BZD In The News
BZD to take 55+ group on in-person Israel tour
December 22, 2021 | Jesse Berman | Baltimore Jewish Times
“Next year in Jerusalem” is going to ring very true for participants of the Baltimore Zionist District’s upcoming tour of Israel.
BZD is currently organizing its first in-person trip to Israel since the start of the pandemic. This trip, intended for people 55 and older, will take place from March 22-April 5.
Baltimore Zionist District Plans First Mission to Israel Since Outset of the Pandemic
December 17, 2021 | Alan Feiler | JMore
The Baltimore Zionist District is currently planning its first trip to Israel since the outset of the pandemic. The mission is for adults ages 55 and up, geared toward first-time visitors as well as individuals who have toured Israel on multiple occasions. Jmore recently spoke with Adi Ratzon, BZD’s shlicha, or Israel emissary, about the trip, which takes place Mar. 22 to Apr. 5, 2022.
STAY POSITIVE, ENVISIO CHANGE IN 2022
Winter 2022 | Courtney McGee | Baltimore Style
As we get ready to ring in the new year, several local personalities share their personal aims for achieving a healthy, happy 2022. Creating, decluttering, embracing change and enjoying jazz number among their positive goals.
Check what our Executive Director, Caren Leven, had to say.
Caren Leven, Executive Director, Baltimore Zionist District
Na’aleh: The Hub for Leadership Learning
Caren is a Sabra (one born in Israel), and she arrived in the US at the age of 10. Although she could speak and understand English, she couldn’t read or write in English, creating a huge challenge when her parents enrolled her in public school.
Team Israel Plays Exhibition Game in Aberdeen Before Heading to Tokyo Olympics
July 20, 2021 | Alan Feiler | JMore
Harford County’s largest city, Aberdeen has never been known as a hotbed of Jewish life and culture. But on Monday afternoon, July 19, hundreds of area Jews made the trek to the small town to watch Israel’s national baseball team compete in an exhibition game against the Cal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League All-Stars.
Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Announces Boycott of Israeli West Bank Settlements
July 19, 2021 | JTA | JMore
Following pressure from pro-Palestinian activists, Ben & Jerry’s announced July 19 that it would stop selling ice cream in “Occupied Palestinian Territory.” The Vermont-based ice cream brand said it would continue operating in Israel, suggesting that it is planning to pull its products from stores located in Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
Demonstrators ‘Keep the Flame’ at Rally Against Antisemitism
July 12, 2021 | Jesse Berman | Baltimore Jewish Times
On Sunday afternoon, a few thousand demonstrators gathered together in the shadow of the U.S. Capitol building to attend “No Fear: Rally in Solidarity with the Jewish People.” The rally was meant as a demonstration against antisemitism, Jewish hatred, and the denial of Jewish rights, said Caren Leven, the executive director of the BZD.
The Baltimore Zionist District, with Caren Leven
June 15, 2021 | Radio Sefarad
The Baltimore Zionist District (BZD) uses its direct Israeli connection as a home base for the creation of cultural and political programs and educational activities which deal with all aspects of Zionism and modern Israeli life. Its declared mission is “To foster knowledge and understanding of the State of Israel, to facilitate dialogue, to raise awareness, to advocate for a secure future for Israel and nurture the bonds between our local community and Israel.”
Baltimore Jews Express Support for Israel as Conflict Continues
May 19, 2021 | Jesse Berman | Baltimore Jewish Times
On Sunday afternoon, a few thousand demonstrators gathered together
Nearly 300 demonstrators, holding handmade signs and with Israeli flags flying in the breeze or draped over their shoulders, fanned out across both sides of Stevenson Road near Chizuk Amuno Congregation on May 13.
Social Media Post About Middle East Conflict Stirs Concern Among Local College Community
May 14, 2021 | Dan Lampariello | Fox 45 News
COLLEGE PARK, Md. (WBFF) - A social media post circulating among students at the University of Maryland is causing concern among the area's Jewish community. The post, which was posted and then allegedly shared by a number of students on Instagram, focuses on the current tension in the Middle East.
Pro-Israel Rally Held May 13 on Stevenson Road Sidewalk
May 12, 2021 | Staff Report | JMore
On Thursday, May 13, the Baltimore Zionist District and Stand With Us Mid-Atlantic held a rally in support of Israel on the sidewalk of Stevenson Road, by the Interstate-695 bypass. About 300 people, some draped in Israeli flags, attended.
Baltimore Marks Yom HaZikaron and Yom Ha’atzmaut
April 7, 2021 | Jesse Berman | Baltimore Jewish Times
Synagogues and other Jewish organizations in the Baltimore area are preparing to both honor Israel’s fallen soldiers and victims of terror and celebrate the birth of the Jewish nation through events commemorating Yom HaZikaron and celebrating Yom Ha’atzmaut.
