Announcing The 2026 Associated Leadership Award Honorees

Each year, The Associated proudly honors individuals whose leadership and philanthropic commitment have made a lasting impact on our community. The 2026 Leadership Award recipients exemplify dedication, vision and service, helping to ensure a strong and bright future for Jewish Baltimore.

The Julius Rosenberg Leadership Award 

2026 recipient:  Ari Abramson

Baltimore native Ari Abramson has been deeply engaged in civic, communal and professional leadership throughout his career. His involvement with The Associated began in high school and continued when he returned to Baltimore after graduating from Muhlenberg College. He then joined IMPACT young adult program and later graduated from the Young Leadership Council. He further strengthened his global and communal perspective through leadership development missions to Israel, including Tel Aviv One in 2008 and the men’s Nachalah mission to Israel in 2018.

After joining The Associated’s Real Estate Industry Group, he served as its Chair and then helped establish the Livnot Society, a real estate–focused affinity giving circle and has served as its inaugural Chair. He also served on the Board of Directors of CHAI: Comprehensive Housing, Inc., (an Associated agency), and currently sits on the Boards of The Associated and Associated Jewish Charities.

Professionally, Ari serves as Managing Director of Multifamily Acquisitions at Continental Realty Corporation, where he leads the firm’s multifamily acquisitions platform. In this role, he is responsible for sourcing, evaluating, and executing investments across the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast United States. Ari holds a B.A. in Business and Economics from Muhlenberg College and an M.S. in Real Estate from the Johns Hopkins University Carey Business School.

He resides in Baltimore with his wife, Sarah Manekin, and their two middle school children.

The Harry Greenstein Young Leadership Award 

2026 recipients: Lauren Braunstein 

Lauren is a speech-language pathologist and the founder of her private practice, Language Tree. She earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Pennsylvania and a master’s degree in speech-language pathology from Columbia University. After returning to Baltimore, Lauren became actively involved with The Associated through the Young Leadership Council and later served on the board of Jewish Community Services (JCS).

In the past year, Lauren co-chaired The Macks Jewish Connection Network’s Momentum Cohort, leading a group of 19 women in deepening their Jewish learning and practice. She is also an active member of Beth Tfiloh Congregation, where she served on the school board for eight years, chairing both the Alumni Council and the Lower School Committee. Currently, Lauren serves as the president of Beth Tfiloh Congregation, where she is deeply committed to strengthening the congregation and guiding its continued growth.

Lauren is married to her husband of 14 years, David, and together they have four children—Max, Nathan, Hannah and Jacob—who attend Beth Tfiloh Dahan Community School in Baltimore.

The Harry Greenstein Young Leadership Award 

2026 recipients: Joel T. Fink  

Joel Fink deeply values community, connection, and service—principles that have guided him both professionally and through years of leadership involvement with The Associated: Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore. A Baltimore native, Joel has long felt a strong responsibility to build a strong Jewish Baltimore for future generations. He first became involved with The Associated after a chance meeting with Mary Haar, and with additional encouragement from his business partner, Morry Zolet, he went on to participate in the Young Leadership Council (YLC).

After observing Jewish Community Services (JCS) during its first year as a newly combined entity, Joel was invited to join the Board and later served as Board President from 2023 to 2025. Seeing firsthand the profound impact JCS has on the Baltimore Jewish community reinforced for Joel the importance of The Associated’s Annual Campaign and the strength of The Associated system. Beyond JCS, he chaired IMPACT and the Planned Giving Round Table. He is also proud of the role he and his wife, Chantelle, played in advancing interfaith inclusion across The Associated and the broader Jewish community through the task force they chaired together.

Joel received numerous leadership awards throughout his years of volunteer service, including the JCS Board Leadership Award, the NJHSA’s Lay Leadership Award of Excellence, The Associated’s Julius Rosenberg Memorial Award and Zelda Miller Memorial Award, and the 2024 Giving Back Award from Morgan Stanley.

Professionally, Joel is a Senior Vice President and Financial Advisor with ZLF Wealth Management at Morgan Stanley, where he has more than 20 years of experience providing holistic financial planning for individuals and families and advising businesses on retirement plans and related strategies.

Joel and Chantelle live in the Anneslie neighborhood with their two children, Aubrielle and Sammy.

The Zelda Miller Award 

2026 recipient: Jordan Halle

Growing up in Owings Mills, Jordan developed a strong Jewish identity and an enduring love for Baltimore that would come to define both his career and his community involvement. A colleague first introduced him to The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore, and after attending his first IMPACT events as a young professional, Jordan quickly recognized the organization’s power to bring people together and strengthen Jewish life across the city.

Jordan’s career as an attorney reflects his ties to Baltimore and his desire to see the city thrive. He is currently a Shareholder at Shulman Rogers, where he helps businesses, nonprofits and individuals navigate corporate, tax and transactional matters. J Jordan graduated valedictorian from the University of Baltimore School of Law, where he also earned his LL.M. in Taxation, and he holds a B.A. from the University of Connecticut. He went on to clerk for the Honorable Lynne A. Battaglia at the Maryland Court of Appeals, now known as the Supreme Court of Maryland.

