Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Join in the Effort to Help Sandy’s Victims

Frank Storch is calling on the community and individuals to continue to aid those adversely affected by Hurricane Sandy only two months ago. Fearing that because Sandy and her victims are no longer headline news, Storch is reminding people that there is much to be done in the wake of the estimated $100 billion worth of damage inflicted upon the East Coast at the end of October.

Storch is advocating the “Make a Difference” initiative which encourages communities to come together to bring aid to the people most in need after the “Superstorm” left homes, community centers, synagogues and more damaged, in some cases, beyond repair.

 Here are some of the ways “Make a Difference” is motivating people to participate in this great effort to help:

  • Enlist the aid of professionals, including those who are retired, who can act as coordinators who will make contact with the communities hardest hit by the hurricane and find out precisely what help they need. 

  • Check out the possibility of helping people and families who so desire to relocate; finding them jobs, schools, housing and tuition assistance. 

  • Start an “Adopt a Family” and/or an “Adopt a Shul” program whereby a synagogue partners with communities in the areas hardest hit to help them get through the challenges of the coming months. 

Now that we are in the middle of the winter it is crucial that communities remember those still in need after the “Storm of the Century” left so many people devastated with almost nowhere else to turn for assistance.

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Baltimore Celebrates Channukah with Local Organizations

Last week, the Baltimore Jewish community celebrated the fourth night of Channukah with local organizations such as CERT, Shomrim, Chaverim and Hatzalah.

Shomrim VP Ronnie Rosenbluth served as MC, beginning the event with Frank Storch, who lit the first candle.

Here is a video from the event:

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Frank Storch Launches Welcome Home! Carnival


Last month, Young Israel of Wavecrest and Bayswater joined forces with Frank Storch’s Chesed Fund and Project Ezra to launch a ‘Welcome Home!’ carnival for children and families affected by Hurricane Sandy.  

Frank Storch explained: “We worked closely with the Baywater community after Hurricane Sandy devastated them. We transported emergency generators, gas cans, and lanterns. But now, this fantastic community, especially the children, need a break. We intend to bring them some good, cheerful fun!”

The story was mentioned in the Jewish Press’s Community Currents.

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Frank Storch Works to Assist Hurricane Victims


Baltimore Jews have been working endlessly to provide Hurricane Sandy victims with the support they so desperately need.

According to the Jewish Times:

“The day after the storm on Oct. 31, efforts began. Frank Storch, founder and operator of the Chesed Fund, called Maryland Attorney General Doug Gansler to help him arrange for the purchase of $135,000 worth of emergency supplies, including generators, 250 gas cans, 50 sump pumps, 1,000 lanterns and thousands of batteries from Home Depot.”

“The items were brought to New York just one day following the storm,” Storch said, “and sold to residents at the true and fair price- often at cost. Some paid with checks and IOUs, as trust triumphed avarice."  

Thursday, November 15, 2012

The Chesed Fund Takes New York

Along with several other organizations, Frank Storch and his Chesed Fund recently traveled to New York to deliver five truckloads of batteries, flashlights, generators and other emergency supplies to Hurricane Sandy victims.

His teamed joined the hundreds of other volunteers to help the cleanup and repair crews, while providing personal help to any family in need.

Synagogues and other institutes in the area opened soup kitchens and open mealtimes for those affected by the disaster, as well.

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Frank Storch Hosted Etz Chaim BBQ


Last year, Frank Storch and his wife Danielle Sarah Storch hosted a Partners in Torah barbecue in the backyard of their home in Baltimore.

The event was organized by Etz Chaim: the Center for Jewish Living and Learning, an organization working to encourage pride in Jewish identity and heritage. According to their website, they serve hundreds of students and adults with numerous programs.

Frank Storch is a Baltimore community activist who founded both the Chessed Fund and CERT; two organizations that provided immense aid to Hurricane Sandy victims across the East Coast. The organizations are known to provide supplies such as batteries, flashlights, freezer packs and emergency transportation during such crises.

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Israel Thanks Frank Storch for Security Reports


Frank Storch, a community activist in Baltimore, Maryland, is also a security expert. He offers his services to a wide range of parties, and has even been officially thanked by the Israeli authorities.

