Mrs. Elise Wolf, General Studies Principal at Bais Yaakov served on the committee which spearheaded and organized this event, along with Rabbi Dovid Meister, Rabbi Yosef Neuberger-Sgan Menahel of Mechinas Ner Yisrael, Rabbi Shea Rybak, of Torah Umesorah, and several others. Mrs. Wolf said that Torah Umesorah, with its experience in putting together such events, already knows what needs to be checked into.  The hotel was very accommodating to their group especially when it came to Shabbos as it pertained to the electronics used in the hotel.  No detail was overlooked.

The Shabbos was a huge success. As Maggie Silver, a teacher at T.A. said, “It was a beautiful and inspirational weekend where we had the opportunity to hear from people from out of town that we don’t normally get the opportunity to hear and to connect to other professionals who value what we do and bring it back to the classroom with us.”

On Motzaei Shabbos, an additional 250 people joined their colleagues for workshops and a Melave Malka beautifully catered by O’Fishel Caterers. There, Dr. Larry Katz was honored for his role in supporting, assisting and forwarding the cause of Jewish education.  Rabbi Dovid Meister, who presented the award, first spoke to the educators in the room, praising them for their “ability to educate, sustain, energize and motivate” students. But he emphasized that without the help of a dedicated lay leadership, this could not be achieved.

Speaking of Dr. Larry and Mrs. Sandy Katz he said, “There is one couple that has worked in this community over four decades. We’d like to acknowledge them tonight, not just for one small thing they’ve done but for the mesiras nefesh on their part over the years of service to the mosdos (institutions) and to the mechanchim” (teachers.) 

Rabbi Meister said he could only speak about the tip of the iceberg regarding all that the Katzes had done for the sake of chinuch in our community. Among Dr. Katz’s past achievements and titles, were listed his role as executive member at Bais Yaakov, chairman of the board at T.A., supporter and advocate of Agudath Israel, his leading role on many committees of The Associated, being on the task force to help create Shemesh and helping in many ways to ease the ability of yeshivas to qualify for funding, grants and loans. 

As chairman of the trustees of the Charles Crane Family Foundation, Dr. Katz enables our institutions and teachers to take advantage of professional development on many levels including this conference. Rabbi Meister said about the Katzes, “Whenever they were involved with any group or committee, they served in such a way that they were able to do something unique. Dr. Katz has the incredible ability to advance his cause, Jewish education in day schools, by being a role model for people of all walks of life and all persuasions.  He was persuasive, led with grace and made a positive impression,” committing others to the importance of Jewish education.

Dr. Katz also spoke briefly, emphasizing how his wife Sandy was an instrumental partner to his success. He said when he retired (after being a professor and dean at the University of Baltimore Law School) he was “lucky to have fallen into a role, which is a dream: giving away other people’s money.”

The last speaker, Rabbi Dovid Katzenstein, Rosh Mesivta of the Yeshiva of Greater Washington, gave more chizuk and praise to the educators present, emphasizing that when they teach they are planting and nurturing seeds which will grow in the future.

The evening culminted with an Abish Brodt led kumzitz and dancing to the music of Ben Zion Weiss.  

It is planned that this will be just the first of many future Shabbos of Chizuk events in Baltimore.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dr. Larry & Mrs. Sandy Katz receive the award for their role in supporting, assisting and forwarding the cause of Jewish education (L-R) Rabbi Dovid Nojowitz Menahel Torah Umesorah, Rabbi Shea Ryback Director NCYP Torah Umesorah, Rabbi Dovid Meister Chairman Association of Jewish Day Schools of Baltimore, Mr. Larry & Mrs. Sandy Katz