For many, the term “December dilemma” brings to mind comparisons between Christmas and Hanukkah.  This year, with the holidays in close proximity to one another, some thought provoking conversations about identity, observance, tradition, sensitivity and of course, retail trends, are inevitable. However, regardless of one’s faith, or consumer proclivities, a more subtle, but meaningful December “dilemma” is ever-present:  where,… read more

By Erika Pardes Schon     I wrinkled my nose at the briny smell as I moved closer to photograph the clear plastic cup full of greenish liquid. Resting on the bottom of the cup were the dried glands of several chilazon, the Hebrew word most closely identified as the present day mollusk, murex trunculus.  As 25 curious students… read more

By Jill Max Yesterday, Baltimore Hebrew Institute had the privilege of hosting the final day of the Summer Teachers Institute for Holocaust Education. I felt like a proud mother, welcoming guests into our new home. Many of the educators who attended the Institute were graduates of Towson University. They marveled at the beauty and state of the art technological… read more

By Jill Max Yesterday, Baltimore Hebrew Institute had the privilege of hosting the final day of the Summer Teachers Institute for Holocaust Education. I felt like a proud mother, welcoming guests into our new home. Many of the educators who attended the Institute were graduates of Towson University. They marveled at the beauty and state of the art technological… read more

By Erika P. Schon “Can you translate the Hebrew name….?”,  “Where can I find a Torah…?”, “I have an old book in my possession and it looks like it’s written in Hebrew…”.  These are just a sampling of the random inquiries that Michelle and I receive occasionally in the BHI offices.  With a name like Baltimore Hebrew Institute, this… read more

By Erika P. Schon Jewish law (halakha)has something to say about just about everything, so it comes as no surprise that rulings abound about the halakhic permissibility of smoking.  In search of contemporary wisdom on the topic, I turned to two local Rabbinic authorities.  Dr. Barry Freundel, an esteemed professor at Towson University, teaches medical ethics. He commented “Jewish… read more

By Erika P. Schon Just over a year ago in June, faculty and staff were busy packing boxes at Baltimore Hebrew University, sifting through decades of history.  Dusty boxes were unearthed from the basement, overflowing with archival materials waiting to be sorted, and old photographs and memorabilia that spoke of 90 years of venerable history in the annals of… read more