The exciting community-wide event chaired by Malkie Rosenbloom and Jen Erez was organized by a passionate team of committee members including Nina Elman, Lauren Fine, Tzippy Goetz, Haley Lichterman, Yona Openden, Allison Steinmetz, and Alana Weinberg.

The committee worked closely with Suburban Executive Director, Shoshana Topper. In addition to the uplifting ceremony, the event included celebratory music led by Zemer orchestra's four-piece band and a delicious multi-station strolling lunch catered by Jon Kaplan. The extensive buffet included champagne, sushi, carving stations, soup, meat dishes and even children's items like cotton candy, popcorn, and mini hot dogs. The decor and menu were elegant, yet inviting, truly in line with the event's atmosphere.

The family affair also included an array of children's activities held inside the old Shul building, draped with caution tape, construction cones, balloons, and shovels. Various stations for younger children included edible dirt (with brownies and gummy worms), building blocks, playdough construction, color by number, and popsicle stick building challenges. Perhaps the highlight activity was the Lego mosaic building held for older children in the adjacent indoor rooms. Children, along with their parents, worked to compile individual color-coded Lego plates, which when put together, will create a 19 x 62" mosaic of the new Suburban Orthodox rendering. This art piece, constructed by attendees at the groundbreaking, will G-d willing, be framed and showcased in the new building.

As the event concluded, all guests were invited to branded mementos including a gold metallic and white Suburban Orthodox tote bag, a branded Lucite bookmark, and a shovel with rock candy to enjoy. Dignitaries and corporate sponsors enjoyed these mementos as well, in addition to a leather-bound journal and pen with the Suburban Groundbreaking logo embossed on the cover. 

Baltimore, MD - Feb. 22, 2022 - I caught up with Rabbi Shmuel Silber, Morah D'Asra of Suburban Orthodox Congregation Toras Chaim (SOCTC) soon after Shabbos Parsha Ki Sisa ended – one which the Rav notes was celebrated as a beautiful Shabbos of Hisorirus/Inspiration, in the shul.

The Rav shared, “This groundbreaking, iy”H, is really a continuation of the work started by previous generations. The first Rav of the shul, Rabbi Gevantman, z”l, laid down the foundation and Rabbi Preis, z”l, built a layer on top of that foundation. We, the current generation, are zoche to continue that building, as well, taking all the major pillars – a sense of achdus and a commitment to Torah and klal Yisrael. Most importantly, a commitment to comprehensive growth – growth in every way – Bain Adam L'Makom and Bain Adam L'Chaveiro, and we hope that, iy”H, this new Mikdash Mi’at will give us the ability to actualize all those principles.”

The groundbreaking was attended, on Sunday, February 20, by hundreds of community members in a huge, heated tent. Government officials in attendance included Rep. John Sarbanes (D-3), County Executive John A. Olszewski Jr., Baltimore County Councilman Izzy Patoka, Baltimore City Councilman Isaac “Yitzy” Schleifer, state Sen. Shelly L. Hettleman (D-11), Baltimore County Police Chief Melissa Hyatt, Baltimore Jewish Council Executive Director Howard Libit, Delegate Dalya Attar (D-41), Delegate Lisa Belcastro (D-11), Delegate Dana Stein (D-11) and Delegate Sandy Rosenberg (D-41).

The festivities began with the recitation of a kapital of Tehilim by SOCTC Assistant Rav, Rabbi Aryeh Richter.

Welcoming remarks and acknowledgments were delivered by MC, Matt Schoenfeld, the shul's second Vice-President. “We have used every inch of this building; we have squeezed it to the last drop and now here we stand, 65 years later, ready to build anew…We have outgrown this building. We don’t have the room to house all the multiple programs of learning and classes that we have which occur here on a daily basis. Not to mention, it sure would be nice to have a building where you are reasonably sure that the heat would work in the dead of winter and the air would work in the heat of the summer. I won’t even spend any time talking about the ongoing sewage issues. We are in desperate need of a new structure, and it is important to note that a project of this scale is not just a project that serves us for here right now in this moment. This is a building that is going to serve a multitude of generations to follow. We are building this for us and for them.”

