Various Events at Congregation Kneseth Israel from January through March 2006

The 2006 Annual Meeting was held, as it is done traditionally before the first board meeting of the calendar year. There were seven board positions up for election, and seven candidates running for the Board of Governors; therefore there were no elections. In 2005, our synagogue welcomed 23 new members in 2005.

Above left, the Hebrew School youngsters begin the program with a couple of songs. At right, outgoing board member, Executive Vice President Jonas Legum receives an appreciation award. Also, and award was to be presented to outgoing board member and past President Libby Monias, who was not present.

At left, Earl Diamond receives an engraved paperweight from President Lore Singerman for the work that he has done with maintaining the yahrzeit database and sending out notices. At right, Glenn Carr receives a plaque from the President for the work he does on the Web site and with planning various programs. An award was also to be presented to Dr. Bruce Friedman who was not present.

Above, synagogue Comptroller and 100th Anniversary Program co-Chairperson Dr. Laurence Block receives one of two Congregant of the Year awards from Lore Singerman. Mrs. Anna Greenberg, the co-Chairperson of the 100th Anniversary Program was named Congregant of the Year, but was not present to receive the award.

Malaveh Malkah Party

Saturday evening, January 28, 2006

A Malaveh Malka party (which means the escorting of the Shabbos Queen at the end of Shabbos) took place at Congregation Kneseth Israel. The lively party was well attended by people of all age groups. After havdalah, refreshments were served, and a game of "Jewish Bingo" with prizes was led by Bracha Weisblum. The talented Moshe Samueleis led a spirited round of Jewish songs and dancing to conclude the evening. It was a lot of fun!!

Special Guest at Rabbi Weisblum's Lecture Series

Tuesday, February 14, 2006

Congregation Kneseth Israel welcomed a very special guest at Rabbi Weisblum's "Israel: Past and Present" lecture series. Mr. Sol Milgrom, a 102-year old veteran of the Israeli Independence War, shared his experiences when he immigrated to Palestine from Poland in 1921, and the struggles and triumphs of the Jewish state throughout the years. On February 18, he will celebrate his 103rd birthday at the historic B'nai Israel Synagogue in downtown Baltimore. His secret to long life is to strive to have a "good soul", not be envious of your fellow, and to always turn a negative into a positive.

Tu B'Shevat Seder

Sunday, February 19, 2006

The Kneseth Israel Hebrew School hosted a Tu B'Shevat Seder on Sunday, February 19 at 10:00AM. This program featured a morning of songs, discussion using a Tu B'Shevt seder book, and a play performed by the children of the school. On Tu B'Shevat we celebrate a New Year for the Trees, rejoicing in the fruits from the trees and of the vine, which also marks the beginning of spring in Israel. The event was originally scheduled for the previous Sunday, but was postponed due to snow. More photos can be found at the Hebrew School's Tu B'Shevat photo page.

Above left, Rabbi Weisblum leads a discussion referencing the Tu B'Shevat Seder book with some of the Hebrew schools children. Above right, teacher assistant Chloe Kutun looks over a tree that Jared Grindle has been given,

Above left, children from the school perform a skit for Tu B'Shevat. Right, the seder plate which was present at every setting (about 75 place settings) which consisted of figs, olives, grapes, wheat, pomegranate seeds, and dates.

Jewish Museum of Maryland Exhibit

"We Call This Place Home: Jewish Life in Maryland's Small Towns"

Tuesday, March 7, 2006

The local community celebrated a wonderful exhibit in the Miller Senate Office building titled, “We call This Place Home: Jewish Life in Maryland’s Small Towns.” On Tuesday, March 7, 2006, the United Jewish Council together with the Jewish Museum of Maryland, hosted this wonderful exhibit showing some of the history and experience of Jewish life in Maryland’s small towns. Our own Congregation Kneseth Israel was one of the featured synagogues, being the longest serving synagogue in Anne Arundel County.

Above left: Kneseth Israel members Marcia Lewis and Earl Diamond. Above right, lifelong Annapolitan Steve Earle, his mother Corrine Earle, and Ruth Hyatt.

Above left, Melvin Hyatt of Annapolis (lifelong Annapolitan) with Alan and Judi Cohen of Crofton. At right, Judge Eugene M. Lerner, a lifelong Annapolitan and keynote speaker.

