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Dr. David Buchalter
President, Board of Trustees
Har Sinai Oheb Shalom Congregation
Har Sinai Oheb Shalom Congregation (HSOSC) has the unique distinction of being the oldest, newest and most evolving Reform congregation in Baltimore.
As a congregation of founding members, it officially launched in September 2019, following the merger of two historic institutions: Har Sinai Congregation and Temple Oheb Shalom.
A transition was underway to create a unified warm, inclusive and socially conscious 21st century Reform congregation. And it didn’t stop with the COVID-19 global pandemic.
During the past year of lockdowns, HSOSC hosted “drive by” holiday celebrations and adopted a virtual platform for weekly Kabbalat Shabbat and Havdalah services, lectures, concerts, adult education and religious school classes, the B’nai Mitzvah program and High Holy Day services.
Not to mention, HSOSC used Zoom to conduct national searches and hire its inaugural clergy: Rabbi Rachel Sabath Beit-Halachmi, Ph.D., and Cantor Alexandra Fox – who would officially join the congregation, July 1, 2021.
“We are fully merged and now that we’re turning the corner on the pandemic, we look forward to enhancing our connections in person,” says Dr. David Buchalter, HSOSC’s inaugural board president.
With the building reopened, look for indoor and outdoor “prenegs,” Kabbalat Shabbat and Shabbat services throughout the summer as the congregation celebrates in person and welcomes the new clergy.
“We can’t wait for our members and the community to get to know Rabbi Sabath – a visionary leader and international scholar, and the talented Cantor Fox – who is known for creating pop-up choirs and using different instruments to bring liturgy to life,” Buchalter said.
Plans for in-person and hybrid religious school programming and High Holy Day services are underway. Also in the works are a community Sukkot celebration and “Havdalah in the Hood” events where Rabbi Sabath will visit members’ homes.
“We’re more vibrant than ever before so we hope to bring back past members of the legacy congregations who may have taken a break during the transition and COVID,” Buchalter adds. “And we invite those looking for a meaningful Jewish community to experience our warm and welcoming congregation.”
Har Sinai Oheb Shalom Congregation
7310 Park Heights Ave., Baltimore, MD, 21208
410.358.0105
hsosc-baltimore.org
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