Rob looks back on his journey, everything he does and how belonging to a community, especially the Jewish community, played a critical part. And community is just what got him involved with The Associated a couple of years ago.

Joining The Associated’s Real-Estate Industry Group

“I was on LinkedIn and saw a photo from an friend of mine whom I went all the way through McDonogh with. There was this picture from an event he was attending. It turned out it was an REIG event with The Associated. I reached out to my friend, had a great chat and next thing I know I’m at an REIG event and now on the Committee.”

Rob admits he originally got involved with REIG to network.  But while he was there, he ran into familiar and unfamiliar faces and discovered how many of them were tied into the Baltimore Jewish community he grew up in. And, as time went on, he became strongly aware just how wide the scope of The Associated network truly is.

“I knew The Associated was philanthropic and that it took care of people who needed help. But I didn’t know to what degree. It opened my eyes to more of what The Associated does. From housing assistance and financial education to supporting individuals and families traumatized from abuse, The Associated is there for those in need.”

He knew what he had to do next. Talking about it though, he can’t believe he didn’t do it sooner.

“I’m 44 and last year was my first time donating. And looking back, in my 20s, even if I could have donated $18 or $25, I wish I could have told myself to do so. Because really every little bit helps. You should give what you can, or of your time, because everything is relative. But now I am donating in a meaningful way. I will be a donor for life.”

Being Jewish in Today’s World

When asked about what motivates him so much now, Rob’s answer is relatively simple. It’s the preservation and continuation of Jewish life.

“The number of Jews that are even on this planet is very small compared to other cultures. And yes, it’s absolutely important to support everybody, but it’s also very important to support where you come from.”

Rob attributes this mindset from his childhood. Coming from a conservative Jewish family, Rob says his grandfather felt it was very important to continue the traditions — and that value passed all the way through the generations to himself. And with the rise in antisemitism and hate in recent years, Rob feels it’s more important than ever.

“Right now, there is so much antisemitism in the world. And we feel it here in Baltimore quite a bit.”

Rob looks back on an incident with a local business owner, who experienced vandalism on his property and how the community, both Jewish and non-Jewish, rallied to support him.

“We need to come together as a community, stand against these things and show Jewish life will always persist, and we aren’t going anywhere. If we don’t keep our Jewish community growing, it could disappear.”

Driving and being around Jewish Baltimore gives Rob hope. From the many signs in front of Jewish institutions, like his own Chizuk Amuno, that signal The Associated’s involvement, to the security guards he sees at shul and networking events, often funded in part by the Baltimore Jewish Council, Rob knows that Jewish Baltimore is in good hands with The Associated.