What To Do This Week In Baltimore

Check out these great events for the whole family sponsored by THE ASSOCIATED or ASSOCIATED agencies.

Sunday, May 26
All The King’s Horses: The Story of Gwynn Oak Amusement Park
4:00 p.m.

In celebration of 50 years of desegregation at Gwynn Oak Amusement Park, join the community in a screening of the documentary, “All The King’s Horses: The Story of Gwynn Oak Amusement Park.” A panel discussion on remembering the protest will follow. The panel will include Edwin T. Johnson, Ph.D, Interim Assistant Dean, College of Liberal Arts, Morgan State University, Valerie Thaler, Assistant Professor, College of Liberal Arts, Towson University, Carol Frank, non-violent protestor at Gwynn Oak and Charles Mason, CORE organizer of the protest.

Event will be held at Baltimore Hebrew Congregation, 7401 Park Heights Avenue. For information, contact Rabbi Gila Ruskin, gwynnoak1963@gmail.com.

Wednesday, May 29
MIDC-Israel Cyber Security Forum
5:00 – 7:30 p.m.
In recent years, companies have been stepping up their security efforts to prevent a cyber attack. Join the Maryland/Israel Development Center to learn about some of the latest trends in the cyber security market landscape, and meet a delegation of Israel’s most innovative cyber security companies and entrepreneurs. Forum will be held at the Howard Community College, Health Sciences Building, 10901 Little Patuxent Parkway in Columbia.

Event is free for MIDC members, and is $18 for non-members. For more information, email Peter Telem at ptelem@marylandisrael.org) or call 410-984-3567. To register go to marylandisrale.org/cybersecurity.

Thursday, May 30
ASSOCIATED Women’s 2013 Annual Meeting
7:00 p.m.

Meet Nancy Lublin, founder of Dress for Success and CEO of dosomething.org , a social entrepreneur, author and think-outside-the-box leader, who will share her story and experiences reimagining volunteerism, business and technology. Be inspired by Lublin and other women at the ASSOCIATED Women’s 2013 Annual Meeting at Beth Israel Congregation, 3706 Crondall Lane, Owings Mills To register, go to associated.org/womensannualmeeting.

Future Events
Sunday, June 2
Israel65.Celebrate! Noon.
Concert begins at 4:00 p.m.

Join our community for a celebration of Israel’s 65th birthday, featuring Matisyahu, Jewish-American reggae and alternative rock musician. The day-long celebration also includes interactive activities for all ages, Israeli food and vendors, an innovation exhibit and much more.

Israel65.will be held at the Rosenbloom Owings Mills JCC, 3506 Gwynnbrook Avenue. Tickets for the Matisyahu concert are $25 for adults and $15 for children under 13. To purchase tickets, go to baltimoreisraelcoalition.org

Tuesday, June 11
Business & Professionals Group’s Annual Real Estate Industry Group Event
5:30 p.m.
Meet the leaders of the real estate industry at one of the hottest events and spaces in Baltimore. Mill No. 1 is an adaptive reuse of 19th-century cotton mill buildings transformed into a mixed-use project overlooking the Jones Falls stream. Donald Manekin (Union Mill), Bill Struever (Clipper Mill) and David Tufaro (Mill No. 1) will discuss historic revitalization, the Jones Falls area, and much more. Guests are invited to tour the mill after the program. Heavy hors d’oeuvres will be served.

Mill No. 1 is located at 3000 Falls Road. The event is $35 in advance; $45 at the door. To register, go to associated.org/reig.

Sunday, June 16
Clark Kent’s Bar Mitzvah Party
1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Superboy becomes Superman! Celebrate the opening of the new movie, “Man of Steel,” with a coming-of-age party of heroic proportions at the Jewish Museum of Maryland, 15 Lloyd Street. Enjoy music, food, games, prizes and crafts while reminiscing about Clark Kent’s childhood.

The cost to attend is $5 member individuals, $10 non-member individuals, $13 member families and $18 non-member families. Visit jewishmuseummd.org for more information.

Volunteer, Create, Discover

by Elizabeth Schuman
Senior Women’s Associate

Learn how to make cheese or pickles. Find out how farming and the Bible are connected. Cook a healthy meal and then share the bounty at a homeless shelter. See a working farm. Get to know other ASSOCIATED Women and discover how much more we can accomplish together.

Join us at Nurture Your Nature at Pearlstone Center on Sunday, May 5, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Hosted by ASSOCIATED Women, Nurture Your Nature at Pearlstone is packed with creative volunteering and learning activities, designed to appeal to many interests. “We expect to have fun together, learn, volunteer and help others, all at the same time at Pearlstone, a stunning facility,” says event co-chair Dixie Leikach.

