Har Sinai Brotherhood and Har Sinai ARZA committee recently hosted interesting guest speaker, Kelly Stein, assistant area director, Baltimore and Pittsburgh, American Israel Public Affairs Committee.
AIPAC is a bipartisan organization whose members are from every state in the union, representing all faiths, Democrats and Republicans, seasoned political veterans and high school and college students. AIPAC works with leaders in Congress and the administration to ensure a U.S.-Israel relationship that makes both United States and Israel safer, smarter and stronger.
AIPAC's mission is to educate people including all "members of Congress, Democrats and Republicans" regarding freedom, justice and peace in Israel.
Immediately after our last presidential election, all the congress representation were updated with current data regarding Israel.
Kolman Kodeck is president, Har Sinai brotherhood. David Carp, the chair of Har Sinai Congregation ARZA committee, had the privilege of introducing informative Kelly Stein.
Discussion this morning was "Strategic Challenges: Israel and the Changing Politics in the Middle East." Among topics discussed was Israel's famed "Iron Dome" anti-missile defense.
In 2006, in the war with Hizballah, more than 4,000 rockets were launched into Israel's North area. There was intensified rocket fire from Gaza targeting southern Israeli communities.
A team of brilliant engineers from Israel's Rafael Advanced Defense System put their thoughts/ideas together to assemble something to "disengage" these incoming damaging rockets and missiles.
In April 2011, an Iron Dome Prototype was used successfully to intercept an incoming rocket fired at Gaza.
Since then, Israel's Iron Dome has achieved a phenomenal 85 percent interception rate and its range and accuracy is constantly improving. The system's computerized radar and tracking system calculates where an incoming rocket or mortar shell may possible land, disengaging a guided missile to only blow up the incoming projectile if it is headed for populated areas. No sense to blow up this incoming damaging projectile if it poses no threat to people or property.
During the crisis in Gaza this past November, the Iron Dome defense system was able to intercept over 420 of the approximate 500 rockets fired toward Israeli population centers. Note, As mentioned above, incoming projectile that are not in populated areas are not intercepted.
Thanks to United States-Israel missile defense cooperation, a new, multi-tiered system is being developed and strengthened to protect Israeli's from incoming rockets.
Note: The Iron Dome, batteries and its interceptor missiles necessary to destroy incoming projectiles, is a very expensive endeavor.
Congress in 2011 approved a request from President Obama to include a budget for the Iron Dome. The Iron Dome having proven to be effective, Washington will be able to use The Iron Dome in its own defense efforts against short-range rocket threats in the Persian Gulf and South Korea.
AIPAC does have Policy Conferences in Washington. Recently 13,500 adults including students plus 65 Senators and 270 members of the House of Representatives attended.
To raise capital funding for Israel, many synagogues/temples throughout our United States are involved with an intensive "Capital Campaign."
At this brotherhood/ARZA meeting at Har Sinai Temple in Owings Mills, among the many attendees, were Rabbi Benjamin Sharff, spiritual leader of this congregation, then anxiously awaiting along with his wife, Dr. Joy Sharff, the birth of their third child. This was recently celebrated at the bris of their handsome son, Alexander Michael. Rabbi and Dr. Sharff are now the very proud parents of two handsome sons and a beautiful daughter.
Also attending Judge Ted Oshrine, Miriam and Marty Lavender, Lil and Nate Strauss, Jason Reitbergr, Eric Kossoff, Joanne and Michel Goldsmith, Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Shifen, Marilyn and David Carp. Alex Levin assisted at the registration desk. Plus others too numerable to list due to space limitations.
Culminating this very interesting mornings program agenda, approximately 30 fifth and six grade Har Sinai Religious School students, beautifully sang a medley of songs. Parents and attendees at this mornings event then joined in this sing-a-long with the students, enjoyed by everyone!
Har Sinai Temple Update
Kudos on this congregation's exciting involvement with Pumpkin Theatre, signing a multi-year lease and moving into Har Sinai Temple this summer! Pumpkin Theatre will be consolidating programming and offices at Har Sinai!
Har Sinai and Pumpkin Theatre have coordinated their monthly/yearly calendars, that there will be no conflict.
The Pumpkin Theatre will use the Temple's Social Hall for an expanded six productions, on the Main Stage, using the Temple's social hall.
Two productions will be new "Kids for Kids" productions. One will feature all child performers and another production will include the partnership with CENTERSTAGE Young Playwright Festival (YPF) showcasing plays written by children for children.
Our community will be looking forward to many exciting wonderful upcoming productions at this new venue!
Pre-school space, with access to the playground is available. During productions there will be birthday party room availability.
This is a great community partnership with the involvement of kids, teens and adults! A very exciting "shiddah" (union) with Har Sinai Temple and Pumpkin Theater!
Stewart Sachs, is president, Har Sinai Congregation, Jimi Kinstle, is Pumpkin Theatre's producing artistic director, Kwame Kwei-Armah, is Artistic Director of CENTERSTAGE.
Congrats to all, with much success for many, many years into the future! L'Chaim!
People Kudos
David Krajewski has been named chief financial officer (CFO) and senior vice president of LifeBridge Health. Krajewskli has been involved 20 plus years with LifeBridge Health.
Andrew Katz has been appointed the new Assistant Administrator for Beth El Congregation, located in Pikesville.
Our community including this columnist extend a hearty "Mazel Tov" and our very best wishes to both David and Andrew for long and successful tenures at each of their individual respected endeavors. L'Chaim!
