Meet our Young Adult VolunTeam Leaders
September 17, 2025 | People in Our Neighborhood
By Alli Berger
Young adult VolunTeam leaders Sammi, Elana, Alexis and Sarah are creating opportunities for their peers to connect, give back and make a difference — all while shaping what meaningful service looks like in our community.
A VolunTeam is a group of volunteers who meet on an ongoing basis to make friends and do good. This year, the Jewish Connection Network is excited to launch two new VolunTeams specifically for young adults – Knit & Nosh and Snack-tivisits. We’re grateful to Repair the World for their generous support, which helps make these VolunTeams possible.
Meet the inspiring young adults who are leading our new young adult VolunTeams!
Knit & Nosh: Meet other young adults while visiting local breweries, coffee shops and community spaces to knit and crochet hats and scarves. No experience? No problem. You can learn from others or join in the fun with projects like no-sew blankets, no-sew scarves or coat & glove drives. All items will be donated to individuals experiencing housing insecurity or transition.
Leaders: Sammi Darmon (left) and Elana Molotsky (right)
Share a bit about your journey to Baltimore.
- Sammi: I’m originally from Farmington Hills, Michigan and I made my way to Baltimore about 2 years ago. I came here for work, and over time, I really fell in love with the city!
- Elana: I went to Cornell University where I was on the gymnastics team and studied biology. I then attended Thomas Jefferson University where I received my PhD in neuroscience which led me to move to Baltimore to continue my research career at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. I’ve been in Baltimore 3 years and have loved every minute of it! Me and my dog, Latke, love to walk around Patterson Park.
What should people know about you?
- Sammi: I went to University of Michigan (Go Blue!) followed by Wake Forest University for PA school. I am currently working as a Physician Assistant at a local emergency department. Outside of that, you’ll probably find me trying different restaurants, celebrating shabbat, or learning to crochet! I also love living in Fells Point and getting to walk around the harbor.
- Elana: I’m very passionate about science and science communication. I love doing scientific research – I study a pediatric neurodegenerative disease called Spinal Muscular Atrophy. I also teach introductory biology lab at Loyola University! When I’m not doing science I love painting, baking, binging procedural dramas, napping, and of course knitting and crocheting!
Why did you want to be a VolunTeam leader?
- Sammi: I wanted to be a VolunTeam leader because I’m always looking for ways to meet new people and feel more connected to my community. Volunteering feels like a natural fit while also connecting to my Jewish values around giving back and showing up for others. Being a leader gives me a chance to help create those connections not just for myself, but for others, too.
- Elana: The Jewish community in Baltimore welcomed me when I knew no one else in the city and it has brought me my best friends. I hope by creating a fun and welcoming atmosphere to craft and give back to the community, I can help others feel as welcome as I do.
Snack-tivists: Join this team of volunteers dedicated to addressing food insecurity through hands-on service projects. The group meets roughly every other month to serve meals at shelters, cook/prepare food for donation, support urban farming efforts, host food drives and more. Make a difference while making new friends and connecting with the greater Baltimore community.
Leaders: Sarah Vorsanger (left) and Alexis Gorenstein (right)
Share a bit about your journey to Baltimore.
- Sarah: I received my Bachelor’s in Environmental Science from the Macaulay Honors College at CUNY Hunter College on a full academic scholarship. I then went on to pursue my Master’s in Marine Science from the University of South Carolina. I have been working in the tech industry for the last four years and I currently work as a Senior Enterprise Customer Success Manager at Paycor. I enjoy helping customers and cultivating relationships. My husband Jerry and I have an 83lb pittie named Duke and reside in Brewers Hill.
- Alexis: I am Brooklyn-born and raised in New Jersey. I hold an undergraduate degree in Journalism and Communications and am currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Special Education. I worked as a journalist and documentarian for eight years before I transitioned into the education space. I now live in the Canton area of Baltimore City, surrounded by wonderful friends and a beautiful community. I live alone, but I have many adopted human and four-legged babies in my life that I love and regularly get to take care of.
What should people know about you?
- Sarah: My passions are traveling (I have been to 25 countries, 6 continents), caring for animals, reading, speaking Spanish, and spending time with my friends and family. I also love collecting plants and rocks. My happy place is the beach!
- Alexis: I love many things, but I am most passionate about Judaism and disability/accessibility services. I live within both identities and have made them core to my personal and professional life. I enjoy gardening, cooking, theater, and spending time with friends over Shabbat dinner. I’m also a lover of all things Harry Potter and NBC comedies, circa 2005 to 2015.
Why did you want to be a VolunTeam leader?
- Sarah: After going on JDC Entwine + The Associated’s Young Adult Division trip to Cuba last March, I saw the tangible impacts my trip had on the Jewish community. Leading a VolunTeam is the perfect next step to further my involvement and give back to the Jewish community.
- Alexis: This opportunity to be a VolunTeam leader aligns beautifully with my personal mission of creating a more inclusive and accessible Jewish community. First and foremost, volunteerism, especially at the hyper-local level, has the most significant and direct impact. (Another example of this is local versus federal policy work.) You can see, in real-time, the direct impact that your work is having on your community. Additionally, volunteering is one of the most accessible ways to have a positive impact on your community because it holds little to no barriers to entry. Anyone, regardless of income bracket, physical or cognitive ability, or time restraints, can find an opportunity to volunteer within their limitations.
Our VolunTeam leaders are creating real opportunities for service and connection, and their impact is already being felt across the community. If you’re interested in getting involved or exploring a leadership role yourself, please learn more and fill out an interest form.
