Congregation Shomrei Emunah

Congregation Shomrei Emunah (Hebrew: קהילת שומרי אמונה‎) is an Orthodox Jewish synagogue in the Greenspring neighborhood of Baltimore, Maryland. Rabbi Binyamin Marwick is the synagogue's rabbi.

Congregation Shomrei Emunah
Religion
AffiliationOrthodox Judaism
RegionBaltimore
RiteAshkenazic
Ecclesiastical or organizational statusActive
Year consecrated1971
Location
Location6221 Greenspring Avenue
StateMaryland
Geographic coordinates39°22′8″N 76°40′49″W
Website
shomreiemunah.org

History

The synagogue was founded in 1971 by Lithuanian-born Rabbi Benjamin Bak, who led the congregation from 1972 until 1989.[1] Bak was succeeded by Rabbi Tzvi Hersh Weinreb, who served as spiritual leader for 13 years before becoming head of the Orthodox Union in 2002.[2][3] Under Weinreb's administration, membership increased from 140 to 450 families.[4]

Rabbi Dovid Gottlieb, who received his rabbinic ordination from Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary, served as spiritual leader until making aliyah in 2009.[5] He was succeeded by Rabbi Binyamin Marwick, a musmach of Yeshivas Ner Yisroel, who is the current rabbi. The Shul has grown under his leadership to over 600 families.

The congregation's present building, completed in 2009, was designed by Curry Architects of Towson, Maryland.[6] Jerusalem stone is incorporated in the interior wall design of the central lobby and gallery.[6] The 7,000 square feet (650 m2) edifice includes a 500-seat sanctuary, lecture rooms, and a bridal suite.[6] In 2009 the synagogue began offering a $10,500 wedding package for nuptials held on site, saving congregants an estimated 50 to 70 percent off the cost of local wedding halls.[7] The package includes the facility and catering, but does not include the band or photographer.[7] Celebrants are able to obtain some items, such as bridal dresses and table settings, from local gemachs.[7]

Membership

The synagogue's large and active membership encompasses a broad spectrum of American Orthodox Jewry, including Hasidic, non-Hasidic, Modern Orthodox, centrist, and Haredi.[8] The congregation is openly supportive of its host country and was one of the first synagogues in the United States to add a prayer for the US armed services to its Shabbat morning prayers following 9/11.[9] Like other Orthodox congregations in the city, synagogue members engage in charitable activities for non-Jewish as well as Jewish causes.[9]

The congregation has paired with the Israeli settlement of Eli as its sister city.[10]

Activities

The synagogue schedules many shiurim (Torah lectures) and adult education opportunities, including guest lecturers, regular shiurim in Daf Yomi, Amud Yomi, Chumash, Navi, and Halakha. The youth program includes all ages from two to post high school. The synagogue has weekly Shabbat youth groups and a popular youth minyan with a weekly kiddush.

In January 2014 the Diaspora Yeshiva Band staged one of its first three reunion concerts at Shomrei Emunah; band founder and lead singer Avraham Rosenblum is a synagogue member.[11]

Bibliography
  • Guttenberg, Shaye, ed. (2002). כרחם אב על בנים: קונטרס על פרקי אבות [As A Father Has Compassion On His Children: Pamphlet on Pirkei Avot] (in Hebrew). Congregation Shomrei Emunah.

References
  1. "Rabbi Benjamin Bak dies at 72: founded synagogue". The Baltimore Sun. 19 February 1991. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
  2. Rosenblatt, Gary (21 September 2001). "Baltimore Rabbi Tapped To Head OU". The Jewish Week. Archived from the original on 16 May 2011. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
  3. "Rabbi Weinreb's mission: New job: Shomrei Emunah leader will head central organization of 1,000 Orthodox synagogues". The Baltimore Sun. 2 October 2001. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
  4. Gross, Netty C. (25 February 2002). "A Rabbi for All Seasons". The Jerusalem Report. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 16 July 2014. (subscription)
  5. "Rabbi Dovid Gottlieb". Rabbinical Council of America. 2014. Archived from the original on 28 July 2014. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
  6. "Shomrei Emunah". Curry Architects. 2012. Archived from the original on 20 July 2014. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
  7. McCann, Sarah More (16 March 2009). "More Church Weddings?". The Christian Science Monitor. Archived from the original on 8 August 2011. Retrieved 16 July 2014. (subscription)
  8. Adlerstein, Yitzchok (28 March 2007). "On Shteibels, Internet-Induced Uniformity, and Baltimore". Cross-Currents. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
  9. Cattan, Nacha; Eden, Ami (2 November 2001). "From City to Suburbs, Orthodox Proudly Waving the Flag: Anti-West Rhetoric Wanes After Sept. 11". The Forward. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. (subscription)
  10. Weiss, Philip (7 August 2006). "Our Other War". The New York Observer. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 16 July 2014. (subscription)
  11. Shapiro, Marc (16 January 2014). "Diaspora Yeshiva Band Reunites After Almost Two Decades". Baltimore Jewish Times. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
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