Blog

By: Brandon Chiat, Digital Media Manager

A stainless steel cocoon hangs in Dr. Michael Schultz's office.

The Michael Aram sculpture is a gift from a former patient, inscribed with a message of gratitude: “From all your butterflies past, present, and future, you cocooned us in your kindness, caring, concern and wisdom and we emerged as beautiful butterflies.”

For over 35 years, Dr. Schultz has led a team of breast oncology experts on a shared mission: to conquer breast cancers as early as possible.

“The Talmud teaches us that whoever saves a life, it is considered as if he saved an entire world,” said Dr. Schultz.

Along with his wife Joan, Dr. Schultz established the Geraldine G. Schultz Fund for Breast Cancer Survivors in honor of his late mother, a 40-year breast cancer survivor.

“Dr. Schultz is a pioneer in his field,” said John Abosch, the Event Chair for LIVE! From Beth El. “He and Mrs. Schultz are leaders in the Baltimore community, but more than that, their devotion to Beth El is a great source of pride for our congregation.”

The Schultz family are fixtures at High Holy Day services. “Rabbi Loeb used to joke that I'm the only person sitting in between my wife and ex-wife,” Dr. Schultz said.

Their family dynamic represents Beth El's inclusive community.

“When Michael and I began dating, he had divorced, and I wasn't Jewish, but Rabbi Loeb accepted us unconditionally,” Mrs. Schultz said. “I would never have experienced the wonderful traditions and warmth of the Jewish community were it not for Rabbi Loeb and Beth El.”

Raised as a Roman Catholic, Joan Schultz never felt connected to the church. She was first exposed to Jewish culture and tradition as a nurse working at Sinai Hospital. “Judaism fascinated me, so I began asking my Jewish patients and colleagues about their faith,” she said.  

Among those who answered Joan's curiosity was a handsome doctor named Michael Schultz.

“As our relationship grew, we decided to make a Jewish home together,” Mrs. Schultz said. “I wanted to drink the ‘house wine' so to speak.”

So, at 28-years-old, with the support of Michael and under the guidance of Rabbi Mark Loeb, Joan began the formal conversion process at Beth El. Converting to Judaism as a young-adult gave Joan a unique perspective into the sensibilities of modern Jews.

“[Judaism] must embrace change,” she said. “The fact that Beth El welcomes interfaith families and exposes them to Jewish values and traditions ensures the future of our faith.”  

Not surprisingly, Michael and Joan Schultz were ecstatic when Beth El officially embraced interfaith families as members.  

“Rabbi Schwartz and the clergy encouraged our entire congregation to embrace families of mixed religious backgrounds,” Dr. Schultz said. “They expertly developed an inclusive rather than a divisive approach.”

“We are thrilled to honor Joan and Michael at LIVE! and feel truly blessed that they are Beth El members,” Rabbi Steve Schwartz said. “Their respect for the Jewish tradition, commitment to our community, and vision for our congregation have contributed to Beth El's growth.”

Beth El has a long history of progressive values, made possible in part by the Schultz's generosity. In 1986, Rabbi Loeb approached Michael and Joan with a vision for building a Mikveh at Beth El.

In a letter to Dr. Schultz, Rabbi Loeb wrote: “I can't begin to thank you adequately for your gift to the Mikveh project. It will provide an opportunity for many to enter the life of our people. It is especially meaningful that it honors Joan. She is a special addition to the family of Jewish generations.”

Michael and Joan are aware of their place within the Jewish generations. Michael's mother taught Joan how to keep a kosher home and even passed along her recipe for matzoh ball chicken soup. Now, Michael and Joan welcome their children in from out-of-town to celebrate the High Holy Days as a family and teach their grandchildren to be proud of their Jewish identities.

“We taught our children to live according to Jewish teachings,” Mrs. Schultz said. “Even though some of our children have raised interfaith families, they've passed on our traditions to their own children.”

Appropriately, the Schultz's latest philanthropic gift honors the very concept of l'dor v'dor.

“The entire Beth El community is deeply grateful to the Schultz's for their leading gift to Generations Park,” said Amanda Beitman, Beth El's Director of Development. “Having made their Jewish home at Beth El, it's only appropriate that Joan and Michael helped create Generations Park, which will provide a bucolic space for future generations of Beth El families to connect with their Jewish community.”

From Britot, B'nai Mitzvot, weddings, funerals, and all the moments in between the Schultz's have experienced the cycle of Jewish life at Beth El.

“Beth El is a place to experience every life stage,” Mrs. Schultz said. “Generations Park is a beautiful space to honor those moments.”

Dr. Schultz shares his wife's vision. “We want future generations to remain active in Jewish life,” he said. “We hope Generations Park will become a physical space where Jewish traditions can be celebrated and passed down from grandparents to grandchildren.”  

LIVE! from Beth El is Tuesday, April 30, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. Purchase your tickets here. 

For further information, please email live@bethelbalto.com or call 410-484-0411 x 1113 / 1115.