Baltimore City Public Schools have long been where future leaders, thinkers, and innovators took their first steps. As we recognize Jewish American Heritage Month, we highlight City Schools alumni whose lives and legacies continue to inspire.
Florence E. Bamberger was a pioneering educator from Baltimore whose work continues to influence teaching and learning. Born into a Jewish family, she graduated from Western High School and pursued higher education at Columbia Teachers College, earning her Ph.D. in 1922. Bamberger began her career in the Baltimore City Public Schools, becoming the city's first female school supervisor. She later joined Johns Hopkins University, becoming the first woman to attain a full professorship in the School of Philosophy. A proponent of progressive, child-centered education influenced by John Dewey, Bamberger emphasized the importance of teacher training and curriculum development. Her research, including the notable study "The Effect of the Physical Make-Up of the Book Upon Children's Selections," explored how book design impacts children's reading choices.
Born in 1855 and educated in Baltimore, Louis Bamberger became a major force in American 
retail and philanthropy. After early experience in his family’s retail network, including the Hutzler Brothers store, he moved to Newark. He founded L. Bamberger & Co., turning it into one of the nation’s most successful department stores. Known for his innovative business style and deep generosity, he supported many civic and Jewish causes. His most lasting legacy is the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, which he co-founded with his sister, helping attract world-renowned scholars like Albert Einstein. The World War II Liberty Ship SS Louis Bamberger was named in his honor.
Rose Zetzer, a trailblazing Baltimore native and Eastern High School graduate, was the first woman admitted to the Maryland State Bar Association in 1946, after more than two decades of rejections. A determined advocate for women’s rights, she founded the state’s first all-female law firm and fought for women to serve on juries. Zetzer’s legacy lives on through her legal work and continued recognition, including a fellowship in her name at the University of Maryland Carey School of Law.
Barry Levinson, a Forest Park High School graduate, is an award-winning
filmmaker. His breakout film “Diner” launched a series of Baltimore-based movies, including “Tin Men” and “Avalon.” Levinson won four Academy Awards for “Rain Man” and also directed hits like “Good Morning, Vietnam” and “Wag the Dog.” He has also contributed to television, producing shows like “Homicide: Life on the Street” and “Oz,” with much of his work reflecting his Baltimore roots.
Josh Charles, born in Baltimore in 1971, is an accomplished actor known for his roles in “Dead Poets Society”, “Sports Night,” and “The Good Wife,” for which he earned Emmy nominations. A Baltimore School for the Arts graduate, Charles also has a strong theater background and recently appeared in HBO’s “We Own This City.”
Cass Elliot, born Ellen Naomi Cohen, attended Forest Park High School
and was a celebrated singer and a key member of the 1960s group The Mamas & the Papas. Known for hits like "California Dreamin'" and "Monday, Monday," she had a successful solo career after the band disbanded. Elliot passed away tragically at 32 in 1974, but her music continues to influence artists today.
Ben Cardin, a graduate from Baltimore City College, served as a U.S. Senator from Maryland from 2007 to 2025. A member of the Democratic Party, Cardin’s political career spanned nearly five decades, beginning in the Maryland House of Delegates in 1967 and later serving in the U.S. House of Representatives. Known for his foreign policy and human rights work, he chaired key Senate committees during his tenure.
The #IAmCitySchools series celebrates Baltimore City Public Schools' remarkable alumni and showcases our proud legacy of talent and achievement. These alumni stories continue to resonate and inspire, proving that City Schools cultivate individuals whose impact shapes our community, our nation, and the world.