Author: Guest Contributor
Reset and Refresh Reflection
For Tali and George, joining Reset & Refresh opened their minds to what Judaism can be and how it can weave its way through all aspects of life and family, even when not everyone in that family identifies as Jewish. Their experience is a powerful reminder that there is no single right way to build […]
Yolka: A New Year’s Tree; A Tree of Childhood Celebration
By Valery Viner, Jewish Connection Network’s Russian Speaking Parent Connector Yolka, the New Year tree As a child, born and partly brought up in the former Soviet country of Ukraine, Yolka played a significant part in my life and in every Soviet child’s life. It represented something magical because on the eve of New Year’s […]
Meet Dante Barboy
My name is Dante Barboy, and I recently became one of the new Baltimore City Jewish Young Adults Connectors. I was originally born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and came to the Baltimore region at age 6 with my family. I attended Jewish day school in Buenos Aires, and Hebrew School once here in the US leading […]
Meet Rachel Plotkin
For moms of teens who are finding a little more breathing room and a lot more curiosity about what’s next, Sip and Stitch offers a cozy place to land. Led by Rachel Plotkin, local Jewish communal professional, this gathering brings together moms of teens (age 14+) to connect over coffee or drinks while knitting and […]
From the Kotel to the Kitchen Table: Momentum Trip Reflection
Written by Michele Birenbaum, Momentum Israel Trip Cohort Member (second from the right in the photo) Luckily, it took me less time to decide to go on a Momentum Israel Trip with the Jewish Connection Network than it has taken me to decide how to start this reflection. When I think about my amazing trip, […]
December Holiday Stress? Try Challah Days
By Lisa Akchin, Multigenerational, Multifaith Family Connector for The Network. The low point in my experience as the Jewish grandmother of Catholic grandchildren was a latke dinner where my son called me out for “Marketing Hanukkah.” It can be hard to show up as a Jewish grandparent when our children and their partners choose different […]
Kwanzaa Through a Black Jewish Lens
Written by Rabbi Tzadik Womack, an active participant in Jewish Connection Network events, PJ Library subscriber and prominent advocate for inclusion within Jewish spaces. Rabbi Womack lives in Baltimore, Maryland, where he attends Ner Tamid Greenspring Valley Synagogue. He received rabbinic ordination and is also a practicing attorney. What is Kwanzaa? Why is it meaningful? […]
A Journey of Belonging
By Lindsay Feldman, Shalom Social Club Connector (for 20s-40s in Baltimore City). “Tell me about your Jewish journey,” was how the conversation auspiciously began. I was sitting on the floor at Baltimore Polytechnic Academy in the middle of a teacher training day as I spoke with Erica Bloom, Senior Director of the Jewish Connection Network, […]
Increased Need in Our Community — Here’s How You Can Help
You’ve probably seen the headlines or heard the conversations—more individuals and families in our community are facing food insecurity right now. Many have asked how to help, so we put together a few simple ways you can show up and make a real impact. Casseroles (Ongoing) When we decided to take a break from our […]
Meet Yoella and Cameron
Meet Yoella Diamant-Cohen and Cameron Morgan, a joyfully married multifaith couple living in Northeast Baltimore. Yoella and Cameron are participating in Reset & Refresh, a program for multifaith young couples to explore Jewish life through the rhythm of Shabbat. Our Reset & Refresh cohort, facilitated by The Network and The Associated’s Young Adult Division (YAD), […]