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P. 94
without judgment, welcomed me into agreed. Rabbi Porter guided us about ship with Hoffman and Company.
her home for Shabbos, and let me be how to make our chupa and helped us Along the way, Rabbi Porter intro-
myself and grow at my own pace. We kasher our home. He was at our son’s
are very close to this day. bris. duced us to other families who helped
guide us in our journey of becoming
I remember having discussions like, When our son was 18 months old, religious. We were part of a group
“I don’t think I could ever keep we were at a Shabbaton sponsored by called Beginners and Beyond, led by
Shabbos.” Rebecca talked me through Aish HaTorah and Etz Chaim, and I Bruce and Orlee Luchansky. Whatever
that. She would kind of play devil’s we did take on, we took it on. We never
advocate and make me see that there’s In Israel I was in awe on a went back. We both keep learning.
another perspective. We talked about
marriage and dating, and she said, “At regular basis. Today I’m very much part of the
this point in your life you should only Baltimore Shabbat Project, an interna-
date Jewish people.” So this was Judaism! tional effort to get everybody to experi-
ence Shabbat together in their own
I started dating a guy I’d grown up Everything had meaning! way. I’m a co-chair of the Challah Bake,
with, Jon Kaplan, and we got engaged. I and I’m very involved with Etz Chaim
told my husband-to-be that I wanted realized that I had to keep Shabbos. I as a partner in that.
three things in our marriage: a kosher was nervous to tell my husband; maybe
home (we were going to do whatever our marriage would break up. I was It’s the very essence of me to be able
we wanted outside the house); if we changing the rules on him. to connect with all kinds of Jews, which
had children, we’d send them to Jewish is what Etz Chaim is as well – whether
day schools (as insurance to get them I underestimated him. He said, you’re religious, nonreligious, or don’t
to marry Jewish); and we would keep “That’s what you need to do.” He was even know about religion. Etz Chaim
the family purity laws. That last one is very clear that he couldn’t join me does a great job at meeting people
when Jon said, “Whaaaaaaaat?” That’s then, but maybe later, and that’s what where they are, and not forcing it or
when I introduced my husband to happened, in about a year. It was the making people feel that what they’re
Rabbi Porter. I said, “You need to learn same story with keeping kosher. He doing is wrong or not good enough. It’s
some of this Jewish stuff, and then we now runs Mosaic Catering in partner- a great recipe to foster growth with peo-
can talk about it.” Thank G-d, he ple. Religious or not, we all need to be
growing! ◆
A warm & friendly Level 3 Residence providing long-term & respite care.
A homey family atmosphere • Delicious kosher meals freshly prepared • Lively and stimulating activities
Caring staff around the clock • Assistance with all activites of daily living • Alzheimer’s/dementia care
Registered nurse on site daily • Discount for couples • Owners on site
Evelyn Shnier, R.N. • Menachem Taragin, LCSW-C
(410) 318-8999 | 7015 Park Heights Avenue | www.sterlingassistedliving.com
90 u www.wherewhatwhen.com u
her home for Shabbos, and let me be how to make our chupa and helped us Along the way, Rabbi Porter intro-
myself and grow at my own pace. We kasher our home. He was at our son’s
are very close to this day. bris. duced us to other families who helped
guide us in our journey of becoming
I remember having discussions like, When our son was 18 months old, religious. We were part of a group
“I don’t think I could ever keep we were at a Shabbaton sponsored by called Beginners and Beyond, led by
Shabbos.” Rebecca talked me through Aish HaTorah and Etz Chaim, and I Bruce and Orlee Luchansky. Whatever
that. She would kind of play devil’s we did take on, we took it on. We never
advocate and make me see that there’s In Israel I was in awe on a went back. We both keep learning.
another perspective. We talked about
marriage and dating, and she said, “At regular basis. Today I’m very much part of the
this point in your life you should only Baltimore Shabbat Project, an interna-
date Jewish people.” So this was Judaism! tional effort to get everybody to experi-
ence Shabbat together in their own
I started dating a guy I’d grown up Everything had meaning! way. I’m a co-chair of the Challah Bake,
with, Jon Kaplan, and we got engaged. I and I’m very involved with Etz Chaim
told my husband-to-be that I wanted realized that I had to keep Shabbos. I as a partner in that.
three things in our marriage: a kosher was nervous to tell my husband; maybe
home (we were going to do whatever our marriage would break up. I was It’s the very essence of me to be able
we wanted outside the house); if we changing the rules on him. to connect with all kinds of Jews, which
had children, we’d send them to Jewish is what Etz Chaim is as well – whether
day schools (as insurance to get them I underestimated him. He said, you’re religious, nonreligious, or don’t
to marry Jewish); and we would keep “That’s what you need to do.” He was even know about religion. Etz Chaim
the family purity laws. That last one is very clear that he couldn’t join me does a great job at meeting people
when Jon said, “Whaaaaaaaat?” That’s then, but maybe later, and that’s what where they are, and not forcing it or
when I introduced my husband to happened, in about a year. It was the making people feel that what they’re
Rabbi Porter. I said, “You need to learn same story with keeping kosher. He doing is wrong or not good enough. It’s
some of this Jewish stuff, and then we now runs Mosaic Catering in partner- a great recipe to foster growth with peo-
can talk about it.” Thank G-d, he ple. Religious or not, we all need to be
growing! ◆
A warm & friendly Level 3 Residence providing long-term & respite care.
A homey family atmosphere • Delicious kosher meals freshly prepared • Lively and stimulating activities
Caring staff around the clock • Assistance with all activites of daily living • Alzheimer’s/dementia care
Registered nurse on site daily • Discount for couples • Owners on site
Evelyn Shnier, R.N. • Menachem Taragin, LCSW-C
(410) 318-8999 | 7015 Park Heights Avenue | www.sterlingassistedliving.com
90 u www.wherewhatwhen.com u
