When it comes to Jewish life, Howard County may not compare in size and scope to Baltimore County or some other nearby areas. For the Jewish Federation of Howard County, however, the mission is the same: to celebrate the rich Jewish history of the area, and support today’s Howard County Jews in their quest to live Jewish lives.
“In Howard County, we’re a pretty small Jewish community,” Federation Chief Operating Officer Susan Stuart said. “And we are very committed to keeping Howard County safe for Jews.”
On Nov. 13, the Jewish Federation is furthering this mission by bringing back its Power of Community Awards for the first time in half a decade. The keynote speaker is attorney, businessman, philanthropist and principal owner of the Baltimore Orioles David Rubenstein.
For the Federation and Stuart, this comeback is a long time coming. The annual awards were just that — annual — for about 20 years, until 2020. Then the COVID-19 pandemic struck, forcing cancellation of the event. In 2021 and 2022, it was the same story. In 2023, the Power of Community Awards were scheduled to return, until the Hamas attacks of Oct. 7 occurred. At that point, the organization was spread thin. “So much was going on after Oct. 7,” Stuart said.
Things weren’t quite settled enough for the Federation to schedule the event again until this year. Now, after a five-year wait, the Power of Community Awards are back.
“We’re really excited to be able to celebrate our community as one Jewish community, and it was a community effort [to plan it],” Stuart said. “We have a lot of volunteers and staff working on this.”
More than 300 people are expected to attend, see the awards given out and listen to Rubenstein.
“David [Rubenstein] is very committed himself as a philanthropist and very committed to the Jewish community. And, first of all, he’s been involved in so many different things, and he’s a really good speaker,” Stuart said. “That’s why we’re so excited to have him join us.”
This year’s award winners include Marilyn Handwerger and Susan Horowitz, who will receive the Chesed Light of Service Award; Michelle Jacobs, winner of the Randi Leshin Emerging Leader Award; Betsy Singer, receipient of the Jacques Fein Distinguished Service Award; and Phyllis and Bernard Nash, who will get the Power of Community Award.
“[The Nashes] were some of the founding members of the Jewish community in Howard County. They raised their kids here, and they helped found two different synagogues in Howard County. They were instrumental in bringing [a free book program for Jewish kids] to Howard County, and also supported our food program,” Stuart said of their impact.
In addition, they have been major donors to the Federation and supported the organization across many years.
“They really are guided by Jewish values and really modeled a lifetime of leadership and activism and generosity,” Stuart said.
She added that the last few years have been difficult for Jews everywhere, and that an uplifting celebration like this is much deserved. Starting at 7 p.m. on Nov. 13, Jews of Howard County will gather and have a needed and welcomed good time.
The event isn’t just another fundraiser being held by a Jewish Federation: It’s a chance for the Jews of Howard County to come together and celebrate their community, one that is often overlooked when Jewish life in the greater Baltimore and Washington areas are discussed.
“It’s a celebration for all the work that everybody in our community does. People from every synagogue are coming, people that are unaffiliated are coming. It’s just really wonderful to see,” Stuart said. “We just hope that people come whether they’re involved in the Jewish community or not. Maybe they’re not religious, they don’t celebrate holidays — however they recognize their own Judaism, we’ll welcome them.”
