Every year has plenty of good and plenty of bad. This year was a particularly tough one for Jewish communities from Tel Aviv to Sydney, Australia, with antisemitism raging and everyday life growing more and more difficult for Jews. There were plenty of bright spots, though, especially in Baltimore, with area synagogues growing and a host of wonderful events bringing us closer together.
However, we would be remiss if we let the calendar turn to 2026 without remembering those who we lost in 2025. The Baltimore Jewish community won’t be the same without the following five people, all of whom touched Charm City Jews in their own unique way.
Rabbi Moshe Hauer
Rabbi Moshe Hauer, executive vice president of the Orthodox Union since 2020 and senior rabbi of Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion Congregation in Baltimore for 26 years, died on Oct. 14 of a heart attack at his home in the city. He was 60.
Hauer was beloved at Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion, where he took special care to be part of greater communal leadership and emphasized the importance of education, social service and help for at-risk children. In his role with the Orthodox Union, which supports the nation’s network of Orthodox synagogues and organizations, he served as the rabbinic leader and spokesperson.
Hauer was a major figure in Baltimore and American Jewry. Israeli President Isaac Herzog joined the chorus of condolences for the late rabbi, saying that he was “deeply saddened by the sudden passing of my friend, leader of the OU Rabbi Moshe Hauer, a true leader and teacher in the Jewish world.”
Rabbi Arthur Waskow
Rabbi Arthur Waskow was a Baltimore native who was known for his activism, although he was an author and Torah scholar, too. He advocated for a variety of progressive causes, from the health of the planet to the threat of nuclear weapons to the fight against segregation.
He died on Oct. 20 at 92.
According to JTA, Waskow created the term “Jewish Renewal” in 1979. Jewish Renewal is a movement rooted in “Judaism’s prophetic and mystical traditions,” as Waskow said back then.
His hands helped shape the issues he cared about. Legendary feminist Gloria Steinem said in 2012 that Waskow deserves the credit for urging her to continue her work during a period when Steinem was struggling in the late 1960’s.
In 2007, he was named one of the 50 most influential American rabbis by Newsweek. He passed away at his home in Philadelphia.
Frederica Kolker Saxon
Frederica “Freddie” Kolker Saxon, a business and charitable leader with a passion for mentoring women, died on March 7 due to complications from Alzheimer’s disease. She was 91.
Saxon was known publicly for being a two-time chair of The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore’s Women’s Campaign, chair of The Associated Jewish Charities of Baltimore and the first woman to chair the Baltimore County Chamber of Commerce.
Saxon’s work organizing campaign volunteers for the 1956 U.S. Senate campaign of Millard Tydings caught the attention of a newspaper, which reported on her efforts. Saxon was thought of fondly by Mrs. Eleanor Tydings, the senator’s wife, who wrote about the friendship and loyalty of “Our Freddie.”
“Freddie always said that family meant more to her than anything else, and she modeled that value for us. She loved her kids, her grandkids and her great-grandkids, her nieces, nephews and more,” Ken Saxon, Freddie Saxon’s son, said at her funeral. “She put family first, and those lucky enough to be in her family circle felt that embrace.”
Amit Yoran
Amit Yoran, chairman and CEO of Tenable Holdings, Inc., a Columbia-based cybersecurity company, died on Jan. 3 at 54 after battling cancer.
Yoran first took a leave of absence from the company in early December. The company said in a press release that his death was unexpected.
Yoran was known as a pioneer in the field of cybersecurity, joining Tenable as CEO in 2016 after a distinguished career that included a year as national director of cybersecurity for the Department of Homeland Security in 2003 and 2004 and five years as the founding CEO of NetWitness from 2006 to 2011.
“Amit was an extraordinary leader, colleague and friend,” said Art Coviello, Tenable’s lead independent director. “His passion for cybersecurity, his strategic vision and his ability to inspire those around him have shaped Tenable’s culture and mission. His legacy will continue to guide us as we move forward.”
Yoran left behind his wife, Catherine, children Josh, Hannah and Zoey, and his mother and brothers, as well as numerous nephews, nieces and cousins.
Kenny Baum
Kenneth “Kenny” Baum, the founder of the Knish Shop and known locally for his decades of work in the deli business, died peacefully at his home surrounded by family on May 25. He was 96.
Baum was a longtime Pikesville resident and member of Beth El Congregation, and he became a staple in the Baltimore food scene when he founded the Knish Shop in 1970 after spending time working in the catering business with his brother-in-law Leonard Schleider.
Beth El’s Rabbi Steven Schwartz, who gave a speech at Baum’s funeral, said that working in the deli business was in Baum’s blood, as his father was a kosher butcher, and he added that Baum grew up with a strong influence of Jewish tradition and rituals.
“Kenny absorbed all of that, along with his moral compass, his powerful work ethic and his devotion and focus on family,” Schwartz said.
Schwartz said that Baum created an environment at the Knish Shop that turned it into a Jewish cultural institution in Baltimore, but added that Baum was the driving force behind everything.
“In many ways, it was really Kenny who was the institution. He knew everybody; everybody knew him. He was loved by all,” Schwartz said.
