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 |
| Date established | 1871 (as a congregation) |
| Completed |
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Chizuk Amuno Congregation is a Jewish synagogue located in Pikesville, a suburb of Baltimore, Maryland. Its name comes from the Hebrew words "ק"ק חזוק אמונה," which means "Perpetuators of Faith." This congregation follows Conservative Judaism, a branch of Judaism that aims to keep Jewish traditions while also being open to modern life.
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What Chizuk Amuno Believes
Chizuk Amuno sees itself as a "traditional, Conservative, egalitarian congregation." This means they follow many Jewish customs, are part of the Conservative Jewish movement, and believe in equal participation for everyone.
They follow three main ideas, often called the "three pillars" of the world:
- Torah: Life-Long Learning - This means always learning about Jewish teachings and traditions.
- Avodah: Worship and Observance - This refers to prayer and following Jewish laws and customs.
- Gemilut Hasadim: Acts of Loving Kindness - This means doing good deeds and helping others.
Chizuk Amuno also tries to practice tikkun olam, which is a Hebrew idea about "repairing the world." They encourage their members to live a Jewish life that is ethical and kind.
History of Chizuk Amuno
How it Started in the 1800s
Chizuk Amuno was founded in Baltimore on April 1, 1871. It began when some members left another synagogue, the Baltimore Hebrew Congregation. They left because they felt that too many changes were being made to the traditional Jewish services.
The Lloyd Street Building
In 1876, the congregation moved into its first permanent home. This building was on Lloyd Street and had a special Gothic Revival design.
Under the leadership of Rabbi Henry W. Schneeberger, the congregation grew a lot. Rabbi Schneeberger was known as the "first American-born, ordained rabbi." Because the congregation grew so much, they needed a bigger space. In 1895, they moved to a new building on McCulloh Street. The old Lloyd Street building was sold to the B'nai Israel congregation. Today, the Lloyd Street building is part of the Jewish Museum of Maryland and is a recognized historic place.
Over time, the synagogue became a founding member of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (USCJ). This happened as the Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS) and the Jewish Publication Society (JPS), which the synagogue supported, became connected with the growing Conservative movement.
From the 1900s to Today
In 1920, Rabbi Adolph Coblenz became the new rabbi, and the synagogue moved again to a building on Eutaw Place. Later, in 1948, Rabbi Israel M. Goldman started his time at Chizuk Amuno. He helped make plans to move the congregation to a larger "suburban campus." This new campus would include a social center, a school, and a main prayer area.
The new synagogue was built on land in Pikesville, a suburb of Baltimore County. It was ready for use by the 1960s.
In 1980, Rabbi Joel H. Zaiman became the congregation's rabbi. During his 23 years of leadership, Chizuk Amuno's programs for both young people and adults grew a lot. The congregation also doubled in size, reaching 1,400 families. In 1981, a school called Krieger Schechter Day School was opened with the congregation.
Chizuk Amuno also focused on Gemilut Hasadim, or "acts of loving kindness." They started programs to help the community, like mentoring high school students. These programs are still active today. After Rabbi Zaiman retired, Rabbi Ronald J. Shulman led the congregation from 2004 to 2017. The current Senior Rabbi, since July 2018, is Joshua Z. Gruenberg.
Education at Chizuk Amuno
Chizuk Amuno offers several educational programs for children and adults:
- The Goldsmith Early Childhood Center: This is a preschool for young children.
- Krieger Schechter Day School: This is a day school for students from kindergarten to 8th grade. It is part of the Solomon Schechter Day School Association.
- The Rosenbloom Religious School: This program meets twice a week for students who attend regular schools.
- Netivon & Achshav: These are evening high school programs.
- The Stulman Center for Adult Learning: This center offers classes and learning opportunities for adults.
Activities and Community
Chizuk Amuno has many different groups, such as Brotherhood, Sisterhood, Young Professionals, and Young Families. These groups help make synagogue life more interesting and promote the values of Conservative Judaism.
The congregation is managed by various committees. These committees are overseen by the president and a board of trustees.
Chizuk Amuno also has the Goldsmith Museum. This museum works to preserve Jewish history through art and exhibits. It also has an interactive timeline of Jewish history and archives about the congregation itself.
See also
- History of the Jews in Baltimore