Baltimore Jewish Council Condemn Anti-Semitic Postings from Hopkins Teaching Assistant
January 5, 2021 | Staff Report | JMore
The Baltimore Jewish Council and The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore condemned the anti-Semitic comments allegedly posted on social media by a Johns Hopkins University teaching assistant. According to media reports, the teaching assistant was identified as Rasha Anayah, a graduate student in the chemistry department.
Chanukah Events, Virtual and Otherwise, to Take Place across the Baltimore Metropolitan Area
December 1, 2020 | Alan Feiler | JMore
“The proper response, as Chanukah teaches, is not to curse the darkness but to light a candle.” –Rabbi Dr. Irving “Yitz” Greenberg, author, theologian, activist and educator. Perhaps more than any other time in recent memory, the lights of the chanukiah will shine brighter and offer more hope and comfort than any other Chanukah season.
You Should Know … Adi Ratzon
October 8, 2020 | Carolyn Conte | Baltimore Jewish Times
It’s not every day you run into a member of a coed combat unit of the Israel Defense Forces. Meet Adi Ratzon, 30, the shlicha for the Baltimore Zionist District. She brings Israeli culture to the Baltimore community through unique programs. Ratzon is originally from Ramat Gan, Israel. She holds a bachelor’s in psychology and sociology from the Academic College of Tel Aviv-Yaffo.
Baltimore Zionist District Hosts ‘Unorthodox’ Actors
June 17, 2020 | Carolyn Conte | Baltimore Jewish Times
Two actors from “Unorthodox,” 30 people, and a parrot gathered around their screens the evening of June 14 for a Baltimore Zionist District discussion of the Netflix show starring Shira Haas about a girl who leaves an ultra-Orthodox community in New York for a new and unknown life in Germany.
Baltimore Jewish Community Reacts to George Floyd’s Death and Protests
June 3, 2020 | JT Staff | Baltimore Jewish Times
In the days since George Floyd’s death on May 25 in Minneapolis, the nation and world have been wracked by protests, fueled by outrage at Floyd’s death and what is viewed as a broader problem with the conduct of American police, particularly in regard to the nation’s black community.
Baltimore Zionist District Honors Israel’s Fallen
April 22, 2020 | Jesse Berman | Baltimore Jewish Times
Baltimore Zionist District will hold its Virtual Yom Hazikaron Memorial Ceremony on April 27. The digital event replaces what had been a planned in-person event, and is co-hosted by The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore, Chizuk Amuno Congregation, the JCC of Greater Baltimore, Friends of the IDF, and Beth Tfiloh Congregation.
Baltimore Zionist District Information Session and Mitzvah Project
March 29, 2019 | Victoria Brown | Baltimore Jewish Times
On March 24, Baltimore Zionist District (BZD) hosted an information session about a BZD-led trip to Israel this summer. It marked the beginning of a project through which people can donate toiletries, clothing and food items for the benefit of lone soldiers in the Israel Defense Forces.
The Tzofim Friendship Caravan Visits Baltimore
July 31, 2019 | Arielle Ashpes | Baltimore Jewish Times
On July 20, the 2019 Tzofim Friendship Caravan arrived at the Baltimore Zionist District (BZD) to perform for five days throughout the Baltimore area. Under the program organization and scheduling from BZD’s executive director, Caren Leven, the Tzofim traveled to various venues to perform throughout Maryland. For the Tzofim, as well as for each audience they performed for, it was a one-of-a-kind experience for everyone who took part.
Haifa-Born Caren Leven Takes Helm of Baltimore Zionist District
December 7, 2018 | Susan Ingram | Baltimore Jewish Times
Her parents met in a kibbutz after her mom left the U.S. for Israel to volunteer during the Yom Kippur War. The young Caren Leven grew up in Haifa in a high-rise “filled with children.” She learned to speak English from her mother and Hebrew from her Israeli father.
Baltimore Zionist District Hires New Executive Director
November 29, 2018 | Staff Report | JMore
Caren Leven was recently named the new executive director of the Baltimore Zionist District. According to the organization’s website (bzdisrael.org), the Pikesville-based BZD’s mission is to “foster knowledge and understanding of the State of Israel, to facilitate dialogue, to raise awareness, and to advocate for a secure future for Israel.”
Baltimore Jewish Film Festival Offers Something for Everyone
March 26, 2018 | Simone Ellin | JMore
Ever wonder how the entries are selected for the William and Irene Weinberg Family Baltimore Jewish Film Festival, now it its 30th year?
It’s an “intense and multi-layered” process, according to Alyson Bonavoglia, artistic director of the Gordon Center for Performing Arts.