Get ready for the ultimate summer adventure at Beth El Summer Program! From June 16 – August 15, your child will enjoy 9 weeks of exhilarating indoor & outdoor activities, friendships, and nonstop fun! 

Early drop-off & late stay options available! 

Contact Mandy at Mandy@bethelbalto.com or call 410-602-2245 for more details.

Register now at Bethelbalto.com before spots fill up.

“Our hearts and prayers are with all those affected by last night’s tragic crash involving an airplane and helicopter in Washington, D.C.

We pray for the families and friends of everyone involved, that they find comfort and strength during this difficult time. Our thoughts are also with the first responders and rescue teams—may they remain safe as they continue their efforts.

May all those impacted find healing, and may the memories of those lost be a blessing.”

The Clergy and Staff

Beth El Congregation of Baltimore

Join us on Wednesday, February 19, via Zoom for a compelling conversation with author S. Ilan Troen as he shares insights from his book, Israel/Palestine in World Religions: Whose Promised Land?

Ilan will begin with deeply personal reflections—his daughter and son-in-law were murdered in their kibbutz on the Gaza envelope. Their story connects to the larger “tangle” he explores between traditional religious antisemitism and principles of justice.

For more information and to register, please visit:

https://bethelbalto.shulcloud.com/form/IL-PA

Beth El Congregation of Baltimore is proud to announce the establishment of the Richard M. Caplan Visual Arts Fund, an initiative that will celebrate and sustain the beauty of visual arts within our synagogue. This fund will support the restoration and upkeep of artwork throughout the building, including photographs, sculptures, and paintings that enrich our spiritual home.

The creation of this fund is a heartfelt tribute to Richard M. Caplan, a devoted  husband, father, grandfather, son, brother and uncle. The Caplan’s are  fifth-generation Beth El members and a testament to the Jewish principle of l’dor vador (from generation to generation.) For Richard, family and tradition were paramount, especially with his grandchildren now continuing the family’s legacy at Beth El.

Richard was an avid photographer, a passion that defined much of his life. Armed with a keen eye for detail and an appreciation for the world’s natural beauty, he found joy in capturing the extraordinary within the ordinary. Whether it was a serene landscape in Baltimore or a vibrant street scene during his travels across the globe with his beloved wife, Liz, Richard’s photographs told stories that resonated with authenticity and emotion.

Over 40 years ago, Richard built a darkroom in his family home, where he developed and framed his own black-and-white photographs. His commitment to traditional photography was unwavering, preferring the timeless elegance of monochrome. Although Richard never pursued photography as a profession, his work garnered significant recognition. He won numerous competitions and received accolades over the years. 

“Inspired by my father’s passion for photography and our family’s connection to Beth El, we established this fund in his honor to support the acquisition, restoration, and preservation of visual arts at the synagogue, ensuring his passion lives on through future generations,” said Mike Caplan. “Through this fund we hope to help maintain the visual arts as a vital part of our synagogue’s identity, creating an atmosphere that inspires reflection, connection, and community.”

For more information on the Richard M. Caplan Visual Arts Fund or to make a contribution, please contact Bekah Waltemeyer-McDonald at rwaltemeyer@bethelbalto.com or call 410-484-0411.   

Due to the winter storm, our Monday morning service for January 20 will take place on Zoom only at 8:00 a.m.

Our Monday evening service will take place in-person at 5:45 p.m.

If we need to make additional modifications to our operating schedule this week, that information will be communicated via email, our social media platforms, and WhatsApp groups for our school families. Please keep an eye on these channels for the latest updates.

January 19, 2025

Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech Ha’Olam, Matir Asurim – Blessed are You, Lord our God, Who sets captives free. We are grateful to know today that 3 hostages, having been held in captivity by Hamas for more than 465 days, are free and reunited with their families. 

We continue to pray for the release of the remaining hostages, and for their safety and health of both body and mind. May God, who is HaRofei L’shvurei Lev, the Healer of those with broken hearts, heal the hostages, their families, and all those who have suffered during this terrible time. 

We also continue to grieve for the 1,200 Israelis who were murdered by Hamas on October 7, the unknown number of hostages who have died in captivity, and the 900 Israeli soldiers who have given their lives since then. 

And we pray for the Land of Israel. May God grant it strength, hope, and courage. May we all, one day soon, be blessed to see a time where ‘nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.’ (Isaiah 2) 

May God, Who makes peace in the Heavens, grant peace to us, to Israel, and to all people in all places.

The Clergy and Staff

Beth El Congregation of Baltimore

Media contact:

Jeremy Silbert

Director of Communications

Beth El Congregation of Baltimore

Jeremy@bethelbalto.com

Celebrate Tu B’Shevat with Us!

📅 Wednesday, February 12
🕕 6:00 PM
📍Beth El Congregation

Join Cantor Melanie Blatt Schuster and Ben Kreshtool for a fun, interactive, and meaningful Tu B’Shevat Seder! Together, we’ll honor the beauty of nature and our role in caring for G-d’s creations as we celebrate the trees’ yearly cycle and the arrival of fruit.

This event is perfect for all ages—bring the whole family!

Registration required—secure your spot now by clicking here.

Our hearts are with everyone impacted by the devastating fires in California. We continue to pray for the residents of the affected communities, as well as the brave first responders who are working tirelessly to save lives and protect property.

We are deeply saddened to see the images of the Pasadena Jewish Temple & Center, which was one of the many structures destroyed in the fires. This loss reminds us of the fragility of our physical spaces and the strength of our collective spirit.

In response to these devastating events, The Associated has created an emergency fund to support those affected by the fires. This is an opportunity to provide relief to individuals and communities as they begin the long road to recovery. To donate and learn more about this critical effort, please click the link below:

https://payments.associated.org/california-wildfire…

Let us continue to keep all those impacted in our thoughts and prayers.

The Clergy and Staff

Beth El Congregation of Baltimore

Join Beth El Congregation’s Men’s Club for breakfast on Sunday, January 19 at 10:00 a.m. We’ll be discussing the importance of advanced care planning when having ‘end of life’ conversations with loved ones. 

Our guest speakers will be Dr. Aaron Charles, Medical Director of Bridging Life Hospice; Sherri Zaslow who will be sharing her personal experience with loss; Chaya Lasson RN, Director of Jewish Hospice and Palliative Care. 

Registration closes on Monday, January 13. 

For more information and to register, please visit the link below:

https://files.constantcontact.com/18a25937001/8eb2367a-ef00-495d-aa72-a53a32373116.pdf?rdr=true

Due to the current weather conditions, we have made the decision to open our school (preschool and infant toddler program) and administrative offices at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, January 7. 

Our morning service will take place in-person at Beth El, but with a delayed start time of 9:00 a.m. Our evening service will also take place in-person at the regular scheduled time of 5:45 p.m. 

If we need to make any additional weather related modifications to our schedule, we will provide updates through email and our social media platforms. Our school families will also receive a notification from their Playground app.

Stay safe and warm!