STORIES BY JILLIAN DIAMOND
Official Journalist Portfolio
October 2023
"Fort Belvoir Jewish Congregation is a humble synagogue in the eponymous town, with a member base consisting of 30 to 50 families. But the congregation has a storied history and holds the distinction of being the largest U.S. Army-affiliated Jewish congregation in the country.
It serves as a religious community for military families, active and retired, stationed near the Fort Belvoir Army Base. Before the congregation was founded in 1954, Jewish soldiers who relocated to the area found that there were not many synagogues nearby, with the closest still being a significant drive away from the base."
October 2023
"Like its name implies, Healing Conversations can serve as a place of renewal and healing for survivors of suicide loss. Members support each other both in and outside of meetings, and Kane noted that she has seen friendships form among members of the group who help each other through these difficult times.
Jewish thought on suicide has changed significantly in recent years. According to My Jewish Learning, suicide was often seen as counter to the value Judaism places on preserving life. However, as the conversation surrounding mental health has grown more prominent, Jewish scholars and rabbis have reexamined the discussion surrounding suicide loss and attempted to remove the stigma it once carried."
March 2023
"That’s what art does—it helps us recognize others and show our appreciation, especially for those who often operate under the radar or behind the scenes. Giving people a platform for their stories can help us connect with them.
In education, there are a lot of moving parts that come together to ensure a student is learning and thriving in a school environment. The efforts of unsung heroes to keep these parts in place were noticed even more at the start of the pandemic, when students who relied on one-on-one support, classroom interaction and daily meals did not have access to those resources in the same way."
March 2023
"Mt. Washington Tavern wears its Baltimore influence proudly on its sleeve, from the dishes it serves to its decor. Each of its rooms represents different regions in Maryland. The Chesapeake Room brings to mind the natural wildlife of the Chesapeake Bay, while the Pimlico Room’s furnishings take inspiration from the historic Pimlico Race Course.
As a restaurant with a lot of history, the Mt. Washington Tavern has been through a lot—most notably, a multi-alarm fire that destroyed part of the building in 2011, forcing the restaurant to close for over a year."