Since the first Jewish resident emigrated to Baltimore in the mid-1700s, the Jewish community has grown to almost 100,000. A once-insular East Baltimore group has grown to a community that spans all areas and facets of the Greater Baltimore area.

In her new book, “Images of America: The Jewish Community of Baltimore,” Lauren Silberman chronicles the community’s history through images.

Silberman, 26, a Memphis native, said she created the book, which was released this week, “not only as a reference tool but as a love letter to the community.”

Silberman said she felt overwhelmed by the options available to Jews when she moved to Baltimore five years ago — but she also felt at home.

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“Coming at it as an outsider perhaps gave me a more objective viewpoint, but I’ve really fallen very hard for this community,” she said.

Silberman is the education and program coordinator at the Jewish Museum of Maryland in Baltimore. Her colleagues recommended her to Arcadia Publishing for the book. Arcadia publishes a series of books chronicling the history of different communities throughout the United States.

“The Jewish Community of Baltimore” includes 200 black-and-white photographs, most of which are historic. Silberman said the majority of the photos came from the Jewish Museum collection.

“[The book] shows the path from which Baltimore’s Jewish community began,” Silberman said.

Rabbi Alan Yuter of the B’Nai Israel Congregation near the museum said it is important for Jews to look to the past to see how their ancestors addressed problems — whether rightly or wrongly.

“I live in Baltimore, I should be aware of Baltimore’s depth of community, I’m part of that history,” he said. “I want to use the kind of old-time religion ... to be appropriate for the 21st century.”

Silberman said the face of Judaism in Baltimore is changing in every way. Jews have mostly abandoned their traditional roles in Baltimore society in the garment industry and now are involved in all facets of the city. Jews are moving back downtown and helping to revitalize Baltimore neighborhoods, including the area surrounding B’Nai Israel. Jews are starting support groups for families; congregations are moving and merging.

Understanding the past is key for living life in the present, Yuter said.

“When you look at the past, you see a code from God that never changes,” he said.

BY THE BOOK

  • The Jewish Community of Baltimore
  • By Lauren R. Silberman
  • 128 pages
  • Arcadia Publishing
  • Release Date: July 21, 2008
  • Price: $19.99 (30 percent of the proceeds are donated to the Jewish Museum of Maryland)

aleksandra.robinson@baltimore@examiner.com