About Us
Founded in 2013, Pikesville Jewish Congregation is a family-friendly, welcoming community of spirited tefilah, thoughtful chesed, and Torah growth.
We collectively aspire towards the ideals of ahavat Hashem (Love of G-d), ahavat Yisrael (Love of the People of Israel), and ahavat Eretz Yisrael (Love of the Land of Israel), in accordance with halacha (Jewish Law). In the Tradition of Maimonides, Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch, and Rabbi Yosef Dov Soloveitchik, we seek to coalesce our Torah knowledge and commitment within the context of modernity and model the highest Torah values in our involvement in the general world.
We invite you to experience our spirited community first-hand. Subscribe to our mailing list.
We are located at 7644 Carla Road, Baltimore MD 21208, and can be reached at info@pikesvillejewish.com.
Our Rabbi - Rabbi Daniel Lerner
A passionate educator and dynamic orator, Rabbi Daniel Lerner’s unique blend of wit, wisdom, and spirit has endeared him to audiences throughout North America, Israel, Australia, and South Africa.
He is currently the Rabbi of Pikesville Jewish Congregation and on the faculty of Yeshiva University. Rabbi Lerner received his ordination from Ner Israel Rabbinical College in Baltimore, his M.S. in Education from Johns Hopkins University and his M.A. and Doctorate in Psychology from the American School of Professional Psychology in Washington, DC.
He is the founder of Strategic Family Solution, LLC, where he serves as an adviser and confidant for high profile and affluent individuals whose relationships, businesses, and wealth are threatened by issues related to: marital discord, intergenerational friction, antagonistic divorces, sibling rivalry, and addiction.
Rabbi Lerner's clinical experience has encompassed treatment for gambling addiction, anxiety, pathological narcissism, interventions for at-risk youth, as well as couples/family therapy.
He has lectured on ethics, spirituality, and professional conduct at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and at the University of Maryland and University of Baltimore law schools. Rabbi Lerner, together with his wife Alyson and their children, resides in Baltimore, MD.
Our Board
PJC is led by a Board of Directors, the executive body governing the operation of the congregation. The Board consists of 9 positions, each tasked with a unique aspect of the operations of the congregation.
The following members are currently serving on the Board of Directors:
1. President - David Stern
2. Vice President (Finance) - Donni Engelhart
3. Vice President (Administration) - Terri Rosen
4. Vice President (Development) - Lara Franks
5. Vice President (Facilities) - Dani VanderWalde
6. Vice President (Kiddush) - Yona Engel
7. Vice President (Ritual Services/Tefillah) - Sasha Zakharin
8. Vice President (Social Programming) - Michal Schechet
9. Vice President (Youth Programming) - Debbie Zakharin
Our Committees
Each VP serving on the Board of Directors is the chairperson of a committee that assists in supporting the operation of the congregation. If you would like to serve on any of the committees, please contact the appropriate Board member above.