BJH: Would you introduce yourself, and tell us how you became involved with Shoresh and why?
Yona Openden: My husband Yossi and I arrived in Baltimore 27 years ago, when I began law school at the University of Maryland and he was pursuing his MBA at Johns Hopkins. We’ve been fortunate to raise our four children in this wonderful community, and now our first grandson as well!
I first learned about Shoresh many years ago when our family attended a Shoresh Night of Magic. I was deeply impressed by the organization’s mission and the warmth it brought to Jewish outreach and our community. When I was later asked to get involved, I didn’t hesitate. Since I am not nearly as creative or talented as any of the Shoresh staff, I resorted to contributing my skills as a board member, then as Vice President and now, as Board President.
BJH: Are there other organizations in Baltimore with which you’re involved? What drew you to them?
YO: Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to be involved with several Baltimore organizations that are very close to my heart. Each plays a critical role in supporting our community, and I deeply value their impact. Serving in leadership roles across diverse organizations has given me a broader perspective, which I hope allows me to contribute to informed decision making within the broad context of communal needs.
BJH: What is Shoresh’s mission, and how does it play out in the greater Baltimore community?
YO: Shoresh exists to instill positive Jewish identity among children and their families. We do this through a wide range of educational, recreational, and experiential programs offered throughout the year, as well as through our enriching summer camp experience on our beautiful campus in Adamstown.
Our greatest source of nachas is seeing the generational impact Shoresh has on families. When the children of former campers return as leaders, they carry forward a love of Judaism, Israel, and the Jewish people, and instill those values in the next generation.
BJH: When you say “generational impact,” what do you mean?
YO: The numbers tell a powerful story. What began in the Edelmans’ backyard in 1978 has grown into a summer camp serving nearly 500 campers, supported by 125 staff members. Over the past 47 years, Shoresh has reached approximately 4,400 camper alumni and nearly 1,200 staff alumni.
Beyond camp, more than 1,500 people participate annually in Shoresh programs, including adult and teen education, holiday celebrations like Simchas Torah, Chanukah, and Purim, trips, and shabbatons. These experiences bring families together to experience Judaism in a warm, meaningful way—something they then carry into their own homes and future families.
BJH: What has been a favorite Shoresh experience for you?
YO: I am constantly impressed by the creativity, thoughtfulness, and warmth infused into every Shoresh program. One particularly meaningful experience was joining a Shoresh teen trip several winters ago. It gave me a firsthand look at the care and attention that goes into every detail—ensuring each teen’s needs are met while providing them with an impactful, inspirational and fun experience.
We experienced breathtaking natural wonders together, including red rock mountains, a 250-year-old cactus, and a sunset kumzitz at the Grand Canyon. Experiencing God’s majesty as a group of Jews made it even more powerful. Everywhere we went, fellow Jews greeted us with “Shalom” and “Am Yisrael Chai,” and sometimes even felt inspired to put on tefillin.
We davened three times a day—sometimes in shuls, sometimes in unexpected places like Hoover Dam, a windy dock, or the side of a highway—and each setting was uplifting in its own way. We also spent a warm and welcoming Shabbos with the Phoenix community. One teen shared with me afterward that he realized he had judged a chassidic Jew more than that person had judged him—“He just saw me as a fellow Jew.”
What I hadn’t expected was how deeply I would enjoy getting to know the teens themselves. Each one was inspiring in their own way, and I was grateful for the opportunity to be a part of and witness Shoresh’s magic up close.
BJH: What’s been keeping you busy as Board President?
YO: Shoresh continues to grow and fill a vital need in our community. With a mindset for continuous improvement, we’ve been thinking a lot about our growth trajectory and what that means organizationally. Over the past year, we’ve focused on reshaping and energizing our Board to ensure it can effectively support Shoresh’s future growth. We’ve made important campus improvements and are developing a formal alumni program to better engage former Shoresh kids—many of whom now have children of their own.
When Rabbi Dave Finkelstein asked me to take on the presidency, it was shortly after October 7. Like so many others, I was overwhelmed by what was happening in Israel and felt a sense of helplessness. But I came to realize that what Shoresh does is part of the answer. Every child who feels more connected to Judaism and the Jewish people because of Shoresh—that is our answer. Empowering our kids to proudly own their Jewish identity—that is our answer. That realization is why I said yes. I hope you, the reader, will feel the same and choose to partner with us in our upcoming crowdfunding campaign on February 2-3.
