Jewish families in Baltimore now have a new center for Jewish life and learning thanks to a nonprofit that restored a historic synagogue.
Known locally as The Shul in the Park, the synagogue is across from Druid Hill Park, which is home to the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore and many other family-friendly offerings.
As of June, the Shaarei Tfiloh Synagogue became home to Third Space, whose name references an idea from sociologist Ray Oldenburg, who described people having three spaces: private spaces in their homes, productive spaces like the office and a third space to meet over common cares or concerns, according to Third Space Executive Director Rabbi Jessy Dressin.
Learning will be a core component of the space, Dressin says, and it’s meant to be a space that can be enjoyed by all—especially those who feel they might not fit elsewhere.
“It could be for people who are at certain life stages where Jewish family programming may not make sense because they’re either not at that stage yet or they’re beyond that stage or they were never in that stage,” he explains.
This includes Jewish people of color, or those who belong to the LGBTQ+ community. Dressin hopes the space will provide an outlet for them to explore Jewish traditions.
