Reclaiming Search for the Hametz for the Kinder
Dear Congregants, I am looking forward to extending a personal Hag Sameah to you in shul. If you get a chance please read the following article: http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/652041 Hag Sameah for now, Hazzan
Pesah Plenitude
It’s that time of year again. It begins with a visit to the Giant. Seemingly overnight we are confronted with signs of the imminence of our favorite holiday. There it is - the Pesach plenitude – an aisle burgeoning with matzoh and Kosher L’Pesach products, things...
Why We’re Only Talking About Sunday
Let me teach you an important Talmudic principle: tafasta merubah, lo tafasta. It means if you try and hold too much, you’ll end up dropping everything. It is taught in several rabbinic contexts including a discussion of the height of the Ark of the Covenant. The rabbinic...
More Betzalel School Art
From my last blog article, you know how happy I was with the contribution by Dee Silberman of a Betzalel kiddush cup. I now have the pleasure to report that Sally and Arthur Crockin Grant have given the Goldsmith Museum a gift of another Betzalel piece – a beautiful bronze...
Each Night, Be the Light
The war in Iraq ended last week, after 9 years. In our thoughts are the 4,487 U.S. troops who died, along with 110,125 Iraqi combatants and civilians. We also honor the 32,426 American soldiers who were injured, countless others wounded and so many families whose lives are...
Hazak Hazak V'Nithazek
Ten months ago Shoshana S. Cardin was the first member of the congregation to fill in a letter of our new Torah scroll. This past Tuesday night at 9pm Mimi Blitzer and David Mallott were the last members of our congregation to fill in letters. Like most partings, it was...
Family Fare and other tidbits
It’s time to catch you up on some museum related news: The Goldsmith Museum is the first venue for Family Fare, Jewish Food Businesses in Baltimore. This traveling exhibit is the companion to Chosen Food: Cuisine, Culture and American Jewish Identity, now on view at the...
7 Billion Individuals
On October 31st humanity greeted its 7 billionth member. The world’s population is now 7 billion human beings. Current estimates are for 8 billion people in 2025 and in 2083 humanity will reach the 10 billion figure. The number is staggering. Even more awe-inspiring is...
Hunger - here in Baltimore and around the world
Many of our congregants participated in the Friday evening program for Global Hunger Shabbat, where Rabbi Wechsler led a discussion using Jewish texts to illuminate how our tradition views the problem of hunger and our responsibility to work to alleviate it, both as individuals...
Religious Respect
The role of religion in public life is always before us. We debate whether or not particular religious beliefs or values have a place in our society. I think they do, absolutely. Every adherent is free to explain what personal ideas animate their choices, their behaviors...
Free Gilad Shalit
There was another time I remember feeling like this. In the spring of 1986 Natan Sharansky made his first visit to New York after having been released from Russian prison in February of that year. Throughout my high school years I had marched on the UN in support of Soviet...
Can You Believe It?!
Can you believe it? Rosh HaShana services are over? Every year we can’t help but notice how much faster the pages of a calendar turns. When we look back, the years seem like months; months seem like days; days seem like hours; and hours seem like minutes. However,...
A Letter to the New Year 5772
Dear New Jewish Year 5772, Though some say you’ve arrived late, I say you’re right on time. We need you right now! We need your promise. We need your potential. We want you to be good – very good. On your birthday, Rosh HaShanah, we contemplate the reality of the world...
Nes Gadol
Our letter was a nun. It was the last letter in Zebulun, in the third verse of the first chapter of Exodus, which begins “These are the names of the sons of Israel who came to Egypt with Jacob, each coming with his household: Reuben, Simeon, Levi and Judah; Issachar, Zebulun...
New High Holiday Music
Dear Friends, Yes it is the season to be prepared. So prepare by listening to the beautiful new music the Professional Chizuk Amuno Choir under the direction of T. Herbert Dimmock and I will introduce as we concomitantly usher in a new Machzor filled with contemporary...
Our New Mahzor Lev Shalem
Our new High Holy Day prayer book is called Mahzor Lev Shalem meaning “full, content heart”. We will use it when we gather next week for Rosh HaShanah. It’s a beautiful image, to enter into prayer with hearts full of our desires and cares, feeling pain, joy, and always...
A *Breath* of Inspiration
We are blessed with congregants at Chizuk Amuno who define the true essence and meaning of courage combined with faith. One of those individuals is Anne King. If you don't recognize the name you will recognize her face. For many devoted years she has steadfastly coordinated...
