Kenneth “Kenny” Baum, the founder of the Knish Shop, and known locally for his decades of work in the deli business, died peacefully at his home surrounded by family on May 25. He was 96.
Baum was a longtime Pikesville resident and member of Beth El Congregation, and he became a staple in the Baltimore food scene when he founded the Knish Shop in 1970 after spending time working in the catering business with his brother-in-law Leonard Schleider.
Later in life, Baum worked the deli counter for Seven Mile Market in Pikesville.
Baum was born in St. Louis on Sept. 15, 1928, to Bella and Sam Baum, and he grew up in a traditional household with three siblings, according to Beth El Rabbi Steven Schwartz, who gave a speech at Baum’s funeral.
Schwartz said that working in the deli business was in Baum’s blood, as his father was a kosher butcher, and he added that Baum grew up with a strong influence of Jewish tradition and rituals.
“Kenny absorbed all of that along with his moral compass, his powerful work ethic and his devotion and focus on family,” Schwartz said.
Schwartz said that Baum created an environment at the Knish Shop that turned it into a Jewish cultural institution in Baltimore, but added that Baum was the driving force behind everything.
“In many ways it was really Kenny who was the institution. He knew everybody; everybody knew him. He was loved by all,” Schwartz said.
Baum was known in the community for his sense of humor, kindness and an ability to treat every customer he interacted with to a smile and good conversation.
“My dad wasn’t your typical community leader, but he did lead with kindness, with compassion for others, with deep respect for all people. He had a tireless work ethic and a genuine love for Judaism, his synagogue, his friends and his family,” said Gerri Baum, Kenny Baum’s daughter, during the funeral. “He wasn’t your typical philanthropist either, but he was rich in the ways that matter most: surrounded by family who loved him deeply, friends who found joy in his company and customers who greeted him with warmth.”
Baum was also active in the Beth El community, according to Schwartz. He was often seen leading morning minyan, conducting shiva services and more throughout the years.
Renee Moore, Baum’s daughter, said during the funeral that her father was known as “Mr. Beth El” in part due to his many years of service as an usher for the synagogue during the High Holidays, work that he continued until 2023.
One of the most important parts of Baum’s life was his family and marriage, which lasted a lifetime, as he was married to Anita Baum for 71 years.
The couple met when they were hardly more than kids, at a time when Baum was serving in the Army, at an Army dance event. Within 10 months of meeting, the pair became married and cherished each other throughout the decades, Schwartz said.
Gerri Baum said that it’s hard to describe the deep love that her father had for her mother, herself, her siblings and the next generations of the family that came after them.
“You can’t imagine what he would say every single day to my mother, how much he loved and cared for her, how much he loved and cared for us and how proud and happy he was. When my daughter Mira came into our lives, he told all of us how much he loved us right up until the day before he left us,” Gerri Baum said.
Baum’s brother-in-law Philip Schleider also spoke at the funeral, sharing stories of Baum’s popularity and charm in the local community and his strong leadership within the family.
“There’s little doubt that Kenny enjoyed life. There were times for exuberance and times for quiet. He had a most extraordinary will to live, to be there and hang in there for Anita and the girls and all those who loved him. He played it best he could all the way to the end,” said Philip Schleider.
He is survived by his wife, Anita Baum (nee Schleider); three children, Dennis R. (Donna) Brown, Gerri Baum and Renee Moore; a sister, Roberta (late Sam) Crespi; three grandchildren, Mira Baum, Stacy (Neil) Laughlin and Ilene (Mark) Walters; five great-grandchildren, Asher Laughlin, Ronan Laughlin, Aaron Moyse, Iris Walters and Eli Walters; and his beloved nieces and nephews.
Kenny was predeceased by his son, Samuel J. Baum; siblings, Jerome Baum and Mildred (Paul) Temkin; and parents, Bella and Sam Baum.
