Sunday, December 15, 2013

Keep Your School Safe: a 44 Page Guide

In a recent article, Frank Storch's Keep Your School Safe guide was discussed. As the article explained,

"He estimates that it took hundreds of hours to write the 44-page “Keep Your School Safe,” which includes checklists of safety and security protocols that ask school officials to score their facilities on a wide variety of security concerns. For example, the guide asks if lockdown procedures are in place in every classroom, whether all interior and exterior doors are designed to close automatically and securely and if teachers are required to carry two-way radios when they’ve taken children outdoors.

The article continued:
"The book also includes a “Bomb Threat Response Checklist”—with suggested questions to ask the caller, such as “Where is the bomb?” and “What does it look like?”—and urges the school to distribute a questionnaire to all staff members to assess how they view the school’s safety procedures. In addition, it provides a list of websites for resources such as the Department of Homeland Security and Community Security Service."

The entire article can be found at: 

Monday, November 25, 2013

What Would the World be Like with More “Menches”?

The recent 75th anniversary of the “Night of Broken Glass,” which took place on November 9-10, 1938
Frank Storch
inspired one Jewish commentator to wonder, “What would the world be like if people of faith raised ‘menches’? Rabbi Elan Adler was talking about “Kristallnacht,” the fateful night when German gangs of Hitler Youth, and others, joined together to break the glass windows of Jewish shops, in addition to setting fire to them and to synagogues, homes, and murdering 91 people.

Rabbi Adler is the host of “The Derech Eretz” radio talk show. His guests were Rabbi Shimon Apisdorf and Frank Storch, both of Baltimore, and both men the Rabbi Adler includes in the term “mench” which means to be an upright person with integrity and sympathy. As an example of how Frank Storch and Rabbi Apisdorf manifest these qualities, Rabbi Adler referred to the work they both do on behalf of the homeless and the technological aid they brought to the victims of Hurricane Sandy in New York.

Rabbi Adler thought perhaps in a world where children are raised to have “derech eretz” and a conscience, events like Kristallnacht would not happen.

Saturday, October 19, 2013

ADL Praises Frank Storch and His Safety Guide

Frank Storch, Baltimore expert on security, wrote a booklet that is simple to use for schools and other communal spaces. He especially focused on presenting inexpensive but effective ideas for boosting security.

The Anti-Defamation League, which also distributes their own guide to security, was impressed with Frank Storch’s guide, which is called, “Keep Your School Safe.”

“We think it’s a useful resource and a welcome complement to our materials,” said Elise Jarvis, Associate Director for Law Enforcement Outreach and Communal Security at the ADL.
Frank Storch

Sunday, September 29, 2013

Frank Storch Discusses Tikun Olam

Taking inspiration from his father, Frank Storch
Frank Storch
wrote the following last August in an article found in the Jewish Times of Baltimore. Here is a quote from that article:

“I take tremendous inspiration from my father, O”BM, M. Leo Storch. He lived and breathed the message of tikkun olam.  My father lived his life with a mission of sanctifying the name of God.  He was filled with integrity and always chose to do more than just “the right thing.”  When a buyer for a building lot was unable to continue making payments my father told him “if you can’t use my lot I can’t use your payments” and returned every previous monthly payment to him.  When county building codes were not adequate enough to ensure long-term safety and stability for a building, my father would go above and beyond what was required at his own expense.   As a real estate owner, his tenants always knew that if they couldn’t pay the rent in time, my father would do what he could to extend the time in order to keep them in business. On many occasions, he would fund businesses to get them on their feet. My father went as far as borrowing money to donate to charitable causes that were in dire need of financial assistance.”

Saturday, September 21, 2013

Philanthropy a Tradition in Frank Storch Family

Frank Storch learned the importance
of giving from his mother Hannah
Frank Storch, Baltimore-based philanthropist, is an apple that did not fall far from the tree. Hannah and Leo Storch were key players in the Baltimore Jewish community during the 18 years of their marriage. Leo was the founder of the Baltimore “Vaad of Kashrut” now known at the Star-K. Mr. Storch also was the president of the Bais Yaakov School for Girls, in addition to other pivotal roles he played in the community.

Unfortunately Leo passed away in 1972, but that did not stop Hannah, his widow, from running with the ball of support, help and good deeds for her fellow Jews in Baltimore.

