The Buzz at Beth El: January 21, 2020

This Purim, where we're going, we don't need roads.

Save the date: Monday, March 9th.

More details to come soon!

This Weekend

Friday, January 24

Morning Service: 8:00 a.m., Gorn Chapel

The Spark: 8:30 a.m., The Soul Center

Evening Service: 6:00 p.m., Gorn Chapel

Saturday, January 25

Torah Study Class: 9:00 a.m., Agus Library

Morning Service: 10:00 a.m., Gorn Chapel

Prayground Shabbat: 11:15 a.m., Community Room

Evening Service: 5:15 p.m., Gorn Chapel

Sunday, January 26

Morning Service: 9:15 a.m., Gorn Chapel

Torah & Yoga: 9:30 a.m., The Soul Center

Zentangling: 3:00 p.m., The Soul Center

Evening Service: 5:30 p.m., Gorn Chapel

New Moon Nia: 7:00 p.m., The Soul Center - Offsite Location

Want to know what is going on at Beth El all month? Go to our calendar of events here .

Unable to attend the Shabbat services? Live stream available here .

In Loving Memory - Weekly Yahrzeit List

Tuesday, January 21 - Monday, January 27

Click here

Interested in getting hospital and bereavement notices from Beth El?

Please sign up here .

Affiliates, Committees and Other Happenings

Beth El Sisterhood General Meeting, Luncheon & Program

with Guest Speaker Amy Davis

Monday, February 3 at 11:30 a.m., Offit Auditorium

Amy Davis, an award-winning Baltimore Sun photographer, will take us back in time with a slide show from her book, Flickering Treasures: Rediscovering Baltimore’s Forgotten Movie Theaters . Reservations due on January 27. For more information and to download your reservation form, click here .

Beth El Men's Club Presents: The Great Wrap

with Rabbi Steven Schwartz and Cantor Thom King

Sunday, February 9 at 10:00 a.m., Gorn Chapel

Men, women and children of the Beth El family are invited to participate in learning about this ancient pְractice. Tefillin is a set of small black leather boxes containing scrolls of parchment inscribed with verses from the Torah. Tefillin is worn by adult men and women during weekday morning prayers. This event is free and open to all Beth El members. RSVP due by February 4. Click here for more information.

Beth El Seniors Lunch - In Memory of Jake Rome

Monday, February 3 at 12:00 p.m., Offit Auditorium

Join us in creating warm no-sew blankets, to be donated to Children’s Hospital in Washington DC, in memory of Jake Rome, son of Eileen and Mark Rome. **Material will be provided by us. Lunch cost: $15/person (members and guests alike) *Reservations due by January 27*. Click here for more information.

Beth El Florida Brunch *For Congregation Members Only

Sunday, February 23 at 11:30 a.m., Club at Ibis - Main Clubhouse

Hosted by Dr. Ed and Ann Mishner. Book discussion by Rabbi Saroken, book: Here All Along: Finding Meaning, Spirituality, and a Deeper Connection To Life – In Judaism (After Finally Choosing to Look There) by Sarah Hurwitz. RSVP by Friday, February 7 to Bekah Waltemeyer, Development Associate, at rwaltemeyer@bethelbalto.com or

410-484-0411 x 1120.

The Rabbi Mark G. Loeb Center for Lifelong Learning

Save the Date!

A Weekend with Jonathan Ornstein, Executive Director of JCC Krakow.

March 13, 14, 15. Click here for more information.

1st Wednesdays @ Beth El

Women Cantors Concert

Wednesday, February 5 at 7:30 p.m., Offit Auditorium

Four strong, powerful, and inspiring cantors will bring their voices together to raise up and bring light to a variety of compositions written by and for women. Cantors Melanie Blatt, Jennifer Rolnick, Kim Komrad, and Hinda Eisen Labovitz all work in the Baltimore Washington area and bring their unique talents to our 1st Wednesday stage. Click here for more information.

Our Presidential Election: What Is The Jewish Point Of View?

with Phil Jacobs

Thursdays, January 23, 30, February 6, 13 at 7:00 p.m., Agus Library

We will discuss the Jewish point of view when it comes to the various candidates and the importance of Israel in their messaging.

Fee: $50/Beth El Congregation members; $60/non-members.

Registration is required for all participants. Click here for more information.

From Slavery to Freedom

with Dr. Rosann Catalano and Rabbi Steven Schwartz

Wednesdays, beginning February 5 at 9:30 a.m., Agus Library

This series is another of the primal themes that shape and sustain both the identity and religious imaginations of Jews and Christians alike. We will examine rituals and practices, structure of the liturgies, prayers, and scriptural texts associated with Passover and more. Click here for more information.

NEW! Rikud Baltimore

Mondays, beginning February 10 at 7:00 p.m., Offit Auditorium

Join us for an 8-week program for beginner's Israeli dance with Josh Rosenthal and Carol Rubin. You are invited to stay for the Intermediate/Advanced class 8:00-10:00p.m. Beginners class early registration fee before February 10 : $30/Beth El Congregation members; $35/non-members. Beginners class registration at the door: $5/person - per session. Intermediate/Advanced class fee: $5/person at the door.

Click here for more information.

The 2019-2020 Adult Education Booklet is out NOW!

Click here to download a copy.

The Family Corner

Prayground Shabbat *For all ages

Saturday, January 25 at 11:15 a.m., Community Room

Join us for a musical service as we sing and play together, Kiddush to follow . Click here for a full list of upcoming dates. *Due to the cold weather, Prayground Shabbat will take place in the Community Room.

Family Shabbat Service Led by Kitah Dalet

Saturday, February 1 at 11:15 a.m., Gorn Chapel

Led by Cantor Melanie Blatt. Families with children of all ages are invited to join us for songs, stories and a wonderful family Shabbat experience. Each month, one grade from the religious school will be honored.

Berman-Lipavsky Religious School Tzedakah Project

Kitah Vav (6th grade) in the Berman-Lipavsky Religious School is hosting

a tzedakah project. We are collecting money from religious school families and the Best El Community which will be used to feed those in our community who are impacted by food insecurity. We have chosen to donate to INNterim House in Pikesville - an organization that provides safe transitional housing to people in need. We will collect donations of money from January 26th to March 1st. You can donate to the Tzedakah box in the class rooms or the box attached to the Tzedakah Box on the Religious School Bulletin board.

Beth El Summer Program

Think warm thoughts! Beth El's Summer Program is only 21 weeks away! Beth El offers a nine week summer program for children 2 to 5 years old. Our 2020 summer session will run from Monday, June 15 through Friday, August 14. Registration starts NOW! Click here for rates, application and further information.