Last month, we lost an incredible human being and leader in our community, Judy Waxmanz”l. She was awarded the prestigious Woman of Valor Award at Mosaic in 2015. 

Judy, who passed away on Shabbat, was truly a tzaddik, a righteous person. Her career was dedicated to tzedakah, coming from the same root as a tzaddik, as the true meaning of tzedakah is righteousness, often which comes in the form of charity. She brought tzedakah or righteousness to the world in ways that are countless, in ways that truly saved the lives of human beings and children. 

Judy’s last act of inspiring tzedakah — raising money for the Generations Campaign — will help ensure the vitality and vibrancy of this incredible growing Jewish community for many generations to come. When we celebrated our groundbreaking of the Generations project Oct. 25, Judy was certainly with us in spirit on that momentous day.

This month’s issue is dedicated in Judy’s memory. Not only was she so excited to reach an important milestone in the Generations project, she would have also been proud of the many ways that our community has adapted to this pandemic, including on the University of Texas at Austin’s campus and in our synagogue community.

A hearty mazel tov to the Levertov family and Chabad of Austin for moving to their newly acquired land and home. This is an exciting time in the greater Austin Jewish community, as we build and expand our physical centers of Jewish life.

A great tzaddik is one who draws people in to be a part of something great. That was Judy Waxman. While I will truly miss her presence and it will be painful to not have her physically on this Earth, especially as we approach some key milestones in the project she made happen, I feel truly blessed to have called her a dear friend and mentor. 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 in this community through our continued efforts and successes.

L’Shalom, 

Rabbi Daniel A. Septimus