Meet the brilliant co-chairs behind this year’s Generosity Gala: Sarah Jacobs, Sarenka Smith and Jake Hiller-Spevack! With a shared passion for community, leadership and uncovering the hidden gems within, they’re setting the stage for an unforgettable evening of celebration and connection.
Sarenka: I’ve been involved in YAD in some capacity for the past ~4 years, soon after returning to Baltimore (my hometown) for a job and graduate school. I was craving Jewish community — having largely abandoned my Judaism for several years — and soon realized The Associated (specifically, YAD) was the way to do it. From serving as the first Ambassador to Camp Nai to participating in the Young Leaders Council program to hosting my own Shabbat dinners, I have long considered YAD to be an integral part of my Jewish life.
Sarah: I have been involved with YAD for almost 4 years. I started off in the Young Leadership Council (YLC) in 2021. Ali asked if I would be interested in taking on this opportunity to co-chair the Gala!
Jake: I’ve been a YAD Shabbat host for several years and have attended multiple Generosity Galas. Because I’m involved in other young adult Jewish institutions such as Bayitt and Camp Nai, the great people at YAD thought I’d be a great fit to co-chair this year’s Gala.
Sarenka: While I never like to give non-specific answers, I’ll admit that the entire premise of the gala (hundreds of young Jews gathering in Baltimore to participate in both philanthropy and fun) is my idea of a good time! When you add in a silent auction, a DJ and dancing, drinks and food… I’m hard-pressed to consider another event that allows us to enjoy ourselves while doing good.
Sarah: I am really excited about so many aspects, but to choose just one, it would be that we are doing a silent auction for the first time during the event.
Jake: I attend each YAD Gala to dress up and dance! I always have a great time.
Sarenka: I’m always considering the future of Jewish life, leadership, and community: the primary reason I applied (and was accepted) to The Associated’s Young Leadership Council. The opportunity to learn from and connect with Jewish community leaders, and build lasting connections with a cohort of like-minded, emerging young leaders, is something I think about every day… and a guiding principle of how I live my life. Nevertheless, I’m also actively involved in several other Baltimore Jewish community initiatives with The Associated, Chabad, Johns Hopkins Hillel and Beth Am Synagogue, where I’ve been a life-long member.
Sarah: I also work in the Jewish Community at Bolton Street Synagogue, so much of my time is spent engaging with the Jewish Community. Other philanthropies I am involved with are Purdue Alumni, BARCS, The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Save the Music Foundation and No Kid Hungry Foundation.
Jake: I’m a regular donor to The Associated. Philanthropically, I volunteer for an early childhood music education nonprofit called the Cherry Children’s Music Outreach.
Sarenka: Rihanna’s Shine Bright Like a Diamond: emphasizing the idea of hidden gems and shining a light on generosity.
Sarah: Count on Me by Bruno Mars
Jake: Good Together by Lake Street Dive! The song is a bop, thematically appropriate and Lake Street Dive is still a hidden gem band for most people.
Sarenka: I truly consider myself a “Baltimore Booster” (I go hard for this city, and always have), so one of my favorite things is introducing people to the myriad hidden gems around the city. Graffiti Alley in Station North — one of my favorite neighborhoods for arts/entertainment — is a great spot where local artists can legally showcase their talents. Several miles away, in the Guilford neighborhood, Sherwood Gardens is a serene six acres of flora: particularly stunning and known for its springtime displays of tulips. Many people don’t know about all the fantastic, independent bookstores in the city: Greedy Reads, Charm City Books, Atomic Books, Bird in Hand (with a tea and espresso bar!) and The Book Thing: an enormous used bookshop that has put over a million books into readers’ hands for free. Don’t even get me started on the culinary scene; I truly believe it rightfully rivals — and beats — that of D.C.
Sarah: I have lived here for almost 5 years and I am still trying to find them all! Some that come to mind are Stony Run Walking Path, Bleacher seats at an Orioles Game during the week and floating down the Gunpowder.
Jake: It still surprises me that everyone doesn’t already know about The American Visionary Art Museum, the Baltimore Improv Group Theater and the Mobtown Ballroom. And I have ALWAYS considered Baltimore’s young adult Jewish community a hidden gem.
Sarenka: Something most people don’t know about me… tricky because I’m typically an open book! I’d have to say that one of my greatest passions in life is theater (both acting and attending plays). Most of my college experience at Hopkins was spent under the tutelage/mentorship of John Astin, a famous older actor who played ‘Gomez’ in the original The Addams Family. In a previous life, I did stand-up and improv comedy; I still try to infuse comedy throughout every aspect of my life — I find it’s a salve that helps us find pleasure in life and cope with its challenges.
Sarah: If you know me, you know me! I was born and raised in Cleveland and I love everything about my hometown. However, I have not technically lived there for almost 20 years.
Jake: I’m a huge Brandan Sanderson fan! He’s a prolific fantasy author – look him up!
Sarenka: I’m a big proponent (some may argue…too big!) of ‘treat’ culture. I don’t deny myself the little things that make each day less monotonous: a delicious cookie, a small piece of jewelry I’ve been eyeing, a ticket to a show. This extends to others in my life; if you ask any of my friends, one of my favorite things to do is find the ‘perfect’ gift. I love choosing something personal that will give a friend’s life a little sparkle! Beyond these smaller acts, I believe travel is the easiest way to add shimmer and twinkles to life; it’s one of my primary goals for 2025. Even a weekend trip to New York City takes me out of a routine that can feel rote or mechanical — exploring new places, people and perspectives inevitably add sparkle!
Sarah: My Pink Hair! I say I like to keep Pink Professional.
Jake: Fun hobbies such as improv comedy and swing dancing and adventuring with my new wife Sarah Hiller-Spevack. Keeping a positive attitude helps, too.
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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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