The Ministry of Public Service of the State of Israel wrote to him saying:


“We would like to thank you again for your remarkable contribution to security matters…your specific suggestions to make prisons more secure are certainly worth study and considerations. We envisage forwarding your eye-opening remarks to the team to be studied thoroughly.”


Similarly, the Director General of the Office of the President of Israel said:


“On behalf of President Weizman, I wish to thank you for sending him a copy of your important security observations and recommendations… the time and effort you devoted to this critical subject are truly appreciated and we must trust that your recommendations will be implemented by the appropriate authorities.”

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

The Baltimore Women's Orchestra


Danielle Sarah Storch, wife of community activist Frank Storch, recently wrote an article discussing a Jewish, all-women orchestra. She herself is a violinist and a member of the group.

The Baltimore Women’s Orchestra was founded this past summer by three determined women; flutist Esther Newman, violinist Tzippora Caplan, and her mother, Chani Caplan.

The orchestra now has 22 members, including three violists, one oboe player, twelve violinists, three cellists, two flutists and a French horn player. Noted violinist Dr. Mark Singer conducts the orchestra.

Esther Newman opened up about the project:

“We put out the ads for the orchestra in several locations, not knowing how many interested women would respond. Not only were we so excited with the number of women who contacted us, but their eagerness and sincerity was something to behold. Those that hadn’t played in years were getting their instruments restrung and their bows re-haired, one woman actually purchased a new instrument, while another looked for a rental. Each and every one made a point at how tremendous we sounded at that first rehearsal. It was and it remains a wonderful and a pleasurable experience each and every time we meet.”

Sunday, September 30, 2012

Frank Storch, the VP of M. Leo Storch Management Corporation and Baltimore community activist, is also a successful photographer.
Some of his most impressive photos include shots of politicians, respected Rabbis and other important persons, as well as Jewish ceremonies and events.

He recently featured this photograph on his website:

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

About the Chesed Fund Limited


The Chesed Fund Limited was established by Frank Storch in memory of Rabbi Norman and Louise Gerstenfeld, and Mordechai and Rebecca Kapiloff.

According to the fund, it “serves the Baltimore community year-round through a variety of Chesed programs for both families in need or the community at large. Safety belts and bike helmets, Community Shredding Day, and CERT disaster response training are just a few among the many programs offered.”

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Northwest Citizens Patrol Joins Forces with Project Lifesaver


Baltimore-based Northwest Citizens Patrol recently announced that it will be joining forces with Project Lifesaver. NWCP, founded by Frank Storch in 1981, is an organization that works alongside the local police to ensure the safety of Baltimore residents and visitors.

Now, it will be combining its efforts with Project Lifesaver International to provide rapid response for lost or confused adults and children with Alzheimer’s, autism, Down syndrome, dementia and other cognitive conditions. Project Lifesaver is an organization that supports law enforcement, public safety organizations and community groups throughout the U.S. and beyond, as well as provides equipment, training and certification for those who seek to help in their mission. More than 1,150 agencies in the U.S., Canada and Australia are currently participating in Project Lifesaver.

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Chesed Fund Limited

The Chesed Fund Limited is an organization working to provide support and help to the Baltimore community in any type of crisis. Launched by Frank Storch, the group now has numerous employees and volunteers, and has significantly improved community safety and response efforts.

Just last month it helped hundreds of people through the Derecho storm crisis:

http://www.frankstorch.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Binyan-Magazine-Operation-Chessed.pdf

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Tizmoret Shoshana


Again this summer, Jewish girls in the Baltimore area had the privilege of experiencing a two week overnight arts camp called Tizmoret Shoshana. The camp is dedicated to the Expressive Arts, and is created with the love and effort of many, including Board Member and local real estate developer Frank Storch.  The camp is a Torah-observant environment that welcomes girls from the ages of 11 to 19 each summer to express their art talents and to develop their skills.

The girls also have the opportunity to grow spiritually and emotionally during their powerful summer experience.  Tizmoret Shoshana has been offering girls this experience for 10 years, and does not differentiate between girls who are highly talented and artistic and those who are novice artists. The only requirement for participation is a desire to spend two weeks immersed in creative pursuits in a spiritual environment.

The Board of Directors includes: Rabbi Joel Feldman, Chairman; Frank Storch; Danielle Sarah Storch; Leonard Ross; Glenna Ross; Mark Singer, Founder and Artistic Director; and Chana Singer, Founder and Artistic Director.