It was a year filled with challenges, but also a year filled with hope. Although it began with COVID-19 cases surging, January brought an unprecedented vaccine roll-out that solidified our belief that tomorrow would be brighter. 

Even though the pandemic continued to take center stage in 2021, our community began to get out there, reconnect and affect change. We worked to overcome challenges — whether it was soaring antisemitism, rockets fired on our partner city Ashkelon or a spike in domestic violence and mental health issues. The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore, through our network of 27 agencies, has been working behind-the-scenes to ensure our community stayed strong. 

Here are the stories of the year — the personal tales of the people who were impacted and the people who stepped up to bring about change.  

Then CHAI, an agency of The Associated, came to the rescue. Working with the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program for COVID-19 vaccinations, they set up clinics in their senior housing communities. While friends who lived elsewhere spent weeks searching for appointments, Marcia quickly signed up to get the vaccine in her building. 

“I can return to my ‘new normal,’” she says.

This year’s workshop focused on children of the Holocaust. Jill invited survivors, who were young at the time, to speak virtually to students. 

“Sometimes it’s hard to get kids to care about history, but when they see real people, it’s powerful. These survivors went to school — played sports — then everything changed for them. Our students could relate to their experiences.” 

Students then engaged in conversations about oppression, abuse of power and what happens when people aren’t valued. 

Moving forward, Jill plans to expand her Holocaust lessons from two days to a week. 

“As people rewrite history and say the Holocaust didn’t happen, it’s important we teach about it.”

Every Sunday, from January to June, Alexa called 10 older adults living in Baltimore City. She helped them alleviate the loneliness of the pandemic and provided resources. 

Once, an older woman needed food, and Alexa directed her to a nearby food pantry. Another time, a woman was desperate for a vaccination and couldn’t find one. Alexa mentioned it in her report to her supervisors, and the next week, she was vaccinated. 

“These people were lonely. For some, I was the only person they spoke to all week. When we talked, they told me they felt heard — that someone cared.” 

“JVC made it easy to do something that really mattered.” 

Yet the pandemic left her unemployed, money was tight and safe shelter options had dwindled. When petitioning for a protective order she turned to CHANA. 

CHANA, an Associated agency, arranged safe housing in another city prior to her trial for a final protective order, as well as transportation and housing in Baltimore for the trial. 

“I’m on the more secular side of Judaism, but working with a Jewish agency made me feel comfortable, especially when I saw they served Jews across the religious spectrum. They even offered to help me find a Zoom High Holiday service. CHANA does a great job providing a welcoming and safe space.” 

*Not her real name or photo.