Various Events at Congregation Kneseth Israel from January through April 2004

Congregation Kneseth Israel

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"Women in the Bible" Havdalah, Dinner, and Theatre

Saturday, January 11, 2004

Above left: Havdalah service that took place prior to the dinner. Children from left to right include Meir Weisblum, Ben Monias, Ben Anisman, Rabbi Weisblum, and Sarah Stusek holding the candle (you can also see part of Ascher Stusek). Above right: Faye Zeller, Miriam Monias, and Esther Rosenblatt (Rebbitzen Emeritus). Miriam Monias is in charge of the Sisterhood catering and provided a delicious dinner for the program.

Above: Actress Anita Gutschick portraying Ruth. She also acted out the parts of Sarah and Rebecca to a captive audience. Mrs. Gutschick travels all over the country performing a one-person dramatic presentation of women in the Bible (http://www.womeninthebible.com).

Michael Davidson Bar Mitzvah

Saturday, January 31, 2004

Michael Davidson, son of Eric and Catherine Davidson, was Bar Mitzvahed on Saturday, January 31 (Parsha Bo). Michael is an 8th-grader and honor student at Annapolis Middle School and a graduate of the Aleph Bet Jewish Day School. Michael has donated some of his gift money from his Bar Mitzvah back to the synagogue towards the purchase of the marble tablets on the bimah that needed to be replaced.

Recognition of Outstanding Congregants at the Annual Meeting

Sunday, February 1, 2004

At the Annual Synagogue Meeting on Sunday, February 1, President Lore Singerman presented awards of appreciation to members that have devoted an enormous amount of their time and energy for the betterment of the shul. At left, President Singerman presents a certificate of appreciation to catering chairperson Miriam Monias, who has catered kiddushes, dinners, and programs for the synagogue. At right, Executive Vice President Jonas Legum receives the Congregant of the Year Award. Mr. Legum had spent many hours tending to the unusual maintenance needs of the building in the past year, and spent many hours of his own time tending to the day-to-day needs of the shul.

Tu B'Shevat Seder

Sunday, February 8, 2004

Kneseth Israel's Reiter Auditorium was the site of a Tu B'Shevat seder sponsored by the Daniel Rothman Consolidated School. Tu B'Shevat is the "New Year for trees", and is celebrated by eating a variety of fruits, especially fruits that are grown in Israel. Above left is the seder plate for the event that consists of pomegranates, figs, grapes, olives, and dates. About 100 people attended the event.

Above left, from left to right Meir Weisblum, Kneseth Israel youth director Margot Behrens, Ayala Weisblum, and Rebbitzen Miriam Weisblum. Natan Weisblum is in the foreground admiring the plate of fruit. At left, Rabbi Weisblum teaches the children from the Daniel Rothman Consolidated School about the customs of Tu B'Shevat.

Above left, Rabbi Weisblum leads children in songs for Tu B'Shevat. At right, Joe Cohen and 7 1/2 year old daughter Jessica participate in the singing. Jessica Cohen is a fourth generation member of Kneseth Israel.

Sarah Stusek's Bat Mitzvah

February 14, 2004

Sarah Stusek was Bat Mitzvahed on Saturday night, February 14. Sarah attended the Aleph Bet Jewish Day and is now an honor student at the Severn School. At left is Sarah with her grandfather, Larry Goldstein. Above, Sarah is with Rabbi Moshe Weisblum.

Purim Festivities

March 6-7, 2004

Once again, everyone had fun at Congregation Kneseth Israel during Purim. The Megillah was read Saturday night, March 6 and Sunday morning, March 7, and a festive meal or "seudah" took place Sunday evening. Above, Rabbi Weisblum is assisted by Eliot Bulman and Michael Snyder with the Megillah on Sunday morning. At right, Rabbi begins the reading of the Megillah Esther. This Megillah belonged to Rabbi Weisblum's late father-in-law in Israel.

Above left, Bracha Weisblum dressed up as a young graduate (Bracha is a 10th grader at Bais Yaakov School in Baltimore) and her father Rabbi Moshe "Hop Along" Weisblum. At right is the Evers family, Cowboy Aloyis, wife Ilonit as a clown, daughters cowgirl Mariel, and sweet Tinkerbell Maya.

Left: Miriam Monias dressed as Queen Esther with Nancy Schoenburg making a statement with a witty "More to Chai" costume during the refreshments following Saturday night's megillah reading.

Above right: Sunday's Purim "Schpiel and Meal" featured the game show "Jewpardy" (take off of Jeopardy). All of the answers during that game were questions about Jews or Jewish history.

Ariel Strumpf Bat Mitzvah

March 13, 2004

Ariel Strumpf celebrated her Bat Mitzvah on Saturday evening, March 13. She chanted the Haftorah Parshas Parah (Ezekiel 36:16-38). Ariel is an honor student at Annapolis Middle School, plays lacrosse and loves to swim, and is in the school band.

Stephen Tham Bar Mitzvah

March 27, 2004

Photo courtesy of Mark Goldberg, Spectrum Productions

Stephen Tham celebrated his Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, March 27 (parsha Vayikra). Stephen is a graduate of the Aleph Bet Jewish Day School and is a 7th grader at the Beth Tfiloh Jewish Day School. In addition to a beautiful service and Kiddush, there was a celebration at the synagogue that evening with dinner and dancing. Way to go, Stephen!

"Steve & Friends" Concert

March 28, 2004

The community was treated to an entertaining afternoon of music at the concert given by "Steve & Friends". Dr. Stephen Glasser, a practicing internist from Baltimore, is also an accomplished singer. The audience was treated to Yiddish melodies, popular Broadway and show tunes, modern classical, opera, and more. A member of the Beth Tfiloh choir, he entertains along with Dr. William Milner, his accompanist on the piano. Pictured above left, Dr. Glasser performs to an attentive audience. At the right, pictured from left to right are Dr. William Milner, Hinda Caplan ("Steve & Friend's" manager), and Dr. Stephen Glasser. Below, the Kneseth Israel Sisterhood gift shop took the opportunity before and after the concert to sell some gifts for Passover. For more information on Steve & Friends, please contact Hinda Caplan.

Yom Hazikaron/Yom Ha'atzmaut Commemoration

April 25, 2004

Sunday, April 25 (4 Iyar) was Yom Hazikaron, which is Israel's Memorial Day for their fallen soldiers. The very next day is Yom Ha'atamaut, which is Israel's Independence Day. Congregation Kneseth Israel hosted a program to commemorate these important events. Guest speaker was Guy Shamdi, Director of Public Affairs at the Israeli Embassy. Above left is Mr. Shamdi addressing the audience. At the right is Aloyis Evers and his daughter Maya, waving their Israeli flags.