Posted on 09/29/24
Baltimore, MD - Sept. 29, 2024 - This past Tuesday evening, chaf beis Elul, September 24, Baltimore hosted a special event that wowed everyone, even the organizers, with the tremendous turnout and support. It wasn’t just a fun night out, this was a night dedicated to raising awareness and funds for an exceptional organization, Links Family, that operates with a credo of dignity for those they help—children and teens who lost a parent, and their families. With a branch in the Baltimore-Washington DC corridor (the first one started outside the tri-state area!), Links Family is currently servicing 871 families and approximately 3,500 children, worldwide.
When a young parent dies, their child’s life is changed forever. Links is there to ensure no child has to grieve alone by providing an array of services that offer practical and emotional support. This translates into case management, therapy referrals and funding, Shabbatons and year-round events, support groups, targeted publications, chassan and kallah services, shidduch guidance and advocacy, legal and financial guidance, and so much more.
The day may have been wet and rainy, but with Siyatta DiShmaya, by evening, the outdoor event was dry and beautiful and every detail was attended to. Through the courtesy of Baltimore Hebrew Congregation, parking was available in their lot across the street from the beautiful home of Menachem and Aviva Khoshkerman. Security was at the gate with Chaverim’s coordination as people kept streaming in to see what the buzz was about.
Many did not know that Links was brought to Baltimore 13 years ago and has a girls division coordinated by Judy Landman and Sarah Ottensoser and the boys division coordinated by Zev Daniel and Shmuel Artman, all under the leadership of the founder and director, Mrs. Sarah Rivkah Kohn.
With music permeating the background by Menachem Manevich, Eli Cohen, Yonatan Grinberg, Matt Shoenfeld and Paul Toshner, along with a stunning and delicious buffet by Dena Sondhelm of Details by Dena. Meir Parry’s Holy Smoke barbecue and Yaakov Sonnenblick’s mixology added to the ambience while people were able to find out more about Links on a personal level from the branch leaders and Mrs. Kohn, joined by the director of development, Mrs. Esti Bald, and the director of community outreach, Rabbi Nachum Feder.
The crowd heard words from the dynamic MC Zev Daniels, founder of the Baltimore branch, Judy Landman, and Sarah Rivkah Kohn who eloquently shared the great need of helping Links families and children. Rabbi Shmuel Silber concluded the program and spoke about how it is up to us to help Hashem’s children who have no parents. Additionally, there was a moving video from the perspective of a child who lost a parent. Throughout the entire event, the continuous donations were displayed on a large screen as the numbers climbed ever higher and closer to the goal, eventually surpassing it! Baltimore, a humble community, opened their hearts in a very big way and that was the best wow of all.
Thank you to the many volunteers and hosts who made this evening happen. Thank you to those who came and contributed. For those who missed it, Links Family will be having their annual crowdfunding campaign from Erev Rosh Hashanah through Erev Yom Kippur (Oct.2-11)
Please partner with this noble organization and donate at rayze.it/forever/Baltimore.