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Dan’s parents, Shlomo and Lea Kraus (z”l), who both escaped Europe, were lifelong supporters of Hadassah and Jewish life in Massachusetts and Texas. Many people in the Austin Jewish Community know Dan’s in-laws, Marvin and Leslie (z”l) Brittman who have been deeply involved as both lay leaders and philanthropists in the Austin Jewish community as well as the Austin Symphony, Austin Opera, and Conspirare.

Dan was very involved in Young Judaea as a teen growing up in the suburbs of Boston. He attended Camp Tel Yehudah for multiple years and was the New England region president of Young Judaea his senior year of high school. Dan attended Year Course in Israel after high school and went on to co-found the Young Judaea Hamagshimim chapter at Binghamton University.

A few years into their lives in Austin, Dan took Jay Rubin out to coffee and asked him if there was a Jewish Foundation. Jay said there wasn’t yet, but if they did ever get people together to create one, he would let Dan know. In the meantime, he connected Dan with Dana Baruch. Dana suggested Dan get involved with the Allocations Committee and he has been deeply involved ever since. He joined the board the following year, chairing the Allocations Committee, and joined the inaugural Jewish Foundation Committee. Dan was also very active in the Finance Committee for many years, as Treasurer in 2013-2014 and then for six years as Shalom Austin Board Chair Elect, Chair, and Past Chair. During that period Dan was also on the Shalom Austin Executive Committee, the Generations Leadership Committee, the CEO Search Committee, and relaunched the Past Presidents Council serving as its first chair.

Dan and his wife Rochelle moved to Austin in December 2003 from New York City. They have two children, Noah, a junior at Anderson High School and Kir, a sophomore at LASA. Both grew up on the J campus attending ECP, Camp Shalom, and the Austin Jewish Academy. Dan is the co-founder and co-managing partner of Austin Private Wealth.

2020 Keith Zimmerman 

2019 Ian Spechler 

2017 Adam Loewy 

2015 David Goldstein

2014 Jason O’Krent

2013 Arthur Smith & Stuart Wallock 

2012 Billy Osherow 

2011 Michael Chase

2010 Margo Smith

2009 David Brenner

2008 Michael Voticky 

Make a tribute gift in honor of our 2022 Joseph Krassner Campaign Leadership Award Recipient, Dan Kraus.

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Originally from St. Louis, Phil Loewy came to Austin to attend The University of Texas McCombs School of Business. After devoting a large part of her career to recruiting in Dallas/Fort Worth at a Texas hedge fund and later at Goldman Sachs, she moved back to Austin in 2015.

Within a few weeks of landing here, Phil attended the Mosaic luncheon and was inspired to dedicate the majority of her time to Shalom Austin. Although all facets of Shalom Austin are vital, she is most passionate about Women’s Philanthropy and legacy giving, as an endowed Forever Lion. Phil feels honored to serve on the Shalom Austin Board and Executive Committee, on the Women’s Philanthropy Committee as Immediate Past Chair, and previously as Lion of Judah Co-Chair and Forever Lion Co-Chair.

Additionally, Phil is excited to be the 2022 Annual Campaign Co-Chair with her wonderful husband, Adam. Phil is also privileged to be a Board Member of Fertility Foundation of Texas and on the Advisory Board of Texas Book Festival. Adam and Phil are the proud parents of sons Clayton and Lochlan. 

2020 Kim Schocket

2019 Julie Franklin

2017 Julie Waltzer

2016 Brian Deitch

2015 Abby Rapoport

2014 Lauren Halpern

2013 Caryn Abraham

2012 Ian Spechler

2011 Helen Gilbert

2010 Joe Felner

2009 Seth Halpern

2008 Diana Ginor

2007 Lisa Goodgame

2006 Brian Feld

Make a tribute gift in honor of our 2022 Hymie & Louise Samuelson Leadership Award Recipient, Phil Loewy.

Click here to make a gift now.