Chizuk Amuno Congregation

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Chizuk Amuno is a Conservative, egalitarian congregation serving Baltimores Jewish community. Read more about our people and the settings we create for worship, participation, and celebration.

This section covers every aspect of worship, from our services to the thoughts of our rabbis and the favorite melodies of our cantor. Leave a prayer on our prayer wall.

Discover what it means to belong to the Chizuk Amuno community. Find descriptions of life cycle events, answers to frequently asked questions, and contact information.

Learn about the fun and educational social groups we offer for families, synagogue youth, and senior members. Our community blogs give readers an inside look at Chizuk Amuno.

Read about Chizuk Amunos acclaimed schools, dynamic after-school education programs, and extensive adult learning opportunities.

Discover dozens of ways to make a difference to the community beyond Chizuk Amuno. Then get in touch to volunteer.

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Judy Meltzer · Director, Stulman Center for Adult Learning
I guess I’ve never given much thought to a couple of words that really do deserve more attention. “Thank you.” What does it mean to say “Thank you?” Our parents taught us, and we teach our children and grandchildren to say “thank you” -when you receive a gift, when someone gives you a compliment, or helps you out in some way, or just for doing something nice. It’s the refined, polite thing to do, and most of us do it frequently. How many times do we utter... Read More

Rabbi Ron Shulman · Synagogue Values
Values lie at the core of our congregation’s life. We belong to Chizuk Amuno, we worship and study at Chizuk Amuno, we serve God and society through Chizuk Amuno, we volunteer our time and talents to Chizuk Amuno, and we contribute to Chizuk Amuno because we are touched, and guide our own lives, by the Jewish values embodied in our synagogue community. We value every person as tzelem Elohim, a reflection of God’s image. We strive for equality in community... Read More

Rabbi Deborah Wechsler
There are three particular incidents in this week’s parsha in which we see an outsider being made to feel at home among a larger group. At the beginning of the parsha Avraham goes to buy a burial plot for his wife. In the middle of the parashah Abraham’s servant comes to Aram-Naharaim, a new place looking for a wife for Isaac. And at the end of the parashah the travelling servant comes to the house of Betuel seeking rest from his wandering. In all three cases... Read More

Long before Jacob’s dream at Beit El of angels going up and down the ladder where he marks the spot with an altar to demonstrate that God had been there, his grandfather Abraham in the story of the Binding of Isaac described the birth of sacred space. Mount Moriah is the first holy place that is set aside. After Abraham offers up the ram as a burnt offering in place of Isaac, the Torah tells us, "And Abraham named that site Adonai Yireh, saying, on the mount... Read More

Rabbi Ron Shulman · Parashat Lekh Lekha
Abraham is not a holy man, a prophet, or sage. He is a dedicated and hard working man, a complex and compassionate person, just like most of us. The reason that Abraham’s story captures our imaginations is that he had the courage to honor his values and beliefs. He approached the larger world with a distinctive and honest outlook. When we meet Abram, what do we see him doing? Lekh Lekha! He responds to a command from God to leave all that is familiar in... Read More

Rabbi Ron Shulman · Parashat Noah
Marine geologists believe that people once occupied the ancient shores of the Black Sea. A few years ago, archaeologists discovered the remains of a 7,500-year-old building, possibly a house, more than 300 feet below the surface of the Black Sea. Robert Ballard, famous as the discoverer of the Titanic, has reported evidence of a submerged shoreline several miles offshore from the current edge of the Black Sea and hundreds of feet below the surface. The theory... Read More

Rabbi Ron Shulman · Chizuk Amuno Congregation
I’m not a scientist. I am a religious person. But I do not believe faith to be fact. I value and admire science and all it does to enhance our lives and our understanding of life. I also cherish the Torah’s mythic description of God’s design for human life and the world, as we read this morning in the first chapter of Genesis, “Bereshit bara Elohim - When God began to create...” This text establishes the meanings and purposes of our existence. It is not an... Read More

