A Message for Our Community
Dear JCC Friends,
We hope you are well and cannot wait to welcome you back to the JCC! While our Staff and Board of Directors, along with The Associated and other community leaders, continue to coordinate with each other to support our community with Virtual J experiences, our leadership is also working on a plan to reopen in the safest and most comfortable way for you and your family.
We have studied the different phases of openings outlined in the state of Maryland’s plan, and those of Baltimore County and City, and are anticipating reopening aspects of the JCC in phases as we work on an array of plans that ensure the safety for each person who visits our campuses. As always, we are committed to creating a meaningful place of community for our members.
- Our staff have been connecting with industry experts, sharing data with other JCCs, YMCAs and fitness leaders throughout the country, as well as working with facility experts and community partners to determine the best policies, practices and procedures to create safe environments with you in mind.
- We are implementing state and federal health and safety requirements, as well as following the Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines. We have turned to consultants in the fitness, aquatics, camping, early childhood education, and facilities fields to inform and guide our decisions. We are also working closely with disease prevention experts from LifeBridge Health to implement the many health protocols required to open safely.
- Procedures and guidelines are being developed for our staff and members to follow so that we can continue to maintain a safe, comfortable and welcoming environment once we re-open. These safety requirements will apply to all who enter our facilities and will be strictly enforced. As we reopen in phases, we will communicate the policies to the community.
- We will offer outdoor fitness and group fitness classes on a limited basis at the Rosenbloom Owings Mills JCC for our members. Our staff is utilizing large tents and the Bearman Pavilion out on our fields to provide ample space for personal training, individual work outs and socially distanced group fitness classes. As soon as Baltimore City government permits us to open outdoor fitness at the Weinberg Park Heights JCC, we will focus on creating an outdoor arrangement on the rooftop of the building.
- Staff will be sanitizing equipment after each use, and we will be following specific health and safety procedures that everyone must adhere to upon arriving at our outdoor facilities. We will share these procedures with you via email prior to opening.
Your health and wellbeing are our priority. As such, we will carefully and thoughtfully re-launch specific areas of the J over the next few weeks while abiding by the requirements and recommendations of the State of Maryland and the CDC. We understand that we must abide by Governor Hogan’s Maryland Strong: Roadmap to Recovery plan. Your input is critical as we plan the re-launch of our in-person services. Please take 10 minutes to fill out our Phase 1 survey and let us know what is important to you. Thank you again for supporting the JCC by remaining a member and participating in our virtual programs during this difficult time. We will share more updates and FAQs in the coming days and weeks as we continue to formalize our plans. We are grateful for your support, patience and kindness. The J will continue to be your home away from home. Best Wishes Always, PINNED Scroll for more news
Baltimore, MD - May 16, 2024 - On Wednesday, May 29th, Jewish Educational Services, an agency of The Associated will be hosting Celebrating Education: JES Educator Awards Ceremony and Annual Meeting. This momentous event will take place at 7:00 pm at Congregation Shomrei Emunah, where we will pay tribute to not only our incredible awardees, including the 2024 Sam Kahan Distinguished Educator, but also to the 100+ educators who were nominated for awards, and we invite you to join us to celebrate ALL the teachers in our community who dedicate themselves to their students and to Jewish Education. Registration is still open - go to bit.ly/CelebratingEducation2024.
This year, we invited community members to participate in our Educator Awards program by nominating outstanding educat...
PINNED Scroll for more news
Baltimore, MD - May 16, 2024 - As The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore prepares for its relocation to the heart of the Jewish community, big changes are afoot at the Park Heights Jewish Community Center.
“We’re excited that The Associated’s going to be moving its headquarters into the current JCC building alongside a few of its agencies,” says Marc B. Terrill, president of The Associated. “This move will position The Associated to offer a robust home for community-wide programming, to have the JCC, Jewish Library and The Associated in one main building and adjacent to most of our other Associated agencies on one campus. It’s really going to provide a unique opportunity for us to think and work communally.”
Renovations to the building, s...
Despite the US administration's threat to freeze arms shipments to Israel, due to the IDF's ground maneuver in Rafah, the arms shipment that had recently been delayed has arrived in Israel, Kan 11 News reported on Thursday.
A US official said that the decision to resume the transfer of weapons was made after Israel undertook to inform the United States in advance before expanding the ground maneuver in Rafah.
The decision to unfreeze the shipment was made after a visit by the commander of the US Central Command, General Michael Kurilla, to Israel at the end of last week.
The shipment of weapons arrived in an American transport plane from the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, which houses US troops, to the Israel Air Force Base in Nevatim.
