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Our History
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Early Years
Torah education in America was in its infancy. Although New York City had begun to witness the growth of a network of Jewish day schools, only a few were dedicated to the education of girls.

Outside of New York, the only Jewish day school in the country was the Talmudical Academy of Baltimore, founded in 1917. The first Rabbinical College to strike roots beyond New York, the Ner Israel Yeshiva, was founded in 1933, and marked a healthy growth in Baltimore.

Despite Baltimore’s record as a leader in Jewish education, meaningful training for girls appeared remote and far off on the horizon. At this point, a group of individuals decided to embark on a new pioneering project, one that would complete the educational structure of the Baltimore Jewish community and would eventually help make Baltimore an example of excellence for the entire nation.

1941

1941

Rabbi Shimon Schwab, Rabbi Joseph Feldman and Mr. and Mrs. Ignatz Davidavitz enlisted the aid of Rabbi A. E. Axelrod, Rabbi E. Davis, Rabbi H. Hertzberg, Mr. Ichel Folick, Mr. Joseph Fax, and Mr. Moshe Flom to establish the Bais Yaakov School for Girls.

1942

1942

The vision of 1941 became a reality. Rosalie Taragin and Bettie Rose Cohn comprised the entire student body on the first day of school in June 1942, and the faculty was Mrs. Kurt Hess. The class met in the Anshe Emes Synagogue at 2241 Linden Avenue.

1943

1943

The quiet beginnings of 1941 and 1942 were already awakening widespread interest. Due to increased enrollment, larger quarters were found at the Congregation Zichron Abraham Nachman at 2107 Brookfield Avenue. The distinguished Baltimore communal leader, Mr. Nathan Adler, became Bais Yaakov’s first President and the school acquired a general studies faculty in the person of Mrs. R. Starr.

Mrs. Ignatz Davidavitz founded and assumed the presidency of the Ladies Auxiliary. Mrs. L. J. Meyers, Mrs. Max Zemel, Mrs. Joseph Feldman, and Mrs. Jechiel Shoham were active in the Auxiliary. Mrs. Louis I. Miller initiated the Parent-Teacher Association and became its first President.

1944

1944

Continued growth necessitated a move to the Shearith Israel Synagogue at Park Heights and Glen Avenues. Rabbi Joshua Levy joined Bais Yaakov as Dean and Executive Director. Rev. Solomon Igla joined the staff as a teacher and Director of Student Activities.

1945

1945

Four years after its founding, Bais Yaakov again lacked facilities to meet its rapid growth, and under the leadership of its President, Mr. Adler, and with the vital assistance of Mr. A. M. Shrago, Mr. Simon Miller, Mr. Samuel E. Kramer, and Mr. Samuel Steinbach, the property at 4637 Park Heights Avenue was purchased and the four year old Bais Yaakov was now in its own home.

1946

1946

Enrollment increased to over 100 students. Nathan Adler became Chairman of the Board of Directors and a new President, Henry P. Cohn, assumed the duties of administration of the school. Rabbi Herbert Davis and Mrs. Carolyn Rosenberg joined the Bais Yaakov staff. This year also witnessed the inauguration of the Bais Yaakov Day Camp.

1948

1948

Only three years after moving into its own facilities, Bais Yaakov was hard-pressed for more room to accommodate the school’s 130 students. A major initiative was undertaken by Mr. M. Leo Storch, Bais Yaakov’s Vice President, who rallied the support of the Board members. A 38-acre site was purchased at 4901 Greenspring Avenue. The school would now be housed in a twenty room stone structure.

After a short seven years, Bais Yaakov now occupied the largest and most beautiful campus of any Jewish day school in the country, thanks to the efforts of so many, including Bais Yaakov’s new Executive Director, Rabbi Samuel J. Labkovsky.

4901 Greenspring Avenue
4901 Greenspring Avenue
1949-1951

1949-1951

Bais Yaakov continued its growth at an accelerated pace. Buildings on the former estate, previously a garage, a greenhouse and a barn, were converted into additional classrooms as the school’s enrollment continued to swell.

