Staff

A Team of Dedicated and Talented Professionals

Jerry Kiewe, Executive Director

Jerry has served as Executive Director of Ohr Kodesh Congregation since October, 2007. Jerry began his professional career serving as staff for the B’nai B’rith Youth Organization (BBYO) in Baltimore, then South Florida and then New Jersey. He went on to serve in various roles at PANIM: The Institute for Jewish Leadership and Values, as Executive Director of a Baltimore-based Israel agency, and as Building Director for one of the two JCC facilities in Baltimore. And from 1995-2022, Jerry maintained a part-time position as Educational Director of the Columbia Jewish Community School (CJCS). Jerry has participated in and led numerous Jewish educational trips to Israel, the former Soviet Union, Russia, and Poland. Jerry earned his B.A. in Social Work and Sociology at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) in 1983. He went on to obtain three Masters degrees; in Social Work from the University of Maryland (1985), and in Judaic Studies (1985) and then Jewish Education (1997) from the Baltimore Hebrew University. Jerry resides in Baltimore with his wife, Suzanne, and two young adult children, Micah and Tamar.  An older child, Zephan Blaxberg, also resides nearby in Baltimore, MD. 

Direct Line: (240) 450-3486    Email: JKiewe@OhrKodesh.org

Rabbi Batya Glazer, Director of Lifelong Learning

Batya Glazer was ordained as a Conservative rabbi at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America in 1998 where she also studied at the Davidson School of Jewish Education. She has decades of experience in Jewish education at all levels and in both formal and informal settings. She identifies her first experience as a Jewish educator was as an eight-year-old consultant for her mother who taught 3rd graders in Hebrew school. Working in Jewish Community Relations Councils, Batya built relationships through designing and leading educational programming, dialogue, and coalition-building. She is committed to listening deeply and developing an understanding of the concerns and the cultural context of diverse communities and working closely with lay leaders to bring together representatives and diverse perspectives of the Jewish community. Rabbi Glazer has a B.A. in Political Science from Rutgers University, a Master of Hebrew Letters degree from The University of Judaism, and a Master’s degree and Rabbinic Ordination from The Jewish Theological Seminary of America. Batya is the proud mother of Elana (25), Noah (23), and Meirav (22).

Direct Line: (240) 450-0676    Email: RabbiGlazer@OhrKodesh.org 

Laura Smolar, Administrative Assistant to the Clergy

A native of Baltimore, Laura is a highly trained administrator with a background working in the nonprofits, including in philanthropy, fundraising, and legislative research. Laura also has over twenty years of experience teaching students with a wide range of learning styles. In addition to her expertise in organizational and administrative management, Laura has an extensive Jewish educational background and experience in Hebrew language instruction. Laura holds a B.A. from The Johns Hopkins University, a Master’s in Nonprofit Management from Hebrew Union College in Los Angeles, a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Southern California, and a postgraduate degree in Education from George Washington University. Laura is excited to be working with Rabbi Helfand and Cantor Labovitz and getting to know the members of the Ohr Kodesh community.

Direct Line: (240) 450- 3489    Email: LSmolar@OhrKodesh.org

Aree Pearlman

Aree brings 17 years’ experience in nonprofit management and consulting, specializing in leadership development, marketing and community programming.  She has created Jewish camps and theatre programs, built youth summits, conferences/conventions, and community learning opportunities for major Jewish organizations (JCCs, BBYO, Federation, etc).  Aree is a trainer in diversity, board/staff/youth leadership development, youth philanthropy, the Search Institute's 40 Developmental Assets, and the Rising Stars Leadership Program.  She has also taught formally in the classroom for K-12 and opened a Nido (infant) room in a Montessori school.

Direct Line: (202) 621-3668    Email: APearlman@OhrKodesh.org