Meet Our Carroll County Connectors
July 21, 2026 | People in Our Neighborhood
Building Jewish Community, One Conversation at a Time
Looking for a Carroll County Jewish community where you can build meaningful relationships? At the Jewish Connection Network, we believe community starts with one conversation. Our Carroll County Connectors are here to help you meet other Jewish families, discover local opportunities and feel at home in Jewish life.
Whether you’re hoping to meet other parents, discover local Jewish experiences or simply find someone who understands this season of life, Tori Kramer and Sam Kahan Strakes are here to help make those first connections feel natural and welcoming.
Get to know the people behind the conversations.
Meet Victoria (Tori) Kramer
If you’ve ever met Tori, you’ve probably noticed how quickly she makes people feel comfortable.
Originally from Montgomery County, Tori’s journey has taken her from Maryland to Israel, where she spent time living in both Tel Aviv and Jerusalem before eventually settling in Carroll County with her husband, daughter and their dog.
Today, she’s passionate about helping people discover the Carroll County Jewish community through authentic relationships and local experiences. Whether that means introducing someone to a local event, connecting parents with one another or simply sharing a cup of coffee, Tori loves bringing people together.
Fun fact: Tori once competed on a reality TV baking show, so if conversation turns to desserts, she’s definitely the person to ask.
Meet Sam Kahan Strakes
Sam knows firsthand how important community can be during different seasons of life.
She grew up in nearby Reisterstown and now lives in Finksburg with her husband and their two daughters, Zoey and Ezri. After spending more than a decade working professionally in the Jewish community, Sam chose to step away from full-time work to focus on raising her family.
That experience has given her a unique perspective on what families need: authentic relationships, welcoming spaces and opportunities to build lasting friendships. Sam enjoys helping families find their place within the Carroll County Jewish community, whether they’re new to the area or have lived here for years.
Fun fact: Sam is a passionate escape room enthusiast and has even designed her own escape rooms for community events.
Let’s Connect
At the Jewish Connection Network, we believe community begins with relationships, not programs.
Whether you’ve lived in Carroll County for years or recently moved to the area, Tori and Sam would love to get to know you, hear your story and help you discover the people and experiences that make Jewish life meaningful for you and your family.
Sometimes all it takes is one conversation to find your community.