The Associated has been here for over 100 years. With your support, we will be here for generations to come.
Download the ReportThe Associated has been here for over 100 years. With your support, we will be here for generations to come.
Download the ReportDespite the many obstacles The Associated faced, we remained steadfast in our commitment to our community. This past year, through our collective network of agencies, overseas partners and community organizations — including day schools and synagogues — we have been Here for Good.
We helped many Baltimoreans overcome their struggles, investing in programs that tackled mental health, domestic abuse, rising rent and more. We engaged our next generation in Jewish life by creating a welcoming environment for all who wished to participate. We protected our community through investments in security. And we supported our global communities in times of crisis, providing humanitarian aid for Ukrainian citizens and refugees, along with supporting Israel and Jews throughout the world.
When the world began to gather in-person once again, we were Here for Good, providing opportunities for connection. Whether through Jewish camp that sparked the imaginations of our children, fitness or arts programs that built community among our older adults or experiences that inspired conversations across generations, we embraced the chance to gather, make friends and combat the loneliness of the past two years.
You, our generous donors, have helped us change lives. Your contributions to our Annual Campaign have been the driving force, allowing us to accomplish so much for so many. We invite you to see the impact of your gift.
Amidst a global pandemic, a rise in antisemitism, economic and physical insecurity, civic unrest and an ongoing commitment to our Jewish future, The Associated network of agencies responded in new and imaginative ways. We reinvented ourselves at times and expanded our services to meet the growing needs in Baltimore and around the world. Here is a snapshot of some of what we accomplished.
This year, we faced a mental health crisis of incredible proportions. In particular, an unprecedented number of young adults faced mental health challenges.
The Associated responded with unwavering commitment to help our community cope during these emotionally difficult times.
Jewish Community Services’ (JCS) therapists provided more than 14,000 telehealth and in-person therapy sessions. JCS also offered support groups to aid those navigating loss and coping with suicide and provided safe spaces for young adults to discuss the unique challenges their generation is facing.
We partnered with our local Hillels to provide suicide prevention trainings and wellness retreats.
From the Myerberg to the JCC, we offered fitness, arts and social programming to nurture our community’s mental wellbeing.
In a year marked by increased antisemitic incidents worldwide, Baltimore was
not immune. Several Jewish cemeteries were vandalized with antisemitic graffiti.
Our Jewish Cemetery Association responded immediately, removing all evidence of hate. At the same time, public officials — as well as community and faith-based leaders and organizations — joined us in a rally against antisemitism.
The Jewish Museum of Maryland (JMM) and the Baltimore Jewish Council (BJC) continued to convene Holocaust workshops for Maryland’s public and private school educators. And the BJC, along with our five area Hillels — Goucher College, Johns Hopkins University, Towson University, UMBC and the University of Maryland, College Park — met with campus administrators to include antisemitism into conversations on diversity and racism.
Committed to the safety of our community, we secured more than $4 million in federal funding and $7 million in state grants for safety infrastructure.
Through our global partner network, we distributed food, medicine and more for women, children, Holocaust survivors and homebound seniors and provided safe passage to the border for fleeing families and efugees who made aliyah.
At the same time, the friendships created through our Baltimore-Odessa Partnership — now 30 years strong — brought hope to the many Odessa residents living through these unsettled times. We provided direct aid to local organizations that offered trauma-focused therapy, medical support and resources.
Photo Credit: Eli Mandelbaum and Olivier Fitoussi for the The Jewish Agency for Israel
As COVID-19 continued to surge, inflation grew and many pandemic safety nets were lifted, we remained steadfast in our commitment to help our community cope during these increasingly difficult times.
98% of individuals receiving aging services through JCS were able to continue living in their homes.
CHANA provided workshops on healthy relationships and sexual abuse prevention to over 2,500 students in the Baltimore Jewish community.
Jewish Community Services distributed over $1.2 million in emergency financial assistance to help individuals and families with housing and food expenses.
