Last year, we responded to crises like the October 7 tragedy and rising antisemitism, supported those in need, and fostered meaningful Jewish experiences—all made possible by generous community support.
View the full reportLast year, we responded to crises like the October 7 tragedy and rising antisemitism, supported those in need, and fostered meaningful Jewish experiences—all made possible by generous community support.
View the full reportThat power was never more apparent than how quickly we responded to the horrific events of October 7 when we learned that terrorists had massacred and kidnapped innocent men, women and children in communities, kibbutzim and at the Nova Music Festival.
We opened our Israel Emergency Campaign, and you gave generously. Thanks to the many relationships we have invested in throughout the years, including with our overseas partners and the Baltimore-Ashkelon Partnership, we were in Israel on October 8 providing on-the-ground humanitarian and trauma assistance.
At home, we invested in security, education and advocacy to address the rise in antisemitism in our community and on college campuses. We maintained a safety net to support those struggling with challenges, addressing trauma, mental health and financial distress, providing resources to help everyone succeed. We continued our work in Ukraine, not only providing humanitarian assistance to this war-torn country but incredible Jewish experiences to the members of our partnership community of Odesa.
Recognizing the deep desire within our Jewish community to express their identity and heritage, we created additional opportunities for meaningful Jewish experiences, allowing us all to proudly celebrate and connect with our shared traditions.
This year also marked a transition in leadership, as Marc Terrill stepped down, and we welcomed new leadership as Andrew Cushnir took over the helm as President and CEO. We look forward to continuing to build upon our century of impact and to creating innovative and effective solutions to the challenges we may face.
Throughout these pages, you will read about the programs we implemented, the stories of those we helped in our community and the impact of our work. This year, we combined our Annual Report with our Honor Roll, recognizing the many people who have invested in our community, because we realize that one simply could not exist without the other.
Your support of our combined fundraising efforts—our Annual Campaign, endowments, corporate sponsorships and extra funds raised for antisemitism and Israel—empowers us to do the vital work we do.
In addition, our collaboration with our local partners, including synagogues and day schools is critical in helping us strengthen our community. We also couldn’t have done it without our leaders, our donors and our talented professionals throughout our Associated network who make this all happen every single day.
In response, The Associated brought Baltimoreans together, organizing for the March for Israel in Washington, D.C., calling for the hostages’ release and traveling to Israel to witness firsthand the needs and to provide support.
We created an Israel Emergency Campaign, raising millions of dollars from our community to support emergency basic needs and to combat the trauma and economic fallout from the attack and subsequent conflict. Through this campaign, we leveraged our decades of work with partners in Israel to provide immediate relief for victims and their families.
Evan, from Baltimore and Adam, from Ashkelon, formed a deep friendship through The Associated’s Diller Teen Fellowship Program at the JCC, connecting over their shared Jewish identity despite different interests in sports and music. After October 7, their bond grew stronger. “As I saw what Adam was going through, I gained a unique perspective on Israel, and it strengthened my ties to our Jewish homeland,” said Evan. For Adam, the friendship provided vital support. “It was a place to share my thoughts, fears and emotions,” he shared. Even after the program ended, their connection remained. “It’s like we’ve been friends for years,” added Evan.
We secured millions of dollars in local and national security grants for synagogues, schools and Jewish organizations at risk of hate crimes. We advocated for hate crimes legislation and supported a bill requiring educators to learn about antisemitism and Islamophobia to deter incidents and assess Holocaust education gaps.
We worked with our five local Hillels to ensure Jewish students felt safe, providing security, guidance and programs fostering Jewish pride. Through classroom visits and our Speakers Bureau, Holocaust survivors shared stories with students and educators, inspiring the importance of standing against antisemitism and hate today.
For Alexis Silhavy, a University of Maryland, College Park junior, Maryland Hillel provided essential support. “When October 7 happened, the campus climate was challenging,” she recalls, “but it would have been much worse without a strong Jewish community. Everyone came together in such beautiful ways.” With Hillel’s guidance, students raised dollars for Israel, hosted solidarity events and organized a campus-wide Shabbat dinner. “Hillel provides a second home for Jewish students,” Alexis says, pledging to continue supporting Israel and fighting antisemitism.
We engaged more teens than ever in Jewish advocacy, social justice, and Israel, helping them build networks and foster lasting connections. Monthly gatherings united us in solidarity with Israel, providing moments to honor victims, sing, pray and embrace Jewish heritage.
Amid rising challenges, we created spaces for people of all backgrounds to learn, reflect and engage in deep conversations. These efforts rekindled interest in Jewish life, fostering a renewed sense of belonging, joy and connection to our community.
As a first-generation American, Briana Arnold grew up with pride in her Jewish heritage, instilled by parents who fled the former Soviet Union. It wasn’t until becoming a mother and a Connector, through our Macks Jewish Connection Network, that she fully embraced the importance of her identity. “Being a Connector has reminded me why I love being Jewish,” she says. After October 7, she saw the community’s strength: “People needed to engage, to talk, to feel part of a Jewish community. We became stronger.”
In response to rising anxiety, depression and domestic violence, intensified by the events of October 7, we expanded mental health services and offered tools for parents, educators and counselors to address critical issues like self-esteem and peer conflict. As inflation strained households, we offered financial counseling, employment training and job opportunities, helping individuals regain stability.
After losing her husband, Katelyn Vaughn faced the challenge of keeping her three sons—Roman, Hadrian and Balian—engaged while working full-time. Grieving and struggling financially, she turned to our agency, Jewish Community Services, which covered most of the boys’ camp tuition for two years. “They played outside all day and made so many friends,” Katelyn shared. Now remarried and raising five children, Katelyn is grateful for the support that helped her family heal and thrive. “They made this happen, and I am so grateful.”
The audited financial summary information presented herein includes the accounts of The Associated (operating fund) and its affiliated organization, the Associated Jewish Charities (AJC) that covers the Capital, Endowment, Donor Advised and Supporting Foundations funds. View Statement of Financial Position and Statement of Activities.
The Associated maintains its network’s assets and those of other outside organizations who choose to participate through 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. View all FY24 Distributions.
The Associated’s allocations across our network is a result of the careful consideration of many lay leaders working hundreds of hours to best use precious philanthropic resources for the good of our community. View the funding plan.
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