Generations Campaign leaders, contributors, builders and team members come together on the Dell Jewish Community Campus for a ceremonial groundbreaking (listed below). The online event was held Oct. 25. Photo credit: Dave Hawks

The Shalom Austin Generations Campaign broke ground Oct. 25. Credit: Dave Hawks

The Shalom Austin Generations Campaign began building a brighter future for Austin’s Jewish community Sunday, Oct. 25, at a groundbreaking ceremony honoring the life and legacy of Judy Waxman, Generations Campaign co-chair. A pillar of the Jewish and Greater Austin community, Waxman was named Woman of Valor in 2015.

Featured speakers included Rabbi Daniel A. Septimus, Shalom Austin CEO; Shalom Austin Board Chair Abby Rapoport; Keith Zimmerman, Generations Campaign co-chair; Harriett Kirsh Pozen, Generations Campaign director; and Janet S. Elam, Shalom Austin COO. Austin Mayor Steve Adler and District 10 Council Member Alison Alter shared remarks. Designs for the exterior and interior of the new building were revealed.

Due to COVID-19 safety precautions, the ceremony was held online. ■

Groundbreaking Ceremony: Generations Campaign leaders, contributors, builders and team members

Daniel Carl, Generations Building Committee Co-Chair (fall 2016-summer 2020)
Janet S. Elam, Shalom Austin Chief Operating Officer
David Ferdman, Generations Building Committee Co-Chair
Ben Grant, Square One Project Manager
Bryan Jones, The Beck Group Principal
Harriett Kirsh Pozen, Generations Campaign Director
Steve Krasoff, Generations Campaign Contributor and Leader
Tom Mravle, IE2 Construction Vice President
Julia Mrnak, Garza EMC Vice President
Abby Rapoport, Shalom Austin Board Chair
Rabbi Daniel A. Septimus, Shalom Austin Chief Executive Officer
Brad Stein, Generations Building Committee Co-Chair (summer 2020-present) not appearing
Bill Waxman, Generations Campaign Contributor and Leader
Keith Zimmerman, Generations Campaign Co-Chair

In Memory of Judy Waxman

Judy Waxman

In October, Austin’s Jewish community lost an incredible human being and leader, Judy Waxman. A longtime fundraising professional and successful business owner, she served as co-chair of the Generations Campaign, advancing the vision of the Dell Jewish Community Campus and was awarded the prestigious Woman of Valor Award at Mosaic in 2015.

“Judy’s life was certainly an inspiration to everyone she touched. Not only did Judy laugh often, but her sense of humor brought many smiles into our lives,” said Rabbi Daniel A. Septimus, Shalom Austin CEO. “I will never forget the first time I met Judy, which was from afar when she was on stage at Mosaic, surrounded by her beautiful family, receiving the Woman of Valor Award for her incredible work and commitment to our Jewish community. First of all, Judy embodied someone who was so well deserving of being represented as an eshet chayil, a woman of valor. And even in that serious moment, she couldn’t help herself and share that Joel was an eligible bachelor and was available in front over 750 people, many of whom mothers themselves. Now that’s a dedicated Jewish mother. Without even meeting Judy in person, I could tell how special she was.”

Generations Campaign Co-Chairs Keith Zimmerman and Judy Waxman. Credit: David Finkel Photography

Waxman served in numerous leadership positions and donated time, talent and treasures to Congregation Agudas Achim, AIPAC, the Anti-Defamation League of Austin, Texas Hillel, the Jewish Community Center the Jewish Federation of Greater Austin and Temple Beth Shalom.  She also played an active role in the Settlement Club, Anderson High School, the Austin Rotary Club, and the Greater Austin Association of Fundraising Professionals.

Professionally she was a legendary fundraiser in the Austin area, with successful tenures at the Girl Scouts Lone Star Council and Children’s Medical Center Foundation supporting Dell Children’s Medical Center. In 2002, she was honored as Outstanding Fundraising Professional of the Year by the Association of Fundraising Professionals Austin Chapter.

Septimus explained that partnering with Waxman, as well as Keith Zimmerman, Generations Campaign co-chair, and Harriett Kirsh Pozen, Generations Campaign director, was an amazing honor and privilege.

Judy Waxman, Generations Campaign co-chair. Credit: David Finkel Photography

“Judy was immensely proud of the Generations project as she knew the impact it would have on the future of this community,” Septimus said. “Leading this campaign was a great culmination of her career, as she got to do it for her community and, of course, her own family. I learned so much from Judy and feel so blessed to have known her and walked with her on this journey to making this happen. Her presence will be felt on the Dell Jewish Community Campus for generations to come thanks to her sacred and holy work. I know her spirit and memory will live forever on the Dell Jewish Community Campus and this community through our continued work.”

Zecher tzadik livracha. May Judy’s memory be for an abiding blessing. ■