B”H
Deals. Insights. Connections. Good Vibes.
JBA RealSteak Event
L’Chaim & Capital: Prime Steak. Premium Bourbon. Powerful Real Estate Connections.
Wednesday, October 28 · 3–7 PM · Columbia, MD
Ticket prices go up to $250 on the day of the event, and space is limited.
- When
- Wednesday, October 28, 20263:00 PM – 7:00 PM
- Where
- Rooftop Terrace at Pinnacle Financial Partners6100 Merriweather Drive, Columbia, MD 21044
- Host
- Seth Blum of Pinnacle Financial PartnersKosher event
- Tickets
- By advance purchaseSeating is limited
Please join us for a Jewish Business Alliance event, powered by Kindness Hub and Chabad Ellicott City. Hosted by Seth Blum of Pinnacle Financial Partners.
RealSteak is not another networking event. It’s a high-end experience designed to bring together business leaders, real estate investors, developers, and entrepreneurs for an afternoon focused on quality, impact, and real connections.
Enjoy prime kosher meats and delicious appetizers, kosher wines, and premium bourbon presented by the Bourbon Rabbi, Rabbi Litvin of Kentucky, all in an elevated setting with first-class hospitality.
The conversation will center around commercial real estate opportunities in the DMV, capital, investment, AI, and what’s next in the market, but the real JBA difference is who is in the room.
No collecting 100 business cards. No getting pitched all evening. Just a group of high-impact people, great conversations, exceptional food and bourbon, and an environment where meaningful relationships—and real deals—can happen.
Real Estate
High impact opportunities in the DMV
AI & Innovation
Leveraging AI to build smarter investments
Premium Meats
Curated, high end meats prepared to perfection
Top Shelf Bourbon
Fine bourbon. Great company. Unmatched vibes.
The Jewish Business Alliance
Be in the room where it happens.
The Jewish Business Alliance brings together business owners, real estate professionals, investors and entrepreneurs through a series of gatherings throughout the year. Each one is built to deepen relationships with one another and with the Jewish community of Howard County and the greater DMV.
Stay in the know on the projects, deals and trends shaping our region. JBA events include monthly business lunches, panel conversations and RealSteak, our not-to-be-missed signature event.
Network. Grow. Give back.
Merge your work life with your Jewish values.
Take your professional growth to the next level. Grow your business, connect with the sharpest minds in your industry, and turn your care for others into action. At the JBA you can do all three.
Whatever you do for a living, there is a seat at the table waiting for you. Together, we will build a stronger Jewish business community.
Want to connect with other professionals in your field? Email us and we’ll introduce you to like-minded members.
Connect with usWednesday, October 28 · Pinnacle Financial Partners, Columbia, MD
Event Schedule
3:00
to 3:30 PM
Doors Open
Networking, kosher bites and bourbon
Panel 1
3:30
to 4:00 PM
Zoning in Howard County
What is possible under the county’s zoning framework, and what is changing
4:00
to 4:30 PM
Networking, Food & Bourbon Tasting with Rabbi Litvin
Premium bourbon tasting with the Bourbon Rabbi, Rabbi Litvin of Kentucky
Panel 2
4:30
to 5:00 PM
AI & Real Estate
How AI is changing lending, property management and the way deals get done
5:00
to 7:00 PM
Networking & Food
Prime kosher steak to close the evening
Panel 1 · 3:30 – 4:00 PM
Zoning in Howard County
The afternoon opens with a conversation on what is actually possible under Howard County’s zoning framework, where the approvals process stands today, and what is changing. Moderated by Jared Spahn of First Real Estate Management and Old Towne Construction, with four people who work inside that process every day:
Moderator
Jared Spahn
President & CEO, First Real Estate Management · Old Towne Construction
First Real Estate Management · Old Towne Construction
Jared Spahn will moderate our first panel on zoning in Howard County. He is a founding member of First Real Estate Management, which he started in 1998 and which has served dozens of communities and thousands of homeowners across Maryland. He also leads Old Towne Construction.
