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.”

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.