Amid a year and half of challenges since the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel, the JCC of Greater Baltimore is using arts, culture and community events to strengthen ties between the local Jewish community and Israel and to confront antisemitism.
This spring, through the “Mit-habrim” initiative, the JCC of Greater Baltimore will commemorate key Jewish and Israeli holidays with a comedy event, panel discussions and an art exhibit.
Connections Through Culture
“Mit-habrim,” meaning “connections” in Hebrew, is a $7.2 million initiative led by Israel’s Ministry of Diaspora Affairs in partnership with the JCC Association of North America.
As part of this effort, the JCC of Greater Baltimore’s Gordon Center for Performing Arts has received an $18,000 “Yamim” grant to support programming commemorating Yom HaShoah, or Holocaust Remembrance Day; Yom HaZikaron, Israel’s memorial day for fallen soldiers and victims of terrorism; and Yom HaAtzmaut, Israel’s independence day.
Leah Garber, the senior vice president of Israel engagement at the JCC Association of North America, noted the significance of these grants.
“Our continued partnership with the Ministry for Diaspora Affairs has never been more important, especially as we mark more than 500 days since Oct. 7,” Garber said.
Mourning and Celebration
One of the key events coming up at the Gordon Center will feature Israeli-American comedian Joel Chasnoff on April 30.
Sara Shalva, the chief arts officer for the Gordon Center, underscored the timing of the event, which falls on the night that transitions from the solemnity of Yom HaZikaron to the joy of Yom HaAtzmaut.
“I think, even more now, since Oct. 7, it’s so important that we recognize these days,” Shalva said. “You see the Jewish community responding so powerfully in support, which is amazing.”
Chasnoff has performed at nearly 20 JCCs through this grant program and was chosen because of his popularity and relatability.
“He’s a comedian who brings laughter and joy, but also can speak to a broad American Jewish audience, and I think that’s important,” Shalva said. “Baltimore is a very diverse Jewish community, and so in an ideal world, this event will attract the whole breadth of the Jewish community.”
Discussions on Jewish Identity
Beyond performances, the Gordon Center will host two panels on May 4 featuring contributors to “Young Zionist Voices: A New Generation Speaks Out,” a collection of essays offering visions from young people for the Jewish future in the aftermath of Oct. 7.
Among the featured panelists will be David Hazony, the editor of the essay collection. He also serves as director and senior fellow at the Z3 Institute, a think tank focused on the future of Zionism, Diaspora-Israel relations and Jewish peoplehood.
The first panel will be for teenagers participating in the 4Front cohorts, an initiative of the JCC of Greater Baltimore designed to empower Jewish teens through leadership development, social justice projects, educational programs and Jewish identity exploration.
The second panel will be held in partnership with Na’aleh: The Hub for Leadership Learning, a leadership program for professionals and volunteers under The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore.
Artistic Tribute
Another highlight of the “Yamim” grant programming is the upcoming exhibit “Hadar: The Final Peace,” which will be on display at the Gordon Center in April and May.
The exhibit showcases the artwork of Hadar Goldin, a 23-year-old Israeli soldier who was killed, and whose body was taken to Gaza, during the 2014 Gaza War.
“It’s beautiful artwork, but it’s even more meaningful when you know the story behind it,” Shalva said.
This exhibit has been previously displayed at significant locations, including the United Nations Headquarters, The Knesset and the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles.
Broader Impact of “Mit-habrim”
In 2024, 63% of JCCs in North America reported a significant increase in community engagement and a 71% surge in participation in Israel-related programming compared to previous years, according to a JCC of Greater Baltimore press release.
By the end of March 2025, the JCC Association expects 130 JCCs to apply for “Yamim” grants for programming this year, reaching 150,000 attendees across North America, Garber predicted.
“With even more JCCs in our movement preparing to host holiday and commemorative events than last year, it’s clear that this initiative has become a driving force for deeper connections between North American Jews and Israel, fueling an unprecedented level of involvement and engagement by JCCs and their communities,” Garber said.
This past fall, the Gordon Center hosted Israeli singer Gilad Segev through the “Mit-habrim” program. It presented the Heroes Commemoration Concert, a multimedia concert that honors those who lost their lives while saving others during the Oct. 7 attack on Israel.
Over the summer, the JCC of Greater Baltimore will also benefit from an additional $18,000 grant to sponsor a “shaliach,” or emissary from Israel to be the camp’s music specialist.
Resilience and Creativity
Reflecting on the broader impact of these initiatives, Shalva noted the powerful intersection of art and resilience.
“It is such a horrible contradiction, but it’s true that music and poetry and film and even stand-up comedy — sometimes from the deepest sorrow, you find the greatest joy, laughter and relief,” Shalva said.
Isaac Shiner is a Baltimore Jewish Times intern.