Frank Storch explained what a privilege it was to grow up and learn from his parents. He said that even though they were both incredibly busy people, their children received nothing but “Love, time and attention from our very generous mother.”

“We learned the importance of community service, volunteer work and charitable contributions. We learned the importance of listening to the needs of the community and of acting to fulfill those needs,” Frank Storch added.

Saturday, September 14, 2013

Frank Storch Teams Up with Israel Bethea to Calm Tensions in Baltimore

Frank Storch and Israel Bethea decided they could not just sit back and let the rise in tension after the not-guilty Zimmerman verdict go unchecked. So Frank Storch went out and bought up hundreds of bottles of icy cold water, and with Bethea’s help, drove around town distributing them.

Frank Storch Calming Tensions in Baltimore
Israel Bethea, who is not only an African American, but also a German Jew, said that “people were so thankful.”

Storch and Bethea ended up giving out almost 400 bottles of water to people they saw as they drove up and down Park Heights Avenue and Reisterstown Road in Baltimore. At one point they even got on a bus to give out water to the grateful riders.

Bethea, who believes there are misunderstandings between the African-American and Jewish communities, said that distributing the water bottles was a great way to help mitigate some of the tension between the two groups.

“People were sincerely thankful,” said Bethea. “It was something small we could do to allay some tension. I was glad to be a part of it.”

Sunday, September 8, 2013

Frank Storch Alerting Public to Think Before Installing Smart Meters

Home owners can defer installation of the smart meter if they desire
In a recently published brochure from Frank Storch, he suggests that citizens defer the installation of smart meters until they become more informed about the issues.

Beginning in the fall BGE (Baltimore Gas and Electric) will begin replacing analog electric meters with what are called ‘smart meters.’ Many people, including Frank Storch, are requesting no-cost deferrals of the installation so that they can learn more about any dangers or inconveniences associated with the smart meters. They will then have the knowledge to make an informed choice about whether or not they want the installation performed by BGE.

The brochure suggests that Baltimore residents contact Mr. Jonathan Libber, president of Maryland Smart Meter Awareness (MSMA.)

Sunday, September 1, 2013

Frank Storch and Smart Meters in Baltimore

Smart Meter may not be so smart
Frank Storch recently published a brochure to help residents in Baltimore County make an informed decision about whether to allow Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE) to install smart meters into people’s homes.

Storch emphasizes that BGE is offering citizens the ability to request a deferral of the planned installation until a time when each family has done the necessary research to determine if they ultimately will accept a smart meter installed in their homes.

The brochure includes a message from Frank Storch, which reads, in part:


September 2013
Dear Fellow Community Members,
We are reaching out to you concerning a vital issue which could strongly impact all of our lives. As you may know, BGE is planning to install Smart Meters into all of our homes, businesses and schools. This could create serious health, safety, privacy and halachic issues. It is imperative for the community to join together to prevent this impending danger until more conclusive research has been completed.

The message continues by calling for a united campaign to say no to the installation of the Smart Meter devices, and warns that without any reaction from the public the meters will be installed automatically.

Sunday, August 25, 2013

Anti-Defamation League Has Praise for Frank Storch Guidebook

Frank Storch Wrote "Keep Your School Safe"
Referring to the safety guidebook "Keep Your School Safe," recently published by Frank Storch, the Anti-Defamation said,
“We think it’s a useful resource and a welcome complement to our materials.” 
This statement, made by Elise Jarvis, the ADL’s associate director of law enforcement outreach and communal security, is high praise indeed, considering that the ADL distributes its own safety guidelines booklet.

Frank Storch is uniquely positioned to produce such a useful booklet as a security consultant and the coordinator for the Northern Park Heights Community Response Team in Baltimore. Storch says that he was able to receive some guidance from law enforcement groups and SWAT teams. He also elicited help from US-based and Israeli security and school professionals.
“They gave us a little bit of feedback,” Storch remarks.

Sunday, August 18, 2013

Saving Lives with AED

Frank Storch, with the help of others such as Dr. Elimelech Goldstein, launched a program ten years ago which has the potential to save many lives; the AED program. With support from Project Ezra and the Chesed Fund of Baltimore, these pioneers have been installing automated external defibrillators in synagogues and other places where people gather.