Last week, the White House c...
Baltimore, MD – May 16, 2024 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Adam & Allison Steinmetz on the birth of a daughter.
יה"ר שיזכו לגדל בתם לתורה, לחופה, ולמעשים טובים. אמן!
PINNED Scroll for more news
Baltimore, MD – May 13, 2024 - It is with regret that Baltimore Jewish Life (BJL) informs the community of the petira of Rand Feinstein , z’l, son of Rochelle Feinstein and brother of Louis Feinstein.
The family will sit shiva at The Imperial 3601 Clarks Lane #236, Baltimore, Maryland 21215, beginning Tuesday.
There will be no minyanim at the shiva home.
Shiva visiting:Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
10:00 am to 1:00 pm
2:30 pm to 7:00 pm
Friday
10:00 am to 1:00 pm
2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Family will get up from Shiva Sunday morning.
Bila Hamaves LaNetzach...
BaltimoreJewishLife.com (BJL) is proud to partner with STAR-K CERTIFICATION that realizes that there is no substitute for a person’s own Rav. In an effort to offer a possible solution, it has launched its Institute of Halachah as a public service. Over the years, the agency’s Kashrus Hotline has answered generic halachic questions from kosher consumers the world over, including inquiries regarding the kosher status of foods and certified Sabbath mode appliances. The formation of a separate official division within STAR-K testifies to the need for addressing these issues. The Institute of Halachah is directed by HaRav Mordechai Frankel, under the guidance of HaRav Moshe Heinemann, STAR-K’s Rabbinic Administrator. It is an invaluable resource for a diverse array of rabbis to discuss general halachic matters, as well as gain access to source materials for shiurim and answers to congregants’ questions. Shailos for regular or Kashrus shailos may emailed or discussed using this widget.
Baltimore, MD – May 15, 2024 - It is with regret that Baltimore Jewish Life (BJL) informs the community of the petira of Jack Cranton, z’l, father of Mrs. Deena Perelmuter.
Shiva is being observed at 6350 Red Cedar Pl. Apt. 100, Baltimore, MD 21209 through Tuesday morning.
Visiting Hours
• Thursday, Sunday, Monday:
o 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
o 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
o 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
• Friday:
o 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
o  ...
No non-Kohen may eat holy things; a Kohen’s resident and his hireling may not eat holy things. And if a Kohen acquires a person, an acquisition through his money, he may eat of it, and those born in his house they may eat of his food (Vayikra 22:10-11).
The Kohanim led lives devoted to serving the Jewish people. They were our emissaries in the Temple and served as spiritual role-models for the nation of Israel. We were charged with supporting them through different types of tithes and portions. These portions were sanctified and could not be consumed by another other than the Kohen– with some significant exceptions. If a Kohen purchased a servant, the servant is permitted to eat from the same sacred items his Kohen master...
Baltimore, MD – May 16, 2024 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Shlomo and Toni Loeb on the birth of a son.
יה"ר שיזכו לגדל בנם לתורה, לחופה, ולמעשים טובים. אמן!
Baltimore, MD – May 16, 2024 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Yeruchum Giniger & Gitty Lefkovitz on their engagement.
Mazel Tov Rabbi Yaakov & Malkie Giniger and Rabbi Yisrael & Zehava Lefkowitz and grandparents Rabbi Yehuda & Nusy Lefkovitz
יה"ר שיזכו לבנות בית נאמן בישראל. אמן!
The Gemara in Shabbos 117b discusses what to do in a case where a fire is devastating one’s home on Shabbos. It would be permissible to take enough food for three meals out of the burning house and bring it into his courtyard or “karmelis.” The Gemara explains that if the fire would happen at night, before any meals were eaten, he may take out food for three meals. If the fire would happen in the morning, he would be allowed to take out food for two meals. If the fire would start at Mincha, he would only be allowed to take out food for one meal.
The Rambam in Hilchos Shabbos 30:9 says that everyone is required to eat three meals on Shabbos; one meal in the evening, one in the morning, and one at Mincha...
Dazhon Darien, who’s accused of impersonating a principal with artificial intelligence, found his way into Baltimore County Public Schools with a litany of fake credentials and false qualifications.
The former Pikesville High School athletic director applied to the school system using resumes riddled with claims that are either questionable or untrue. He didn’t get degrees he claims to hold. He never worked for a Division I college football team. He didn’t have a teaching license or meet the minimum qualifications for his job.
Baltimore County Public Schools still hired him, seemingly unaware of the lies.
The falsehoods appear to be part of a pattern by Darien, 31. A Baltimore Banner investigation found at least 29 false claims on four job appl...