Matt mentioned that the master builder of the building is his father-in-law, Howard Brown, and that the project is particularly meaningful to him because the shul is being dedicated in loving memory of his wife’s sister, Esther Ann Brown Adler, a”h. It will be named the Esther Ann Brown Adler Center for Jewish Life.

Divrei Bracha followed from HaRav Ahron Feldman, shlit”a, Rosh HaYeshiva Yeshivas Ner Yisroel and HaRav Yaakov Hopfer, shlit’a, Mara D'asra of Shearith Israel Congregation and President of the Vaad HaRabbanim, Rabbinical Council of Baltimore. Rav Feldman mentioned, “The building of a shul is considered the highest priority in Jewish life. The Ramban, at the end of Parshas Bo, says that when Jews get together to build a shul and to daven in a shul, they are accomplishing what is the purpose of creation. The purpose of creation is that mankind should recognize that there is a Creator - the reason why Hashem created the world. When people get together to build a shul and, in that shul, address their Creator and speak to Him and raise their voice, they are accomplishing the purpose of creation. It is a momentous occasion - something that every Jewish person in the entire world should be happy for, every human being should be happy for, if they realize what’s taking place -- and certainly the people of Baltimore. Every member of this community should be joyous that we are adding another edifice that proclaims that Jews are creating a purpose in life. They are creating a place where they can speak to Hashem and be in communication to him –that is the purpose of creation.”

Rav Hopfer recalled how he wondered, while leaving the levaya of Rabbi Preis, z”l, what was going to be at Suburban Orthodox. “It is such a wonderful thing to be able to see this shul vibrant, burgeoning, imbued with a fervor to want to serve and want to be committed as a Jew. It has so much to do with your beloved Rav and Rebbetzin today, Rabbi Silber and Rebbetzin Silber, who imbue everybody with this warmth and pride to be a Jew – serving our Creator, doing it the right way; inspired by the messages of the Torah…We are really seeing a miracle, and this is a miracle we have seen in our own lives, not miracles of yore, but miracles that have been seen in front of us…to see  young and older people in the community coming together to serve and be inspired and dedicated to the Ribono shel Olam in His Torah – it’s really a miracle. On behalf of the community, I would like to thank the Rav and Rebbetzin for what they have done for our community.

Rav Hopfer continued, “The reason we come to shul is to say you are our Creator, we are your creations – we recognize that –and we are here because we want to understand how to do the will of the Ribono shel Olam. But everyone can do that from his own home; you don’t have to come to a shul for that. It is when people gather together as a community, as a minyan,that  it has a completely different meaning -- we are not individuals, we are klal Yisael, coming together to tell you ‘bre'osecha anachnu…’ That is the magnificence of a Beis Hakaneses; that’s where the Ribono shel Olam’s Shechina rests and wants to place His holiness together with us.”

In conclusion, Rav Hopfer rhetorically questioned the pouring of millions of dollars into a Bais Hakaneses and Bais Medrash as a lack of belief and hope that maybe today or tomorrow Moshiach is going to come. Why do this? Rav Hopfer said he attended a yeshiva dedication at which he heard Rav Moshe Feinstein, z”l, quote Chazal, saying,  our shuls and places of learning will be picked up and taken to Eretz Yisrael when Moshiach comes.

Longtime SOCTC member and matriarch, Mrs. Selma Woolf, next shared her Greetings, painting a very interesting historical picture of her ever-evolving beloved shul. She reminisced how she and her husband, Bill, z”l, were part of the shul from the very beginning. In 1959, Rabbi Gevantman, z”l, asked the Woolfs and a diverse group of neighbors to pitch in for a cottage on Seven Mile Lane which would house their new shul. She pointed to Suburban Orthodox’s original home outside the clear-walled tent which stands to this day.

