Various Events at Congregation Kneseth Israel from October through December 2006

Congregation Kneseth Israel featured another memorable High Holiday services for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur in 2006/5767. A total of 407 seats were sold for the holidays, and the choir was the largest ever, featuring 10 members.

Above left, photo of the High Holiday choir taken just before Kol Nidre services on October 1. At right, Philip, Sheldon, and Ruth Deckelbaum after the Neilah and Maariv services that concluded Yom Kippur.

A "Break the Fast" took place after Yom Kippur, which was attended by about 50 people. Below is Dawn Berlin, who catered the event for the synagogue.

Succah Family Barbecue

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

The festival of Succot at Kneseth Israel featured a cookout, attended by about 50 people. Delicious hamburgers and hot dogs were cooked on the grill, along with potato salad, cole slaw, beverages, and dessert. Everyone had a great time, especially the children!

Kneseth Israel Hebrew School children were handy at the grill.

Good friends and good times in the Kneseth Israel sucah. At right, the buffet line.

Roasting marshmallows were a great treat for the children. At right, Larry Goldstein with grandson Asher Stusek and granddaughter Abigail Wilmer.

Left, Steve Lebowitz is "Mr. Fun" with the children. Right, Susanna Carr and parents Glenn and Ytta.

Sukkot/Simchat Torah Week at Kneseth Israel

Photos below are of Rabbi Weisblum decorating the succah with the Kneseth Israel Hebrew School, and teaching the Kneseth Israel Nursery School students about Simchat Torah. The succah photos were taken by Michelle Burgess, the Simchat Torah photos were taken by Leslie Gluckman.

Asher Stusek Bar Mitzvah

Saturday, October 28, 2006

Asher A. Stusek, son of Sam and Amy Stusek became a Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, October 28 (Parsha Noach). Asher is an 8th grade honor roll student at Severn River Middle School and attends the Kneseth Israel Hebrew School, and is fourth generation member of our synagogue.

Havdalah Pizza Party

Saturday, November 11, 2006

Kneseth Israel Hebrew School hosted a fun-filled Havdalah pizza party on Saturday, November 11. After the ceremony and dancing in the sanctuary, everyone moved into the Reiter Auditorium for delicious Tov Pizza and games.

Sisterhood/NCJW Fashion Show and Purse Party

Sunday, November 12, 2006

The Kneseth Israel Sisterhood and the Annapolis Chapter of the National Council of Jewish Women teamed up to host their annual fashion show and purse party. Merchants were present to sell clothing, jewelry and handbags. Chanukah items were also sold.

Left, Adele Greil, Hinda Exler, and Sara Ostrosky. At right is Amy Applestein and her aunt Thea Pinskey.

At left, Sylvia L. Katcef, Florence Greenfield, and Edy Greengold. At right, Marilyn Halpern, Phyllis Siskind, and daughter-in-law Karen Siskind check out the hand-crafted jewelry.

At left, even the young girls after Hebrew School ended enjoyed looking at the handbags. At right the Sisterhood Executive Board. Seated are Rebbitzen Emerita Esther Rosenblatt, Rebbitzen Miriam Weisblum. Left to right standing are President Hinda Exler, Ro Berman, Thea Pinskey, Sylvia B. Katcef, Numa Lavy, Libby Monias, Nancy Schoenburg, and Marilyn Halpern.

Men's Club Steak Dinner

Sunday, November 12, 2006

Sixteen hungry men and one lady attended the Men's Club Steak Dinner. For those who did not want steak, grilled chicken or grilled salmon were on the menu. A good time was had be all!

Natalie Tham Bat Mitzvah

Saturday, November 18, 2006

Natalie Tham, daughter of Drs. William and Susan (Zimmerman) Tham, became a Bat Mitzvah on Saturday, November 18. Natalie chanted the Haftorah for Chayei Sarah. Natalie is a 7th grader at the Beth Tfliloh School in Baltimore and graduated from the Aleph Bet Jewish Day School. She is a great student, is very well liked, and attends services regularly at Kneseth Israel.

Kneseth Israel Hebrew School Trip to Baltimore

Sunday, November 18, 2006

For complete photos of trip, please visit this Hebrew School Web page.

Havdalah Service Dinner and Concert

Saturday, December 2, 2006

An exciting Havdalah service, spaghetti dinner, and concert drew about 130 people to Kneseth Israel. Performers were well-known Israeli musicians, singers, and story tellers Tirtza Singer and Chana Sophia Yaffe. The lively performance was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone, and even got people out of their seats to dance. The performers played the harp, keyboard, guitar, and sang beautifully.

Left, Rabbi Weisblum and the Hebrew school students got the evening off with havdalah. At right, some of the 130 people in attendance enjoying a delicious spaghetti dinner.

At left, Chana Sophia Yaffe, Tirtza Singer, Miriam and Rabbi Weisblum, Natan Weisblum, and Bracha Weisblum. At right, Chana Sophia Yaffe shares an insightful story.

At left, Tirtza Singer plays the harp as Chana Sophia Yaffe sings. At right, some of the dancing from the enthusiastic participants.

The evening concludes with President Shirley Aronson presenting our performers with flowers in appreciation as Rabbi Weisblum looks on.

Sunday Morning Speaker and Brunch

Sunday, December 10, 2006

A Sunday Brunch at Kneseth Israel took place with guest speaker Jeff Rubin Associate Vice President of Communications from Hillel, whose topic was "Things that Matter". There was plenty of delicious gourmet breakfast food served, and the Sisterhood gift shop was also selling their goods for the Chanukah season.

Above left, Dawn Berlin serves the crowd that attended the event with french toast, spinach and cheese soufflé, and salmon hash. At right, Roz Krimins and Marilyn Halpern check out some of the Chanukah items at the gift shop.

Left, President Shirley Aronson, Jeff Rubin, and Rabbi Moshe Weisblum. At right, Jeff Rubin give his talk and Power Point presentation.

Shlock Rock Concert

Tuesday, December 12, 2006

The Anne Arundel community received a huge treat on the evening of December 12, 2006 when Lenny Solomon and his group, “Shlock Rock” gave a concert sponsored by the UJC of AAC held at Congregation Kneseth Israel. The group with its message of “Be good, be cool, be Jewish,” enthralled an audience of all ages as it spread “Jewish pride, identity, and awareness,” by the members singing their own wonderful lyrics to the melodies of old and new classics. Fun was definitely had by all!

Kneseth Israel Chanukah Celebration

Sunday, December 17, 2006

Kneseth Israel hosted a lively Chanukah celebration on Sunday, December 17 which was attended by over 75 people. The afternoon included a mixed choir, a delicious luncheon, Menorah candle lighting, skits put on by the Hebrew School children, and door prizes.