Welcome to the official website of The Shomrim Society of Maryland Inc. Established in 1978, The Shomrim Society of Maryland was organized to unite members of the Jewish faith in the field of public safety across the State of Maryland.
The Shomrim Society of Maryland is affiliated with the National Conference of Shomrim Societies, an organization that spans several states and counts its membership in the thousands. Our members are more than happy to answer any questions that you may have about our organization and how you can join. Please check back often as this site will be updated on a regular basis.
Shomrim was formed to promote the religious spirit of members of the police, fire, and other law enforcement agencies of the Jewish faith and their families.
The first Jewish police officer in North America was Asser Levy. He was one of the 23 immigrants from the Dutch colony of Recife, Brazil, that came to New Amsterdam. On November 5, 1655, Asser Levy and Jacob Barsimson filed petitions with the colonial court asking that they either be allowed to stand watch with the other citizens or relieved of the tax. After an initial rejection and a two-year fight, Levy won the right to stand watch. On April 21, 1657, he became New Amsterdam's first Jewish watchman.
The first Shomrim Society was established in the New York City Police Department in 1924. It is rumored that a comment made to a young Jewish officer going on patrol was the spark that started this fraternal and charitable organization. It was suggested that the officer might feel more at home with a salami, rather than a nightstick, under his arm. At that time only 1% of the department was Jewish.
The Shomrim Society of Maryland was established in September of 1978.
On February 12, 1977, Baltimore Police
Officer Dennis Sweren was killed in a car accident while he was off
duty. Police Commissioner Donald Pomerleau immediately contacted Major
Theodore "Ted" Weintraub and asked him to assist the Police Department
with making the funeral arrangements. The Police Department was not sure
how to deal with the death of a Jewish Police Officer.
Following the death of Officer Sweren, Major
Weintraub contacted all of the district commanders across the city
to determine how many Jewish Officers worked in each police district.
Major Weintraub recalled that over the years, he heard complaints from
several Jewish Officers who had trouble taking off of work during the
High Holidays. Major Weintraub then wrote a memo to Police Commissioner
Pomerleau requesting permission to form a lodge to represent Jews in the
Police Department. The lodge would be similar to the Sons of Italy and
Vanguard Justice Society, which already existed in the City of
Baltimore.
Several months later, a group from The
National Shomrim Society traveled from New York to Baltimore to meet
with Major Weintraub, Lieutenant Mervin Spiwak, and Major Sidney Hyatt.
The meeting was held at a downtown Baltimore hotel and The Shomrim
Society of Maryland was created. The Shomrim Society of Maryland held
its first meetings in the basement of the Baltimore Jewish Community
Center. Now both retired, Major Ted Weintraub and Major Sidney Hyatt are
both still active in The Shomrim Society of Maryland and serve on the Board of Directors.
Membership dues for 2012 can be paid at our next meeting or mailed to our P.O Box.- Baltimore Police Officer helps the Jewish Community Read the full article
- Officer Ron Starr was recognized by the Baltimore City Council for 35 years of service to the city. Read the full article
- The Shomrim Society of Maryland is now on Twitter.
- 2011 meeting dates have posted in the events section