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Click here to read (and hear) the Torah blessings.
This week's Torah portion is Parashat Re'eh. Havdalah starts 42 minutes after sundown, at 8:22 pm on Saturday, August 30. Courtesy of hebcal.com |
Candle lighting is at 7:24 pm on Friday, August 29.
 Rabbi Jon Konheim (rabbi@bethambaltimore.org)
An ordained rabbi for 30 years, Rabbi Konheim has served in a variety of communities including Duluth, MN; Cleveland, OH; and Paterson, NJ. Rabbi Konheim has also been Director of Jewish Studies for a Jewish day school, prison chaplain, hospital chaplain, college lecturer, ski instructor, and Chaplain for the Paterson, NJ Fire Department which awarded him its Medal of Honor. Born and raised in New York City, Rabbi Konheim received his BA in Government and International Relations from Carleton College, Northfield, MN. He was then commissioned in the U. S. Navy and served in various capacities in its amphibious forces. Upon release from active duty, Rabbi Konheim enrolled in Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion and was ordained in 1972 and received a Master of Arts in Hebrew Letters. He became a member of the Rabbinical Assembly (Conservative) in 1978 and retains a secondary membership in the Central Conference of American Rabbis (Reform). In addition to his earned degrees, Rabbi Konheim holds honorary degrees from Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion and from the Jewish Theological Seminary. In New York's Capital District, which includes Schenectady, Rabbi Konheim served as Vice President of the Capital District Board of Rabbis, Vice President of the Rabbinical Assembly's Empire Region, and was active in United Jewish Federation of Northeastern New York committees in the areas of allocations, technology, and chaplaincy. He was a member of the Hebrew Academy of the Capital District Board as well as the board of the Schenectady Jewish Community Center. He enjoys skiing, bicycling, reading, music, and computer repair. Rabbi Konheim is married to the former Rena Saffren, an interior designer. The Konheims have two adult daughters, Hana and Adina.
Cantor Ira Greenstein (cantor@bethambaltimore.org)
Ira has been leading services for 30 years, previously serving congregations in Bethesda and Columbia, Maryland; Augusta, Georgia; and New York City. A native of Long Island, he graduated from Central Hebrew High School and the Jewish Theological Seminary's Prozdor program. In his youth he was a teacher's aide, choir member, leader of junior congregation, and a member of the Camp Ramah staff. He received much of his post-secondary musical training at the University of Maryland, from which he earned three secular degrees, including an M.A. in educational administration. He has been a soloist and member of several Maryland choral groups and has composed vocal music for the synagogue and for concert performance. Ira inherited Beth Am's rich musical tradition of Cantor Abba Yosef Weisgal. Weisgal served as hazzan in Beth Am's building for over 50 years, at the time when it was home to Chizuk Amuno. Weisgal's melodies, blended with compositions from Sulzer, Lewandowski and other great hazzanim, fill Beth Am's worship service with a unique spirit. In addition to leading services, Ira is an active teacher in our Religious School program and also leads classes for adult learners.
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Rabbi
Jon Konheim came to Baltimore after nine years as Rabbi at Congregation Agudat
Achim in Schenectady, NY. During his tenure in Schenectady the congregation
won two Solomon Schechter Awards, the Conservative Movement's symbol of excellence.
Cantor
Ira Greenstein has served as hazzan, choir leader and teacher at Beth Am since
2000. Ira possesses a rich bass-baritone voice, a deep love of Jewish music,
and an engaging personality that invites and encourages congregants to participate
in the worship service.