Outside of his professional work, Jordan is a dedicated volunteer with The Associated. He served as chair or co-chair of various YAD committees, including Ben-Gurion Society and the YAD Campaign, and is now the YAD Chair. Jordan was also a Young Leadership Council participant, which led to his service on the Board of Trustees of the Jewish Museum of Maryland, where he is now Treasurer.

Jordan lives in Owings Mills with his wife, Jessica, who is also actively involved with The Associated, their son Myles, and their two boys Archer and Cooper.

The Fred Walpert Young Leadership Award 

2026 recipients:  Naami Schorr

Naami Schorr has been deeply involved in The Associated and the broader Jewish community for many years. She spent eight years as a professional at ACHARAI, now Na’aleh: The Hub for Leadership Learning, where she focused on developing and supporting lay leaders across the community.

Naami currently serves on the board of The Macks Jewish Connection Network and recently co-chaired its strategic planning process, helping to shape the next phase of leadership and relational engagement in Baltimore’s Jewish community. She also recently led a strategic planning process for Na’aleh, focused on the future of the ACHARAI Fellows Program and now serves as a consultant to lead its 11th cohort launching this fall.

Professionally, Naami is the founder of Overbrook Coaching & Consulting, where she works with leaders and organizations to strengthen culture, clarify strategy and build high-performing teams.

When she’s not doing leadership development work, Naami feels blessed to spend her time with her incredible husband, Yanky, their three daughters, and their new puppy – embracing all the joy and chaos that comes with it!

The Fred Walpert Young Leadership Award 

2026 recipients:  Joseph H. Fink

Joey Fink is a Certified Financial Planner™ professional with Morgan Stanley, where his work is grounded in a simple belief: financial planning is ultimately about people, not portfolios. He began his career with Lincoln Financial, a path that took him from Baltimore to Bismarck and deepened his appreciation for both the differences in how people live and the shared desire for security, purpose and connection.

Joey is a member of Baltimore’s inaugural Rekindle cohort and serves on the board of the Elijah Cummings Youth Program. He has also partnered with the Baltimore Jewish Council and Israel Policy Forum to help create spaces for thoughtful, honest and inclusive dialogue.

A graduate of The Park School of Baltimore and Goucher College, Joey was a two-time collegiate national equestrian champion, reflecting a commitment to discipline, growth, and persistence over time. He lives in Baltimore and Washington, DC with his partner, Craig, and is an avid musical theater enthusiast.

In honoring the legacy of Fred Walpert, Joey strives to lead with steadiness and intention—listening closely, investing in others, and working to leave his communities stronger than he found them.

The Carole Sibel Outstanding Fundraising Achievement Award 

2026 recipient:  Pamela Platt

Pam Platt’s lifelong commitment to Jewish life and community has shaped both her personal journey and her extensive volunteer leadership. Raised in a home influenced by both Orthodox and Reform traditions, she developed a strong Jewish foundation rooted in practice, learning and a deep appreciation for community. She and her husband, Jeffrey, have carried these values forward, raising their three sons in a vibrant Jewish household and remaining actively engaged in synagogue and communal life.

Pam’s leadership spans decades of service across Baltimore’s Jewish institutions. She began her involvement through Young Women’s Leadership and went on to serve as President of the Sinai Hospital Auxiliary, as well as in board and officer roles with the National Council of Jewish Women and Chizuk Amuno Congregation. Her connection to The Associated deepened following her leadership at Sinai, leading to numerous roles across our network.

A passionate advocate for Jewish leadership development, Pam was a member of the inaugural cohort of ACHARAI: The Shoshana S. Cardin Leadership Institute. She later served as President of UMBC Hillel, where she helped establish its first Board of Directors and went on to become President of ACHARAI. Her commitment to cultivating future leaders continues through her role as Co-Chair of Na’aleh: The Hub for Leadership Learning, where she works to inspire individuals to recognize and step into their leadership potential.

Pam is especially proud of the strong Jewish engagement of her family, including her three sons, daughters-in-law and ten grandchildren, who continue the traditions and values that have long guided her life and leadership.

Corporate Partner of the Year Award

2026 Recipient: M&T Bank

M&T Bank is recognized as the 2026 Corporate Partner of the Year in celebration of 20 years of exceptional partnership with The Associated. Over two decades, M&T Bank has demonstrated a deep commitment to strengthening the Baltimore Jewish community, supporting The Associated through philanthropic investment and also through the time, leadership and talents of its team members. Many of whom have gone on to serve in lay leadership roles across The Associated and its agencies, further extending the impact of this ongoing partnership.

Together, The Associated and M&T Bank have built a model of year-round partnership rooted in shared values, community leadership and a commitment to caring for one another. Through volunteerism, sponsorship, strategic collaboration and civic engagement, M&T Bank has consistently demonstrated what it means to be a true community partner. Their generosity and dedication have helped strengthen programs and services that support Jewish Baltimore today while helping ensure a bright future for generations to come.

Join us in celebrating this year’s honorees and register for the Leadership Awards and Recognition Event on June 2.