Posted on 09/09/24
Baltimore, MD - Sept. 9, 2024 - The excitement was palpable this past Friday afternoon, as Kehillas Derech Chaim prepared to move into their brand-new building on Pimlico Road. Balloon pillars and a personal cake for each family to take home for Shabbos were neatly waiting at the entrance for the influx of eager men, women and children to come. Rabbi Pinchas Gross, the Rav of the shul, along with the entire kehilla and all the local Rabbanim of Baltimore, danced the sifrei Torah down the block and into the majestic Aron Kodesh inside the shul. Sincere joy and passion radiated from the hearts and faces of every man, woman and child as they escorted the sifrei Torah to their new shared home.
After ten years of growth and development into the beautiful kehilla of over 200 families, B'H, the deep simcha was clear as the Rav placed the mezuza on the door of the shul. Then into the shul with an electrifying thrill as the men and boys danced fervently around the bimah, mirroring a second Simchas Torah. The Rosh Yeshiva, Rav Aharon Feldman, shlita, joined in the dancing and spoke for the kehilla. Then Rabbi Gross spoke, and the event culminated in heartfelt recitation of Mizmor Shir Chanukas Habayis. As a send-off, everyone was invited outside in the tents set up for men and women with Toameah to enjoy the pre-Shabbos treats.
Each family rushed home to prepare for Shabbos in great anticipation for a magnificent Shabbos davening. A passionate and joyous Shabbos experience followed, filling everyone’s hearts with sincere hakaras hatov for their own makom Torah and Tefilla.