Uncommon Quake
Here in Baltimore we are grateful there was no major consequence as a result of an uncommon earthquake. We also anticipate a wet, stormy weekend as Hurricane Irene tracks toward us, hoping it doesn’t do much damage on the way. It seems that we often react to weather patterns...
Another chance to perform a worthy mitzvah
The LITHUANIAN JEWISH HERITAGE PROJECT will be holding a Cantorial Concert to benefit the restoration of Jewish cemeteries within Lithuania on Sunday, September 18th, 2011. Performing at this event will be: - Cantor David Propis (Congregation Beth Yeshurun, Houston, TX)...
A Trip to Germany and Israel with over a Hundred Cantors
It is my pleasure to invite you on an awe-inspiring Cantors Assembly journey of Heritage & Healing to Germany and Israel. As you are aware the Cantors Perlman 5 have led mometous trips in the past to Israel full of song and lasting memories that many of you attended...
The Community of Atlantis
It was with mixed feelings that I read this morning of the return of the space shuttle Atlantis and the end of the shuttle program. There are moments that stand out in my mind and my memory, especially those moments of loss and tragedy. That Shabbat morning in 2003 when...
Hiddur Mitzvah – Chizuk Amuno Style.
What a joy it to create a thing of beauty, and how much better when it is a Jewish creation, a beautiful example of hiddur mitzvah. Last week Rabbi Gila Ruskin taught four women to make challah trays. She devoted almost two days instructing her students in mosaic art, and...
Connections at Chizuk Amuno
For the last four years, a continually increasing number of women have gathered in the Lerner Beit Midrash on the third Wednesday of every month to knit and/or crochet blankets for sick newborns in Israel and in Baltimore. We begin each session with learning and continue...
Conversation Starter
Someone has to start the conversation. After that, we can all join in. Throughout this summer, Dr. Arnold Eisen, Chancellor of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, is publishing a series of brief on-line essays about the essential nature of Conservative Judaism. ...
A Trip Of A Life Time
Dear Friends, It is our pleasure to invite you on an awe-inspiring Cantors Assembly journey of Heritage & Healing to Germany and Israel. As you are aware the Cantors Perlman 5 have led mometous trips in the past to Israel full of song and lasting memories that...
Supporting our Soldiers
Quickly, I wanted to wish everyone a happy Memorial Day with your friends and families. In case you were looking for a great Sunday themed activity, we've combined 2 into one. On Sunday, 5/29/11, Chizuk Amuno will be at Courtland Gardens (on Scotts Level Rd), at 2PM, to...
Judaica Goes Mainstream
A few years ago, I participated in a week-long seminar in NYC co-sponsored by JTS and The Jewish Museum of New York. The focus of the seminar was Judaica and its use in Jewish ritual. The participants were all museum professionals, but of the eighteen attendees, more than...
36 Hours From Afghanistan
They barely looked tired. They had so many bags. And animals. And children. They smiled and some cried and some stared. But all were welcomed home. Last night a small group of us from Chizuk Amuno went out to BWI to welcome home our servicemen and women. We have been...
A Talking Seder
Is your Seder gathering a reading session? Do participants around your table sit with their heads buried in a book, reading and following along? It doesn’t sound like a very nice dinner party to me. When I dine with my family and friends, it’s the conversation and interaction...
What happened in Vegas...
…can’t stay in Vegas! Not this time. After joining with my friends and colleagues of the Rabbinical Assembly at our convention in Las Vegas this week, I hope we all bring our determination and positive spirits home. Admittedly, Las Vegas is an unusual convention location...
Holier Than Thou?
Driving on Woodvalley Drive the other day, I came to the intersection with Stevenson Road and stopped at the sign. Wanting to make a left turn, I saw that it was clear to my left. Looking right, I saw a car coming down the street. In a hurry to get to the synagogue, I decided...
Finding the Sacred in the Mundane
On Shabbat morning a gentleman came up to me and said, “I have a quick question, what’s mysticism?” I ducked the question (gracefully I hope) and promised to get back to him. Since then several more people have commented to me about our sermon/discussion last Shabbat...
The Jewish Yale A Cappella Group at CAC
Please join us at Chizuk Amuno on Sunday March 13th at 11:30AM as we welcome Magevet, a Jewish, Hebrew and Israeli a cappella group from Yale University. All of its members are undergrads devoted to spreading beautiful music of the Jewish tradition to the far corners...
Watch Our Torah Writing Opening Ceremony
My favorite reaction from last Sunday’s Torah Writing Opening Ceremony is the overwhelming reaction of joy and inspiration everyone is sharing. In that celebration we did what we always intend to do when we gather as a synagogue community. We found our community’s voice...
