Welcome back to Pull Up A Chair, our monthly podcast where we explore different themes and what it means to build and be a part of a strong Jewish community.

In this episode, we meet Bean, Steve and Lauren — three generations of the Sibel family. They represent what is possible when we teach our children the importance of giving.

“Every morning, when I come in, if I get a cup of coffee and I have change, I put it in the Pushke,” explains Bean, “It’s just like brushing your teeth. It becomes a habit.”

The Sibels are one of many who make up the tapestry of generous families that is The Associated. Bean Sibel, husband of the late Carole Sibel, herself a philanthropic tour-de-force and beloved by Baltimore’s Jewish community, learned about giving from his immigrant parents.

Bean recognized the importance of passing on the legacy of tzedakah to his children and grandchildren.

“What really struck me as a young person was how The Associated afforded you the opportunity to impact so many different areas of the community with one gift,” says Steve Sibel, Bean’s son.

The legacy didn’t stop there, with Lauren Sibel quickly becoming involved with The Associated’s IMPACT group after returning from college. She now serves as chair for the C.H.A.T. Program: Conversations Happening Around Town.

“The Associated has impacted my life in a low of ways,” says Lauren. “I think that piece about just growing up with all of my family members constantly involved… subconsciously it was probably part of the reason that I ended up becoming a social worker. I remember when I got my letter in the mail, I called my family and the first person I wanted to tell was my grandma.”

The Sibel family remains heavily involved in The Associated and Jewish Baltimore. Recently Bean had the idea to create a children’s book so other young kids could understand the importance of giving back too.

“I felt that we could help families pass on the tradition of giving… so they could read the story to their children and get them started thinking about helping other people – which is tzedakah.“

View the episode’s transcript.

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Pull Up A Chair is a monthly Associated Podcast where, each month, we sit down and talk with members of the Baltimore community. Hear the personal stories of Jewish Baltimore – from CEO’s to The Myerberg’s Bagel Boys to Summer Camp Sweethearts. We’ll laugh, reminisce and learn a thing or two about what it means to build a strong community. Pull Up A Chair – You’ll feel like you’re sitting in the room with us.