Frank Storch said at a fundraiser for the program that,
“Thousands of lives each year would be saved if more defibrillators were placed throughout the country. We, as the Jewish nation, value life tremendously. The Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Program shows achdus, unity, and our commitment to help all Jewish people, regardless of their affiliations,” said Frank Storch, who oversees the Chesed Fund Ltd.

Dr. Goldstein explained a bit about how the program first started back in 2003. Back then he was teaching CPR at local synagogues and schools as a volunteer for project Ezra. The group he worked with had talked about getting AEDs, but they were extremely expensive. But in 2003 the price on a certain model came down to only $1,000, which changed everything.

“We called a meeting together at Suburban Orthodox [Congregation Toras Chaim] for basically every synagogue and Jewish school in the state. We had a pretty full room and we offered the program to everyone. There were not a whole lot of people who turned it down,” recalled Dr. Goldstein.

Within just a few months 14 AEDs were installed in the Balitimore area. Now there are 70 such devices throughout Baltimore, and at least two lives have already been saved.


Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Frank Storch Discusses School Safety

For Frank Storch the tragic events which took place in December 2012 in Newtown, Connecticut, were a wake-up call to do something about the safety of children within their schools. Taking the position that no one should any longer take for granted that our children are safe within the walls of their schools, Frank Storch began to write a clear, concise and easy to use guide to creating the most secure school possible for children. Within just a few months “Keep Your School Safe” was ready for distribution.

“My prayer for our community is that we will all do our part to protect ourselves.  It might be a small step like placing a buzzer system at the front doors of our schools or gathering important personnel information in one place in the front office or installing video cameras by each entrance.  The main thing is that we are working to improve the status quo,” Storch said.

Sunday, August 4, 2013

Improving Safety in Your School with Frank Storch

The Jewish Federations of North America and the Anti-Defamation League agree that Frank Storch’s guidebook, Keep Your School Safe, is an excellent resource for schools and other institutions that want to improve in-house security.

Elise Jarvis, the associate director of law enforcement, outreach and communal security for the Anti-Defamation League praised Storch’s booklet and believes it will become an essential resource for promoting safety.

We think it’s a useful resource and a welcome complement to our materials,” said Ms. Jarvis. The ADL also publishes guidebooks for improving safety.

At the Jewish Federations of North America, in their Secure Community Network, praise was also heaped on Storch’s work.

“(This booklet is) yet another  excellent tool to equip our community leaders and those of you whom are responsible for securing our children, with the knowledge to better understand the risks, threats and vulnerabilities we all face and be empowered, to effect change, and to implement a true culture of security within our schools and institutions.”

Monday, July 29, 2013

Frank Storch: Working Towards Safer Schools

After news of the horrifying massacre which took place at the Sandy Hook Elementary School became known, Frank Storch immediately began to write the 44-page guidebook to school safety, “Keep Your School Safe.” Twenty-six people were murdered in that event, perpetrated by a lone gunman. Among the dead were 20 children, in most cases as young as 5 or 6 years old. The impact of that slaughter was enormous, and it propelled Frank Storch to take action. Spending hundreds of hours in preparation, finally the guidebook to school safety was releases, sent to thousands of Jewish schools across the country and available for free on-line. It is Frank Storch’s goal, and his dream, that no such tragedy such as what happened in Newtown, Connecticut, will ever happen again.

Saturday, July 20, 2013

Frank Storch: Addressing the Safety Issue in Our Schools

It is hard to think of an issue more prominent and crucial in today’s world than safety and security. That is why Frank Storch’s guide to school safety, “Keep Your School Safe” is such a valuable and useful publication. The guidebook is available on-line, downloadable and completely free. Here are some tips taken from Frank Storch’s publication, Keep Your School Safe.

•    Is there anything unique to the school’s geographical location or building infrastructure that needs to be addressed specifically with regard to security?

•    Is daily traffic in and out of school grounds monitored by guards, cameras and/or video surveillance?

•    Has the school considered using a guard station/booth with a uniformed guard present during school hours?

Take some time, look over the guidebook, and get your school to a high level of safety.

