Meet Julie Levi
November 1, 2024 | People in Our Neighborhood
Julie Levi shares insights into her family life in Lutherville, where she, her husband Eric, and son Benjamin. As a board member of The Jewish Connection Network, Julie is dedicated to fostering inclusivity for interfaith families in the Baltimore Jewish community.
Can you share a little about your family.
I live in Lutherville with my husband, Eric and our son, Benjamin. Benjamin is in 2nd grade at Krieger Schecter Day School.
How does your family live and embrace Jewish values?
My husband and I try to lean into the activities that focus on making the world a better place. Every year my sister and I bake 20+ casseroles the day after Thanksgiving to donate to the Network’s annual Casserole Challenge. We regularly participate in Bunches of Lunches together as a family and always carry Kindness Kits in our car, which contain much needed items that can be distributed to those experiencing homelessness.
What inspired you to join The Jewish Connection Network board, and what impact do you hope to make?
The Network’s focus on engagement really spoke to me, particularly as it relates to how we as a Jewish community in Baltimore engage with our interfaith families. There is a lot of opportunity to increase outreach and offer available resources to this group within our broader community. My head and heart know that the tent is open and I also believe there’s room to improve our messaging and programming to be more welcoming not only to a non-Jewish spouse/partner but also to any of their extended families who want to learn and be included in their Jewish family’s journey.
How has PJ Library programming influenced your family’s connection to Jewish traditions and values?
PJ Library is such a wonderful gift from the Associated community and the Harold Grinspoon Foundation. It is a great opportunity to engage a whole family early in a child’s life and from within one’s own home teach children and their whole family about Jewish holidays, a love of Israel and important Jewish values. We have loved receiving books over the years and its been great watching my husband and son read together.