Jared grew up in Columbia, Maryland’s largest homeowners association, and holds a degree in Public Policy from Washington and Lee University. His knowledge of the development process and construction has twice earned him Developer of the Year from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development. He has served on the Maryland Department of General Services Professional Services Selection Board under three administrations and was elected its Chairman in 2009.
Gabriel Chung
Senior Vice President of Development, Howard Hughes Communities
Leads strategic planning, entitlement, and development initiatives across the Maryland Region, including Merriweather District and Gateway. At RealSteak he will speak about the new Saval Foods headquarters in Columbia Gateway.
Land Use & Zoning Attorney, Saul Ewing LLP
Guides developers and owners through zoning amendments, development plan approvals, conditional uses, and variances. Practice focused in Howard and Anne Arundel counties.
Director, Planning & Zoning, Howard County Government
Leads the county department that guides land use and development, with more than two decades of planning experience across Maryland.
Managing Partner, Talkin & Oh LLP
Over twenty years in real estate, zoning, and land use, appearing regularly before Maryland courts and administrative bodies.
Panel 2 · 4:30 – 5:00 PM
AI & Real Estate Panel
How AI is changing lending, property management, and the way real estate deals get done. AI can accelerate the first read. Judgment and relationships still decide the deal.
Commercial Banking & Real Estate Lending, WesBanco
“AI means we see every inconsistency in your package in the first hour. Explain it before we find it, and you’ll get to a term sheet faster.” Cleaner packages. Faster underwriting. Better first impressions.
Technology & Operations, MT Washington Group · Bright Horizons Constructions (BHC)
Mendel builds AI-powered systems for property management and construction, automating invoice approvals, technician dispatch, leasing, and live portfolio reporting across hundreds of units.
Midfield Realty
Baltimore multifamily agent focused on helping property owners grow, improve, and succeed. How AI can help you close deals in a tough market.
Director, Cushman & Wakefield
Speaking from a broker’s perspective on how AI is changing the way properties are marketed and deals get done.
Featured · Panel 1
Gabriel Chung on the Saval Foods headquarters
Senior Vice President of Development, Howard Hughes Communities
Gabriel Chung is Senior Vice President of Development for Howard Hughes Communities, where he leads strategic planning, entitlement, and development initiatives across the Maryland Region. Over his 18-year career with the company, he has been involved in all phases of the development process, including public-private partnerships, joint venture structuring, entitlements, and project execution.
In his current role, Gabriel oversees strategic initiatives across Merriweather District and Gateway, with a focus on advancing mixed-use, commercial, residential, and industrial opportunities that support the long-term growth of the region.
Gabriel received his MBA from Columbia University.
At RealSteak, Gabriel will speak about the new Saval Foods headquarters in Columbia Gateway, a partnership between Howard Hughes Communities and Saval Foods. The 230,000 square-foot project will include a distribution center and multi-story office building, and will bring 107 new full-time jobs to Maryland.
Development Opportunity
Cottage clusters in Howard County
Howard County has approved cottage clusters (ZRA-224), a new form of age-restricted adult housing: groups of at least four small detached homes, each under 1,200 square feet, arranged around a shared courtyard with walking paths, seating and recreation areas.
The county’s map shows about 1,046 parcels that may have potential for a cottage cluster. Sites must be inside the Public Service Area, at least 20,000 square feet, and developed through the Optional Design Project process in eligible districts.
Come ready to ask our zoning panel what this means for land owners, builders and investors.
Featured at RealSteak
Herzog Wine Club
Herzog Wine Club will be featured at RealSteak, alongside the kosher wines poured throughout the evening. The club delivers a selection of Herzog kosher wines to your door.
Mention Chabad of Ellicott City when you sign up and Herzog will give $100 to help the local community.
High-end venue (Rooftop Terrace 6100 Merriweather Dr). High-end hospitality. Quality people. Real impact.
Come for the steak. Raise a L’Chaim. Leave with connections that matter.
Exceptional people. Powerful opportunities. Let’s build together.
Get your tickets hereSeating is limited. Tickets are sold in advance.
