Executive Director, Agudath Israel of Maryland & Mid-Atlantic Region

As featured in the Baltimore Jewish, Edition: Vol. 12, Issue 29, September 3-9, 2026

BJH: Tell us a little about yourself and how you ended up leading Agudah Maryland.

Rabbi Sadwin: I grew up in Silver Spring, and came to Baltimore in 1990 to attend Ner Yisroel, and where I have remained ever since (except for two years in Eretz Yisroel). In 1999 I married my wife, Pessi, whose family has been in Baltimore for generations.

My childhood was filled with observing how my parents (ybcl”c) were uniquely involved in serving the tzibur – shul, schools, and individuals alike, instilling in me the importance of taking responsibility when something needed to get done.

In 2007, Rabbi Baruch Neuberger put in my name for consideration to lead a new regional Agudah office in Maryland. Where I was lacking in political experience, I was already quite familiar with achrayus and tzorchei tzibur. I was selected as founding director of Agudah Maryland in November 2007, and I’ve been here ever since.

BJH: What exactly is Agudah Maryland’s role?

Rabbi Sadwin: We are the address for government advocacy and communal affairs on behalf of the Orthodox Jewish communities of Maryland. Whether it involves schools, religious liberties,voting, or access to government programs, our job is to represent the community and help get things done.

BJH: What was the priority when you started?

Rabbi Sadwin: Supporting our Jewish day schools was THE main focus.

At the time, Maryland had one small program for nonpublic schools, a textbook loan program established through earlier efforts by Rabbi Herman Neuberger zt”l and Catholic leadership. We began building relationships in Annapolis and looking for additional opportunities.

Our first major legislative effort was a scholarship tax-credit proposal called BOAST. We repeatedly helped get it through the State Senate, but it always stalled in the House of Delegates and thus never became law.

BJH: But that eventually helped lead to BOOST?

Rabbi Sadwin: Exactly. Those years of advocacy helped lay the groundwork for BOOST, which was introduced in the state budget in 2016.

BOOST provides scholarships to children from qualifying families to attend nonpublic schools. Although our community represents roughly 10% of Maryland’s nonpublic school population, we consistently receive approximately 30% of BOOST funding. That translates into roughly $3 million annually.

BJH: And now there’s a major new development on the federal level?

Rabbi Sadwin: Yes. After years of advocacy by Agudah and others, a federal scholarship tax credit was included in President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill in 2025. Beginning in 2027, taxpayers can receive a dollar-for-dollar federal tax credit of up to $1,700 for contributions to approved scholarship organizations, which can fund private school tuition. The potential for Jewish education is enormous, and we are focused on making sure Governor Moore opts Maryland in so we can all benefit. (STAY TUNED FOR MORE ON THIS!)

BJH: What are the major areas Agudah Maryland focuses on today?

Rabbi Sadwin: Schools remain at the core, and our efforts have helped expand funding and services for school infrastructure (school construction grants, textbook and technology, health and safety, etc) and transportation (MTA Route 92 buses), but the work has expanded tremendously.

Security is a major priority these days. We work to obtain federal and state funding to ensure that our schools, shuls, and facilities are safe and secure. 

Another major area is Maryland 529, which since 2017 has included K-12 education. Through our leadership, the State Contribution Program incentivizing 529 investment has been a major source of funds to our community households.

BJH: Agudah has also become increasingly involved with special needs families.

Rabbi Sadwin: Absolutely. Our YahalomMD office, headed by Mrs. Meira Burkom, works closely with families and in collaboration with the various local special needs organizations, providing support programs/events and general guidance.

Recently, we’ve been part of the effort to address state budget cuts to the Developmental Disabilities Administration, as those cuts directly affect services our families rely on every day.

BJH: What does Agudah do that people might never hear about?

Rabbi Sadwin: Issues involving virtually every aspect of Jewish life come to our office, even in some of the most sensitive areas. 

It could be helping someone with a Shabbos accommodation issue at work, a shul dealing with a zoning issue, or working with the medical examiner to prevent an autopsy. We help people obtain passports and visas and we help families access programs like SNAP, Medicaid, WIC, and childcare vouchers. 

BJH: Who guides Agudah’s positions on these issues?

Rabbi Sadwin: As the Agudah worldwide movement operates under the guidance of Gedolei Yisrael, locally we present policy and legislative issues to Baltimore’s Vaad HaRabbonim for their hadrachah. Our collaboration with rabbonim, askanim, and other organizations from across the entire community has allowed us B”H to operate so effectively. 

BJH: There’s an important misconception about how Agudah Maryland is funded.

Rabbi Sadwin: Agudah Maryland is funded 100% locally. We are not funded by National Agudah. Our donors are our partners whether they give large sums or small monthly contributions. Everything we accomplish locally is possible because the local community supports this office.

BJH: Why should someone support the upcoming campaign?

Rabbi Sadwin: I sometimes describe Agudah Maryland as a community-wide utility. You may not think about it every day, but we virtually impact every school, shul, and household.

Our campaign is Monday and Tuesday, September 7 and 8. We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who partners with us. Their support allows us to keep showing up, building relationships, advocating, and making sure the needs of our community are heard.

To support the campaign, visit: charidy.com/agudahmd