Shloshim — which means 30 in Hebrew — is the month-long mourning period observed by Jewish family members in the aftermath of the funeral of a loved one.
In keeping with that tradition, more than 300 congregants of Pikesville’s Beth Tfiloh Congregation — like many Jews and synagogues around the world — came together at a special service on Sunday morning, Nov. 5, to pray for those Israelis murdered during the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks and for those held hostage by the terrorist group in Gaza.
Rabbi Chai Posner, senior spiritual leader of Beth Tfiloh, the largest modern Orthodox congregation in North America, requested that at least 240 congregants attend the minyan service to equal the number of hostages. He also requested that male worshippers put on tefillin, or phylacteries.’
“Our hearts are broken, but our spirits are very, very strong,” said Rabbi Posner.
During the service, mourners recited tehillim, or psalms. Among the speakers were Rabbi Posner, Sen. Benjamin L. Cardin (D-Maryland), Rabbi Yehuda Oratz, middle school principal at Beth Tfiloh Congregation and Community School, and Dr. Zipora Schorr, Beth Tfiloh’s longtime director of education.
Hazzan Yoni Rose led the Memorial Prayer, the Prayer for Hostages and Acheinu, while Beth Tfiloh teacher Liora Schlesinger read the names of the hostages.
At the conclusion, attendees sang “Hatikvah,” Israel’s national anthem.
“It was truly heartwarming to see all of our community come together with such short notice, for such an important cause,” said Beth Tfiloh’s Rabbi Dr. Eli Yoggev. “We must keep praying and never forget the plight of our suffering brothers and sisters.”
Tonight, Nov. 6, Pikesville’s Beth El Congregation will also hold a special in-person shloshim service. The service will be held at 5:15 p.m. in the Gorn Chapel at Beth El, 8101 Park Heights Avenue.
“If you’re unable to make it this evening, we encourage you to light a candle in your home, in memory of the 1,400 Israelis and people living in Israel who were murdered that day and pray their souls are now at peace,” read a Beth El statement. “And if you can, please do at least one act of kindness (chesed) today and help bring light and kindness into this world, during this very dark time.”
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