1952

1952

Bais Yaakov obtained the services of a young educator who had already earned a notable reputation in Jewish education. Rabbi Hirsch Diskind assumed the role of Dean and Bais Yaakov witnessed the beginning of a new era of education.

1953

1953

Under Rabbi Diskind’s guidance, Bais Yaakov’s original “Class of 1942” graduated from Bais Yaakov’s Judaic afternoon studies program while completing their general studies and graduating with honors from Western High School.

1955

1955

Disaster struck Bais Yaakov. A fire of unknown origin gutted the main building of the school on the night before the June graduation exercises. Bais Yaakov’s main building was rendered unusable. Feverish work and the generous cooperation of the entire Jewish community provided makeshift facilities in various buildings around Baltimore for the fall school term.

1956

1956

The disaster of 1955 spurred plans for the future, and construction began on a new elementary school building. The gutted main building was completely restored and Bais Yaakov’s adversity was turned to opportunity.

The extraordinary physical challenges did not stand in the way of progress and the senior high school commenced with the inauguration of a 10th grade class. Rabbi Meir Moshe Haber, a rising star in the field of chinuch, assumed the position of the first Principal of the newly formed High School.

1957

1957

The new modern elementary school building was dedicated.  Now at least one division of Bais Yaakov was operating in modern facilities second to none.

11111 Park Heights Avenue - The Elementary Building is Built
11111 Park Heights Avenue – The Elementary Building is Built
1959

1959

The high school graduated its first class, and Bais Yaakov celebrated eighteen years since its inception. Bais Yaakov was now a fully accredited educational facility. All of the graduates continued on to institutions of higher learning, both in religious and secular studies.

1960

1960

The high school was named for Mrs. Eva Winer in recognition of the Winer Family’s contributions to Bais Yaakov.

1961

1961

After Rabbi Haber’s untimely passing in January, Rabbi Binyomin Steinberg, a young scholar, assumed the position of Principal the following September. This year marked Bais Yaakov’s suburban growth with the opening of its first branch at Woodmoor Synagogue, at Liberty Road and the Beltway.

1962-1963

1962-1963

Mr. M. Leo Storch succeeded Mr. Henry P. Cohn as President of Bais Yaakov. The growing Bais Yaakov Day Camp now required its own swimming pool. A large Olympic size pool was constructed to serve the Camp as well as the community. A second suburban branch of Bais Yaakov was established on Seven Mile Lane.

1964

1964

Rabbi Reuven Savitz, a native of Baltimore and a former executive at the Rabbi Chaim Berlin Rabbinical Academy, joined Bais Yaakov as its Executive Director.

1965

1965

Bais Yaakov’s continued growth necessitated the establishment of a third suburban location, this time in Randallstown.  Also, construction commenced on Bais Yaakov’s desperately needed “Multi-Purpose Building.”

1966

1966

Twenty-five years of steady growth. A quarter century of service to Klal Yisroel. Bais Yaakov’s history had only begun.

1971

1971

Bais Yaakov was fortunate that Rabbi I. Ari Flamm assumed the position of Executive Director.

1972

1972

Our beloved President, Mr. M. Leo Storch, passed away. He had been President of the school for ten years and was a pillar of Bais Yaakov. Rabbi Ari S. Neuberger assumed the position, continuing his role as a dynamic leader in the community.

1975

1975

The burgeoning growth of the Jewish community and changing demographics forced Bais Yaakov to search for a larger campus. With the purchase of forty-eight acres of land in Owings Mills, MD, Rabbi Neuberger and Rabbi Flamm initiated an aggressive building campaign.

1977

1977

Even before the new building was completed additional classrooms were added to keep pace with the dramatic growth in the student population. The new campus was dedicated in memory of Mr. Isaac H. Taylor.

1979

1979

Rabbi Mendel D. Freedman assumed the position of General Studies Principal of the elementary school. Rabbi Freedman was prominent as a leader of Baltimore youth organizations and had been a Rebbe at the Talmudical Academy for a number of years.

1982

1982

A six-room addition to the high school was dedicated by Harold and Sarah Zalesch. A junior high school wing was dedicated by Joseph and Corinne Schwartz.

