Baltimore

Baltimore is the largest city in the state of Maryland in the United States, with over 500,000 residents, including approximately 27,000 Jews who make up about 4% of the city's population. Baltimore has a well-established Chabad community that was founded during the time of the Tzemach Tzedek by chassidim who fled from pogroms that occurred in Russia. As of 5780 (2020), the Chabad community in Baltimore numbers about 200 families who have educational institutions, synagogues, and Chabad Houses spread throughout the city.

Chabad Community of Baltimore

The Chabad community in Baltimore was founded by chassidim of the Rebbe Tzemach Tzedek who fled Russia following the pogroms that took place there. When they arrived in the United States, they settled in Baltimore and established a synagogue called Tzemach Tzedek Synagogue. During the time of the Rebbe Rashab in 5649 (1889), there was an additional migration of chassidim from Russia to the town and the community grew. In 5690 (1930), the Rebbe Rayatz made a visit to the city that lasted about three weeks.

As of 5697 (1937), there were about five Chabad synagogues in Baltimore: Anshei Chernigov (founded in 5656/1896), Anshei Nezhin led by Rabbi Avraham Nachman Abramowitz, Anshei Bobruisk, Anshei Lubavitch led by Rabbi Mordechai Gifter, Agudas Achim, and the veteran Tzemach Tzedek synagogue.

For many years, approximately from 5684 (1924), Rabbi Avraham Eliyahu Axelrod, one of the great Chabad chassidim of that period, served as the rabbi of Baltimore. After he passed away in 5712 (1952), the Chabad community in the city was at a low point with almost no chassidim remaining in the city. This continued until the arrival of shluchim to the area (including Rabbi Menachem Mendel Feldman), which somewhat revitalized the small community and helped it grow. In 5765 (2005), Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim Baltimore was established in the city, after which the Chabad community in the town began to establish itself.

Towards the 5767 (2006-2007) school year, Rabbi Elchanan Lisbon founded a Chabad cheder in Baltimore called "Cheder Chabad." The cheder began in a basement with only 12 students of kindergarten age. As of today (5784/2023-2024 school year), more than 400 students from kindergarten through 8th grade learn in the cheder. The establishment of the cheder strengthened the new establishment of the Chabad community in Baltimore, and in parallel with the establishment of the cheder, additional Chabad synagogues were founded.

Currently, there are more than 25 Chabad Houses operating in Baltimore, in addition to Chabad synagogues, mikvaot, educational institutions, and gemachim (free loan societies). The Chabad community in the city numbers (as of 5782/2022) about 200 families and is concentrated mainly in the Park Heights neighborhoods (where most anash live).

In recent years, additional Chabad communities have been established near the Chabad Houses scattered throughout the city.

In Tevet 5781 (December 2020/January 2021), a new building for Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim in the city was dedicated. The building was constructed as a replica of 770, and plans were begun for establishing a high school.

In Elul 5782 (August/September 2022), a mesivta with two classes was opened by the shliach Rabbi Velvel Gopin, and as of the 5784 (2023-2024) school year, about 40 students study in the mesivta.

Towards the 5784 (2023-2024) year, a new high school for Chabad girls was opened.

The Frierdiker Rebbe's Visit to Baltimore

Extended article - The Frierdiker Rebbe's Journey to the United States (5690)

In the year 5689-5690 (1929-1930), the Frierdiker Rebbe (Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn) traveled to the United States with the goal of spiritually awakening American Jews. During this time period, the Frierdiker Rebbe traveled to different cities where he stayed and strengthened the local Chabad community and the Jews of each city. In the month of Teves 5690, after completing his journey in Philadelphia, the Frierdiker Rebbe traveled to Baltimore. When the Rebbe arrived in the city, he was greeted by the city's rabbi, who was a Chabad chossid, Rabbi Avraham Eliyahu Axelrod, along with thousands of city residents, despite the Chabad community in the city being relatively small. The event was held at City Hall and the Mayor, Mr. William Frederick, was also present.

The Frierdiker Rebbe stayed in Baltimore for about three weeks - from the 12th of Teves until the 5th of Shevat - during which he resided at 2343 Eutaw Place where he received people for yechidus (private audience) for about three hours a day. On Friday night, the 24th of Teves, the Frierdiker Rebbe held a special farbrengen (chassidic gathering) at the Tzemach Tzedek synagogue in the city with hundreds of people in attendance (even Reform Jews). On the 4th of Shevat, a farewell ceremony was held, and on the 5th of Shevat, the Frierdiker Rebbe returned to New York.

Chabad Institutions in the City

• Tzemach Tzedek Synagogue (the oldest)
• Lubavitch Center Synagogue
• Chabad Ohel Levi Yitzchak Synagogue, Rabbi of the synagogue - Rabbi Elchanan Lisbon
• Anash Young Adults Synagogue
• Beis Lubavitch
• Chabad House for Israelis, Rabbi of the synagogue - Rabbi Shmuel Gurary
• Beis Moshiach Baltimore
• Chabad Cheder of Baltimore - a cheder with approximately 400 students from kindergarten through 8th grade. Director - Reb Ephraim Sorkin
• Chabad Girls High School
• Yeshivas Tomchei Temimim Baltimore. Yeshiva Director - Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Yehuda Nager
• Mesivta Tomchei Temimim Lubavitch Baltimore
• Chabad of Greenway
• Chabad of Johns Hopkins
• Chabad of Downtown - Reb Levi Yitzchak Druk

See Also

• Tzemach Tzedek Synagogue (Baltimore)

External Links

• A collection published by the Tzemach Tzedek Synagogue in the city about the Frierdiker Rebbe's journey to Baltimore
• Baltimore: A Large Community in a Small City [Original in English] Coverage of Chabad community life in Baltimore on the website 22 Menachem-Av 5780
• Chabad House in downtown Baltimore celebrates 13 years [Original in English] Article on the website 22 Kislev 5781
• Chabad community in Baltimore experiencing tremendous growth [Original in English] 5 Nissan 5782
• Shaped like 770: Stunning documentation from 'Beis Lubavitch' yeshiva in Baltimore Photo gallery by Chabad photographer Reb Mordechai Lubetzky on the website 7 Kislev 5784