Various Events at Congregation Kneseth Israel from January through April 2005

Jeremy Schmerling, the youngest of four sons of Jack and Sara Schmerling, turned 13 on December 29 and was called to the Torah for the very first time on Monday, January 3, 2005. His Bar Mitzvah will take place on March 26 (Parsha Tzav). Jeremy is a graduate of the Aleph Bet Jewish Day School and a student at Beth Tfiloh in Baltimore.

Above left, Rabbi Weisblum helps Jeremy put on his tefflilin for the very first time. Above right, Rabbi Weisblum and Jeremy (photo courtesy of Mark Goldberg, Spectrum Productions).

Above left, Jeremy Schmerling finishes blessing the Torah at his first alliyah. Rabbi Weisblum is chanting the half Kaddish, and everyone is standing. Above right, Jeremy and his proud parents (photos courtesy of Mark Goldberg, Spectrum Productions).

Annual Meeting and Guest Speaker

Sunday, February 6, 2005

The Annual Congregation Meeting took place on Sunday, February 6. Originally scheduled on January 23, it had to be re-scheduled because of snow. After the meeting, we were privileged to have Micah D. Halpern, a noted Middle East journalist, scholar, and terrorist expert speak on "After Arafat". Halpern's lecture was already on the calendar, and the annual meeting and lecture were combined, making it a very busy morning for the synagogue. Lunch was served between the meeting and the lecture.

Above: Dr. Bruce Friedman and Earl Diamond receive appreciation awards from President Lore Singerman. Friedman has taken on the responsibility for organizing the minyans, and Diamond maintains the yahrzeit database, lights the yahrzeit lamp, and sends out notices. Shirley Aronson, Assistant Financial Secretary and co-chairwoman of the High Holiday Memorial Book, receives one of the Congregant of the Year awards from President Lore Singerman.

Below left: Nancy Gordon, Synagogue Treasurer and past Sisterhood President, receives a Congregant of the Year award. At right is Micah Halpern giving a thought provoking talk titled "After Arafat".

Annual Sisterhood Board Meeting

Sunday, February 13, 2005

The Annual Sisterhood Board meeting was held on Sunday, February 13, 2005, which included a delicious continental breakfast. At left is the sisterhood board members present at the meeting. At right, Libby Monias shares her experiences from her August 2004 trip to Cuba.

Moshe Samueleis-Kari Hoffman Wedding

Sunday, February 20, 2005

Moshe Samueleis and Kari Hoffman were married at Congregation Kneseth Israel. Moshe sings in the Kneseth Israel High Holiday Choir. His lovely bride Kari is a special education teacher in Baltimore. The couple have joined the synagogue and had a very memorable and freilach wedding.

Above left: The kettubah is signed at the "chasan's tisch" (groom's table) with Rabbi Weisblum and the two witnesses. At right, Moshe unveils his bride and blesses her just prior to the wedding. Below: Mr. & Mrs. Moshe Samueleis.

Rabbi Barry Fruendel Lecture

Sunday, March 6, 2005

Rabbi Barry Freundel from Kesher Israel in Georgetown spoke at Congregation Kneseth Israel on "Jewish Law in Contemporary Health & Medical Issues". Rabbi Freundel is also an Assistant Professor of Rabbinics at Baltimore Hebrew University, Georgetown University Law School, and the George Washington University. The event was well attended by the synagogue membership as well as members of the Annapolis medical community.

Above left, Rabbi Moshe Weisblum and Rabbi Barry Freundel. Above right, Rabbi Weisblum at the conclusion of the lecture shows the book that is written by Rabbi Freundel (book shown below at right. Below left, Rabbi Freundel mingles with the audience after the lecture.

Purim 2005/5765

March 24, 2005

An enthusiastic turnout of nearly 100 adults and children showed up in a variety of costumes for Purim at Congregation Kneseth Israel. The Megillah Esther was read by Rabbi Moshe Weisblum and Dr. David Krimins, and the children received gifts and headed for an ice cream sundae bar and hamantashchen at the conclusion of the megillah reading. Wow, that was so much fun!

Above: At left, Rebitzen Miriam Weisblum and oldest daughter Bracha. At right, Rabbi Moshe Weisblum reads from the megillah (no, the beard is not real!).

Above left, Dr. David Krimins reads chapter six from the megillah Esther. At right are just some of the happy costumed children that came up on the bimah to receive some gifts at the conclusion of the megillah reading.

Above left, Miriam Monias and Gail Snyder monitor the ice cream line. At right are Miriam Weisblum, Miriam Monias, Rachel Monias, and Natalie Tham enjoying the festivities.

Above left, Rabbi Weisblum takes time to "monkey around". At right, Linda Greenberg auditions for the Animal Planet channel at the Purim celebration.

Jeremy Schmerling Bar Mitzvah

Saturday, March 26, 2005

On March 26, Jeremy Schmerling, son of Jack and Sara Schmerling, was called to the Torah for his Bar Mitzvah for parsha Tzav. Jeremy is the youngest of the four Schmerling boys, all of whom celebrated Bar Mitzvahs at Congregation Kneseth Israel (Joshua in 1996, Daniel in 1999, and Aaron in 2001). The photos below are courtesy of Mark Goldberg of Spectrum Productions.

(c2005 by Mark Goldberg, www.markgoldberg.com)

Model Passover Seder

Sunday, April 18, 2005

Above left, the Weisblums in attendance included Natan, Ayala, Rabbi, and Bracha. Above right, Rita Grindle with daughter Maura.

Above left, Jared Grindle and mother Rita review the Haggadah. At right, Joe Cohen with son Jacob and daughter Jessica.

Above left, some of the children and parents present from the Daniel Rothman Consolidated Hebrew School. At right is the model seder plater and matzah.

Jeremy Schmerling's First Alliyah