Eve Wachhaus has spent her entire life preparing to become the chief operating officer of Adamah — she just didn’t always know it.
As a cultural anthropologist with a passion for social justice, Wachhaus, a Towson resident, has always cared about creating welcoming spaces. Closer to the beginning of her career, she held hospitality positions at places like Hershey Entertainment and Hyatt Hotels. After nearly 20 years, Wachhaus made the switch to working in the nonprofit space, spending eight years as executive director at Habitat for Humanity of the Greater Harrisburg Area.
“My personal motto has always been dedicated to a life of strong coffee and social justice in equal measure, so when the chance came to lead Habitat for Humanity of the Greater Harrisburg Area, I knew it was my time to make a difference in providing basic human needs, like housing,” she explained. “I have long been involved in food justice programs and was delighted to have the opportunity to learn more about, and be helpful in, housing justice.”
Originally from Brookline, Massachusetts, Wachhaus first came to Baltimore in the late 1980s to attend Johns Hopkins University for college. She eventually returned to Baltimore about 11 years ago.
“At one point, I was a synagogue president in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and saw that my own Jewish community needed ways to feel more joy, more connection, and more belonging,” said Wachhaus. “When I joined [Adamah] over six years ago, it felt like the culmination of all I had done up to that point could be harnessed for this moment in time and this mission.”
As COO of Adamah, Wachhaus ensures that all hospitality, facilities and systems run smoothly for both retreat centers — Pearlstone, Adamah’s headquarters, and the Isabella Freedman Retreat Center, located in Connecticut. “I get to make meaning and have fun at the same time,” she added.
“Adamah, which is the largest, Jewish environmental organization in the country, cultivates vibrant Jewish life in deep connection with the earth,’ Wachhaus said. “One of the ways we do that is through immersive experiences at our retreat centers, a powerful remedy to help heal mind, body, spirit and soul in nature.”
“The idea that we are the ‘best kept secret’ or a ‘hidden gem’ goes completely against the ways that we live out our mission, by catalyzing culture change and systemic change through immersive experiences, Jewish environmental education, leadership development and climate action,” she added.
Wachhaus mentioned that her favorite part of working for Adamah is her colleagues. “My colleagues are so knowledgeable, friendly and great at their jobs. It is a privilege and pleasure to work with other mission-driven professionals.”
Wachhaus added that she is a foodie. She has her own blog called “Do What Ema Says,” where she shares recipes with Mediterranean and Middle Eastern spices.
“As COO, I have the rare privilege of helping make that connection to the earth and healing happen during the hundreds of events each year,” she said. “With an exhausted Jewish community, my work feels more relevant than ever.”
