THE ASSOCIATED held the community’s first Birthright Alumni event last night at the Maryland Institute College of Art. The college is hosting an exhibit from the Bezalel Art School in Israel. More than 30 alumni were in attendance to network, meet (and reunite). Most stayed for the showing of “Waltz with Bashir,” which was held after the event. Check… read more

Dear readers, It is only a few days since we received this letter from a JDC colleague, Asher Ostrin, writing from the frigid FSU. It brings into sharp focus the importance of THE ASSOCIATED Annual Campaign as a critical partner in reaching every Jew in need, wherever they are—even in the most remote, isolated regions of the world. Have… read more

A short plane ride between Ethiopia and Israel became the journey of a lifetime earlier this month, as more than 80 Ethiopian Jews made aliyah to Israel during The Jewish Federations of North America’s dramatic “Completing the Journey” mission. The mission, which took place Jan. 29 to Feb. 2, enabled 60 participants from 15 communities to witness a part… read more

Last week, a sudden wave of dangerous winter weather gripped Eastern Europe and parts of the former Soviet Union. The death toll continued to rise as rescue crews evacuated dozens of people from snowblocked villages in Serbia and Bosnia. In towns across Bulgaria, temperatures plunged to their lowest since records started 100 years ago. It was so cold in… read more

By Rebecca Weinstock THE ASSOCIATED I just returned from a 10-day visit to Ashkelon, our sister city in Israel. In addition to traveling with the Baltimore-Ashkelon Partnership Mission, I spent several days visiting public-sector organizations and meeting with social-change activists in Israel. As I reflected on these site visits and meetings, and previous conversations with volunteers and professionals in… read more

By Risa Kelemer Shabbat in Marrakech was relaxing we davened and ate at the one local synagogue. Erev Shabbat we were waiting to be bused to the Shul, when ten horse pulled carriages rolled up to the curb. We traveled in style through the city, waving at the passing cars. Our carriage was the first, and it was quite… read more

By Jakir Manela “Blessed are you, G-d ruler of the universe, who is good and does good.” One of the great things about Judaism is that we say the blessing above whenever it rains.  Something we might consider a normal, natural occurrence, yet being in Israel reminds us of just how precious rain is amidst all of Israel’s water… read more

A group of dedicated Baltimore volunteers and professionals left for Ashkelon earlier this week. Follow their experience through Israel and our sister city as they learn and grow… By Diane Weiner My return visit to Israel and to Jerusalem is especially meaningful because I am sharing it with my husband Jeremy. Avi Melamed’s discussion of Israel’s security concerns, while… read more

In our Israeli sister city of Ashkelon, the folks are celebrating the spirit of Baltimore-Ashkelon Partnership volunteerism. In the city’s most recent community newspaper, a quarter-page article ran about some of the most meaningful recent visits: “Many Baltimore families who came to Israel within the last several months requested private volunteer experiences in Ashkelon with the goal of giving… read more

By Micky Rubin Baltimore Hebrew Institute Although this was perhaps the most physically demanding day of our journey through the holy land thus far, I can honestly say that I felt as if I had accomplished something special by the time I had laid my head down to sleep in the evening. Our adventure began in the morning as… read more