moments

Having been a member of Beth Tfiloh for almost 50 years, my memorable moment happened not long after joining, which we had done because our children were attending the school. At the time I don’t think I was a particularly a “known” person, but for some reason, I’m not sure why, at an evening event, I was asked to sit at the dais. I was seated next to Rabbi Rosenblatt, the recently retired head Rabbi. I don’t recall if we had much of a conversation but that certainly made a lasting Beth Tfiloh impression on me.

We moved to Baltimore 5 years ago and chose BT for our boys to attend but we didn’t know a single person here. On the first day of school, we all were very nervous, not knowing what to expect but the minute we walked through the door our boys were greeted by the PreSchool Director and helped to their classrooms. As a parent, this blew my mind! We didn’t even need to introduce ourselves—or our kids! The staff already knew who we were. As newcomers to Baltimore, Maryland, and BT, it was heartwarming to be recognized by name. That simple gesture made us feel truly welcome. As parents, knowing that the staff genuinely cared about our children brought us an incredible sense of comfort. THAT was my BT moment, and I will never forget it.

A two-fold BT Moment:

72 years ago, the principal of Beth Tfiloh Hebrew School called me (Morris) to the office, and said we’d like you to read Ashrei on Shabbat in the main sanctuary. And I did. This pivotal moment in my life was the start of my journey with Beth Tfiloh.

Fast forward 60 years…I was at Winans Road Synagogue where I was Chairman of the Board in the 70’s and later the liaison during the merge with Beth Tfiloh Congregation. On our first Shabbat, we came to services, new to this community and congregation and Eileen was approached by an usher. He asked if she was Mrs. Wise, and if she would do Beth Tfiloh the honor of carrying the Torah in the women's section. With lots of nerves, and buckling knees, paired with this emotional welcome, our introduction into our new community was our BT moment.    

I have had many BT moments over the past 15 years; however, I think my first BT moment may always be the most compelling one of all. When I was searching for a pre-school for my son, I toured almost every option. When I toured BT, I immediately loved it, but was anxious that we would not fit in, as (then) members of a reform synagogue and some other factors about our family, that at the time, made me feel a bit different from the other families. I expressed this in the interview by saying "I am afraid we won't fit in, or that we aren't religious enough" and the answer I received was "I promise you, you will never feel that way. We only hope that you will grow in your faith by being here but will never ask you to change".  This amazing promise has been kept and while we have all grown in our faith over the years and are now BT congregants as well as school parents, we have always felt completely accepted by the community and found our own ways to grow within it.

November 16, 2023, is a day I’ll never forget.  After the school day ended, the community gathered for a surprise welcome home rally for our amazing Shaliach, Matan Shefler, who had been serving in the IDF.  Just over five weeks post-October 7th, scores of parents, students, teachers, administrators, and more came together to give Matan the hero’s welcome that he so richly deserved.  Dancing in the street with our kids while draped in an Israeli flag, singing Hatikvah and Am Yisrael Chai as loudly as we could, reminded me why we are part of the BT community.  The school’s lived values of שמחה (joy), אני יהודי (Jewish pride and identity), and אהבת ארץ ישראל (commitment to Israel) were on full display that day.