Bagels with Love
There are many times when I find myself rejoicing at my good fortune – that I am Jewish and can enjoy the great richness and perks of this wonderful religious culture. This is one of those times. Tomorrow morning I will participate in a Siyyum Ha’Sefer program, when...
Gala Exhibit Continues through Mid-March
The Museum anniversary event was spectacular! The highlight of the evening was the exhibit of works of art by contemporary artists – many of the participants have a Chizuk Amuno connection, but there were also artists represented from outside of our immediate community...
Dignity and Democracy - In Egypt?
We’re watching the uprising in Egypt hoping that a regime’s oppressive rule of its citizens will end. Yet, we’re also watching that regime react. They seek to hold onto their power, and if they can’t, they’ll want to manipulate the decision as to who rules after...
The Most Important Part of the Body
At a birthday party this past week, another parent was helping his kid and said something along the lines of, “The most important part of your body is …” and was waiting for someone to say brain. He’s a neurologist so that would likely have been the most obvious...
Aging and Sage-ing
I sometimes tease that my “mid-life crisis” brought me to Baltimore and Chizuk Amuno. I don’t know how you marked the moment, or someday will. (There are many more interesting ways!) The other night, a group of us got together at the synagogue to talk about getting...
Gala Museum Celebration
A very special evening is coming up on Saturday night, January 22 – we are celebrating the 10th anniversary of the opening of the Goldsmith Museum and I would like to see you all there! We have a lot to celebrate, since our museum is one of the most widely recognized synagogue...
Senseless Sadness
It’s senseless as it’s so sad. What else can we say? The assassination attempt on Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, the murder of Chief Judge John Role, of 4 innocent bystanders: Dorothy Morris, Phyllis Scheck, Dorwan Stoddard, Gabe Zimmerman, and of 9 year old Christina...
Debbie Friedman
I don't feel I can adequately speak about the shocking, sad news that Debbie Friedman has passed away at the young age of 59. This is a woman who transformed the spiritual experience for so many Jews. Her contribution is hard to measure. Certainly she will be sorely, sorely...
A Night at the Museum
Full confession – I am not an artist. I don’t even play one on TV. It’s true I enjoy taking art classes (a shout out to my sixth grade art buddies at KSDS and our teacher Brina Pintzuk who will also be exhibiting in the show) but at home I mostly tinker with crafts...
Who Doesn't Like Cooking?
I think it's funny how we all have busy lives, and we talk and discuss and schmooze about our busy lives to no end, but we never really figure out how to give ourselves a break. It's equatable to how tired we are, how bored we are, etc and eventually, we bore ourselves...
The Israel of Our Dreams
Ein li eretz acheret gam im admati boeret. “I have no other country even if my land is aflame.” This Israeli song has been in my head and on my lips for the past two weeks. The images of the Carmel mountain range aflame brought back to mind this anthem from the 1980’s...
Season's Greetings
I was next in line to order at Starbucks the other day. The woman in front of me asked the cashier, “What’s the difference between the red wrapped Christmas coffee blend and the silver wrapped Holiday coffee blend?” The cashier answered, “Nothing. It’s the same...
Conservative Judaism at Work
On February 20, 2008, a letter arrived in the mail from Rabbi Jeffrey Wohlberg, president of the Rabbinical Assembly, stating that the Hazzan of Chizuk Amuno Congregation in Baltimore, Maryland was appointed to the Rabbinical Assembly's Committee on Jewish Laws and Standards...
Our People and Our Land
At least 42 people have died. 25,000 were evacuated. Numerous homes were lost and more than 12,500 acres of forests destroyed. Our first care and response is for the people who are the victims of this fire. This is our outreach toward all victims whenever troubling circumstances...
Opportunities to serve/Join us this Sunday (Dec. 12)
All of us can find ways to serve others - whether in our local community or by helping those in need elsewhere. Ruth Messinger's words from the Bimah on Shabbat yesterday were inspiring, and her question and answer session after lunch displayed a masterful understanding...
The Light of our Love and Respect
The world is a dark place, at times a darker place than most of us realize or want to acknowledge. The recent and irresponsible “Wiki leaks” posting of classified diplomatic cables reminds me of this. National security is maintained through difficult means, by espionage...
Hanukkah Menorahs - It's Time to Light!
There are several types of Hanukkah lamps that have been in use since the Gothic period. The earliest known hanukkiyah is a small, triangular type of lamp that was meant to hang in the doorway, opposite the mezuzah. These early hanukkiyot are only about five inches high...
