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About Us

About Us

In the fall of 2004, a group of people met to discuss the creation of a new Modern Orthodox shul in Baltimore. The group shared a vision of an inclusive, democratic shul where everyone would have a voice. An inaugural Shabbaton was held the first weekend in December 2004, featuring communal meals and stimulating shiurim by Rabbi Nathanial Helfgot, a visiting scholar from Yeshivat Chovevei Torah. For the next nine months, the congregation met every Shabbat in the living room of a family home. Over the next several months, our mission statement and bylaws were drafted, and the shul was incorporated. During this time we cemented our distinctive practice in which the Halacha Committee makes ritual decisions under the guidance of an external Orthodox rabbi.

The shul purchased and moved into its current building, a converted house, just in time for the Yamim Noraim in 2005. Initially, services were held in the basement. However, in the summer of 2011, the shul’s building was completely remodeled, resulting in the beautiful main floor sanctuary that we enjoy today. Once more, the shul was ready in time for the Yamim Noraim.

The shul’s most recent major project was to hire Rabbi Elliot Kaplowitz, who shares the shul’s values and will support us as we grow.

Our Rabbi

Rabbi Elliot Kaplowitz has been serving as the congregational rabbi of Netivot Shalom since 2015. Born in Boston and raised in Livingston, New Jersey, he studied at Yeshivat Sha’arei Mevaseret Zion, outside of Jerusalem, before pursuing a BA and MA in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies at Brandeis University. He recently completed his MBA at the University of Baltimore. 

After receiving semicha from Yeshivat Chovevei Torah Rabbinical School, Rabbi Kaplowitz and his wife Toby co-directed the Orthodox Union’s Seif Jewish Learning Initiative on Campus at Brandeis University. During his six years at Brandeis, Rabbi Kaplowitz served on the faculty of Ma’ayan: Torah Studies Initiative for Women, and as a board member for the Synagogue Council of Massachusetts. 

In 2013,Toby and Rabbi Kaplowitz moved with their three wonderful children to Pikesville. Elliot took on the role of Rabbi in Residence at Beth Tfiloh Congregation in Baltimore and taught at the Beth Tfiloh Dahan Community Day School. Toby works as a teacher in the Beth Tfiloh Dahan Community Day School.

Outside of Netivot Shalom, Rabbi Kaplowitz spends much of his time making sure that his kids are raised as proper Red Sox fans. He enjoys reading, listening to Bruce Springsteen, and, of course, brewing his own beer. The Kaplowitz family enjoys all that the Baltimore Jewish community has to offer and is proud to be part of Netivot Shalom. 
Fri, September 25 2020 7 Tishrei 5781