Monday, July 15, 2013

Safety and Security are Frank Storch’s Specialties


Basic safety and security is not something to take for granted, and surely Frank Storch does not. As the author of Keep Your School Safe Frank Storch is dedicated to helping communities achieve and maintain the maximum level of safety which is possible. Here are a few tips to help lift the level of security at your school. Assuming that your school has done a security assessment, then-
 
·        Did the security assessment highlight items that need to be addressed immediately? Have they been addressed?
·        Did the security assessment include procedural or operational recommendations? Have they been implemented?
·        Has the school considered joining other schools in hiring a single security consulting company to develop unified and standardized safety and security protocols for cost-effectiveness and efficiency purposes?

Implementing the above recommendations will surely Keep Your School Safe.

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Advice from Frank Storch to Help Keep Your School Safe

Within the pages of Frank Storch’s new handbook, “Keep Your School Safe,” are many ideas and strategies which can be implemented in relative ease. Here are several suggestions from Frank to keep your school safe.

Are all the school’s safety and security protocols kept up to date?
Do security professionals conduct regular, periodic assessments of the school’s safety and security protocols?
When was the last time such an assessment was completed? If it was too long ago, conduct a new assessment.

These suggestions and much more can be found within the pages of the downloadable guidebook, Keep Your School Safe.

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Keep Your Schools Safe Guide Discussed on The Yeshiva World Website

The Yeshiva World website has recently done an article about the Keep Your School Safe guide written by Frank Storch. In their article, they explain why this guide is so important for Jewish schools of all denominations. As they wrote, "KYSS is intended for all Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, and Community Day schools. In addition, it will also be sent to Jewish organizations, synagogues, and camps. A similar guide is being prepared for all public and private schools throughout North America."

The guide, as they explained, has been recommended by many esteemed organizations. It has been recommended by security organizations like The Secure Community Network and SWAT members. It has also, as the article explained, "been recognized by the Agudath Israel of America and The Orthodox Union as an essential safety and security resource." The article explains that the " guide helps schools conduct a thorough security review to help them carefully evaluate and improve school safety."


Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Frank Storch Offers Many Ways to Keep Your School and Children, Safe

For most people creating a secure environment seems a daunting task, but because of Frank Storch and his downloadable handbook Keep Your School Safe, anyone can make a difference in the safety level of their children’s school.

Here is just one of many examples of ways Frank Storch guides readers through the steps of creating the safest environment possible for children.

Is the Crisis Management Plan accessible to all key personnel?
Are all safety and security protocols kept up to date?
Is a thorough assessment of the school’s safety and security protocols periodically conducted by security professionals and/or law enforcement? When was the last time such an assessment was completed?

Download the guide here and learn more about keeping schools, and the children within them, safe.

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Parents Participate in Keeping Schools Safe

Parents Get Involved in Keeping their Kid's Schools Safe
Among the many responsibilities parents have for their children, one with a top priority is keeping them safe.

Now that Frank Storch has sent his guidebook “Keep Your School Safe,” to all Jewish schools throughout North America, parents can encourage those schools to implement the procedures.

“It is imperative that parents get involved to make changes,” emphasizes Frank Storch. “Parents play a key role in helping the schools turn these ideas into actions. Especially in light of recent events, there can no longer be any doubt that all parents must encourage and maximize safety in their children’s schools.”

After receiving the booklet, one parent became quite happy, and relieved:

“I was totally blown away,” Mrs. Rosenstock said. “It put me in tears, I was so grateful.”

Saturday, June 8, 2013

Frank Storch Reaching Out to North American Institutions to Keep Them Safe

Not content with just bringing the guidebook Keep Your School Safe to the Baltimore Jewish community, Frank Storch, with the Chesed Fund and Project Ezra, are sending the safety handbook to all Jewish schools and other institutions all over North America.

The first printing of this comprehensive guidebook consisted of ten thousand copies and is intended for every Reform, Conservative, Orthodox and community day schools. An additional handbook is underway right now which will be sent to all public and private schools throughout North America.
In Frank Storch’s own words he explains why he is so dedicated to getting the word out about community safety:

“As a Security Consultant, Coordinator for CERT (the Community Emergency Response Team in Northern Park Heights, Baltimore) and an expert in security for over thirty-five years I felt that the Jewish community needs no further wake-up call than the tragedy last December in Newtown, CT; it is imperative to review and tighten school safety and security measures.”