One key aspect, adds Beth Mayers, event-co-chair, is the social justice component, offering women the chance to harvest crops and donate meals prepared that day. “I’d love for those who attend, especially women who are new to THE ASSOCIATED and ASSOCIATED Women, to see how we are here every day of the year to reach out to the community and touch other people’s lives.”

The day provides a chance to learn timeless techniques. “We will be working with our hands, while we are engaged in Jewish learning,” says Dixie.

Both hope that all women will see how Pearlstone’s eco-conscious approach jives with Judaism.  With a farm, animal pasture and retreat center used by groups from around the nation, Pearlstone infuses environmental education with a Jewish bent. In fact, national funding maven Slingshot named Pearlstone one of the country’s most innovative Jewish nonprofits two years in row.

“Pearlstone’s approach is relevant to our world right now,” says Beth. “Right here in Reisterstown, we have a place that focuses on sustainability and community. This event will help our community, nurture our bodies and souls and connect us to one another.”

Here’s what’s in store: Feel-Good, Do-Good: Pick your “faves” and choose your adventure.
• Make a healthy meal that will be donated to a homeless shelter.
• Learn about social justice and the Biblical take on farming and harvesting food.
• Flex your muscle with hands-on farming for spring and summer crops.
• Try your hand at handcrafted cheese, pickles or wine.

Got Goats? Hang with Pearlstone’s friendly goats – many of whom are expecting little ones right about the time of the event. Bring your camera for this photo-op.

Food: Refreshments throughout, plus make-your-own s’mores.

For information and to register, go to associated.org/nature. For more information, contact Carly Frank, cfrank@associated.org or call 410-369-9293.

Welcoming Women

By Ellen Macks

President of ASSOCIATED Women

When I became president of ASSOCIATED Women in July 2011, I spoke about the goals I hoped to achieve during my two-year term. What I wanted most was for women throughout our Jewish community to feel that they play a role as ASSOCIATED Women through their individual participation and interests.  My goal continues to be furthering the vision of my predecessor, Laura Black, who envisioned the evolution of ASSOCIATED Women from our former Women’s Department.

 
I am so proud that, during my term, we have continued to open doors to meaningful involvement to so many women in Jewish Baltimore.

 
We have hosted large-scale gatherings, like the Women’s Mosaic Project, at which hundreds of women from multiple generations created a beautiful piece of art which permanently graces the entrance hall at Sinai Hospital. Each woman who glued a tile in our glorious mosaic pomegranate tree added her own personal touch.  The pomegranate tree and the broad spectrum of women who created it were a fitting metaphor for the mission of ASSOCIATED Women.

 
We have encouraged small cohorts of women to learn together and grow as leaders through programs like Chapter Two and Dor Tikvah.  Our Jewish Women’s Giving Foundation  is celebrating its 10th anniversary after completing a comprehensive strategic plan involving many talented women.  We recognize that women from all segments of our community share common goals and can connect through ASSOCIATED Women.

 
We continue to provide opportunities for women to roll up their sleeves and volunteer together. On May 5, ASSOCIATED Women will gather at The Pearlstone Center to plant, cook for those less fortunate, and explore the Jewish values around food and social justice. This is an outstanding opportunity for women to come together to learn about a gem in our community and to experience the satisfaction that comes from hands-on volunteerism, especially with other like-minded volunteers.

 
As philanthropists, we have made an enormous impact in Baltimore, Israel and around the globe. Women account for 25 percent of THE ASSOCIATED’s Annual Campaign, contributions which are often above and beyond their family giving. Generous donations ensure that our community is able to meet critical needs today and pave the way for a strong and vital future. The role women play in making their household’s philanthropic decisions cannot be overstated. As more and more women become engaged in our community, the more they understand and appreciate the power of their contributions of time and resources to THE ASSOCIATED.

 
My term as president ends on May 30 at THE ASSOCIATED Women’s Annual Meeting. There, we will celebrate the strides that women in our community have made as philanthropists and volunteers and hear the inspirational and entertaining words of Nancy Lublin, the founder of Dress for Success, which helps disadvantaged women receive the proper attire needed for job interviews and the workplace.

