From left to right: Lenny Krasnow, Adam Sadovsky, Jay Rubin, Joel Levine and Suzanne Newberg. Credit: Arielle Levy

By Lisa Apfelberg and Sandy Dochen

The Shalom Austin Jewish Foundation celebrated its accomplishments in May at the new Rochelle and Stanley Ferdman Family Aquatic Center at the Shalom Austin JCC. The mood was upbeat as more than 70 fundholders enjoyed socializing at one of the campus’s most exciting new venues. The gathering focused on appre­ciating the generosity and celebrating the impact of Shalom Austin Jewish Founda­tion fundholders.

Attendees heard about the overall success of the Jewish Foundation in recent years – namely that it has given out more than $6.6 million in grants and endowment distri­butions since 2014. They also heard from two great examples of how the Foundation delivers for its fundholders and recipient non-profit organizations throughout the community.

Rabbi Daniel A. Septimus and Seth Halpern. Credit: Arielle Levy

Lynne Stein serves as Austin board chair of the Anti-Defamation League. Since 2014, Stein reported that the ADL has received 94 grants totaling $130,000 from Jewish Foundation fundholders. “So much of what ADL does around antisemitism and communal security is made possible through our generous donors,” Stein said. “In a world that is more divided, having the support of Jewish Foundation fundholders makes us more effective in building an Austin that is free from hate and safe for us all,” she added.

Attendees also heard how donor impact is helping the Central Texas Food Bank address food insecurity across the region. Last year alone the food bank distributed 64 million pounds of food helping the 1 in 8 people, and 1 in 6 children, facing hunger in the 21 county service area. Since 2014, fundholders have proposed more than 90 grants exceeding $42,000 to help keep neighbors fed. A special guest at the foundation event was Melinda Gonzales Boe, development director of the Central Texas Food Bank. “I can’t thank fundholders enough for your consis­tent generosity that is helping to alleviate hunger in multiple counties around our region,” Gonzales Boe said.

From left to right: Nora Lieberman, Barb Altman, Arthur Altman and Ian Spechler. Credit: Arielle Levy

A special thank you was given to the volunteers serving important leadership roles on the Jewish Foundation Committee which is chaired by Joel Levine. Each committee member serves on one of the following subcommittees: Donor Relations & Marketing (chaired by Marcia Silver­berg); Governance (chaired by Lynne Kurtz-Citrin); Investment Oversight & Financial Planning (co-chaired by Marvin Brittman & Wade Monroe); and Profes­sional Advisors (chaired by Janice Pierce). Other committee members recognized include: Barb Altman, Lisa Apfelberg, Erik Cohen, Sandy Dochen, Sandra Freed, David Goldstein, Lenny Krasnow, Eileen Ladd, Leone Lain, Laraine Lasdon, Patti Lengsfield, Lori Levy, Lawrence Maze, Janice Pierce, Rachel Robinson, Marianne Rochelle, Adam Sadovsky, Joe Steinberg, and Darryl Tocker.

Jewish Foundation fundholders express their philanthropy by responding to current needs quickly and generously. The Jewish Foundation is at work from assisting during ice storms to alleviating hunger; from COVID relief to supporting organizations helping resettle displaced Afghans and Ukrainians in Austin and around the world. Caring about friends in need, along with the ease of donating through the foundation and an 11% return on investment over five years is a way to manage one’s philanthropy all in one place. People who are beginning their year-end tax planning can consider donor advised funds or legacy funds.

To see a full listing of Jewish Foundation fundholders, visit www.shalomaustin.org/fundholders.

For more information contact Amy Hyman at amy.hyman@shalomaustin.org or (512) 735-8078.