Sisterhood of Congregation Kneseth Israel

Supporting the needs of the congregation.
Furthering the religious and cultural interests of our membership.
Participating in the enhancement of the physical needs of the facility.
Assisting and encouraging youth activities.
Helping the needy of our Jewish community.
Assuming responsibility for the maintenance and utilization of the kitchens (excluding the plumbing and electrical work).

Our Sisterhood has catered in-house affairs at the synagogue including Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, Weddings, and Kiddush luncheons on Shabbos (click here the menus for our delicious Kiddushes). Our Sisterhood also operates the synagogue gift shop, which features a wide variety of Judaica items. Our congregation is very appreciative of the vital contributions that the Sisterhood has made towards the longevity of our synagogue.

Sisterhood board members shown above include seated in front Rebbitzen Emerita Esther Rosenblatt, Rebbitzin Miriam Weisblum. Standing from left to right are President Hinda Exler, Ro Berman, Thea Pinskey, Sylvia L. Katcef, Numa Lavy, Libby Monias, Nancy Schoenburg, and Marilyn Halpern.

History of the Sisterhood..

Above: photo taken at a Ladies Auxiliary meeting by Morris Lieberman in 1955. Auxiliary President Lena Reichel (middle of table) calls the meeting to order. From left to right at the table are Edythe Greengold, Naomi Zelko, Julia Feldman, Leatrice Reiter, and Etah Reding.

Sisterhood's valuable contributions to Congregation Kneseth Israel are well known, but Sisterhood is and always has been so much more than that. Twelve Jewish families had made their home in Annapolis in 1905, and the first Jewish organization was formed -- the Ladies Auxiliary, whose purpose was to "aid their less fortunate neighbors". Sometime after that, the men held their first religious minyan in the Kotzin's house on Cornhill Street. A Torah was rented from Baltimore. In 1916, the Ladies Auxiliary purchased a Torah and presented it to the congregation. Reverend Nathan Greenfield conducted Hebrew school in his home, and when the students needed desk chairs, the Ladies Auxiliary purchased them with their twenty-five cent dues.

From 1916 to 1920, and especially after World War I, the Ladies Auxiliary focused its attention on the purchase of a synagogue, and in 1920, that dream became a reality. Raffles, rummage sales, and fund-raising suppers them helped pay for painting, lighting, and furnishing the synagogue.

In the 1940s, the Ladies Auxiliary purchased prayer books for the High Holidays and began to present Bibles to the Bar Mitzvah boys. During and after World War II, the Ladies Auxiliary rolled bandages, formed a Red Cross sewing circle and surgical dressing groups, served on the USO on Compromise Street, and raised money for clothes for Holocaust survivors.

The 1950s saw the organization's name change from the Ladies Auxiliary to Sisterhood to better reflect it partnership in the welfare of the congregation. And that time marked the beginning of Sisterhood's participation on the Kneseth Israel Board of Governors. Also during those years, the women's Chevra Kadisha ("holy society", individuals that ritually prepare the body for burial according to Jewish law) began its service to the community.

During the 1960s, we moved into the beautiful building we now gather and worship in. Since then, Sisterhood has been actively involved in caring for our community -- feeding us here and providing condolence meals to the mourners; bringing gifts and snacks to shut-ins, visiting the sick, and providing holiday treats for the children and supplying and maintaining all appliances in the kitchen. And all around our synagogue, we see Sisterhood's hand in the redecorated sanctuary, the newly furnished lobby, the walls in the auditorium. In fact, each year Sisterhood contributes $5,000 or more with special projects to maintain and enhance the synagogue.

What our remarkable women have done since 1905 is to create a synagogue where we can come together to worship, to support one another in hard times, and to encourage our children to cherish their heritage. If it nor for these dedicated ladies throughout the years, we would not be Congregation Kneseth Israel. We owe them a debt of gratitude for yesterday, today, and for our future.

Sisterhood of Congregation Kneseth Israel....

History of the Sisterhood..

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