Welcome back to Pull Up A Chair, our monthly podcast where we explore different themes and what it means to build and be a part of a strong Jewish community.

For this episode, Sharing Nine Decades of Life in Jewish Baltimore, we connect with Rae Rossen, a Baltimore native who shares her memories of growing up in Jewish Baltimore.

Rae was raised in East Baltimore, the youngest of five siblings. She graduated at the age of 16 in 1946 from Patterson Park Senior High School. Rae recalls her time spent growing up in the area and life during the Depression.

“I worked part-time as a child, or as a teenager rather, at one of the local libraries and also for Hutzler’s Department store. But what I remember, especially from growing up, was that my family was the recipient of The Associated Jewish Charities because of the Depression era at that time.”

Over the years, Rae became extremely involved in the Jewish community – working at The Associated as a secretary in the campaign office and volunteering in a variety of roles.

“I believe that The Associated Jewish Charities gave me a jumpstart into what I call ‘nonstop giving’ because volunteering became part of my life.”

Today, at 91, Rae remains an active volunteer and continues to give back to a community she loves.

View the episode’s transcript.

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Pull Up A Chair is a monthly Associated Podcast where, each month, we sit down and talk with members of the Baltimore community. Hear the personal stories of Jewish Baltimore – from CEO’s to The Myerberg’s Bagel Boys to Summer Camp Sweethearts. We’ll laugh, reminisce and learn a thing or two about what it means to build a strong community. Pull Up A Chair – You’ll feel like you’re sitting in the room with us.