Congregation Shomrei Emunah (Baltimore)

History

The synagogue was founded in 1971 by Lithuanian-born Rabbi Benjamin Bak, who led the congregation from 1972 until 1989. 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. Under Weinreb's administration, membership increased from 140 to 450 families.

Rabbi Dovid Gottlieb, who received his rabbinic ordination from Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary, served as spiritual leader until making aliyah in 2009. He was succeeded by Rabbi Binyamin Marwick, a musmach of Yeshivas Ner Yisroel, rabbi since 2009. The Shul has grown under his leadership to over 700 families.

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. 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. Like other Orthodox congregations in the city, synagogue members engage in charitable activities for non-Jewish as well as Jewish causes.{{cite web |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-79273545.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924182046/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-79273545.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 September 2015|title= From City to Suburbs, Orthodox Proudly Waving the Flag: Anti-West Rhetoric Wanes After Sept. 11

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

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 teen minyan with a weekly kiddush.

The Congregation is a center for many major city events, including Rabbi Frand's annual teshuva drasha, musical concerts and important lectures. 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.{{cite web |url= http://jewishtimes.com/17785/diaspora-yeshiva-band-reunites-after-almost-two-decades/#.U8W-W_mSzkU|title= Diaspora Yeshiva Band Reunites After Almost Two Decades

References

Bibliography

References

1. (19 February 1991). "Rabbi Benjamin Bak dies at 72: founded synagogue". [[The Baltimore Sun]].
2. Rosenblatt, Gary. (21 September 2001). "Baltimore Rabbi Tapped To Head OU". [[The Jewish Week]].
3. (2 October 2001). "Rabbi Weinreb's mission: New job: Shomrei Emunah leader will head central organization of 1,000 Orthodox synagogues". The Baltimore Sun.
4. Gross, Netty C.. (25 February 2002). "A Rabbi for All Seasons". [[The Jerusalem Report]].
5. (2014). "Rabbi Dovid Gottlieb". [[Rabbinical Council of America]].
6. Adlerstein, Yitzchok. (28 March 2007). "On Shteibels, Internet-Induced Uniformity, and Baltimore". Cross-Currents.
7. Weiss, Philip. (7 August 2006). "Our Other War". [[The New York Observer]].