Oheb Shalom

CLARIFICATIONAn article about Rabbi Steven M. Fink in Sunday's editions may have given the impression that the organ and choir would be eliminated from worship services at Temple Oheb Shalom in Upper Park Heights. Rather, there are plans to expand the choices in services to accommodate those who do not prefer organ and choir.Had Rabbi Steven M. Fink been 2 inches taller, he might be wearing a badge and packing a pistol.At 5-foot-5, the prospective Officer Fink didn't meet the height requirement for the Washington, D.C., police department and chose a different vocation.

It's an irony that the Russian-born pianist Lilya Zilberstein should be making her local debut Thursday night at Temple Oheb Shalom in Pikesville.In her native land, Zilberstein's Jewishness could have at one time prevented her from achieving an international career. But in the early days of the Soviet Union's collapse, the Jewishness that blocked the door to Zilberstein's advancement paradoxically led her to the window of fame as one of the most important Russian pianists of her generation.

From the day it opened in 1960, Temple Oheb Shalom was considered one of the most architecturally significant religious structures in Baltimore.It was the only building in central Maryland designed in part by Walter Gropius, a world-renowned master of modern architecture, and it represented a new model for worship in reform Judaism.Tomorrow at 11 a.m., the congregation will break ground for a $3 million expansion and modernization project that is designed to prepare the building for another 40 years of service.

One of the most interesting events of the current classical music season is about to pass us by almost unnoticed. It is a free concert this Sunday at 3 p.m. at Temple Oheb Shalom by the Kiev Camerata, with piano soloist Mykola Suk, conducted by Virko Baley.Kiev, the capital of Ukraine, is the birthplace of Russian culture. It has also always been an international city, with large ethnic German and Jewish populations. (Before World War I, Kiev's street signs were in Yiddish as well as Cyrillic lettering.

Rabbi Abraham D. Shaw, who served a Baltimore congregation for more than 60 years, died Thursday at Methodist Hospital in Houston from complications during surgery. He was 88.Rabbi Shaw, a Houston resident at the time of his death, joined Temple Oheb Shalom in 1936 and was affiliated with the congregation throughout his life."It is extraordinary for a person to serve [his] entire rabbinical career at one pulpit," said Rabbi Donald R. Berlin, leader of the temple. More than 1,110 families worship there.

Religious leaders who fail to reach out to people with HIV/AIDS in their congregations and communities fall short of their moral obligations, a rabbi who is a leader in the national response to AIDS told an interfaith gathering of clergy yesterday.Marc S. Blumenthal, a Los Angeles-based rabbi who is the chairman of the AIDS National Interfaith Network, told a gathering at Temple Oheb Shalom that acquired immune deficiency syndrome "rolls up all the things that religion in general has a tough time dealing with," including homosexuality, drug use and death.

As a young man, Melvin Luterman faced an agonizing decision: Should the tenor pursue a glamorous career as an opera singer, or choose to lead prayers in a synagogue?Attracted by the emotional power of Jewish religious music, he chose the synagogue over the stage and became a cantor.Luterman, the dean of Baltimore's cantors, celebrates his 30th anniversary at Temple Oheb Shalom, 7310 Park Heights Ave., at the Sabbath service this evening. He has also recorded XXTC compact disc to commemorate the occasion, titled "Hear Our Voices."

Shirley Madow, 90, Oheb Shalom volunteerShirley Madow, a volunteer with youth groups at Temple Oheb Shalom, died Saturday of pulmonary failure at Northwest Hospital Center in Randallstown. She was 90.At the time of her death, she was a resident of North Oaks Retirement Community on Mount Wilson Lane in Pikesville.The former Shirley Hurwitz, who was born in Roxbury, Mass., moved to Baltimore in 1941 with her late husband, Simon Madow. They lived in the Pikesville and Owings Mills areas.She was a member of Temple Oheb Shalom and the National Order of True Sisters.

It's the holiday season, a time for family gatherings, good food and -- for some parents and their children -- more than a little confusion.Take this scenario: Daddy is Jewish, Mom is Catholic. There's a tree in the living room, a menorah on the mantel and presents from Santa in a heap on the floor.No wonder the kids are having a problem figuring out exactly what's going on."The holiday season is one of those times of the year when interfaith couples have to directly confront the issues involved in how their different religious traditions are affecting their children," says Beth Land Hecht, who directs the "Stepping Stones to a Jewish Me" program at Temple Oheb Shalom in Northwest Baltimore.

Rabbi Berlin marks 20 years at Oheb ShalomOn May 31, Temple Oheb Shalom will celebrate the 20th anniversary of Rabbi Donald Berlin's service to the congregation.Activities will include a Shabbat Dinner in the synagogue's Blaustein Auditorium at 6 p.m. and a Shabbat Service at 8: 15 p.m, featuring a tribute from Berlin's friend and mentor, Rabbi Jordan Pearlson of Temple Sinai in Toronto.For the past four years, Berlin has been national chairman of the Rabbinical Placement Commission on the Reform Movement.

