Dina and Jordan’s story began in Israel, where they met during a post-high school year of study abroad. Their connection blossomed, and despite hailing from different parts of the U.S.—Dina from New York and Jordan from Boston—they built a life together built on their shared values and love for giving back. After years of moving for education and early careers, they settled in Baltimore, drawn to the city’s vibrant Jewish life and strong sense of community. Now, the two work as a team on volunteer initiatives for The Associated, bringing out the best in each other as they work to serve their community.
With four children and full-time careers—Jordan a lawyer and Dina a school nurse and photographer on the side—the Brookmyers’ lives are undeniably busy. Yet, they still prioritize their commitments to philanthropy and one another. Dina’s photography work even intersects with her passion for her community, as she photographs Jewish families, events and various awareness campaigns.
“One of my pictures was on a billboard for the Orthodox Union’s antisemitism campaign in Times Square, so that was really cool!” she muses. “We highlighted various faces of the Baltimore Orthodox community, so I was honored to be the photographer for that.”
Jordan highlights how they support each other’s passions and juggle their many responsibilities with being devoted parents: “If one of us is at a meeting, the other is at home with the kids. We like to do a lot together but also respect that we each have our own things.”
Dina and Jordan have embraced several roles within The Associated. From their enthusiastic leadership in planning events like the Young Adult Division’s Summer Soiree and the upcoming Generosity Gala, to their hands-on fundraising efforts at Super Sunday, their combined work helps further The Associated’s mission of serving those in need.
Their passion for their Associated work extends beyond just fundraising; they also aim to encourage diversity within the Jewish community. As an Orthodox couple, they recognize the importance of having their voices heard and serve as bridges between different segments of the community. They feel that their presence and input in various initiatives can help give the Orthodox community more representation.
“I think us working on these projects serves as an outreach reminder to the Orthodox community of all the things The Associated does and ways to get involved. There’s so much stuff to do,” Dina shares.
When asked how other couples can get involved in philanthropic efforts together, the Brookmyers’ advice is clear: start small, choose one initiative that aligns with your interests and see where it leads. “It’s easy to feel overwhelmed,” Jordan says, “but just pick one thing and start there.” Their philosophy underscores that everyone has time to make a difference if they prioritize what matters.
The Brookmyers also believe in the value of giving time to others. Even if one doesn’t have extensive financial or material resources to give, simply dedicating time is a powerful way to help.
“Lack of resources isn’t really an excuse because we all have time. You make time. We all have time for the things that matter to us,” Jordan emphasizes.
Working together and spending time with one another to better the community can also strengthen your bond as a couple and reveal new things about your partner that may endear you.
“Make time to help others and it makes you closer as a couple. It’s nice to see your spouse involved,” Dina says.
“Dina is very caring and always thinking about people’s needs in a way that is not intuitive to me. Dina really has a great ability to think about others and not just me and not just the kids, but whoever needs something,” Jordan says about what part of Dina he admires most, “She’s really attuned to that.”
“Jordan is great, he has a great sense of humor, he’s a great dad and I really appreciate that. He enjoys being around us so much that simple errands become whole family activities that we do together. It’s never just a trip to the fruit store, it’s a whole event. We like to do Costco together!” Dina laughs.
The two have a plethora of memories together that they enjoy reflecting on, especially their time spent in Israel where they first met. They look forward to soon returning to Israel to celebrate their oldest son’s 13th birthday.
A particularly special memory that the couple shares is vacationing to Surfside, Florida just days after the tragic building collapse of 2021. What was originally meant to be a relaxing family trip turned into the two selflessly giving their time to assist with the rescue mission. Rather than cancel their trip, they dove headfirst into humanitarian work to help survivors.
“It was like grit work, we were boiling hot oil. We were making French fries and sandwiches for thousands of first responders. It was a really special experience,” Dina says.
As they gear up for their next project—The Associated’s Young Adult Division Generosity Gala in February—the Brookmyers are excited to continue fostering connections and raising awareness about The Associated’s work. They hope to inspire more families to join in, showing that involvement isn’t just about what you give, but about the relationships you build and the impact you leave behind.
Dina and Jordan’s story is one of partnership and purpose. Through their efforts, they exemplify how love, when paired with a commitment to community, can truly change lives.
If you’d like to join the Brookmyers at the 2025 Generosity Gala, register today.
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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.
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