Baltimore, MD – May 16, 2024 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Yair Levitz (Woodmere) & Zahava Rosenbaum (Baltimore) on their engagement.
Mazel Tov Steve & Chaya Levitz and Daniel & Shani Rosenbaum
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized the strategic importance of the ongoing battle in Rafah during an aerial tour of the Gaza Strip, accompanied by Deputy Chief of Staff Major General Amir Baram and Commander of the 162nd Division, Brigadier General Itzik Cohen.
"The battle in Rafah is critical. It is a battle that decides many things in this campaign," Netanyahu said, following an aerial review of the operational activities in Rafah led by the 162nd Division.
Addressing the battalion's commanders and soldiers, Netanyahu acknowledged the sacrifices made and the vital role they play in the campaign:
"We are here on a difficult day, a day when we learn of five of our fighters who have fallen. This will not weaken our fighting spirit. You are the generation of victory...
Soldiers from the 401st Brigade battle team under the command of the 162nd Division, continue to lead the raids in eastern Rafah.
During the offensive, soldiers from Unit 414 working in the 401st Brigade battle team, flew drones that located loaded launchers that were ready to launch long-range missiles into Israeli territory.
The military noted that "these launchers served the terror organizations in the Gaza Strip and launched (missiles) at Israeli territory during the recent months. The launchers were destroyed.
During a raid on an additional launch site, the forces located a central and complex launch infrastructure in the Rafah area containing dozens of launchers attached to one another and rockets ready for launch.
The launch infrastructure was used in recent months to launch roc...
Baltimore, MD – May 16, 2024 - It was reported to the BZD this morning about an antisemitic sign at the intersection of Northern Parkway and Roland Ave. Last week, at this very location, another antisemitic message was spotted and removed. The BZD is already working with Councilman Yitzy Schleifer’s office to have this removed. BZD will not tolerate hate and antisemitism in our community. See something, say something!
Justice Department Formally Moves To Reclassify Marijuana As A Less Dangerous Drug In Historic Shift
The Justice Department on Thursday formally moved to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug in a historic shift in generations of U.S. drug policy.
A proposed rule sent to the federal register recognizes the medical uses of cannabis and acknowledges it has less potential for abuse than some of the nation’s most dangerous drugs. The plan approved by Attorney General Merrick Garland does not legalize marijuana outright for recreational use.
The Drug Enforcement Administration will take public comment on the proposal to move marijuana away from its current classification as a Schedule I drug, alongside heroin and LSD. It moves pot to Schedule III, alongside ketamine and some anabolic steroids.
The move comes after a recommendation from the federa...
Baltimore, MD - May 16, 2024 - STAR-K is once again offering the following popular seminars at its Baltimore corporate headquarters to take you "behind the scenes" of the world of kashrus.
Click on the image below to download the training flyer.
JULY 29-31: 11th Annual Foodservice Mashgiach Training Seminar
This intensive three-day seminar is an in-depth training program for those currently involved – or who wish to become involved – as mashgichim in the foodservice industry (e.g., restaurants, catering halls, hotels). The course deals in depth with the various issues and skills a mashgiach requires in order to work effectively in all types of settings and conditions (e.g., Shabbos, Yom Tov) Participants will also receive training and certification in bug ...
Baltimore, MD - May 16, 2024 - As Baltimore City struggles to balance its budget, the cost to protect city officials is mounting, increasing by more than a million dollars from 2021 to 2023.
That’s according to a new Baltimore City Inspector General report, which found the City’s Executive Protection Unit (EPU) spent $1.7 million in 2021, compared to $2.9 million in 2023.
The EPU provides security personnel for the Mayor, City State’s Attorney, and the Police Commissioner.
Although, the protections aren’t provided equally among the top three officials.
Mayor Brandon Scott has twice as many BPD detectives assigned to his security team, according to the report.
The report also found Baltimore spends a lot more than other liked-sized jurisdictions on ex...
Baltimore, MD - May 16, 2024 - There are still votes to be counted, but we have a solid picture of just how few people turned out to vote in the 2024 Presidential Primary.
As of 5 a.m. on Wednesday, the Maryland State Board of Election found that just over 720,000 voters turned out in some form to make their voices heard.
That's fewer than 1 in 5 eligible voters casting a ballot in the election.
It's also less than half the number of votes from the previous Presidential primary election.
In fact, as of Wednesday morning, it's the fewest votes in any primary — Presidential or Gubernatorial — since 2012.
We're taking an in focus look at how this year compares to prior primaries, as part of our commitment to giving you context and digging into ...
|