2005 Events

Jeremy Schmerling's First Alliyah
January 3, 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.

Annual Meeting and Guest Speaker
January 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.

Annual Sisterhood Board Meeting
January 13, 2005

The Annual Sisterhood Board meeting was held on Sunday, February 13, 2005, which included a delicious continental breakfast.

Moshe Samueleis-Kari Hoffman Wedding
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.

Rabbi Barry Fruendel Lecture
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.

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!

Jeremy Schmerling Bar Mitzvah
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)

Model Passover Seder
April 18, 2005

Aleph Bet Jewish Day School Dinner Fundraiser
May 15, 2005

The 16th annual dinner and silent auction fundraiser for the Aleph Bet Jewish Day School took place at Congregation Kneseth Israel.  The highly-acclaimed school is planning to undergo expansion onto the building at Kneseth Israel.  Honored at this year's dinner were Drs. Barnett and Francine Rattner, parents of Alexander Rattner, who were among the original founders of the school back in 1989.  Barnett was a past president of the school and is the chairman of the building expansion project.

"Ruth Talk" Book Signing and Concert

June 5, 2005

Rabbi Moshe Weisblum has recently written a book called "Ruth Talk", which is already in it's second printing.  A book signing ceremony was held, followed by a delicious dessert reception and a klezmer concert featuring clarinetist Dr. Eyal Bor, guitarist Bruce Casteel, and bass cello player Michael Singer.  A great time was enjoyed by all!

A Day to Honor and Remember
June 26, 2005

A program to honor Rebbitzen Emerita Esther Rosenblatt and to honor her late husband Rabbi Morris D. Rosenblatt took place on June 26.  This year marks 60 years in Annapolis for Esther Rosenblatt, who is a matriach and tireless volunteer and friend to all, and also marks the 20th yahrzeit for Rabbi Rosenblatt.  Rabbi Rosenblatt faithfully served our synagogue for 38 years are our spiritual leader, was a chaplain for he U.S. Naval Academy, and a champion of civil rights.  A first-class luncheon followed the program. 

Samuel Jones Bar Mitzvah
July 16, 2005/9 Tammuz 5765

Samuel Jones became a Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, July 16 (Parsha Balak).  Samuel is a graduate of the Aleph Bet Jewish Day School in Annapolis and Beth Tfiloh Middle School in Baltimore.  Samuel worked very hard throughout his preparation for his Bar Mitzvah, and made many people extremely proud of him.

Orioles Game Outing for Hebrew School
August 28, 2005

On Sunday, August 28, Kneseth Israel had an outing at the Oakland A's-Baltimore Orioles game at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.  Proceeds from the ticket sales benefited the Kneseth Israel Hebrew School.  A total of 60 tickets were sold, raising over $300 for the school.  Several tickets were purchased by members and donated to the Jewish Big Brother and Big Sister League.

Kneseth Israel Hebrew School Debut
Sunday, September 11, 2005

On Sunday, September 11 the new Kneseth Israel Hebrew School opened it's doors.  A total of 24 children have enrolled.  The school was made possible by financial support of several generous donors, and the hard work of Rabbi Moshe Weisblum, Joseph Cohen, Holly Lindeman, and Nancy Gordon.  The assistant director of the school is Yaira Dupon, an accomplished Hebrew School Teacher who recently earned a Masters Degree in Jewish Education from the Baltimore Hebrew University.  Other teachers are Libby Monias, Bracha Weisblum, and Rabbi Weisblum will teach the post-Bar/Bat Mitzvah students.

Hebrew School Learning about Sukkot and Simchat Torah
October 17-23, 2005

"Succah Tailgate Party" Cookout
October 23, 2005

On a beautiful autumn Sunday afternoon, Kneseth Israel hosted a "tailgate party in the succah.  It was attended by over 40 people.  Many of the children stepped up to the grill and cooked delicious hamburgers and hot dogs.  A TV was in the succah for people to enjoy the NFL action (Steelers-Bengals game), kids played football and soccer, and the Israeli dancing was a bit hit for both children and adults (coordinated by Ethan Halpern).  It is a mitzvah to exhibit joy during the festival of Succot, and this event typified how the holiday should be celebrated

UJC's 9th Annapolis Jewish Festival
November 6, 2005

About 2,000 people came out to enjoy the fantastic entertainment, delicious food, educational and fun children’s activities, and international and local vendors at the 9th annual Annapolis Jewish Festival sponsored by the United Jewish Council (UJC) of Anne Arundel County.  Congregation Kneseth Israel is an active organization in the UJC.  The festival chairman was Kneseth Israel board member and gabbai Jody Goldsmith.  Many volunteers from our synagogue played a key role in making this event a huge success (photos below courtesy of KRR Photography, Ltd.)

Sisterhood Fashion Show and Tribute to Faye Zeller
December 11, 2005

The Kneseth Israel Sisterhood and the National Council of Jewish Women co-hosted a brunch and fashion.  During the event, they paid tribute to a special lady, Mrs. Faye Zeller, who is moving from Annapolis after 55 years in our community.  A Holcaust survivor from Hungary, Faye and her late husband Herman owned a kosher butcher shop and deli in the Annapolis city dock.  While raising two children, Faye worked long and hard preparing food for the deli.  Her determination, warmth, and faith in G-d as an observant Jew is an inspiration to all of us.  She will be greatly missed. 

100th Anniversary Shabbaton Weekend
December 16 through December 18, 2005

Congregation Kneseth Israel proudly hosted the first of two Shabbaton weekends in celebration of our 100th anniversary.  Friday night featured an Oneg Shabbat Service led by our children and their parents followed by a reception.  On Saturday, the "Alumni Shabbos" took place with past Bar and Bat Mitzvah students from the past five decades participating in the services followed by a kiddush luncheon.  On Sunday, a breakfast took place with special guest speaker Dr. Stephen Whitfield, Professor of American Civilization at Brandeis University.  Dr. Whitfield spoke on "Making America Harmonious--Jews in the Shaping of the Nation's Music." 

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1125 Spa Road
Annapolis, Maryland 21403
Phone : (410) 263-3924
FAX : (410) 263-5740
General Information Email : 
CongKIAnnap@aol.com

Rabbi Dr. Moshe P. Weisblum : 
Rabbimpw@gmail.com

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