Chizuk Amuno Congregation facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Chizuk Amuno Congregation |
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Hebrew: ק"ק חזוק אמונה
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The Pikesville synagogue, in 2019
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| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Conservative Judaism |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Synagogue |
| Leadership |
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| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | Stevenson Road, Pikesville, Baltimore, Maryland |
| Country | United States |
 Location in Maryland
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| Architecture | |
| Architectural type | Synagogue architecture |
| Completed |
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Chizuk Amuno Congregation (which means Perpetuators of Faith in Hebrew) is a Conservative Jewish community and synagogue. A synagogue is a place of worship for Jewish people. It is located in Pikesville, a suburb of Baltimore, Maryland.
Contents
Core Beliefs and Values
Chizuk Amuno describes itself as a traditional and welcoming congregation. It follows the teachings of Conservative Judaism. The community's main guide comes from a famous Jewish text called Pirkei Avoth. This text says the world stands on three important ideas:
- Torah: This means lifelong learning about Jewish teachings and history.
- Avodah: This refers to worshipping God and following Jewish traditions.
- Gemilut Hasadim: This means doing acts of loving-kindness for others.
The congregation also believes in tikkun olam, a Hebrew phrase that means "repairing the world." They encourage their members to live an ethical Jewish life and help make the world a better place.
History of the Congregation
Chizuk Amuno was started in Baltimore on April 1, 1871. It was formed by a group of people who left another synagogue, the Baltimore Hebrew Congregation. They left because they wanted to keep their religious services more traditional, following ancient Jewish customs.
Moving to Lloyd Street
In 1876, the congregation built its first permanent home. This was the Chizuk Amuno Synagogue on Lloyd Street. The building had a unique Gothic Revival style.
The congregation was led by Reverend Dr. Henry W. Schneeberger. He was the first American-born rabbi to be officially ordained. Under his leadership, the community grew quickly.
By 1895, they needed a bigger space. They sold the Lloyd Street building to another congregation, B'nai Israel, and moved to nearby McCulloh Street. Today, the old Lloyd Street building is part of the Jewish Historical Society of Maryland. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as an important historic site.
Becoming a Conservative Synagogue
Over time, the congregation continued to grow and change. It became a founding member of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. This officially made it part of the Conservative movement, which seeks to combine traditional Jewish practices with modern life.
20th Century and Beyond
In 1920, the synagogue moved again, this time to a building on Eutaw Place. In 1948, Rabbi Israel M. Goldman became the leader. He had a vision for a large, modern campus in the suburbs.
By the 1960s, this vision became a reality. The congregation moved to its current location in Pikesville. This new campus had space for a social center, a school, and the main worship hall, or sanctuary.
In 1980, Rabbi Joel H. Zaiman took over. During his 23 years as rabbi, the congregation doubled in size to 1,400 families. He expanded education for both children and adults. In 1981, the congregation helped open a day school, now called the Krieger Schechter Day School.
Rabbi Zaiman also emphasized helping the wider community through "acts of loving kindness." These programs, like helping high school students, are still active today.
From 2004 to 2017, Rabbi Ronald J. Shulman led the congregation. Since July 2018, the Senior Rabbi has been Joshua Z. Gruenberg.
Notable People
- Sidney Sakols (1916–2007), a real estate executive, World War II veteran, composer, inventor, and activist, was a member of the congregation.
Education Programs
Chizuk Amuno has several schools and learning centers for all ages:
- The Goldsmith Early Childhood Center: A preschool for young children.
- Krieger Schechter Day School: A school for students from kindergarten to 8th grade.
- The Rosenbloom Religious School: A program for students who attend public or other private schools.
- Netivon & Achshav: Evening high school programs for teens.
- The Stulman Center for Adult Learning: Offers classes and lectures for adults.
Activities and Community Life
Chizuk Amuno has many groups to get involved with, such as a Brotherhood, a Sisterhood, and groups for young professionals and families. These groups help members connect with each other and live by the values of Conservative Judaism.
The congregation is run by a board of trustees and several committees.
It also has the Goldsmith Museum, which uses art to teach about Jewish history. The museum includes a large, interactive timeline of Jewish history.
See also
- History of the Jews in Baltimore
