Community

ABOUT      |      20s & 30s      |      FAMILIES      |      SENIORS      |      INTERFAITH      |      GLBTQ

About

Belonging to a synagogue is exactly that—belonging. BHC is large and diverse, yet we aim to be united as a family, as friends and as a religious community. Our larger community comes together for worship, learning and celebration. It is in these moments that we truly feel the warmth and the strength of our community. Conversely, many members enjoy spending time with smaller groups, connected to their age, gender or background; we support these groups coming together. This page shares some information regarding some of our smaller groups.

20s & 30s

BHC’s 20s & 30s community is called “Chai Life” and provides year-round gatherings. Our Chai Life committee strives to create an exciting and varied calendar, and the group welcomes all 20s & 30s in the Baltimore area to attend—not only BHC members. Visit our Chai Life webpage to learn more about Chai Life events and opportunities, and how you can get involved.

Families

BHC invites families, couples, and individuals to participate in social events, religious services, celebrations and educational programs in new and innovative ways. Specifically for families with young children, PJ Shabbat, on the first Friday of each month at 6:30 PM, is a great moment for young children—with joyous songs, stories and more.
To receive emails about young family gatherings, contact Jillian Manko, Director of Engagement, jmanko@baltimorehebrew.org.

Holidays at BHC are great for families, whether our Chanukah dinner, Purim carnival, Shavuot Scoop community-wide free ice cream event or another holiday. INFO: Jillian Manko, Director of Engagement, jmanko@baltimorehebrew.org.

Seniors

Senior congregants find meaning and community through involvement in worship, learning, and the full calendars of Brotherhood and Women of BHC (Sisterhood). Seniors also enjoy volunteering in the congregation. Additionally, for those who are in assisted living, our clergy, along with senior staff and our Board President, frequently visit members who live at North Oaks, Roland Park Place, Edenwald and the Atrium. BHC Cares coordinates these visits. INFO: Sharon Edlow, sharonke123@gmail.com and Phyllis Lederman, phyllisgl@verizon.net

Interfaith

BHC embraces interfaith families and couples and those who have converted to Judaism. We offer programs and events to ensure that those new to Judaism are comfortable with worship, rituals, customs, and celebrations. Rabbi Busch and Rabbi Sachs-Kohen find it deeply meaningful to study with individuals seeking to convert to Judaism and to meet with those dealing with interfaith questions in their families. Each year, BHC hosts a dinner bringing together recent converts and those in the process of studying. Together, they share their experiences and study. BHC has a liberal stance towards to the inclusion of non-Jewish members of our families in lifecycle events and services. Additionally, our clergy are able to officiate at many, though not all, marriages between a Jew and a non-Jew. Please connect with our clergy directly with such inquiries.

LGBTQ+

LGBTQ+ people and same-sex couples are embraced at BHC. BHC was one of the first synagogues in Baltimore to have gay and lesbian clergy and was one of the first Reform Jewish congregations to hold same-sex religious marriage ceremonies. Today, LGBTQ+ members are integrated throughout the congregation, and our clergy officiate for LGBTQ+ simchas as they do for all. In 2012, an affinity group called BHC Pride was born to give BHC's LGBTQ+ members and their allies a way to connect and form community within the larger congregation. General INFO: info@baltimorehebrew.org.