A Throwback Worth Celebrating – The (Almost) Summer Soiree
On Thursday, May 7, The Associated’s Young Adult Division hosted their biggest fundraising event of the year – The (Almost) Summer Soiree at Baltimore’s vibrant Accelerator Space. More than 200 young adults gathered for an evening of mingling, noshing and reconnecting through a shared sense of nostalgia.
This year’s nostalgic theme brought guests back to their teenage years through summer camp memories, throwback playlists, inside jokes and friendships that helped shape who they are today.
The evening began with a pre-reception for Engage365 members, young adult donors ages 22–39 who contribute $365 or more to The Associated’s Annual Campaign. The intimate gathering gave attendees additional time to connect before Heather Brown and Pammy Franklin, co-chairs of this year’s Summer Soiree and leaders of Engage365, thanked guests for their support and shared their personal experience of what it means to be a young adult in Jewish Baltimore.
The excitement carried into the main event as guests entered the vibrant industrial space, filled with playful nods to the evening’s nostalgic theme. From snapping Polaroids with friends to enjoying tater tots, burgers, cake pops, a DIY s’mores station and adult Capri Sun-inspired cocktails, every detail brought guests back to simpler times.
Check out more photos from the event. (download pin: 4149)
One of the evening’s most meaningful moments came from Diana Solomon, senior director of 4Front, managed by the JCC. It is the community’s Jewish teen engagement initiative. Diana reflected on her own journey through Jewish teen programming—from participating in the first JCC Maccabi ArtsFest and the second cohort of the Diller Teen Fellows in 200—and shared how those experiences shaped who she is today and inspired her career supporting the next generation of Jewish teens in Baltimore.
Thanks to the generosity of attendees and donors, the evening raised funds for The Associated’s 2026 Annual Campaign, directly supporting teen initiatives like 4Front and Diller Teen Fellows and helping create a bright future for the next generation of Jewish teens in Baltimore.
If you’d like to learn more about The Associated or get involved with the Young Adult Division, please contact Sarah Machlis at smachlis@associated.org.
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