Why we’re Kvelling for the Jewish owner of this home?
Published August 21, 2021
In a recent survey of Jewish Light readers of both the newspaper and website, we asked if people remembered the first time they had heard of the Jewish Light? The overwhelming answer was, “When a friend or family member was mentioned in an article.”
There is just something special about reading your name or a friend’s name in an article, which is why we’re kvelling over Maya Tomasello (Fernandez). Maya, who grew up in Clayton, celebrated her bat mitzvah and confirmation at Central Reform Congregation with Rabbi Susan Talve. Maya is getting the double whammy of having her name and photos of her home appearing in a popular travel magazine, as well as making her Jewish Light debut.
Maya and her husband Marco now call Berlin, Md. their home, where they found the opportunity of a lifetime: to own and operate The Inn Berlin.
The Inn Berlin Bed & Breakfast has been lovingly transformed into a grand estate, with a unique history that dates back over two centuries. After the property changed hands beginning in 1799, it was purchased in 1835 by James Dirickson, who built the original farmhouse. Centuries later, the house was in disrepair after sitting vacant for many years, but new owners were able restore the home, and turned it into a bed and breakfast from 2010-2020, and the property was purchased by the Tomasello family in 2020.
Marco and Maya Tomasello established The Inn Berlin in 2021, after a year of extensive renovations and a complete design overhaul.
That was when the travel magazine, Coastal Style Magazine, came calling.
“It is such an honor to be featured in Coastal Style Magazine,” said Maya. “Coastal Style is well-known for showcasing the ‘best-of-the-best’ in the Mid-Atlantic Coastal area, and we feel very fortunate to have been chosen at such an early point in our business. The magazine was a long-time supporter of my in-law’s restaurant, and developed and followed their and ours entrepreneurial pursuits with great interest.”
The article was published this summer, and details the couple’s journey and includes mouthwatering photographs of the property, but perhaps the most significant response from the viewing public has been in regards to Maya’s decision to offer an entirely gluten free menu.
“I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2009 (my senior year of high school) and know how important it is for people with dietary restrictions to feel safe and have options while traveling or entertaining,” said Maya.
Although not generally marketed as a gluten-free bed and breakfast to the public, Maya has been promoting the business as celiac-safe amongst the celiac community.
“When people hear the words ‘gluten free’ they automatically assume the food won’t be as good as ‘regular’ food,” said Maya. “My goal is to disprove that preconception to people who come to stay or attend events here. The ultimate compliment to me is when guests remark that they didn’t even realize that everything here is gluten-free.”
Congrats to Maya and thanks to her for giving us another reason to kvell!