Event Committee
- Seth Blum — Pinnacle Financial Partners
- Yaakov Kanevsky — Midfield Realty
- Andrew Hinton — GL Capital
- Brett Weil — WesBanco
- Nick Lamanna — Northwestern Mutual
Guest List
- Steve AdlerSteven Adler Consulting
- Steven ArtmanFloor Coverings International
- Mendi BaronKindness Hub
- Mushky BaronElegant Event Design
- Rabbi Hillel BaronChabad Lubavitch of Howard County
- Rabbi Yanky BaronChabad Ellicott CityKindness Hub
- Ron BarrettCogency Global Inc.
- Darryl BeckerPinnacle Financial Partners
- Eric BersPacesetter Homes, Inc.
- Bessy BlumCFG Bank
- Alex BounanAlex Bounan, REALTOR
- Thea BrowningNoble Realty Advisors
- Michael BuadanaExperts Remodel
- Michael ChelstMassanutten Vacation LLC
- Yannik Cudjoe-VirgilMerlynn Real Estate Partners
- Mendel DalfinMidfield Real Estate
- Zack Davidson
- Brad DavisPinnacle Financial Partners
- Gary GamberCrown Title Corporation
- Alex GamermanSoft Stuff Distributors
- Michael GlassNoble Realty Advisors
- Brody GoldBrodyAI
- Shawn GoldfadenLand Services USA LLC
- Andrew HintonGL Capital
- Jade HintonGL Capital
- Julia House-BeyJUPAMOMO Family Child Care Home LLC
- Phillip HummelShulman Rogers
- Jennifer JonesHoward County Economic Development Authority
- Steven KleinBright Horizon Construction
- Melissa LamannaJLL
- David LevyExperts Remodel
- Mark LevyH&H Rock Companies
- Rabbi Chaim LitvinChabad Louisville KentuckyBourbon Rabbi
- Mario LloydeNoble Realty Advisors
- Moshe MargoleseBright Horizon Construction
- David MedcalfNoble Realty Advisors
- Ben OffitComposition Wealth
- Gary PeiserMadison SPECS
- Jerry RobinsonNichols Contracting Inc.
- Kartik ShahPinnacle Financial Partners
- Sina SoumekhianUnity Source Alliance
- Sam SpiritosShulman Rogers, P.A.
- Michele Walsh
Who is in the room
Companies in the Room
Pinnacle Financial Partners
WesBanco
CFG BankCushman & Wakefield
JLL
GL Capital
Midfield Real Estate
Northwestern Mutual
Long & Foster
MT Washington Group
Saul Ewing
Cogency Global
Merlynn Real Estate Partners
Crown Title Corporation
- BrodyAI
Land Services USA
Experts Remodel
H&H Rock Companies
First Real Estate Management
Old Towne Construction
- Talkin & Oh
Shulman Rogers
Composition Wealth
Nichols Contracting
Floor Coverings International
Noble Realty Advisors
Soft Stuff Distributors
Bright Horizon Construction
Madison SPECS
Howard County EDA
- Pacesetter Homes
- Elegant Event Design
- Unity Source Alliance
- Massanutten Vacation
- JUPAMOMO Family Child Care
From past JBA events
Speakers who have joined us
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October JBA Fundraising Campaign
Please join the October Jewish Business Alliance Fundraising Campaign to support Kindness Hub’s efforts to support individuals with breast cancer in our community in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Join HereJBA & Kindness Hub
Business that changes the community around it
The Jewish Business Alliance is powered by the Kindness Hub and Chabad Ellicott City. The Kindness Hub’s inclusion initiative creates workforce opportunities for individuals with disabilities, and JBA members help open those doors through their own businesses. Doing business together is one of the ways we strengthen the communities we live and work in.
Learn about Kindness HubYour Jewish identity does not stay at the door.
At the JBA, Jewish values are part of how business gets done: honesty in our dealings, care for the people we work with, and responsibility to the wider community. Bringing who you are into your work is part of why people want to work with you.
Join the JBA
RealSteak · Wednesday, October 28
Rooftop Terrace at Pinnacle Financial Partners, Columbia, MD