In its inaugural year, AgeWell Baltimore — a Centennial initiative supported by Irene and Robert Russel and Family and the Leonard and Helen R. Stulman Charitable Foundation — boasted a number of success stories. Agewell helped older adults and their families plan for the future, find housing and pursue their interests, connecting them to a vast array of volunteer and social programs available through our system.
Rooted in our values of tzedekah and tikkun olam, we worked toward making our community a better place to live.
Whether through programs that supported area schoolchildren, the development of affordable housing or engagement in conversations that built mutual respect, we remained committed to creating a just and thriving Baltimore.
Through The Associated’s partnership with OneTable, a national initiative, we saw a 116% increase in young adults hosting Shabbat meals and building Jewish community.
This year,
2,344 volunteers and professionals participated in leadership learning programming through Na’aleh: The Hub for Leadership Learning.
Now in its 13th year, PJ Library provided free Jewish books to more than 3,800 local families. PJ Library is often the entry point for tens of thousands of Baltimore Jewish families.
Pearlstone merged with Hazon, the largest faith-based environmental organization in the world, reinforcing its position as a national leader in the Jewish outdoor food, farming and environmental education movement. Through its work, Pearlstone provides novel approaches of integrating Jewish wisdom with the earth.
Rooted in our values of tzedekah and tikkun olam, we worked toward making our community a better place to live.
Whether through programs that supported area schoolchildren, the development of affordable housing or engagement in conversations that built mutual respect, we remained committed to creating a just and thriving Baltimore.
3 Associated agencies — the Baltimore Jewish Council, CHAI and the Jewish Museum of Maryland — are working in Jonestown, Reservoir Hill and Park Heights to build strong communities
in Baltimore City.
The Jewish Museum of Maryland engaged 1,009 public and private school children through programs that encouraged students to explore the themes of the Holocaust, Jewish history and immigration.
57,046 meals and boxes of food were provided through CHAI, JVC and Pearlstone to alleviate food insecurity.
This year, Associated Women launched the local chapter of Dignity Grows, a program that removes obstacles to self-esteem and health by providing women with personal hygiene products each month. The Associated joins other federations nationwide in addressing this issue.
Beyond Ukraine, we remained committed to the health of Jewish communities worldwide, working in more than 70 countries. Through our global partners, we supported at-risk Jews by providing financial assistance, food and medicine and invested in Jewish life.
14,800 youth and young adults engaged with Israel campus educators, shlichim and shinshinim throughout Baltimore this past year, building a closer connection with our Jewish homeland.
Over 80,000 older Jewish adults in the former Soviet Union received life-saving aid from The Associated through our partnership with the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee.
Through the Baltimore-Ashkelon Partnership, 7,786 teens from our partner city participated in a wide range of programs to help them succeed, from leadership development to educational enrichment or therapy.
This year, we celebrated the 30th anniversary of the MIDC, creating jobs, building entrepreneurial bridges and generating economic growth for three decades in Maryland and in Israel. With shared strengths in life sciences, cybersecurity and other high-tech industries, Maryland and Israel thrived through international trade and business opportunities.
As we move into the next century, we are planning ahead with bold new ideas and a commitment to financial security so we can continue to inspire and care for our children and grandchildren.
Thanks to our Centennial Campaign and our generous donors, we have raised $171 million. We have invested
in innovative solutions like AgeWell Baltimore — a collaboration between our agencies, CHANA, CHAI and Jewish Community Services — to better serve our older adult population. We established Na’aleh: The Hub for Leadership Learning, which is creating a cadre of knowledgeable and committed Jewish leaders. We also launched the Insight Israel Forum to engage our community in powerful and meaningful conversations about our Jewish State. And we are investing in Jewish futures through an array of visionary programs that will inspire our next generation to participate in Jewish life.
As we move forward, our Centennial Campaign will allow us to dream big and create groundbreaking solutions while responding quickly to any new challenges we may face.
Recognizing changes in Jewish engagement, as outlined in The Associated’s 2020 Greater Baltimore Community Study, we have created three new organizations to help us create a strong Jewish future.