1984

1984

Mr. and Mrs. Schwartz also dedicated a two-story addition to the elementary school, providing twelve new classrooms.

1987

1987

Rabbi Hirsch Diskind retired as Dean of Bais Yaakov, where he had been guiding the education of our “Mothers of Tomorrow,” even into the second generation of students.

1988

1988

The kindergarten included five parallel classes under Rabbi Freedman’s supervision. Rabbi Yechezkel Zweig was named Assistant Principal of the high school, which now included several with parallel classes.

1991

1991

In January, Bais Yaakov and the entire Jewish community mourned the untimely passing of Rabbi Benjamin Steinberg. Rabbi Zweig accepted the appointment as high school Principal. Rabbi Yehoshua Shapiro, well known for his mastery in Jewish education, became Associate Principal. 

1994

1994

Crowded conditions at the Owings Mills Campus led to the establishment of the middle school at a leased site on Smith Avenue. Rabbi Naftoli Hexter, a prominent educator, was chosen as Principal of the newly established division.

The Middle School
The Middle School
1995

1995

The middle school was named “The Rabbi Benjamin Steinberg Middle School” in tribute to the dynamic leadership of Rabbi Steinberg and through the generosity of his family.

2000

2000

To accommodate even more growth, Bais Yaakov purchased the twenty-six acre Smith Avenue Campus together with the existing building. It was decided to build a new high school at the Smith Avenue site.

2002

2002

A complete renovation to the existing building and a 12,000 square foot modern addition were underway for the Rabbi Benjamin Steinberg Middle School. 

The Middle School - 12,000 square foot modern addition
The Middle School – 12,000 square foot modern addition
2003

2003

The long-awaited moving day arrived. The start of the 2003 school year found the Eva Winer High School spaciously occupying its state-of-the-art modern 87,000 square foot facility, located at the top of the hill at 6302 Smith Avenue. 

Rabbi Neuberger retired and Mr. Shlomo Spetner joined Bais Yaakov as its new President. 

6302 Smith Avenue - The High School Building
6302 Smith Avenue – The High School Building
2004

2004

Rabbi Zalman Nissel became Bais Yaakov’s first Chief Executive Officer.

2011

2011

Dr. Shmuel Markovitz assumed the position of President of Bais Yaakov.

2013

2013

Rabbi Hirsch Diskind, Bais Yaakov Dean Emeritus, passed away.

2014

2014

After 46 years of inspired leadership, Rabbi I. Ari Flamm retired and became Executive Director Emeritus.

2016

2016

Bais Yaakov continued its incredible growth and with the retiring of Rabbi Freedman, the elementary school separated into two divisions. Rabbi Yitzchok Sanders became Principal of the Preschool and Lower Division and Rabbi Yochanon Stein became Principal of the Upper Division.

2017

2017

Continued growth required even more space. After a year of comprehensive planning, construction began with the ground breaking of the new Mrs. Laure Gutman Building on the Smith Avenue Campus.

Our beloved Principal Rabbi Mendel D. Freedman passed away.

2018

2018

The school year began with a Chanukas Habayis, celebrating completion of the Mrs. Laure Gutman Building. With the Owings Mills Campus overflowing, the Fifth Grade joined the middle school on the Smith Avenue Campus.

Mrs. Laure Gutman Building on the Smith Avenue Campus
Mrs. Laure Gutman Building on the Smith Avenue Campus

On the occasion of his first yahrtzeit, Bais Yaakov dedicated the Rabbi Mendel D. Freedman Elementary School Building on the Park Heights campus.

Rabbi Mendel D. Freedman Elementary School Building

Rabbi Mendel D. Freedman Elementary School Building

2019

2019

Bais Yaakov and the entire Baltimore community mourned the passing of Rabbi Ari S. Neuberger, President Emeritus of Bais Yaakov.

2020

2020

Mr. Moshe Dov Shurin assumed the position of President of Bais Yaakov.

2021

2021

With the retirement of Rabbi Naftoli Hexter, Rabbi Moshe Frohlich became Principal of the Rabbi Benjamin Steinberg Middle School.