Stacy Harvey was born and raised in Long Island, New York, and came to Baltimore several years ago not quite sure what to expect after living in New York for her entire life. She has since found her Jewish community in the city.
The Towson resident works in medical sales for her career and has been involved heavily in volunteering with The Associated, including being a community connector for The Network, joining Jewish Professional Women and being part of The Soul Center at Beth El Congregation, where the family attends synagogue.
Harvey has been advocating for the Jewish community in her profession since Oct. 7, helping create a Jewish group with her coworkers.
Can you tell me about your volunteer work with The Associated?
When my husband and I first moved to Baltimore, we were seeking community. When I was approached to become a Community Connector, it felt like a natural fit, especially as new parents. This was some of the most meaningful work I’ve ever done. It was an honor to help create that sense of Jewish community I was seeking.
What was it like starting out as a connector?
When I first started, the program was much smaller than it is today. There were probably only about eight of us. We met monthly as a connector cohort, which helped us form strong bonds as a team. Those meetings were meaningful, but what was even more powerful was seeing the impact on the community. We were able to create meaningful Jewish moments and connections that hadn’t existed there before.
What about your work with The Associated sticks out to you?
What’s most meaningful to me is when I see that people I’ve connected form relationships with each other that don’t involve me. Whether it’s attending events together or just making plans. To me, that’s what building community really looks like. I often say I’m a “lifetime connector,” because it’s something that I find gratifying. I’m always thinking about how to bring people together in Jewish ways and to create Jewish joy. It can be exhausting, constantly being the one organizing and initiating, but it’s deeply fulfilling to watch those connections take on a life of their own.
You’ve been involved in Jewish advocacy at work; can you detail what that has been like?
In April 2023, a colleague and I started a Jewish cultural community at our company with just eight Jewish employees. Like so much of what I do, it began with the desire to connect, to build relationships rooted in shared heritage, values, and upbringing. After October 7, everything changed.
While it’s heartbreaking that it took a crisis to raise visibility, our community has since grown to 150 members globally. It’s now both a support network and a space for advocacy. I’ve found myself acting as a representative for Jewish employees, working to ensure our voices are heard and our concerns acknowledged. It’s a heavy responsibility, but meaningful.
What has it been like raising Jewish kids in this current environment?
This is hard. I grew up with Judaism as a central, beautiful, and joyful part of my life. I now realize how fortunate I was to grow up mostly not knowing how much antisemitism exists in the world. I wish I could shelter my children from it in the same way that I was. That’s why I try to make their Jewish experiences meaningful to their lives and developmental stage. We go to mostly the fun stuff. I want them to feel pride in their Jewish identity and associate it with warmth, history and connection to the Jewish communities that we associate with.
How has your Jewish identity impacted your life, especially during challenging times?
My Jewish identity gives me a sense of purpose and responsibility, to put positivity into the world and to be a visible, proud Jew. I’ve always felt an obligation to advocate for marginalized communities, informed by both our collective Jewish history and the privilege I’ve personally experienced.
It’s been especially moving to receive support from some of the very people I’ve stood up for over the years. In these challenging times for our community, I hold on to the hope that we’ll see more mutual support, more solidarity, and a deeper understanding of what it means to truly show up for one another.
