Baltimore Hebrew Congregation hosted its first-ever “YoPros” event back in August. Short for “young professionals,” the event is part of a program created by Rabbi Eden Glaser, Jillian Manko and Devora Cohen to connect young adults between the ages of 21 and 36 with their peers, inside and outside the synagogue.
“I know there’s so many young adult groups, but sometimes … people don’t feel comfortable coming to services if they don’t think they have anyone to sit with, or they’re worried it’s going to be too much pressure on them,” said Cohen, senior administrative assistant at Baltimore Hebrew Congregation. “So, having this group as a mix of social events, and you could come to services and there’s a group of people to hang out with and a connection to a young rabbi … might help them [feel more comfortable].”
“I think it lowers the barrier of entry into synagogue life,” added Glaser, who joined Baltimore Hebrew Congregation in July. “Meeting and being with people who work at a synagogue and enjoy time at synagogue within that age bracket [makes] it more comfortable to participate in Jewish life and community.”
The program is a revamp of the congregation’s old young adult program that had been inactive for a while, according to Cohen.
“Devorah [Cohen] and I both started at BHC within a week of each other, and we both are within the age bracket of young professionals and wanted to have that sort of structure and community,” said Glaser. “I was sort of piddling along to get it started. But Devorah really took the reins and made it happen.”
The program’s kickoff event had about 20 attendees and was held at the Hampden Yards Beer Garden.
“We had people from different professional backgrounds, some Jewish professionals, some not — working in different areas — and also diversity in religious observance,” Glaser said. “People [attended] that already are affiliated with BHC, and then some people who just found out about it from social media or from The Associated’s YAD [Young Adult Division] Page, who were interested in coming and checking it out.”
The program also held a “Rosh Hashanah Under the Stars” event, where the group attended New Year services together in Oregon Ridge Park.
“I’ve had people reach out to me that didn’t know about YoPro — or even before this, from working in synagogue life for the last 10 years — they’ve asked me, like, ‘I don’t know even know where to start.’ They’re like, ‘How do I get more involved in the community? How do I find like women the same age as me, or just people, friends, even network opportunities, the same age as me?’ And it starts with a program like this. It starts with a group like this, and we want to provide that,” Cohen said.
Cohen added that the three of them want to provide a welcoming space in the synagogue for young adults where they can meet Jewish people within the same phase of life. “Especially when you’re new in town, you don’t know where to start, and offering opportunities like this is just that first step.”
Glaser said she can relate to wanting to find connections in a new city. “I’m new to town, and I think there’s a handful of people who came to the beer garden event who are also new to town. It’s just nice to get out and explore and have that sort of reason to see new places, try new things and have a social life.”
According to Glaser, their approach to outreach has involved reaching out to Moishe House residents, spreading the word through social media and other young adult programs such as The Associated’s Young Adult Division and personal outreach to those in the Baltimore Hebrew Congregation’s records.
Both Glaser and Cohen said that, while the program is still in its early stages, it has been very successful. On Oct. 14, the group hosted a trivia night at Baltimore’s Ministry of Brewing. Additionally, there are plans for two more YoPro events for 2025.
Cohen said the goal of the group is to build community. “We want [YoPros] to be consistent and something people can look forward to.”