 
I will also pass the presidency of ASSOCIATED Women to Rina Janet.  In Rina’s capable hands, I know that ASSOCIATED Women will continue to reach out to our sisters throughout the community and welcome them in. We will strive to prepare the leaders of tomorrow and to ensure that our community remains prepared to face challenges and opportunities in the future. As always, our Jewish values will guide the very important work we undertake together. I hope you will join us.

Making Facebook Count

By Elizabeth Schuman
Senior Women’s Associate
ASSOCIATED Women

Seven Naval officers, the majority in military fatigues, are grouped in a semi-circle, holding red, white and blue U.S. Mail packages with signs reading: The U.S. Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support Group Forward November is ASSOCIATED! Thank you!

Though admittedly a patriotic moment, it’s the story behind the photo that’s worth a thousand words. One of the men pictured sent the photograph as a thank you to his Baltimore friends in THE ASSOCIATED’s Young Leadership Council (YLC) for their overwhelming support.

What did YLC do? The group sent 11 care packages, crammed with food and treats, to him and his colleagues on active duty in the Middle East. By email, he wrote:
Seeing how much care and love went into this project was awesome. Reading the thank you cards was quite humbling for me, as I realized people that my sailors and I don’t know appreciate what we are doing 7,000 miles away from home. Please let everyone know that their packages have been distributed to our troops in Afghanistan, Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan, Oman and the UAE. You have made some overworked and tired sailors happy with this generous taste of home.

We’ve posted the photo and an excerpt of his remarks on the ASSOCIATED Women Facebook page. Thanks to social media, the story doesn’t dwell in a letter. Nor does it lie dormant in a report. Instead, with a click, everyone on the ASSOCIATED Women Facebook page knows the feel-good story. Technology makes it simple to link people and stories.

So, too, is how we come together as a community of ASSOCIATED Women. Where once our communication was limited to a letter or phone call, now we reach visually, verbally, instantly with Facebook and Twitter. We align ourselves with “likes” thanks to Pinterest and Foursquare. We discover something new with a sweep of our finger across a miniature screen.

In November, ASSOCIATED Women launched its Facebook page. Our overarching goal was to provide a vehicle for instant, constant communication. One of our first projects was documenting the Women’s Community Mosaic, a series of tiling sessions culminating in an exquisite mosaic at Sinai Hospital.

Photographs from the sessions were posted. We saw more than 300 women and girls create this magnificent piece of community art. Online, participants shared their joy about the experience. Together, our online community watched the mosaic come to life with the support and guidance of the team at Art with a Heart. The project lives on – not only as a centerpiece in the real world, but as a touchstone in the virtual one.

Our Facebook page welcomes sharing programs, ideas and stories that connect us all. Good thing, since our shtetl has grown exponentially. One of the major trends shaping today’s and tomorrow’s Judaism is globalization. No longer is the next generation primed to stay local and live in the same zip code where their parents live. Instead, people expect to travel across borders – time and place are irrelevant. People expect to communicate myriad ways – in person and online.

No matter how fast the speed or new the medium, however, what does not change is the need to connect and stay connected. And that brings us back to Facebook and the growing repertoire of social media tools.

We have nearly 200 members in our online Facebook community. Inspired by friendships that build slowly, we hope to become stronger and grow larger day by day. By design, we’ve created a closed group, meaning that only members can view and post messages. ASSOCIATED Women Facebook is here for announcements, event postings, and messages to one another. Please join us as we take the next steps in our communal and personal Jewish journeys.

Because whether you are right next door or a world away, we invite you to share your story … and perhaps, a photograph or two.

How to join ASSOCIATED Women on Facebook

• Log into Facebook or join Facebook by following the online instructions
• Search for ASSOCIATED Women
• Click on the button in top right and ask to join
• Wait for your confirmation
• Read. Post. Enjoy.

Log onto ASSOCIATED Women on Facebook today>>

RELATED ARTICLE: Camp Tzedek: Little Hands Doing Big Things>>

History in the Making: Women’s Community Mosaic Celebrated at Sinai Hospital

A gorgeous pomegranate tree has taken root at Sinai Hospital, a partner agency of THE ASSOCIATED, thanks to some 350 ASSOCIATED Women and their daughters. The tree was brought to life during 13 mosaic tiling sessions held from February through April at the Hampden studio of Art with a Heart, a public arts organization that guided the entire process.

The sessions gave ASSOCIATED Women an exceptional opportunity to meet one another, share stories and work side-by-side as they created the floor to ceiling artwork. Throughout, participants brought treasured items such as heirloom jewelry, pottery, Judaica and other gifts to include. See the process on the ASSOCIATED Women Facebook page.

