Monday, July 31, 2017

Philadelphia 76ers Launch Innovation Lab for Local Start-ups


A longtime Jewish community leader, Rabbi Jonathan Z. Maltzman leads the Conservative congregation of Kol Shalom in Rockville, Maryland. In his free time, Jonathan Maltzman enjoys cheering on Philadelphia-area sports teams, including the NBA’s 76ers. 

Off the court, the Philadelphia 76ers recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the organization’s Innovation Lab. Launched through a partnership with Kimball Office and Pepper Hamilton, LLP, the 8,000-square-foot lab, which is located at the Philadelphia 76ers training complex in Camden, New Jersey, will serve as an incubator for local start-ups and early-stage companies. 

During the ribbon-cutting event on July 18, 2017, the 76ers organization and its partners introduced the four inaugural companies that will serve a residency at the lab. The companies include varied organizations focused on pet care, fantasy sports, and digital media. During their residencies, each company will receive free housing, office space, marketing assistance, and other support services as part of the Sixers’ efforts to promote business innovation and creativity throughout New Jersey.

Tuesday, July 11, 2017

MAZON’s Solutions to Senior Hunger Initiative


Jonathan Z. Maltzman serves as the rabbi and spiritual leader for Kol Shalom, a Conservative synagogue in Rockville, Maryland. In this capacity, he maintains an active role in all aspects of congregational life, including overseeing staff, providing individual counseling, and conducting life cycle events. Over the years, Rabbi Jonathan Maltzman also has supported such charitable organizations as MAZON.

A national advocacy organization, MAZON has worked toward ending hunger in Israel and the United States for more than three decades. To this end, the organization maintains several initiatives, including Solutions to Senior Hunger.

Through Solutions to Senior Hunger, MAZON addresses hunger rates among low-income seniors in the United States. According to research, many of the leading causes of death among elderly individuals are related to nutrition and, considering roughly 9.3 million seniors face the threat of hunger, this risk affects a large portion of the population. 

This problem has become more prevalent in recent years. Between 2001 and 2012, there was a 44 percent increase in the number of seniors facing the hunger threats. Further, while 5.2 million seniors qualify for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, they do not apply due to a variety perceived and real barriers.

To address this, MAZON’s Solutions to Senior Hunger program works to end the barriers preventing seniors from participating in SNAP. The initiative maintains a strong advocacy plan and focuses on helping seniors access important benefits that provide them with food. In addition to this, Solutions to Senior Hunger provides seniors with additional assistance to keep food on the table.

Thursday, June 1, 2017

Philadelphia 76ers May Surprise Fans by Reaching Playoffs in 2017-18


With more than 35 years of experience as a spiritual leader, Rabbi Jonathan Z. Maltzman oversees a Conservative congregation of nearly 300 families in Rockville, Maryland. A basketball enthusiast, Jonathan Z. Maltzman enjoys playing the game and watching the Philadelphia 76ers.

Showing a significant improvement in the 2016-17 regular season, the Philadelphia 76ers increasing their win total by 18 from the previous year. Notwithstanding this turnaround, the franchise finished second-to-last in the Eastern Conference with a record of 28-54. However, league analysts believe the 76ers could build upon their recent success and advance as far as the playoffs in the coming season.

Part of this reasoning comes from the fact that the roster features several young men who have yet to tap into their potential. Among these players, Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons stand out as leaders who have the ability to guide their team to the next level. Beyond the current status of the lineup, the 76ers also benefit from having the resources to extend contracts, conduct trades, and manage free agents in a way that can help them reach the playoffs.

Friday, April 7, 2017

Mazon - Addressing Hunger in Tandem with Arizona Food Banks


Based in Rockville, Maryland, Jonathan Z. Maltzman serves as rabbi with the Conservative Jewish community Kol Shalom where he offers a message of inclusion and provides spiritual guidance. One of the Kol Shalom affiliated organizations Rabbi Jonathan Z. Maltzman has volunteered with in the past is MAZON, which addresses hunger throughout the United States. 

MAZON takes a comprehensive approach to this serious issue through partnering with community food banks, advocacy groups, and legal services providers. One major success story has involved the group working with the Association of Arizona Food Banks, in a state where 25 percent of children face issues of poverty and hunger.

The focus of the partnership has been on instituting a junk food ban and making the school lunch and breakfast programs more robust. A recent initiative involves engaging with districts and individual schools in ensuring they are signed up with the Community Eligibility Provision. This no-cost meals program is available to schools in which at least 40 percent of students have free meal eligibility. Through instituting school-wide free meals, stigmas disappear and all students receive the basic nourishment they need to excel academically.

Wednesday, March 29, 2017

Kol Shalom’s Lifelong Learning and Community Education Resources


Rabbi Jonathan Z. Maltzman is a respected presence in the Rockville, Maryland, Jewish community and leads the Kol Shalom congregation. One vital aspect of the congregation Rabbi Jonathan Z. Maltzman leads is its Lifelong Learning group, which engages members of all ages in fun, informative, and shared educational endeavors. 

One thought-provoking Lifelong Learning offering is the two-session study group “Joseph: Family Strife And Reconciliation In Jewish Thought And Visual Art.” The course explores the familiar Torah story of Joseph, studied within the context of classical paintings that portray events in Joseph and his family’s lives. Examining his life provides insight into contemporary parent, sibling, and child relationships. In addition to engaging in the Joseph story from a fresh perspective, participants are given tools to enhance their experiences when visiting art museums. 

Other learning resources within Kol Shalom include Talmud Torah for young learners and Tikkun Olam, which drives social action. Rabbi Maltzman personally teaches a Cyber Torah class which offers online study resources such as Ethics of the Fathers, a series of lessons that explores values foundational to Judaism.