“We had just bought our first house…how could we also contribute? We had just put our savings of $2,000 as a down payment on our $22,000 mortgage. But we did it and with Rabbi Chaim and Charlotte Gevantman and the other couples, we gave birth to Suburban Orthodox Congregation. Our neighborhood was sort of a village of ranch houses and 2-story cottages. Most families had one car for family which was used to drive husbands to their jobs; the wives, for the most part, stayed home with the children. Time passed and when we lost our beloved rabbi, we were fortunate to find Rabbi Ervin and Anita Preis, to lead us. Because we needed more room, a new addition was added to the front of our building, yielding a larger sanctuary and social hall. We became more orthodox in shul and in our private lives. The neighborhood remained the same. When Rabbi Preis became ill, we began a search for a new spiritual leader. Happily, we found and hired Rabbi Shmuel and Aviva Silber, and our shul became a beehive of activity. The Jewish Institute was begun by our rabbi as outreach for Torah learning. Siyums, lectures, Tehilim, Torah sessions, motzei Shabbos events, Emunah Minutes, and much more started happening. Word spread about our gifted and spiritual rabbi, and he couldn’t wait to share amazing insights into the teachings of Chazal, in such a way that it impacted our daily lives. Words to animate the depressed, words to create shalom bayis, words to improve personal relations, words to elevate and motivate… The years passed, and the neighborhood began to change. Sounds of saws and hammers were heard on a daily basis. Rather than move to accommodate growing families, additions were being made to the sides and back of houses. Ranch houses became 2- and 3-story houses. Every square inch is being used to build new houses. My friends, we know why friends were paying incredible prices to buy homes near our shul. Our shul and our rabbi had become a magnet and my $22,000 home could now command $400,000…and we sold within a week. So, Rabbi Silber, thank you for enriching our lives!”

After Rabbi and Rebbetzin Silber were presented with a gift from the congregation of a painting of dancing chasidim – a favorite of the Rav’s – the Rav shared Divrei Bracha.

“Not a day goes by that I don’t feel a sense of immense gratitude for being the Rav of this kehila…We, B”H, have such a vibrant and diverse kehila…All different kinds of people, all different kinds of backgrounds, united in one simple quest – the quest for growth. We each grow in our own ways at our own pace and in our own dimensions, but we are united in our commitment to grow. To be better today than we were yesterday, to be even greater tomorrow than we were today.”

Rabbi Silber concluded with thanks to the Ribono shel Olam for allowing them to come to Baltimore, 19 years ago this summer, which he only knew of as a city on the way to Washington, DC. “Boruch Hashem, what we thought would initially be a pit-stop for a couple of years has turned into a most magnificent, wonderful stop on our way, one day, iy”H, to Eretz Yisrael.”

Rabbi Silber also took the opportunity to announce that The Alvin S. Mintzes Hatzalah of Baltimore will be building a station to house one of its ambulances on the new campus. Doobie Heyman later mentioned to BJL, “It will be dedicated in memory of longtime original member M58 Lonnie Borck, z”l. This will enable Hatzalah to respond to medical emergencies in our area more effectively and efficiently.” [To contribute - or for sponsorship opportunity - please call Dovid Heyman 443-570-9741.]

The Rav expressed his profound gratitude to Dr. Frona Brown and Mr. Howard Brown, for the parts they played in building and dedicating their new Mikdash Mi’at in memory of their daughter, Esther Ann Brown Adler, a”h, noting how the spiritual activity taking place within it propel her neshama higher and higher.

“We inherited a beautiful foundation and edifice from generations that came before us, Rabbi Gevantman, z”l, Rabbi Preis, z”l. We are building a new shul, we are building a bayis, but the building of our new building is not an end, it’s a means to propel ourselves higher and higher. When we build this bayis, and we build our home, it is a platform, it is a launching pad for even more dynamic activity….We are never going to be finished – the building is not the end, it is the beginning upon which we can build additional layers of beautiful, dynamic spiritual accomplishment. It is in our new beautiful sanctuary that we will build our Tefilah, our prayer. In our beautiful new beis medrash, we will continue to build our Torah. In our educational wing, filled with seven classrooms, we will build our youth and adult education. In our office suite, we will continue to help members of our kehila and members of our greater community. It will be in our extended social hall that we will celebrate simcha after simcha after simcha. It is in our courtyard that we will make Kiddush together after davening. It is in our spa-grade mikvah that we will, iy”H, bring personalistic purity into our lives…Today is the beginning of the beginning…Hashem should bless our efforts with incredible success and allow us to do what we are going to do…we are building our G-d one of His homes on this earth in hope that His presence will dwell within our midst for many years to come.”