Heller Kreshtool · Reflections on Eleh Ezkerah
It was on Yom Kippur, 1942, that the Nazis began to liquidate the ghetto of Czestochowa Poland. On that holiest of days, approximately 7000 Jews were sent to Treblinka, 200 were killed on the spot, and 350 were selected for work. Czestochowa was the city of my parents birth. Although their homes were blocks apart, it was only after 9 slave labor and concentration camps that they met in a displaced persons camp in Sweden. I found out about the Shoah by accident... Read More

· Chizuk Amuno Congregation
Show us your super sukkot! Please post photos of you and your family in front of your Sukkah so that we can share this most joyous holiday together. Just click on any photo up top to post your own. Read More

Yom Kippur Candle Lighting for 5771 (when it falls on Shabbat) Barukh atah Adonai Eloheinu melekh ha olam, asher kid’shanu bemitzvotav ve tzi vanu le hadlik ner shel Shabbat v'shel Yom Ha Kippurim. Praised are You, Lord Our God, Ruler of the universe, who has sanctified us with Your commandments, and has commanded us to kindle the light of Shabbat and Yom Kippur. After candles are lit, say the shehechiyanu: Barukh atah Adonai Eloheinu melekh ha olam, shehechiyanu... Read More

Including KSDS, GECEC, and RRSBring joy to... Goldsmith Early Childhood Education Center, Krieger Schechter Day School

Boys A and Girls A Practice 4:00-5:00 Girls... Athletics, Krieger Schechter Day School

Boys A 3:45 and Boys B - 4:45 Home vs. Cambridge Girls... Athletics, Krieger Schechter Day School

Boys A 3:30 and Boys B 4:30 at Jemicy Girls... Athletics, Krieger Schechter Day School

Encountering Sacred Texts: Learning in the Presence of the Other
Explore the ways Jews and Christians read... Adult Education Course, Adult Education Course

Pray that our Veterans are appreciated and cared for. Pray that those who serve currently are successful in all their missions. Pray...
Pray that our Veterans are appreciated and cared for. Pray that those who serve currently are successful in all their missions. Pray that they are protected and kept from harm Pray that those who are injured heal and those held unjustly are returned.
-An admirer of those who defend freedom

I am thankful for the gift of my family and for our home in which we live so comfortably. I pray we grow closer to one another in love...
I am thankful for the gift of my family and for our home in which we live so comfortably. I pray we grow closer to one another in love through our laughter and shared words. May our words reflect our respect for each other. May our family remain strong, living together with trust.

Our prayers embrace the recently bereaved families of our synagogue family. We wish them comfort and blessing in their many good memories...
Our prayers embrace the recently bereaved families of our synagogue family. We wish them comfort and blessing in their many good memories. We have been moved by the stories of their loved ones' lives and touched by the love present in their sadness. May God's presence through the members of our congregation bring all who mourn solace and strength.

HOW TO WRITE A PERSONAL PRAYER FOR THIS PRAYER WALL 1. Pause for a quiet moment.2. Remember a time when you felt the need for strength...
HOW TO WRITE A PERSONAL PRAYER FOR THIS PRAYER WALL 1. Pause for a quiet moment.2. Remember a time when you felt the need for strength or insight, or recall an emotional time. 3. Gather your thoughts, write them in phrases, not worrying about grammar. 4. Next, write the most evocative of those phrases as if in a personal letter or diary. 5. Polish your words for sharing with others. 6. Post here on this website's Prayer Wall.

God, allow me to find strength, to face my fears, to put right my wrongs. Please help me find the way to become a better person, with...
God, allow me to find strength, to face my fears, to put right my wrongs. Please help me find the way to become a better person, with more patience, tolerance, and understanding. May this be the example I set for my children.

I am thankful for the ability to take the extra step, to explore and to better understand myself. I am grateful, God, for extra patience...
I am thankful for the ability to take the extra step, to explore and to better understand myself. I am grateful, God, for extra patience when listening to family and friends that I may be helpful to them. I also appreciate when my loved ones and friends do the same toward me. May this be our manner as often as possible. Amen.