The guidebook was published in memory of the 20 young students and 6 dedicated teachers and staff who were brutally murdered at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut last December. It is also dedicated to the victims who died as a result of the terrorist attack at the Boston Marathon in April.

For more information and resources please visit www.keepyourschoolsafe.com. For any questions or comments please call 410-358-2525 or email info@keepyourschoolsafe.com.

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Is Your Classroom Safe and Ready for a Crisis?

Frank Storch recently completed a very important handbook for school safety. Called Keep Your School Safe, the handbook offers very easy to follow guidelines for preparing a school for added safety. There are checklist sections where a school can evaluate its current safety measures and implement new recommendations offered by Frank Storch.

In one section, for instance, the handbook asks schools to evaluate their classroom safety. Questions in the checklist include:

1. Is a lockdown procedure checklist posted in every classroom and office?

2. Do all classrooms and offices have clearly marked room numbers outside the door so that emergency responders can easily locate them if necessary? Do the teachers know their classroom number(s)?

3. Do all classrooms and offices have a diagram that shows where the room is located within the building, and clearly indicates the locations of emergency exits, escape routes, and safe rooms?

4. Are all classroom and office doors and windows lockable? Is all locking hardware in working order?

This is an example of 4 of the 19 questions that they offer for schools in the classroom section of the handbook. 

Sunday, May 26, 2013

Frank Storch’s Safety Guide Offers Clear Way to a More Secure School

Frank Storch, author of “Keep Your School Safe” explains what motivated him to write such a guide.

“I have thought about making this guide for many years,” he said. “But because of the Newtown tragedy, I felt that it was imperative — now more than ever — for schools to take a much-needed closer look at their safety and security measures to keep our children from any potential harm.”

Frank Storch
The Newton tragedy which Frank Storch is referring to is of course the events of December 14, 2012, when a gunman forced his way into a Connecticut elementary school and kindergarten and murdered 20 children and six adults.

Ever since that morning officials who are responsible for the daily care of children have been asking the question, “How can we prevent that from happening to us?” Frank Storch’s guide is a concise, easy to understand pamphlet offering clear steps to making schools and other institutions safe and secure so such a tragedy can be prevented in the future.

“It’s a good, comprehensive document,” said Paul Goldenberg, national director of SCN (Secure Community Network) about “Keep Your School Safe.” “Though there’s no one-size-fits-all [security guide], this community created this document for their situation.”

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Frank Storch Addresses Attendees at Celebration for AED Program

AED Saves Lives

The Doubletree Hotel in Pikesville, Maryland hosted a celebration of ten years since the inauguration of the AED project, a program established by Baltimore’s Project Ezra and the Chesed Fund.

Speaking at the celebration was Frank Storch, overseer of the Chesed Fund.

“Thousands of lives each year would be saved if more defibrillators were placed throughout the country. We, as the Jewish Nation, value life tremendously. The Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Program shows achdus, unity, and our commitment to help all Jewish people, regardless of their affiliations,” Frank Storch said.

Sunday, April 28, 2013

Keeping Our Children Safe in School: A Security Guide by Frank Storch


“Keep Your School Safe” is a new guidebook written by Frank Storch, security consultant and coordinator for CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) of Northern Park Heights in Baltimore. The booklet is a 40-page handbook designed to help schools, yeshivas, and other institutions where children gather, to assess their security level and strengthen it if needed.

The Guide is available in hard copy, and has already been distributed widely, with 10,000 copies already printed and in circulation. Frank Storch is working hard to maximize the guide’s distribution by making it available as a downloadable PDF file on-line to anyone who wants it, for absolutely no cost or other obligation.

The handbook was reviewed by security professionals, including members of various law enforcement agencies and SWAT officials. Experts in the field of security from both the United States and Israel also examined and approved the guide.

Funding for the production and publication of the guide came from the Chesed Fund and Project Ezra of Baltimore, organizations in which Frank Storch has taken an active part on a regular basis in the past.

As Frank Storch says in the introduction to the guide:

“We were all shocked by the horrific tragedy that took place in December 2012 at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. This incident, along with the more recent Boston Marathon terror attack, calls attention to our schools’ crucial responsibility to protect our children.”

