Celebrating 200 Years of the National Anthem in Baltimore

The whole country is celebrating, and the party is in Baltimore. It will be 200 years since Francis Scott Key wrote the lyrics to the Star Spangled Banner on September 14. At least one million visitors are expected to join the people of Baltimore beginning on Wednesday to remember the War of 1812 and the Battle of Baltimore.

Francis Scott Key

Businessmen, including Frank Storch of Baltimore, are ready for the descent on the city; similar to the event which took place two years ago when 1.54 million people came to Baltimore in 2012 for the Sailabration, which marked the beginning of the war. Organizers of the event say that the Sailabration was a kind of ‘dress rehearsal’ for the real celebration this September.

"These are going to be unprecedented crowds and the largest tourism event in our city's history," predicted Tom Noonan, CEO and president of Visit Baltimore, a business that promotes tourism in Baltimore. 

Noonan said the impact of the War of 1812 celebrations will have a similar impact to holding a Super Bowl every day for a week.

Closing Costs Low in Maryland

Frank Storch pleased at good housing news

Good news for Baltimoreans, including businessman Frank Storch. A new study has found that Maryland ranks sixth in the United States for the lowest cost of closing on a home. Bankrate.com reports that the average closing cost comes to $2,404 on a $200,000 home in Maryland. The national average is $2,539.

Washington, DC comes out in fifth place, narrowly beating Maryland by only $2. Nevada however, has the lowest closing costs in the country, averaging in it $2,265. Texas, on the other hand has the most expensive price for closing on a house: $3,046 on a $200,000 mortgage.

The country’s average of $2,539 represents a 6% rise in closing costs since last year, caused in part by a 9% increase in origination fees.

Improve Business Strategy: Give It Back

According to Celeste Amato, president of the Association of Baltimore Grantmakers, when companies make charitable contributions, they are not only helping the recipients of the largesse, but helping themselves as well.

Maryland businesses play a crucial role in the quality of life of the state. They provide jobs, economic stability, and support worthy charities, projects and programs that improve the community. Owners of businesses throughout Maryland say that corporate giving programs is a rewarding endeavor to everyone connected to their business.

According to studies, healthy, engaged communities have a strong network of educational and charitable organizations. Business leaders, like Frank Storch, know that maintaining a high quality of life helps to maintain a strong and healthy business environment.

The BBJ Picks its Best CFOs of the Year

Of interest to Baltimore businessmen, including Frank Storch, is the annual list of the Baltimore Business Journal’s Best in Finance CFO Award winners. Here is a partial list of this year’s winners:

• Adrian Johnson: CFO at MECU of Baltimore Inc. a $1.4 billion asset credit union. He has been CFO for four years.
• Stephen Baldwin: He has been the CFO for 13 years at the Children’s Guild.
• G. Mark Chaney: Age 59, Chaney has been the CFO at CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield for 17 years.

Frank Storch Honors Baltimore’s Young Heroes

In an article written by Frank Storch for the Baltimore Jewish Times, Storch asks the question:

“How do you respond when your child does something incredible?”

Frank Storch

Perhaps parents reward their child with praise and a new-found respect, but in Baltimore, Frank Storch says, the community now has the ability to bestow recognition through the use of the Outstanding Youth Award for Exceptional Service.

Project Ezra and the Chesed Fund, both organizations in which Frank Storch plays a leading role, established this award, which invites all young people from the greater Baltimore Jewish community to participate in.

Frank Storch said,

“For the last 10 years, we have honored children in our community who have saved people’s lives or have risen above the call of duty to help others.”

Surge in Baltimore Crime Has Some Neighbors Worried

A recent rash of crime in the Northern Park Heights area of Baltimore has some citizens concerned.

“I don’t remember for quite some time a crime wave of this magnitude, nor the brazenness of it,” said Avrahom Sauer, president of the Cross Country Improvement Association. “It reminds me of the times almost back in 1979, 1980. There was terrible crime [then], and you couldn’t walk on Park Heights Avenue at nighttime.”

