The Louise D. and Morton J. Macks Jewish Connection Network Partners with Repair the World to Expand Young Adult Jewish Service Opportunities in Baltimore

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 6, 2025

The Louise D. and Morton J. Macks Jewish Connection Network Partners with Repair the World to Expand Young Adult Jewish Service Opportunities in Baltimore

Baltimore, MD — The Louise D. and Morton J. Macks Jewish Connection Network is proud to announce a new partnership with Repair the World, a national leader in the Jewish service movement. This collaboration aims to deepen Jewish service learning in Baltimore and provide expanded opportunities for young adults to engage in meaningful volunteer work within the community.

Since 2022, The Network, an agency of The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore, has been dedicated to fostering a sense of belonging and connection among all members of the Baltimore Jewish community. The Network links individuals with ways to embrace their Jewish identity while creating lasting relationships. Thanks to its predecessor organization, the Jewish Volunteer Connection (JVC), The Network has a strong tradition of creating Jewish service opportunities for families and individuals. Repair the World leads the Jewish service movement, empowering Jewish communities to engage in meaningful acts of service, alongside exploring Jewish values. For the past eleven years, Repair has operated in Baltimore under different models, mobilizing over 9,000 volunteers through 700 service-learning programs, generating almost 22,000 hours of service. Under a new partnership model, The Network will expand its young adult service offerings, co-branded with Repair The World. 

“This partnership is an incredible opportunity to deepen The Associated’s efforts engaging young adults through meaningful experiences rooted in Jewish values like tikkun olam,” said Andrew Cushnir, President and CEO of The Associated. “It’s part of our commitment to create diverse ways for community members to engage in Jewish life in ways that are meaningful to them. We are grateful to the Jacob and Hilda Blaustein Foundation for their support of this partnership, and look forward to seeing all that The Network and Repair accomplish together for Baltimore.”

The initial phase of the partnership, running through July 2026, will focus on mobilizing Jewish volunteers in Baltimore through several key initiatives, including peer-to-peer volunteer teams, neighborhood volunteer opportunities organized by community connectors, episodic service opportunities for young adults, and microgrants to encourage local Jewish organizations to expand their own service programs.

“We are thrilled to partner with Repair the World.” said Addie Lewis Klein, Executive Director of The Network. “We know service is a core way young adults connect with their Jewish identity, and this partnership allows us to expand our work with people in their 20s and 30s. We hope this partnership allows us to deepen our impact, empowering young adults to connect with their peers and build community while giving back and exploring Jewish values.”

Through this partnership, Repair will provide curriculum, training, and resources to The Network, which will utilize its deep knowledge of Baltimore’s Jewish community to implement these programs effectively. The initiative will empower local young adults, provide leadership opportunities for grassroots community builders, and connect Jewish volunteers with local organizations addressing poverty and injustice.

“We are proud to work alongside The Network, a local expert in Jewish engagement, as we expand the Jewish service movement,” said Cindy Greenberg, President and CEO of Repair the World. “The insights and expertise that The Network brings to the table are invaluable as we continue to grow and strengthen Jewish service across the country. Together, we’re ensuring that Jewish service-learning is relevant, impactful, and integrated into the fabric of Jewish life in Baltimore. With the learnings from this pilot, we will be able to launch similar programs in other cities soon.”

Key Programs and Deliverables:

• VolunTeams: Peer-to-peer groups of young adults who will commit to ongoing monthly service opportunities, with staff support and funding to cover program expenses. This will include collaboration with The Associated’s Young Adult Division (YAD) for one VolunTeam.
• Neighborhood-based Volunteer Opportunities: The Network’s 40 grassroots community builders will be encouraged to engage their peers in service-focused gatherings.
• Episodic Service Opportunities: The Network will create several service events specifically designed for young adults, integrating social and service aspects to engage participants meaningfully.
• Microgrants: The Network will offer microgrants to local Jewish organizations to help grow and sustain service initiatives in the Baltimore area, beginning in the spring of 2025.

By the end of year one, the partnership aims to engage over 400 acts of service and learning, encouraging young adults to incorporate service into their Jewish journey. 

About The Network
The Louise D. and Morton J. Macks Jewish Connection Network was established by The Associated in 2022 to connect all members of the Baltimore Jewish community with meaningful opportunities to embrace their Jewish identity. Through community-building programs, The Network seeks to spark friendships and provide a support system for families and individuals of all ages. For more information, visit https://www.thejewishnetwork.org/.

About Repair the World
Repair the World mobilizes Jews and their communities to take action to pursue a just world, igniting a lifelong commitment to service. We believe service in support of social change is vital to a flourishing Jewish community and an inspired Jewish life. By 2030, we will inspire and catalyze one million acts of service and learning toward repairing the world. To learn more, visit https://werepair.org/.

About The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore

The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore strengthens and nurtures Jewish life by engaging and supporting community partners in Greater Baltimore, Israel and around the world. To learn more, go to associated.org.

Media Contact:
Rochelle Eisenberg, [email protected]; 410-369-9306