The Mosaic was dedicated at a formal ceremony on Sunday, May 6 at Sinai Hospital. More than 110 women and their families enjoyed celebratory remarks and a high tea reception, sponsored by Sinai. As a special keepsake, guests had their photographs taken in front of the Mosaic, often pointing out areas they tiled or items they brought.

The pomegranate is a fitting symbol. Embodying fertility and wisdom, the pomegranate, some believe, was in the Garden of Eden. The Midrash tells us the pomegranate has 613 seeds corresponding to the number of mitzvot in the Torah.

Kudos and much appreciation to Leslie Schaller and Louise Weinberg, Co-chairs, Women’s Community Mosaic; Michele Lax, Chair, Women’s Arts and Culture; and Ellen Macks, President, ASSOCIATED Women. Thank you to the hundreds of women, their mothers and daughters, who gave of their time and energy to create this unparalleled centerpiece for Jewish Baltimore.

 

Get more involved with ASSOCIATED Women>>

86,400 Seconds

By Leah Berry
THE ASSOCIATED

As we enter 2012, I want to share something that I recently received. It came in the form of an email forward, but its message is very relevant to the work that we do here at THE ASSOCIATED:

Imagine that you had won the following prize in a contest:
Each morning your bank would deposit $86,400.00 in your private account for your use.

However, this prize has rules, just as any game has certain rules.

The first set of rules would be:
Everything that you didn’t spend during each day would be taken away from you.

You may not simply transfer money into some other account.
You may only spend it.

Each morning upon awakening, the bank opens your account with another $86,400.00 for that day.

The second set of rules:
The bank can end the game without warning; at any  time it can say, It’s over, the game is over!

It can close the account and you will not receive a new one.

What would you personally do?
You would buy anything and everything you wanted, right?
Not only for yourself, but for all people you love, right?

Even for people you don’t know, because you couldn’t possibly spend it all on yourself, right?
You would try to spend every cent, and use it all, right?

ACTUALLY, this GAME is REALITY!

Each of us is in possession of such a magical bank.  We just  can’t seem to see it.

The MAGICAL BANK is TIME!

Each morning we awaken to receive 86,400 seconds as a gift  of life, and when we go to sleep at night, any remaining time  is NOT credited to us.  

What we haven’t lived up that day is forever lost.

Yesterday is forever gone.

Each morning the account is refilled, but the bank can  dissolve your account at any time….WITHOUT WARNING.

SO, what will YOU do with your 86,400 seconds?

Aren’t they worth so much more than the same amount in dollars?

Think about that, and always think of this:
Enjoy every second of your life, because time races by  so much quicker than you think.

So take care of yourself, be Happy, Love Deeply and enjoy life!

Here’s wishing you a wonderfully beautiful New Year.

What does this have to do with the work of THE ASSOCIATED? In Jewish Baltimore, there are two types of philanthropy – philanthropy of time and philanthropy of money. Both are critical and needed to make our community the special place that is known for throughout North America. The gift of time is a priceless gift.

GET INVOLVED>>

Related Article: Meet Harriet>>

Super Heroes

By Marc B. Terrill

As we spend this Chanukah Sunday with our families, many of us will think about the heroism demonstrated by the Maccabees, a small band of Jews who stood up for their beliefs against the Greeks and the Syrians. Fighting off an army is an act that most of us will never experience, but, as part of this community and our global Jewish family, we, nonetheless, have the power to perform acts of heroism every day.

Thanks to THE ASSOCIATED’s Annual Campaign, a centralized fund which makes possible the vital programs and services offered through our system of local agencies and our overseas partners, the vulnerable have heroes to turn to in their hours of need.

• Those heroes might be the social workers and counselors at Jewish Community Services who help a mother coping with joblessness and mounting bills find work and feed her family.
• Those heroes might be young adult volunteers serving potato latkes to adults with special needs at a Chanukah gathering at the Jewish Community Center.
• Those heroes might be the youth counselors working with Israeli students holed up in bomb shelters during rocket fire in our sister city, Ashkelon.
• Those heroes might be organizational coaches and teachers providing a child with learning differences the tools needed to be successful in the class room through Shemesh.
• Those heroes might be the team at Weinberg Village who keep the older adult residents engaged, happy and safe in their homes.
• Those heroes might be the therapists providing counseling to survivors of domestic violence and trauma through CHANA and the Shofar Coalition.
• Those heroes might be the dedicated donors and volunteers whose selfless contributions to our community make all of this, and much more, possible.