Frank Storch

Not everyone is alarmed, although they are concerned.

“I think we probably are a lot better off than a lot of parts of Baltimore City,” Sandy Johnson, president of the Fallstaff Improvement Association said. “I like this area because there’s less crime than in other parts of Baltimore City.”

Frank Storch, an area resident, said he has not witnessed a comparable uptick in crime since 1981, when he was involved in forming the Northwest Citizens Patrol.

“It was important that the community would know that there is a group that’s going to be proactive and try to make sure that we stop the amount of incidents that were happening,” he said, “and work with the police department on trying to make the entire neighborhood safer.”

Storch asserted that the neighborhood had a “major decrease in crime” as a result of the founding of NWCP.

Hannah Storch, Mother of Frank, Honored at Breakfast Reception

Hannah Storch, mother of Frank Storch, was honored in October for her past and ongoing role as a community leader in the Baltimore Jewish community. The occasion was the 30^th anniversary of the founding of Jews for Judaism, a brainchild of Hannah, her husband Leo, and a group of other concerned Jewish leaders in the early 1980s.

Hannah Storch

Hannah explained that when her, her husband and several others met to decide what to do about the increasing problem of missionaries targeting Jews, almost no one even knew this was an issue.

“We got together, five of us, at my home, and we decided to organize a group, go out and do something,” said Mrs. Storch. “This was something really new. Most people knew little about these missionaries; the only ones familiar with it were those hurt by it. I felt we had to do something right away.”

“She made it happen,” said Jews for Judaism Executive Director Ruth Guggenheim. “Hannah not only had the knowledge and the vision, but the wherewithal to start Jews for Judaism and the true commitment to the Jewish community that such an organization would be developed.”

Smart Meters May Not Be So Smart

Not Everyone Wants a Smart Meter

As the Baltimore Gas and Electric gears up to install smart meters into the homes of its customers throughout Baltimore some citizens, including Frank Storch, are questioning the wisdom of such a move.

“While it is beneficial for BGE’s bottom line, it is not for us or our families,” said Pikesville-area resident Frank Storch. “We pay the price by exposing ourselves to a serious health risk and by compromising our safety and privacy.”

In addition, the Maryland Public Service Commission is debating whether utility companies have the right to charge its customers even if they decide not to have a smart meter installed.

A Labor of Love for Frank Storch

A little more than a year ago Frank Storch, a safety expert from Baltimore, published a safety guide that has made an impact on schools all around the country. Storch’s 44-page booklet, called “Keep Your School Safe” gives advice and easy to follow instructions on how to upgrade the level of security in schools and other public facilities.

In Frank Storch’s own words “We have to protect the community,” it is easy to see why he worked hard to publish and distribute this guidebook, which was a labor of love. The booklet is available on-line and can be downloaded here: http://www.gowanuslounge.com/idt-energy-social-responsibility/ 

Remembering Hurricane Sandy with Frank Storch

Frank Storch

Frank Storch was in Israel with his wife when he heard that an unusually massive storm was on its way to the eastern seaboard. When he heard that Hurricane Sandy had wreaked unprecedented damage on New Jersey, New York and many other areas, Storch changed his travel plans and hurried home so he could help with the recovery.

When he arrived home to Baltimore, the following happened:

“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.”

With equipment and supplies Frank Storch and other volunteers drove up to New York and distributed he essential supplies, truckloads of clothing, thousands of cans of gasoline, and the life-saving generators. The tragedy of Hurricane Sandy brought out the best in many citizens, with the help of Frank Storch.

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: 

http://www.jns.org/latest-articles/2013/7/22/security-expert-compiles-new-school-safety-guide-for-the-love-of-the-jewish-people

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.

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

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.”

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.

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.”

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.)

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.

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.

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.