Purim Festivities

Sunday, March 12 and Monday, March 13

Two of the newer young families that have recently joined the synagogue are enjoying the Purim Carnival on Sunday. The Roth family on the left consist of Michael and Adrienne and their daughters Abigail and Hannah. At the right are the Adelsteins, which include Janean and Michael and their children Josh, Anna, and Jacob. For more photos of the Purim Carnival, check out the Hebrew School Web page for the Purim Carnival.

Above left, Rabbi Weisblum reads the blessings prior to the reading of the Megillah Esther. At right, he hands out treats to the happy children. Over 140 people attended the Purim service.

Above left Jared Grindel, Eric Janowitz, Ryan Bergamini, Haley Janowitz. At right is Maura Grindle and Naomi Lebowitz.

Above left, Glenn Carr as a Purim Pirate. At right is Ayala, Natan, and Bracha Weisblum.

At left is Mariel Evers with her father Aloyis. At right is Haley Janowitz and Rachel Bergamini.

At left is Jeri Cohen and daughter Jessica. At right is the talented group of actors from the Kneseth Israel Hebrew as they take a bow at the conclusion of their skit.

At left is Funky Joe Cohen (who is the President of the Kneseth Israel Hebrew School). At right, Ethan Halpern leads a group in Israeli dance. Ethan was kind enough to set up his sound system and provide freilach music throughout the evening.

Hebrew School Participated in a Model Matzah Factory

Sunday, March 26, 2006

Kneseth Israel Hebrew had a unique experience at school, making their own matzah from scratch, baking it, and eating it. The school is grateful to Rabbi Nachum Light and his wife Hindy Light and son Mendel from the Chabad of Anne Arundel County for providing the materials, the oven, their time and expertise in teaching the children about the preparation of matzah which is eaten during the festival of Passover. A complete collection of photos can be found on the Hebrew School Web page.

100th Anniversary Shabbaton

Saturday, & Sunday, March 25 & 26, 2006

Congregation Kneseth Israel hosted it's second of two Shabbaton weekend celebrations for our 100th anniversary. On Saturday, the Shabbos Services recognized individuals who had celebrated simchas over the years at Congregation Kneseth Israel. Almost all who participated in the service celebrated a Bar or Bat Mitzvah or were married at Congregation Kneseth Israel. The sermon was given by Dr. Jason Rosenblatt, a Milton Scholar and professor at Georgetown University and son of the late Rabbi Morris D. Rosenblatt and Rebbitzen Emirita Esther Rosenblatt. On Sunday, a very festive and delicious breakfast was served, with the guest speaker being Gary Rosenblatt (Jason's brother), Publisher and Editor of the Jewish Week in New York. Kudos to the Shabbaton Committee of Stephen Sutton (Chairman), Mark Goldberg, Leslie Gradet, and Holly Lindeman. The 100th Anniversary Committee is chaired by Annapolis natives Anna E. Greenberg and Dr. Laurence E. Block. Below are some photos from the breakfast.

At left is the Rosenblatt family, seated are Judy and mother-in-law Esther Rosenblatt. Standing are Gary Rosenblatt, Zipporah and Dr. Jason Rosenblatt. At right is one of the tables with a classy presentation of the delicious breakfast buffet.

Above left are Reba Berman, her son Dr. Louis Berman, and 100th anniversary co-chairperson Anna E. Greenberg. At right in front of one of the breakfast buffets are Ruth B. Snyder, Freda Snyder (no relation) and Lenora Cooper.

At left at the breakfast buffet are Harry and Marilyn Greenbaum and Etta Kaufman. At right, the Kneseth Israel Hebrew School students on stage to sign a couple of songs for the audience.

At left, Ayala Weisblum, daughter and Rabbi Moshe and Miriam Weisblum with her dear friend Esther Rosenblatt. At right, keynote speaker Gary Rosenblatt addresses a captive audience, reminiscing on his upbringing in Annapolis as the son of the only rabbi in town at the time.

Below left, the centerpieces made by Roslyn Krimins featured a different flower at each table with a scroll listing the simchas celebrated for a particular decade (a different decade on each table). At right, lifelong Annapolitans David Earle (seated), Judge Eugene Lerner, and Teddy Earle. Eugene Lerner has had a close friendship with the Earle brothers his entire life.

Congregation Kneseth Israel Annual Meeting