Baltimore Jewish Times

12/23/2025

The two gunmen who opened fire on a Chanukah celebration in Sydney, Australia last week, killing 15, recorded a manifesto video prior to the attack in which they condemned the acts of “Zionists.”

The gunmen who opened fire on a Chanukah celebration in Sydney last week recorded a manifesto prior to the attack in which they condemned “Zionists.”

12/23/2025

✡️🐅⚫🟡 Rabbi Alex Salzberg, 40, did not always want to be a rabbi.

✡️🐅⚫🟡 Salzberg grew up in Owings Mills attending Chizuk Amuno Congregation, attending school at Krieger Schechter Day School until eighth grade, then going into Pikesville High School, for what Salzberg calls “a very classic Baltimore Jewish story.”

✡️🐅⚫🟡 But he wasn’t thinking about a career as a clergyman during those years. It wasn’t until he was 30 that he graduated rabbinical school. He is now in his fourth year as the rabbi for Towson University Hillel. He lives in Reservoir Hill and belongs to Beth Am Synagogue.

Explore the journey of Rabbi Alex Salzberg, who discovered his calling to lead in the Jewish community later in life.

12/23/2025

Elana Molotsky, 30, moved to Baltimore looking for connection.

She grew up right outside of Philadelphia, in Mount Laurel, New Jersey. She attended Cornell University, majoring in biology, and competed on the varsity gymnastics team. She earned her PhD in neuroscience at Philly’s Thomas Jefferson University and, after graduating in 2022, moved to Baltimore to work at Johns Hopkins as a post-doctoral research fellow.

Meet Elana Molotsky, a neuroscientist at Johns Hopkins bringing community together through innovative volunteer work.

12/23/2025

For more than a decade, Baltimore City Hall has played host to Chanukah menorah lightings. This usually includes a ceremony with the mayor, an official City Hall menorah and even visual installations.

This year’s installation, however, is different.

“This year’s display was intentionally designed as a permanent foundation we can return to and expand over time,” said Rebecca Mark, the Jewish community liaison for the Mayor’s Office of Community Affairs. The display was created in collaboration with the Jewish Museum of Maryland.

Explore the significance of Baltimore City Hall's Chanukah menorah lightings and the unique designs of this year’s display.

12/23/2025

In February, some 3,500 Jewish teens from 52 countries will gather in Philadelphia for the BBYO International Convention, the organization’s “Super Bowl,” so to speak.

Over 40 teens from Baltimore-area BBYO chapters will travel north to attend the largest gathering of Jewish teens in the world, and Carly Lerner, regional director of the BBYO Baltimore Council, said that there is a lot to look forward to.

Join 3,500 Jewish teens at BBYO International Convention in Philadelphia for an unforgettable celebration of community and culture.

12/22/2025

Jacques Fein always wanted payback.

The Holocaust survivor used that phrase often as an adult. But he did not say it in the vengeful, vindictive sense.

What Fein meant was different.

“For all the people who saved him and his sister and allowed them to have a life, he felt like it was his duty to give back to society, and he called it ‘payback,’” his daughter Rachel Burrows said.

Explore the legacy of the Howard County Holocaust Remembrance Committee and its origins through Jacques Fein's inspiring story.

12/22/2025

🕍In a letter this month to members of Congregation Beit Tikvah, the executive board wrote: “To paraphrase [comedian] Henny Youngman, ‘Take our congregation, please.’”

Beit Tikvah faces closure in 2026 after 40 years. Discover the challenges and heartfelt messages from the congregation.

12/19/2025

Attorneys for Maryland state Sen. Dalya Attar have asked the U.S. District Court in Baltimore to dismiss three of the eight federal charges against her for alleged conspiracy and extortion.

Those three charges relate to the claims that the Baltimore City Democrat tried to extort a former political consultant by hiding a camera in the woman’s house in order to catch her conducting an affair with a married man.

The motion to dismiss the charges, filed on Dec. 16, states the three counts are unfounded in part because the alleged extortion does not relate to a “transferable” item, only a person’s reputation and livelihood.

Explore the legal challenges facing Sen. Dalya Attar as attorneys seek to dismiss federal charges against her.

12/19/2025

Celebrate the season at the Chanukah House in Pikesville, featuring bright lights and a joyful community atmosphere.

12/19/2025

Explore the festive Chanukah celebration at Beth Tfiloh with third graders enjoying songs and stories at Aventura.

12/19/2025

The Beth Israel community united to pack 200 lunches for local shelters, showcasing community spirit and service.

12/19/2025

Explore the highlights from the Congregational School Conference at Chizuk Amuno, featuring keynote speaker Rabba Yaffa Epstein.