Therefore, Mr. Storch continues,

“The purpose of this guide is to help your school ask the right questions, the answers to which will help you create a safety and security program customized to your own particular needs.”

Monday, March 18, 2013

Ohr Simcha Offers Baltimore a Warm Shul Environment


After more than twenty years Congregation Ohr Simcha has been a vibrant, but small gathering place for Jews in Baltimore. About one and a half years ago the decision was made to take the leap, and more their premises and see if they could continue to offer the warm, intimate feel of the small shul, while at the same time expanding into a larger, more comfortable facility.

With the generous help of Frank Storch and his wife Danielle Ohr Simcha was able to more into larger premises on the Storch’s property. Since then the congregation has been growing by leaps and bounds. Yet, they have not lost their special welcoming character which allows all different types of Jews to feel comfortable within. The characteristics that made the shul so special in the first place are still present: sincere and respectful davening (prayer), a warm atmosphere, and a strong feeling of community.

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

The Aftermath of Hurricane Sandy: Baltimore Responded with Frank Storch


In a recent edition of the on-line edition of Jewish Action Frank Storch told the story of how he and several other volunteers from Baltimore brought truckloads of emergency equipment to the victims of Hurricane Sandy in New York City.

“I was in Israel when I heard about the hurricane. I changed my ticket so I could return earlier and help out.
A member of Hatzalah called, saying he was interested in taking some generators from Baltimore to New York. Instead of bringing just a few generators, I thought, Let’s make a large purchase of generators, gas cans, flashlights, batteries, lanterns—everything the communities would need. 
Home Depot in Baltimore was suspicious of the fact that we wanted to purchase hundreds of generators; they assumed we would be bringing them to New York to resell. I told them to speak with the attorney general of Maryland who knows me personally and could vouch for me. They contacted the attorney general and realized we had truly come to do a good deed. We ended up bringing 120 generators, 250 gas cans and thousands of batteries, flashlights, sump pumps, trash bags and more. With a caravan of four large rented trucks, one mini truck and my four-wheel drive, we left for New York with more than $150,000 worth of emergency equipment.”
Frank Storch in Yellow Jacket with Volunteers Helping Out During Hurricane Sandy


Sunday, March 3, 2013

Growing Strong at Congregation Ohr Simcha


For fifteen years Congregation Ohr Simcha met in the private home of Mr. and Mrs David Wolf without even the benefit of the services of a rabbi. Five years ago the shul finally took the plunge and hired Rabbi Ari Storch to lead them, and lead them he did. Straight to a larger location, and the shul has not stopped growing since!
Frank Storch at Congregation Ohr Simcha During Purim

Thanks to the generous support of Frank Storch and his wife Danielle, Congregation Ohr Simcha was able to move to a larger facility, at the back of Frank Storch’s property, and watch their membership climb. On the first Shabbat after the change in venue about twenty of the congregations regular attendees came. Within just one week that number was already double. Today the shul can be proud of its 100 participants every Shabbat, all responding to the shul’s emphasis on a sincere, respectful service, a warm, welcoming, friendly atmosphere, and a desire to unify and strengthen their community while encouraging members from a large spectrum of the orthodox community.

Monday, February 25, 2013

Chesed Task Force of Greater Washington

Frank Storch furthered the cause of Chesed in Baltimore last week when he participated in the Chesed Task Force of Greater Washington's training program for volunteers (chaverim.)

See below for the details of the event, and if you would like to help, dont hesitate to call the number and volunteer. There is no greater mitzvah (good deed) than helping someone in need.


Monday, February 18, 2013

Frank Storch: Unity Is What Purim is All About


With Purim just around the corner Frank Storch points out that unity is a goal which the Baltimore Jewish community has been long aiming for. One example of unity is the way many of Baltimore’s charity organizations are organized, as Storch explains:

“Our community is blessed with people and organizations that are involved with chesed around the clock.  For example, The Associated:  Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore is one large organization that caters to the entire Jewish community — with programs and services for the young through the elderly. I am impressed by how much they do each year for our community. “

Sometimes even just one person can make a big difference when it comes to bringing people of diverse backgrounds together. Frank Storch points out the work of Elaine Gerstenfeld, who wanted to do something special for her community this Purim. Gerstenfeld launched a new program which she called “Bey-ond the Mask.” The point of this event is to unify the Reform, Conservative and Orthodox Jews in Baltimore.  The gathering is planned for 1pm on Purim day at The Atrium on Smith Avenue. After coming together as a group, everyone will be sent out with pre-packaged Purim treats to bring to hospitals, nursing homes and assisted-living centers. “Bey-ond the Mask” hopes to unite the people of Baltimore while also helping to bring joy to others.

