Community leader Avi Greenlinger talks about why he joined Jmore’s mission.
Avi Greenlinger is a member of Jmore’s inaugural nonprofit board.
A Pikesville resident, Greenlinger is a member of the board of directors of The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore and a volunteer for Partners Baltimore. He previously served as board chair of Jewish Educational Services, chairman of the board for the local region of Chai Lifeline, a past treasurer of the Center for Jewish Education and past president of Shomrei Emunah Congregation.
Greenlinger is a managing director and financial advisor of the Quarry Lake Group at RBC Wealth Management.
Jmore recently spoke with Greenlinger about his role as a board member and his hopes for the media platform’s future.
How did you get involved with the inaugural board of directors of Jmore’s Maryland Jewish Media Initiative?
I got a call from [former Associated President and CEO] Marc Terrill and he highlighted the opportunity [to serve on the board]. I immediately saw the value of the initiative and wanted to be part of it.
Why do you think this is an important mission?
What makes this mission so wonderful is that it is being led by [Jmore Publisher] Scott Rifkin, who brings the passion, resources and experience to carry it out. We’re not just starting from scratch.
In terms of the mission, we have the chance to empower college students and young adults to communicate effectively, to share their voices in ways that will be beneficial for them and for the message that they’re trying to [get across].
I think this is a very important thing [because] it could make that message a lot stronger.
What do you see as the primary challenges in the Jewish community today?
Antisemitism. While some may not encounter it directly in our day-to-day lives, almost everyone knows someone who has. On college campuses especially, it’s a growing concern, and we see it reflected in the news and in personal stories people share.
I believe this is a moment in time where we must be strong about addressing antisemitism and in shaping the narrative. We must ensure that antisemitic speech and behavior are challenged and not tolerated. It is critical to empower students and young leaders to communicate with confidence, to advocate for themselves and others, and to ensure that campuses and communities remain safe and respectful environments.
Why would you like to see the community support Jmore as a nonprofit?
Jmore does what it does very well, and I think it’s the appropriate method to give young people a voice to provide tools and resources to the community in a way that we haven’t seen before.
What skills do you bring to the table to help the initiative?
I’ve been very involved in the Baltimore Jewish community and the broader Jewish community. My hope is to help build connections across the community and strengthen bonds between Orthodox, Conservative and Reform Jews. I think this is going to be very important, something that people are going to want to be part of.
Where do you envision Jmore in a decade?
I would like to see Jmore being a trusted and inspiring resource that not only serves the Baltimore Jewish Community but becomes a model for Jewish communities everywhere.
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