Lastly, Rabbi Silber thanked his Rebbetzin for her selfless dedication and self-sacrifice to enable him to accomplish all he has been able to as Rav. The ceremonial groundbreaking took place next, for which Rabbonim, government officials, and groundbreaking event committee members were called up to the stage and given shovels and white hardhats.

The writing of a new sefer Torah, dedicated by shul members Motti & Chana Leah Margalit l'ilui nishmas various family members, was embarked upon at the conclusion of the groundbreaking event. To Rabbi Silbers’ surprise, Sefer Bereishis was dedicated in honor of the Rav and his family by more than 350 people comprised of those who attend the rav's shiurim, shul members and non-members who are part of the Baltimore community and, like so many, have been infused with Rabbi Silber's positivity leading to their spiritual ascension.

Postscript

After the event, some of those in attendance shared their memories of Suburban Orthodox with BJL.

Dr. Aaron Goldberg, whose parents were original founders of Suburban Orthodox, remarked, “Having been a member of this shul since its inception. and now watching the fourth generation of my family growing up in the shul, I am thrilled to see the beginning of this next phase in Suburban’s development. We are excited about the new building - but even more excited about the ever-growing spirit and passion of our rabbi and the young leadership.”

Nechama Motzen (formerly Nina Rosenblatt), mentioned, “This event brought back memories of when my father, Philip Rosenblatt, a"h, was the chazan in a small, close-knit shul. I remembered many wonderful friends of my parents who are no longer with us and the lovely retirement party they made for my father with an album of handwritten and typed messages. I recalled the kiddushim and how the food was prepared in the shul by a devoted committee of men. It was heartwarming to see how the shul has grown, to hear Selma Woolf speak, to feel the love and respect that is shown to your Rabbi and Rebbetzin, to see the solidarity shown by rabbis from across Baltimore who attended, and to hear your ambitious plans for the future. Hatzlacha in all your endeavors.”

Sammy Esterson reminisced, “Not many are left in our midst. My father is amongst the original founders of Suburban. Rabbi Chaim Gevantman recruited my father from nearby Shaarei Zion when the rabbi was looking to increase the membership of the congregation. We started out in a small cottage, pulling in neighbors to make the minyan. The cottage still stands at the rear of the current building. Back then I sat next to my father every Shabbos morning in the early years along with a small crowd of maybe 30 men. I was six years old when the sanctuary and original social hall were completed, and I recall thinking how enormous the new structure was. The shul membership grew steadily over the years. When Rabbi Gevantman passed away it was my father who suggested that the shul add “Toras Chaim” to the Suburban Orthodox name in honor of Rabbi Gevantman’s pioneering spirit and contribution to the shul. Suburban was our spiritual home. My family celebrated all our smachot in the shul including my bar mitzva, my aufruf, my sons' bar mitvahs, aufrufs, and sheva brachot and many other family functions. I have been privileged along with others to lead services there for years, attempting to inject spirit and joyful singing into the davening. To be able to attend today's groundbreaking ceremony, sitting next to my 95-year-old father and sharing the pride he witnessed in the magnanimous growth of the shul was very moving and special. On one hand, as one who literally grew up in the shul, I feel a sense of sadness knowing that soon the structure in which I have so many good memories will be demolished. On the other hand, my connection with Suburban is generational, like what King Solomon in Kohelet calls the chut ha’mishulash, the three-stranded cord that is not easily broken. With growth comes change. The Suburban proverbial tent is expanding to accommodate the exponential growth of our community and the draw of the hashkafah with which Rabbi Silber leads us.”

Brookmayer Photography (Brookmyerphotography@gmail.com)

Jeff Cohn Photography