A New Harvest: A growing observant presence takes root in Owings Mills

• Published in: Baltimore Jewish times Vol. 245; no. 6; p. 48
• Main Author: Feiler, Adam
• Format: Magazine Article
• Language: English
• Published: Baltimore Baltimore Jewish Times 05.02.1999
• Subjects: Culture; Jewish people; Judaism; Minority & ethnic groups; Pachino, Seth; Religion; Rites & ceremonies; Social life & customs; Traditions; Owings Mills, MD
• ISSN: 0005-450X

"I don't know if you'd call us a shul. There's no formal membership, dues or chartership," says Mr. [Seth Pachino], a stayat-home father who describes himself as a ba'al teshuva, or one who returns to observant life. "We're just a group of people who feel strongly about having an Orthodox, traditional shul in Owings Mills. It's more of a learner's service where everyone can feel comfortable." "We're seeing a lot of interest in Judaism and mitzvahs out here now," says the Brooklyn, N.Y.-born Rabbi [Yisroel Fuchs], 31, who lives in Pikesville and teaches at the Talmudical Academy. "I won't say Owings Mills is becoming Orthodox, but it's evolving into a place where people want something more traditional." "Unless a group of Orthodox moves en masse and puts up an eruv, I don't know if it will go beyond institutional, weekday stuff," he says. "We chose Owings Mills for the school because there's a level of convenience there for the parent body, with the mall and Bais Yaakov and Ner Israel [Rabbinical College] nearby. But we don't think [Upper Park Heights and Greenspring Orthodox residents] are going anywhere until Moshiach [the messiah] arrives. We just can't afford Owings Mills prices."