The goal of the Israel Affairs Committee is to engage our Beth El family with the State of Israel -- to inform and educate about Israel’s history, traditions, culture, accomplishments and current events. Towards that end, the committee sponsors programs and celebrations to sustain and enhance our connection with Israel. In addition, the committee liaises with various Baltimore organizations to provide opportunities for Beth El congregants and the greater Baltimore community to come together to foster our link with Israel.
 Join us for the following events in 2010:
Music to Cherish – a classical and klezmer music concert
Sunday, February 28th, 3:00pm – 4:15pm
Gorn Chapel
Please join us for an afternoon of beautiful music featuring Israeli pianist Dr. Michal Tal, American cellist and Beth El member Evan Drachman, and our own Dr. Eyal Bor on clarinet. The concert will include classical and klezmer music and a very special memorial piece, Kaddish, written by Tzvi Avni (the 2001 laureate of the Israel Prize of Music).
Are We Prepared? … Find Out
Emergency Preparedness in the United States and Israel
Thursday, April 22, 8:00 p.m.
The Schapiro Auditorium
Guest speaker: Howard S. Gwon, M.S., Administrator, Office of Emergency Management for Johns Hopkins Hospital, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Johns Hopkins Health System Corporate Departments
Following a visit to Israel where he met extensively with emergency management officials, Mr. Gwon was struck by the differences of preparedness and planned response between Israel and the United States in the event of a mass casualty event. Are we prepared in Baltimore? Are we prepared at Beth El? Are you prepared?! This event is jointly sponsored by the Israel Affairs Committee and the Safety & Security Committee.
3rd Annual Lag B’Omer Bonfire and Celebration
Tuesday, May 4, 2010 at 6:15 p.m.
Beth El Back Parking Lot
Ask anyone who attended last year and they’ll tell you it’s not to be missed! Please join us for fun and festivities as we emulate Lag B’Omer celebrations in Israel. We’ll have a roaring bonfire. There’ll be s’mores for everyone, music and sing-along with Michael Hoffman and Leslie Pomerantz of Three of A Kin, magic by Marty Kurland, and entertainment for all the kids! Bring a nut-free dairy picnic or a few shekels (dollars) to purchase a slice of pizza or two. Our history tells us this is a celebration for all ages! It is open to the community so bring your family, friends and neighbors.
Please RSVP by Sunday, May 2, including the number of slices of pizza you plan to buy, to Fran Davis at 410-484-4543 or fran@bethelbalto.com, or to Talia Berkowitz at 410-602-2245 or talia@bethelbalto.com.
This event is co-sponsored by the Israel Affairs Committee, the Beth El Schools and the Beth El Brotherhood.
A quick look back at events of the recent past:
May ’09 2nd Annual Lag B’Omer Bonfire & Picnic with live music, magic and s’mores. More than tripling in size from ’08 to ’09, attendees ranged from babes-in-arms to our young-at-heart elders.
Israel-themed Kabbalat Shabbat programs: In May ’08 Israel’s 60th Anniversary of Statehood was celebrated with a moving re-enactment of the roll call of the UN resolution to establish a Jewish state and the proclamation of Israel’s independence.
In May ’09 an extraordinary presentation, The Ethiopian Journey, told the history of the Ethiopian Jews, their often-difficult journey making aliyah to Israel, and their joys and challenges assimilating into daily life in their new homeland. A powerful photo slideshow, the personal stories of individual Ethiopians, and musical accompaniment led by Cantor King brought the program to life.
Community Partnerships: The Israel Affairs Committee has partnered with Beth El Schools and Brotherhood, BZD, BJC and American Associates of Ben-Gurion University in hosting and sponsoring various Yom Ha’Atzmaut and Yom Hazikaron events as well as films, speakers, and an Environmental Symposium. |
