Posted on 12/07/18
Baltimore, MD - Dec. 7, 2018 - When great minds work together, amazing things can happen. That’s what happened when Project Inspire joined forces with Etz Chaim for a Shabbos of inspiration in Pikesville’s Jewish community.
The goal of the weekend was to inspire community members to reach out to their fellow Jews and to share the beauty of Judaism so as to increase unity throughout the greater Baltimore Jewish community. Baltimore has always been a community that values Jewish unity and community rabbis were supportive of the event. Sixteen shuls participated in multiple events throughout the Shabbos. There were also seven Onegs held at private homes throughout the neighborhood that featured panel discussions with various guest speakers. The program featured renowned speakers including Rabbi Chaim Sampson, Founder of Project Inspire, Rabbi Steven Burg, CEO of AishHaTorah, Rabbi Ephraim Shapiro, Rav of Congregation ShaarayTefilah in North Miami Beach, and Rabbi Yitzchak Fanger, acclaimed Israeli lecturer. Balabatim from different cities joined the program and spoke about their own experiences reaching out to their fellow Jews.
The event culminated in a Motzei Shabbos Melava Malka that featured the powerful words of Rabbi Hopfer, a riveting multi-media presentation, and a standup performance from renowned British comedian, Ashley Blaker. Nearly 500 people attended the Melave Malka with many are eager to get involved by learning with a weekly study partner, taking on leadership roles, or sharing Jewish knowledge with others.
“We learned that inspiration goes both ways,” said one participant. “When you share Judaism with others, you develop a greater appreciation of the tremendous treasure you already have.”
Project Inspire, a program of Aish HaTorah, was founded over a decade ago and has impacted the lives of thousands of Jews. Project Inspire hosted similar events in Cincinnati, San Diego, and Denver.
“Baltimore is a community that is passionate, professional, healthy, and inspired,” Project Inspire Director of Programming, Rabbi Yaakov Giniger, said. “This is the ideal community to create a dynamic of mutual inspiration between Jews of all backgrounds and religious affiliations.”
Etz Chaim approached Project Inspire several months ago and helped form an event committee made up of influential community members to organize this event. The committee handled every detail from beginning to end with support from Project Inspire & Etz Chaim. Etz Chaim has been a leading provider of Jewish adult education in the Baltimore area for almost 40 years. Their mission is to inspire Jews of all backgrounds to grow closer to Judaism and each other through meaningful Jewish experiences. “There are countless Jews in Baltimore who are yearning for greater Jewish involvement and are waiting for someone to welcome them,” Etz Chaim Director, Rabbi Pomeranz, said. “We believe that this event was a win-win for the greater Baltimore community!”
"This Shabbos was just the beginning of a long term relationship,” Rabbi Sampson said. “Inspiration has an expiration date if we don’t put it into effect. With Hashem’s help we look forward to making a difference in the lives of the greater Jewish community of Baltimore."
Plans are already underway to follow up with interested community members to form action groups, shul ambassadors, and to set people up with partners in Torah. If you would like to get involved with Project Inspire in Baltimore reach out to Rabbi Zev Pomeranz (zpomeranz@etzchaimusa.org) or Rabbi Yaakov Giniger (yginiger@projectinspire.com).