s A Date! (for the 2015 B’nei Mitzvah class)

11 Friday CAC 5th Grade Overnight Shabbaton

What’s Happening at Chizuk AmunoChizuk Amuno is comprised of many people, auxiliary groups, schools, and committees all working together to bring you myriad events

and programs. This quarterly guide reflects their ambitious planning. We invite you to join us. For details regarding these events, please refer

to the calendar on our website: www.chizukamuno.org.

13 Sunday PM Breakfast and Program Information BRO Minyan, Breakfast, and a Speaker CAC Community Choir Rehearsal YFC Dinner and Hamantaschen Baking CAC Chizuk 101

14 Monday GH BBQ Chicken Prep

15 Tuesday CAC The Ethics and Practice of Ritual Celebration

16 Wednesday GH Knit One Learn Too GH Ronald McDonald House

19 Shabbat Amuno Minyan

20 Sunday KSDS Middle School Social USY Ski Trip

22 Tuesday CAC The Ethics and Practice of Social Responsibility

23 Wednesday CAC Community Choir Rehearsal

26 Shabbat Shabbat Yahad CAC Community Choir Sings KAD Luncheon RRS Bet Family Havdalah and Ice Cream IE Israeli Movie Night

27 Sunday GH Our Daily Bread CLUB Dinner and Musical Artists Theater

29 Tuesday CAC The Ethics and Practice of Personal Relationships

February2 Shabbat Sisterhood Shabbat

3 Sunday BRO Minyan, Breakfast, World Wide Wrap SIS CHANA Knitting Project

5 Tuesday KSDS 1st Grade Siyyum HaSefer

8 Friday KSDS 3rd Grade Kabbalat Shabbat

9 Shabbat Shabbat Yahad KSDS 4th Grade Shabbat

10 Sunday BRO Seaboard Region Blue Yarmulke Event

Please note, events scheduled for mid-February

and later will be listed in the Purim/Pesah issue of

the HaZ’man~This Season.

Key:

BRO BrotherhoodCA Cultural Arts CommitteeCAC Chizuk Amuno Congregation CLUB Club Hatikvah GECEC Goldsmith Early Childhood Education CenterGH Gemilut HasadimGM Goldsmith MuseumIE Israel Engagement Committee

JTS Jewish Theological SeminaryKAD Kadima KSDS Krieger Schechter Day SchoolPM Project Mitzvah RRS Rosenbloom Religious SchoolSCAL Stulman Center for Adult LearningSIS SisterhoodUSY United Synagogue YouthYFC Young Families of Chizuk

16 | HaZ’man ~ This Season

Worship through Dance Sunday, January 6

We are thrilled to host Liz Lerman, award winning dancer and choreographer, for participatory workshops.

Liz will lead us as we explore prayer through movement.

Presented by the Goldsmith Museum and Cultural Arts Committee

Is There a Jewish Purpose Today?Tuesday, January 8 7:30 p.m.

Dr. Arnold Eisen, Chancellor of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America joins in conversation with Rabbi Ron

Shulman. Chancellor Eisen’s scholarship and leadership in Conservative Judaism has inspired thoughtful engagement about the meaning of Jewish life today, and the place for Conservative Judaism within the Jewish community.

Related Course Offering—The Observant Life: The Wisdom of Conservative Judaism for Contemporary Jews

Rabbi Ron Shulman, Tuesdays, 7:30 p.m.

January 15 The Ethics and Practice of Ritual Celebration

January 22 The Ethics and Practice of Social Responsibility

January 29 The Ethics and Practice of Personal Relationships

We invite you to sing with us

in the Chizuk Amuno Community Choir.

We will be singing on Shabbat Shirah,

Saturday, January 26

Please try to attend at least three of the following rehearsals:

Sunday, December 16, 10 a.m.

Sunday, January 6, 10 a.m.

Sunday, January 13, 10 a.m.

Wednesday, January 23, 7 p.m.

No prior music experience is necessary.

To sign up or for more information, contact Bob Hallock at rjhallock@gmail.com or 410/653-0256.

COME

SING

WITH

US!

Sisterhood Judaica Shop HoursSunday •9:15-11:30a.m.

Monday and Wednesday•10a.m.-Noonand2-6p.m.Tuesday and Thursday •10a.m.-Noonand1-5p.m.