Blessed are You Lord our God, Sovereign of the universe who has given all your creatures water. Water has been important in our...
Blessed are You Lord our God, Sovereign of the universe who has given all your creatures water. Water has been important in our history. It was water from a well that Rebekah gave to Abrahams servant that was a test to find a wife for Isaac. Water carried the baby Moses to safety. You gave us clean water to drink when the waters for the Egyptians turned to blood. At the Sea of Reeds, You parted the waters to save us, and returned the waters to destroy our enemies. You gave us water to drink in the desert. Water fed the spring around which the city of Jerusalem thrived. Water in the form of rain and dew nourished our ancestors crops in ancient Israel. Water continues to sustain our lives. Water quenches our thirst and replaces the water in our bodies. Soaking rains replenish our reservoirs and groundwater that are sources for water treatment plants, springs and wells. Water helps to grow the food we eat. Water is in our every day lives. Water is used to generate electric power, to cool our large buildings, to clean, to sanitize, and to sterilize, Water also nourishes our forests to harvest the wood to construct buildings and to provide habitat for animals, birds and insects. Furthermore, water is used in manufacturing of clothing we wear and products we use such as steel and aluminum. We use water to grow the flowers we smell and to provide recreational activities. Water is essential to human life. Water in Israel is scarce. Water in Maryland is abundant, but this water has limits. Blessed are You Lord our God, Sovereign of the universe. Please provide gentle rain that soaks into the ground to nourish our crops and forests, and to refill our water sources. Also, Please keep us from harsh storms such as Jonah encountered on his trip to Nineveh or the devastating flooding caused by tropical storms and hurricanes as well as the damages caused by heavy snow, ice storms or hail. Blessed are You Lord our God, Sovereign of the universe. Please protect the precious gift of water from mans errors, shortsightedness, or evil acts; please provide us with water for the growing population; and please give us the wisdom to use water wisely and peacefully. Amen

As our Sukkot holiday draws to a close, we pray on behalf of those members of our synagogue community, our loved ones, families, and...
As our Sukkot holiday draws to a close, we pray on behalf of those members of our synagogue community, our loved ones, families, and friends whose Sukkot has been observed in hospital or home, responding to illness or grief. Their holiday has been a time to care, to support, to remember, and always, to love. May the joy of this sacred fall season bring them shelter for their spirits and healing for their bodies. May they, and all of us, know a measure of holiday happiness this Shemini Atzeret and Simhat Torah. Amen.

Avinu Shbashamayim, be with me and my dear ones on this Kol Nidre night. May the glow of tonight's Shabbat and Yom Tov candles illuminate...
Avinu Shbashamayim, be with me and my dear ones on this Kol Nidre night. May the glow of tonight's Shabbat and Yom Tov candles illuminate our lives and make us ever mindful of our obligations to You and to all mankind. May our prayers, combined with the holiness of this day, allow us to be free of sin and transgressions, and may You always be close to enable us to attain a level of righteousness in all that we do. Help us to make the choice to follow the path of Torah, thereby drawing us closer to You. Allow us to take advantage of the opportunities and the gifts that you have given us to make the world a better place. In these fast and troubled times, give us the strength to face the many challenges that lie ahead and help us to remain hopeful with wisdom and courage to persevere in this New Year. May the holiness of this hour stimulate us to seek higher objectives in life, finding serenity and a true inner calm. May we all be inscribed for a good, healthy and sweet year. Amen.

My prayer for this new Jewish year is perhaps more motherly than Jewish, but really- where is the distinction exactly? On a recent...
My prayer for this new Jewish year is perhaps more motherly than Jewish, but really- where is the distinction exactly? On a recent hike in Maine with my family we set out with backpacks filled with food, you can imagine the variety of cereal bars. As we made our way through the trails there was a balance of camaraderie, playing hide-and- seek, snacking and the occasional whine (unfortunately not the beverage). The challenges awaiting us back home of starting school and such activities or the high holidays was remote from our thoughts. We were focused on the beauty around us and the goal of getting to the top of the mountain, OK-so it was only 1,500 feet, but still when youre 5 years old thats pretty big. Our dog led the pack of us and we took breaks for picking blueberries and getting glimpses of beautiful views. I must admit that the details of keeping our group moving can sometimes be consuming. But then, when we got to the top we were all awe struck by the glorious view. It was then that my daughter laughingly swung her arms to herself and said its just so beautiful I want to hug it all in. She was reconciling the impossibility of fully absorbing the grand natural beauty around her coupled with a great family moment. Her reaction made me immediately mindful of the moment and I truly wanted time to linger for us all. And so my prayer for this Jewish New Year is that my family, and all of us, cherish life, and the scenery, and try to make it linger just a little bit longer. Shana Tovah and welcome back to school.