In Baltimore, we are blessed to have a system of heroes who work together to ensure that daily needs are met with compassion and speed and that future generations are nurtured and guided toward a vibrant tomorrow. The beauty of our community is that, at any given time, any one of us has the power to be a hero, to be that spark of light in someone else’s life. Ask any one of the thousands of volunteers who find their place in THE ASSOCIATED system each year and they will likely tell you that serving that role, fulfilling that mitzvah, fills them with more joy and reward than the effort they put forth.

If you have not yet taken the opportunity to be a hero in our community, to be the person whose gift of talent, time and resources touches countless lives, I invite you to get involved today and feel the warmth that comes from making a difference in our world. You can make your contribution at www.associated.org/donatenow or volunteer your time through Jewish Volunteer Connection, www.jvcbaltimore.org. (Giving your gift before December 31 will enable you to enjoy a tax benefit for 2011.)

And if you are among the heroes in our community – either a professional in our system or a volunteer or donor to THE ASSOCIATED –  I thank you for the work you do on behalf of all the people in Baltimore, Israel and in Jewish communities around the globe who cannot thank you themselves. You are all my heroes and I am so proud that we are part of the same team. Happy Chanukah.

Candy Castle Adventures

Candy Castle

By: Rabbi Miriam Burg

My son has decided that he is going to be a “candy man” when he grows up.  He wants to be someone who gives out candy to anyone who wants some.  Kind of sounds like a kid’s fantasy.  Too bad his parents are rabbis.  We did decide, though, to indulge his dream for a day.  So, for his fourth birthday we had a “candy party,” which meant, of course, that he received many candy themed presents.  One of them was a recipe book called Candy Construction which teaches how to build many amazing things out of candy.  A few weeks later, I realized that I had a precious few hours of an afternoon to spend with my children and we embarked on a candy adventure.  I bought all of the ingredients to build a candy castle.  We followed the instructions exactly.  And it was not working.  It is not often enough that I have time like that to indulge my kids’ crazy fun desires and I really wanted to build something spectacular with them.  As each wall and turret we tried to erect collapsed, my frustration grew.  I was about to totally lose it, declare the experiment a complete failure, and apologize to my kids for a wasted afternoon, when my six year old piped up, “Ima, we don’t have to build it their way.  We can design our own castle.”

With just those few words, my daughter transformed the candy castle experience for the rest of us.  We put the book away and began to play.  We played with cookies and frosting and candy.  We played with each other.  We laughed.  We experimented with which building materials tasted the best and which construction techniques would be most effective.  And we built a candy castle.

Current research about best practice in early childhood education demonstrates that children learn best through play.  As contemporary author Diane Ackerman Writes, “Play is our brain’s favorite way of learning.”  Research also proves something that makes sense intuitively: engaging children’s curiosities is smart pedagogy.  When we – children or adults – are interested in something, we enthusiastically pursue our questions, we more easily retain what we learn, and we creatively integrate that knowledge into our lives.

Candy Construction recipe book

In my role as the Director of Educational Engagement at the Louise D. and Morton J. Macks Center for Jewish Education, it is my responsibility to seek out families with young children who are not yet solidly connected to Jewish learning or Jewish living and inspire them to grow.  We aspire to spark the curiosity of both parents and children.  We aim to creatively, thoughtfully and passionately inspire families to connect with Judaism and Jewish community through meaningful encounters with our tradition.  In order to do that, we make sure that our programs are both low-barrier and high-content.  They need to be easy to access, but they also need to include significant, relevant Jewish content that motivates people to deepen their Jewish commitments and heightens their sense of curiosity about Jewish life.  Parenting books about discipline often talk about the need for children to develop an internal locus of control.  In the world of Jewish educational engagement, we need to develop an internal locus of curiosity.

Take, for example, an initiative we are launching this month, “PJ on the Town.”  Each month between now and June we and a local synagogue are co-sponsoring an event at a cultural institution around town – The National Aquarium, The B & O Railroad Museum, The Walters Art Museum, The Sports Legend Museum, The Irvine Nature Center, and Spirit Cruises at the Inner Harbor.  The events are being held in places that are familiar to families.  At each one, families will have the opportunity to connect with each other, to enjoy quality time with their own family and to learn something Jewish that has the potential to make a difference in their lives.  They will also be encouraged to grow from one event to another and, for those not yet connected with a synagogue, to consider further exploration.  We hope that the experience will brighten whatever spark of curiosity brought them there in the first place and we hope that they have a great experience playing together.

And if you were wondering … the candy castle was delicious, made even sweeter by the opportunity to learn something from my daughter.