Limitations and Desserts
When pastry chef Christina Tosi was asked by Bon Appetit how she comes up with her off beat but insanely good desserts for Momofuku Milk Bar in New York, she answered “Limitations. Restrictions help with creativity. You have to learn to make something out of nothing...
Timeline Brides
Bridal Glory on the Hendler Learning Center Timeline of Jewish History As I said in my last post, there is a misconception that bridal gowns have historically been white and lacey. On the Timeline of Jewish History in the Hendler Learning center, you can see several miniature...
Shalom from Israel
I am delighted to be back in Israel, this time with the Maryland Clergy Initiative, sponsored by the Institute of Christian and Jewish Studies and the Baltimore Jewish Council. Our group of 25 includes 15 Christian clergy, 7 rabbis, and 3 communal professionals. We are exploring...
Jewish "Angels" Sing at the Basilica
A Disclaimer: On Novemeber 21 the Ravens have an away game at 1:00 p.m. that you can record. An Invitation: On November 21st the Chizuk Amuno Professional Choir and Hazzan will participate in a rare historic Baltimore community event at 2:00 p.m. that you can plan to be...
Yitzhak Rabin z"l November 4, 1995
Fifteen years. Is it possible that fifteen years have passed since Yizthak Rabin was killed at a Tel Aviv peace rally? Fifteen years since that Saturday night when the prince of peace was killed with the words to Shir L’Shalom, The Song for Peace, bloodied and pierced...
Why Did God Put the Tags in Back?
God has been a frequent topic of conversation in our house. It started a few weeks ago when my almost five year old daughter pointed to my head and said, “What’s that?” “That’s my hair.” I replied. “No that, next to your head.” I explained that it was...
"If These Walls Could Sing"
On Friday, October 29, 2010, from 7;30-8:30 p.m, our Congregation will become time travelers. We will recreate Jules Verne's "Time Machine" and transport everyone back into time to relive majestic and captivating melodies. This is a rare and unique opportunity, to sit...
Religious Literacy
The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life recently released the results of a new survey on religious knowledge in America. If you’re interested, you can take an abridged version of the quiz on line. (http://features.pewforum.org/quiz/us-religious-knowledge/index.php) I’m...
Freeing the Captive
Like many of you, I have been captivated by the story of the 33 Chilean miners trapped underground since August 5. I spoke about them on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur (you can find it in the sermons section of this website) as an example of living as though your present...
Baseball in Heshvan
According to a Wall Street Journal analysis this week, the typical baseball game has only 14 minutes of actual baseball action. This calculation includes each time a pitcher lifts his leg to begin his pitching motion. The timing stops when the ball hits the catcher’s...
Angels in the Infield
The greatest choir directors in the world, during passionate choral conducting moments of liturgical masterpieces, experience an intense "feeling of oneness" with all of their choir members; their audience for the most part made up of perfect strangers and...
The Grand Design
British physicist and mathematician Stephen Hawking has published a new book, The Grand Design. In it this brilliant scientist explains that, “to understand the universe at the deepest level, we need to know not only how the universe behaves, but why.” He’s absolutely...
Downloading on the High Holidays
As my last High Holiday post, and having almost recovered from the HHD, I just thought it would be great to share the warmth, kavod (respect), and support I received over the past few weeks. Comments include the following: "There are not enough words for what I feel from...
If These Walls Could Sing
Friday Night October 29th the Chizuk Amuno Sanctuary's walls will release its memories and sing in harmony melodies that have been sung by previous Hazzanim, choirs, grandparents, great-grandparents and even great-great-grandparents. A recent article (September 8, 2010) in...
What to do when you have the Holiday Blues
Do you ever have the feeling that you just can't eat more leftovers? Or you just can't believe you're going back to shul for more services (given this 3 day yuntif whammy year - even the most committed question the sleeping in vs the getting up for services again options)...
Sukkot Goal: A Hospitable Society
The first Sukkah I ever helped my family build fell down. The flimsy structure just wasn’t strong enough to withstand the wind that year. I was disappointed, but we still enjoyed a fun holiday with family and friends. Through the years I’ve learned that as important...
When God Calls You
God asks Abraham where he is? In Calling out to him, God wants to know, "Abraham - where are you?" Abraham responds quickly and firmly, "vayomer hineni" - and he said, "Here I am." Initially it seems to be a simple answer to a simple question. God Asks: "Where are you? ...
