About Third Space
A space for meaningful engagement and community, grounded in Jewish culture, wisdom, and learning.
Third Space at Shaarei Tfiloh
We are about relationships and learning, and nurturing the two together.
Our vision:
We envision a compassionate, curious, and joyful Baltimore where Jewish wisdom is accessible to all, and people of diverse backgrounds come together to learn, connect, and co-create the kind of community none of us could build alone.
Our mission:
Through learning, cultural events, and joyful celebrations in community, Third Space animates Jewish tradition, weaving timeless wisdom into our lives in ways that are meaningful and relevant.
Third Space is a place for meaningful community building, both local and Jewish. It is a container for creativity, collaboration, exploration, and discovery. We are committed to the vision of being shaarei – gateways in Hebrew – a hub for learning, connecting, and growing together. Whether it be in lectures, classes, workshops, musical concerts and performances, or other hands-on experiences, we embrace curiosity, open-mindedness, and deep care. We hope those who come to Third Space share these values and help us build something sacred together.
Third Space welcomes and celebrates the full tapestry of Jewish identities. It values diversity of thought, perspectives and backgrounds. It is a place we want each person who joins us to feel welcomed, seen, and accepted.
To transform a building into a home, you need the right people. The same is true for Third Space.
What is a “Third Space”?
The concept of “Third Space” or “Third Place” was developed by sociologist Ray Oldenburg in the early 1990s.
The idea is built on the notion that a healthy society depends on three places where people build relationships: one’s private space (home), one’s place of contribution (work, school, trade, etc.), and a “third place” where people gather with others who share common communities or values. In this third space, people cultivate relationships based on these shared foundations. According to Oldenburg, a good third space is accessible, inviting, comfortable, playful, and open. It is a place for public wellbeing.
Third Space at Shaarei Tfiloh was designed to be such a place, one where our local community can find and explore connections to ideas and people, doing so rooted in Jewish wisdom and ancestral knowledge. We are committed to meaningful engagement and non-dogmatic understanding of this rich tradition of thinking and debate, and its relevance to our current time, place, and historical moment.