On August 5, 2009, Zena Ginsberg Services at SOL LEVINSON & BROS., INC., 8900 Reisterstown Road at Mount Wilson Lane on Friday, August 7 at 11 A.M. Interment Oheb Shalom Memorial Park, Berrymans Lane. Please omit flowers. Contributions in her memory may be sent to Temple Oheb Shalom, 7310 Park Heights Avenue (21208) or Gilchrist Hospice Care, 555 West Towsontown Boulevard, Towson, MD 21204. In mourning at 3603 Barberry Court, Pikesville MD 21208 sollevinson.com

On a typical summer Sunday, the doors of Temple Oheb Shalom are locked tight. With observances of the Jewish Sabbath taking place on Friday night and Saturday and religious school out until fall, the Park Heights Avenue building sits empty. Not yesterday. Hundreds of congregants of a different faith poured into the sanctuary, bringing along their love of God, their upbeat music and their fervent prayer to the otherwise quiet house of worship. A fire July 1 damaged the historic Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Upton and left its flock with no place to come together.

Members of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, forced out of their landmark Baltimore building, will take temporary refuge at Temple Oheb Shalom, the spiritual leaders of the two congregations said Wednesday. A week after lightning struck the steeple of the church on Druid Hill Avenue, the Rev. Frank M. Reid III and Rabbi Steven M. Fink announced that the Christian congregation would hold Sunday services at the Reform Jewish synagogue in Park Heights through Labor Day. Fink called Reid after learning of the July 1 fire to offer Oheb Shalom's 900-seat sanctuary to the church.

On June 18, 2009 JACK EPSTEIN. He is survived by a niece Beverlee Ciccone, and two nephews Arthur and William Epstein and good friend Edward Holl, Jr. Memorial Services July 22, 2009 at noon at Oheb Shalom.

A community Hanukkah celebration is planned for 7 o'clock tonight on the front lawn of Temple Oheb Shalom, 7310 Park Heights Ave., according to Mayor Sheila Dixon's office and Comprehensive Housing Assistance Inc. The annual event will feature the lighting of a grand menorah, entertainment by comedy juggler Michael Rosman, activities for children that include arts and crafts, face painting and balloon art, traditional Hanukkah food, and local vendors selling...

On September 11, 2008, Solomon Meyer Feinblum Services at SOL LEVINSON & BROS., INC., 8900 Reisterstown Road at Mount Wilson Lane on Sunday, September 14 at 1 P.M. Interment Oheb Shalom Memorial Park - Berrymans Lane. Please omit flowers. Contributions in his memory may be sent to Temple Oheb Shalom, 7310 Park Heights Avenue, Balto., MD (21208) or The Alzheimer's Association,1850 York Road, Suite D, Timonium, MD (21093). In mourning at 725 Mt. Wilson Lane (North Oaks), Baltimore, MD 21208 Sunday only then continuing at 19 Bucksway Road, Owings Mills, MD 21117 on Monday and Tuesday and also at 104 Bellehahn Ct., Severna Park, MD 21146 on Tuesday only.

Clutching white roses and garbed in blue caps and gowns, the first graduating class of Shoshana S. Cardin Jewish Community High School celebrated its diversity yesterday as well as its academic achievement. The 29 graduates and their families were lauded yesterday as pioneers who believe in the school's mission of Jewish education that spans all denominations and branches of the faith. Named for the renowned local Jewish philanthropist and first female president of the Council of Jewish Federations, the four-year-old school is the first independent Jewish community high school in the Baltimore area.

William David "Bill" Berkey Sr., a cemetery superintendent and active member of the Oldtimers Baseball Association of Maryland, died of prostate cancer May 23 at Mercy Medical Center. He was 81. Born in Baltimore, Mr. Berkey worked as a young man for Atlantic Broom Co. and the Crown Cork and Seal Co. He lived for most of his life in the Highlandtown area. In 1961, he became superintendent of Oheb Shalom Cemetery in East Baltimore and Oheb Shalom Memorial Park of Temple Oheb Shalom Congregation, a job he held until his death.

COMICS RELIEF WHAT / / Free Comic Book Day WHEN / / Saturday WHERE / / A variety of venues that sell comic books, including Comics Kingdom, 3998 Roland Ave.; Shananigans Toy Shop, 5004-B Lawndale Ave.; and Cutting Edge Comics, 2832 Christopher Ave. WHY / / Because comic books will be given away to promote readership. CONTACT / / Visit www.freecomicbook day.com to find the location nearest you. FREE HARLEM RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL The Prince George's County Harlem Renaissance Festival is Saturday.

POP AT THE TEMPLE Doug Cotler, awarded a Grammy for writing the song "Manhunt" from Flashdance, will perform at Temple Oheb Shalom tomorrow. Cotler, who has recorded six Jewish musical albums, will present some of his favorite pieces, including "Standing on the Shoulders," at this service. The youth, teen and adult choirs will collaborate with Cotler, under the direction of Cantor Lisa Levine. The Shabbat Rocks Band will accompany the groups. ....................... This event is at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow at Temple Oheb Shalom, 7310 Park Heights Ave. Call 410-358-0105.