Monday, February 11, 2013

Frank Storch’s Chesed Fund Lending a Hand


As the winds died down and the residents began to assess the damage inflicted on them by Hurricane Sandy, Frank Storch’s Chesed Fund of Baltimore was there to help in any way it could.

“From Baltimore came truckloads of emergency paraphernalia, including large generators, sent by the city’s Chesed Fund and other Baltimore Jewish organizations.”

For more information about the recovery effort in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, see “When Can We Go Home?”

Sunday, February 3, 2013

Frank Storch’s Chesed Fund Brings Carnival to Far Rockaway


With the support of Frank Storch’s Chesed Fund, families were able to take a break from the pressure and anxiety caused by Hurricane Sandy and its aftermath. Funding from the Chesed Fund centered in Baltimore, and volunteers from girls’ schools in Baltimore came together to create what was called the “Welcome Home Carnival” to celebrate the ongoing recovery from the ravages of the devastating superstorm.

Rabbi of the Young Israel of Bayswater and Wavecrest in Far Rockaway, Eliezer Feuer, thanked Frank Storch for his efforts to help the people of his community.

“On behalf of my community of Bayswater and Far Rockaway, I want to thank Frank Storch and his family and the Baltimore Jewish community for caring about us and reaching out to us in New York. This is a great opportunity for our community to have a fresh start,” Rabbi Feuer said.

On hand and provided by the Chesed Fund were clowns, jugglers, magicians, face painters and more, to help relieve the children and their families from some of their stress at a very difficult time in their lives. Girls from Bais Yaakov and Bnos Yisroel filled buses to be there to help, as did also the staff of the Talmudical Academy of Baltimore, all to assist with the carnival.

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Frank Storch Making Baltimore a Safer Place to Live


The efforts of Frank Storch to make the City of Baltimore the safest possible place to live have been ongoing, beginning back in the 1980s.

At that time Frank Storch co-founded with Barry Rosenbluth the Northwest Citizens Patrol. This new organization was formed as a response to a wave of crime in the city that was taking place then; several isolated occurrences of hold-ups and larcenies.

Ever since then the NWCP has had much success, so much so that other communities modeled their own security organizations after it. At the time of the founding Frank Storch said,

“The community owes a great debt of gratitude to all the Rosenbluth brothers, Avi, Ronnie, and Marc. Upon recognizing the severity of the problem, they immediately organized a night patrol.”

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Chesed Fund Delivers Variety of Helping Options in Baltimore


The Chesed Fund Limited was launched by Danielle and Frank Storch to help Baltimore community members in ways that most other charitable organizations don’t consider. As an example, where else but the Chesed Fund can someone get a reflector belt to help make night-walking safer? The Chesed Fund has over 15,000 of these belts ready for people just for the asking. Have you ever been to a wedding or other celebration and found the music just too loud? The Chesed Fund has thousands of earplugs to give away to make partying more pleasant. For those among us that miss the date for ordering hand shemura matza for their Passover Seders the Chesed Fund can come to the rescue with 250 extra pounds around for just such a mishap. Last, but definitely not least, among the offers mentioned here, is a $99 package to photograph a Brit Milah, or other simcha.

It is clear that Frank Storch and his Chesed Fund are helping the Baltimore community in ways that challenge the imagination, helping bring the community together for good.

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Frank Storch Urges Upgrade of Baltimore Security


In a letter to Baltimore community leaders Frank Storch urges that Baltimore schools and other locations where community members congregate, more steps should be taken to insure the safety and security of residents.

Inspired by the shocking and tragic events that took place in a Connecticut elementary school in mid-December, Storch listed several ways the community can take further precautions to upgrade the security in schools, synagogues and other public spaces.

Panic buttons should be installed at all locations where receptionists are stationed
Surprise lock-down drills should be practiced on a regular basis
Cell phones should be pre-programmed with all staff numbers as well as emergency numbers in case land-lines are down.