We create change by sponsoring and participating in activities that promote positive change in our civic institutions and the well-being of citizens in West Baltimore, as well as throughout the city, state, nation, and world.
We build one-to-one relationships, based on equality and trust, with individual residents in the Reservoir Hill community.
To help neighbors in need, we provide food through a weekly food give-away at the synagogue and make monthly donations to the food pantry at our local school. We also provide holiday meals to those in need.
We continue to support efforts to expand voting through neighborhood voter registration efforts and “Party at the Polls” on Election Day.
We support our local community organizations by volunteering and collaborating with them on their community fairs, youth development activities, and most recently, co-sponsoring a community Covid vaccination event.
We build one-to-one relationships, based on equality and trust, with individual residents in the Reservoir Hill community. In 2013, In, For, Of, Inc. (IFO) was formed as a separate 501(c)3 organization comprised of Beth Am and community members. Learn more about this organization by clicking here.
Finally, the Beth Am Environmental team, made up of congregation members, has been active since 2008. Learn more about our goals and how to join our team by clicking here.
Partnering is the key strategy we use to further our justice mission. We participate in the activities of West Baltimore community organizations, including the Reservoir Hill Improvement Council, No Boundaries Coalition and St. Francis Neighborhood Center. We support state and national organizations whose missions are to expand citizen action, address civic and social justice issues, and increase diversity, equity and justice, like JUFJ. We also work with the Jewish community at large through participation and support of The Associated.
For more than 25 years, Beth Am has had a partnership with our neighborhood public school, Dorothy I. Height Elementary School (formerly John Eager Howard). Congregants have been volunteer tutors, mentors, teacher partners, reading buddies, and club leaders. We have sponsored regular book and food giveaways, outdoor education programs, and holiday family dinners. We recently dedicated a “Little Free Library” outside the school and our members make sure it is stocked with a range of age-appropriate books.
In recent years, Beth Am has also made an annual gift to the school, in response to expressed needs. These gifts have included a freezer for the school’s Judy Center food pantry, school uniforms, supplies for the school store, and winter jackets.
Our members’ in-person activities at the schools paused during the pandemic, but beginning in the 2023-24 school year, our members will be back in the school to volunteer with these wonderful students. If you are interested in hearing more about this wonderful opportunity, please email Jackie Donowitz.
