Val Newberg, Karen Kogut. Credit: Andrew Holmes 

By Shana Creeger 

 At the Fall Lion of Judah Appreciation Luncheon, Karen Kogut was celebrated for receiving the 2025 Kipnis-Wilson/Friedland award for Austin. The Kipnis award recognizes female leaders who embody the spirit and vision of the Lion of Judah through a commitment to tzedakah, tikkun olam and community service.  

Kogut was selected to receive this award because of her philanthropic leadership, legacy commitment, and her dedication to the continued strength and well-being of the Jewish people through her acts of loving kindness and generosity.    

Born and raised in Austin, Kogut is a proud member of one of Austin’s finest Jewish community families. She often shares stories about how her own parents’ backyard pool was the JCC when she was growing up. The roots of the Kogut family tree stand firm in our community foundation and the branches of continuing strong Jewish leaders reach far and wide.   

After growing up in Austin, Kogut moved to San Diego, where she was involved with Federation. In 2018, Kogut moved back to Austin to care for her father, Rueben, after her mother, Estelle/Etsy passed away. Their memories are a blessing to us all. Continuing the impactful legacy her parents began, Kogut got involved with Shalom Austin and is an incredible example of a female philanthropist who makes things happen.   

Kogut dedicated her time to this community as a former member of Shalom Austin’s Board of Directors, as a member of the Women’s Philanthropy Advisory Council, a Mosaic Table Captain, and currently serves on the finance committee and as the Lion of Judah steward mentor.   

She is dedicated to her roles and responsibilities in the Jewish community, but it’s Kogut’s strong personal relationships that really set her apart from other leaders. She is kind, considerate and warm. She leads passionately, and with a calming presence. She is enjoyable to work with, and easy to follow. Anyone who sits in a room with Kogut leaves feeling inspired to do more and give more.  

Kogut will be acknowledged alongside 58 other incredible female leaders at the International Lion of Judah Conference (ILOJC) in January in Atlanta, GA.  

The ILOJC is a transformative gathering of dynamic, philanthropic women from across the world, including 80 communities across the US and from London, Mexico and Israel.   

To date, Lions of Judah have collectively raised more than one billion dollars to aid vulnerable Jews around the globe, and today over 18,000 Lions are making high-impact gifts through their philanthropy.  

Lions of Judah contribute $5,000 or more annually to Shalom Austin. For more information about Shalom Austin giving societies, contact Shana Creeger at 
shana.creeger@shalomaustin.org.