Free long-term residential recovery community for Jewish men will open
its doors October 12

BALTIMORE, MD — After a decade of operating in Israel, AZ House will
open its first U.S. location in Baltimore on October 12, bringing its
free, long-term residential recovery model to the American Jewish
community.

The eight-bed Baltimore home will provide Jewish men struggling with
addiction a safe, kosher, structured environment in which to build
lasting recovery and rebuild their lives. As with AZ House in Israel,
there is no charge to residents or their families.

Founded in Jerusalem in 2016 by Eric Levitz, AZ House marks its tenth
anniversary this year with hundreds of alumni and more than 250
cumulative years of recovery within its community.

"AZ House was built around a very simple idea," said Levitz. "Give
someone a safe place to live, real structure, genuine community, and
enough time to actually rebuild a life. Recovery has to become more
than simply not using drugs or alcohol. We want people to build lives
they no longer need to escape from."

Life at AZ House includes structured daily responsibilities, recovery
meetings and groups, exercise, community involvement, and, as
residents progress, employment and increasing independence. More
established residents help newer residents navigate the process, while
alumni remain connected to the community long after leaving the house.

That culture grew in part from Levitz's own experience with addiction
and recovery. As a young man, he was helped by people who, as he
describes it, "went farther for me than I thought anyone would." After
moving to Israel at 26, Levitz saw a need for long-term recovery
support within the Jewish community and opened the first AZ House in
Jerusalem alongside his friend Moshe Zalman Olive.

Ten years later, the organization is bringing that model to the United States.

"Addiction exists in every community," Levitz said. "What makes me
proud about opening AZ House here is that Baltimore is choosing to be
part of the solution—not only for its own community, but for Jewish
families everywhere. We want Baltimore to become a place families know
they can turn to when someone they love needs help."

Baltimore was a natural choice for AZ House's first American home.
Levitz's wife is from Baltimore, the couple now lives in the area, and
the organization has received significant support from local families,
professionals, business owners, donors, and members of the recovery
community.

"We came here hoping to build something in Baltimore, and almost
immediately it felt like Baltimore was building it with us," Levitz
said.

Because AZ House does not charge residents, families, insurance
companies, or government programs for participation, its work depends
on community support. That support extends beyond financial
contributions and includes employment opportunities for residents,
mentorship, meals, professional relationships, friendship, and helping
families throughout the Jewish community know that the resource
exists.

For Levitz, the message to families remains straightforward:

"If you haven't found the answer yet, keep looking. Whether AZ House
is the right place or not, call us. If we can help, we'll help. And if
someone else is better suited to help, we'll point you toward them."

The AZ House Baltimore home will officially open its doors on October 12, 2026.

For admissions, information, community involvement, or support, visit
www.theazhouse.com or contact Eric Levitz at (667) 770-0270.