Melvin “Mickey” Crystal admits he’s a bit sad these days.
A few months shy of turning 94, Crystal, who lives in the Lutherville-Timonium area, has served as president of the Jewish Educational Alliance Fellowship Association since 2000. The fellowship is a local philanthropic group that is going out of existence after 112 years of service.
The fellowship evolved from the old JEA, which was founded in 1909 and originally opened its doors at 1216 E. Baltimore St. The organization provided such activities as athletic clubs, drama groups, citizenship classes, dances, a religious school, a day camp, art classes and more for Jewish immigrants and their families living in East Baltimore. The JEA itself ceased operations seven decades ago.
A member of the JEA since he was a seven-year-old son of immigrants growing up in East Baltimore, Crystal is one of hundreds who kept the JEA name alive over the years. But he said the number of fellowship members has dwindled over the years, largely due to attrition and old age.
At its zenith, the fellowship met once a month and held yearly anniversary parties honoring esteemed members of the alumni. But today, the group’s roster barely includes 25 people who find it increasingly challenging to attend meetings and gatherings due to advanced age.
“People are unable to get to the meetings”, said Crystal. “I even said I would send someone to pick them up and take them home, but they still didn’t want to go.”
A letter was recently sent out to members and alumni explaining the difficult decision to close the fellowship.
Approximately 30 charities and nonprofits are supported by the fellowship’s fundraising efforts. The group’s fund is named after Robert Folus, longtime business secretary for the JEA and the Jewish Community Center of Greater Baltimore
Crystal has fond memories of the JEA’s four-story brick building on East Baltimore Street near Central Avenue. He said it was a refuge for at-risk youths and saved many lives, including his own.
“It was my home away from home,” he said. “I don’t know what would have happened to me if it weren’t for the JEA.”
Thousands of people participated in JEA basketball leagues, wrestling, track and field, business and art classes.
In 1952, the JEA closed its doors since most Jews left East Baltimore for the greener pastures of Forest Park and Park Heights. The Associated Jewish Charities – today known as The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore — merged the JEA with the JCC.
But lifelong friendships were forged through the JEA, and the organization’s legacy was carried on through the fellowship. Today, a room in the lower level of the Park Heights JCC is devoted to the JEA, filled with photos, letters, awards and banners from the glory days in East Baltimore.
“They did a fantastic job of keeping us kids involved,” said Crystal. “We didn’t have enough time to get into trouble. I went there every day after school. The instructors were always available for us. Always.”
Steve Liebowitz is a Baltimore-based freelance writer and author of “Steel Pier, Atlantic City: Showplace of the Nation” (Down the Shore Publishing) and “Steel Pier” (Arcadia Publishing).
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