The weather is warming up, the school year is winding down. It’s time for summer vacations, outdoor barbecues and evenings filled with concerts, friends and fun.
Here are seven great ideas from The Associated and its agencies on what you can do to make the most of your summer.
Swim this Summer and Save Big
Baltimore is guaranteed to be hot and humid this summer and what better way to relax with your family than at one of the JCC pools. The Shapiro Aquatics Park at the Rosenbloom Owings Mills JCC, which opens Memorial Day weekend, features a large family pool with a climbing wall, two baby pools, a huge multi-level splash pad and an instructional pool – used primarily for swim lessons. And don’t miss this special offer. Join the JCC by June 1 and save $135 off your membership. Membership also includes access to the state-of-theart fitness center, tennis and pickleball courts, art and exercise classes for all ages and more. Learn more at jcc.org.
A Little Nightlife
We’ve waited two long years for this … that’s 730 days … that’s 17,520 hours … but who’s really counting! Let’s exchange those sweatsuits for something cute and chic. It’s time to leave your house and enjoy a night out.
Let’s raise our glasses and toast to good times ahead. Take in the cool vibes of Rye, overlooking the Patapsco River, while enjoying amazing finger food and signature drinks. Do not wait to book a babysitter and finish binging your favorite shows, so you can join us on June 9 for The Associated’s IMPACT Summer Soirée. Register today at associated.org/summer.
The Sounds of Summer
Save the date for one of the hottest (and coolest) events of the summer. On Sunday, July 24, bring a chair, blanket, picnic and beverage of your choosing and come out to Pearlstone for The Associated’s second annual Summer Music Fest. Meet up with friends for some live music, featuring the area’s favorite bands, refreshments and more.
A Shavuot to Remember
This Shavuot, participate in Pearlstone’s annual immersive retreat, filled with inspiring Jewish learning, spirited singing, festive farm-to-table meals and a pluralistic community building experience. Enjoy multiple learning tracks about Judaism and sustainability, keynotes from guest scholars, healthy food, music and activities for people of all ages. Learn more at pearlstonecenter.org.
Arts and Culture
Love arts and culture? There is so much happening in Baltimore. Check out the Jewish Museum of Maryland’s newest exhibit, Blacklist: The Hollywood Red Scare, which looks at this moment in history and asks important questions about the contemporary political and social landscape. Or attend a lecture through the Gordon Center for Performing Arts and learn about the intersection between visual arts and antisemitism since the Middle Ages. And don’t miss Gordon Center’s second annual Queer Arts Festival this June. Go to associated.org/events for a complete calendar.
Book Group for Kids
Worried about the dreaded summer slide? You know — when your kids are off for several months and end up falling behind when school starts in the fall. Check out these two programs guaranteed to keep your kids reading this summer — and clamoring to go to the library.
Sign up for The Macks Center for Jewish Education Library’s Summer Reading Program and for every five books you read; you’ll receive coupons for free sweet treats. Stop by the library on June 7 for the program kick-off during Karma Dogs. The library also has many of the books on local Jewish day school’s summer reading lists. Learn more at cjebaltimore.org.
If your child struggles with reading, sign up for Children of the Book, SHEMESH’s six-week summer book club series. Your child will read age-appropriate Jewish literature, while working with SHEMESH professionals in small groups to help with reading and writing skills in a fun and engaging way. Register at rsvp@shemeshbaltimore.org.
The Great Outdoors
Still looking for that perfect week-long camp experience? Sign your child up for Pearlstone’s Tiyul Adventure Camp.
Campers will spend the days zip-lining over the lake, swimming in one of three pools, connecting to the land with seed planting and vegetable harvesting and exploring the forest through creek walking, shelter building, fire making and more. Go to pearlstonecenter.org to learn more.
Israeli-Americans Rachel Goldberg-Polin and Jon Polin talked about the pain of losing their 23-year-old son, who was kidnapped and later murdered in the Oct. 7th tragedy.
A committed philanthropist and community leader, Russel was president of R&H Motors.
The mother of four was a native of Winchester, Virginia, who spent most of her life in Northwest Baltimore.
The Columbia resident worked on the Gemini and Apollo space missions.