The Face of Maryland Judaism Politically
Montgomery County: Liberal Stronghold
- Montgomery County is home to over 116,000 Jews, concentrated in Rockville, Potomac, Bethesda, Chevy Chase, and Silver Spring.
- The community is largely Reform and Conservative, with strong ties to progressive advocacy groups like Jews United for Justice, which mobilizes around racial, economic, and social justice campaigns.
- Politically, Montgomery County Jews are deeply embedded in the Democratic establishment. Delegate Jared Solomon (D–Montgomery) co-chairs the new Maryland Legislative Jewish Caucus, reflecting the county’s liberal Jewish leadership.
Baltimore & Pikesville: Orthodox Anchor
- Baltimore’s Jewish community numbers about 95,400 Jews across 46,700 households, with 21% identifying as Orthodox.
- The Orthodox population is concentrated in Pikesville, Owings Mills, Park Heights, and Cheswolde, where Shabbat observance and synagogue life are central.
- Politically, these neighborhoods have shown Republican strength, particularly during Larry Hogan’s gubernatorial campaigns, when Pikesville was a surprising pocket of GOP support.
- While Reform and Conservative Jews remain Democratic, the Orthodox bloc in Baltimore is more aligned with Republican positions, especially on issues of religious freedom, education, and U.S.–Israel policy.
Maryland’s Jewish Political Divide
- Montgomery County Judaism skews liberal/Democratic, reflecting national Reform and Conservative trends.
- Pikesville/Northwest Baltimore Judaism has a larger Orthodox share, making it more politically diverse, with a notable Republican presence.
- Together, these communities illustrate the dual face of Maryland Judaism: a liberal-progressive majority balanced by a conservative Orthodox minority.
Footnotes
1. Alsobrooks visits the heart of Baltimore’s Jewish community — and Hogan country — Maryland Matters. https://marylandmatters.org/2024/06/17/alsobrooks-visits-the-heart-of-baltimores-jewish-community-and-hogan-country/
2. The Imminent Decline of Pikesville — Times of Israel Blogs. https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/the-imminent-decline-of-pikesville/
3. Baltimore 2020 Jewish Community Study — Brandeis University, Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies. https://www.brandeis.edu/cmjs/community-studies/baltimore-report.html
4. History of the Jews in Maryland — Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HistoryoftheJewsin_Maryland
5. MoCo’s Jared Solomon to co-chair new Jewish caucus in Maryland General Assembly — Bethesda Magazine. https://bethesdamagazine.com/2024/01/17/mocos-jared-solomon-to-co-chair-new-jewish-caucus-in-maryland-general-assembly/
6. Montgomery County, MD — Jews United for Justice — JUFJ. https://jufj.org/where-we-work/montgomery-county-md/\\
