Meet Betty Jontiff: A Grandparent Connector Helping Build Community in Baltimore

July 29, 2026 | People in Our Neighborhood

If you ask Betty Jontiff what brings her joy, her answer is simple: family, creativity and meaningful connections. As a Grandparent Connector with The Network, she’s passionate about helping grandparents in the Baltimore Jewish community find opportunities to connect, learn and build lasting relationships.

From Baltimore to Israel and Back

Born and raised in Baltimore, Betty has always felt a strong connection to her community. After graduating from Milford Mill High School, she took a gap year before college that would shape her perspective for years to come.

Betty spent a year living on a kibbutz in Israel, where she worked alongside fellow community members while participating in an Ulpan program to learn conversational Hebrew. The experience immersed her in Israeli culture, strengthened her connection to Jewish life and sparked a lifelong love of travel and exploration.

A Creative Career

When Betty returned home, she attended the University of Maryland, earning a Bachelor of Science in Graphic Design. She enjoyed a successful career as a graphic designer before spending the final chapter of her professional life at North Oaks Retirement Community, where she worked until retiring.

Throughout her career, creativity remained at the center of everything she did, a quality that continues to shine through today.

Family at the Heart of Everything

Betty and her husband, Mark, live in the Owings Mills area and are proud parents of three daughters. These days, one of Betty’s greatest joys is being “Grandma” to her two grandchildren, Jordyn and Elon. She looks forward to watching her family continue to grow in the years ahead.

Building Meaningful Connections

Whether she’s traveling, visiting an art museum or spending time with family, Betty believes that life’s most meaningful moments happen through relationships.

As a Grandparent Connector, she’s excited to help other grandparents discover new friendships, share experiences and find meaningful ways to engage with the Baltimore Jewish community. Betty knows that it’s never too late to build new connections, and she’s looking forward to welcoming others into community.

Fun Fact

Before attending the University of Maryland, Betty spent a year living and working on a kibbutz in Israel while studying conversational Hebrew through an Ulpan program. It remains one of the most memorable experiences of her life.