Baltimore Jewish Council

BJC Executive Director Howard Libit joined former Maryland State Sen. Bobby Zirkin for the latest episode of “Across the Aisle.” They talked about public policy, antisemitism, Israel, security for the Jewish community, and the importance of civil discourse.

Listen here:

WATCH: A discussion of antisemitism, Israel and civil discourse | Across the Aisle Howard Libit joins Bobby Zirkin to discuss antisemitism, Israel, Gaza, Iran, public policy and the importance of civil discourse.

Our Director of Holocaust and Countering Antisemitism Programs joined Jewish education and communal professionals from across the country in DC at The George Washington University's The Collaboratory : Center for Jewish Education to learn about the efforts being made nationally to help strengthen and engage Jewish learning in the K-12 space.

We now have a date for the elections in Israel – October 27. What's driving Israeli voters? Dive into the Israel Democracy Index for a data-driven look at the opinions, priorities, and trends shaping this election.

https://en.idi.org.il/elections-2026/

On Tuesday, Abby and Phyllis from the BJC team joined other volunteers from The Associated system to serve lunch to community members at Paul's Place in Southwest Baltimore. This nonprofit
offers free meals, clothing, case management, health services (including a nurses' clinic), job assistance, and after-school programs, and serves as a community hub for those facing poverty, homelessness, and unemployment.

Last week our deputy director Sarah Mersky Miicke was honored at annual meeting as the recipient of the Community Partner of the Year Award for her legislative contributions to Chai and the members it serves. Let's give her a congrats

Today our deputy director volunteered at ALA Maryland Girls State-Official along with many other lobbyists throughout Maryland. Girls State is a weeklong leadership and civic education program run by the American Legion Auxiliary (ALA).

ICYMI- photos from the BJC's Annual Meeting. Thank you to our outgoing president Robin Weiman for your service and Mazel Tov Emily Honick, our incoming president. Congratulations to our honoree Senator Chris West and thank you to the family and friends of Louise Geczy who joined us as we remembered her impact on Holocaust Education.

Last Tuesday evening was the highlight of every Leadership Development Program year – the visit to WBAL to peek behind the scenes and see how the news is produced. In addition to watching the 6PM news from the studio and production room and touring the radio studios, we were joined by anchor Deborah Weiner and Radio news reporter/anchor Robert Lang who shared both personal and professional insights from their experiences working in the media. We’re grateful to the WBAL team who always make us feel so welcome.

The BJC and the Herbert H. and Irma B. Risch Memorial Endowment Fund were proud to help sponsor the 2026 Baltimore Immigration Summit. Frank Risch, who created the fund in honor of his parents, offered powerful opening remarks about the contributions that immigrants have made to the United States throughout our country’s history.