Learn more about PJ on the Town>>
Interested in PJ Library? Sign up now>>

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JCC ECE Moms Commit to Fitness

By: Esther Apt

Tara Rudo and Beth Rose are not only active moms at the JCC ECE, they are also energetic JCC fitness participants. Tara is the Co-President of the Parents’ Association and Beth is the Chairperson of the ECE Silent Auction this year. Since both moms know that education doesn’t end in the classroom, they teach their children by exemplifying a healthy life style.

“People don’t always realize there are amazing fitness classes included in their JCC membership,” says Beth. In the course of a week, she takes cycling, Barre Sculpt and Bodypump and works out with a personal trainer. “It’s a nice way to socialize with other kids’ parents outside of the classroom and to have others motivate you,” she says. Beth confesses that prior to meeting Tara she had never even taken a fitness class. “But I am definitely addicted now!”she admits.

Convenience is another perk the mothers love. “I don’t have to waste time driving to multiple locations to get things done” says Tara. “For me, it is perfect having the kids in school at the JCC and being able to work out there also.” Beth points out, “Everyone has 30 minutes. You have schedules for your kids so make one for yourself and stick with it! ”

Group Fitness classes are free to JCC  members. Get a schedule at the front desk or visit jcc.org/schedules.
For other healthy living options, click here>>

Can Homelessness and Hunger Be Prevented?

By: Steven Land, Service Coordinator
Jewish Community Services

I’ll never forget this image.  I was riding the Light Rail on my way home from an Orioles game one night.   As the train passed the old bus station, a line of cardboard boxes on the sidewalk came into view.  Each box contained a person who called that box home.  Someone on the train made the comment, “Look, new row houses on Howard Street!”

Homelessness and hunger are serious business.  In today’s economy, more and more people who, at one time, were financially independent and thought they were prepared for their future and for retirement, are now facing some very difficult decisions they had never even considered before. Should they pay their overdue utility bills in order to keep their homes lit, or should they buy food to feed their families, or should they pay their rent or mortgage?  As their financial situations continue to deteriorate, the balancing act of deciding who and what to pay becomes exceedingly complex.

No one is immune from a financial reverse.  No one is completely secure.  Those of us who endured the effects of Hurricane Irene this past August or the severe blizzards in 2010 can see some parallels between the daily lives of people without homes and what we experienced as a result of those devastating storms.  Many people were without electricity for nearly a week after Irene roared through our area. The lack of power affected our food supply and caused a loss of water for many.  That sounds very similar to our friends on the street in their flimsy boxes, except that the boxes most of us reside in are made of brick and mortar, not cardboard.  That is, of course, not counting the homes that were damaged by fallen trees or debris or the torrential winds and rainfall.  The basic necessities of food, electricity and shelter were suddenly lost, albeit due to unpreventable acts of nature.

Nature’s unwanted “gift” of this reality check makes us all aware of what can happen in the event of a financial loss or crisis.  Unlike with Hurricane Irene, when no amount of preparation could predict the devastation caused by Mother Nature, we have the ability to react proactively at the earliest sign of an impending financial “storm.”  Homelessness can sometimes be delayed or prevented with sound preparation.  Eviction or foreclosure prevention is not necessarily limited to financial support.  There are other resources available that are equally valuable.

Public and private agencies such as Jewish Community Services, Baltimore County Communities for the Homeless, Baltimore County Department of Planning, United Way, the Emergency Food and Shelter Program, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) work to provide assistance and resources.  However, they can only do this with support from the community.

Our friends, neighbors, and family are the ones who are struggling. We can’t turn a blind eye or pretend that hunger and homelessness only happen to “those people.”  We all have a stake in preventing these issues.

We’ve just celebrated Thanksgiving and Chanukah is right around the corner.  As we feel grateful for the blessings that we enjoy day-in and day-out, I urge each one of us to make a pledge to turn our thoughts into actions.  We can help prepare food for shelters, deliver meals to shut-ins, and contribute to reputable local charities such as THE ASSOCIATED: Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore and the Jewish Community Food Fund that help people facing hardship.  We can ask friends to donate to a charity in honor of an important event in our lives, rent Centerpieces for Tzedakah from Jewish Community Services (JCS) for special occasions, and do family activities with our children to help people who are in need.

The key question is: What can each and every one of us do in the coming year to alleviate the problems of homelessness and hunger in our community and beyond?  Through our efforts, scenes like the row of boxes on the street or the soup kitchens filled to overflowing every day can become only memories in the not so distant future.