Moving to a new area can certainly be exciting yet daunting, especially when your friends and family are miles away. And sometimes, as you transition to a new life stage, it can be challenging connecting to people with similar interests.
That’s why The Associated, often referred to as the gateway to Jewish life, recently relaunched Shalom Baltimore, a program designed to help welcome newcomers of all stages to Jewish Baltimore.
Leading the effort are Shalom Baltimore Co-chairs, Brian Litofsky and Ann Rubin. A Baltimore native and a Michigan transplant respectively, they know all too well the value of connection. We recently spoke with them to learn more about Shalom Baltimore, their vision for the project and how they spend their free time.
Why spend your time co-chairing Shalom Baltimore?
Brian: When I see people looking uncomfortable or out of place at synagogue or at a party, I tend to go over and talk to them. Shalom Baltimore is kind of a big version of that. How do we connect new people? How do we help new people make connections and feel like insiders instead of outsiders? Baltimore isn’t easy. It can feel cliquey. I can see that because my wife is from Maine. She is no longer amazed that when people ask, ‘where did you go to school,’ they mean high school, not college. It’s like a screening tool.
You’re not from here Ann. What was it like when you first moved to Baltimore?
Ann: I had both good and bad experiences. Like I remember my husband heard about some basketball game but they weren’t including any more people. You know, this was a game where everyone was friends from high school– no newcomers invited. We encountered people who literally said, ‘I have enough friends. I don’t need any more.’
But I also had good experiences that counterbalanced those experiences. The year I arrived; Shalom Baltimore held this brunch at someone’s house for all these people who were new to Baltimore. And I remember how inviting and welcoming it felt. I met a friend that I’m still friends with today! It was a great way to meet people.
