Various Events at Congregation Kneseth Israel from May to August in 2004

The Aleph Bet Jewish Day School had their annual dinner and fund raiser event at Congregation Kneseth Israel. A casino night and silent auction raised several thousand dollars for the school. Honored at this years event were Sara and Jack Schmerling, who have sent their four sons to Aleph Bet and were co-founders of the school. Sara was a past president of the school (1991 - 1993), and the Schmerlings have served on numerous committees since the school opened in the fall of 1988.

Above left: Rebbitzen Miriam Weisblum, her husband Rabbi Moshe Weisblum, and Isaac Frishman. Mr. Frishman, a gabbai of the synagogue, was one of the founders and most loyal supporter of Aleph Bet Jewish Day School. Above right: Jeremy Schmerling (middle) and father Jack Schmerling (at right), take in some roulette at one of the gambling stations at the Aleph Bet dinner Fund raiser.

Above left: Barbara Roth is between Sara and Jack Schmerling as they are presented with a beautiful marble clock as they are being honored at the Aleph Bet dinner. At right is Jody Goldsmith, and Judi and Alan Cohen.

Charlotte Krohn Bat Mitzvah

May 30, 2004

Charlotte Anne Krohn (pictured above with Rabbi Weisblum), daughter of Robert and Cathy Krohn, became a Bat Mitzvah on Sunday, May 30 at Congregation Kneseth Israel. Charlotte is a 7th-grade student at the Beth Tfiloh Jewish Day School in Baltimore and is a graduate of the Aleph Bet Jewish Day School. She is a 4th-generation Annapolitan. Charlotte is a good student and a gifted writer. Below is a poem that she wrote:

This is Me

Half of me is an elegant Lavender- kind and gentle, trusting and honest, quietly waiting for a turn to speak my mind.

Yet deeper inside my heart and soul I'm a fiery amber- full of passion and spunk, relaxed but energetic all at once, like the wind rustling in the trees.

My colors may clash, but this is me!

Women's Torah Study Group

photos taken on June 15, 2004

The popular "Women's Torah Study Group" meets at Congregation Kneseth Israel on a regular basis. The group is led by Leslie Gradet, and studies the role that various women have played throughout the Bible. Top left, Leslie Gradet leads a group of 12 ladies in discussion. Top right, from left to right is Sara Krimins, Roz Krimins, Jeri Shaffran, and Sue Merrill.

Top left, Libby Monias, Ruth Deckelbaum, Rita Cohen, and Virginia Jacobson. Top right is Maxine Silber, Numa Lavy, and Nancy Schoenburg, Below is Leslie Gradet passing out printed copies from the book of Deuteronomy for discussion.

Rabbi Morris D. Rosenblatt Memorial Lecture

Sunday, June 20, 2004

The annual Rabbi Morris D. Rosenblatt Memorial Lecture took place on Father's Day. Each year, a prominent speaker on Jewish issues has addressed the community at this event, which is around the yahrzeit of our beloved spiritual leader for parts of four different decades, Rabbi Morris Rosenblatt z'l. Our distinguished guest speaker this year was Mr. Avraham Infeld, new President of Hillel, and founder of Melitz, and a very well-known educator who was a founder and director of various educational institutions in Israel.

Above left are Ytta Carr, program chairperson, Cantor Philip Rosenblatt (brother of Rabbi Morris Rosenblatt), and Marilyn Halpern. Above right are Rabbi Moshe Weisblum, Hillel President and guest speaker Avraham Infeld, and Ytta Carr.

Above left are members of the Rosenblatt family. At right, Rebbitzen Esther Rosenblatt between Ytta and Glenn Carr. Gary Rosenblatt, son of the late Rabbi Morris Rosenblatt and Rebittzen Esther Rosenblatt, is the editor of the Jewish Week in New York. He wrote a very moving article and tribute to his father in the June 18 edition of the Jewish Week.

Red Cross Blood Drive at Kneseth Israel

Monday, July 12, 2004

Over 30 people stopped by to donate blood at the American Red Cross blood drive held at Congregation Kneseth Israel. Above left is chairperson Miriam Monias (standing) and three members of the synagogue that came to volunteer (left to right) Fay Zeller, Sol & Lenora Cooper. Above right is Sara Schmerling, who took time from her busy schedule to donate blood.

At left: This is the only time that you will see Rabbi Moshe Weisblum laying down on the job, as he also participates in this life saving mitzvah. Kudos to Miriam Monias for chairing this drive and to all of the volunteers and donors. Over 21 pints of blood were collected, the highest ever at our synagogue.

Adrienne Weiss Dink Bat Mitzvah

Sunday, August 22, 2004

Adrienne Weiss Dink, daughter of Michael Dink and Robin Weiss, became a Bat Mitzvah on Sunday, August 22. Adrienne is going into the 8th grade at Beth Tfiloh School in Baltimore and is a graduate of the Aleph Bet Jewish Day School. She led many prayers from the siddur, and chanted the Haftorah for parsha Ki Tetzei.

Mitzvah Nosh & Lecture

Guest Speaker Dr. Shimon Shokek

Sunday, August 29, 2004

Congregation Kneseth Israel was honored to have Dr. Shimon Shokek, a well-known author, scholar, and Professor of Philosophy and Mysticism at Baltimore Hebrew University and Goucher College as a guest speaker for a "Mitzvah Lecture and Nosh". The topic of the lecture was "Repentance and Forgiveness in Jewish Spirituality -- Standing at the Gates of Holiness in the Jewish High Holy Days". Those who attended brought a non-perishable food item that was donated to the Annapolis Food Link, which feeds the needy in the community.

At left, Rabbi Moshe Weisblum and Dr. Shimon Shokek. Above right, Hilda Corek chats with Miriam Monias, who catered the event. Below is Dr. Shokek giving the lecture

Aleph Bet Jewish Day School Dinner Fund Raiser