Dear God, I am both honored and humbled to stand before you and your congregation today to offer my kavanah - my personal prayer I...
Dear God, I am both honored and humbled to stand before you and your congregation today to offer my kavanah - my personal prayer I would like to share with you a story that explains kavanah beautifully. Long ago there was a young boy who loved to play the flute. He played it every day. When it came time for the High Holy Day services, the boys father brought him to the synagogue for the very first time. The boy was excited: he put on his best outfit, stuffed his beloved flute into his pocket and left for services with his father. But, at services, the boy felt lost. He could barely understand a word. He didnt know how to participate. Then, he remembered the flute, stuffed in his pocket. Slowly he slid it out his pocket and began playing. A sweet trilling melody filled the sanctuary, smoothly blending with the chanting of the prayers. One by one, the men stopped praying, each listening to the song of the flute, until only the boys flute could be heard. His father turned red from embarrassment, took away the flute and sent him to wait outside. Following the service, the boys father went up to the rabbi to apologize for his son. The rabbi replied the there was no need for a apology, we each talk to god in our own way, the rabbi taught, whats important is that he was moved to do so. In my kavanah, my personal prayer, my words, like the young boys music, flows from my heart and I aim it towards you my god. It is a pure prayer, flowing from my soul. Thank you god for the family and friends you have blessed me with. They are my strength and my inspiration. May you continue to watch over them and keep them out of harms way. May they all be blessed with continued good health and if one should become sick or infirm, give them the strength and fortitude to persevere. And dear God continue to remind us of the importance of tikkun olam and gemilut hasadim. And dear God watch over the state of Israel. Protect it from its enemies today, tomorrow, and forever. Ensure that Israel remains a land flowing with milk and honey so our children and our childrens children can experience to joy of connecting with Eretz Yisrael. Amen

God I pray in appreciation of the clergy who lead our community. I am mindful of their enormous challenges to minister to their...
God I pray in appreciation of the clergy who lead our community. I am mindful of their enormous challenges to minister to their flock, to manage a mountain of mundane headaches, and to tend to their own spiritual needs and those of their families. May the New Year give them rewards in their work and in their lives. May they realize how much we appreciate their sacrifice and their effort on our behalf. May they find satisfaction in their role as leaders of our community. And may they receive the positive support and respect they so fully deserve.

HaShem As I approach this new year I first thank you forthis past year which was filled with many blessings. I thank you for the...
HaShem As I approach this new year I first thank you forthis past year which was filled with many blessings. I thank you for the strength you gave me to approach the trials or tests that I have encountered this year. I pray that the coming year is one of health and continual blessings for myself and my family.

This High Holiday season has great meaning to me, and, perhaps, more than any other. This Rosh HaShanah, in particular, represents...
This High Holiday season has great meaning to me, and, perhaps, more than any other. This Rosh HaShanah, in particular, represents happiness, gratitude, and comfort to me. And it always will. Because my West Point son survived a fifteen month deployment in Iraq during a tumultuous period there and during which he was part of the surge in American troops sent to control the violence and bring calm. Truly and most sincerely, I am grateful to God for bringing my Andy home unscathed because he survived more IED episodes than he would ever admit to.I am full of joy that he is finally home and safe on American soil following his five years of service to our country as an Army officer, and is now continuing his studies in graduate school. I wish him success, but, more so, this Rosh HaShanah, I wish our country peace.