This spring, something quietly powerful has been bringing women together across the Baltimore community. Through Let’s Connect, more than 100 women have been gathering in small Circles, meeting regularly around shared interests, conversation, and Torah.
Let’s Connect’s mission is to create meaningful, Torah-oriented connections among women ages 50 and older. It is a simple idea that has resonated: participation has more than doubled since the program began less than a year ago. The enthusiasm reflects a strong desire for something ongoing and rooted; participants have found not only activities, but connection, belonging, and consistency. Circles clearly meet a real need.
The Spring Circles include a range of offerings, from walking and movement groups to creative journaling, gardening, learning chaburahs, and even Mahjong. But the excitement is not only due to the subject matter of the Circle. The energy comes from the Let’s Connect women themselves: the warmth, enthusiasm, and genuine desire to show up, meet new people, and be part of something meaningful. Each Circle is intentionally kept small, allowing participants to feel comfortable, get to know one another, and return week after week to a familiar and welcoming space.
For many, that consistency has been key. In a time when connection can often feel fragmented or transactional, these Circles offer something different. They create room for genuine relationships to develop naturally, grounded in shared values, shared interests, and a sense of ease.
Behind the scenes, the program has been built and sustained by a devoted group of volunteers. A core team, including Moshay Cooper, Chaya Dachs, Sara Arno, Chaya Major, and Goldie Silberberg, has invested significant time and care into shaping the initiative. Their efforts are reflected not only in the organization of Let’s Connect programs, but in the steady sense of connection and belonging participants experience.
Let’s Connect is fortunate to work with a dedicated group of women who volunteer to lead Circles, bringing warmth, thoughtfulness, and commitment to each experience. Their role is central to what makes each Circle feel personal and welcoming.
Leiba Gornbein leads the Art Circle, where participants tap into their creativity as they explore the fundamentals of color and color mixing, and the techniques of watercolor. Through guided painting, participants build their skills and will leave with several completed paintings.
Leah Pinck leads a Creative Journaling & Expressive Art Circle, which employs a variety of creative self-reflection techniques, including journaling with one’s non-dominant hand, and guided expressive exercises. The exercises are designed to help participants uncover their inner strength and cultivate clarity, hope, and self-compassion. Mrs Pinck was trained by the Creative Journaling and Expressive Art Institute.
Feigi Oberstein leads the Gardening Circle, where participants share ideas, experience, and practical tips as they focus on planting and growing throughout the season. The Circle offers inspiration and advice for all levels, from beginners to experienced gardeners.
Nomi Frankel leads the Emunah and Bitachon Circle, a learning group centered on strengthening emunah and bitachon through guided study and discussion.
Chaya Bina Samuels leads the Hiking Circle, which explores local trails at a comfortable pace.
Sara Helman and Esther Radzyner each lead a Mahjong Circle, teaching American Mahjong, a version of the game that has fewer rules, allowing for an easier flow of play. Participants are learning the basics, and are already enjoying their first few rounds of gameplay.
Pam Kanter leads a Movement Circle, employing gentle Pilates-style movement to work on strength, flexibility, and balance.
Sara Helman leads a Needlecraft Circle, which brings together women who enjoy knitting, crocheting, embroidery, sewing, quilting and other handcrafts. The Circle offers a relaxed environment for conversation, as well as guidance and troubleshooting for any technical craft issues that may arise.
Ilana Smith leads a Circle entitled, The Torah Approach to Eating and Nutrition, employing chabura-style learning of readings to thoughtfully explore the topic.
Chani Retter leads the Walking Circle, which offers steady, moderate walks that allow time for easy conversation amid the springtime beauty of neighborhoods in and around Baltimore.
The Circles themselves are just one of many ways Let’s Connect brings women together. The organization hosts monthly Rosh Chodesh Hallel at a local shul, and large community events. The next community event, The Power of One, will take place on June 7 at Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion.
Not satisfied to rest on its laurels, Let’s Connect is creating a growing range of programs and touchpoints in order to build opportunities for connection across the community. A speaker series is being planned for the Three Weeks, and Circles that meet once a month for six months are being developed, along with other new programming.
As meaningful as they are, Circles are much more than a seasonal program. They are part of a broader effort to strengthen connection within the community, one Circle at a time.
