Posted on 03/15/23
Baltimore, MD - Mar. 10, 2023 - 250 women filled Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion to capacity on Motzie Shabbos, February 18th for an incredible evening for women in support of an integral community organization, Bikur Cholim of Baltimore. No detail was left out, from the stunning décor to the lavish buffet, by the very talented and dedicated chairwomen: Malki Goldberg and Adina Goldstein.
Rabbi Moshe Dear, Executive Director of Bikur Cholim welcomed and thanked everyone for joining and introduced Bonnie Pollak, Director of Operations, to highlight the work of Bikur Cholim and share opportunities and ways for everyone to get involved. Bonnie painted a scenario of a family facing a sudden medical crisis and how Bikur Cholim is there each step of the way helping to navigate during this frightening and challenging time.
An impactful video highlighting the important work Bikur Cholim volunteers do for our community featured: Mati Jacobovitz, Shani Listhaus, and Shoshana Schmell. These women shared their personal experiences as volunteers and how giving not only impacts the lives of others but enriches their lives too.
The highlight of the evening was Yaeli Vogel, a famed self-taught artist, who shared her life’s journey while everyone practiced amateur painting at their seats with a beautiful Yaeli paint-by-number print. Each woman who attended was gifted an authentic Yaeli print. In addition, Yaeli created a unique painting on canvas Bikur Cholim, a wellspring of water symbolizing the water that constantly flows similar to the volunteers who are endless givers. Laughter, comradery, and fun permeated the air the entire evening.
Rabbi Dear thanked all the volunteers present and presented a special service award to Mrs. Rochelle Goldberg for over ten years of service to Bikur Cholim on the executive board and the annual bike-a-thon fundraiser.
The evening concluded with a delicious dessert buffet and raffle drawings. Mazel Tov to Lorna Durso and Rivka Schmell, our two raffle winners, we hope you are enjoying your new Yaeli artwork.
Malki and Adina would like to give a tremendous shout-out of appreciation to the volunteer women who put this beautiful evening and experience together. Each person’s contribution is what made the event so beautiful! Thank you: Adina Burstyn, Aliza Schultz, Inbal Elman, Leah Rabinowitz, Nechama Tendler, Mikki Wassner, Rivka Schmell, Tami Teichman, Sori Zahler, and Yael Zimberg. And to our technical crew: Yaakov Berkowitz, Yehuda Klein, and Avrahom Klugman.
Bikur Cholim of Baltimore has over 450 volunteers. Bikur Cholim distributes over 8,000 meals to 8 different hospitals, delivers more than 3,000 meals to people’s homes, services patients and families from more than 40 different cities and countries, and provides over 3,000 rides to medical appointments and Shabbos and Yom Tov situations, visits over 6,000 patients in hospitals, homes, and facilities and provides patient advocacy services over 15 times a week. Monies raised this evening will help offset these vital community services:
Bikur Cholim of Baltimore wishes to thank all our dedicated volunteers who are the rock and core of our organization. If you would like to join our team, please visit us at baltimorebikurcholim.org, call 410.999.3700, or email, info@baltimorebikurcholim.org