The Macks Center for Jewish Connections will create meaningful opportunities for involvement and discovery in Jewish Baltimore. Jewish Educational Services will support Jewish day schools, congregational schools and Jewish preschools, as well as their educators, so that children of all abilities can reach their full potential. And the Jewish Library of Baltimore will connect community members with educational resources to support them in their Jewish journeys.
The Associated is committed to being around for generations, and as part of that effort, we have looked at ways to remain fiscally responsible.
To serve this purpose, we plan to move our headquarters to our Park Heights campus which will provide multiple opportunities for us to foster collaboration and efficiency. It will also ensure that we remain in Baltimore City — where we have built a long and committed history for over 100 years.
In addition, we are shoring up our financial future through the LIFE & LEGACY program, a partnership with the Harold Grinspoon Foundation. As we enter our final year of this four-year commitment, in which we have secured hundreds of legacy commitments, we are working to ensure that the Jewish future in Baltimore is engaged, vibrant and thriving.
The Associated maintains community investments through the Associated Jewish Charities, a nonprofit entity that manages the Jewish Community Investment Fund (JCIF). This diverse investment fund stewards The Associated’s endowments, foundations and donor advised funds, as well as the investments of numerous organizations and foundations throughout Baltimore. This collective strategy empowers the totality of our Baltimore Jewish community to access world-class investment options for our present and future.
Baltimore Hebrew Institute
at Towson $78,385
Baltimore Jewish Council $948,907
BBYO Baltimore $50,000
BHI Endowment Draw $259,273
CHANA $292,525
CHAI: Comprehensive Housing
Assistance, Inc. $818,362
Edward A. Myerberg Center $208,335
Hebrew Burial Society $1,000
Hebrew Free Loan $20,311
Hillel – College Park $270,500
Hillel – Goucher $105,840
Hillel – Johns Hopkins University $211,680
Hillel – Towson $190,512
Hillel – UMBC $141,561
Honeymoon Israel $53,300
Jewish Cemetery Association $27,720
Jewish Community Center $5,557,664
Jewish Community Services $6,388,883
Jewish Day School Scholarships*** $3,200,000
Jewish Educational Services $783,394
Jewish Library of Baltimore $385,510
Jewish Museum of Maryland $551,318
Local Hillels $30,000
Family at the Center $20,000
Jewish Poverty and Financial Fragility $20,000
Repair the World Baltimore $10,000
Macks Center for Jewish Connections $1,606,644
Meals on Wheels $120,000
Moishe House $50,000
Na’aleh: The Hub for Leadership Learning $224,082
Other Community Programs $119,891
Pearlstone Retreat and
Conference Center $1,170,742
Total Local Allocations $23,916,339
The Jewish Agency for Israel $2,118,106
American Jewish Joint
Distribution Committee $1,059,054
Birthright Israel Fair Share Allocation $196,000
JDC Hunger $294,000
Maryland/Israel Development Center $121,659
Insight Israel Forum $140,000
Global Responsibility $5,000
Baltimore Connections Strategy
Baltimore-Ashkelon Partnership $669,770
Baltimore-Odessa Partnership $196,000
Shlichim $638,000
Other Baltimore Connections $123,608
Israel Education and Travel
I&O Travel $219,000
Israel Education $296,000
Emergency Grants $40,000
Community Fund for
Israel Experiences $100,000
Israel Advocacy $100,000
Total Israel and Overseas $6,316,197
Jewish Federations of North America $810,000
JFNA Israel Action Network Assessment $36,000
Hillel (National) $35,280
OneTable $25,000
70 Faces Media/Jewish Telegraphic Agency $17,640
JPro $5,000
BBYO $3,000
Network of Jewish Human Services Agency $3,000
Total National Funding: $934,920
*Primarily funded by The Associated’s Annual Campaign.
**National partners advocate and create programs on behalf of the Baltimore community.
***Includes $650,000 from the Charles Crane Family Foundation.
For a more in-depth look at our recent work, please download a digital copy of the annual report.
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