Thanks to the generosity of the Pearlstone family, who have been giving back to Jewish Baltimore for four generations, all new and increased gifts to the Annual Campaign will be matched dollar for dollar. This incredible opportunity enables you to double the impact of your gift and magnify the positive change we can create together.

Who is the Pearlstone Family?

The Pearlstone Family has a long history of supporting various organizations in the Baltimore area – starting with Joseph and Rebecca Meyerhoff, who were best known for their commitment to and leadership of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, whose hall bears their name, and their contributions to other Baltimore and Jewish institutions including the auditorium at the Baltimore Museum of Art, libraries throughout Israel, and university scholarships. Their daughter Peggy and her husband Jack carried on the tradition of generosity when they funded the purchase of a 160 acre farm nestled among the rolling hills of Baltimore County. This would become Camp Milldale over 50 years ago.

Peggy passed in 1974 and when Jack passed away in 1982, his family and community felt compelled to honor his passion for informal Jewish education and deep commitment to a bright Jewish future. With support from The Associated, the Jack Pearlstone Institute for Living Judaism was formed in 1987, creating immersive experiences that lead to a demand for a physical retreat center, which opened in 2001. In 2006, the Pearlstone Institute launched a jewish educational farm, providing a beautiful backdrop for retreat groups, attracting local schools and teaching the deep connections between Judaism, agriculture and sustainability. That campus is now known as The Pearlstone Adamah Center.

Since then, Jack’s son Richie, Chairman and CEO of the Pearlstone Group, has been on the Boards of the Institute for Jewish and Community Research and of CLAL: The National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership. In the past, he served as President of the United Jewish Appeal (UJA) and also served as its National Chairman and National Vice Chairman. A member of The Jewish Agency’s Board of Governors from 1993 and past Chair of the Board of Governors, Richie is an Honorary Board Member since 2011.

Richie’s son PJ Pearlstone, who is now a valued member of the Associated’s Board of Directors, got started with the Business and Professionals Division and the National Young Leadership Cabinet with over 200 young Jewish leaders from all over the country. He is the current Associated Campaign Chair and has served on the on the JCIF investment committee since 2008, where he has helped to make sure The Associated is in a strong financial position for the future.