UMB Celebrates Jewish American Heritage Month
Dear UMB Community:
May is Jewish American Heritage Month, a time when we highlight the legacies and contributions of Jewish Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States and our University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) community.
We honor those who have paved the way for future generations, through their resilience, creativity, and tireless efforts to make a difference. From early struggles and triumphs to contemporary achievements, the Jewish American community has enriched the fabric of our society in immeasurable ways.
Amid the celebrations, we recognize both revered figures and contemporary trailblazers whose work continues to inspire and change lives. Their contributions are not only historical but also present in innovative advancements. This month, we encourage everyone to delve deeper into these narratives and join us in paying homage to the remarkable individuals who have made indelible marks on our society.
We honor people like Sen. Rosalie Silber Abrams, the first Jewish woman elected to the Maryland State Senate. She was an energetic and activist legislator who oversaw the passage of nearly 300 bills during her 17-year career in the Maryland General Assembly.
Lois Blum Feinblatt, born in 1921 to Baltimore’s Hoffberger family, focused her professional career, volunteer efforts, and philanthropy on providing mental health, adoption, and mentoring services in Baltimore. In the 1960s, she was one of eight women chosen for a special program to train housewives to be professional mental health counselors.
Ben Cardin, a Baltimore native, is an American lawyer and politician who served as a U.S. senator from Maryland from 2007 until 2025. A member of the Democratic Party, he was the U.S. representative for Maryland's 3rd congressional district from 1987 to 2007. Senator Cardin is a 1967 graduate of the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law.
During Jewish American Heritage Month at UMB, we also affirm our commitment and support for Jewish American colleagues and friends. We are committed to increasing belonging, justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion at UMB and throughout Baltimore, the state of Maryland, and the world.
In partnership and collaboration,
Diane Forbes Berthoud, PhD, MA
Chief Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Officer and Vice President, UMB
Professor, School of Graduate Studies