2021: A Year of Change and Hope
It was a year filled with challenges, but also a year filled with hope. Although it began with COVID-19 cases surging, January brought an unprecedented vaccine roll-out that solidified our belief that tomorrow would be brighter.
Even though the pandemic continued to take center stage in 2021, our community began to get out there, reconnect and affect change. We worked to overcome challenges — whether it was soaring antisemitism, rockets fired on our partner city Ashkelon or a spike in domestic violence and mental health issues.
The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore, through our network of 27 agencies, has been working behind-the-scenes to ensure our community stayed strong.
Here are the stories of the year — the personal tales of the people who were impacted and the people who stepped up to bring about change.
Go to associated.org to learn more.
When Alexa Grossman was looking to fulfill her community service hours, she knew she didn’t merely want to check a box. If she was going to volunteer, she was going to make an impact.
That’s why she reached out to The Associated’s Jewish Volunteer Connection (JVC). After speaking with Alexa, JVC curated a customized list of opportunities to fit her goals. They then connected her to Baltimore Neighbors Network.
Every Sunday, from January to June, Alexa called 10 older adults living in Baltimore City. She helped them alleviate the loneliness of the pandemic and provided resources.
Once, an older woman needed food, and Alexa directed her to a nearby food pantry. Another time, a woman was desperate for a vaccination and couldn’t find one. Alexa mentioned it in her report to her supervisors, and the next week, she was vaccinated.
“These people were lonely. For some, I was the only person they spoke to all week. When we talked, they told me they felt heard — that someone cared.”
“JVC made it easy to do something that really mattered.”
A junior at Roland Park Country School, Katie Grossman writes about a recent experience that spurred her to take action to fight antisemitism.
Presented by Jews United for Justice and a consortium of local synagogues, "Beyond Welcoming the Stranger" offered a Jewish approach to helping immigrants.
John Singer wants to help Marylanders of all economic backgrounds to afford ankle foot orthoses.
At Krieger Schechter Day School, joining in the later elementary or middle school isn’t a setback -- it’s a launch pad.