BHC holds Passover services on the first and the last days of the festival, in addition to our Second Night Congregational Seder. Reform Judaism observes 7 days of Passover based on both the Torah and the Israeli custom. Thus, our service on the last day will be Friday, April 26, 10 am. It will include Yizkor, memorial prayers. It is a wonderful way to finish the festival amidst your BHC community.

Every year we bring together B’nai Mitzvah families so that they can explore the B’nai Mitzvah process. The students are challenged to conquer their fears by exploring Jewish values in a Jewish karate exhibition. Families also participate in a Torah Olympics to get the mechanics down of all the movements that happen during the B’nai Mitzvah service. Plenty of time is spent with the families building community and learning from one another. There is special time for parents to connect and for community relationships to be formed. At the end of the day students spend time creating their own dad which they then use on the day of their B’nai Mitzvah. It is a wonderful program that brings together B’nai Mitzvah. This year our B’nai Mitzvah Retreat is on Saturday, April 27, 1 pm This program is generously funded by the Leah and Morton Kemper Family Education Enrichment Program. INFO: Brad Cohen, Director of Education, bcohen@baltimorehebrew.org or 410-764-1587, ext. 290.

Judaism offers us great opportunities to learn about our traditions, the world, and ourselves. PEP: Pursuing Educational Possibilities, is an ongoing Sunday morning learning opportunity enjoyed by BHC congregants for decades.

It’s time to sign up for the spring semester. This spring, Dr. Susanna Garfein will teach, “Voices From the Biblical World,” at 9:30 am, which will explore some of the most important archaeological and textual discoveries that shed light on the history and context of the Bible. Dr. Neil Rubin will teach, “Jews and Christians: Interfaith Relations in America,” at 10:45 am, which will survey the present scene of Jewish community relations with the Roman Catholic Church, mainstream Protestants, Evangelical Protestants, and Muslims.

The semester begins Sunday, February 10, 9 am with a bagel and sweets breakfast and continues on select Sundays throughout the spring. INFO & REGISTRATION: Ruth Spivak, 410-666-1891 or spivakcpa@verizon.net 

Learning to read Hebrew is a great way to exercise those brain cells and discover the wonders of the Hebrew language. Classes will begin Sunday, October 9, 9:15-10:15 am, during Youth Education and continue through the early spring. This class is for adult BHC members with little or no Hebrew reading ability and will fulfill the beginner Hebrew requirement for the Adult Bar/Bat Mitzvah program. INFO & SIGN UP: David Bielenberg, dbielenberg@baltimorehebrew.org or 410-764-1587, ext. 250.

Join BHC’s cadre of Torah chanters by learning to recognize the trope symbols and their melodies. If you can decode Hebrew and carry a simple tune, you have all the tools you need. Classes are for adult BHC members and will begin Sunday, October 9, 11:15 am-Noon. Classes will continue on Sundays during Youth Education, through the early spring. INFO & SIGN UP: David Bielenberg, dbielenberg@baltimorehebrew.org or 410-764-1587, ext. 250.

We will enjoy a post-Passover event: “Prince of Egypt and Pizza Party” on Sunday, April 28. The holiday will be over, which means as much pizza as we want, but there is never a wrong time to watch the greatest Passover movie. INFO & RSVP: Nicki Stratford, Coordinator of Engagement and Programming, nstratford@baltimorehebrew.org.

Get your paper ready for the big white truck. Our Spring Shred Event will happen on Sunday, April 28, 1:30-3:30 pm. An important fundraiser for WBHC, this event also offers a service to the community. Please note: paper is the only thing we shred—no cardboard, plastic, metal, or anything other than paper. We are particularly grateful to Chesapeake Shredding and the Majewski family; they are the only company that shreds on Sundays. The event will be in the E.B. Hirsh Early Childhood Center parking lot. Proceeds benefit the many worthwhile projects of Women of BHC. INFO: Suzanne Strutt, 410-236-6177 or swstrutt@verizon.net.

We all enjoy cooking, and this club will take teens on a tour of the past as they make classic Jewish dishes with a back-story. Dinner is included.

INFO: Lauren Offermann Luger, Assistant Director of Education,410-764-1587, ext. 248 or loffermann@baltimorehebrew.org