The school also holds a popular series of adult education classes on topics such as modern and biblical Hebrew and Jewish history and culture, art and philosophy. The classes are taught by the school's faculty and by Baltimore-area Jewish leaders.
Baltimore Hebrew took a hit in 2007, when The Associated said it would cut its annual contribution from $1.1 million to $600,000 over five years. The Associated's grants represented 40 percent to 60 percent of the school's budget.
Marc B. Terrill, president of The Associated, issued a statement saying the federation "supports Baltimore Hebrew University in its efforts to form a partnership with Towson University."
"We believe that a program like this could offer a valuable resource and a rewarding choice," he said, "for not only students that are seeking advanced degrees in Jewish studies but also adult learners looking to increase their general knowledge about Jewish culture and history."
Lowenberg said negotiations have taken place at all levels, including the academic and financial sides, about how Baltimore Hebrew would become part of Towson.
The arrangement would most likely require formal approval from the state board of regents, which has given Caret an informal go-ahead to continue the talks. The Maryland Higher Education Commission has also been apprised of them.
"I think it's a wonderful opportunity for both institutions," said regent David Nevins. "A longstanding institution of much repute is able to survive, albeit in a slightly different form, but in a form where it is partnering with a very much up-and-coming institution in the form of Towson."
He said Towson is becoming a university of first choice in the Jewish community. The school's Hillel group has been in existence for just over a decade.
Baltimore Hebrew expects to break even financially this fiscal year after bringing in a new president in 2007 who had fundraising expertise. But prospective students continue to question its future.
"It's understandable that people would not want to make a commitment to a program if they didn't think the program was going to be in existence long enough to complete their degree," Lowenberg said.
"Time is of the essence in these negotiations because we do need to continue recruiting and to grow our programs."
