Finding Love at The Associated
Rachel and Hirsh Ament went to an Associated YAD (formerly IMPACT) event looking to get more involved in the Jewish Community and ended up finding their happily ever after.
How did you meet?
Rachel: Hirsh and I met at the tail end of YAD’s Sips and Sweets event in 2018. Jen Liberman (at the time Arman), who I had become friends with a bit earlier that night, came over to me and said there’s another lawyer in the room who wanted to meet me. She then gave an amazing qualifier stating while she hadn’t met him before tonight, she ‘works out with his mother, who is a doll.’ We ended up grabbing a drink that night.
Hirsh: We met at the end of an Associated event. After seeing Rachel from across the room throughout the evening, a mutual friend noticed and insisted on making an introduction. Rachel and I started talking and things were going so well I asked (insisted) on a drink. Three plus years later we’re getting married.
What brought the two of you together/what connected you to each other?
Rachel: It’s probably fair to say the Associated brought us together- if not for that event, and Jen, we may not have met! As far as what connected us to each other, having the law and Judaism in common was a really easy conversation starter. As far as what kept the conversation going, I know for me it’s Hirsh’s authenticity, and his wicked dry humor. He’s truly the most genuine person I know.
Hirsh: The short answer is an Associated function, a friend and a drink. We are connected by our shared interests in travel, family, movies and general curiosity for life and it doesn’t hurt that Rachel is the most kind, caring and empathic individual I have ever met.
What are you looking forward to most about being married; where do you see ourselves in 20 years?
Rachel: It’s hard to decide what I’m most looking forward to- and this will sound like a bit of a cop-out, but I’m really looking forward to enjoying life with my adventure buddy. Hopefully 20 years from now we’re still adventuring, maybe working a little less. And maybe by that time Hirsh will have learned how to cook a bit…
Hirsh: I’m looking forward to starting a family of our own, sharing our successes together and tackling challenges as a team. In 20 years, I see myself working a little more and still not knowing how to cook — good thing I will have Rachel.
Would you encourage other young adults to attend associated events, and why?
Rachel: Definitely! I’m not from Baltimore originally and participating in Associated events has given me an opportunity to be part of the Jewish community here, and really give back. I’ve also become good friends with some incredible people. You never know who’s going to be at an event, you could just end up meeting the love of your life.
Hirsh: Yes. Our experience shows you never know what’s going to happen or who you will meet at an Associated event. I went to an Associated event looking to get more involved in the Jewish community and I found my best friend, partner and wife.
Updated February 2024: We got back in touch with Rachel and Hirsh three years later to see how things are going and are happy to say they are going great. Rachel and Hirsh have since married and the two have welcomed a new baby boy named Alex.
What traditions do you keep in the family?
Rachel: I grew up more cultural than religious where holiday get togethers, and the cooking that goes along with them, were a big deal. There are certain dishes that we would only make once a year, like latkes and blintzes, that the family–and subsequently friends that have become family–would look forward to eating. I’m hoping that Alex will be excited about making these dishes together. Hirsh and I now host most of the family dinners, which is so special to me and a huge honor. I hope that the importance of family coming together is something that stays with him. That, and the belief that you can always fit one more person at the table.
Hirsh: I hope to continue to focus on family and family events. Growing up, my immediate and extended family made a conscious effort to always stay in contact and to get together for religious events–passover, yom kippur, rosh hashanah, hanukkah–and other celebratory times. To this day, this tradition continues and is now, in part, led by my wife, Rachel. I look forward to continuing this tradition with our newborn son, Alex.
What is the key to a happy marriage?
Hirsh: There’s no key, but it helps when your partner is your best friend, and that on good days and bad days, we always prioritize communication. I could go on, but in all honesty, it’s pretty easy when your wife is Rachel.
Rachel: I think the answer for this is different for every couple, and I’d be curious what our answer is fifty years from now, but for me, it’s having a real partner–and having a definition of partner that gets continuously redefined as we go through life together. That doesn’t necessarily mean we always handle things 50/50; it means we are consistently there for each other when we each need support. I can’t imagine navigating parenthood with anyone else.
Check out our community calendar for everything happening in Jewish Baltimore and be sure to visit our YAD page and connect with other young adults!
Subscribe to our newsletter
The Associated is a home for everyone in the Baltimore Jewish community. We offer several email lists to help people find a community, engage with their peers and support Jewish journeys around the world.
Join Our Mailing List
Add Impact to Your Inbox
Sign up for our newsletter
Subscribe to our newsletter
The Associated is a home for everyone in the Baltimore Jewish community. We offer several email lists to help people find a community, engage with their peers and support Jewish journeys around the world.
Join Our Mailing List
Please Wait while we loading your video.