Friday•10a.m.-Noonand by appointment with Anne King, 410/303-7716 or 410/484-5813,

or Edna Crystal 410/653-3495. In addition to shopping at our store, we invite you to browse our new online catalog,

http://chizukamuno.judaicabeautiful.com. For information or to volunteer, please call Anne King at 410/303-7716 or 410/484-5813.

CelebratingtheMeaningofHanukkah’sLight ohrut B’rakhot for Hanukkah’sLights

¨v v vT v v ,

Barukh Atah Adonai Eloheinu Melekh haOlam asher kid-sha’nu b’mitz-votav v’tzi-vanu l’hadlik ner shel Hanukkah.

Blessed are You, Eternal our God, Sovereign of the Universe, who sanctified us as a people through God’s commandments,

and commanded us to kindle the lights of Hanukkah.

¨v v vT v®Zviz³v¨vH,c³X°v¨G

Barukh Atah Adonai Eloheinu Melekh haOlam,sh’a-sah nisim la’avo-tei-nu ba-yamim ha-hem baz’man ha-zeh.

Blessed are You, Eternal our God, Sovereign of the Universe,who performed miracles for our ancestors during those days

at this season.

onthefirstnightonly:¨v v vT v®ZviZ³°DvHv

Barukh Atah Adonai Eloheinu Melekh haOlam,sh’he-he-ya-nu v’ki-y’ma-nu v’hi-gi-a-nu laZ’man haZeh.

Blessed are You, Eternal our God, Sovereign of the Universe, for the gift of our lives, for all that sustains us,

and for enabling us to reach this season.

On Hanukkah we remember the miracles of faith, of our people’s perseverance, and of life’s daily wonders. We remember the Maccabees and the conflict of ancient days while we honor the victory of faith, and of Judaism’s ideals. Hanukkah’s light represents spiritual strength, not only physical prowess. Our Hanukkiyot represent God’s light, a path of peace and goodness that must endure for all time

X°v°³Kv,Bv,¨Nv,Tv�,p°Bvv®ZviZv¨vH,c³¨,G�

v,³fEvW v«,iv«Kv,Bvc°¨,°KvNTvDvWKv,v

W®®,W®,p°W®X°³

HaNerot Hallalu anahnu madlikim, al ha-nisim, v’al ha-nif-laot, v’al ha-t’shuot, v’al-ha milhamot, she-a’sita-la’avoteinu

ba-ya-mim ha-hem, bazman ha-zeh al y’dei kohanekha hak’doshim.

V’khol sh-mo-nat y’mei Hanukkah haNerot hallalu kodesh hem,

v’ein la-nu r’shut l’hish-ta-mesh ba-hem, eleh li’rotom bilvad, k’day l’hodot u’l’halel

l’shimkha ha-gadol al nisekha v’al niflotekha v’al y’shuatekha.

Howthelightsarekindled:One candle is lit in the Hanukkah menorah for each night. For the first night, one candle, the second night, two candles, and so on until eight candles are kindled on the eighth night. The candle for the first night is placed on the right side of your Hanukkiyah. On each subsequent night an additional candle is placed to the left of the preceding night’s candle. The lighting proceeds from left to right so that the new candle is kindled first

each night. No practical use may be made of the Hanukkah lights such as illuminating the room. Therefore, according to Jewish tradition, a special extra candle known as the Shamash is used to light the others and to provide light. On Friday night the Hanukkah lights are lit before the Shabbat candles, prior to sunset. On Saturday night, be sure the sun has set before lighting the Hanukkah candles.

Hanukkah 5773 | 17

time sensitive m aterial please deliver promptly

Non Profit Org.US PostagePaidBaltimore, MDPermit No. 544

8100 Stevenson Rd. • Baltimore, Md 21208www.chizukamuno.org

I N C L U D I N G KSDS, GECEC, A N D RRSBring joy to less fortunate children. Bring your gently used toys, books, and electronics

to the Rosenbloom or preschool lobby. Through Wednesday, December 12th

(Please enclose all loose small game and puzzle pieces in Ziploc bags.)

KSDS 2ND GRADE’S Collection organized by the PA Council of Chizuk Amuno Schools

Thankful to Give

2nd Annual Winter Care Package

Colle

ctio

n

Please donate bottled water

on Sunday, December 2

to the Administrative Lobby

during morning drop-off.

These items will be distributed by the Jewish Volunteer Connection

to shelters in Baltimore this winter.