David Balto
About 8 years ago David Balto chose a new path to his life, to focus on gemilut chasadim, acts of loving kindness. Under the guidance of Rabbi Jim Michaels of the Hebrew Home of Greater Washington he was trained as a Chaplain. In the past several years he has served as a Chaplain at the Hebrew Home, Washington Hospital Center, George Washington Hospital, Capital Caring, Western Correctional Institution (Maryland’s maximum-security prison) and various other hospitals. A good deal of his hospital work has focused on patients in the NICU. David is the co-chair of the hospital chaplain committee of Neshama: The Association of Jewish Chaplains.
David has worked closely with BCGW for the past 6 years in serving scores of patients, especially those in hospitals, providing hands on services for those in spiritual need. David is inspired by the passionate work of other BCGW volunteers and is joyous to be able to contribute to the BCGW team. The favorite part of his week is visiting patients and distributing Shabbat boxes and he is eternally grateful to all the volunteers who create the lovely boxes which bring so much cheer to patients.
David serves all faiths in his work as a Chaplain and he is especially proud of his efforts to reach beyond religious differences. David was ordained as a spiritual director by ALEPH: the Alliance for Jewish Renewal and guides people of many faiths in spiritual direction.
David has served the Jewish community at Western Correctional Institution for almost seven years, leading services and study. He has worked extensively to provide prisoners resources and active education to help them embrace Judaism. He helped convince the Department of Corrections to permit inmates to pray with tefillin. He regularly corresponds with over 20 inmates and has written over 400 letters to inmates.
David created the National Bikur Cholim conference an annual virtual conference that provides resources and programs for bikur cholim volunteers, caregivers and those in need.
David was ordained by Rabbi Shmuel Herzfeld of Yeshivas Elimelech for his service to those in need. He is guided in his service by the example of his Bubbe and Zaide, Belle and Chaim Cohen, who immigrated to the United States 100 years ago this month and whose lives were dedicated to acts of gemilut chasadim.
David and his wife Naomi live in Chevy Chase and are proud members of Ohr Kodesh Synagogue, Shirat HaNefesh and Yeshivas Elimelech. Their son Sam and his wife Kayci and their children Lev and Gil live in Portland, Oregon.
In an earlier life David was an antitrust attorney and Policy Director of the Federal Trade Commission.
David has worked closely with BCGW for the past 6 years in serving scores of patients, especially those in hospitals, providing hands on services for those in spiritual need. David is inspired by the passionate work of other BCGW volunteers and is joyous to be able to contribute to the BCGW team. The favorite part of his week is visiting patients and distributing Shabbat boxes and he is eternally grateful to all the volunteers who create the lovely boxes which bring so much cheer to patients.
David serves all faiths in his work as a Chaplain and he is especially proud of his efforts to reach beyond religious differences. David was ordained as a spiritual director by ALEPH: the Alliance for Jewish Renewal and guides people of many faiths in spiritual direction.
David has served the Jewish community at Western Correctional Institution for almost seven years, leading services and study. He has worked extensively to provide prisoners resources and active education to help them embrace Judaism. He helped convince the Department of Corrections to permit inmates to pray with tefillin. He regularly corresponds with over 20 inmates and has written over 400 letters to inmates.
David created the National Bikur Cholim conference an annual virtual conference that provides resources and programs for bikur cholim volunteers, caregivers and those in need.
David was ordained by Rabbi Shmuel Herzfeld of Yeshivas Elimelech for his service to those in need. He is guided in his service by the example of his Bubbe and Zaide, Belle and Chaim Cohen, who immigrated to the United States 100 years ago this month and whose lives were dedicated to acts of gemilut chasadim.
David and his wife Naomi live in Chevy Chase and are proud members of Ohr Kodesh Synagogue, Shirat HaNefesh and Yeshivas Elimelech. Their son Sam and his wife Kayci and their children Lev and Gil live in Portland, Oregon.
In an earlier life David was an antitrust attorney and Policy Director of the Federal Trade Commission.