Beth Israel Congregation in Owings Mills is set to host a wellness fair, called “Renew and Rejoice: A Healthy Start to 5786,” for the first time in roughly seven years on Sept. 14. The wellness fair will be the sisterhood’s season-opening event.
“We felt that, especially in recent times, it is really hard for women to focus on themselves,” Suzanne Kiewe, president of Beth Israel Congregation’s Sisterhood, told Baltimore Jewish Times. “We all are taking care of our families, taking care of our parents. Many of us are working, and to take just those few moments to take care of ourselves, I think we’re last on the list.” Kiewe, who is in her seventh year as president, spearheaded the event.
Initially, the Sisterhood was hoping for almost 10 exhibitors, but as word spread throughout the congregation and community, more and more people and organizations wanted to get involved. The event will now feature 25 different exhibitors and present one yoga demonstration and one Zumba demonstration.
The lineup for exhibitors ranges from a massage therapist to a lactation consultant. Additionally, there will be a dietitian and organizations such as the Weinburg Senior Center, Hopewell Cancer Support, LifeBridge Health and Fitness, North Oaks Retirement Community and more.
“We decided [a wellness fair] is a great way to start off a healthy new year,” said Kiewe.
The event was originally marketed as “by women for women,” but Kiewe said that everyone is welcome to attend.
“It became this communitywide event, not just for Beth Israel Sisterhood but really appealing to women of all ages,” said Kiewe. “We get caught up in everyday life, and when we put ourselves on the list, we never get down to checking ourselves off on that list, and this is just an opportunity to do that.”
In addition to the exhibitors, the event will host a Baltimore Ravens watch party, raffles and giveaways. As participants come to the event, Kiewe explained that they will receive a bingo card to fill out as they go from table to table. Once completed, attendees will use their bingo cards to enter the raffle.
“Beth Israel just made a really concentrated effort to rewrite our bylaws this past year to be as inclusive as we possibly could,” Kiewe told Baltimore Jewish Times. “We are really making a mindful effort to be warm and welcoming and to open our doors to the community. I thought this really was a great way to welcome the community, and, of course, this is not a religious activity or a ritual activity. It was a way to be inclusive of the entire community and to let everyone in to take that moment to focus on yourself and just breathe.”
Kiewe said that one of the biggest challenges with undertaking such a large-scale event has been finding enough tables to match the number of exhibitors.
“Surprisingly, the best challenge has been that I don’t have enough tables,” explained Kiewe. “It was such a good challenge to have because of the huge response that we have had, so I have told people, ‘You have to bring up your card tables out of your garage and from the basement; you have to set up for the holidays anyways.’ I have been calling in all my friends and family and said, ‘Before you set it up in your dining room for the holidays, I need to borrow it for the health and wellness fair.’”
The health and wellness fair is free and open to the public.
“What have you got to lose to take a few minutes for yourself?” said Kiewe. “You do not need to be a Sisterhood member. You do not need to be a Beth Israel member. Everything is open to everyone.”
