Open Your Hand: A Century of Generosity


From its earliest days, The Associated has worked to raise funds in order to support a strong Jewish Baltimore for generations to come.

More centennial themes

Large group of men and women seated in a room for the 1949 campaign

EARLY CAMPAIGNS

Soon after the newly formed Associated Jewish Charities (AJC) launched in 1920, the organization kicked off its first campaign with a dinner at the Lyric Opera House, and a lofty fundraising goal of $500,000, or the equivalent of $6.5 million today. 

In its first decade, the AJC initiated multiple campaigns, including 1924’s “You Give, They Live” drive, which saw more than 475 men and women volunteer to solicit 18,000 prospective donors, raising more than $600,000.

Due to an economic downturn in the late 1920s, regular contributors to the AJC shrank by several thousand. In 1928, the “You’ve Never Said No” campaign commenced with a goal of $590,000, an “irreducible minimum” according to the AJC leaders.

THROUGH THE DECADES

Each decade brought about local, national and international concerns that impacted The Associated’s fundraising efforts. Although Jews in need were always the cornerstone of its efforts — what was happening in the outside world dictated where the dollars went.

Campaigns in the 20s and 30s allowed The Associated to help those struggling in the Depression, while also assisting immigration of European Jews. In the 40s, campaigns focused on helping those who survived Nazi persecution as well as the new state of Israel. In the 60s and 70s, emergency campaigns for the Six-Day and Yom Kippur War supplemented the Annual Campaign.

Three men participating in the Exodus 1949! campaign

SUPER SUNDAY

In the 1980s, the first Super Sunday was held. It soon became a household name in Jewish Baltimore. Women, men and children gathered at the JCC for the largest Associated fundraiser of the year. Together, they phoned Jewish community members, and donors responded, often pledging $1 million in just that one day.

Young adults getting in on the action at 2019's Super Sunday at Ravens stadium
John Davison speaking at centennial kickoff

REACHING NEW HEIGHTS

Today, The Associated raises more than $50 million through its Annual Campaign, endowments and other fundraising efforts. In addition, for the first time in its history, the organization launched an unprecedented multi-hundred-million dollar Centennial Campaign to ensure Jewish Baltimore’s future.

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