Ask the Rabbi
One of my favorite hours of the year comes on Yom Kippur afternoon. We meet in the sanctuary for a question and answer session. Congregants ask about theology, Jewish tradition and customs, current events, and any other pertinent questions they want to ask the rabbi. For...
Faith Is Not Fact
(I shared this vignette on the second day of Rosh HaShanah. I think of it as a coda to my first day of Rosh HaShanah sermon, which is available on this website. Shanah Tovah!) Many years ago I was the guest teacher in a high school comparative religions course. Each semester...
High Holiday Baltimore Radio Show
Saturday Night September 11, 2010 WBJC 91.5FM 9 p.m. This past Sunday Herb Dimmock and I were interviewed on WBJC regarding the upcoming 50th Anniversary of our glorious Chizuk Amuno Sanctuary. Jonathan Palevsky, live on the radio, wanted to know how many previous incarnations...
Communities and Individuals
Community, community, community. That’s what we talk about these days. It’s right that we should talk about community as we prepare to gather in the largest numbers of the year. As we try to “craft” a tefillah experience that is meaningful for all of us in the...
Prepared to Pray
We enjoyed a truly spiritual evening at Chizuk Amuno Saturday night. We learned about making prayer personal, and were moved deeply by the beautiful music and reflective mood of our Selihot prayers for forgiveness. The High Holy Day season has begun. During the study session...
Caitlin Vincent
Chizuk Amuno Congregation is so fortunate to have so many talented vocalists chanting our holy prayers with "musical precision" in the Chizuk Amuno Choir throughout the year. Caitlin Vincent Caitlin loves to reminisce about her family experiences. One of Caitlin’s favorite...
Today the website launches
Launching a website is nothing like finishing a new brochure. When you finish a new brochure, it arrives from the printer all clean and shiny. If things have gone well, you bask in the warmth of a job well-done for a few minutes then you move on to your next project. A website...
Silver Polishing Time
It’s silver polishing time at Chizuk Amuno – silver in the museum cases, Torah silver from all over the building, and silver pieces brought in by congregants to be polished as part of our annual Holiday Sparkle fundraiser. Do you know how when you clean your house for...
Judy Chernak
The enormous talent in our choir is what gives it the spiritual "sound" and depth. Judy is a former teacher of music, language and crafts in private schools. An experienced performer and lecturer in piano, song and storytelling, she has appeared in Baltimore, Washington...
Weighing Your Words
We have become a culture of imposed sound bites and trivializing commercials. Word choices especially adjectives can be misleading and misrepresent the reality of the topic. When a friend or acquaintance loses a lot of weight we wonder to ourselves whether the dramatic loss...
Strengthening Faith
Did you ever wonder how Chizuk Amuno Congregation got its name? Back in 1871, if you were sitting around your living room with some friends to select a new synagogue’s name, is that what you would pick? Chizuk Amuno is not a known phrase in any Biblical or Rabbinic literature...
Prepping for the High Holidays
It’s the middle of August so I’d expect attendance at services to be down. This wasn’t the case this past Saturday (August 21) because we had a parade of three baby namings plus some milestone birthdays and celebrations up at the beemah. Still, I’m sure that many...
A Synagogue Service that Is an Hour Long but Lasts for Eternity
Rabbi Levi Yitzhak overwhelmed by the suffering of the Jewish people stands before the Almighty on the “Holiest of Days” and calls God to stand on trial. Levi Yitzhak asks the question “what does HaShem want from His people?” Last night during dinner with Leo Bretholz...
As we prepare to pray for peace for 5771
With the Help and Guidance of HaShem, along with the inspired words of our Rabbis' Shulman and Wechsler; may this coming Rosh Hashanna bring peace in Israel and the world... May the 140th anniversary of our beloved congregation be one of raptured celebration and greater...
"Rabbi"ing Out Loud
My favorite blog of all time is not a blog. Actually it was a blog before there was such a thing as a blog, or even such a thing as the web. It is Anna Quindlen’s Living in the 30’s column that appeared in the New York Times in the 1980s and then was collected into a...
Summer Shabbat Services in the Krieger
During the summer at Chizuk Amuno, they give the main sanctuary a rest and conduct Saturday morning services in the Krieger auditorium, which is the multi-purpose room across the hall. Can I tell you how much I love these services? They set up 350 chairs and on a given Saturday...
Preparing a Sermon
Over the summer, Chizuk Amuno asks congregants to deliver the Shabbat sermon in place of the regular Rabbis. I've enjoyed the other sermons very much. It is fascinating to hear the range of perspectives in our community. So this coming Saturday, it's my turn and it would...
