Jeff Rosen’s early life reads like a guide to growing up in Jewish Baltimore in the late 80s and 90s.

Born in Pikesville, with grandparents living less than 10 minutes away, he attended religious school and Pikesville’s public schools where he admits, he didn’t have any non-Jewish friends until Pikesville High.

The bond he felt for Jewish life, which was an instrumental part of his upbringing, was solidified when he turned 16. It was then that Jeff made his first trip to Israel, which included stops in the countries of Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary and the Netherlands.

“We went everywhere in Israel – north, south, east and west. We stayed on kibbutzim, slept in the [Ramon] crater, visited Yad Vashem, the Western Wall and other historical sites. It was a transformative experience.”

So transformative that even today, Jeff vividly remembers returning home and speaking with Beth Tfiloh’s Rabbi Mitchell Wohlberg about the trip.

“I was so enthusiastic and taken with Israel that I remember he said to me, ‘You got the bug, you are a Zionist.’”

Two years later, Jeff attended the University of Maryland, College Park. After graduating and living in Stamford, CT and Richmond, VA, he returned to the area with his then girlfriend, now wife, Mindy. While living in Columbia and attending graduate school in College Park, he recalls his first real introduction to The Associated.

“It was around 2000. My father introduced me to Marc Terrill and we talked about ways I could get involved. Marc encouraged me to apply for YLC (Young Leadership Council), which I did.”

“CHAI was originally created to stabilize the Jewish population in northwest Baltimore City along Park Heights Avenue and support Jewish families living in that area,” says Jeff. “Over the years, we were very successful in finding ways to support our community’s seniors who remained in that corridor. I’m extremely proud of CHAI’s impact and accomplishments.”

He goes on to note that Pikesville has similar trends and patterns, particularly as it relates to seniors, and is excited that CHAI is committed to supporting the aging population through programs like Senior Home Repair and senior housing.

Through it all, Jeff has been committed to the future of Jewish Baltimore, co-chairing IMPACT’s Generosity Gala with his wife, Mindy, and co-chairing the Caring Commission.

Recently, Jeff was approached about leaving a legacy through The Associated’s new LIFE and LEGACY program. LIFE & LEGACY is a four-year partnership program with the Harold Grinspoon Foundation that will assist The Associated in promoting and integrating legacy giving into the philanthropic culture of the Baltimore Jewish Community to benefit The Associated, its programs and agencies.

He jokes that he said yes, in part, because, no one says ‘no’ to Linda Hurwitz, who brought the idea to him. But in reality, he admits that his passion for the future of Jewish Baltimore was foremost in his mind and it was an easy decision.

“In my professional life as a CPA, I often discuss future charitable opportunities with clients. Such decisions are both personal and impactful. In the case of The Associated, it can be as simple as committing one percent of a life insurance policy or retirement account that can get your legacy investment in our community started,” remarks Jeff. “I’m concerned because if the next generation, my generation, doesn’t support our Jewish community in the same way our parents did, it could look a lot different for our children.”

And he adds, “Mindy and I feel we have a responsibility and obligation to be actively involved and invested in our Jewish community.”