It Began with $20 

Pete traces his connection to The Associated back to his first gift—a $20 check to the Annual Campaign. From there, he would later go on to volunteering in various capacities throughout the organization. 

At The Associated, he parlayed his professional skills into meaningful volunteer opportunities. He served as development co-chair, along with Linda A. Hurwitz for The Associated, sat on the investment committee and was president of Associated Jewish Charities, which manages The Associated’s assets.  

He also sat on the Board at Jewish Family Services (JFS) (now part of Jewish Community Services and became Chairman. In this role, he gained a firsthand understanding of the difference The Assoicated network can make during moments of hardship, uncertainty and transition.

Focused on the Future 

The time spent on the board at JFS continues to shape his perspective today. Pete wants to make sure the community has the resources it needs to respond to the many challenges the community is facing, from supporting older adults as they age to providing financial resources to those going through a difficult period to combating antisemitism. 

As these needs continue to grow, and as costs increase, he looks to broader participation and increase giving to the Annual Campaign. He wants to ensure that the organization will be able to tackle existing and new challenges while being on a strong footing for future generations. 

Generations of Giving Back 

Pete says he witnessed philanthropy at an early age, watching his mother and her sister manage their father’s foundation. His father, meanwhile, was president of the Jewish Welfare Fund, a precursor to JCS. 

He has imparted that message to his four grandchildren. “Every year, we give them $100 and have them research and decide what charity they want to give their money to. It made them think about what was important to them.” 

How He Met His Wife 

Although Pete and Berry lived less than two miles apart in Baltimore, they wouldn’t meet until his freshman year in college. After three years of growing and strengthening friendship, they married in 1966 and haven’t been apart since. 

A Family Man 

Family has always been important to Pete. After college, despite multiple offers at large corporations throughout the country, he and Berry decided to return to Baltimore to be near family. 

Today, the couple’s two children, Ellen Katz and David Sachs, also live in Baltimore, having returned as adults. 

72 Countries and Counting 

When Pete was first approached about becoming Chair of the Board, he immediately asked his wife on her thoughts. Her response was of course, “as long as we can continue to travel,” he recalls. 

That’s because travel is an integral part of the couple’s life, having traveled to 72 countries (it will be 73 this fall) and all seven continents. They particularly enjoy special family trips including one to Israel and a recent African safari. The couple often like to learn about Jewish communities when they are away. 

His Happy Place 

The beach. Sitting on the balcony overlooking the bay in Fenwick. “Nothing is more relaxing,” he says.