Kenneth “Kenny” Baum, founder of The Knish Shop who also worked for many years at the delicatessen counter at Seven Mile Market, passed away on Sunday, May 25.
The longtime Pikesville resident and Beth El congregant, who was a fixture in Baltimore’s Jewish communal and culinary scene for decades, was 96.
“What a stellar human being who made life joyous for so many of us,” wrote Rabbi Gustav Buchdahl on the website of Sol Levinson & Bros. “We will miss his smile and his kindness.”
A Baltimore native, Baum founded The Knish Shop in Pikesville in 1970 after working for his brother-in-law, caterer Leonard Schleider. Baum’s first business partner at The Knish Shop was Jerry Steinhorn, and later Martin “Marty” Zangwill.
Baum was well-known in the community for his friendly smile, easygoing disposition, and gift for conversation and sharing jokes with customers.
One of those customers, Janice Gelfand Weinstein, remembered Baum as “a true gentleman and mensch who ensured his food met, even exceeded, the high expectations of his clientele. Food was his passion and his patrons’ satisfaction was his source of pride and joy. He continued to maintain his high standards with his reverence and enthusiasm for kosher food as he serviced many of his shop’s clients at Seven Mile Market. …
“May his memory forever be a blessing to his family and the many people, customers and friends whose holiday and Shabbos tables were adorned with his culinary creations.
Kenny Baum is survived by his wife of 71 years, Anita Baum (nee Schleider); children, Dennis R. (Donna) Brown, Gerri Baum and Renee Moore; sister, Roberta (late Sam) Crespi; grandchildren, Mira Baum, Stacy (Neil) Laughlin and Ilene (Mark) Walters; great-grandchildren, Asher Laughlin, Ronan Laughlin, Aaron Moyse, Iris Walters and Eli Walters; and his nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his devoted son, Samuel J. Baum; siblings, Jerome Baum and Mildred (Paul) Temkin; and loving parents, Bella and Sam Baum.
“Kenny loved his family above all else,” wrote his family. “His warmth and passion extended far beyond — he cherished his synagogue and community of friends, found joy in his work, delighted in meeting new people, and embraced life with an open heart and endless enthusiasm.”
Services were held on Wednesday afternoon, May 28, at Sol Levinson’s Chapel in Pikesville. Interment will be at Beth El Memorial Park, 9633 Liberty Road in Randallstown.
Contributions in his memory may be sent to Beth El Congregation, 8101 Park Heights Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland 21208, or Gilchrist Hospice Care, 11311 McCormick Road, Suite 350, Hunt Valley, Maryland 21031.
Shiva will be observed at 1 Pomona East, apartment 306 in Pikesville.. On Thursday, visiting hours are from 1-4 p.m. and shiva from 6-9 p.m. with a service at 7, and Sunday from 9 a.m. to noon, with a service at 9.
“We are so saddened to hear about the death of Kenny,” wrote Dr. Marc and Debra Attman, owners of Attman’s Delicatessen. “He will be truly missed in the Baltimore Jewish community. He was a fixture and and he was an icon. He showed compassion and caring and love. He loved his job. He loved his family and he loved his customers.”
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