Meet the Cohen Family: PJ Library’s Mishpacha of the Month

July 21, 2026 | People in Our Neighborhood

Meet Jessica and Jake Cohen, their children, Asher and Elsie, and their beloved Cavapoo, Rudy!

The Cohen family has called Canton home for the past four years. Jessica and Jake first met while attending the University of Maryland. After college, they moved to Fells Point before eventually settling back in Baltimore, where they have lived for nearly 10 years.

Asher is two-and-a-half, Elsie recently celebrated her first birthday and Rudy, affectionately known as their “first baby,” keeps the whole family laughing. Before becoming a stay-at-home mom, Jessica worked in higher education and later in a remote role. Jake is an electrical engineer.

A Love of Reading and Jewish Life

One of Asher’s favorite days each month is when a new PJ Library book arrives in the mail. Reading together has become a treasured bedtime tradition, and one of the family’s newest favorites is A Beautiful World, which often inspires them to sing “What a Wonderful World” together.

Jessica’s personal favorite is On the Day You Were Born. She says it brings her to tears every time she reads it because it reminds her how deeply she loves being a mom.

Building Community Through PJ Library

For the Cohens, PJ Library is about much more than books. It’s about building community.

Through PJ Library, they’ve connected with other local families, explored Jewish life throughout Baltimore and hosted gatherings through PJ Library Get Together grants. Jessica has welcomed friends into her home for Shabbat dinners and a Hanukkah celebration, creating meaningful opportunities to strengthen friendships while celebrating Jewish traditions together.

Shabbat Is a Family Favorite

Shabbat is one of the Cohen family’s favorite traditions. Asher loves singing Shabbat songs, especially “The Dinosaur Song” and “Chicken in the Pot.” If you ask him his favorite food, the answer is always challah!

Jessica and Asher enjoy baking challah together. On the weeks they don’t have time to make their own, they’re happy to pick up a loaf from BJ’s.

While Shabbat is a weekly highlight, Rosh Hashanah holds a special place in Jessica’s heart. Growing up, the holiday was always celebrated at her mother’s home. Although many family traditions have evolved over the years, Rosh Hashanah continues to remind her of the people she loves, including family members whose memories remain an important part of the holiday.

Weekend Traditions Together

When they’re not celebrating Jewish holidays, the Cohens love spending Saturday mornings at the Fells Point Farmers Market. It’s become a favorite family tradition where they browse fresh produce, enjoy empanadas and spend time together in the neighborhood where Jessica and Jake first lived in Baltimore. Asher even brings his own little basket to collect his favorite fruits and vegetables.

After the kids are asleep, Jessica and Jake enjoy relaxing with a good TV show or playing Codenames together. One fun fact about Jessica is that she didn’t take her first airplane flight until she was 20 years old, when she traveled to Rome to study abroad.

Connecting Families in Canton

Jessica recently became a Baltimore City Parent Connector serving families in Canton. She’s excited to help local parents build friendships, discover meaningful opportunities and feel more connected to Jewish life in Baltimore.

Live in or near Canton? Jessica would love to connect with you! Reach out to her at jessica.cohen629@gmail.com to learn more about local opportunities for Jewish families.

We’re so excited to celebrate the Cohen family as PJ Library’s Mishpacha of the Month. Thank you, Jessica, Jake, Asher, Elsie and Rudy, for sharing your story and for helping create a warm, welcoming Jewish community for families across Baltimore.